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Mississippi Fishing Reports
| Fishing Reports for Mississippi. If you have a report for your area send it to us at reports@bobberstop.com. Please put "Fishing Report" in the subject line of your e-mail and please don't forget to include the location. |
** Last Update was made on 6 - 5 - 08 ***
MISSISSIPPI FISHING REPORTS - LICENSES - REGULATIONS - MAPS.
AMBERDEEN LAKE - Not much change to report from last week. A big tournament out of Columbus
was won on Aberdeen this weekend, with around 15 lbs. Good numbers of bass are showing up on
the channel, but the quality bite is tough to come by. The few quality bass in the 4 lb plus range
have been coming on spinnerbaits and t-rigged plastics worms. There’s still some reports of bass
action on the riprap above the old river. Spinnerbaits and buzzbaits are catching some nice spotted
bass and largemouth. Put the trolling motor on high and cover water. The crappie bite has slowed
as we move from post-spawn patterns into summer patterns. I haven’t talked to anyone over the last
week or so that’s tried the crappie. The catfish bite is fair; most anglers are fishing the channel and
the old river runs where they come into the channel. Most folks I saw Saturday were catching good
numbers of small channels; very few big cats have shown up. Nightcrawlers and cutbait have been
best baits.
COLUMBUS LAKE - The bass reports remain fairly good, with several different locations producing
some nice catches. Several tournaments were held on Columbus this past weekend, with winning
weights being in the low teens for most. Numbers are good, but size is down a little. I’ve had a
couple of good reports from the Hwy. 50 sloughs; both the east and west side. The gravel pits are
also as popular as ever, with t-rigged plastics catching most of the bass. Tibbee Creek is also a
good area; shallow crankbaits and t-rigged plastics are good bait choices. The crappie reports are
slow; the few crappie being caught are coming from deeper banks in the old river runs and the
gravel pits. Not much change in the catfish bite; some nice catches are showing up below the dam.
Most catfish baits (liver, nightcrawlers, cutbait) are all catching a few fish.
EAGLE LAKE - The updated depth map with coordinates of fish attractors are now available at: http:
//mdwfp.com/level2/Fisheries/ pdf/maps/ Hwy 465 (Eagle Lake Rd. is now open. Both bluegill and
redear sunfish (chinqipins) are bedding and being caught in 2-4 feet of water. Bass are in the pads
in Buck Chute, and being caught on plastics and topwater. Crappie have slowed down and moved
back to the edge of the channel in 10-15 ft of water
ENID LAKE - Water level 253.18, stable, murky to clear. For water level information, call (662)563-
4571 or check http://www.mvk.usace.army.mil/riverstage/bullet.txt. Best luck for crappie seems to be
from folks trolling 15 - 18 ft deep in 20 - 22 ft of water in the mouth of Longbranch and other creeks;
most are too short to keep but bigger baits are taking larger fish. Best luck for largemouth bass has
been from shallow flooded grass and/or points; fish weedless lures like spinnerbaits and soft
jerkbaits. Channel catfish have been biting worms, liver, or cut shad on the rip-rap rocks on the dam
or boat ramps. Some good coolers of bream have come from folks finding bedding fish in the
Wallace and Hubbard Creek cove. The dam near the spillway tower has also been giving up a lot of
bream on crickets or worms. White bass have been moving back to the lake from the creeks and
river; use spinners or small crankbaits. The lake is 3.2 ft above summer pool (250 ft)*.
The spillway had one gate open 0.25 ft (50 cfs) Tuesday. Best luck here has been for channel
catfish on standard baits. A few flatheads are showing up on live bait. Bream fishing has been good
on crickets, and some largemouths can be taken on black plastic worms. For spillway fishing
regulations, check http://www.mdwfp.com/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=35598
Effective August 6, 2007: On Arkabutla Lake, Enid Lake, Grenada Lake and Sardis Lake the daily
creel limit for crappie will be 20 per person. The minimum length limit for crappie at these lakes will
be 12 inches. Anglers fishing Arkabutla Lake, Enid Lake and Sardis Lake may use no more than 5
poles per person. Grenada Lake anglers may use no more than 3 poles per person. The 12 inch
length limits do not apply to these reservoir spillways. However, these spillways, including Sardis
Lower Lake, will have a 20 fish creel limit.
