If you have questions about purchasing a license call 1-800-5GO-HUNT.
*Ross Barnett Reservoir, is operated by the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District (PRVWSD). The MDWFP Fisheries Bureau oversees the management and conservation of the reservoir's fisheries resources and provides regular fishing reports.
Ross Barnett Reservoir is a 33,000 acre impoundment of the Pearl River. It consists of approximately 24,000 acres of open-water lake habitat and 9,000 acres of riverine habitat north of Hwy 43. The reservoir is managed by the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District (PRVWSD).
For more information visit the Barnett Reservoir Pearl River Valley Water Supply District website
Fishing Report - Updated 04/21/2025
| Species | Detail |
| Largemouth Bass | Bass fishing has been good. Bass are starting to move back out to deeper water following spawning. Target points, ledges, and docks in 3 to 6 feet of water. Another good place to target is along the edges of emergent vegetation. Chatterbaits, spinnerbaits, lipless crankbaits, and Texas rigged worms are popular baits. Go to colors include black/blue, junebug, and white/silver. |
| Crappie | Crappie fishing has been fair. Anglers are still reporting crappie are scattered and anywhere and have had success catching them around the grass out to 20 feet of water. Try targeting crappie in water from 2 foot deep out to 13 feet deep. |
| Bream | Bream fishing has been good with anglers having sucess around woody cover and the grass. Bream can also 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 | Catfishing is fair. Try for catfish in deep timber on the bottom, along the river and creek channels and on shallow flats. Worms and blood baits can be very productive as well. |
Ross Barnett Reservoir Special Regulations
Ross Barnett Reservoir Special Regulations
Creel and Size Limits
| Species | Lengths to Release | Daily Creel Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Black Bass (combined largemouth, spotted and smallmouth) | 14 inches and under | 7 per angler |
Statewide creel and size limits apply to all other fish species
Spillway
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.
*Ross Barnett Reservoir Interactive Map
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