Mississippi: Excellent Fishing in the Hospitality State

Published: Monday, June 13th, 2022| Updated on: Monday, June 20th, 2022

Overview

Mississippi is a historically significant state in the southeastern part of the United States. Its south coast opens to the Gulf of Mexico, while its western boundary provides access to the magnificent Mississippi River. Both grandiose waterbodies characterize the type of fishing one might expect from the southern state. It is equally renowned for its rich Gulf Coast saltwater fishing and its productive freshwater fishing in many public lakes and state parks. With Mississippi’s wildlife and fisheries department working hard to maintain and improve its fishing conditions, anglers are guaranteed an excellent time angling wherever they choose to cast a line.

While Mississippi is largely known for its catfish fishery, the state offers plenty more species for anglers of all interests and skill levels. Saltwater anglers can expect trophies both inshore and offshore in the many wrecks and reefs from the Gulf Coast. Together with catfish, freshwater anglers will enjoy the challenge of catching largemouth bass, bream, and crappie in the lakes.

A boat ride to Tunica Lake is for anglers eager to fish a slice of the meandering Mississippi River. Tunica is an oxbow of the great river and is a wonderland for catfish, crappie, and a variety of bass species.

Fishing in Mississippi is largely overlooked in favor of other states in the south, but it shouldn’t be the case. The state has so much to offer both freshwater and saltwater anglers, with public waters and facilities to make every angler’s experience comfortable and productive. Combine this with the state’s lush and scenic nature views plus southern charm — what more can a visiting angler ask for?

Mississippi Map of Places to Fish

About Fishing in Mississippi

Fishing in Mississippi is influenced by its advantageous location. It is one of the only five states in the US to have a coastline along the Gulf of Mexico, often referred to as the Secret Coast. Via Mississippi, anglers have instant access to 44 miles of the Gulf coastline, from which they can fish both inshore and offshore. From the nearshore, you can wade-fish or pier-fish for redfish and flounder. Going deep, you’ll have more chances of snagging cobia or amberjack.

More than 90% of licensed anglers in Mississippi go freshwater fishing — and for a good reason. The state has over a hundred public lakes and more than 200,000 acres of freshwater bodies, so deciding on which spot to cast a line is the real challenge. Anglers flock to Lake Washington in Washington County for a world-class crappie fishery, a popular lakefront vacation spot for families. Sardis Lake, a massive reservoir along the Little Tallahatchie River, is another crappie haven. Along with its signature catch, the popular lake is home to a variety of bass and catfish. Rounding out Mississippi’s popular crappie holes are Grenada Lake, known for its trophy crappie, and Enid Lake, which holds the record for white crappie.

Anglers looking for a challenge will love the Ross Barnett Reservoir. The waterbody flows along the Pearl River and is foremost the state’s biggest source of clean drinking water. Its shallow waters are teeming with largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, and catfish but prove to be an actual test for anglers seeking to prove their skills.

Neshoba County State Lake should be at the top of your bucket list if you're focused on landing a record-breaking trophy bass. The lake attracts plenty of trophy bass because of its healthy vegetation and is thus a hotspot for bass anglers. If Neshoba County State Lake feels too crowded for you, then travel an hour away from Jackson and cast a line at Calling Panther Lake, another top-notch trophy bass lake.

Anglers can fish the Mississippi River within its namesake state by going straight to Tunica Lake. The lake's southern edge has a channel that connects directly to the river. This channel is where spawning fish enter the lake. Boaters can likewise use it to access the great river itself. It’s an excellent spot to target Mississippi favorites like channel catfish and flathead catfish, largemouth bass, and white bass, along with bowfin, black drum, alligator gar, green sunfish, and common carp. Anglers with an Arkansas or Mississippi license can fish the lake legally, though you can only access the lake from Mississippi if you're on a boat.

Mississippi has many fishing records to date. One of its most exciting state records is its latest one — a 131lbs. blue catfish caught in the Mississippi River near the city of Natchez. Captured with a rod and reel with a skipjack herring bait, it took 40 minutes for Brandon angler Eugene Cronley to land the mighty fish.

Guides in Mississippi

More experienced anglers still new to Mississippi waters will benefit from booking a local charter for a safer and more productive fishing experience. There are expert guides along Tunica Lake for anglers wishing to explore the deep and opaque waters of the Mississippi River. Many charters await at Biloxi and Gulfport for those eager to fish the Gulf Coast. Book Captain Matt Westover of “Go Topless” Fishing Charters to troll for kingfish and red snapper or bottom fish for cobia. For an intimate charter fishing experience inshore, book Captain Brian Ware of Fish Assassin Charters. And if you’re with a bigger group, book Captain Frank Becker of Skipper Charters and try out a few fishing techniques to snag some black drum, jack crevalle, kingfish, redfish, and more.

Everything Else About Mississippi Fishing

The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) manages 18 state lakes that consist of 4,030 acres of water bodies open for fishing. In addition, 18 more state parks offer more fishing waters. The state department is equally passionate about keeping these fishing areas family-friendly and angler-friendly, especially for those that might not have the opportunity to head to the bigger water bodies that the state is known for. Visiting one of the state-managed areas might be the ideal way to start their fishing adventure in Mississippi for novice anglers. They are all regularly maintained and are handicap-accessible for the most part.