On Ramp and Pier Details there is a Ramp Index that ranges from 1 to 6. Here's what those numbers mean: For River or Reservoirs: 1. Ramp and parking suitable for large boats. 2. Water levels or ramp slope may limit access of large boats. 3. Same as #2, and parking may be limited. For Smaller Lake or Stream 4. Ramp and parking suitable for small fishing or pleasure boats. 5. Water levels or ramp slope may limit access of small boats. 6. Same as #5, and parking may be limited. Dennis Riecke, MDWFP Fisheries Biologist.

APPLICATION AND RULES STATE RECORD FISH RULE 1: Fish must be caught on rod, reel and line, or pole and line, and hooked with any legal hook or lure. RULE 2: Fish must be weighed in the presence of MDWFP personnel on certified scales or scales legal for trade. The weighing must witnessed by others, who MUST sign the application form. No provision for weight loss will be allowed. The actual weight of the fish AT THE TIME OF WEIGHING will be the OFFICIAL WEIGHT. It is desired (but not mandatory) to have signature(s) on the application form of witness(es), if any, to the actual catching of the fish. RULE 3: Two (2) photographs (preferably in color) should be taken of the proposed record fish. A. One (1) of the angler and fish. B. One (1) showing a clear, close up side view of only the fish. RULE 4: Length of the fish must be measured using a flatboard and with fish mouth closed, from tip of snout to tip of tail (with tail squeezed together to give longest possible measurement) which gives the maximum overall measurement. Fork length measurement should also be taken from the tip of shout to the fork of the tail. (See diagram on application) RULE 5: Girth of the fish will be measured around the thickest portion of the body. (See diagram) RULE 6: Applications for black bass, crappie and sunfish MUST be positively identified AND verified by a Professional Fisheries Biologist with the MDWFP. RULE 7: The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks reserves the right to further check fish identification or verification of witnesses and to refuse any application that is questionable. It will be considered "just cause" for disqualification of current application and any previous records established by anyone who knowingly falsifies a record fish application. If the rules are not clear, PLEASE reread them. All rules will be strictly adhered to! The decision of the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks will be final. Return To: MDWFP Fisheries Bureau 1505 Eastover Dr. Jackson, Mississippi 39211-6374 Dennis Riecke, MDWFP Fisheries Biologist

If you possessed a RESIDENT ARKANSAS FISHING LICENSE OR A RESIDENT MISSISSIPPI FISIHING LICENSE you could fish on Tunica Cutoff. The reciprocal license agreements Mississippi has with our adjacent states only recognize resident license holders. Since you have a nonresident Arkansas license, you can only fish those waters in the Tunica Cutoff that are owned by the State of Arkansas. To fish Mississippi waters in Tunica Cutoff, you would need to purchase a Mississippi nonresident fishing license. The age exemption (those 65 and older) to the licensing requirements only applies to residents. Dennis Riecke, MDWFP Fisheries Biologist.

Our regulation states that the creel limits for crappie, striped bass and its hybrids in waters adjoining adjcent states shall be that of the adjacents states, or the Mississippi limit, whichever is greater. Since Louisiana has a creel limit of 50 crappie per person per day and the Mississippi limit is 30 crappie per person per day, when fishing Chotard and Albemarle an angler may retain 50 crappie per day.

On our website there is a link under the Fishing page. It is located on the right. Click on "MSFish Index". If you click on the one of the fish categories (Bass, Bream or Catfish) the scores for that specieswill be sorted for you.  As a general rule, excellent bream fishing exists anywhere their is a slot limit on largemouth bass. Dennis Riecke, MDWFP Fisheries Biologist.

If you and your husband are 65 or older, all you need to carry to hunt and fish statewide is proof of your age. If you are 100% disabled and have been judged such by the Social Security Administration, you should have a form called a TPQY that the Social Security Administration only sends to individuals that are judged disabled. You should receive this form annually. That is the form you need to carry on you to prove you are disabled and exempt from the licensing requirements. There are daily fees and annual permits that age exempt or disabled exempt individuals need to pay to fish at State Fishing Lake and State Park Lakes. Dennis Riecke, MDWFP Fisheries Biologist.

