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Over the last three decades, Mississippi has consistently boasted one of the largest turkey populations in the country. The MDWFP Wild Turkey Program is dedicated to the conservation and management of wild turkeys throughout the state.
Wildlife & Hunting
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If you're wondering what to expect when you hit the spring woods this season, here are two words: more turkeys. The 2022 hatch was a record-breaker.
Wildlife & Hunting
The Spring Gobbler Hunter Survey collects long-term data on turkey activity and populations. Share your experiences afield to assist turkey management in Mississippi.
Wildlife & Hunting
Fishing Fact
Even small bluegill can put up a scrappy fight. Crickets, earthworms, and small artificials (spinners and flies) are excellent baits for bluegill.
Description
Bluegill are deep bodied. They are dark olive green with a distinctive black spot on the dorsal fin and intense colors on breeding males. The sides are a blue or silver color with vertical bars and the belly is yellow, silver, or white. The coppernose bluegill is a Florida subspecies whose fins have whitish margins and whose head displays a copper patch. These bluegill are stocked in smaller impoundments in the southern and central portions of the state. Bluegill usually weigh between 1/2 to 1 pound but some catches have been over 3 pounds. Bluegill can live up to seven years.
Habits and Habitat
These fish prefer vegetated waters of shallow lakes and ponds, feeding on insect larvae. Spawning begins when water temperatures reach around 65°F and these fish often spawn multiple times during the summer. Bluegill are community spawners with nests located close together. Nests are not located in heavily vegetated areas. Males will compete for a site, sweeping away sand and exposing coarse gravel.
Other Names
Bream (Brim) Coppernose, Copperhead, Bull bream, Blue sunfish, and Blue joe
Scientific Name
Lepomis macrochirus
State Record
Mississippi's Rod and Reel record is 3.45 pounds, caught by Gerald E. Thurmond in a farm pond in 1995.
Fishing Fact
These fish can be caught in a variety of ways including hand grabbing, jugs, limb-lines, rod and reels, and trotlines. Best baits to use are liver, stink baits, cut fishes, and worms; they are rarely caught on artificial's.
Description
Channel catfish have elongated bodies with a whitish belly and olive or brown body. They have a deeply forked tail, barbels, and black spots on the sides and tail. Channel catfish can be distinguished from blue catfish by their rounded anal fin (versus straight in blue catfish) and the presences of dark spots on the body. These spots are weigh between 5 and 10 pounds but can reach weights of over 50 pounds. These fish can reach lengths of up to 50 inches. Channel catfish normally live at least 6 to 10 years but can live longer.
Habits and Habitat
Channel catfish feed on insects larvae, crustaceans, crayfish, and small fish such as gizzar shad and minnows. These fish are active at night in streams, rivers, oxbow lakes, and ponds. Channel catfish spawn in late spring to early summer when water temperatures are between 60°F and 75°F. Channel catfish are raised commercially in the Delta and other areas in the state. Channel catfish are often stocked in small lakes and ponds. If too many are stocked in bass-bream ponds, the results is poor growth of all fish and muddy water from the feeding action of overabundant catfish.
Other Names
Fiddler, Willow cat, Speckled cat, Spotted cat, Government cat, and River cat
Scientific Name
Ictalurus punctatus
State Record
Mississippi's Rod and Rell is 51 pounds 12 ounces, caught by Tom Edwards at Lake Tom Bailey in 1997.
Redear have an elongated body, small mouth, and pointed snout. Redear are dark olive with yellow on their sides and belly. These fish are identified by a distinctive red edge (in males) or orange edge (in females) on the gill cover (ear flap). The red margin on the "ear flap" is where they get their name. Redear usually weigh less than 1 pound but can weigh over 4 pounds and reach lengths of 14 inches. These fish usually live between five and six years but can live as long as nine years.
Fishing Fact
Fishing on the bottom using natural baits such as earthworms and grubs in an effective way to fish for redear. They are less likely to take artificial baits than other sunfish.
