Recent cold fronts and wind have slowed fishing success, but warmer weather this week may turn them on. Check water level trends; except for catfish, fishing is usually better on a slow fall than a fast rise. Water falling, fish deeper; water rising, fish shallower.

Crappie start to spawn when average daily water temperature at “fish depth” is about 58, peak at about 65, and end at about 75 F. Timing and duration of the spawn depends on temperature and water level trends, weather fronts, and moon phases. Fish will spawn shallower in rising water, deeper in falling water. Bigger females usually spawn first. Males of any size can be caught throughout the spawn. Males will stay on the nest until eggs hatch and fry swim up (4 - 7 days) even if the water rises or falls (unless the nest gets too shallow). Males of both Black and White Crappie get darker during the spawn; females do not change color. Historically, crappie spawn on the flood control reservoirs from the last week of March until about the first week of May, but it may shift earlier, later, or be split into two or more peaks due to weather and water fluctuations.

Air and water temperatures have cooled off, which will put the spawn on hold until it warms back up.

MDWFP fall 2022 electrofishing was completed. Crappie, bass, and bream were on brush tops, rocks, standing timber and other remaining cover 3 - 6 ft deep. Catfish were more likely to be in creeks. It looked like there was a good crappie spawn this past spring. Tiny (1 inch) threadfin shad were numerous. Bass 2 - 5+ lb were feeding on large gizzard shad.

Statewide creel and size limits apply to all other fish species.

Anglers may use no more than 4 poles per person and no more than 2 hooks or lures per pole.

Spillway

The spillway had both gates open 1.75 ft each (1170 cfs) Tuesday. Best luck in the spillway is when some water is being released, but not too much. Most fishing in the spillway is for crappie or white bass. For crappie, fish jigs and/or minnows under a bobber in eddies or near the rocks. Catfishing is best in eddies on various natural baits. For White Bass, fish small crankbaits, jigs, or tailspinners in faster current; below the "waterfall" is a good spot. Fish for Largemouth or Spotted Bass on the rocks with crankbaits or swimbaits. Spillway gate openings, flow rates, and water levels can be obtained at (662)563-4571 or check at http://www.mvk-wc.usace.army.mil/docs/bullet.txt or http://www.mvk-wc.usace.army.mil/resrep.htm (click on 24-hour change for picture explanation of gate flow, spillway flow, etc.). 

All fish captured and kept with dip or landing nets, cast nets, boat mounted scoops, wire baskets, minnow seines, and minnow traps in the spillway areas bordered by rip rap must be immediately placed on ice or in a dry container. Game fish caught with these gears must be released. This regulation was enacted to reduce the potential of spreading harmful Asian carps to the reservoir or other waters.

The 12-inch crappie length limit does not apply to the reservoir spillway, but the spillway has a 15-crappie creel limit.

Water Level

Water level 245.92, falling 0.5 ft/day, 8.0 ft over rule curve Tuesday. Expect rises and drawdowns as rain events happen and the Corps tries to achieve and maintain the rule curve. The water level is supposed to rise from winter pool (230 ft) from mid-January to 235 ft by March 1. High winter releases should mean good fishing in the spillway. For water level information, call (662)563-4571 or check at http://www.mvk-wc.usace.army.mil/docs/bullet.txt for a table or http://www.mvk-wc.usace.army.mil/plots/enidplot.png for a graph or http://www.mvk-wc.usace.army.mil/resrep.htm for both (click on 24-hour change for picture explanation of gate flow, spillway flow, etc.). Be sure to check the date on the table; it is usually updated midday.