Mississippi Fishing Report

Nichor02

Senior Fisheman
Joined
Dec 8, 2009
Location
Byhalia, Ms.
Boat
Polar Craft
#1
Bay Springs - 11/7/2011



BAY SPRINGS:
Bass reports are fair to good. The larger coves with standing timber are starting to hold some largemouth. Best baits have been spinnerbaits and t-rigged plastics for those shallower fish. Other bass anglers are hitting either mainlake points or secondary points and using Carolina-rigged, dropshot and shakeyhead plastics. Crankbaits might get you some bites as well if the wind is too strong for the finesse approach. Best depths have been 15-20 ft. Some nice spotted bass are starting to show up as the water continues to cool down. The crappie reports are fair. Target sunken brushtops in 10 to 20 feet of water; crappie jigs have been best baits. Popular areas for crappie right now are the mouths of McDougal Branch and Jackson Camp. The catfish reports are fair with a few folks jug fishing and using rod-n-reels in the canal between Bay Springs and Pickwick.
Aberdeen Lake - 11/7/2011


ABERDEEN LAKE (TENN-TOM):
The crappie reports are still good. Crappie are coming out of 3 to 5 ft of water. Deeper water (up to 10 ft) must be nearby for best results. Stumps or any wood are holding more fish than vegetation. The lower end of Becker Bottoms has been popular as of late. The bass reports continue to be fair. The bigger sloughs and backwater areas where shad are showing up are the best areas. Best baits have been shallow crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and t-rigged plastics. The riprap at the upper end of the lake has also been popular, but it isn’t holding the numbers of fish like the middle to lower end of the lake is. T-rigged lizards and brushogs have been best baits with a few bass coming on shallow crankbaits. The catfish bite is fair with most anglers hitting the old river runs and also the Tombigbee River itself. Minnows and cutbait are best baits right now.

Columbus Lake - 11/7/2011


COLUMBUS LAKE (TENN-TOM):
The crappie bite is fair to good and should continue thru this month. Hit the old river runs right now for best results. The runs that are closed off on the upstream end will be the ones to target. Crappie are holding on stumps and laydowns in 4 to 8 ft of water that have deeper water nearby. Crappie jigs have been outproducing minnows, but that can change daily. The bass reports are still fair with most of the action happening in the same areas as the crappie. The river runs are producing a few quality fish, and the gravel pits are holding good numbers of keeper-size bass. The bass seem to be holding just off shoreline structure and relating bait vs. wood or grass. Throw shallow running crankbaits, spinnerbaits and swimbaits where shad are active. Catfish reports are the same as for Aberdeen with most folks hitting the channel and the mouths of the old river runs with jugs and rod-n-reels with some success.

Columbus Lake - 11/7/2011


COLUMBUS LAKE (TENN-TOM):
The crappie bite is fair to good and should continue thru this month. Hit the old river runs right now for best results. The runs that are closed off on the upstream end will be the ones to target. Crappie are holding on stumps and laydowns in 4 to 8 ft of water that have deeper water nearby. Crappie jigs have been outproducing minnows, but that can change daily. The bass reports are still fair with most of the action happening in the same areas as the crappie. The river runs are producing a few quality fish, and the gravel pits are holding good numbers of keeper-size bass. The bass seem to be holding just off shoreline structure and relating bait vs. wood or grass. Throw shallow running crankbaits, spinnerbaits and swimbaits where shad are active. Catfish reports are the same as for Aberdeen with most folks hitting the channel and the mouths of the old river runs with jugs and rod-n-reels with some success.

Columbus Lake - 11/7/2011


COLUMBUS LAKE (TENN-TOM):
The crappie bite is fair to good and should continue thru this month. Hit the old river runs right now for best results. The runs that are closed off on the upstream end will be the ones to target. Crappie are holding on stumps and laydowns in 4 to 8 ft of water that have deeper water nearby. Crappie jigs have been outproducing minnows, but that can change daily. The bass reports are still fair with most of the action happening in the same areas as the crappie. The river runs are producing a few quality fish, and the gravel pits are holding good numbers of keeper-size bass. The bass seem to be holding just off shoreline structure and relating bait vs. wood or grass. Throw shallow running crankbaits, spinnerbaits and swimbaits where shad are active. Catfish reports are the same as for Aberdeen with most folks hitting the channel and the mouths of the old river runs with jugs and rod-n-reels with some success.

