Fishing at Lake Ruth, Rankin County, Mississippi

• Overview

  Lake Ruth sits within Rankin County in Mississippi. It sits in dry hill country. It covers about 3 acres, so this is small water you can walk round in under an hour. On size it sits at the modest end of our Rankin County list. Some 0.6 miles away sits Cleary, the nearest settlement. After that come Florence at 2.6 miles and Byram at 4.3 miles. A border sits close enough to be relevant to the paperwork.

• Where to Fish on Lake Ruth

  We hold no survey for this water; read the slope of the shoreline instead. A reservoir gives you a hard edge, a shelf, and not much else. Draw-down through summer strips the margins, so follow the water out. Records collected within a few miles name bluegill, brown bullhead, redspot darter, warmouth and blacktail shiner. Check the state or provincial list before planning around one species. Read Lake Ruth for ten minutes before the first cast goes out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about 45°F and July at about 81°F, the water has a wide range to work through. Fishing runs all year, with summer the awkward season. Heat pushes fish deep from June onwards, so start early. March through May is the strongest run, with October and November a second stretch. Lake Ruth runs to its own calendar within the local pattern.

• Tackle & Baits

  No access rule appears in what we hold. The nearest mapped parking is half a mile away, so the last stretch is on foot. For the catfish, fish bottom baits into the deeper holes and let them sit. Gates get locked out of season on water like this. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. Failing this one, try Reno Sportsman Lake, 0.3 miles away. Rules at Lake Ruth are worth checking on the day.