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More than 25 landowners and natural resource professionals gathered at the Charles Ray Nix Wildlife Management Area near Sardis, Mississippi to participate in an Introduction to Prescribed Fire Workshop.
Gain access to web email, xNet, and website administration.
News
Last Saturday, April 13, 42 artists from around Mississippi gathered for the En Plein Air Painting Competition at Flowood Nature Park to compete for a chance to win cash prizes and publication in Mississippi Outdoors Magazine.
News
Due to recent storm damage and extensive flooding, LeFleur’s Bluff State Park and Hugh White State Park campgrounds will be closed until Monday, April 22, 2024.
News
In this episode of the Mississippi Outdoors Podcast, we sit down with Larry Pugh, Executive Deputy Director at MDWFP.
Contact
Get tried and true tips and tricks to make growing food in your home easy again when you join us on May 7 for the return of our "First Tuesday Lecture Series"!
Museum of Natural Science
Want to learn about shark biology or how shrimp are caught? Curious about Mississippi’s marine fishes? Then this is the event for you!
Museum of Natural Science
Join us for a fun, paint-filled afternoon, for children ages 3-8, in the Museum's large classroom!
Museum of Natural Science
Enjoy a fun-filled day full of indoor and outdoor activities that will be accessible for everyone!
Museum of Natural Science
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How many times have you heard “once a spike, always a spike?” Or that there are blue deer in Mississippi?
To help identify your catch, MDWFP provides this fish identification guide to 39 common species.
Fishing & Boating
Fishing & Boating
Fishing Fact
Bighead carp are occasionally caught while fishing for other species, particularly with commercial fishing nets. The environmental impacts of these fish are unknown, but they could adversely impact many native species of fish due to competition for food. The young of both bighead and silver carp look similar to gizzard and threadfin shad, so both bighead and silver carp could be spread through the release of live bait.
Description
Bighead carp are a deep-bodied carp with the eye located low on the head near the angle of the jaw. The back and head are olive to dark gray, becoming silvery to yellow-white on the sides and abdomen. Their body is covered with numerous dark gray to black blotches. Bighead carp can reach lengths of over 4 feet and weigh in excess of 100 pounds. As adults, bighead carp are most often confused with silver carp.
Habits and Habitat
Bighead carp were originally stocked into aquaculture facilities in combination with catfish to improve water quality and increase fish production. Bighead carp have escaped over the years to make their home in most of Mississippi’s larger rivers and reservoirs. Bighead carp are primarily filter feeders, feeding on a diet that consists of phytoplankton, detritus, zooplankton, and insect larva.
Other Names
Bighead, Marbled carp, Speckled silver carp, Asian carp
Scientific Name
Hypophthalmichthys nobilis
State Record
The Mississippi Rod and Reel record of 67 pounds 12 ounces was caught in lower Sardis Lake by Ron Maxwell in 2007. The state trophy record, harvested with a bow and arrow, is 89 pounds 13 ounces, and was shot by Shane Turnage in 2011.
Fishing Fact
Effective baits for catching grass carp include earthworms, small artificial baits, and doughballs. They are extremely strong swimmers and are difficult to land on light tackle.
Description
Grass carp are one of the largest members of the minnow family. There is no keel on the belly. They have a wide mouth, a thick body, and a small, centrally positioned dorsal fin. The eyes are low on the side of the head, about even with the tip of the snout. Their back is gray to green, becoming silvery on the sides and underbody. Grass carp can reach lengths of over 4 feet and weigh over 50 pounds.
Habits and Habitat
Grass carp are native to China and were first introduced into the United States in 1963. They have been widely introduced throughout Mississippi, usually in small lakes and ponds to control aquatic weeds. Grass carp prefer to eat submerged vegetation, but will eat terrestrial vegetation when it comes in contact with the water.
Other Names
White amur, Carp
Scientific Name
Ctenopharyngodon idella
State Record
The Mississippi Rod and Reel record of 53.2 pounds was caught by Melvin Murphy in 2008. The state trophy record, harvested with a bow and arrow, is 72.7 pounds and was shot by Tony Christian in 2005.
