3/20/2019 Sardis Lake Fishing Report
Link to 4/3/2019 Sardis Lake Fishing Report
Link to 3/26/2019 Sardis Lake Fishing Report
Link to 2/19/2019 Sardis Lake Fishing Report
Source: MDWFP https://www.mdwfp.com/fishing-boating/fishing-reports/sardis-lake/
Fishing Report
Sardis Lake - 3/20/2019 4:44:02 PM
Water level 272.47, falling 0.1 ft/day, 27.7 ft over rule curve Wednesday. Water level is supposed to rise from 241 ft March 1 to 260 ft (summer pool) by May 1. Emergency spillway level is 281.4. For water level information, call (662)563-4531 or check at http://mvk-wc.usace.army.mil/docs/bullet.txt for a table or http://mvk-wc.usace.army.mil/plots/sardplot.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 water is starting to fall and clear in the shallows. Releases from the reservoir will likely be minimal until Mississippi River flooding abates.
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.
High water and cold nights have fish scattered and the spawn on hold. Warmer weather and rain are predicted for the weekend. We are about 1 week from the historical start of the crappie spawn. Few reports from people wading yet. Best luck should be drifting or trolling bright colored jigs and/or minnows 3 to 6 ft deep along the edges of bushes in creeks and the river channel as fish move to the shallows. Some White Bass have moved up the river and creeks where they can be caught fishing jigs or small crankbaits over sandbars. There are no Striped or Hybrid Striped Bass in the reservoir, just White Bass that have no size or number limit. For Largemouth Bass, look for the clearest water and fish around flooded cover with soft plastics or a jig-n-pig. Some catfish will bite in the cold runoff; fish worms or stink baits with your gear of choice (rod-and-reel, trotlines, etc.). Most catfishing has been near the Hwy 7 Bridge or over flooded flats in the main lake.
The spillway had two gates open 6.5 ft each (3700 cfs) Wednesday. For crappie, fish jigs and/or minnows out of the current or right along the rocks. Most folks have been catching crappie spider rigging in the Lower Lake. For catfish, fish natural baits near the bottom. Fish for White Bass with jigs or small crankbaits (watch the rocks!) in the current. For largemouths, cover in the old river run is the best bet, or fish right on the rocks in the spillway with crankbaits or a jig-n-pig.
Sardis COE personnel have closed the Hurricane Creek ramp road to have the road repaved, including out to the Indian Mound ramp (not that section until next winter). Although it will be an inconvenience until it is completed, it will be nice to have the potholes gone. Contact the COE office to see when it is expected to reopen. The county has been repairing bridges on the road to Clear Creek Landing (Hwy 314 or Old Sardis Rd) and sporadically closing the road. The ramp is open and you can bypass the bridge work if you know the back roads from Hwy 6 to Hwy 314.
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, including Sardis Lower Lake, 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) 563-4531 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.