If you have questions about purchasing a license call 1-800-5GO-HUNT.
*Ross Barnett Reservoir, is operated by the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District (PRVWSD). The MDWFP Fisheries Bureau oversees the management and conservation of the reservoir's fisheries resources and provides regular fishing reports.
Ross Barnett Reservoir is a 33,000 acre impoundment of the Pearl River. It consists of approximately 24,000 acres of open-water lake habitat and 9,000 acres of riverine habitat north of Hwy 43. The reservoir is managed by the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District (PRVWSD).
For more information visit the Barnett Reservoir Pearl River Valley Water Supply District website
Fishing Report - Updated 03/26/2025
| Species | Detail |
| Largemouth Bass | Bass fishing has been good. Bass are spread out at varying water depths on prespawn staging areas. Target points, ledges, and docks in 3 to 6 feet of water. Another good place to target is along the edges of emergent vegetation. Chatterbaits, spinnerbaits, lipless crankbaits, and Texas rigged worms are popular baits. Go to colors include black/blue, junebug, and white/silver. |
| Crappie | Crappie fishing has been fair. Anglers report crappie are scattered and anywhere from the a foot below the surface to bottom mud. Recent reports show fish are suffering from lock jaw and not cooperating with anglers. Try targeting crappie in water 15-20 feet deep and look for fish to be 4-12 foot deep. Don't be afraid to adjust depths as conditions change and fish transition to spawning areas. |
| Bream | Bream fishing has been slow with few fish being caught. Bream can be targeted around deep structure at depths of 8 - 10 ft. Tightlining along the bottom in these areas with crickets and worms are best bet for bream this time of year. |
| Catfish | Catfishing is slow. Catfish will most likely be holding deep still with a few being caught by crappie anglers. Try for catfish in deep timber with jigs or minnows fished on the bottom. Worms and blood baits can be very productive as well. Trot lines, and poles fished along flats adjacent to the river channel and above Hwy 43 in old oxbow lakes are also good ways to harvest many quality catfish. |
Ross Barnett Reservoir Special Regulations
Ross Barnett Reservoir Special Regulations
Creel and Size Limits
| Species | Lengths to Release | Daily Creel Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Black Bass (combined largemouth, spotted and smallmouth) | 14 inches and under | 7 per angler |
Statewide creel and size limits apply to all other fish species
Spillway
Spillway
From the Ross Barnett Reservoir spillway outlet to the end of the riprap.
- Anglers can only use one pole or rod per person.
- Artificial lures with no more than 3 treble hooks no larger than #2 may be used anytime.
- The use of baited or bare treble hooks is illegal.
- No other gear can be used in these waters except that dip or landing nets, cast nets, boat mounted scoops, wire baskets, minnow seines, and minnow traps may be used to capture bait. Anglers keeping minnows, shad, nongame gross fish and non-native fish caught with these gear types must immediately place their catch on ice or in a dry container.
- From Dec 1 until the last day of February - Anglers can only fish with 2 single hooks no larger than #2. Hooks must be secured at least one inch apart.
- From March 1 to Nov 30 - Anglers can only fish with 2 single hooks of any size. Hooks must be secured at least one inch apart.
From the Ross Barnett Reservoir spillway outlet to the City of Jackson water intake in the Pearl River.
- The daily bag limit for Striped and/or Hybrid Striped Bass is 6 per person per day.
- All fish 15 inches and under must be released and only 1 fish longer than 24 inches maybe harvested.
*Ross Barnett Reservoir Interactive Map
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