Description
Redear have an elongated body, small mouth, and pointed snout. Redear are dark olive with yellow on their sides and belly. These fish are identified by a distinctive red edge (in males) or orange edge (in females) on the gill cover (ear flap). The red margin on the “ear flap” is where they get their name. Redear usually weigh less than 1 pound but can weigh over 4 pounds and reach lengths of 14 inches. These fish usually live between five and six years but can live as long as nine years.
Habits and Habitat
Redear feed on the bottom for snails, and clams as well as insects, insect larvae and crustaceans. Reach down their mouth into their throat with your pinky and you'll discover the crushers they use to crunch up snail and clams shells. Because of their feeding habits, they are usually larger than bluegill in the same waters. They prefer clear quiet waters with abundant vegetation. Spawning occurs in spring and early summer in water temperatures near 70°F. redear normally only spawn times a year. Redear construct nests close together when spawning.
Other Names
Chinquapin, Shellcracker, Stump knocker, Government bream, Cherry gill.
Scientific Name
Lepomis microlophus
State Record
Mississippi's Rod and Rell record 3.33 pounds, caught by James K. Marin at Tippah County Lake in 1991.
Many turkey enthusiasts want to learn all they can about the life of the state's most majestic game bird. Find information about the biology of wild turkeys and how they interact with their environment.
Wildlife & Hunting
Turkeys face a gauntlet of potential predators--nearly everything in the woods likes to eat turkeys or turkey eggs. This fact leads many landowners to conclude that a reduction in predators will turn their property into a slice of turkey heaven…
Wildlife & Hunting
Wild turkey populations in Mississippi have increased significantly during the last few years. Explore the links between increased turkey densities and the potential for disease outbreaks.
Wildlife & Hunting
Get a glimpse into the secretive lives of fall turkeys and learn how their diets, social behavior, and preferred habitats shift with the seasons.
Wildlife & Hunting
Can turkeys make a living in intensively managed pine systems? Learn what industrial and non-industrial forest landowners can do to help preserve turkey habitat.
Wildlife & Hunting
Explore the variety of specific habitat types that wild turkeys depend on at different times of the year, and learn how a lack of these components can limit turkey populations in a given area.
Wildlife & Hunting
Fishing & Boating
Find resources for habitat management, including an introduction to habitat management, relevant articles and publications, habitat information by species, and more.
Wildlife & Hunting
Lake Lowndes State Park is located on a beautiful 150-acre lake and provides complete recreational facilities for individuals, families, and groups to enjoy the park.
Parks & Destinations
All non-residents require special permitting during the opening weeks of turkey season. Learn more about the required no-cost license endorsement and apply for the mid-February drawing.
Wildlife & Hunting
Due to a succession of solid hatches, this season should be one of the best in years. This forecast breaks Mississippi's 2025 spring season down region by region.
Wildlife & Hunting
Learn more about Game Check and download the MDWFP app to report your white-tailed deer and turkey harvests.
Wildlife & Hunting
Cast off with confidence with our general fishing rules and regulations—your key to a smooth and enjoyable angling adventure.
Enforcement & Education
Enforcement & Education
Cultivating young enthusiasts in hunting, fishing, and outdoor conservation — learn about our exciting youth programs.
From North Mississippi to the Gulf Coast, Mississippi has four different golf courses--each with unique challenges and obstacles--that are open to the public. Learn more about each course and book your tee time today!
Parks & Destinations
Each of Mississippi's 25 parks offers a different opportunity to see unique beauty and learn more about the history found in our state's outdoors. In partnership with the state, we're beginning a multi-year park revitalization project that will…
Parks & Destinations
Delight in beautiful views of Mississippi sunsets, fall foliage, and waterways from a trail at a Mississippi State Park. Whether you like to experience a trail by foot or atop a bicycle, ATV, or horse, we have something for you to enjoy.
Parks & Destinations