Tippah County Lake

Tippah County Lake is a 145-acre lake 2 1/2 miles north of Ripley on Hwy 15 in Tippah County. Tippah County Lake, opened in 1974, is known for its large Redear Sunfish and Bluegill. The lake also supports good populations of Largemouth Bass, catfish and crappie. The lake currently boasts the state record Redear Sunfish at 3.33 pounds, and at one time produced the state record Largemouth Bass of 14.75 pounds. Overlooking Tippah Lake is Wicker Mountain, the 2nd highest peak in Mississippi.

Address: 1180 Co Rd 410, Ripley, MS 38663
Phone: (662) 837-9850
Fees: Daily and Annual

Fishing Report

BassThe bass bite is fair, with mostly smaller fish being caught. Shakeyheads, drop-shot rigs, and Texas-rigged soft plastics fished slowly during the day are all good options. Tippah County Lake is bass-crowded, and we strongly encourage anglers to keep a limit of fish under 13".
Crappie No recent reports on crappie, but the fish attractors scattered around the lake are a good place to look for them (see coordinates).  Both minnows and jigs are good bait choices. FFS is useful in finding fish if you have it.
BreamThe bream bite is fair. Try tight lining worms or crickets on the bottom along primary drop-offs and close to the creek channel for best results when the Bluegill aren't bedding. 
Catfish The catfish bite has been fair to good. Making long casts out from points with tightlined worms and/or liver will be the best technique to use. Don't overlook stink bait, hot dogs, or Kool-aid flavored chicken.
Tippah County Lake Special Regulations

Creel and Size Limits

SpeciesLengths to ReleaseDaily Creel Limits
CatfishNo Length Limit10 per angler

Statewide creel and size limits apply to all other fish species

Lake Regulations

  • Rod and reel or pole fishing is allowed. No trotlines, FFFD’s, jugs, yoyo’s, limblines, throwlines, or set hooks are allowed. 
  • Sport fishing licenses and fishing permits are required except on designated days during National Fishing and Boating Week. 
  • Fishing is not allowed from courtesy piers adjacent to boat ramps. 
  • Night fishing is allowed from the bank or boats which are in compliance with state and Coast Guard regulations.
  • Skiing is allowed on Saturday, Sunday, Memorial Day, July 4th , and Labor Day from noon to sunset within ski area. 
  • Lake is designated as No Wake all other times.
Amenities

Campgrounds are first come first served, please call the State Lake office for information.

  • Boat ramp
  • Handicap accessible fishing piers
  • 22 developed camping sites with electrical/water hookups
  • Primitive camping 
  • Restrooms with showers
  • Pavilion rental with restrooms
  • Picnic tables
  • Barbecue grills
Fish Attractors

In January of 2020, 2021, and 2025, MDWFP personnel sank donated Christmas trees in Tippah Lake. The brush piles are a good way to upcycle leftover Christmas trees and create fishing hot spots.  Coordinates have been verified; be sure you enter the number in the proper format.  Coordinates marked with * are approximate due to a glitch in the GPS unit, but are close.  The coordinates are listed below:

2020

 34.7878, -88.9555

 34.7901, -88.9511

 34.7948, -88.9513

 34.7942, -88.9507

 34.7927, -88.9538

 34.7933, -88.9561

 34.7937, -88.9554

2021

 34.78833, -88.9552*

 34.78600, -88.95636*

 34.79345, -88.94978*

 34.79415, -88.95042

 34.79498, -88.95135

 34.79366, -88.95390

 34.79197, -88.95367

2025

34.78823, -88.95521

34.78594, -88.95635

34.79192, -88.95368

34.79367, -88.95394

34.79489, -88.95139

34.79419, -88.95049

34.79346, -88.94980

Record Fish

Record fish must be weighed and verified by the lake manager, lake supervisor, or fisheries biologist. Anglers who catch a lake record fish will receive a certificate acknowledging their catch.

SpeciesWeightAnglerDate
Bass14 lbs. 12 oz.Perry ReedMay 1987
Crappie3 lbs. 5 oz.Mike Suitor2001
Redear3.33 lbs. (Current State Record)James Kenny MartinNovember 1991
Bluegill8 oz.Aaron BartonJune 2019
Catfish42 lbs.Keith BullockSeptember 2014

Tippah County Lake Interactive Map

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