Mississippi

Magnolia State — Crappie Capital & Bass Fishing Heaven

Fishing in Mississippi

Mississippi is the crappie capital of America and offers outstanding bass fishing on lakes like Grenada, Ross Barnett, and Sardis. The state also has excellent catfish and Gulf Coast saltwater fishing.

Tournament Scene

Active crappie tournament scene. Bass tournaments on major reservoirs. Gulf Coast inshore events.

Local Tips

Grenada Lake is legendary for crappie. Ross Barnett for bass. Sardis Lake for crappie and bass. Gulf Coast for redfish and speckled trout.

Major Trails

B.A.S.S.Crappie Masters

Local Circuits

Mississippi Bass FederationMississippi Crappie TrailGulf Coast Redfish Series

Public Access

Good access on Corps of Engineers lakes and coastal waters.

Species in Mississippi

What you can target and when

Largemouth Bass

Largemouth Bass

excellent
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Best Waters

Ross Barnett · Grenada Lake · Enid Lake

JigCrankbaitSpinnerbaitSwim jig
Black Crappie

Black Crappie

excellent
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Best Waters

Grenada Lake · Enid Lake · Sardis Lake

Crappie jigBobby GarlandTube jig

Top Waters in Mississippi

Lakes, rivers, bays, and coastal fisheries

Grenada Lake

lakePublic AccessBoat RampsKayak

One of the best crappie lakes in the country.

Top Species

CrappieLargemouth BassCatfish

Best: Spring

Ross Barnett Reservoir

lakePublic AccessBoat RampsKayak

33,000-acre reservoir near Jackson with excellent bass and crappie.

Top Species

Largemouth BassCrappieCatfish

Best: Spring/Fall

Upcoming Tournaments in Mississippi

40 tournaments found

Saltwater

Iron Columbus Mahi-Mahi Series

Columbus, Mississippi
Mar 29, 2026 – Mar 31, 2026
Mahi-Mahi
$50Details
Smallmouth Bass
Open

Trailblazer Ocean Springs Bass Explosion

Ocean Springs, Mississippi
Apr 2, 2026 – Apr 4, 2026
Smallmouth Bass
$2500Details
Tarpon
Saltwater

Premier Ocean Springs Tarpon Knockout

Ocean Springs, Mississippi
Apr 6, 2026 – Apr 8, 2026
Tarpon
$60Details
Walleye
Open
5 weeks

Giant Vicksburg Walleye Explosion

Vicksburg, Mississippi
May 12, 2026 – May 13, 2026
Walleye
$750Details
Yellowfin Tuna
Saltwater

Ultimate Sardis Tuna Blitz

Sardis, Mississippi
May 17, 2026 – May 19, 2026
Yellowfin Tuna
FreeDetails
Saltwater

Memorial Tupelo Drum Challenge

Tupelo, Mississippi
Jun 2, 2026 – Jun 4, 2026
Red Drum
$150Details

Fishing Licenses & Regulations

Resident License

Annual Resident Freshwater: $8. Saltwater: $10.

Non-Resident License

Annual Non-Resident: $30. 3-Day: $12.

Short-Term License

3-Day non-resident license available.

Youth & Senior

Free for residents under 16 and over 65.

Boat Registration

Required for motorized vessels.

Tournament Permit

Permits required for organized events.

Regulations Overview

10 bass daily limit on most waters. Crappie: 30 daily limit. Special regulations on some lakes.

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