Fishing in Mississippi: Top Spots for Freshwater Angling in the Magnolia State

When fishing in Mississippi, there’s simply no limit to the possibilities. The state is rife with beautiful, picturesque lakes stocked with largemouth bass, crappies, catfish and more. If you’re planning a trip or simply looking to branch out from your usual spots, read on for a list of top Mississippi angling locations.

1. Pickwick Lake
If bass fishing is your bag, look no further than this 50,000-acre lake located in the northeast corner of the state in Tishomingo County. And beyond bass, Pickwick boasts diversity; most game fish that can be found anywhere in the U.S. can also be found in this lake, according to Game and Fish magazine.

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2. Lake Bill Waller
When fishing in Mississippi, timing is everything for this Marion County lake near Columbia. The lake was drained, renovated and restocked in 2003 with largemouth bass, according to Mississippi Sportsman. In the past several years, Lake Bill Waller has been the site of many 12 to 15 pound bass catches.

3. Neshoba County Lake
While this lake is often overlooked because of its small size, area anglers are learning that this site near Philadelphia is one of the best places in the state to catch bass, according to Game and Fish magazine. A complete remodel in 2004 made Neshoba County a premiere bass habitat, producing tons of winning catches.

4. Tippah County Lake
This public 145-acre lake is not only a great place to fish for bass, catfish, crappies, and more, it’s also an excellent place to set up camp and stay for the weekend, according to Mississippi Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks. Well maintained, Tippah County Lake is well liked among those fishing in Mississippi for its attractive and comfortable grounds.

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5. Okhissa Lake
Located within Homochitto National Forest, this lake has become a hotspot for crappies within recent years. And it carries famous cachet – it’s the first lake in the country to be endorsed by legendary bass fisherman Bill Dance, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

These five phenomenal fishing in Mississippi spots are just the tip of the iceberg. According to the state’s Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, Mississippi boasts 119 public lakes, more than 123,000 miles of stream, and a quarter of a million acres of spots where you can freshwater fish.

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