*Sardis Reservoir

*Sardis Reservoir is 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.

Sardis Reservoir is one of four flood control reservoirs (FCRs) in north Mississippi. Built by the US Army Corps of Engineers (COE) in 1939 on the Little Tallahatchie River, it is the oldest FCR with a summer pool of 32,100 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 (10,700 ac); flood pool is 58,500 ac. Sardis is the state’s most popular angling destination. Unique to Sardis is the 400-acre Lower Lake below the spillway.

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

Alert

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 6/25/24

Species	Detail
Largemouth Bass	Bass are mostly 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 (Carolina or Texas-rigged worms) to follow up a missed strike.
Crappie	Bruce at Wyatt's Crossing Outdoors 901-870-0298 reports that crappie are still scattered and have moved deeper (some reports 18 - 22 ft deep and on the bottom) or suspended over deeper water in standing timber, the mouths of major creeks, and the main lake. Few crankbait reports yet. There is a 2-day crappie tournament Friday and Saturday. 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 recent good bream report above the Hwy 7 bridge.
Catfish	The catfish bite may pick up as fish finish spawning and start feeding. However, the catfish bite remains good with cut bait working best. There have been good reports on flatheads hitting live bait on limb lines in the river. Fish in the river and creeks as long if there is rainfall runoff. Otherwise, fish over main lake flats with rod-and-reel (tight lining), noodles (jugs), or trotlines. Grabbling season runs May 1 to July 15; with some blues and more flatheads reported lately.
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).

Fishing has been tough in the heat with water temperatures near 90F. Fish early or late in the day (or at night) and bring plenty of (non-alcoholic) fluids to stay hydrated. Flooded vegetation is decomposing; fish are avoiding shallow, weedy areas.

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.

Water Level

Water level 260.26 ft, stable, 0.3 ft above the rule curve Tuesday. The water level is supposed to remain at summer pool (260 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)563-4531 or check at Vicksburg District Daily River Bulletin for a table OR Little Tallahatchie River @ Sardis 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.

Spillway

The spillway had two gates open 0.5 ft each (150 cfs) Tuesday. Best luck in the spillway is when some water is being released, but not too much. Water releases are low as the big lake is nearing summer pool. Expect frequent spillway gate closures and openings as the Corps maintains the rule curve in the reservoir above. Best luck lately has been for catfish with natural baits fished near the bottom. For crappie, fish jigs and/or minnows out of the current or right along the rocks or troll or drift in the Lower Lake. For bass, cover in the old river run is the best bet, or fish along the rocks in the spillway with spinnerbaits or swimbaits. For bream, fish crickets or redworms under a bobber near the rocks. Expect some bites from drum and gar.

Spillway gate openings, flow rates, and spillway water levels can be obtained at (662)563-4531 or check at Vicksburg District Daily River Bulletin for a table OR Little Tallahatchie River @ Sardis 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 usually is updated midday.

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, including Sardis Lower Lake, has a 15-crappie creel limit.

Sardis Reservoir Special Regulations