Gator Lake Fishing in Pearl River County, Mississippi

• Overview

  In Mississippi, Gator Lake falls inside Pearl River County. The coast is 37 miles away. The town to know is Bogalusa, 5 miles out. It is 63 miles to Metairie, the nearest city. Nearby, in order: Old Jail Lake (0.4 miles), Stringer Pond 0.6 miles away, Car Lake (0.9 miles), Horseshoe Lake 0.9 miles away and Davis Lake (1.2 miles). Being near a boundary, it pays to know which side you are fishing.

• Where to Fish on Gator Lake

  Nothing in our records gives a depth for this one. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Records collected within a few miles name gulf logperch, threadfin shad and gizzard shad. Take it as evidence of what swims here, not a promise for one session. Gator Lake repays a walk before the first cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warm month here averages 81°F; the cold one sits at 49°F. There is no dead season here at all. Late winter and spring fish steadiest here. Late winter often fishes better here than midsummer does. Anyone fishing Gator Lake regularly works to that calendar. The hour either side of first light is rarely wasted.

• Tackle & Baits

  We have no record of the rules that apply on this bank. Nothing is listed nearby for parking or launching a boat. For the panfish, a small hook, a float and a piece of worm outfish everything fancy. Some banks are open only from a marked point. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. Old Jail Lake at 0.4 miles is the sensible second choice. Nothing here settles the position at Gator Lake for certain.