Alert
Weekly fishing reports will return February 15. Below are some tips on fishing during the winter and early spring.
Information about Ross Barnett Reservoir facilities can be found here:
BARNETT RESERVOIR PEARL RIVER VALLEY WATER SUPPLY DISTRICT
Fishing Report
Ross Barnett Reservoir - 12/1/2023 12:23:18 PM| Species | Detail | |
| Largemouth Bass | Bass will be holding along the river channel around ledges and structure. Fish can also be targeted in shallow areas with aquatic vegetation. Worms fished slowly in these areas can be productive. Spinner baits, spoons or crank baits fished along deeper points are also a good choice this time of year. | |
| Crappie | Crappie should be targeted along the main river channel and deep standing timber. Flow provided by the Pearl River at Hwy 43 Bridge will allow fish to congregate in the slack water just outside the main channel. Double minnow rigs and jigs tipped with a nibble should be most productive. | |
| Bream | Bream can be targeted around deep structure at depths of 8 - 10 ft. Tightlining along the bottom in these areas with crickets and worms are best bet for bream this time of year. | |
| Catfish | Try for catfish in deep timber with jigs or minnows fished next to the bottom. Fish can also be targeted with jugs out in the open water floating them through stump fields. Worms and blood baits can be very productive. Trot lines, and poles fished along flats adjacent to the river channel and above Hwy 43 in old oxbow lakes are also good ways to harvest many quality catfish. Special regulations apply to parts of Ross Barnett for trotlines, throw lines, set hooks, limb lines, fffd's, jugs and yo-yos. Please check in advance before using these devices. | |
Special Fishing RegulationsSpecies |
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| Species | Type | Length To Release |
| Black Bass (largemouth, smallmouth, spotted) | Minimum Length Limit | 14 inches and under |
Creel Limits (per person, per day) |
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| Type | Amount | Additional Information |
| Black Bass (combined largemouth, smallmouth and spotted) | 7 | Ross Barnett Reservoir only |
Spillway
From the Ross Barnett Reservoir spillway outlet to the end of the riprap.
- 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.
From the Ross Barnett Reservoir spillway outlet to the City of Jackson water intake in the Pearl River.
- The daily bag limit for Striped and/or Hybrid Striped Bass is 6 per person per day.
- All fish 15 inches and under must be released and only 1 fish longer than 24 inches maybe harvested.
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.
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