There are bait shops and cabins or trailers for rent at Lake Washington, call Slyvia Overstreet at 662-827-2892 or Pam Hammond at Roy's Store at 662-827-2588. If you send me your address, I will send you a general outline map of Lake Washington, but it does not show water depths. The fishing report for Lake Washington for 3/13/05 contained the following: According to Ms. Pam Hammond at Roy’s Store on Lake Washington (662-827-2588), anglers are still catching crappie. Most are being caught about 10 ft. from the bank. Trollers are also still having luck. Over the last week the crappie are averaging about 1 lb. Cats are still slow, and no report on bream. The water temp. last week was in the low 60's. Anglers please note that on Lake Washington the limit on crappie is 30 but only 5 crapie can be kept that are under 10 inches in length, the limit on bream is 100, and the limit on bass is 5, but only 2 bass can be less than 15 inches in length.

Since ponds are usually located on private property, the state does not have any programs to cost-share in building them. Until the early 1990's the Soil Conservation Service used to provide free fish to stock new or renovated ponds. That program ended. The MDWFP provides technical advice for pond management, stocking, liming and fertilization and aquatic plant control. Dennis Riecke, MDWFP Fisheries Biologist.

At the present time, we are out of fish posters. We are investigating reprinting costs.

Question: Does Mississippi have a "dead water" or "dead pool" rule whereby all fish (game and non-game) may be removed from a particular area or body of water by any legal means to include bow and arrow? Thank you in advance! Answer: The language of state law 49-7-81(1) states: "It shall be unlawful to take or kill game fish in any manner other than by hook and line with one or more hooks, or by use of a trot or troll line. Dip/landing nets may be used when landing a fish caught by hook and line, trot or troll lines. Shad and minnows may only be taken as bait with the aid of a dip/landing net, cast nets, boat-mounted scoops and wire baskets by residents for personal use in sportfishing. However in PRIVATE PONDS OR BORROW PITS OR OVERFLOW PONDS which go dry in summer and cut off from the regular streams, dip nets may be used for capturing or rescuing such game fish." So, nongame gross fish may not be removed from these waters. Bow and arrow use is only allowed for carp, buffalo, gar and bowfin in all waters of the state. Dennis Riecke, MDWFP Fisheries Biologist.

Mississippi does not have any regulations regarding the harvest of crawfish. I would advise you not to keep anything caught in your traps but crawfish because Mississippi does have regulations on minnow seines, minnow traps and the use of wire baskets. I don't think it is legal to catch shrimp in traps. Please contact the Miss. Dept. of Marine Resources regarding their regulations on shrimp harvest --- 228-374-5000. Dennis Riecke, MDWFP Fisheries Biologist.

The Magnolia crappie is a triploid hybrid cross between a black-striped black crappie (a scarce color variation of the black crappie) and a white crappie. This fish has a black stripe running from the front of the dorsal fin along the top of the the body, normally extending through the to the upper jaw. The eggs and milt are stripped, hand mixed and the eggs are placed in a pressure chamber causing triploidy - the development of 3 sets of chromosomes. The resulting fish is sterile because it has 3 sets of chromosomes. Because they can't reproduce they have been stocked into some smaller water bodies like Lake Charlie Capps where fertile crappie would overproduce and few would grow to a harvestable size due to a lack of enough food. Dennis Riecke, MDWFP Fisheries Biologist.

Some people like to tag fish so they can track the growth of individual fish. Fish should be tagged on the side near the top or dorsal fin. Use the tagging gun to insert the tag and then turn the gun 180 degrees so the T-shaped or barb end of th tag will go between the bones extending off the backbone to near the base of the fin. One source of fish tags and tagging guns is www.aquaticeco.com; 1-877-FISH-STUFF or 1-877-347-4788. Dennis Riecke, MDWFP Fisheries Biologist.

The little flounder-looking fish are called hogchokers. These are saltwater fish that can move great distances upstream in freshwater. They are found in our coastal rivers. Maximum size is 4.9 inches. They feed on the bottom on insects and worms. The scientific name is Trinectes maculatus. Dennis Riecke, MDWFP Fisheries Biologist

Yes. As long as they were legally taken and you don't exceed the daily creel limit for the species you intend to use (100 bream, 10 bass, 30 crappie). You cannot have more than 100 game fish of all species in your possession. Legally taken means caught on a rod and reel or taken by any means from a private pond. Game fish cannot be bought, bartered or sold or offered for sale. Dennis Riecke, MDWFP Fisheries Biologist.

