| The great thing about Mississippi crappie fishing is that | | | | as a lot of patience. Barnett's spillway also offers |
| excellent catch can be found on many lakes year | | | | great fishing opportunities after a large release of |
| round. Even better, many of these lakes clear out | | | | water at the dam. Pelahatchie Creek on the east side |
| because seasonal anglers prefer to stay at home in | | | | of the dam also provides great Mississippi crappie |
| front of the fireplace, telling fish stories about their | | | | fishing, with anglers targeting the banks where crappie |
| great spring and summer seasons. Some of the best | | | | can find deep cover. |
| fishing can actually be had in the winter months, and | | | | Eagle Lake is another excellent location to find crappie. |
| there are several lakes to choose from as your | | | | It's a landlocked oxbow off the Mississippi River close |
| preferred location. | | | | to Vicksburg, famous for producing 10- and 12-inch fish |
| Barnett Reservoir is a 33,000-acre lake, but in the | | | | in two years' time, which is faster than any other lake |
| winter, you'll find most of the fishing is done in about 50 | | | | in the state, according to studies by biologists. Eagle |
| acres of water. Mississippi crappie fishing enthusiasts | | | | Lake is optimal for pre-spawn winter Mississippi |
| will crowd into the upper lake area referred to as | | | | crappie fishing because large females move out of the |
| Welfare Hole, fishing for the strong crappie population. | | | | river channel for shelter. During these times, you can |
| Due to the bottleneck created at the nearby highway | | | | troll for an hour or two and catch your limit. For the |
| bridge, crappie are attracted to the area and held here, | | | | best success, troll the deeper waters away from the |
| seeking shelter from the current. Though just about | | | | owner piers, where they regularly deplete the supply in |
| anyone could catch a fish here, Mississippi crappie | | | | the brush along the banks. According to some sources, |
| fishing during the winter is most efficient with an | | | | the crappie here prefer to remain about 14-15 feet |
| electronic depth finder to locate large schools, as well | | | | deep in 20-foot deep waters. |