Fishing Ross R Barnett Reservoir in Rankin County, Mississippi

• Overview

  Ross R Barnett Reservoir sits in Rankin County, out in Mississippi. What surrounds it is open plain. 5.2 miles away sits Madison, the nearest town. Ridgeland is 6.3 miles and Canton 11 miles. Within easy reach: Culley Lake at 3 miles, Patton Lake 5.5 miles away, Lake Castle at 7 miles, Costas Lake 9.6 miles away and Lake Caroline at 11 miles. This one sits near enough to a boundary to be worth checking.

• Where to Fish on Ross R Barnett Reservoir

  Depth is on record at 35 ft. Levels move with the draw rather than the rain on water like this. The arms fish better than the open middle whenever the water is up. Open occurrence data for the surrounding area lists channel catfish, gizzard shad and bluegill. Use it to know what is possible here, not what is certain. On Ross R Barnett Reservoir the first feature you find is usually worth a session.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about 45°F and July at about 81°F, the water has a wide range to work through. Warm months push fish deep; cool months bring them back. Spring and autumn carry the fishing; summer squeezes it into the edges of the day. The cooler months are the comfortable ones to fish here. It holds true on Ross R Barnett Reservoir more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  It sits on public ground, so no permission beyond a licence is normally needed. No made access appears within a short radius, so plan to park on a verge and walk. Catfish want bait on the bottom: cut bait or worms, a simple running rig, and patience after dark. Check whether a boat is allowed before you tow one. Where parking is tight, arriving early solves most problems. For a change of water, Culley Lake is 3 miles distant. For Ross R Barnett Reservoir in particular, ask before you travel.