Recently (2004), the MDWFP did establish a new state record freshwater fish list for flyfishing at the request of flyfishing anglers. A few records have been set but since the program is so new, anyone who catches just about any sport fish while flyfishing is going to set the first state record for this gear. Call the fisheries division at 601-432-2209 and request a reporting form. We hope to have the forms posted on our website in the near future. You must have weight of the fish taken on a certified scale, which is one that is legal for trade and is tested for accuracy by the Miss. Dept. of Agriculture and Commerce. Any store that sells goods by the pound will have a certified scale. Check with your local grocery store about having them weigh a fish for you. You must have 2 witnesses to the weight and you must submit a good color photograph for us to determine what species of fish you caught. Dennis Riecke, MDWFP Fisheries Biologist.

What waters in the State of Mississippi are open to public fishing?

State Agency-Owned Public Fishing Lakes | Pat Harrison Waterway District | Pearl River Valley Water Supply District | Federal Agency-Owned Public Fishing Lakes | Rivers and Streams

There are several federal and state agencies that own, manage and maintain lakes and recreational facilities that are open to the public for use. People frequently believe all these are owned by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks (MDWFP). This is not so, but the MDWFP does assess and manage the fish populations and set fishing regulations on waters it does not own but which are open to the public for fishing, boating and other recreational uses. An example of such a water body would be the federally-owned flood control reservoirs and the navigation pools along the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway.

State Agency-Owned Public Fishing Lakes

The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks owns, manages and operates 24 State Fishing Lakes (totaling 6,044 water acres) and 20 State Parks (3,136 water acres) on 18 different State Parks. These are listed in the annual Outdoor Digest of Hunting and Fishing Regulations. You can get a copy of this where ever you purchase a hunting or fishing license. These locations are also listed on our website. Fees are charged for various uses.

The MDWFP also assists communities with the fisheries management of urban waters for public use in our Community Assistance Program. There are 8 small water bodies covering 42 acres in Olive Branch, Tupelo, Oxford, Carthage, Clarksdale, Walnut Grove, Brookhaven, Hattiesburg and Poplarville. If your city or county owns a public water body and local officials want technical assistance on managing it for public fishing, have them call Dennis Riecke, Fisheries Biologist at 601-432-2207 for program information.

The Pat Harrison Waterway District (1-880-748-9618 or 601-264-5951) owns and operates 8 lakes with 2,703 water acres in southeast Mississippi. These are Turkey Creek Water Park, Okatibbee Water Park, Dunns Falls Water Park, Archusa Creek Water Park, Dry Creek Water Park, Big Creek Water Park, Little Black Creek Water Park, Maynor Creek Water Park, Flint Creek Water Park and Bluff Creek Water Park. The lakes are managed principally for skiing and boat but all are stocked with largemouth bass, bluegill, redear (bream) and channel catfish. Fees are charged for various uses.

The Pearl River Valley Water Supply District (601-856-6574) is a state agency that owns, operates and maintains the Ross Barnett Reservoir (33,000 acres) which was developed for recreation and as a water source for the City of Jackson.

Federal Agency-Owned Public Fishing Lakes

The US Army Corps of Engineers operates flood control and navigation pools in Mississippi. The Vicksburg District operates and maintains the following flood control reservoirs: Arkabutla Lake - 12,500 acres (662-562-6261); Enid Lake - 16,130 acres (662-563-4531); Grenada Lake - 35,280 acres (662-226-5911); and Sardis Lake - 32,100 acres (662-563-4571). The MDWFP assesses and manages the fish populations, setting the regulations on fishing. Launching and camping fees are charged by the Corps of Engineers. Maps are available from the Corps of Engineer offices, they do not show water depths.

The Mobile District (251-694-3720 or 662-327-2142) operates and maintains the following flood control reservoirs (Okatibbee Lake) and navigation pools: Aberdeen Lake - 4,121 acres; Bay Springs Lake (or Whitten) - 6,700 acres; Amory Pool (or Lock A)- 914 acres; Fulton Pool (or Lock C) - 1,642 acres; Montgomery Pool (or Lock E) - 851 acres; Rankin Pool (or Lock D) - 1,992 acres; Wilkins Pool (or Lock B) 2,718 acres and Okatibbee Lake - 3,800 acres. The MDWFP assesses and manages the fish populations, setting the regulations on fishing. Launching and camping fees are charged by the Corps of Engineers. Maps are available from the Corps of Engineer offices, they do not show water depths.

