*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 

Species 
Largemouth BassBass fishing has been good. Look for shad to be on the move and bass to follow the schools in creeks and oxbows. Try shad imitation baits such as lipless crankbaits, spinnerbaits, or crankbaits. Some bass are still holding to deep cover. Use electronics to locate fish suspended over submerged road beds and brush piles along river channel throughout the main lake. Anglers have reported have also been holding to vegetation and the topwater bite has been good.
CrappieCrappie fishing has been good. Try fishing around the timber on the main lake, along submerged oxbows throughout the lake, along the points and bends upriver, and along the river channel from Highway 43 to the single pole markers.
BreamBream fishing has slowed as the water cools. Anglers have had success using crickets and worms on the bottom near pad flats and gravel.
CatfishCatfishing has been fair. Try targeting catfish in deep timber with shrimp or minnows fished near the bottom. Fish can also be caught using jugs in open water, allowing them to float through stump fields. Worms and chicken liver can be very productive as well. Trotlines and poles fished along flats adjacent to the river channel and above Highway 43 in old oxbow lakes are also effective ways to harvest quality catfish. Special regulations apply to parts of Ross Barnett regarding trotlines, throw lines, set hooks, limb lines, FFFDs, jugs, and yo-yos. Please check regulations in advance before using these devices.
Ross Barnett Reservoir Special Regulations

Creel and Size Limits

SpeciesLengths to ReleaseDaily Creel Limit
Black Bass (combined largemouth, spotted and smallmouth)Under 14 inches7 per angler

Statewide creel and size limits apply to all other fish species

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 under 15 inches must be released and only 1 fish longer than 24 inches maybe harvested.

*Ross Barnett Reservoir Interactive Map

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