Ross Barnett
Main Lake - 2/10/2011
UPPER MAIN LAKE:
Most crappie anglers are fishing the river channel or the Welfare Hole near the Highway 43 bridge. Bass anglers should follow the water temperatures. Move to warmer areas after a few sunny days. Stained shallow water and rip rapped areas will warm first. Fish respond to a temperature change of just a few degrees. Otherwise, fish deep water baits with a slow presentation.
LOWER MAIN LAKE:
We heard a good report about crappie hitting at Rose's Bluff. Bass should move to the rip rap after a few sunny days.
UPPER MAIN LAKE:
Most crappie anglers are fishing the river channel or the Welfare Hole near the Highway 43 bridge. Bass anglers should follow the water temperatures. Move to warmer areas after a few sunny days. Stained shallow water and rip rapped areas will warm first. Fish respond to a temperature change of just a few degrees. Otherwise, fish deep water baits with a slow presentation.
LOWER MAIN LAKE:
We heard a good report about crappie hitting at Rose's Bluff. Bass should move to the rip rap after a few sunny days.
Aberdeen Lake - 2/14/2011
ABERDEEN LAKE (TENN-TOM): Water temps are running in the 40s. The bass bite is tough right now but look for it to improve with rising water temps and conditions throughout the week. A few bass bites are being reported in the very backs of the sloughs where clearer water can be found. Try a rattle-trap or flat-sided crank for active fish. If that doesn't work, go to Jig-n-pig combos and t-rigged plastics. The crappie reports are few and far between. The crappie should get hot about the 2nd or 3rd week of March as the water temps warm up.
ABERDEEN LAKE (TENN-TOM): Water temps are running in the 40s. The bass bite is tough right now but look for it to improve with rising water temps and conditions throughout the week. A few bass bites are being reported in the very backs of the sloughs where clearer water can be found. Try a rattle-trap or flat-sided crank for active fish. If that doesn't work, go to Jig-n-pig combos and t-rigged plastics. The crappie reports are few and far between. The crappie should get hot about the 2nd or 3rd week of March as the water temps warm up.
Bay Springs - 2/14/2011
BAY SPRINGS: Bass reports on the Bay have been poor to fair the last week or so but look for the bite to improve with the rising water temps, particularly when the temperature reaches the 50 degree mark. Water temps right now are still in low 40s. The few fish that are being caught are deep, anywhere from 20 to 35 feet. Mainlake points, ledges and creek channels are popular areas. The key is to find the baitfish on any of the structure. Shakeyheads or drop-shotting 4-inch finesse worms and jigging spoons have been best bait choices. Also try yo-yoing rattle-traps or blade baits along the same deep water structure. No other reports coming in yet on other fish. The crappie anglers will start showing up the first of March.
BAY SPRINGS: Bass reports on the Bay have been poor to fair the last week or so but look for the bite to improve with the rising water temps, particularly when the temperature reaches the 50 degree mark. Water temps right now are still in low 40s. The few fish that are being caught are deep, anywhere from 20 to 35 feet. Mainlake points, ledges and creek channels are popular areas. The key is to find the baitfish on any of the structure. Shakeyheads or drop-shotting 4-inch finesse worms and jigging spoons have been best bait choices. Also try yo-yoing rattle-traps or blade baits along the same deep water structure. No other reports coming in yet on other fish. The crappie anglers will start showing up the first of March.
Alicevile Lake - 2/14/2011
ALICEVILLE LAKE (TENN-TOM): Bass reports are picking up as the weather has improved. Look for the bite to start picking up as the water continues to warm. If you can find some clearer water, this will help you chances. Rattle-traps and crankbaits should pick up any actively feeding fish in a given area while Texas-rigged plastics fished slower should pick up a bite or two from more sluggish fish. The lower end of the lake should produce some bites as it tends to be a bit clearer than the upper end. Look for areas with any kind of green vegetation as it should hold some fish. Crappie and catfish reports have not been coming in yet. Look for the white bass and crappie bite to start picking up in the next few weeks as water temps continue to warm. Target the spillway below Columbus Dam and Luxapalila Creek to get in on the white bass run.