*The low water last year allowed colonization of vegetation on mudflats to be flooded this year. This
vegetation will provide cover for small fishes and pump nutrients into the water as it decays. Woody
vegetation provides long term fish habitat. Much of the original cover on the flood control reservoirs
drowned from prolonged flooding in 1973. Cypresses, buttonbush, and other "buckbrush"
recolonized in the mid-to late 1980's, but drowned from flooding in 1989 and 1991. High water
provides a short term boost to fisheries, but does more long term damage to fish than low water by
destroying habitat.
JEFF DAVIS LAKE - Largemouth bass are good. 1-2 pound fish are being caught in 3-5 feet of
water near structure and points. Fish plastics and crankbaits along these areas. Bream are
excellent and being caught on worms and crickets in 2-4 feet of water on beds. Catfish are
scattered with a few angler reported catches.
LAMAR BRUCE LAKE - Water temps are in the high 70s; best reports this past week are from the
crappie anglers. Crappie anglers are hitting the stump beds in the upper end of the lake in 10-12 ft
of water; minnows and jigs are producing the most strikes. Numbers are still good, with several 25-
30 fish days being reported. The bass reports are fair. Most are being caught in deep water near
creek channels and off of deep points on plastics. There has been a decent topwater bite early and
late. The bream reports have been fair over the past week, with crickets producing the most bites
around piers and in shallow coves. Catfish fishing has been sporadic, so few reports have come in.
LOWNDES LAKE - Water temps are running in the mid 70s. Best reports this past week were from
the bass and bream anglers; good numbers of bream up to 1 lb have been showing up. Most have
been caught in shallow water near structure; best baits have been crickets and redworms. The bass
are also shallow, with most being caught on the flats near shallow cover. T-rigged plastic worms and
topwater baits have been the best producers. The catfish reports are from deeper water; most
anglers are fishing along dropoffs and picking up catfish in the 3 lb range. Best baits have been
nightcrawlers. The crappie bite has picked up a little, with most anglers fishing brush tops in 6-12 ft
of water; crappie jigs have been the best baits.
LAKE MONROE - Surface temps are in the high 70s to low 80s. The best bite this past week was
for the bass anglers; most are fishing early and late and throwing topwater baits. Some anglers are
having good luck throwing crankbaits along shoreline structure in 4 to 6 ft of water. The bream
anglers are reporting some bedding activity; some really nice bream are being caught off the piers
using redworms. The crappie are being caught late in the evening around the fishing piers; crappie
jigs are best baits. The catfish anglers are having luck pretty much all over the lake; brushtops,
mainlake points and piers have all been pretty good this past week.
OKATIBBEE LAKE - Lake level is at 343.71. Discharge is currently at 72 cubic feet per second.
Water temperature is 77 degrees F.
Crappie fishing has been fair this week trolling along creek channels with jigs and minnows. Bass
fishing has been good fishing off points and channels using deep crank baits and worms. Catfish
have been caught along the rocks of the dam area and over creek channels using cutbait and live
bait. Bream fishing has been good using crickets and red worms.
PASCAGOULA RIVER - The river is near steady at 4.06ft. @ Merrill and slowly dropping. Bass
anglers report they are still catching some fish from 1-2 pounds on soft plastics in the oxbows and
buzz baits early in the day around stumps, laydowns and brushtops in the river. Some bass anglers
having success in the lower river and marsh using buzz baits and frogs around vegetation early and
late in the day. Catfish anglers still report seeing more flathead catfish in their creels. Most catches
coming on trotlines using cutbait & soap. Most trotline catches seem to be blue catfish and channel
catfish. Crappie anglers report catching a few fish in oxbows around brushtops using minnows & jigs
in 5-8 ft. of water. Bream anglers are catching bluegill in oxbows & the river using crickets & beetle
spins around woody cover and vegetation. The recent full moon has sent more bream to spawning
areas. Anglers report catching redear up to 1/2 pound in the lower river using redworms; most
catches coming on the edge of grass or lily pads. Please note that a new minimum length limit is in
effect for black bass (this includes largemouth bass & spotted bass) in the Pascagoula River and
adjoining oxbows, from Merrill to the Highway 90 bridge. Only bass over 12 inches may be in
possession on these waters with a creel limit of 10 black bass per day.
