Fishing Report

The bass reports have been slow to fair since the late summer grind has arrived. It took 7.5 pounds to win the Thursday evening 3-fish tournament last week. Most anglers are either going early in the day or in the evening. Targeting the deep side of channel bends in old river runs with Texas-rigged plastics and square-billed crankbaits is a good technique. Also, bass are being caught off shoreline structure on the channel and the gravel pits near the east bank ramp. Texas-rigged plastics have been the most popular baits, with spinnerbaits and frogs also catching a few active fish out of the grass in the pits. Some spotted bass action can be had at the mouth and lower end of the Buttahatchie River as well. Jigs, shakeyheads, crankbaits, and spinnerbaits are working there. The catfish reports were slow to fair this week. Catfish are biting along the channel on jugs and trotlines and also below the dam on rod-n-reel. Shad (either cut or whole) has been the best bait. The crappie bite has been slow. Try targeting old river runs with deep banks and laydowns using minnows and jigs.

A 9 pound lunker from the youth tournament on June 23.

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.

Fishing Regulations

Species:
Black bass (combined largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass)
Crappie (combined black and white)
Paddlefish

Lengths to Release:
Black bass: 14 inches and under
Crappie: 9 inches and under
Paddlefish:  All lengths

Creel Limit (per person, per day):
Black bass: 10
Crappie: 30
Paddlefish:  0

Paddlefish harvest and possession is prohibited in the Tenn-Tom Waterway, Tombigbee River and it's tributaries.

Walleye harvest and possession is prohibited in the Tombigbee River and it's tributaries north of Hwy 278 (Monroe, Itawamba and Prentiss Counties).

Statewide creel limits apply to all other fish species.

Additional Information:
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.