Fishing Report
Columbus Lake - 5/23/2022 7:53:20 AMSpecies | Detail | |
Bass | Bass reports from Columbus are fair to good. Anglers are reporting luck from numerous backwaters. The gravel pits, Hwy. 50 slough, Tibbee Creek, and the old river runs are all holding fish. Topwater lures like buzzbaits, poppers, and frogs are getting the action early in the morning around grassy and woody cover. Anglers are switching to Texas-rigged plastics, jigs and spinnerbaits during the day. With increasing water temps, look for shade to play a role in fish location. | |
Crappie | The crappie reports have been fair. A few anglers are still catching some shallow crappie in the gravel pits on both minnows and jigs. Laydowns in the deeper backwaters and the old river runs are holding fish as well. | |
Catfish | Some good catfish have been caught below the dam on cut-bait and/or whole shad. Jugs and trotlines have caught fish as well, mostly along the channel. Most catfish baits (liver, nightcrawlers, cutbait) are effective. |
Special Fishing RegulationsSpecies |
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Species | Type | Length To Release |
Black Bass (combined largemouth, spotted and smallmouth) | Minimum Length Limit | 14 inches and under |
Crappie (combined black and white) | Minimum Length Limit | 9 inches and under |
Creel Limits (per person, per day) |
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Type | Amount | Additional Information |
Black Bass (combined largemouth, spotted and smallmouth) | 10 | |
Crappie (combined black and white) | 30 |
Spillway
From Columbus Lake dam spillway downstream to Mile Marker 334, including the auxiliary spillway and associated bank fishing access areas in the Tombigbee River cutoff below the dam.
- Anglers can only use one pole or rod per person.
- Artificial lures with no more than 3 treble hooks no larger than #2 may be used anytime.
- The use of baited or bare treble hooks is illegal.
- No other gear can be used in these waters except that dip or landing nets, cast nets, boat mounted scoops, wire baskets, minnow seines, and minnow traps may be used to capture bait. Anglers keeping minnows, shad, nongame gross fish and non-native fish caught with these gear types must immediately place their catch on ice or in a dry container.
- From Dec 1 until the last day of February - Anglers can only fish with 2 single hooks no larger than #2. Hooks must be secured at least one inch apart.
- From March 1 to Nov 30 - Anglers can only fish with 2 single hooks of any size. Hooks must be secured at least one inch apart.
Additional Information
Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks Fisheries Biologists use various sampling methods to assess the fish populations in the State’s waters. Sampling results for selected water bodies are summarized in Reel Facts Sheets.