Fall 2018 electrofishing revealed a healthy largemouth bass population on Ross Barnett Reservoir with an abundance of fish over fifteen inches. Trophy bass can be caught at Neshoba County Lake, Simpson County Lake, and Lake Calling Panther. These lakes produce lunkers over 10 pounds every year. The month of March is a great time to catch these big spawners as they move shallow to their spawning beds. According to MDWFP fisheries biologist Ryan Jones, “The Claude Bennett State Lake fishery in Jasper County has really taken off after recent additions of supplemental forage. Largemouth bass and crappie are abundant. Anglers can enjoy relaxed fishing in a beautiful setting while targeting the new fish attractors.”
Central Mississippi bream anglers do not have to travel far for some of the best bream fishing in the state. According to Jones, “Bream averaged over half a pound at Prentiss Walker State Lake, Shadow Lake at Roosevelt State Park, and Eagle Lake during spring angler creel surveys.” Ross Barnett Reservoir is not the only location in Central Mississippi to catch crappie. Okatibbee Reservoir, Neshoba County Lake, and Eagle Lake also contain healthy crappie populations. According to Jones, “While Okatibbee Reservoir is known for producing good numbers, Eagle Lake and Neshoba County Lake produce quality crappie every year.”
After the high water subsides and our spring rains diminish, the south region lakes and rivers should be primed for our anglers. Anglers have already caught trophy bass ranging from 8 to 12 pounds at Lake Bill Waller during the last few weeks and one angler recently harvested a 1.9-pound lake record black crappie from Lake Columbia. These catches provide an early indicator of fishing success for anglers this spring and summer. “Population sampling during fall 2018 revealed catch rates dominated by quality-sized largemouth bass and sunfish in the south region state fishing lakes,” said MWDFP fisheries biologist Stephen Brown. Fall sampling in Lake Bogue Homa produced numerous crappie over a pound and more quality sunfish than in previous years. "With increased boat accessibility due to the continued reduction of water hyacinth, great electrofishing survey numbers, and larger bass being caught during tournaments in 2018, expect the numbers and sizes of fish caught to increase this spring at Lake Bogue Homa,” said Brown.
The state lake to target for largemouth bass this spring is Lake Jeff Davis. Tournament catches were at or near the best in the state with tournament anglers weighing in large five fish creels and lunkers at 10 pounds or better throughout the 2018 tournament season. Our fall electrofishing survey produced numerous bass over five pounds with a few reaching almost 8 pounds. Lake Jeff Davis is one to watch.
Biologists saw the highest catch rates of largemouth bass since 2009 in the Pascagoula Marsh during fall electrofishing. Increased numbers during surveys should bode well for anglers on the Pascagoula River and marsh this upcoming fishing season. In addition, the associated oxbows of the Pascagoula River will be popular and should produce large crappie and sunfish this spring.