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 12/2/2024

SpeciesDetail
BassWithout a doubt, one of the best destinations for NE MS anglers that fish during the winter months. The bass will be in similar areas as the crappie, with Texas-rigged finesse worms, jigging spoons, and 1 oz. spinnerbaits, Alabama rigs being good bait choices. Other than points, target the creek channels on each side of the lake for bass, crappie and bream. 
Crappie Crappie anglers will be plentiful, targeting main lake points and flats in 20 to 30 feet of water. Small hair jigs seem to out produce minnows
BreamAnglers are tightlining red worms and/or crickets along the points, piers, and the banks around any laydowns in 5 - 15 feet of water. Check creek channels and woody cover for productivity. 
Catfish As with bream, the creek channels should be good for catfish. Try tightlining with liver, worms, hot dogs, or cut bait.

Weekly fishing reports will resume on February 15th, 2025.

Trace State Park Lake 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

  • Only rod and reel or pole fishing is allowed on State Park Lakes. No trotlines, set lines, jug fishing, or commercial gears are permitted.
  • Sport fishing licenses and fishing permits are required. 
  • Night fishing (from 30 minutes before sunset to 30 minutes after sunrise) will be permitted from the shore or from boats which are in compliance with State and Coast Guard regulations. Only idle speed and trolling motors may be used at night.
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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