LAKE PERRY - Water temp. around 82 degrees with visibility around 26 inches. Bass anglers report
catching fish up to 3.5 lbs. on soft plastics from boats in 3 to 5 ft. of water. Most anglers fishing
points with woody structure as well as around vegetation. Anglers report catching some bass using
plastic frogs & buzz baits around the edges of the grass or lily pads early & late in the day. Bream
up to 3/4 lb. being caught using red worms & crickets in 3 to 6 ft. of water. More bream have moved
up to spawning areas with this week's full moon. Bream anglers from boats have had success
recently fishing the edges of spawning areas early and late in the day using crickets. Crappie
anglers in boats report catching fish up to 1.2 lb. in 7 to 9 ft. of water using and jigs & minnows;
anglers fishing along channel ledges or deeper drops on points. Note: coordinates for fish attractors
can be found on the state lakes fishing forum. For more information contact Lake Perry at: 601/784-
6119.
PICKWICK LAKE/J. P. COLEMAN - Pickwick Lake elevation: 414 ft. Water temps are in the mid 70’
s. The bass reports continue to be excellent. Most people are catching good numbers of fish. The
smallmouth really turned on over the weekend, with some good current being pulled. The Stren
Series is in town this week, launching from McFarland, so there will be tons of boats on the water.
The catfish reports have been fair to good. Most catfish anglers are now hitting the deeper bars and
river ledges; most folks I’ve seen have been fishing from Eastport down to Coleman Park. Jugs,
trotlines and rod-n-reel combos are all catching fish; nightcrawlers and cutbait have been best baits.
The crappie bite has dropped off as we move into postspawn and summer patterns. Several good
stripe (white bass and striped bass) reports are starting to come in; the stripes are being found on
some of the same ledges and humps as the largemouth bass.
ROSS BARNETT LAKE - Water temperature is 82 degrees this week with a visibility of 42 inches
(green color on the water).
Small BASS are biting spinnerbaits. Anglers are easily catching the limit of 10 each with some up to
2 pounds in the mix.
Large BREAM have been biting good with large numbers reported (35 to 70 per catch). Anglers are
catching quality rather than quantity; many up to a pound. Use crickets and redworms on the bottom
(tightline).
CRAPPIE have slowed but still reported occasionally on minnows.
CATFISH are getting active with reports of bites on chicken liver. Some notable catches off the
levee consisted of a 12.5 pounder which broke the same angler's line the week before (hook was
still in the mouth). Angler also lost one estimated to be 20 pounds by breaking him off. This is typical
of this lake in June.
Camping is available for overnight stays. No reservations needed.
A depth/bottom map is available showing locations of fish attractors and other lake features. The
link to our lake map page is:
http://www.mdwfp.com/level2/Fisheries/pdf/maps/
Several fish attractors have been established in the lake to create fish habitat and a hot spot for
anglers. Approximately 150 Christmas trees were sunk in January 2007 around marked fish
attractor bouys. They provide great habitat for all species of fish. These attractors have been
marked with buoys for anglers to easily find and are loaded down with Christmas trees.
GPS coordinates for the fish attractors are:
N 31 49.746 W 89 35.246
N 31 49.668 W 89 35.517
N 31 49.794 W 89 35.650
N 31 49.733 W 89 35.747
TOM BAILY LAKE - Small BASS are biting good this week on plastic worms, with most bass running
around 12-14 inches.
BREAM are biting in high numbers mostly half a pound bluegill up along the shoreline on crickets.
Many anglers are catching a bucket full.
CRAPPIE in the 3/4 pound range are being caught on the willow bushes on both minnows and jigs.
The bite has slowed a little, but fish are still being caught.
CATFISH angling is picking up and June is the best time to catch them off the levee. Use livers at
night for best results.
Camping is available for overnight stays.
A depth/bottom map is available showing locations of fish attractors and other lake features. The
link to our lake map page is:
http://www.mdwfp.com/level2/Fisheries/pdf/maps/
LAKE WHITTINGTON - The river is still up too high for good fishing contact Mr. Yung at Beulah
Store (662-759-6691)for current conditions. Bass anglers should try their luck on the open flats on
the Ark. side.
For the weekend of June 8th the River level near Lake Whittington is predicted to be 27.7 feet (Ark.
