Catch a boatload of fish when this Mississippi state park lake reopens next week

‘The bass haven’t seen a spinnerbait or a plastic worm in a while. The bream fishing is about to turn on. The lake has always been known for redear sunfish.’

A popular state park lake is set to open next week and when it does, the fishing experience could be better than ever.

“We closed it last year in 2023,” said Jerry Brown, Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks’ Fisheries director. “Parks was already doing some work on the cabins and we took the opportunity to lower the lake at the same time.

“We brought the water level down 8 feet. We closed it to fishing and boating at that time.”

The lake is Bob M. Dearing Natchez State Park Lake located near Natchez. The park is one of several that has seen upgrades recently including renovation of its cabins.

The lake is 230 acres and is where the Mississippi state record largemouth bass weighing 18.15 pounds was caught in 1992.

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Upgrades to Bob M. Dearing Natchez State Park Lake

According to Brown, a number of upgrades were performed to make fishing better and more convenient.

• Courtesy piers at boat launch removed and replaced
• Fishing piers re-decked and railed
• Additional courtesy piers built near cabins
• Multiple gravels beds constructed to attract bedding bream near fishing piers and accessible banks
• Stake beds constructed near banks and fishing piers to attract crappie
• Brush piles added to attract crappie, bream and bass

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Will the fish be biting?

The lake is scheduled to open at 6 a.m. on May 6 and while the fish may not jump in the boat, the action should be excellent.

“You’d expect the fishing to be good,” Brown said. “The lake’s been closed for a while.

“The bass haven’t seen a spinnerbait or a plastic worm in a while. The bream fishing is about to turn on. The lake has always been known for redear sunfish. The lake has some good crappie. The fish attractors will be hotspots and concentrate fish.”

How many fish can I keep?

Bass fishermen should be aware there is a slot on largemouth bass. All fish 18-22 inches must be released and only one fish over 22 inches may be kept per angler per day.

• Bass: 7 per angler
• Catfish: 10 per angler
• Crappie: 30 per angler
• Bream: 100 per angler

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.

More information

Do you have a story idea? Contact Brian Broom at 601-961-7225 or bbroom@gannett.com.