MDWFP Logo

Fishing & Boating

Alert

Clean your boat trailers!

Giant Salvinia is a highly invasive floating aquatic plant that is abundant in the Tenn-Tom Waterway. Please remove all vegetation from boat trailers before leaving launch areas.

Giant Salvinia

 

 


Fishing Report

Columbus Lake - 4/8/2024 7:56:17 AM
Species Detail
Bass The bass bite can be called good as the water temps continue to rise. For bass, Texas-rigged lizards, square-billed crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and swimbaits are good lure choices. Dark colored jigs and chatterbaits are also good lure choices. Target backwater areas like the Hwy 50 area, Tibbee Creek and the old river runs on the north end of the lake for pre spawning fish. In some of the clearer backwaters, you may be able to see a few fish on the bed.
Crappie For crappie, target some of the same areas as the bass fishermen. The stumps along the east bank are a popular area as well. Most anglers are fishing jigs with some chartreuse color in them if the water is still fairly dirty.
Catfish For catfish, target the mouths of the old river runs with trot lines and rod-n-reels. Fish will also be holding at the edge of any current along the navigation channel. The submerged logs along the deep side of the old river run between the marina and the East Bank boat ramp is a good place for tightlining as well. Cut/whole shad is typically the best bait choice.

Special Fishing Regulations


Species

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)

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.


Share this share this share this

Sign up, Keep Up

Sign up to receive monthly newsletters featuring all the latest news and happenings from MDWFP.
- or -
Sign up to receive survey questions from MDWFP. Your information is valuable to our conservation efforts!


Enroll