Bonita Reservoir near Meridian: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Bonita Reservoir lies in Lauderdale County, Mississippi. The country round it is pine and hardwood from end to end. The water covers some 51 acres, so pick a bank rather than trying to cover it all. A shoreline of some 1.1 miles keeps the choices simple. Meridian sits 2.4 miles from the bank. Marion follows at 4 miles, then Nellieburg at 7.3 miles. One jurisdiction covers this water end to end.

• Where to Fish on Bonita Reservoir

  No depth figure appears in our records, so the bank has to tell you. Rip-rap along the wall holds fish that the open bank never does. Inflow corners move water, and moving water gathers fish. Public wildlife records from this area list bluegill, gulf longear sunfish and golden shiner. It reflects what has been logged, which depends on who was looking. Work Bonita Reservoir in sections rather than trying to cover it.

• Seasonal Patterns

  In an average year July sits at 80°F and January at 44°F. Heat sets the pattern from late spring onward. The first and last hours carry the summer; the middle is slow. The hot months push the fishing to dawn and dusk. It holds true on Bonita Reservoir more years than not. Cool nights slow the mornings but sharpen the evenings.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access is not recorded for this water. The nearest mapped parking is half a mile away, so the last stretch is on foot. A toilet block sits half a mile away. Bluegill and other panfish take small jigs or worms under a float near any cover. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. The nearest alternative is Webb Lake, 1.8 miles out. Confirm before you fish Bonita Reservoir.