City gage)on a moderate fall. Go to rivergages.com for a web site with current water level
predictions.
try trolling for crappie with minnows or jigs in deep water around pilings off Goat Island, or pilings
along Little Man Boat ramp. Fish the big bass bite with vertical jigging techniques around deep
water structure adjacent to bluffs of Goat Island or rip-rap banks.
Largemouth bass Virus has been identified from bass collected in Lake Whittington. Please do not
transfer fish from this lake to another body of water and see the link below for methods to disinfect
your live well with bleach. For more information go to www.mdwfp.com/LMBV.asp
Anglers can navigate the chute to/from the river when the river is at, or above, 6 feet on the
Arkansas City Gauge, but they should be careful of snags when doing so. As the river drops below
6 feet access through the chute gets extremely difficult and treacherous, and Boaters are advised
not to try to navigate the chute when the river is below 6 feet ( Arkansas City Gauge). When the
lake is at a level equivalent to 6 feet (Ark. City Gauge) one can get from one end of the lake to the
other, but anglers need to be aware that at this water level very shallow water is present at the flats
at Burnt Island (up lake from Benoit Outing Club & Goat Island). At a lake level equivalent to 3 feet
(Ark. City Gauge) a narrow channel runs through the flats at Burnt Island; and very shallow water is
present above the ironwood forest (begins where the barge is at below the Outing Club), and
further down the lake in the flat below the old pump pier (where the poles are). Although reference
is made to lake level from RIVER level on the Arkansas City Gauge the two may not be the same at
stages below 16 feet as the constriction at the chute causes a delay in the falling, or rising, of the
lake. Anglers should also take note that when the river is on a fast fall (or rise) a large difference in
elevation may be present between the lake and the river. This can create such a high water velocity
in the narrow chute that boats with large outboards will find it difficult to navigate and impossible for
small outboards to negotiate.
Lake has two fee ramps open to the public: Nebletts Landing (dificult to launch when water level is
below 11 feet equivalent to Ark. City Gauge) and Little Man's (closed at high water).
Fish attractors for low water fishing were placed in this lake many years ago. For a map of the lake
and location of the fish attractors go to Http://www.outfitters.org Click on public waters and then click
on Lake Whittington under "more area lake maps".
Report By: MDWFP
MISSISSIPPI FISHING REPORTS - LICENSES - REGULATIONS - MAPS.
AMBERDEEN LAKE - Not much change to report from last week. A big tournament out of Columbus
was won on Aberdeen this weekend, with around 15 lbs. Good numbers of bass are showing up on
the channel, but the quality bite is tough to come by. The few quality bass in the 4 lb plus range
have been coming on spinnerbaits and t-rigged plastics worms. There’s still some reports of bass
action on the riprap above the old river. Spinnerbaits and buzzbaits are catching some nice spotted
bass and largemouth. Put the trolling motor on high and cover water. The crappie bite has slowed
as we move from post-spawn patterns into summer patterns. I haven’t talked to anyone over the last
week or so that’s tried the crappie. The catfish bite is fair; most anglers are fishing the channel and
the old river runs where they come into the channel. Most folks I saw Saturday were catching good
numbers of small channels; very few big cats have shown up. Nightcrawlers and cutbait have been
best baits.
COLUMBUS LAKE - The bass reports remain fairly good, with several different locations producing
some nice catches. Several tournaments were held on Columbus this past weekend, with winning
weights being in the low teens for most. Numbers are good, but size is down a little. I’ve had a
couple of good reports from the Hwy. 50 sloughs; both the east and west side. The gravel pits are
also as popular as ever, with t-rigged plastics catching most of the bass. Tibbee Creek is also a
good area; shallow crankbaits and t-rigged plastics are good bait choices. The crappie reports are
slow; the few crappie being caught are coming from deeper banks in the old river runs and the
gravel pits. Not much change in the catfish bite; some nice catches are showing up below the dam.
Most catfish baits (liver, nightcrawlers, cutbait) are all catching a few fish.
