Alert

The lake water level has risen about 5 ft since last Tuesday's report.

From the COE - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Vicksburg District have closed the parking lot area at Clear Creek Boat Ramp as work begins to repair the ramp. The boat ramp was closed last year when a section of the ramp surface collapsed. It is anticipated that repairs will last several more months.

Fish started biting this past weekend when the water rise started to settle down. Expect cooler weather by this weekend. Crappie guarding nests will stay on them with the water rising, but fish looking for nesting sites will move shallower.

Always check the links in the "Water Level" section for the lake level and if it's rising or falling. A big rain can change conditions quickly. Adjust to conditions like the fish do. Except for catfish, fishing is usually better on a slow fall than a fast rise. Water falling, fish deeper; water rising, fish shallower.

Crappie spawning starts when average daily water temperature at “fish depth” is about 58, peaks at about 65, and ends at about 75 F. Timing and duration of the spawn depends on temperature and water level trends, weather fronts, and moon phases. Fish will spawn shallower in rising water, deeper in falling water. Bigger females usually spawn first. Males of any size can be caught throughout the spawn. Males will stay on the nest until eggs hatch and fry swim up (4 - 7 days) even if the water rises or falls (unless the nest gets too shallow). Males of both Black and White Crappie get darker during the spawn; females do not change color. Historically, crappie spawn on the flood control reservoirs from the last week of March until about the first week of May, but it may shift earlier, later, or be split into two or more peaks due to weather and water fluctuations.

Statewide creel and size limits apply to all other fish species.

Anglers may use no more than 4 poles per person and no more than 2 hooks or lures per pole. 

Spillway

The spillway had all gates closed (0 cfs) Tuesday due to heavy rainfall last week. Expect the gates to open slightly this week unless there is more rainfall. Best luck in the spillway is when some water is being released, but not too much. Expect frequent spillway gate closures and openings as the Corps maintains the rule curve in the reservoir above. For crappie, fish jigs and/or minnows out of the current or right along the rocks or troll or drift in the Lower Lake. Crappie reports have picked up lately fishing from the rocks. Spillway and Lower Lake crappie fishing depends on winter water releases from Sardis Lake. A dry winter resulted in little water being released (click on the Little Tallahatchie River link below). Catfishing is best in eddies on natural bait fished near the bottom in the spillway or down near the Lower Lake runout. White bass have been showing up - they will be in the current where you can drift a 2-jig rig just off bottom (watch the rocks!) or fish small crankbaits or tailspinner lures. For bass, cover in the old river run is the best bet, or fish along the rocks in the spillway with spinnerbaits or swimbaits.

Spillway gate openings, flow rates, and spillway water levels can be obtained at (662)563-4531 or check at Vicksburg District Daily River Bulletin for a table OR Little Tallahatchie River @ Sardis Dam, MS for a graph OR Yazoo River Basin Reservoirs for both (click on 24-hour change for picture explanation of gate flow, spillway flow, etc.). Be sure to check the date on the table; it usually is updated midday.

Fish captured and kept with dip or landing nets, cast nets, boat mounted scoops, wire baskets, minnow seines, and minnow traps in the spillway areas bordered by rip rap must be immediately placed on ice or in a dry container. Game fish caught with these gears must be released. This regulation was enacted to reduce the potential of transferring harmful Asian carps to the reservoir or other waters.

The 12-inch crappie length limit does not apply to the reservoir spillway, but the spillway, including Sardis Lower Lake, has a 15-crappie creel limit.

Water Level

Water level 257.87 ft, rising 0.2 ft/day, 2.1 ft over the rule curve Tuesday. The water level is supposed to rise from 241 ft March 1 to summer pool (260 ft) by May 1. Expect rapid water level rises and drawdowns as rain events happen and the Corps tries to achieve and maintain rule curve. For water level information, call (662)563-4531 or check at Vicksburg District Daily River Bulletin for a table OR Little Tallahatchie River @ Sardis Dam, MS for a graph OR Yazoo River Basin Reservoirs for both (click on 24-hour change for picture explanation of gate flow, spillway flow, etc.). Be sure to check the date on the table; it is usually updated midday.