The US Forest Service (601-965-4391) owns, operates and manages lakes and streams on the National Forests in Mississippi - Holly Springs National Forest, Tombigbee National Forest, Bienville National Forest, Delta National Forest, Homochitto National Forest and Desoto National Forest. The major public fishing waters are: Puskus Lake - 96 acres, Chewalla Lake - 260 acres, Tillatoba Lake - 60 acres, Davis Lake - 200 acres, Choctaw Lake - 100 acres, Little Sunflower River, Marathon Lake - 52 acres, Clear Springs - 15 acres, Black Creek - 5 landings in 15 miles; Black Creek is the only National Wild and Scenic River in Mississippi; 40 mile float trip; Turkey Fork Lake - 250 acres. Facilities include boat ramps, fishing piers, restrooms, picnic tables, swimming areas, campsites with water and electrical hookups (fees are charged) , dump stations, and hiking trails. A brochure is available by contacting the phone number listed above and maps of each National Forest are available for $3.00 each.

The US Fish and Wildlife Service owns, operates and manages the following National Wildlife Refuges (NWR)in Mississippi: Panther Swamp NWR, Hillside NWR, Morgan Brake NWR, Matthews Brake NWR, and Yazoo NWR (all at 662-839-2638); Dahomey NWR and Tallahatchie NWR (both at 662-226-8286); St. Catherine's Creek NWR (601-442-6696); Noxubee NWR (662-323-5548); and Bogue Chitto NWR (504-646-7555). Some of these refuges charge for a fishing on refuge lands. The two principal lakes are Bluff Lake - 899 acres and Lokfoma Lake - 458 acres located on Noxubee NWR. The US Fish and Wildlife Service sets the fishing regulations on their refuges.

There are an unknown number of public fishing lakes owned by cities and counties.

There are approximately 51,253 miles or perennial or permanent streams and 72,504 miles of intermittent (streams that may go dry each year) according to the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ). By state law, public waterways are designated by the MDEQ and must have a certain flow to be considered a public waterway. Nonflowing water cannot be designated as a public waterway by state law. The MDEQ has a map and a list of stream sections that are designated public waterways. Floodwater that is overflowing the banks of a public waterway is not considered public water by state law. Any stream not designated a public waterway is a private stream. The status of natural oxbow lakes and lakes that were once part of what is now designated a public waterway is unclear as the MDEQ does not have the authority to designate them as public waterways. There are may lakes like this in the Delta Region of Mississippi. A water body can be declared a "public water" by the courts by reason of prescription (uninterrupted public use). No one can "adversely possess" from the state which may mean that if a water body was ever public it cannot now be considered private.

By Dennis Riecke, MDWFP Fisheries Biologist

How to Report a Fish Kill

Fish Kill information: to report a fish kill contact the MS Dept. of Environmental Quality at 601.961.5701 or 601.961.5599 (weekends) 

The entire Louisiana-Mississippi reciprocal license agreement, as well as those with Arkansas and Tennessee can be found in the Frequently Asked Questions section under the Fisheries home page at our site (www.mdwfp.com). The LA-MS agreement states that people holding a Mississippi license can hunt, sport fish and commercial fish on Mississippi lands and that lie west of the main channel of the Miss. River and on Louisiana lands and waters that lie East of the main channel of the Miss. River. Of course this only applies to publicly-owned lands and waters. So, determine if the borrow pits you want to fish in or public or privately owned. If they are in private ownership, you will need permission from that landowner to fish there to avoid trespassing. Dennis Riecke, MDWFP Fisheries Biologist.

Saltwater or marine fish, shrimp, oysters and crabs are regulated by the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources. Visit their website for information or to post a question. Go to www.dmr.state.ms.us. Dennis Riecke, Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, Fisheries Biologist.

Baiting or chumming with various grains, cheese or any other attractants is legal in all waters of the state. Dennis Riecke, MDWFP Fisheries Biologist.

Unless, I am mistaken, it should show up in one of our lake listings. It is not owned by MDWFP so it is not a state fishing lake or a state park lake. There is a no-fee public ramp there with restrooms and a nice breakwater for easy launching in the wind. Eagle Lake is an natural oxbow lake off the Mississippi River. The state line for Louisiana and Mississippi runs through it. Eagle Lake is located in Warren County off Hwy 465 Northwest of Vickburg, Mississippi. Dennis Riecke, MDWFP Fisheries Biologist.