Fishing Fact
American eels spend most of their lives in freshwater; however, at some point, adults travel toward the Sargasso Sea, a tropical area northeast of Cuba, to spawn. Spawning occurs during the winter. Eels are usually caught by anglers fishing for something else. They are very slimy and difficult to handle.
Description
American eel have a slender, snakelike body with very small scales. A long dorsal fin extends more than two-thirds of the body length and is continuous with the tail; pelvic fins are absent. There are numerous small, sharp teeth in the jaws. Their back may be olive-green to brown, shading to greenish-yellow on the sides, and light gray or white on the belly. American eels in Mississippi range from 10 to 29 inches in length and weigh 0.5 pounds.
Habits and Habitat
The American eel is widespread throughout Mississippi and occur in a variety of habitats. They tend to hide under rocks during the day, and venture out only at night to feed. They feed on animal matter such as fish, crayfish, and insects.
Other Names
Freshwater eel, glass eel, river eel
Scientific Name
Anguilla rostrata
State Record
The state record of 5.06 pounds was caught in the Mississippi River by Mitch McClendon in 1994.
Fishing Fact
Shovelnose sturgeon are sometimes caught by anglers running trotlines for catfish on the Mississippi River. Though shovelnose sturgeon are abundant in the Mississippi River, and they have historically been harvested for their roe for caviar, they are currently listed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as threatened due to their similarity of appearance with the endangered pallid sturgeon. Harvest of all sturgeon species is prohibited.
Description
Shovelnose sturgeon are primitive, odd-looking fish. They have several rows of sharp, bony plates along their elongated body, a strongly forked tail, spade-shaped snout, sucker-like mouth, and four barbels. Shovelnose sturgeon are normally brown or olive colored with a cream-colored belly. Average lengths of adults range from 22 to 26 inches in length. These fish are long-lived, reach sexual maturity at age 5 to 10 years, and do not spawn every year.
Habits and Habitat
Shovelnose sturgeon inhabit the Mississippi River and are normally found in deep water with moderately strong current. These fish feed on the bottom and primarily eat aquatic insects. Spawning normally occurs in the spring when water temperatures reach 63ºF to 70ºF over gravel or sand substrate.
Other Names
Hackleback sturgeon
Scientific Name
Scaphirhynchus platorynchus
State Record
No record is possible because harvest of shovelnose sturgeon is illegal.
Rules & Regulations
Enforcement & Education
Fishing Fact
Because of their smaller size, threadfin shad are often stocked as supplemental forage for gamefish. Threadfin shad cannot survive water temperatures below 40ºF to 45°F. Winter die-offs, especially in shallow lakes and reservoirs, are common.
Description
Threadfin shad are similar to gizzard shad. They have a silver-blue back that changes to nearly white on their sides and belly. All fins have a yellow tint, except the dorsal fin. A black oval or round spot is located behind the head. Adults are considerably smaller than gizzard shad adults, rarely exceeding 7 inches in length.
Habits and Habitat
Threadfin shad are abundant in most of Mississippi’s rivers, streams, lakes, and reservoirs. They filter feed heavily on suitably sized plant and animal material with phytoplankton and algae making up most of the diet. Spawning begins in late spring when water temperatures reach approximately 70°F, and may continue into the summer. Spawning occurs from dawn to shortly after sunrise and the eggs are released near brush, vegetation or logs where they sink to the bottom and attach to plants and other objects. Natural hybrids with gizzard shad are not uncommon.
Other Names
Yellowfin shad, Yellowtail, and Shad
Scientific Name
Dorosoma petenense
State Record
No record exists at this time.
Fishing Fact
Gizzard shad are often used as bait for catfish. Because they are difficult to keep alive, they are used mostly as cutbait. Gizzard shad are most similar to threadfin shad, but unlike threadfin shad, have a subterminal mouth (upper jaw projects well beyond the lower jaw).
Description
Gizzard shad are abundant in most of Mississippi’s rivers, streams, lakes, and reservoirs. Spawning takes place from mid-April to late June when water temperatures are 60ºF to 70ºF. They feed almost entirely on organic detritus but will also pick through mud and organic matter on the bottom for small food. Plant material is also consumed by gizzard shad and includes various kinds of algae that they filter from the water with long, closely spaced gill rakers. They grind up this material with a muscular gizzard.
