Ross Barnett Reservoir
Counties:
Madison, Rankin, Leake, Hinds, and Scott
Species:
Black bass (combined largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass)
Striped Bass and/or Hybrid Striped Bass
Lengths to Release:
Black bass: 14 inches and under
Striped Bass and/or Hybrid Striped Bass: 15 inches & under
Creel Limit (per person, per day):
Black bass: 7
Striped and/or Hybrid Striped Bass: 6
Statewide creel limits apply to all other fish species.
Additional Information:
The following areas are closed to trotlines, throw lines, set hooks, limblines, free floating fishing devices, jugs, and yo-yos: Pelahatchie Bay, Pelahatchie Creek, and the area of the reservoir north of the main dam and south of a line between the point where Twin Harbors channel enters the main lake in Madison County and the Fannin Landing boat launch in Rankin County. Closed areas are shown on this map. In addition, these gear types cannot be used within 100 yards of any sandbar or public boat launching facility within the main lake or river, and in any marked navigational channel between State Highway 43 and Ratliff Ferry in Madison County.
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.
From the lowhead dam on Ross Barnett Reservoir downstream to the end of the
Idle Speed Only/No Wake Zone area of the lowhead dam.
- 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.
