3/31/2020 Sardis Lake Fishing Report

Alert

From the Corps:

"As of 19 March 2020, all Vicksburg District visitor centers, museums, campgrounds, beaches, day use areas, and project offices will close to the public. Boat ramps will remain open and available. Camping reservations scheduled to arrive after 18 March 2020 will be cancelled. Refunds will be provided through Recreation One-Stop (1-877-444-6777 or recreation.gov). USACE Campgrounds that have not opened will have an indefinite delay. All other special events scheduled after 19 March are now cancelled. Additional information will be announced as soon as possible."

There is an old newspaper article that has been circulating on social media and the internet. There are no changes to crappie regulations on Sardis this year.

The road is repaved and open to Hurricane Landing. Although signs may say road work ahead, etc., the bridges on the road to Clear Creek have been replaced and repaved.

Fishing Report

Sardis Lake - 3/31/2020 3:47:12 PM

Largemouth Bass will be following creeks and ditches into shallower water with the water rising. It is mid/late April until spawning. Look for the clearest water with any cover. Lure choices will depend on water level and temperature trends. Fish faster moving lures shallower if warm and/or rising and slow down and fish deeper if cooler and/or falling.

Crappie Best luck has been either trolling or drifting bright colored jigs and/or minnows above Clear Creek in the creek mouths and along tree edges about 4 - 7 ft deep. There have been some reports catching fish 2 - 4 ft deep (mostly males) wading in the trees and bushes. Expect some spawning activity the closer it gets to full moon April 7.

Bream No reports.

Catfish Present conditions are best for catfishing. Fish in the river and creeks or recently flooded flats using various natural baits on rod-and-reel, noodles (jugs), or trotlines. The Hwy 7 ramp area has been popular. White Bass are making their spawning run up tributaries; males usually go first. The river near Hwy 7 is a good spot. Fish jigs or small crankbaits over a sand bottom. There are no Striped or Hybrid Striped Bass in Sardis, just White Bass which have no size or number limits.

The water level has risen nearly 4 ft since last week's report and is still rising. Fish are scattered and hard to find; expect improvement as the water stabilizes and clears up some. Fish will be following the water as it is quickly rising. Fish in or near tributaries, ditches, and other travel routes. Water falling, fish deeper; water rising, fish shallower.

Special Fishing Regulations

Species

Species Type Length To Release Crappie (combined black and white) Minimum Length Limit 12 inches and under

Statewide creel and size limits apply to all other fish species.

Creel Limits (per person, per day)

Type Amount Additional Information Crappie (combined black and white) 15 There is a 40 crappie per boat limit for boats with 3 or more anglers.

Anglers may use no more than 4 poles per person and no more than 2 hooks or lures per pole.

Spillway

The spillway had two gates open 6.0 ft each (2900 cfs) Tuesday AM. Best luck in the spillway and Lower Lake is when some water is being released, but not too much. Expect the gates to slowly reopen this week unless we get more rain and/or downstream flooding. Some crappie are being caught trolling in the Lower Lake. For crappie, fish jigs and/or minnows out of any current or right along the rocks or slow troll in the Lower Lake. Catfishing is best on natural bait fished near the bottom. White Bass will be in any current where you can drift a 2 jig rig just off bottom (watch the rocks!) or fish small crankbaits or tailspinner lures. For largemouths, cover in the old river run is the best bet, or fish right on the rocks in the spillway with crankbaits or spinnerbaits. Expect some Spotted (Kentucky) Bass mixed in where there is current.

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 12-inch crappie length limit does not apply to the reservoir spillway, but the spillway, including Sardis Lower Lake, has a 15 crappie creel limit.

Water Level

Water level 267.01, rising 0.4 ft/day, 17.6 ft over rule curve Tuesday. Expect rapid water level rises and drawdowns as rain events happen and the Corps tries to maintain rule curve. The water should be rising to 241 ft by March 1 and then 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://www.mvk-wc.usace.army.mil/bulletin.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.

Contact the COE office (662) 563-4531 for accessible ramps at current water levels.

Additional Information

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.

Sardis Lake, Sardis Fishing Reports, Crappie Fishingaaron bartonApril 1, 2020sardis lake fishing, sardis lake fishing report 2019, sardis fishing report, Crappie FishingComment