Columbus Lake - 11/7/2011


COLUMBUS LAKE (TENN-TOM):
The crappie bite is fair to good and should continue thru this month. Hit the old river runs right now for best results. The runs that are closed off on the upstream end will be the ones to target. Crappie are holding on stumps and laydowns in 4 to 8 ft of water that have deeper water nearby. Crappie jigs have been outproducing minnows, but that can change daily. The bass reports are still fair with most of the action happening in the same areas as the crappie. The river runs are producing a few quality fish, and the gravel pits are holding good numbers of keeper-size bass. The bass seem to be holding just off shoreline structure and relating bait vs. wood or grass. Throw shallow running crankbaits, spinnerbaits and swimbaits where shad are active. Catfish reports are the same as for Aberdeen with most folks hitting the channel and the mouths of the old river runs with jugs and rod-n-reels with some success.



JP Coleman/Pickwick Lake - 11/7/2011



PICKWICK LAKE/J. P. COLEMAN:
Pickwick Lake elevation: 410.13 ft. with water temps in the low 60s. The bass reports have been inconsistent over the past week, it’s been feast or famine for most folks. The shad have moved to the backs of almost every cove and creek. If you can find a cove with some bass chasing, you can load the boat in a hurry. If you don’t find bass chasing shad in the backs of the creeks, the bite can be a little slow elsewhere. Topwater baits, rattletraps and spinnerbaits are all producing in the shallow areas that have baitfish in them. River ledges and deep points are still holding fewer but quality bass. A few deep holes are still holding bass in the 3 lb plus range. Best baits are Carolina-rigged plastics, suspending jerkbaits, and heavy football jigs. Crappie anglers are still hitting the deeper water in the creeks with some success. Best areas are Yellow Creek, Bear Creek and Indian Creek. Best water depths were 20 to 25 ft with crappie minnows out producing jigs. The catfish bite is fair right now. Anglers are catching fish on trotlines and rod-n-reels along the old river channel using cut/whole shad
Columbus Lake - 11/7/2011


COLUMBUS LAKE (TENN-TOM):
The crappie bite is fair to good and should continue thru this month. Hit the old river runs right now for best results. The runs that are closed off on the upstream end will be the ones to target. Crappie are holding on stumps and laydowns in 4 to 8 ft of water that have deeper water nearby. Crappie jigs have been outproducing minnows, but that can change daily. The bass reports are still fair with most of the action happening in the same areas as the crappie. The river runs are producing a few quality fish, and the gravel pits are holding good numbers of keeper-size bass. The bass seem to be holding just off shoreline structure and relating bait vs. wood or grass. Throw shallow running crankbaits, spinnerbaits and swimbaits where shad are active. Catfish reports are the same as for Aberdeen with most folks hitting the channel and the mouths of the old river runs with jugs and rod-n-reels with some success.

Tippah County Lake - 11/7/2011



TIPPAH COUNTY LAKE:
Crappie anglers are reporting a fair bite while trolling the main lake creek channel and also hitting the shoreline brushtops. If trolling, once you catch a couple you may want to slow down and try a vertical presentation. Both jigs and minnows are producing. The bream bite has been fair to good around brushtops in 3-6 feet of water with wigglers being the best bait. Primary drop-offs out from bedding areas are also a good location to find some quality bream. The bass reports are still fair. Any brushtops have been holding bass, as well as the shoreline weeds. T-rigged plastic worms have been best baits in the thicker cover. Others have been hitting mainlake points and creek channels with crankbaits, jerkbaits and softplastics
Sardis Lake - 11/8/2011



Water level 248.46, falling 0.35 ft/day, clear to murky. For water level information, call (662)563-4531 or check http://www.mvk.usace.army.mil/offices/ed/edh/docs/bullet.txt. See http://www.mvk.usace.army.mil/offices/ed/edh/plots/sardplot.jpg for water level trends. The lake was 6.0 ft above rule curve Tuesday; fall drawdown is underway. It is supposed to reach winter pool (236 ft) by December 1.