Your question has already been answered see the Frequently Asked Questions section under the Fisheries home page at www.mdwfp.com. Watershed lakes are private lakes. Just because federal funds were used to construct these lakes for flood control and sediment retention does not mean they are open to public use. They are on private land and if you have questions about this program call the Corps of Engineers or the USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service. This used to be a big program but there is little funding today to build many of these floodwater retention ponds. There is a recent effort to renovate or restore those that were constructed long ago and have filled up with sediment and their dams are in disrepair. You need permission from the landowner to fish these lakes. Just because you can get there by water doesn't mean the lake is public. By law only flowing bodies of water can be declared public water by the Miss. Dept. of Environmental Quality and then they have to a certain flow. So, there are private streams in the state. Another thing to remember is if you are in a public waterway (as listed by MDEQA) and it is flooding, you cannot follow that floodwater, it is not part of the of a public waterway --- so stay within the tree lined banks of the main channel. Dennis Riecke, MDWFP Fisheries Biologist.

The following gear can be used by residents to catch gizzard shad, threadfin shad and minnows for personal use during sportfishing: dip/landing nets; cast nets; boat-mounted scoops and wire baskets. This can be done in any public water, statewide. Both shad species can be sold if captured with legal commercial gear (not those listed above)---- but with legal gillnets, hoopnets, trammel nets, if a person possesses a commercial fishing licese. Minnows may be captured in most public waters except state fishing lakes and state park lakes with legal minnow traps and minnow seines as specified in Public Notice 2999 (this is the commercial fishing regulation brochure posted on this website) and sold if a person has a commercial fishing license. No minnows captured from public waters may be sold outside the state of Mississippi. Dennis Riecke, MDWFP Fisheries Biologist.

Yes, there does not appear to be any law or regulation which prohibits such activity. Dennis Riecke, MDWFP Fisheries Biologist.

July 4th each year is the one day each year anyone can fish without a statewide fishing license. Anyone fishing in a private pond or having permission to fish in a private pond can fish without a license. To hunt on private land you need a hunting license. On the Saturdays and Sundays (usually the first 2 weekends in June each year) of National Fishing and Boating Week, anyone can fish at MDWFP State Fishing Lakes without purchasing a lake permit but they need to have a statewide fishing license except if they are exempt (anyone under 16,residents 65 or older or residents who are permanently disabled). Dennis Riecke, MDWFP Fisheries Biologist.

Mississippi does not have any regulations for the harvest of crawfish from public waters. Dennis Riecke, MDWFP Fisheries Biologist.

Historically, walleye were collected from the Mississippi and Pearl Rivers. They may have existed in other river systems but these are the documented locations with those fish in museum collections. In the book "The Inland Fishes of Mississippi" Dr. Stephen Ross states that walleye were reportedly comment in the 1950's. Today, walleye are only found in the northeast part of the state. We know that they are gentically unique from every other strain in the nation. These Southern Strain of walleye are found in the Mobile River drainage in Mississippi and Alabama. We have been spawning and stocking them for years in the creeks around Columbus, MS. These fish don't live more than six years, are not common and are restricted in their range. Some years ago, someone petitioned the US Fish & Wildlife Service to declare this race of fish "endangered" but not enought information existed to do so.

The state fish is the largemouth bass. There are 3 fish species found only within the state of Mississippi and nowhere else in the World. They are: bayou darter found in the Bayou Pierre system south of Vicksburg; Yazoo shiner and Yazoo darter, both in the streams of the Yazoo river drainage in northwest Mississippi. A recent (2001) book, INLAND FISHES OF MISSISSIPPI, by Stephen T. Ross provides color photographs and a wealth of information on the 288 species of freshwater fishes in Mississippi. Dennis Riecke, MDWFP Fisheries Biologist

There is a way to locate most of the water bodies, public fishing piers and public boat ramps in the state. Go to the Fishing section of www.mdwfp.com and click on the link in the upper right of that page (Looking for a place to fish? Search online Waterbodies, Boat Ramps). Then type in the name of the lake, ramp or pier in the Search text box and click on water for lakes or ramps and piers or ramps.Then click go. For example, typing "Log Loader" into the search field, clicking on "water" and clicking "Go" provides you screen with Log Loader lake listing the main sport fish species as Crappie and Channel catish. Clicking on the lake name give you information on it's location (County and road directions), waterbody type, acres, owner, contact phone number, and fees (fishing, launching and camping). Dennis Riecke, MDWFP Fisheries Biologist.