PICKWICK LAKE/J. P. COLEMAN: Pickwick Lake elevation: 409.8 ft with a slight fall. Water temps in the low 40s. The bass bite is still tough but should improve as the water temps begin to rise. The few fish being caught have been on shaky head worms and grubs along deep bluffs and in the leftover patches of grass. Also try yo-yoing blade baits along drop-offs and other deep water structure. The crappie reports have been slow as well. Best depths have been anywhere from 18 to 25 ft of water. Jigs have been working better than minnows. Try multiple techniques like trolling, casting and vertical jigging to see what yields the best results. Yellow Creek is probably your best bet as far as crappie goes. As water temps begin to warm, Indian Creek will be the hot area for several weeks, followed by Bear Creek and Mills Creek on into the first of April. Catfish are holding in deep holes and biting cut-bait.
TRACE STATE PARK: The bite is a bit slow, but look for it to pick up as the week progresses and the water temperature continues to rise. Crappie are still deep, with most being caught out of 15 to 25 feet of water near points and drops. Good electronics are a must right now. Try to locate brushtops and other cover in those depths, as they will hold fish. Bass reports have been fair, with a lot of fish holding in the deepest creek channels near the dam. Vertical presentations with jigging spoons or drop-shots will be the best bet for these fish. By the end of the week, the water may be warm enough for bass to start moving a little shallower and actively feeding. For these fish, try using suspending jerkbaits and rattle-traps along primary drop-offs located just off the flats.
ALICEVILLE LAKE (TENN-TOM): Bass reports are picking up as the weather has improved. Look for the bite to start picking up as the water continues to warm. If you can find some clearer water, this will help you chances. Rattle-traps and crankbaits should pick up any actively feeding fish in a given area while Texas-rigged plastics fished slower should pick up a bite or two from more sluggish fish. The lower end of the lake should produce some bites as it tends to be a bit clearer than the upper end. Look for areas with any kind of green vegetation as it should hold some fish. Crappie and catfish reports have not been coming in yet. Look for the white bass and crappie bite to start picking up in the next few weeks as water temps continue to warm. Target the spillway below Columbus Dam and Luxapalila Creek to get in on the white bass run.
PICKWICK LAKE/J. P. COLEMAN: Pickwick Lake elevation: 409.8 ft with a slight fall. Water temps in the low 40s. The bass bite is still tough but should improve as the water temps begin to rise. The few fish being caught have been on shaky head worms and grubs along deep bluffs and in the leftover patches of grass. Also try yo-yoing blade baits along drop-offs and other deep water structure. The crappie reports have been slow as well. Best depths have been anywhere from 18 to 25 ft of water. Jigs have been working better than minnows. Try multiple techniques like trolling, casting and vertical jigging to see what yields the best results. Yellow Creek is probably your best bet as far as crappie goes. As water temps begin to warm, Indian Creek will be the hot area for several weeks, followed by Bear Creek and Mills Creek on into the first of April. Catfish are holding in deep holes and biting cut-bait.
TRACE STATE PARK: The bite is a bit slow, but look for it to pick up as the week progresses and the water temperature continues to rise. Crappie are still deep, with most being caught out of 15 to 25 feet of water near points and drops. Good electronics are a must right now. Try to locate brushtops and other cover in those depths, as they will hold fish. Bass reports have been fair, with a lot of fish holding in the deepest creek channels near the dam. Vertical presentations with jigging spoons or drop-shots will be the best bet for these fish. By the end of the week, the water may be warm enough for bass to start moving a little shallower and actively feeding. For these fish, try using suspending jerkbaits and rattle-traps along primary drop-offs located just off the flats.
Arkabutla - 2/7/2011
FISHING MISSISSIPPI
LATE WINTER SEASON
Water level 211.28, falling 0.2 ft/day, murky to muddy. For water level information, call (662)562-6261 or check http://www.mvk.usace.army.mil/riverstage/bullet.txt Cold, snowy weather and falling, muddy water this week will make fishing challenging. Best luck under these conditions is for catfish on natural bait in incoming water, or for crappie fishing a jig and/or minnow near cover in the main lake. So far, there are no reports of white bass running up tributaries. Try jigs or spinners over sandy areas. The lake was 1.3 ft over rule curve (winter pool) Monday. See http://www.mvk.usace.army.mil/offices/ed/edh/plots/arkaplot.jpg for water levels. The spillway had one gate open 1.0 ft, one open 4.0 ft Monday. Higher flow should flush some crappie from the lake into the spillway. Best luck in the spillway should be for crappie on jigs and/or minnows or catfish on natural baits
Sardis Lake
Water level 239.09, stable, murky to muddy. For water level information, call (662)563-4531 or check http://www.mvk.usace.army.mil/riverstage/bullet.txt You cannot put in at the ramp at the Indian Mound, but can get in the river with 4WD. Folks fishing from the bank here have been landing catfish on worms fished on the bottom and taking good numbers of bream fishing worms under a bobber near riverbank cover. No reports on white bass running up the river yet. There have been several good reports lately on 14 to 16 inch crappie trolling minnows or jigs tipped with minnows for crappie suspended 3 to 5 ft deep in the main lake. Cold, snowy weather predicted this week will make fishing challenging. Best luck for crappie under these conditions is to fish live bait slowly. No reports on largemouth bass.
