JACKSON - Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) fisheries biologists are excited about the prospects of angler success in the upcoming fishing season in Northeast Mississippi. Fall 2011 population sampling on Lake Monroe, Elvis Presley Lake, Tippah County Lake, and Lake Lowndes State Park showed high catch rates of small bass.  "Due to the large population of smaller bass, creel limits in these lakes have been increased to 30 fish per day. We want to encourage folks to harvest those smaller fish" said MDWFP Fisheries Biologist Tyler Stubbs. "These lakes also have quality crappie and bream populations, especially in Lake Monroe" continued Stubbs. Anglers targeting catfish should head to Oktibbeha County Lake or Elvis Presley Lake as both lakes boast healthy populations of quality-sized catfish.

The 2012 fishing season has also kicked off along the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway. Pickwick Lake in Tishomingo County has become one of the hottest bass lakes in the country, and numerous fish over 10 pounds have already been reported this year. Spotted bass and crappie populations are in good shape at Bay Springs Lake. The "river lakes," Aberdeen, Columbus and Aliceville, also support healthy populations of crappie and catfish.