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The Visitor Education Center (VEC) at the Bob Tyler Fish Hatchery in Enid provides an educational, entertaining experience that promotes freshwater fishing and encourages conservation and stewardship of aquatic resources.
Fishing & Boating
Fishing & Boating
Fishing & Boating
Educators have many opportunities at the Visitor Education Center (VEC). Educational groups have taken advantage of the guided tours, programs, hands-on activities, contests, and workshops provided by the VEC.
Fishing & Boating
Interactive Flipgrid lesson plans are a useful tool for educators for in classroom, field trips, or virtual learning opportunities.
Fishing & Boating
Play games to learn more about fish identification and other fun educational activities!
Fishing & Boating
Fishing & Boating
The Visitor Education Center (VEC) has been featured on many shows over the years! Watch them here and get to know the VEC from another perspective.
Fishing & Boating
Contact
LeFleur's Bluff State Park (Mayes Lake is 50 acres) is located in Hinds County, off Lakeland Dr. (Hwy 25) in Jackson, MS.
Fishing & Boating
Learn more about Elvis Presley Lake
Fishing & Boating
Learn about our various research projects and how they guide wildlife management decisions.
Wildlife & Hunting
Learn more about Lake Lowndes State Park.
Fishing & Boating
Learn more about Simpson County Lake.
Fishing & Boating
Shooting Class
This course of instruction is to qualify an individual for the Mississippi Enhanced Carry Permit, as issued by the Mississippi Highway Patrol, Firearms Permit Unit.
Enforcement & Education
Fishing Fact
Baits used for white crappie are also used for black crappie.
Description
Black crappie are deeper bodied than the white crappie, and bluish green or gray in color on top with white or silver underneath. Irregular black spots are scattered on the body. A small percentage of black crappie in some lakes has a distinctive dark stripe running from the top (dorsal) fin to under the mouth. These “blackstripe” or “blacknose” crappie are a genetic color variation and are not a hybrid or subspecies. Black crappie have seven or eight spines on the dorsal fin, whereas white crappie have five to six spines. The black crappie is most easily confused with the white crappie, especially the white crappie males in breeding season. Black crappie weigh 1 to 3 pounds, grow to 12 inches or more, and can live up to 10 years.
Habits and Habitat
Black crappie are most active at night or in the early morning. Adults feed on insects, insect larvae, and fish, such as sunfish and minnows. Black crappie prefer shallow water lakes and sloughs and are more abundant
where there is clear water and aquatic vegetation. They spawn in early spring when water temperatures are
between 58ºF and 65ºF.
where there is clear water and aquatic vegetation. They spawn in early spring when water temperatures are
between 58ºF and 65ºF.
Other Names
White perch, Calico bass, Speck, Strawberry bass, Papermouth, Speckled perch and Slab.
Scientific Name
Pomoxis nigromaculatus
State Record
Mississippi’s Rod and Reel record is 4 pounds 4 ounces, caught in 1991 at Arkabutla Lake by Gerald Conlee.
All permitted high-fenced enclosures containing white-tailed deer must be enrolled in the Enclosure Management Assistance Program (EMAP), and owners must work with a MDWFP-approved wildlife biologist to manage the herd.
Wildlife & Hunting
Fishing Fact
Spring through fall is a great time to fish for largemouth bass with best success usually occurring during the evenings or mornings using minnows, artificial baits, and even frogs. The largemouth bass is also Mississippi’s state fish.
Description
There are two subspecies of largemouth in Mississippi waters. The northern largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides salmoides, is native to Mississippi. The Florida largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides floridanus, has been introduced into many Mississippi lakes. Largemouth bass are usually green with dark blotches that form a horizontal stripe along the middle of the fish on either side. The underside ranges in color from light green to almost white. Their upper jaw extends far beyond the rear margin of the eye.
Largemouth bass can reach weights greater than 10 to 15 pounds, with females growing larger and faster than males. Largemouth bass can reach lengths greater than 26 inches. Largemouth females can live up to 10 to 12 years with males living between five and seven years.
Largemouth bass can reach weights greater than 10 to 15 pounds, with females growing larger and faster than males. Largemouth bass can reach lengths greater than 26 inches. Largemouth females can live up to 10 to 12 years with males living between five and seven years.
Habits and Habitat
Adults feed almost exclusively on other fish, insects, and large invertebrates such as crayfish. Largemouth bass seek protective cover such as logs, vegetation, rocks, and even man-made structures. They prefer slow moving water but will survive in a variety of habitats including streams, rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. Spawning occurs in spring when water temperatures are from 60ºF to 75ºF. Males build the nests next to areas having brush piles, near underwater logs, or in areas under overhanging tree limbs. The male cares for the nest, protecting it from predators and keeping the eggs fanned until the eggs hatch. He also guards the young for a week or more after the hatch.
Other Names
Green trout, Bigmouth bass, Bucketmouth bass, and Hog.
Scientific Name
Micropterus salmoides
State Record
Mississippi’s Rod and Reel record is 18.15 pounds, caught in 1992 in Natchez State Park Lake by Anthony Denny.
Fishing Fact
Crank baits, jigs, minnows, or crayfish (artificial or natural) are excellent baits to use when trying to catch smallmouth bass.
Description
These bass are slender with a projecting lower jaw and an upper jaw that never extends further back of the eyes. Cheeks display at least three dark lines, but no dark lateral line appears on the side. Smallmouth bass are an olive green or a brown color on the head as well as the back area with the belly area a cream or white color. The sides are yellowish green with bronze vertical
markings, and dark brown markings are seen down both sides of the head. Smallmouth can reach lengths of over 24 inches and weights of almost 8 pounds.
markings, and dark brown markings are seen down both sides of the head. Smallmouth can reach lengths of over 24 inches and weights of almost 8 pounds.
