The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks has recently made some significant changes to fishing regulations, particularly focusing on creel limits and bass regulations. These updates aim to simplify the fishing experience for anglers and standardize rules across various lakes and rivers in the state. The changes affect both recreational and commercial fishing, with a particular emphasis on largemouth bass and other species like crappie and bream.
One of the key modifications is the introduction of a statewide daily creel limit of 10 largemouth bass for several lakes, including Calling Panther Lake, Lake Claude Bennett, Lake Jeff Davis, Lake Lamar Bruce, Malmaison Wildlife Management Area Lakes, Campground Lake at Grenada Lake, and Paul B. Johnson State Park Lake. This move is intended to streamline fishing regulations and make them more accessible to anglers.
Additionally, specific lakes have seen updates to their largemouth bass regulations. For instance, Lake Bill Waller now has an 18-24 inch slot limit and a 10 fish daily creel limit, while Simpson County Lake has an 18-22 inch slot limit and the same daily creel limit. Percy Quin State Park Lake and Natchez State Park Lake have similar slot limits of 16-22 inches and 18-22 inches, respectively.
The changes also extend to other species. Horseshoe Lake, Lake Mary Crawford, and Simpson County Lake now have a 20 fish daily creel limit for crappie, with a minimum length limit of 11 inches for Horseshoe Lake. Simpson County Lake also has a 50 fish daily creel limit for bream. Furthermore, Elvis Presley Lake has been designated as catch-and-release only for walleye.
In the realm of commercial fishing, there have been notable adjustments. The minimum mesh size for hoop nets and wire catfish nets has been reduced from 3 inches to 2 inches. Additionally, commercial fishermen are now prohibited from possessing, transporting, or selling live catfish measuring 34 inches or greater.
These updates reflect the department's efforts to modernize and simplify fishing regulations, making it more convenient for anglers and commercial fishermen alike. However, it is essential for anglers to stay informed about these changes to ensure compliance with the new rules and to have a seamless fishing experience in Mississippi's beautiful waters.