For crappie, best luck has been trolling the main lake from Toby Tubby Creek to the dam with most fish 10 – 12 ft deep or deeper. Some crappie can be caught fishing slightly shallower in the timber from Hurricane Creek to Holiday Lodge. Fish larger lures to keep from tempting the big 2009 year class that is not all keeping size yet. (A scarcity of bigger keepers this summer is due to the very weak 2007 year class when the lake was at a record low from drought. These fish should be 13 – 15 inches, but there’s not many of them left.) For largemouth bass, fish main lake points or creek and river channels with crankbaits or soft plastics. White bass can be caught on sandy main lake points with small, shad imitating lures (jigs, spoons, small cranks). Whites have been stacking up at Engineer’s Point and the corner of the dam, too. There are no size or number limits on white bass. For catfish, fish natural baits on trotlines, jugs, or rod-and-reel over main lake flats. Some good catches of blue (white humpback) and flathead (yellow) catfish have been landed lately fishing live bait on lines set in the river near Wyatt’s Crossing. Expect fish to concentrate in or over creek and river channels as the lake falls.
Enid Lake - 11/8/2011



Water level 235.80, falling about 0.25 ft/day, clear to murky. For water level information, call (662)563-4571 or check http://www.mvk.usace.army.mil/offices/ed/edh/docs/bullet.txt . See http://www.mvk.usace.army.mil/offices/ed/edh/plots/enidplot.jpg for water level trends. The lake was on rule curve Tuesday; fall drawdown is underway. It is supposed to reach winter pool (230 ft) by December 1.

Best luck for crappie has been trolling crankbaits 10 to 12 ft deep on jigs and/or minnows. There are a lot of short fish being caught; use bigger baits to catch more keepers. (A scarcity of bigger keepers this summer/fall is due to the very weak 2007 year class when the lake was at a record low from drought. These fish should be 13 – 15 inches, but there’s not many of them left.) Most timber and other cover is high and dry. For largemouth bass, fish crankbaits or soft plastics off points and/or shallow structure (brush piles, etc.). For catfish, fish natural baits with your method of choice (rod, jugs, etc.) over main lake flats and dropoffs. White bass have been schooling off sandy points in the main lake; fish shad-imitating jigs, spoons, or small crankbaits. There are no size or number limits on white bass.
Grenada Lake - 11/8/2011




Water level 200.68, falling about 0.15 ft/day, murky. For water level information, call (662)226-5911 or check www.mvk.usace.army.mil/offices/ed/edh/docs/bullet.txt . See http://www.mvk.usace.army.mil/offices/ed/edh/plots/grenplot.jpg for water level trends. The lake was 0.9 ft above rule curve Tuesday; it is on fall drawdown. It is supposed to reach winter pool (197 ft) by December 1.

Collins’ Bait Shop (662)226-3581 reports best luck for crappie trolling jigs and/or medium to large minnows 6 to 8 ft deep from Carver Point around the main lake point to the Skuna beach. Crappie can also be taken in the river from Young’s to Graysport Landings. (A scarcity of bigger keepers this summer is due to the very weak 2007 year class when the lake was at a record low from drought. These fish should be 13 – 15 inches, but there’s not many of them left.) Largemouth bass are on main lake points, humps, and old roadbeds; fish crankbaits or soft plastics. Bass can also be taken in creeks and rivers where the lake has pulled into the channel. Catfishing has been good on natural baits on main lake flats or creek and river channels. White bass have been schooling on sandy points, but most are being taken incidentally by crappie trollers. Fish any small, shad imitating lures (jigs, spoons, small cranks). There are no size or number limits on white bass.
Okatibbee Reservoir - 11/3/2011