Habits and Habitat
Gizzard shad are abundant in most of Mississippi’s rivers, streams, lakes, and reservoirs. Spawning takes place from mid-April to late June when water temperatures are 60ºF to 70ºF. They feed almost entirely on organic detritus but will also pick through mud and organic matter on the bottom for small food. Plant material is also consumed by gizzard shad and includes various kinds of algae that they filter from the water with long, closely spaced gill rakers. They grind up this material with a muscular gizzard.
Other Names
Hickory shad, Skipjack, Shad, and Herring
Scientific Name
Dorosoma cepedianum
State Record
No record exists at this time.
Fishing Fact
Bigmouth buffalo are rarely caught with a rod and reel, but are commonly sought after by commercial fishermen.
Description
Bigmouth buffalo are deep-bodied fish having a large, wide mouth. They have a coppery olive-brown or gray back and sides with a white belly and white lips. Bigmouth buffalo can be distinguished from common carp by the lack of barbels on the mouth, and from smallmouth buffalo by the mouth pointing straight ahead. Bigmouth buffalo can reach lengths of 4 feet. They normally weigh between 3 and 12 pounds, but can reach weights of 80 pounds. Bigmouth buffalo can live up to 10 years in Mississippi, however, some have been reported to live as long as 20 years.
Habits and Habitat
These fish feed on the bottom seeking insects, mollusks, plants and algae. Bigmouth buffalo prefer large streams, rivers, oxbow lakes and reservoirs. Bigmouth buffalo spawn in the spring in shallow water when water temperatures are between 58ºF and 78ºF.
Other Names
Buffalo, White buffalo, and Gourdhead
Scientific Name
Ictiobus cyprinellus
State Record
Mississippi’s Rod and Reel record is 46 pounds 3 ounces, caught by Willie Hearn at a private pond in 2007.
Fishing Fact
Silver carp are rarely caught using hook and line, but are commonly reported by commercial fishers. Silver carp are best known for its ability to leap up to 10 feet out of the water when disturbed by boat engine noise, and may potentially cause human injury. The environmental impacts of these fish are unknown but they could adversely impact many native species of fish due to competition for food. The young of both bighead and silver carp look similar to gizzard and threadfin shad, so both bighead and silver carp could be spread through the release of live bait.
Description
Silver carp are a large, deep-bodied carp with a large eye located low on the head near the tip of the jaw. The back and upper sides are olive green, becoming silvery on the sides and abdomen. As adults, silver carp are most often confused with bighead carp. Silver carp may reach weights of 40 to 60 pounds.
Habits and Habitat
Similar to bighead carp, silver carp are native to Asia and were first imported into aquaculture facilities to improve water quality. They feed primarily on phytoplankton, small zooplankton, and other suspended organic matter.
Other Names
Speckled silver carp, Asian carp, Jumping carp
Scientific Name
Hypophthalmichthys molotrix
State Record
The current record of 15 pounds was caught by Vernard Williams in 2011.
Fishing Fact
Smallmouth buffalo can be taken fishing worms on the bottom, but are rarely caught with a rod and reel. They are commonly sought after by commercial anglers with gill nets.
Description
Smallmouth buffalo are deep-bodied. They are light to dark gray or black with a high arched back. This species of buffalo has a large head and large eyes with a small, downward turned mouth. Smallmouth buffalo can be distinguished from common carp by the lack of, and from bigmouth buffalo by the mouth being downward pointing, and sucker-like. These buffalo can grow to lengths of around 36 inches. This fish usually weighs between 6 and 8 pounds, but can reach weights of up to 50 pounds. In the Yalobusha River, smallmouth buffalo can live at least nine years, but they have been reported living up to 18 years in different states.
Habits and Habitat
Smallmouth buffalo prefer deep, large streams, rivers, oxbow lakes, and reservoirs; this fish feeds on the bottom for insects, mollusks, plants, and algae. Between March and May, spawning occurs in shallow water with temperatures between 57ºF and 70ºF.
Other Names
Razor-back buffalo, Round buffalo, Buffalo drum, and Roachback
Scientific Name
Ictiobus bubalus
State Record
Mississippi’s Rod and Reel record is 57 pounds 12 ounces, caught by Charles M. Cox at Ross Barnett Reservoir in 1983.