Several state agencies,industries and user groups have begun the process of working collaboratively to draft a State Management Plan for Aquatic Invasive Species in Mississippi. Two meetings have been held as of 11/13/03. We expect to fund this effort shortly and once that it accomplished, plan development will take 2 years (same as the LA effort). Everyone is committed to composing this plan to guide Mississippi's efforts in this pressing issue. The governor instructed the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality to coordinate this effort. The Coodinator is Heny Folmare: (601-961-5171). Dennis Riecke, MDWFP Fisheries Biologist.

You can locate most water bodies in the state by going to the Fishing home page under www.mdwfp.com and clicking on the link at the top right called "Places to fish". Then type in the name of the lake. If it is a vaild name in our MDWFP database, the lake size, location, facilities and any fees charged will appear. For example: Mossy Lake, a 300 oxbow lake in Leflore County, 4 miles Southwest of Morgan City, MS off Hwy 7. Primary fish species present are crappie and channel catfish. Boat ramps can also be located by clicking on that box and then typing a river or stream name. For example typing Big Black yields 9 ramps. Facility symbols indicate whether the following are present: boat ramp, fishing pier, courtesy pier, fee required, handicap accessible. By clicking on the ramp name the following information may be displayed: county, specific location (driving directions) GPS coordina

I get this question frequently. Another agency, the Miss. Dept. of Marine Resources regulates all saltwater fishing. I have talked to them and here's your reply. If you fish in Louisiana waters you will need both a Louisiana basic fishing license (freshwater) and a Louisiana saltwater license. If you are a LA resident you should buy a resident license. If you are a resident of any other state, purchase these 2 nonresidnet licenses. If you fish in LA waters ---- DO NOT STOP TO FISH ANYWHERE IN MISSISSIPPI WATERS ON YOUR RETURN TO A MISSISSIPPI LAUNCH SITE CHRISTIAN. IF YOU DO AND ARE CHECKED BY MARINE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENTS THEY WILL ASSUME THAT YOUR ENTIRE CATCH CAME FROM MISSISSIPPI WATERS. THIS COULD CAUSE YOU TO GET A CITATION IF CREEL AND SIZE LIMITS FOR SOME SPECIES OF FISH THAT ARE LEGAL IN LA WATERS, VIOLATE THE MS CREEL AND SIZE LIMITS. IF THEY SEE YOU COMING FROM FEDER

RESIDENTS exempt from hunting license requirements are persons under 16 years of age or 65 years of age and older AND THOSE ADJUDGED 100 PERCENT SERVICE CONNECTED DISABLED BY THE VETERANS ADMINISTRATION; TOTALLY DISABLED BY THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION; BLIND, PARAPLEGIC, OR MULTIPLE AMPUTEE. Proof of disability must be renewed annually by the Social Security Administration, Railroad Retirement Board or Veterans Administration. Proof of age or disability must be carried on person while hunting. Dennis Riecke, MDWFP Fisheries Biologist.

IF something is not listed then we don't have any limits on it except for the statewide daily creel limits. All the catfish are classified as nongame gross fish or commercial fish and there is no daily creel limit or size limit on them.  Dennis Riecke, MDWFP Fisheries Biologist, Jackson.

The City of Flowood owns Crystal Lake and it is open to the public for fishing and has a decent fish population. It is located just off Flowood Drive, north of the Hwy 49 - Hwy 80 junction. No fees are charged and it is open each day. Dennis Riecke, MDWFP Fisheries Biologist

Gamefish can be used as bait as long as they were legally captured. That means that you either caught them on a hook and line or someone gave (NOT SOLD) them to you or you got them out of your own pond (using any method you desired). No one can possess over 100 gamefish per person at any time. If you go fishing with 101 bream, you are in violation of the law. Dennis Riecke, MDWFP Fisheries Biologist.

Anyone may fish statewide (fresh and saltwater) on July 4th each year without a fishing license. Those who have purchased a Lifetime Sportsman's License do not need to ever purchase a saltwater fishing. During the weekend days of National Fishing and Boating Week each year, usually the first week of June, fishing permits are not required to be purchased at MDWFP State Fishing Lakes and State Parks but state wide fishing licenses are required to fish during these weekends. Dennis Riecke, MDWFP Fisheries Biologist, Jackson, MS