EAGLE LAKE - The updated depth map with coordinates of fish attractors are now available at: http:
//mdwfp.com/level2/Fisheries/ pdf/maps/ Hwy 465 (Eagle Lake Rd. is now open. Both bluegill and
redear sunfish (chinqipins) are bedding and being caught in 2-4 feet of water. Bass are in the pads
in Buck Chute, and being caught on plastics and topwater. Crappie have slowed down and moved
back to the edge of the channel in 10-15 ft of water
ENID LAKE - Water level 253.18, stable, murky to clear. For water level information, call (662)563-
4571 or check http://www.mvk.usace.army.mil/riverstage/bullet.txt. Best luck for crappie seems to be
from folks trolling 15 - 18 ft deep in 20 - 22 ft of water in the mouth of Longbranch and other creeks;
most are too short to keep but bigger baits are taking larger fish. Best luck for largemouth bass has
been from shallow flooded grass and/or points; fish weedless lures like spinnerbaits and soft
jerkbaits. Channel catfish have been biting worms, liver, or cut shad on the rip-rap rocks on the dam
or boat ramps. Some good coolers of bream have come from folks finding bedding fish in the
Wallace and Hubbard Creek cove. The dam near the spillway tower has also been giving up a lot of
bream on crickets or worms. White bass have been moving back to the lake from the creeks and
river; use spinners or small crankbaits. The lake is 3.2 ft above summer pool (250 ft)*.
The spillway had one gate open 0.25 ft (50 cfs) Tuesday. Best luck here has been for channel
catfish on standard baits. A few flatheads are showing up on live bait. Bream fishing has been good
on crickets, and some largemouths can be taken on black plastic worms. For spillway fishing
regulations, check http://www.mdwfp.com/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=35598
Effective August 6, 2007: On Arkabutla Lake, Enid Lake, Grenada Lake and Sardis Lake the daily
creel limit for crappie will be 20 per person. The minimum length limit for crappie at these lakes will
be 12 inches. Anglers fishing Arkabutla Lake, Enid Lake and Sardis Lake may use no more than 5
poles per person. Grenada Lake anglers may use no more than 3 poles per person. The 12 inch
length limits do not apply to these reservoir spillways. However, these spillways, including Sardis
Lower Lake, will have a 20 fish creel limit.
*The low water last year allowed colonization of vegetation on mudflats to be flooded this year. This
vegetation will provide cover for small fishes and pump nutrients into the water as it decays. Woody
vegetation provides long term fish habitat. Much of the original cover on the flood control reservoirs
drowned from prolonged flooding in 1973. Cypresses, buttonbush, and other "buckbrush"
recolonized in the mid-to late 1980's, but drowned from flooding in 1989 and 1991. High water
provides a short term boost to fisheries, but does more long term damage to fish than low water by
destroying habitat.
JEFF DAVIS LAKE - Largemouth bass are good. 1-2 pound fish are being caught in 3-5 feet of
water near structure and points. Fish plastics and crankbaits along these areas. Bream are
excellent and being caught on worms and crickets in 2-4 feet of water on beds. Catfish are
scattered with a few angler reported catches.
LAMAR BRUCE LAKE - Water temps are in the high 70s; best reports this past week are from the
crappie anglers. Crappie anglers are hitting the stump beds in the upper end of the lake in 10-12 ft
of water; minnows and jigs are producing the most strikes. Numbers are still good, with several 25-
30 fish days being reported. The bass reports are fair. Most are being caught in deep water near
creek channels and off of deep points on plastics. There has been a decent topwater bite early and
late. The bream reports have been fair over the past week, with crickets producing the most bites
around piers and in shallow coves. Catfish fishing has been sporadic, so few reports have come in.
LOWNDES LAKE - Water temps are running in the mid 70s. Best reports this past week were from
the bass and bream anglers; good numbers of bream up to 1 lb have been showing up. Most have
been caught in shallow water near structure; best baits have been crickets and redworms. The bass
are also shallow, with most being caught on the flats near shallow cover. T-rigged plastic worms and
topwater baits have been the best producers. The catfish reports are from deeper water; most
anglers are fishing along dropoffs and picking up catfish in the 3 lb range. Best baits have been
nightcrawlers. The crappie bite has picked up a little, with most anglers fishing brush tops in 6-12 ft
of water; crappie jigs have been the best baits.
