Lake Tom Baily

Lake Tom Bailey is a 182-acre lake 8 miles east of Meridian on Hwy 11 in Lauderdale County. The lake was originally built and opened to the public in the early 1960’s, closed in 2000 for repairs, and was reopened in 2005. This lake is recognized for its large bream and holds the state record for Channel Catfish at 51 pounds and 12 ounces.

Address: Lake Tom Bailey, 3222 Northshore Dr, Toomsuba, MS 39364
Phone: (601) 632-4679
Fees: Daily and Annual

Fishing Report - Updated 10/23/24

BassNo new report. Fish should be transitioning to fall patterns. Try targeting fish in 3-8 foot of water near points. Carolina and Texas rigged soft plastics, crankbaits, and jerk baits would be good choices for baits.
Crappie No new report. Try fishing the drop offs around the creek channel in the deeper part of the lake with minnows and jigs. 
BreamNo new report. Try fishing near structure and vegetation with crickets and worms. 
Catfish No new report. Try tight-lining liver and stinkbaits in deep water. Fishing early and late may produce the best results.

Water temperature:  °F

Water visibility (inches): 
 

Clean your boat trailers!

Giant salvinia is a highly invasive aquatic plant that is present in Lake Tom Bailey. It is critical that anglers visiting the lake clean their boats and boat trailers to reduce the possibility of transferring this plant to other water bodies. Giant salvinia is extremely difficult to eradicate once it becomes established.

Lake Tom Bailey Special Regulations

Creel and Size Limits

SpeciesLengths to ReleaseDaily Creel Limits
CatfishNo Length Limit10 per angler

Statewide creel and size limits apply to all other fish species

Lake Regulations

  • Rod and reel or pole fishing is allowed. No trotlines, FFFD’s, jugs, yoyo’s, limblines, throwlines, or set hooks are allowed. 
  • Sport fishing licenses and fishing permits are required except on designated days during National Fishing and Boating Week. 
  • Fishing is not allowed from courtesy piers adjacent to boat ramps. 
  • Night fishing is allowed from the bank or boats which are in compliance with state and Coast Guard regulations.
  • Skiing is allowed on Sunday, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day noon to sunset.
  • Lake is designated as No Wake all other times.
Amenities

Campgrounds are first come first served, please call the State Lake office for information.

  • Boat ramp
  • Handicap accessible fishing piers
  • 22 developed camping sites with electrical/water hookups
  • Primitive camping
  • Restrooms with showers
  • Picnic tables
  • Barbecue grills.
Fish Attractors

GPS Coordinates for brush piles that were added 1/12/16 are listed below.

N 32.42285    W 88.51477    N 32.42555    W 88.51812
N 32.42404    W 88.51488    N 32.42561    W 88.51801
N 32.42430    W 88.51518    N 32.42553    W 88.51788
N 32.42408    W 88.51507    N 32.42570    W 88.51792
N 32.42408    W 88.51528    N 32.42561    W 88.51780
N 32.42440    W 88.51548    N 32.42528    W 88.51798
N 32.42427    W 88.51527    N 32.42521    W 88.51812
N 32.42352    W 88.51484    N 32.42564    W 88.51766
N 32.42377    W 88.51519    N 32.42551    W 88.51769
N 32.42409    W 88.51606    N 32.42573    W 88.51742
N 32.42399    W 88.51614    N 32.42510    W 88.51762
N 32.42411    W 88.51629    N 32.42495    W 88.51744
N 32.42420    W 88.51608    N 32.42518    W 88.51726
N 32.42412    W 88.51650    N 32.42524    W 88.51730
N 32.42398    W 88.51634    N 32.42522    W 88.51714
N 32.42540    W 88.51815    N 32.42543    W 88.51722
N 32.42547    W 88.51802    N 32.42524    W 88.51759

Record Fish

Record fish must be weighed and verified by the lake manager, lake supervisor, or fisheries biologist. Anglers who catch a lake record fish will receive a certificate acknowledging their catch.

SpeciesWeightAngler
Bass10.06 lbs.Trey Tanner
CrappieOPEN 
RedearOPEN 
BluegillOPEN 
Catfish51.75 lbs. (Current State Record Channel Catfish)Tom Edwards

Lake Tom Bailey Interactive Map

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