2018 Fishing Forecast for Central Mississippi Lakes
3/6/2018 2:34:53 PM
From MDWFP
JACKSON - Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) fisheries biologists are excited about the upcoming fishing season in Central Mississippi. “Fall electrofishing revealed a healthy largemouth bass population on Ross Barnett Reservoir,” said MDWFP fisheries biologist Ryan Jones. Largemouth bass over fifteen inches were abundant in the 2017 fish population samples. According to Jones, “this abundance is due to a large spawn in 2013, and I expect the average size of the catch to be bigger this year.” Another productive lake for largemouth bass is Okatibbee Reservoir north of Meridian. The average lunker weight caught during tournaments was 6.7 pounds in 2017. Trophy bass continue to be caught at Neshoba County Lake and Simpson County Lake. Last year, a bass weighing 14.3 pounds set the Neshoba County Lake record. March is a great time to catch these big spawners on shallow beds.
Panfish anglers have many options to choose from. Anglers should travel to Lake Prentiss Walker near Mize or north of Vicksburg to Eagle Lake for some of the best bream fishing in the state. Harvested bream average over half a pound at both lakes. Ross Barnett Reservoir is a great location in central Mississippi to catch quality crappie, but Okatibbee Reservoir, Kemper County Lake, and Eagle Lake also boast healthy crappie populations.
For more information regarding wildlife or hunting in Mississippi, visit our website at http://www.mdwfp.com or call us at 601-432-2212. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mdwfp or on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MDWFPonline.