The exemption to the license requirements for disability does not extend to NONRESIDENTS. A driver's license is the prinicipal way people prove they are residents of Mississippi. The only place people who are not exempt(residents 16-64 years old and residnets who are disabled and all nonresidents 16 and older) can fish in Mississippi without a license is in a private pond or lake, provided they have permission to do so from the owner. North of Interstate 10, a freshwater fishing license is needed. Between Interstate 10 and Hwy 90 either a saltwater fishing license or a freshwater fishing license can be used. South of Hwy 90 only a saltwater license is valid. Dennis Riecke, MDWFP Fisheries Biologist, Jackson, MS

Watershed lakes are private lakes. You cannot fish there without obtaining permission from the landowner. Federal funds are used to build these lakes for flood control and silt retention but the landowner still owns the land. No one needs a fishing license to fish a private pond or lake in Mississippi with the landowners permission to do so. Dennis Riecke, MDWFP Fisheries Biologist

At http://www.wmi.org/bassfish/reports/mississi/index.html anglers can read the fishing reports posted each day by anglers fishing in any state. Anglers can also post their own fishing report on the site.

There are fishing guides for many areas of the state. Some specialize in fishing for one or a few types of fish. To locate a guide for a particular type of fishing or location go to these sites: http://www.msoutfitters.org/ and http://www.outfitters.org/. Dennis Riecke, MDWFP Fisheries Biologist.

Handgrabbling for nongame gross fish is legal statewide from May 1 - July 15 each year. Anglers are only permitted to use their hands or an unaltered rope (no attachments to the rope). The use of grabbling tongs or any hook is illegal. Public Notice 3428, states that it is UNLAWFUL TO ALTER ANY NATURAL AREAS BY PLACING OF BOARDS, WIRE OR ANY OTHER PERMANENTLY ATTACHED OBSTRUCTION TO SAID LOGS, HOLES, ETC. or take fish from such altered devices. It is also unlawful to raise any part or a natural or artificial device out of the water thereby aiding in the capture of enclosed fish. Only wooden containers may be used. It is unlawful to place structures such as plastic or metal barrels, hot water tanks, concrete pipes, tires, and other non-biodegradable materials into the public waters of the state. A sport fishing license is required for handgrabbling. Fish caught by handgrabblish cannot be sold unless the angler also has a freshwater commercial fishing license.

South of Hwy 90 - only a saltwater license is valid North of I-10 - only a freshwater license is valid Between I-10 and Hwy 90 -either a freshwater or a saltwater license is valid Dennis Riecke, MDWFP Fisheries Biologist

Each week begining with the first week of February until the last week of November our staff collects information for our fishing reports. This information is added to our website no later than 5:00 p.m. each Wednesday. The date of the reports are given for each lake. A generic winter report is posted for December and January.  The Jackson newspaper, the Clarion-Ledger publishes the fishing report on Thursdays in the sports section on the page with the team standings.

For several years scientists have been stocking and tagging striped bass in the coastal rivers of Mississippi. If you catch any striped bass, please call 228-872-4242. Leave your name, address, phone number, the length of the fish, the weight of the fish, the location of the catch and the lures or methods used to catch the fish and the tag number (if tagged). You will receive a letter stating where and when that fish was tagged along with comments about the purpose of the stocking and research program. Thank you for your cooperation. Dennis Riecke, MDWFP Fisheries Biologist

Generally in Mississippi from March 15 - April 15. It depends on water temperature -- 60-68 F is their preferred spawning temperature. The big fish usually spawn before the small fish. Sometimes from 10-60 fish will be in a small area spawning. The male fish get darker as the amount of black pigment on them increases.

Go to http://www.dmr.state.ms.us/Fisheries/Regulations/baglimits_recreational.htm for a list of saltwater fishing bag limits. You can request a printed version of the saltwater fishing regulations by calling the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources at 228-374-5000 or send an E-mail to them via their website -- www.dmr.state.ms.us

Fishing Reports

MDWFP fishing reports are posted weekly from February till the end of October or November. If you desire a fishing report for a water body during the winter period, please contact the local bait shop on that water body.

Only buffalo, carp, gar and bowfin, may be taken throughout the year by the use of a bow and arrow. Persons taking these fish using bow and arrows must have a valid hunting and/or sport fishing license or exempt under 49-7-5.

That's because another agency the Miss. Dept. of Marine Resouces in Biloxi regulates marine fishes. I suggest you go to their website (www.dmr.state.ms.us) to find these records. Dennis Riecke, MDWFP Fisheries Biologist

Previously, Mississippi had a special is a snagging season for nongame gross fish (carp, buffalo, gar, catfish, paddlefish) but not for any game fish (bass, crappie, bream, white bass, striped bass. The snagging season ran from October 1 - November 30 statewide except no snagging was allowed in Muddy Bayou, below Ross Barnett Reservoir and below Okatibbee Reservoir from the spillway outlet to the end of the riprap. Any game fish snagged(hooked in any part of the body except the mouth/head including, but no further back than the gill covers) must be returned to the water immediately.