LAKE MONROE - Surface temps are in the high 70s to low 80s. The best bite this past week was
for the bass anglers; most are fishing early and late and throwing topwater baits. Some anglers are
having good luck throwing crankbaits along shoreline structure in 4 to 6 ft of water. The bream
anglers are reporting some bedding activity; some really nice bream are being caught off the piers
using redworms. The crappie are being caught late in the evening around the fishing piers; crappie
jigs are best baits. The catfish anglers are having luck pretty much all over the lake; brushtops,
mainlake points and piers have all been pretty good this past week.
OKATIBBEE LAKE - Lake level is at 343.71. Discharge is currently at 72 cubic feet per second.
Water temperature is 77 degrees F.
Crappie fishing has been fair this week trolling along creek channels with jigs and minnows. Bass
fishing has been good fishing off points and channels using deep crank baits and worms. Catfish
have been caught along the rocks of the dam area and over creek channels using cutbait and live
bait. Bream fishing has been good using crickets and red worms.
PASCAGOULA RIVER - The river is near steady at 4.06ft. @ Merrill and slowly dropping. Bass
anglers report they are still catching some fish from 1-2 pounds on soft plastics in the oxbows and
buzz baits early in the day around stumps, laydowns and brushtops in the river. Some bass anglers
having success in the lower river and marsh using buzz baits and frogs around vegetation early and
late in the day. Catfish anglers still report seeing more flathead catfish in their creels. Most catches
coming on trotlines using cutbait & soap. Most trotline catches seem to be blue catfish and channel
catfish. Crappie anglers report catching a few fish in oxbows around brushtops using minnows & jigs
in 5-8 ft. of water. Bream anglers are catching bluegill in oxbows & the river using crickets & beetle
spins around woody cover and vegetation. The recent full moon has sent more bream to spawning
areas. Anglers report catching redear up to 1/2 pound in the lower river using redworms; most
catches coming on the edge of grass or lily pads. Please note that a new minimum length limit is in
effect for black bass (this includes largemouth bass & spotted bass) in the Pascagoula River and
adjoining oxbows, from Merrill to the Highway 90 bridge. Only bass over 12 inches may be in
possession on these waters with a creel limit of 10 black bass per day.
LAKE PERRY - Water temp. around 82 degrees with visibility around 26 inches. Bass anglers report
catching fish up to 3.5 lbs. on soft plastics from boats in 3 to 5 ft. of water. Most anglers fishing
points with woody structure as well as around vegetation. Anglers report catching some bass using
plastic frogs & buzz baits around the edges of the grass or lily pads early & late in the day. Bream
up to 3/4 lb. being caught using red worms & crickets in 3 to 6 ft. of water. More bream have moved
up to spawning areas with this week's full moon. Bream anglers from boats have had success
recently fishing the edges of spawning areas early and late in the day using crickets. Crappie
anglers in boats report catching fish up to 1.2 lb. in 7 to 9 ft. of water using and jigs & minnows;
anglers fishing along channel ledges or deeper drops on points. Note: coordinates for fish attractors
can be found on the state lakes fishing forum. For more information contact Lake Perry at: 601/784-
6119.
PICKWICK LAKE/J. P. COLEMAN - Pickwick Lake elevation: 414 ft. Water temps are in the mid 70’
s. The bass reports continue to be excellent. Most people are catching good numbers of fish. The
smallmouth really turned on over the weekend, with some good current being pulled. The Stren
Series is in town this week, launching from McFarland, so there will be tons of boats on the water.
The catfish reports have been fair to good. Most catfish anglers are now hitting the deeper bars and
river ledges; most folks I’ve seen have been fishing from Eastport down to Coleman Park. Jugs,
trotlines and rod-n-reel combos are all catching fish; nightcrawlers and cutbait have been best baits.
The crappie bite has dropped off as we move into postspawn and summer patterns. Several good
stripe (white bass and striped bass) reports are starting to come in; the stripes are being found on
some of the same ledges and humps as the largemouth bass.
ROSS BARNETT LAKE - Water temperature is 82 degrees this week with a visibility of 42 inches
(green color on the water).
Small BASS are biting spinnerbaits. Anglers are easily catching the limit of 10 each with some up to
2 pounds in the mix.
Large BREAM have been biting good with large numbers reported (35 to 70 per catch). Anglers are
catching quality rather than quantity; many up to a pound. Use crickets and redworms on the bottom
(tightline).
CRAPPIE have slowed but still reported occasionally on minnows.