Current water level is 342.9 ft., and the water temperature is 65o at the dam. Outflow through the dam is 120 cfs. Several anglers reported catching crappie on deep diving crankbaits fished in 10-12 feet of water. The baits were trolled over the creek channel or in flats od deep water. Don't forget that any size crappie can be taken out, and the limit is 30 fish per angler per day. Bass are holding on deep points. Try dark colored plastic worms.
A depth map is available here: http://home.mdwfp.com/pdfgallery.aspx?Albumid=84

Pascagoula River - 11/1/2011


Pascagoula River: The river @ Merrill is at 2.09 ft. & holding while the lower river @ Graham Ferry is at 1.87 ft. & falling.

Bass fishermen still fish the river & oxbows catching bass around woody cover in the main channel as well as the oxbows using soft plastics and spinnerbaits. Anglers fishing the lower river & marsh continue to report catching a few bass using soft plastics, especially on a falling tide.
Several reports came in of anglers catching flathead catfish in the 20 to 40-lb. range in the mid-river areas near Smith's Fish Camp using live bait.
The bream are still being caught using crickets in the oxbows & main channel near woody cover. Some anglers continue to report decent catches of redear (shellcracker) in the lower river oxbows and main channel south of the forks as well as in the marsh using redworms in 4 to 8 ft. of water. Some of the better catches reportedly coming from the edges of the main river channel & along the edges of the larger bayous in the marsh near I-10 using redworms. A few new crappie reports came in from the oxbows where some anglers are trolling mid-lake using small crankbaits or jigs to catch fish in the 1 to 1.5-lb. range.
Tunica Cutoff - 11/8/2011


The Mississippi River at Memphis was at 3.6 ft Tuesday and is predicted to fall to 0.8 ft Sunday. Flood stage is 34 ft. Best fishing is usually on a slow fall from 15 to 10 ft. The lake will be falling very slowly this week because the river is below the weir. For the river level and 5 day forecast, call (901)544-0408 (press 2) or check http://www.mvk.usace.army.mil/riverstage/bullet.txt.

Charlie at Charlie’s Camp said Tuesday that wind has been keeping folks off the lake most of the week and he’s had few reports. At last report, bass were in shallow cover, so weedless lures (spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, or Texas-rigged plastics) should work. Bream crappie, and catfish were being caught 1 to 3 ft deep with crickets, minnows, or worms, depending on what you want to catch. Look for white bass on sandy, steep points and fish shad-imitating lures like jigs or small crankbaits. No bait shops on the lake are open. Charlie’s ramp is cleaned off; please use the honor box if no one is around.


Tunica Cutoff - 11/8/2011


The Mississippi River at Memphis was at 3.6 ft Tuesday and is predicted to fall to 0.8 ft Sunday. Flood stage is 34 ft. Best fishing is usually on a slow fall from 15 to 10 ft. The lake will be falling very slowly this week because the river is below the weir. For the river level and 5 day forecast, call (901)544-0408 (press 2) or check http://www.mvk.usace.army.mil/riverstage/bullet.txt.

Charlie at Charlie’s Camp said Tuesday that wind has been keeping folks off the lake most of the week and he’s had few reports. At last report, bass were in shallow cover, so weedless lures (spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, or Texas-rigged plastics) should work. Bream crappie, and catfish were being caught 1 to 3 ft deep with crickets, minnows, or worms, depending on what you want to catch. Look for white bass on sandy, steep points and fish shad-imitating lures like jigs or small crankbaits. No bait shops on the lake are open. Charlie’s ramp is cleaned off; please use the honor box if no one is around.


Tunica Cutoff - 11/8/2011



The Mississippi River at Memphis was at 3.6 ft Tuesday and is predicted to fall to 0.8 ft Sunday. Flood stage is 34 ft. Best fishing is usually on a slow fall from 15 to 10 ft. The lake will be falling very slowly this week because the river is below the weir. For the river level and 5 day forecast, call (901)544-0408 (press 2) or check http://www.mvk.usace.army.mil/riverstage/bullet.txt.

