Mississippi
You can catch a record fish when this Mississippi state lake opens this month
‘I’m particularly excited about the crappie fishing. When we did our spring sampling in 2023 they were 10-plus inches. I think the crappie fishing should be excellent.’
Doorbell cams catch everything from dogs on ponies to bears on a swing
From dogs on ponies to bears on a swing, doorbell cameras catch all the strange action.
Elvis Presley Lake has been closed for three years, but when it reopens this month, not only should the fishing be action-packed, you may be able to set a lake record.
According to Dustin Rodgers, Northeast Mississippi District biologist with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, the lake was closed in 2021 as a way of hitting the reset button on fishing.
“We tend to do that when the lakes have gotten old and the fishing is degraded,” Rodgers said. “It’s a restart for the lake. You get new fish and new genetics.”
The lake was drained and upgrades and repairs were made. The lake was stocked in 2022 and the fish are now ready to be caught.
“It should be excellent,” Rodgers said. “During sampling, we did get a few bass over 4 pounds, so they’re exhibiting good growth rates.
“I’m particularly excited about the crappie fishing. When we did our spring sampling in 2023 they were 10-plus inches. I think the crappie fishing should be excellent.”
The lake also offers a unique opportunity. There are lake records for the biggest bass and catfish and those won’t likely be broken any time soon, but no records for other species.
“Currently, crappie, redear and bluegill are open,” Rodgers said. “Automatically, whatever fish people want to turn in will be a lake record.”
More: Catch a boatload of fish when this Mississippi state park lake reopens next week
When will Elvis Presley Lake open?
- Youth day: Saturday, May 18, 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Anglers 15 and younger only and must be accompanied by an adult who is at least 21 years old and has a valid Mississippi fishing license.
- General public: May 22, 2024, at 6 a.m. A state lake permit and a valid Mississippi fishing license is required unless exempt under state law.
Upgrades to Elvis Presley Lake
- Gravel beds added
- New courtesy piers at boat launch
- New restroom at boat launch area
- New bridge connecting boat launch area and day-use area
- Fish attractors added
- New lake manager office
What’s next?: MS wildlife commissioner tied to turkey baiting not confirmed by Senate
What fish are stocked in Elvis Presley Lake?
- Northern largemouth bass
- Bluegill
- Channel catfish
- Crappie
- Redear sunfish
How many fish can I keep?
- Bass: 10, only one may be over 22 inches and any between 16 inches and 22 inches must be released
- Bream: 50 bluegill, redear sunfish or other similar species such as longear sunfish in aggregate
- Catfish: 10
- Crappie: 20 with no length limit
How big are the lake record fish?
- Largemouth bass: 10 pounds
- Bluegill: Open
- Catfish: 26 pounds
- Crappie: Open
- Redear sunfish: Open
How much does it cost?
- Fishing permit: $5 for anglers 16-64, $3 for anglers 65 and older or disabled.
- Boat launch: $7 for anglers 16-64, $6 for anglers 65 and older or disabled. This also covers the fishing permit fee for the boat owner. Others in the boat must purchase the appropriate fishing permit.
- Anglers 15 years and younger: Free
- Note: Anglers must have a valid Mississippi freshwater fishing license unless exempt.
Can I camp at Elvis Presley Lake?
- The campground remains closed for renovations.
- Alternative nearby locations for camping include Trace State Park and Tombigbee State Park.
More information
- Size: 322 acres
- Location: 272 Road 995 in Lee County near Tupelo
- Phone: 662-620-6314
Do you have a story idea? Contact Brian Broom at 601-961-7225 or bbroom@gannett.com.
Mississippi
Mississippi lawmakers face pressure to counter looming federal cuts to health care after punting this session
Wicker: Mississippi powered Artemis II
Published 4:00 pm Monday, April 20, 2026
For nine days this month, space travel captivated the world. Families gathered around their screens as four astronauts strapped into the Integrity spacecraft docked at the Kennedy Space Center. As the launch countdown ended, four Mississippi-tested RS-45 engines ignited, and the ground shook. Seven seconds later, the Integrity had liftoff. For six intense minutes, the RS-45 engines rocketed the crew into high Earth orbit, sending them on their historic lunar flyby mission.
Mississippi should take a bow. The four RS-45 engines were tested at our very own Stennis Space Center, where Mississippians have been ensuring the quality of rocket engines since the Apollo program. For eight years, engineers, safety managers, and logistics specialists from the state have tested the engines that powered the Integrity and will power future Artemis launches. Their work paid off, and the launch was a marvel of engineering. NASA leadership made special mention of the rocket engine burn, calling it “flawless.”
One Mississippian in particular helped make the mission a success. Hernando native Matthew Ramsey handled a great deal of responsibility as the mission manager for Artemis II. The Mississippi State University graduate helped set the focus for the mission and equip the astronauts and staff for the job. Matthew also served as the deputy of the Mission Management Team, the group of NASA staff that comes together just days before a launch. The team assumes the risks of the mission ahead, and they make tough calls during flight if challenges arise.
As the Artemis II journey progressed, the world could not stop watching. Our social media feeds were full of photos and videos beamed down from the heavens. They captured humorous situations, such as the astronauts adjusting to life without gravity or testing their plumbing skills.
We also witnessed moments of majesty. On the fifth day, the Integrity began using the Moon’s gravity to slingshot our astronauts back home. That trajectory led the crew around the Moon, farther from Earth than any humans have ever gone. As the explorers looked upon outer space, they captured stunning images. Among the most remarkable is Earthset, in which Commander Reid Wiseman photographed Earth as it appeared to fall below the horizon of the moon.
When their spacecraft returned to Earth’s atmosphere, the crew was traveling nearly 35 times faster than the speed of sound. Ten minutes later, a series of parachutes began opening. Eventually, the spacecraft’s speed fell to 20 miles per hour, and the crew splashed down into the Pacific Ocean.
Mississippi was once again there to assist. The astronauts were greeted by the USS John P. Murtha, a U.S. military vessel built in the Huntington Ingalls shipyard in Pascagoula. The ship’s amphibious design was suited to welcome the space travelers home—equipped with a helicopter pad, medical facilities, and the communications system needed to locate and recover the astronauts safely. Crucially, the USS Murtha was built with a well deck, a sea-based garage that stored the Integrity on the journey to shore.
Artemis II was a resounding success, paving the way for planned future flights. When the Artemis program returns humans to the moon, Mississippi will be there every step of the way.
-
New York3 minutes agoTrump’s Immigration Crackdown Pervades Long Island Suburbs
-
Detroit, MI33 minutes agoChris Simms projects Detroit Lions first-round NFL draft pick
-
San Francisco, CA45 minutes agoSan Francisco sets $3.4B price tag for public takeover of PG&E
-
Dallas, TX51 minutes agoGame Day Guide: Stars at Wild | Dallas Stars
-
Miami, FL57 minutes agoMay a steadying presence as Cards hold off Marlins in Miami
-
Boston, MA1 hour agoTyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe flex in Boston: Takeaways from Celtics-76ers Game 2
-
Denver, CO1 hour agoMotorcyclist seriously injured in Denver hit-and-run crash – AOL
-
Seattle, WA1 hour agoBrock: 2 drafts fits at edge rusher for Seattle Seahawks