Here are the current regulations as of May 2007:

Anglers fishing the waters listed below may use no more than 1 pole or rod per person with no more than 2 single hooks, which must be at least 1 inch apart and must be no larger than a #2 or use 1 artificial lure with no more than 2 treble hooks no larger than #2 from December 1 until the last day of February. Anglers may use any size single hook or treble hooks no larger than #2 the remaining days of the year. These regulations apply to all anglers fishing the waters below, not just those who are snagging. Waters: Arkabutla, Enid, Grenada, Sardis, Okatibbee and Ross Barnett reservoir spillways from the outlet channel to the end of the rip rap and in the Bluff Lake spillway in Noxubee River.

Anglers fishing the waters listed below may use no more than 1 pole or rod per person with no more than 2 single hooks, which must be at least 1 inch apart and must be no larger than a #2 or use 1 artificial lure with no more than 2 treble hooks no larger than #2, no treble hooks larger than #2 are allowed when fishing the following waters:

Bay Springs Lock downstream to MS Hwy 4 overpass

Lock E spillway downstream to Mile Marker 406

Lock D spillway downstream to Mile Marker 398

Lock C spillway downstream to Hwy 78 overpass

Lock B spillway downstream to Mile Marker 375

Lock A spillway downstream to Mississippi Hwy 6 overpass

Aberdeen Lake spillway down to US Hwy 45 overpass, including the auxiliary spillway and associated bank fishing access area in the Tombigbee River cutoff below the dam.

Columbus Lake spillway down to Mile Marker 334 including the auxiliary spillway and associated bank fishing access area in the Tombigbee River cutoff below the dam.

Nonresidents over 65 

The 65 and over age exemption from having to purchase a license does not apply to nonresidents. Yes, you must purchase a license.

Contact the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science at 601-354-7303.

It is legal to gig flounder with a valid fishing license. Frogs (25 bag limit) can be gigged from April 1 - Sept.15 with a valid hunting or fishing license. You can legally throw a spear to take for buffalo, carp, gar and bowfin.

Fish intact on waters with length/slot limits
  

A 16-20" slot limit for bass exists on Enid and Sardis Reservoirs only in MS. See seasons and limits on our web site. All freshwater game fish must be intact (with head, tail, skin and scales) while fishing waters having an established MDWFP lenth/slot limits.

saltwater fish length limits

Saltwater limits are set by the Dept. of Marine Resources - 228- 374-5000

Trout are not native to Mississippi. A few attempts to stock them have not been successful. A state record rainbow trout is acknowledged but this fish crossed the Miss. R. from Arkansas during drought conditions into Lake Whittington.

Freshwater Commercial Fishing Digest.

Visit our customer Service Comment and Question application.

The Mississippi Dept. of Marine Resources manages all saltwater species. Click on the link below to visit their website
http://www.dmr.state.ms.us

Please see map sources.

Several years ago the fisheries division of MDWFP published this full color poster showing 34 of the most common freshwater fishes common to Mississippi. A few copies are still available free of charge. We do not mail these posters. Contact our Mississippi Museum of Natural Science (601-354- 7303) or any MDWFP office, state fishing lake, state park to determine if they have any posters before you make a visit to get a poster.

Try out our farm pond discussion at

http://www.mdwfp.com/forums/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=5

Also, a wealth of information concerning construction, design, stocking, management, weed control, fish kills, fish attactors, liming and fertilization, harvest, feeding, renovation, turtles and pond problems in contained in the publication “Managing Mississippi Farm Ponds and Small Lake” published by the Mississippi Cooperative Extension Service, MDWFP and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) which is available from any County Agent, NRCS or MDWFP office and online at http://msucares.com/wildfish/fisheries.

Is it legal to commercially harvest mussels in Mississippi?

The commercial harvest of mussels in Mississippi was prohibited in 1972 because our native mussel stocks were severely impacted by this harvest and several other factors. Currently, MDWFP has no plans to resume the commercial harvest of mussels.

Printable PDF Version of fish advisory.

Please see Reciprocal Agreements.

Please see Public Notice NO. 3428

 

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