*Grenada Reservoir is a flood control reservoir in north Mississippi operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE). The MDWFP Fisheries Bureau manages the lake's fisheries resources and provides weekly fishing reports.

Grenada Reservoir is one of four flood control reservoirs (FCRs) in north Mississippi. Built by the US Army Corps of Engineers (COE) in 1954 on the Yalobusha River, it is the largest FCR with a summer pool of 35,820 ac. Water levels follow an annual rule curve but deviate from it due to local precipitation and COE spillway gate operations. The reservoir is lowered in fall to winter pool (9,800 ac); flood pool is 64,600 ac. The state’s largest lake is a popular destination for crappie and catfish anglers.

For more information on this lake's fees, permits, rules and regulations, and amenities visit the Grenada Lake page at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers website.

Alert

The current lake level prevents access above the Gum's Crossing bridge repair area from the main lake; use Gum's Crossing ramp.

Fishing Report - Updated 6/25/24

SpeciesDetail
BassMost bass are on secondary points in major creek arms or main lake points. Fish search baits (crankbaits, spinnerbaits, vibrating jigs), but keep another rod rigged with a soft plastic (like a swimbait or dropshot) to follow up a missed strike.
CrappieCollins' Bait Shop (662)226-3581 reports crappie still suspended and moving deeper. There have been a couple of decent crankbait reports recently. Fish crankbaits or jigs and/or minnows 10 – 18 ft deep near any cover or for fish suspending in the mouths of major creek coves or in the main lake. There is a NO live sonar, crankbait only tournament Saturday. There are a lot of "short fish"; use bigger baits and/or fish deeper to target larger crappie. Replace treble hooks with single hooks and/or pinch down the barbs to make releasing short fish faster and less damaging; it does no good to release dead fish.
BreamFish crickets or other baits 4 - 10 ft deep near any cover (timber, brush tops, stake beds, flooded grass, etc.) or in spawning areas (hard sand, gravel, or other firm bottom in creek coves).
CatfishThe catfish bite may pick up as fish start to finish spawning and start eating. Fish the rivers and creeks with worms or stinkbaits if there is rain runoff. Otherwise, fish various natural baits over main lake flats with rod-and-reel (tight lining), noodles (jugs), or trotlines. Grabbling season runs May 1 to July 15; some cats are still being caught. Usually late fish are mostly flatheads.
White BassFish jigs or small crankbaits over hard-bottomed, sandy main lake points or secondary points in creek coves. There are no size or number limits on white bass. Check the point between the two river arms for fish schooling on shad.

Fishing has been tough in the heat with water temperatures near 90F. Fish early morning or late evening (or at night) and bring plenty of non-alcoholic fluids to stay hydrated.

Always check the links in the "Water Level" section for the lake level and if it's rising or falling. A big rain can change conditions quickly. Adjust to conditions like the fish do. Except for catfish, fishing is usually better on a slow fall than a fast rise. Water falling, fish deeper; water rising, fish shallower. 

Spillway

The spillway had two gates open 0.25 ft each (160 cfs) Tuesday. Best luck in the spillway is when some water is being released, but not too much. The gates were lowered again last week as the big lake approaches rule curve, so expect less flow. Catfishing has been doing well lately fishing minnows, nightcrawlers, cut shad, or goldfish (for flatheads) near the bottom, but beware abundant gar stealing baits. Few crappie reports. For bass, fish spinnerbaits or soft plastics along the rocks.

Spillway gate openings, flow rates, and spillway water levels can be obtained at (662)226-5911 or check at Vicksburg District Daily River Bulletin OR Yazoo River Basin Reservoirs (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. 

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 transferring 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 214.97, stable, just under the rule curve Tuesday. The water level is supposed to remain at summer pool (215 ft) from May 1 to August 1. Expect water level rises and drawdowns as rain events happen and the Corps tries to achieve and maintain rule curve. For water level information, call (662)226-5911 or check at Vicksburg District Daily River Bulletin for a table OR Yalobusha River @ Grenada Dam, MS for a graph OR Yazoo River Basin Reservoirs 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.

Grenada Reservoir Special Regulations

Creel and Size Limits

SpeciesLengths to ReleaseDaily Creel Limits
Crappie (combined black and white)12 inches and under

15 per angler

40 per boat for boats with 3 or more anglers

Statewide creel and size limits apply to all other fish species

Lake Regulations

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

*Grenada Reservoir Interactive Map

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