3/26/2019 Grenada Fishing Report
Source MDWFP https://www.mdwfp.com/fishing-boating/fishing-reports/grenada-lake/
Fishing Report
Grenada Lake - 3/26/2019 3:58:19 PM
Water level 225.52, stable, 22.0 ft over rule curve Tuesday. Water levels are supposed to rise from 198 ft March 1 to 215 ft (summer pool) by May 1. Emergency spillway level is 231.0. For water level information, call (662)226-5911 or check at http://mvk-wc.usace.army.mil/docs/bullet.txt for a table or http://mvk-wc.usace.army.mil/plots/grenplot.png for a graph or http://www.mvk-wc.usace.army.mil/resrep.htm for both. Be sure to check the date on the table as it is not always updated daily.
The Gums Crossing bridge is closed due to damage to the pilings during the heavy inflow. To get to Gums Crossing ramp or the Yalobusha side from Coffeeville means driving around though Grenada and Gore Springs. The road across the top of the dam was open Saturday.
Crappie start spawning when average daily water temperature is about 58 F, peak at about 65 - 68 F, and end at about 80 F. It is cooler at "fish depth" than at the surface. Timing and duration of the spawn depends on temperature and water level trends, weather, and, to a lesser extent, moon phase. Fish will spawn shallower in rising water, deeper in falling water. Bigger females usually spawn first. Males of any size can be caught throughout the spawn. Males of both Black and White Crappie get darker on their throat and sides during the spawn when in clear water; males from muddy water will be paler. Females do not change color.
The water is cresting after a recent rain and should start falling slowly again. However, releases from the reservoir will likely be minimal until Mississippi River flooding abates.
The Crappie Masters tournament last Friday-Saturday was won with 33.24 lb (14 fish); big fish was 2.98. Quite a few 12 - 15 lb, 7 fish bags were brought in. Most teams were going way up one of the rivers and taking runouts to fish openings (sloughs, fields, etc.). The winners trolled in a flooded grass field a foot deep in 3 - 4 ft of water over a subtle dropoff. One top five team fished flooded trees on main lake points in the morning and worked into nearby coves and cuts later in the day. Both did best on orange/chartreuse jigs and/or minnows. Most teams fished 2 - 4 ft deep; fish were moving shallower during the week.
An early week cold front has things on hold, but warmer (and wetter) weather is predicted by the weekend. Historically, the crappie spawn starts this week. Collins' Bait Shop (662)226-3581 reports the recent front has slowed fishing since the weekend. Fish have been moving up the rivers and creeks 3 - 6 ft deep close to drop-offs (channel edges). A few folks have picked up fish wading lately; please wear a lifejacket while wading! For Largemouth Bass, fish around cover in the clearest water available, usually coves near the dam. A spinnerbait or buzzbait covers a lot of water; have a weedless soft plastic rigged on another rod in case you miss a strike. Some White Bass have moved into the rivers and creeks where they can be taken on jigs or small crankbaits fished over sandbars. There are no Striped or Hybrid Striped Bass in Grenada, just White Bass that have no size or number limits. Catfish will bite over flooded mudflats or in rainfall runoff; fish worms or stink baits with the gear of your choice (rod-and-reel, trotine, etc.).
The spillway was releasing 2145 cfs Tuesday. Expect minimal releases until Mississippi River flooding abates. White Bass have been biting down here; mornings are usually good. Fish jigs and/or minnows under a bobber on the rocks (White Bass or crappie) or in the old river run (crappie). Catfishing is best on natural bait fished near the bottom.
All fish captured and kept with dip or landing nets, cast nets, boat mounted scoops, wire baskets, minnow seines, and minnow traps in the spillway areas bordered by rip rap must be immediately placed on ice or in a dry container. Game fish caught with these gears must be released. This regulation was enacted to reduce the potential of transferring harmful Asian carps to the reservoir or other waters.
The daily creel limit for crappie is 15 per person. Crappie must be over 12 inches. Anglers may use no more than 4 poles per person and no more than 2 hooks or lures per pole. There is a 40 crappie per boat limit for boats with 3 or more anglers. The 12 inch length limit does not apply to the reservoir spillway, but the spillway has a 15 crappie creel limit.
Limits on Black Bass (Largemouth and Spotted Bass) are statewide limits: no size limit, 10 fish per person daily.
Contact the COE office (662) 226-5911 for accessible ramps at current water levels.
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.