4/17/2019 Enid Lake Fishing Report

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

Fishing Report

Enid Lake - 4/17/2019 4:31:10 PM

Water level 265.45, rising 0.15 ft/day, 18.6 ft above rule curve Wednesday. The water level is supposed to rise from 235 ft March 1 to 250 ft (summer pool) May 1. Emergency spillway level is 268.0. For water level information, call (662)563-4571 or check at http://www.mvk-wc.usace.army.mil/docs/bullet.txt for a table or http://www.mvk-wc.usace.army.mil/plots/enidplot.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 level is about 2.5 ft below the emergency spillway and rising with more rain predicted. Rising water usually generates a new run of fish to the banks spawning shallow. Angler access is limited due to flooding.

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 will stay on the nest until eggs hatch and fry swim up (4 - 7 days) even if the water rises or falls (unless the nest gets too shallow). 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.

Crappie have been scattered in flooded vegetation; spawning groups are hit-and-miss. Most anglers are using small boats in the accessible shallows and fishing 1.5 - 3 ft deep. There has been some success wading. Some anglers are trolling similar depths out from the edges of flooded vegetation. White Bass have moved into the river and creeks where they can be taken on jigs or small crankbaits fished over sandbars. There are no Striped or Hybrid Striped Bass in Enid, just White Bass which have no size or number limits. Largemouth Bass will be in the clearest available water on any cover where weedless lures (spinnerbait, buzzbait) can catch or locate fish; keep a weedless soft plastic rigged to cast for missed strikes. Males should be starting to look for bedding areas. Gravel roads and 4-wheeler trails through flooded vegetation are bedding bass magnets because of the firm bottom. Catfish will be feeding in newly flooded flats and in any rainfall runoff; fish various natural baits on your gear of choice (rod-and-reel, trotlines, etc.). This is a good time to bowfish for rough fish (carp, gar, and buffalo).

The spillway had one gate open 1.5 ft, one open 2.0 ft (1400 cfs) Wednesday. Gates may close depending on the amount of new rainfall; best luck is usually when some water is being released. For crappie, fish jigs and/or minnows near the rocks. Catfishing is best near the bottom on various natural baits. Expect White Bass action to pick up with some current; fish jigs or small crankbaits. Fish for Largemouth or Spotted Bass on the rocks with crankbaits or a jig-n-pig.

The Vicksburg COE website reported the dirt slide on the back of the dam is superficial and does not endanger the integrity of the dam.

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 spreading 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) are statewide limits: no size limit, 10 fish per person daily.

Contact the COE office (662) 563-4571 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.