3/25/2019 JP Coleman/Pickwick Lake

Source MDWFP https://www.mdwfp.com/fishing-boating/fishing-reports/jp-colemanpickwick-lake/

Fishing Report

JP Coleman/Pickwick Lake - 3/25/2019 1:21:39 PM

Pickwick Lake elevation: 409.77 ft. and slowly rising at the time of this report. Pickwick Dam is currently spilling and will continue to until further notice. There is still a stain on much of the lake due to all the current and rainfall over the past few weeks.

BASS

The bass bite is good, if not great right now. Tournament anglers are weighing in some big stringers of fish right now as the females have entered that pre-spawn mode. The most popular lures lately have been Alabama-rigs, lipless crankbaits, chatterbaits, spinnerbaits, and single paddle tail swimbaits. Anglers are targeting transitional areas leading to spawning areas for the most part. Bass can be caught as 1 – 2 ft. of water right now, but most of the fish up shallow are males. The bigger females are still sitting out a little deeper along drop-offs, ditches, and points.

CATFISH

The catfish bite continues to be slow. Traditional rod-n-reel fishing seems to be the most popular technique. Anglers are targeting gravel bars and some of the shallower ledges and humps for the most part. Look for areas of water out of the current as fish will congregate there. Cut/whole shad and kool-aid flavor chicken are good bait choices right now.

CRAPPIE

The crappie action is slow to fair due to the dirty water, but the fish that are being caught are quality size. Anglers are finding fish from 10 – 15 feet of water. Trolling jigs and crankbaits is a good technique to locate fish that haven’t started moving toward shallow water. The Mill Creek and Goat Island areas have been popular lately. Pre-spawn crappie should start showing up over the next few weeks.

For up to date Pickwick Lake water level, see

http://www.tva.gov/lakes/pkh_r.htm

Fishing Regulations

Species:
Black bass (combined largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass)
Crappie (combined black and white)
Catfish (blue, channel and flathead)
Paddlefish

Lengths to Release:
Black bass: 15 inches and under
Crappie: 9 inches and under
Catfish: only 1 catfish over 34 inches may be harvested
Paddlefish:  All lengths

Creel Limit (per person, per day):
Black bass: 10
Crappie:  30
Catfish: no creel limit under 34 inches; 1 over 34 inches
Paddlefish:  0

Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks Fisheries Biologists use various sampling methods to assess the fish populations in the State’s waters.   Sampling results for selected water bodies are summarized in Reel Facts Sheets.