Ross Barnett Reservoir Fishing Guides and Conditions, Mississippi

About the Ross Barnett Reservoir

Ross Barnett Reservoir is the largest body of water in Mississippi, roughly 33,000 acres impounded on the Pearl River just northeast of Jackson. It is a shallow, fertile, flat-water reservoir rather than a steep highland lake: much of it averages under twenty feet, the upper end is a maze of flooded cypress and standing timber, and the lower end near the dam opens into broad, wind-exposed water. The USGS gauge near Jackson reads reservoir stage, which is the number that governs how much of the timber and grass is in play.

Crappie fishing is what the reservoir is best known for, and it drives a substantial local guide business. White and black crappie hold in the cypress and standing timber in the upper reservoir and around the bridge pilings and brush in the lower lake, and the spring run from February into April is a regional event. Anglers troll jigs across the flats in summer and pick timber apart with long poles in spring.

Largemouth bass are abundant and relate to shallow cover almost year-round — hydrilla and other vegetation where it is present, cypress trunks, laydowns and the numerous boat docks and seawalls. The bass fishing rewards patience with shallow presentations rather than deep structure work. Bluegill and redear are plentiful and bed heavily in late spring. Blue, channel and flathead catfish are numerous and reach large sizes in the river channel.

The upper reservoir demands care. Standing timber, stumps and shallow flats sit in water that looks navigable, and running unfamiliar water at speed is a bad idea. Aquatic vegetation management has been an ongoing issue and grass coverage varies year to year, which changes where the bass live. Access is good, with numerous public ramps operated around the reservoir’s developed shoreline.

Access

Pelahatchie Bay ramps — near the gauge area, access to the eastern bay and bridge structure.
Main Harbor and Rankin County landings — improved trailer ramps on the lower reservoir.
Lakeshore Park access, Brandon — south-shore ramp with parking.
Madison Landing — west-side access to the mid-reservoir flats.
Ratliff Ferry landing — upper reservoir access to the cypress and timber water.
Low Head Dam area access — upper Pearl River access above the main pool.
Fannin Landing — central east-shore ramp near the deeper channel.

Seasons

Spring: the peak. Crappie move into the cypress and shallow brush from February into April, bass spawn across the flats through March, and bream begin bedding in May.
Summer: trolling for crappie across the open flats is the standard approach; bass fish early and late around grass and docks, and catfish are excellent in the river channel.
Fall: cooling water pulls bass and crappie back toward shallow cover through October and November, with schooling white bass on the open lower lake.
Winter: crappie concentrate around deep brush and bridge pilings and fish well on calm days; catfish stay reliable, and bass fishing slows but responds to warm spells.