Charlie at Charlie’s Camp said Tuesday that wind has been keeping folks off the lake most of the week and he’s had few reports. At last report, bass were in shallow cover, so weedless lures (spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, or Texas-rigged plastics) should work. Bream crappie, and catfish were being caught 1 to 3 ft deep with crickets, minnows, or worms, depending on what you want to catch. Look for white bass on sandy, steep points and fish shad-imitating lures like jigs or small crankbaits. No bait shops on the lake are open. Charlie’s ramp is cleaned off; please use the honor box if no one is around.
Oktibbeha County Lake - 11/7/2011


OKTIBBEHA COUNTY LAKE:
Water temps are running in the 60’s. The bass reports continue to be fair to good. The bass anglers are hitting the shallow brush and timber next to the creek channel in the upper part of the lake with t-rigged plastics, shallow crankbaits and spinnerbaits. A swimbait might get you a quality bite. The small cove by the campground and the fishing piers on the south shoreline have been popular areas. Anglers are reporting a good catfish bite. Most anglers are fishing from the bank along the dam and are tight-lining traditional catfish baits (nightcrawlers, stinkbait, liver) for best results. The few bream and crappie anglers are fishing shallow structure with wigglers and minnows. The two fishing piers seem to be holding good numbers of both crappie and bream right now.

Percy Quin State Park - 11/2/2011



Fishing remains good this week as the nice, cool weather continues. Fall is a great time for bass and crappie fishing at this lake.
Bass have been schooling and chasing shad. Several limits have been caught above the white poles on the north end of the lake. Anglers using shad imitating lures, such as rattle traps and crank baits are catching good size fish. Spinnerbaits fished near tops or other structure should catch bass too.
Crappie are being caught in treetops that are located in various depths throughout the lake, primarily outside of the ski areas. These fish attractors are great for holding crappie. Other anglers are catching nice crappie by trolling deep along the channel in 10-12 ft of water with jigs or minnows.
Catfish can be caught by fishing along the bottom, especially near the dam. Cutbait, liver, or redworms are good choices


Oktibbeha County Lake - 11/7/2011


OKTIBBEHA COUNTY LAKE:
Water temps are running in the 60’s. The bass reports continue to be fair to good. The bass anglers are hitting the shallow brush and timber next to the creek channel in the upper part of the lake with t-rigged plastics, shallow crankbaits and spinnerbaits. A swimbait might get you a quality bite. The small cove by the campground and the fishing piers on the south shoreline have been popular areas. Anglers are reporting a good catfish bite. Most anglers are fishing from the bank along the dam and are tight-lining traditional catfish baits (nightcrawlers, stinkbait, liver) for best results. The few bream and crappie anglers are fishing shallow structure with wigglers and minnows. The two fishing piers seem to be holding good numbers of both crappie and bream right now.

Oktibbeha County Lake - 11/7/2011


OKTIBBEHA COUNTY LAKE:
Water temps are running in the 60’s. The bass reports continue to be fair to good. The bass anglers are hitting the shallow brush and timber next to the creek channel in the upper part of the lake with t-rigged plastics, shallow crankbaits and spinnerbaits. A swimbait might get you a quality bite. The small cove by the campground and the fishing piers on the south shoreline have been popular areas. Anglers are reporting a good catfish bite. Most anglers are fishing from the bank along the dam and are tight-lining traditional catfish baits (nightcrawlers, stinkbait, liver) for best results. The few bream and crappie anglers are fishing shallow structure with wigglers and minnows. The two fishing piers seem to be holding good numbers of both crappie and bream right now.
















