*Tunica Cutoff was created by the US Army Corps of Engineers (COE) in 1942 when a bend in the Mississippi River was “cut off” to shorten the river.  The MDWFP Fisheries Bureau manages the lake's fisheries resources and provides weekly fishing reports. 

The lake is inside the mainline levee and connects to the river via the “runout”. A weir constructed in the runout by the Memphis District COE in 2002 maintains a minimum pool of about 4,000 ac. Tunica Cutoff is one of the largest oxbows in Mississippi and is a popular destination for bream and crappie anglers, mostly from Memphis, TN.

Fishing Report - Updated 10/29/2024

SpeciesDetail
BassFish crankbaits, soft plastics, or spinnerbaits 2 to 12 ft deep near any remaining cover or off sandy points dropping into deeper water.
CrappieJig any remaining cover 6 to 12 ft deep or slow troll at about the same depths out from shoreline cover. Crappie are averaging just under a pound. If you use minnows, be aware there are lots of gar.
BreamFish crickets or redworms 6 to 10 ft deep near any remaining cover at those depths.
CatfishCut bait been working catching good-sized channel cats on jugs (noodles), trotlines, or rods-and-reels on shallow flats or in the runout. With the water falling very slowly, it's a good time to fish stationary gear (lines, yo-yos, etc.).
White BassWhite Bass are schooling on shad. Cast shad-imitating jigs or small crankbaits over the ramps, off sandy points, or in the runout. There are no size or number limits on white or yellow bass. However, with the lake connected to the river, you might land a striped bass or hybrid, both of which have to be over 15 inches long with a daily limit of 6 fish per person. The best way to tell these fish apart is by their stripes. White bass have 1 stripe running to the tail; stripers and hybrids have 2 or more stripes running to the tail.

Statewide creel and size limits apply to all fish species

The Mississippi River will be falling this week and is well below the top of the weir (near 6 ft Memphis gauge). The lake is falling slowly from drought and seepage, but all ramps remain accessible. Fish will concentrate on shrinking amounts of remaining cover.

The warm, dry streak will yield to rain and cooler weather by Halloween.

Check water level trends; except for catfish, fishing is usually better on a slow fall than a fast rise. If the water is rising, fish shallower on the inside edges of cover. If the water is falling, fish deeper on the outside edges. Move stationary gear (lines, yo-yos, etc.) frequently if the water is rising or falling quickly. Contact the Levee Commissary (662)363-2408 for up-to-date information.

Water Level

The Mississippi River was at - 9.4 ft (Memphis gauge) Tuesday and is predicted to fall very, very slowly to - 10.5 ft by Sunday. Best fishing is usually on a slow fall from 15 to 10 ft. With the weir, the Mississippi River will not enter Tunica Cutoff until it rises over 6 ft (Memphis gauge), but the weir will hold the lake near 6 ft if the river drops below that level. Flood stage is 34 ft. For the river level and 5-day forecast, call (901)544-0408 (press 2) or check River Summary issued by NWS Lower Mississippi RFC

Charlie's Camp and Bordeaux (Tait) ramps are the only ones open to the public. Use the honor boxes. Bait is now available across the levee.

Memphis District Corps personnel allow placement of artificial fish habitat. Remember to save GPS waypoints if you have the capability.

*Tunica Cutoff Interactive Map

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