Grenada Lake - 2/7/2011
FISHING MISSISSIPPI
LATE WINTER SEASON
Water level 195.96, rising 0.2 ft/day, murky to muddy. For water level information, call (662)226-5911 or check http://www.mvk.usace.army.mil/riverstage/bullet.txt Collins' Bait Shop (662)226-3581 reports some crappie have been caught recently fishing jigs and/or minnows in the Young's Landing area, and a few were caught from main lake standing timber. Predicted cold, snowy weather this week and rising, muddy water will make fishing challenging. Best luck for crappie under these conditions is to fish slowly with live bait. No reports on largemouth bass. For catfish, fish natural baits on the bottom in inflowing waters. No reports of white bass running up tributaries yet. There is no size or number limit on white bass.
Lake Ferguson - 2/10/2011
LAKE FERGUSON
The current river stage at Greenville is 21.6 and is on a fast rise. Crappie fishing has begun to pick up some with the warmer weather.This cool front should send them back to deeper water but that doesnt mean they cant be caught. Try trolling with minnows in 10-15' of water or jigging around points with structure. For bass try sunken barges and logs with a crankbait or a large 10"-12" plastic worm or jig. during colder weather bass are looking for an easy but filling meal.
FISHING MISSISSIPPI
LATE WINTER SEASON
Water level 211.28, falling 0.2 ft/day, murky to muddy. For water level information, call (662)562-6261 or check http://www.mvk.usace.army.mil/riverstage/bullet.txt Cold, snowy weather and falling, muddy water this week will make fishing challenging. Best luck under these conditions is for catfish on natural bait in incoming water, or for crappie fishing a jig and/or minnow near cover in the main lake. So far, there are no reports of white bass running up tributaries. Try jigs or spinners over sandy areas. The lake was 1.3 ft over rule curve (winter pool) Monday. See http://www.mvk.usace.army.mil/offices/ed/edh/plots/arkaplot.jpg for water levels. The spillway had one gate open 1.0 ft, one open 4.0 ft Monday. Higher flow should flush some crappie from the lake into the spillway. Best luck in the spillway should be for crappie on jigs and/or minnows or catfish on natural baits
Sardis Lake
Water level 239.09, stable, murky to muddy. For water level information, call (662)563-4531 or check http://www.mvk.usace.army.mil/riverstage/bullet.txt You cannot put in at the ramp at the Indian Mound, but can get in the river with 4WD. Folks fishing from the bank here have been landing catfish on worms fished on the bottom and taking good numbers of bream fishing worms under a bobber near riverbank cover. No reports on white bass running up the river yet. There have been several good reports lately on 14 to 16 inch crappie trolling minnows or jigs tipped with minnows for crappie suspended 3 to 5 ft deep in the main lake. Cold, snowy weather predicted this week will make fishing challenging. Best luck for crappie under these conditions is to fish live bait slowly. No reports on largemouth bass.
Grenada Lake - 2/7/2011
FISHING MISSISSIPPI
LATE WINTER SEASON
Water level 195.96, rising 0.2 ft/day, murky to muddy. For water level information, call (662)226-5911 or check http://www.mvk.usace.army.mil/riverstage/bullet.txt Collins' Bait Shop (662)226-3581 reports some crappie have been caught recently fishing jigs and/or minnows in the Young's Landing area, and a few were caught from main lake standing timber. Predicted cold, snowy weather this week and rising, muddy water will make fishing challenging. Best luck for crappie under these conditions is to fish slowly with live bait. No reports on largemouth bass. For catfish, fish natural baits on the bottom in inflowing waters. No reports of white bass running up tributaries yet. There is no size or number limit on white bass.
Lake Ferguson - 2/10/2011
LAKE FERGUSON
The current river stage at Greenville is 21.6 and is on a fast rise. Crappie fishing has begun to pick up some with the warmer weather.This cool front should send them back to deeper water but that doesnt mean they cant be caught. Try trolling with minnows in 10-15' of water or jigging around points with structure. For bass try sunken barges and logs with a crankbait or a large 10"-12" plastic worm or jig. during colder weather bass are looking for an easy but filling meal.