Columbus Lake - 11/7/2011


COLUMBUS LAKE (TENN-TOM):
The crappie bite is fair to good and should continue thru this month. Hit the old river runs right now for best results. The runs that are closed off on the upstream end will be the ones to target. Crappie are holding on stumps and laydowns in 4 to 8 ft of water that have deeper water nearby. Crappie jigs have been outproducing minnows, but that can change daily. The bass reports are still fair with most of the action happening in the same areas as the crappie. The river runs are producing a few quality fish, and the gravel pits are holding good numbers of keeper-size bass. The bass seem to be holding just off shoreline structure and relating bait vs. wood or grass. Throw shallow running crankbaits, spinnerbaits and swimbaits where shad are active. Catfish reports are the same as for Aberdeen with most folks hitting the channel and the mouths of the old river runs with jugs and rod-n-reels with some success.










Aberdeen Lake - 11/7/2011


ABERDEEN LAKE (TENN-TOM):
The crappie reports are still good. Crappie are coming out of 3 to 5 ft of water. Deeper water (up to 10 ft) must be nearby for best results. Stumps or any wood are holding more fish than vegetation. The lower end of Becker Bottoms has been popular as of late. The bass reports continue to be fair. The bigger sloughs and backwater areas where shad are showing up are the best areas. Best baits have been shallow crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and t-rigged plastics. The riprap at the upper end of the lake has also been popular, but it isn’t holding the numbers of fish like the middle to lower end of the lake is. T-rigged lizards and brushogs have been best baits with a few bass coming on shallow crankbaits. The catfish bite is fair with most anglers hitting the old river runs and also the Tombigbee River itself. Minnows and cutbait are best baits right now.


Aberdeen Lake - 11/7/2011


ABERDEEN LAKE (TENN-TOM):
The crappie reports are still good. Crappie are coming out of 3 to 5 ft of water. Deeper water (up to 10 ft) must be nearby for best results. Stumps or any wood are holding more fish than vegetation. The lower end of Becker Bottoms has been popular as of late. The bass reports continue to be fair. The bigger sloughs and backwater areas where shad are showing up are the best areas. Best baits have been shallow crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and t-rigged plastics. The riprap at the upper end of the lake has also been popular, but it isn’t holding the numbers of fish like the middle to lower end of the lake is. T-rigged lizards and brushogs have been best baits with a few bass coming on shallow crankbaits. The catfish bite is fair with most anglers hitting the old river runs and also the Tombigbee River itself. Minnows and cutbait are best baits right now.



Main Lake - 11/3/2011


Fishing was been good early this week as temperatures warmed. Follow the shad migration. Crappie anglers are fishing the river drop offs and in the Welfare Hole south of the Hwy 43 bridge. Some nice fish are being caught. Some anglers are catching crappie along the dam and rip rap areas too.
Bass are starting to chase shad into the shallows as fall approaches. Fish around the pads and other vegetation on the Rankin County side.
Main Lake - 11/3/2011


Fishing was been good early this week as temperatures warmed. Follow the shad migration. Crappie anglers are fishing the river drop offs and in the Welfare Hole south of the Hwy 43 bridge. Some nice fish are being caught. Some anglers are catching crappie along the dam and rip rap areas too.
Bass are starting to chase shad into the shallows as fall approaches. Fish around the pads and other vegetation on the Rankin County side.
Main Lake - 11/3/2011


Fishing was been good early this week as temperatures warmed. Follow the shad migration. Crappie anglers are fishing the river drop offs and in the Welfare Hole south of the Hwy 43 bridge. Some nice fish are being caught. Some anglers are catching crappie along the dam and rip rap areas too.
Bass are starting to chase shad into the shallows as fall approaches. Fish around the pads and other vegetation on the Rankin County side.
Main Lake - 11/3/2011


Fishing was been good early this week as temperatures warmed. Follow the shad migration. Crappie anglers are fishing the river drop offs and in the Welfare Hole south of the Hwy 43 bridge. Some nice fish are being caught. Some anglers are catching crappie along the dam and rip rap areas too.
Bass are starting to chase shad into the shallows as fall approaches. Fish around the pads and other vegetation on the Rankin County side.