Alert
New crappie regulations will go into effect on July 24, 2024 on the four Flood Control Reservoirs (Arkabutla, Sardis, Enid, and Grenada) and their spillways.
The daily creel limit for crappie is 10 fish per angler, and the daily boat limit is 25 fish for boats with three or more anglers. The minimum length limit for crappie remains at 12 inches, and the pole limit remains at 4 per angler. In addition, fish may only be cleaned at designated fish cleaning stations if available, not on the water or in the boat ramp parking lots. In the spillways, the daily limit is 10 fish per angler. There are no boat or size limits in the spillways. Pole limits in the rip-rapped portions of the spillways remain 1 per angler.
From the COE -
Clear Creek Boat Ramp Reopens at Sardis Lake in Northwest Mississippi
VICKSBURG, Miss. -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Vicksburg District announces that the boat ramp at Clear Creek has been reopened for public boat launching. Clear Creek is a popular access point for fishermen on the south side of Sardis Lake. The ramp was closed in March 2023 when a portion of the concrete surface collapsed. Sections of the ramp were removed and replaced with new concrete.
Visitors are advised to use caution when parking at the boat ramp. Damage to areas of the parking lot, including loose surface material, caused by heavy equipment usage during the ramp restoration, is being repaired.
For additional information, please contact the Sardis Lake Field Office at 662-563-4531.
Fishing Report - Updated 7/22/2024
| Species | Detail |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Bass are mostly on main lake points or ledges. Any cover (old house sites, wood, rocks, etc.) is a plus. Fish search baits (crankbaits, spinnerbaits, vibrating jigs), but keep another rod rigged with a soft plastic (Carolina or Texas-rigged worm, swimbait, etc.) to follow up a missed strike. |
| Crappie | Bruce at Wyatt's Crossing Outdoors 901-870-0298 reports that crappie have been suspended 8 - 12 ft deep over deeper water in standing timber, the mouths of major creeks, and the main lake. Some have been found in deep, cool pools back in shaded creeks. Fish jigs and/or minnows to troll crankbaits. 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. |
| Bream | Fish crickets or other baits near any cover (timber, brush tops, stake beds, etc.) or in spawning areas (hard sand, gravel, or other firm bottom). There was a full moon Sunday. |
| Catfish | The catfish bite has been good; cut bait is working best. Fish in the river and creeks if there is rainfall runoff. Otherwise, fish over main lake flats with rod-and-reel (tight lining), noodles (jugs), or trotlines. |
| White Bass | Fish sandy, main lake points with shad-imitating lures (jigs, small crankbaits, etc.). There are no size or number limits on white bass. These fish die quickly in a livewell. They will keep and taste better if put immediately into "slush" (ice/water mix). |
Heavy local rains raised and cooled the water slightly late last week. Expect slightly cooler weather this week, but it is still summer. Fish early or late in the day (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.
