Trace State Park Lake

Trace State Park Lake is a 565-acre lake located between the cities of Pontotoc and Tupelo in Pontotoc County. The lake was originally designed and constructed by the Soil Conservation Service as a watershed lake for flood control. The lake was drained in 2017 for repairs to the dam, and was re-opened in August of 2020. Historically known for its good bream fishery, the lake currently supports both abundant bass and bream. A seasonal fishery also exists for crappie and catfish.

Address: 2139 Faulkner Rd, Belden, MS 38826
Phone: (662) 489-2958

For more information about fees, amenities, activities, camping, and lodging visit the Trace State Park page.

Fishing Report - Updated 6/25/2024

SpeciesDetail
BassThe bass bite is fair to good. Texas-rigged soft plastics, flukes, spinnerbaits and crankbaits are all popular lure choices. Trace Lake is bass-crowded and anglers are encouraged to keep a limit of bass under 13". Topwater action is best during early mornings and evenings. 
Crappie The crappie bite has slowed a bit. Most are biting suspended over cover. Jigs and minnows are most productive baits.
BreamThe bream bite has been good recently. They can be caught around bedding areas in 5+ feet of water. Tightlining worms and/or crickets under a cork are known to be good techniques. 
Catfish Catfish are slow to bite. As with bream, the creek channels should be good for catfish. Try tightlining with liver, worms, or cut bait.
Trace State Park Lake Special Regulations

Special Fishing Regulations

SpeciesTypeLength to Release
Catfish No length limit

Creel Limits

TypeAmountAdditional Information
Catfish10Creel limit for all State Fishing and State Park Lakes

Statewide creel and size limits apply to all other fish species

Lake Regulations

  • Fishing is not allowed from the courtesy pier adjacent to the boat ramp. 
  • Rod and reel fishing is allowed. No trotlines, FFFD’s, jugs, yoyo’s, limblines, throwlines, or set hooks are allowed. 
  • Trace Lake’s two main bodies are connected by a canal. Skiing is allowed on the eastern body, but once you go through the canal, it is designated as no wake.
Fish Attractors

While Trace Lake was drained for repairs to the dam, MDWFP fisheries personnel built and placed 19 fish attractors throughout the lake. The GPS coordinates for these attractors are listed below:

               
N 34.250176 W -88.892688

N 34.250552 W -88.890833

N 34.249174 W -88.892625

N 34.251191 W -88.889463

N 34.249510 W -88.893674

N 34.252348 W -88.887880

N 34.248284 W -88.893239

N 34.252516 W -88.887813

N 34.247894 W -88.893541

N 34.253179 W -88.886563

N 34.247681 W -88.893344

N 34.253262 W -88.886470

N 34.246820 W -88.893612

N 34.255404 W -88.890669

N 34.247843 W -88.893170

N 34.253982 W -88.905252

N 34.250452 W -88.891138

N 34.254598 W -88.905299

N 34.256715 W -88.905611

 

Trace State Park Lake Interactive Map

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