The following fishing report is compiled by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife Fisheries and Parks.
Anglers seeking to fish any of the state’s lakes must have a valid fishing license and proper safety equipment.
Fishermen are urged to contact MDWFP at 601-432-2400 to confirm lakes and boat ramps are open and to be advised of special fishing regulations for that body of water.
The number of persons in each watercraft is limited to the greater of two (2) occupants or 50-percent of the occupancy limit of all multi-person watercraft. Bank fishing is allowed but social distancing requirements must be adhered to (maintaining a minimum distance of six feet between individuals). Fishing piers are closed and fishing tournaments are prohibited.
Moon Lake
(5/12/2020 10:57:44 a.m.)
Moon Lake is open to fishing and boating.
Bass
Activity has been reported to be picking up on the lake. Look for bass in water about 6-10 feet deep, especially around structure. Anglers may want to try soft plastic worms or lizards, jigs, or spinnerbaits.
Crappie
Anglers are having some good success on the lake right now. Most crappie are being caught in the trees in 4 to 6 feet of water. Minnows and jigs are the best bait of choice.
Bream
The bite has increased significantly over the past few weeks with the warmer weather. Anglers should target areas of structures such as cypress knees and brush piles. Crickets and red worms are always a good bait choice. Fish along banks in 4-8 feet of water.
Catfish
Catfish are slow and there have not been many reports of anglers fishing for catfish at this time. Variety and technique appear to be successful catfish, such as rod and reel, trotline, jugs, and limb lines. Most anglers are using tried and true baits such as nightcrawlers, chicken liver, or prepared catfish bait for channel catfish, while live bait such as goldfish or small sunfish are used for flathead catfish.
Lake Whittington
(5/8/2020 10:57:26 a.m.)
Due to flooding, the public ramp at Lake Whittington is closed.
Lake Charlie Capps
(5/8/2020 10:56:33 a.m.)
Bass
The bass have been biting really well over the past two weeks. Some anglers are reporting catching a good number of bass at the lake. For bass try fishing along banks in 3-5 feet of water. Bass tend to hang around brush piles where bream are. Try different spinner and crankbaits.
Crappie
There have not been any reports of anglers crappie fishing at this time. However, look for action to start to pick up with warmer temperatures approaching. For crappie, anglers could try trolling in the deeper holes the lake. With temperatures being cooler, crappie are likely congregating in deep waters finding warmer areas. Minnows or jigs may be a good bait of choice.
Bream
The bream bite is starting to pickup on the lake as the weather gets warmer. For bream, try fishing brush piles and around the fishing piers in 2-4 feet of water. Crickets and earthworms are great bait choices for bream.
Tunica Cutoff
(5/12/2020 3:01:03 p.m.)
Bass
Finding bass is not easy on this lake, but they can be big. Fish spinnerbaits, soft plastics, or a jig-n-pig around cover on steep, sandy banks.
Crappie
For crappie, troll or drift along edges of cover in the main lake, or jig in any cover (trees, planted brush tops, etc.) with a jig and/or minnow. Crappie spawn about a month later here because of cool river water.
Bream
Best luck for spring bream is with crickets or redworms fished 3 - 6 ft deep under a bobber. Water is still pretty cool for bream spawning.
Catfish
This is one of the best lakes in this area for catfish. Fish trotlines or yo-yo's on mudflats, but rod-and-reel action will be better in the runout using various natural baits. Check and reposition stationary gear with the water falling. Grabbling season started May 1, but the water is still pretty cool.
White Bass
Large school of smaller fish are reported running across open water. Fish jigs or small crankbaits on or near the ramps, the runout, or off sandy points. There is no size or number limit on White Bass. However, with the lake connected to the river, you might land a Striped Bass or hybrid, both of which have to be over 15 inches long with a daily limit of six fish per person. The best way to tell these fish apart is by their stripes. White Bass have one stripe running to the tail; stripers and hybrids have two or more stripes running to the tail.
Sardis Lake
(5/12/2020 4:14:05 p.m.)
Bass
Largemouth bass have been moving out with the water falling. Look for the clearest water along the edges of flooded vegetation. Weedless lures (spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, frogs, soft plastics) will work best. Lure choices will depend on water level and temperature trends. Fish faster moving lures shallower if warm and/or rising and slow down and fish deeper if cooler and/or falling.
Crappie
Bruce (901-870-0298) at Wyatt's Crossing Outdoors reports crappie fishing has been tough in the wind with fish scattered. There are multiple patterns producing a few fish. Males are still being caught shallow (3 - 5 ft) in flooded vegetation. Also, trolling the edges of vegetation 5 - 7 ft deep in 12 - 13 ft of water with jigs and/or minnows has been working. One report had success jigging standing timber near Piney Point.
Bream
Bream have been biting worms or crickets fished under a bobber 3 - 5 ft deep in the bushes. With warmer weather finally forecast, fish for spawners over a firm bottom (flooded gravel roads, 4-wheeler trails, etc.).
Catfish
Catfishing has slowed in the river with no runoff coming in, but is good in the main lake on lines or rod-and-reel with various natural baits. Grabbling season opened May 1, but the water is still pretty cool for spawning activity.
White Bass
White Bass are mostly back in the main lake. Fish jigs or small crankbaits over sand-bottomed points. There are no Striped or Hybrid Striped Bass in Sardis, just White Bass which have no size or number limits.
Desoto Lake
(Desoto - 5/8/2020 10:57:05 a.m.)
Due to flooding, the public ramp at Desoto Lake is closed.
Beulah Lake
(5/8/2020 10:57:00 a.m.)
Due to flooding, the public ramp at Beulah Lake is closed.
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