CATFISH are getting active with reports of bites on chicken liver. Some notable catches off the
levee consisted of a 12.5 pounder which broke the same angler's line the week before (hook was
still in the mouth). Angler also lost one estimated to be 20 pounds by breaking him off. This is typical
of this lake in June.
Camping is available for overnight stays. No reservations needed.
A depth/bottom map is available showing locations of fish attractors and other lake features. The
link to our lake map page is:
http://www.mdwfp.com/level2/Fisheries/pdf/maps/
Several fish attractors have been established in the lake to create fish habitat and a hot spot for
anglers. Approximately 150 Christmas trees were sunk in January 2007 around marked fish
attractor bouys. They provide great habitat for all species of fish. These attractors have been
marked with buoys for anglers to easily find and are loaded down with Christmas trees.
GPS coordinates for the fish attractors are:
N 31 49.746 W 89 35.246
N 31 49.668 W 89 35.517
N 31 49.794 W 89 35.650
N 31 49.733 W 89 35.747
TOM BAILY LAKE - Small BASS are biting good this week on plastic worms, with most bass running
around 12-14 inches.
BREAM are biting in high numbers mostly half a pound bluegill up along the shoreline on crickets.
Many anglers are catching a bucket full.
CRAPPIE in the 3/4 pound range are being caught on the willow bushes on both minnows and jigs.
The bite has slowed a little, but fish are still being caught.
CATFISH angling is picking up and June is the best time to catch them off the levee. Use livers at
night for best results.
Camping is available for overnight stays.
A depth/bottom map is available showing locations of fish attractors and other lake features. The
link to our lake map page is:
http://www.mdwfp.com/level2/Fisheries/pdf/maps/
LAKE WHITTINGTON - The river is still up too high for good fishing contact Mr. Yung at Beulah
Store (662-759-6691)for current conditions. Bass anglers should try their luck on the open flats on
the Ark. side.
For the weekend of June 8th the River level near Lake Whittington is predicted to be 27.7 feet (Ark.
City gage)on a moderate fall. Go to rivergages.com for a web site with current water level
predictions.
try trolling for crappie with minnows or jigs in deep water around pilings off Goat Island, or pilings
along Little Man Boat ramp. Fish the big bass bite with vertical jigging techniques around deep
water structure adjacent to bluffs of Goat Island or rip-rap banks.
Largemouth bass Virus has been identified from bass collected in Lake Whittington. Please do not
transfer fish from this lake to another body of water and see the link below for methods to disinfect
your live well with bleach. For more information go to www.mdwfp.com/LMBV.asp
Anglers can navigate the chute to/from the river when the river is at, or above, 6 feet on the
Arkansas City Gauge, but they should be careful of snags when doing so. As the river drops below
6 feet access through the chute gets extremely difficult and treacherous, and Boaters are advised
not to try to navigate the chute when the river is below 6 feet ( Arkansas City Gauge). When the
lake is at a level equivalent to 6 feet (Ark. City Gauge) one can get from one end of the lake to the
other, but anglers need to be aware that at this water level very shallow water is present at the flats
at Burnt Island (up lake from Benoit Outing Club & Goat Island). At a lake level equivalent to 3 feet
(Ark. City Gauge) a narrow channel runs through the flats at Burnt Island; and very shallow water is
present above the ironwood forest (begins where the barge is at below the Outing Club), and
further down the lake in the flat below the old pump pier (where the poles are). Although reference
is made to lake level from RIVER level on the Arkansas City Gauge the two may not be the same at
stages below 16 feet as the constriction at the chute causes a delay in the falling, or rising, of the
lake. Anglers should also take note that when the river is on a fast fall (or rise) a large difference in
elevation may be present between the lake and the river. This can create such a high water velocity
in the narrow chute that boats with large outboards will find it difficult to navigate and impossible for
small outboards to negotiate.
Lake has two fee ramps open to the public: Nebletts Landing (dificult to launch when water level is
below 11 feet equivalent to Ark. City Gauge) and Little Man's (closed at high water).
Fish attractors for low water fishing were placed in this lake many years ago. For a map of the lake
and location of the fish attractors go to Http://www.outfitters.org Click on public waters and then click
on Lake Whittington under "more area lake maps".
Report By: MDWFP