Habits and Habitat
Smallmouth bass prefer cool streams as well as clear, cool reservoirs and lakes with rock or gravel bottoms. In Mississippi, smallmouth bass are only found in the Tennessee River and Bear Creek systems, especially Pickwick Lake. The diet of smallmouth bass changes as they grow, changing from plankton, small aquatic insects, and small crustaceans to larger aquatic and terrestrial insects, crayfish, and small fish. Spawning occurs during the spring (April – May) with water temperatures around 60ºF to 78ºF. Smallmouth bass construct nests in gravel and also under tree roots and stumps. Males can spawn with different females, and
males guard the nests after spawning and immediately after hatching occurs.
males guard the nests after spawning and immediately after hatching occurs.
Other Names
Brown bass, Brownie, Bronze back, and Smallie
Scientific Name
Micropterus dolomieu
State Record
Mississippi’s Rod and Reel record is 7 pounds 15 ounces, caught by Thomas Wilbanks in Yellow Creek (Pickwick Lake) in 1987.
Fishing Fact
Popular baits for white crappie include jigs, small crank baits, and minnows. These fish are often found around structures, such as logs, brush piles, and cypress trees.
Description
White crappie are deep-bodied and silvery in color, ranging from silvery-white on the belly to a silvery-green or dark green on the back with possible blue reflections. There are several dark vertical bars on the sides. Males develop dark coloration on the throat and head during the spring spawning season, which can cause them to be mistaken for black crappie. White crappie have five or six spines on the dorsal fin, whereas black crappie have seven or eight spines. White crappie typically weigh 1 to 3 pounds, grow to 14 inches or more, and live up to 10 years.
Habits and Habitat
Adults feed on small fish and insects. Crappie prefer deep water near drop offs and areas of cover. White crappie can be found in many different types of habitats, including reservoirs, oxbow lakes, and rivers. Like other members of the sunfish family, white crappie are nest builders. They produce many eggs, which can cause overpopulation, slow growth, and small sizes in small lakes and ponds. White crappie spawn from March through May when water temperatures are between 58ºF and 65ºF. White crappie can tolerate muddier water than black crappie.
Other Names
White perch, Sac-a-lait, Slab, and Papermouth.
Scientific Name
Pomoxis annularis
State Record
The current state and world record white crappie was caught by Fred Bright from Memphis, Tennessee in 1957 from Enid Lake; it weighed 5 pounds 3 ounces, and was 21 inches in length.
Fishing Fact
Slab spoons, deep running artificial lures, and jigs (particularly chartreuse and white colors) are effective when trying to land a striped bass.
Description
Striped bass are laterally compressed, elongated fish with large mouths. The back is olive green or blue-green with a white belly. The sides have up to nine dark lateral stripes against a silver or silvery-blue background. They can be distinguished from white bass by having several stripes extending to the tail, two tooth patches on the back of the tongue, a torpedo shaped body, and normally a larger size. These fish usually weigh between 5 and 15 pounds but can weigh up to 60 pounds or more with fish living in reservoirs growing faster than those in rivers. Striped bass can live up to 12 years.
Habits and Habitat
Striped bass feed on insect larvae, shrimp, small crustaceans, and fish, particularly shad. These bass live in freshwater streams, reservoirs, and coastal drainages. Striped bass prefer cooler water, especially larger striped bass. Because of this, stripers typically don’t do well in Mississippi reservoirs. These fish will spawn as early as February or as late as April when water temperatures reach about 57ºF to 70ºF.
Other Names
Rock fish, Stripe, Greenhead, Striper, and Sea-run.
Scientific Name
Morone saxatilis
State Record
The Mississippi Rod and Reel record weighing 37.8 pounds was caught in 1993 by T. Graves in the Bouie River.
Fishing Fact
Jigs, spinners, crank baits (small and medium) and minnows are popular lures used for white bass fishing.
Description
White bass are deep bodied with an arched back and a lower jaw that projects further than the top jaw. White bass are often confused with small striped bass. The white bass is a bluish gray on the back with white in the belly area, and both of the silvery sides have between four and seven dark lateral stripes. These fish usually weigh between 1 and 3 pounds but can reach weights of 7 pounds. White bass typically do not live more than 5 years.
Habits and Habitat
Although they will eat insects, white bass feed mostly on gizzard and threadfin shad. These bass, which are a popular sport fish, can be found in the Mississippi River and oxbow lakes along the river. White bass are native to large rivers but are also found in reservoirs. They typically move upstream into rivers and streams when spawning. Water temperature for spawning is between 62ºF and 68ºF (usually between March and May). Prior to spawning, white bass form large schools and migrate upstream.
Other Names
Sand bass, Barfish, Stripe, Silver bass, and Striped bass
Scientific Name
Morone chrysops
State Record
Mississippi’s Rod and Reel record for the white bass is 5 pounds 6 ounces, caught by William Mulvhill in the Grenada Reservoir Spillway in 1979.
Looking for a place to hunt? MDWFP has more than 50 Wildlife Management Areas across the state that are open to hunting.
Wildlife & Hunting
The Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) is a comprehensive deer management program consisting of data collection and cooperator education. Using this data, the MDWFP tries to put the landowner/cooperator in a better position to manage their…
Wildlife & Hunting
Rules & Regulations
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