Fishing J C May Lake in Shelby County, Tennessee

• Overview

  Out in Shelby County, Tennessee, sits J C May Lake. It lies 272 feet above sea level. About 7 acres of surface, which puts the far bank inside easy sight. Most waters listed here for Shelby County are larger. Lynchburg is the closest town at 3.4 miles. Beyond it, Southaven at 4.7 miles and Horn Lake at 5 miles. The boundary is close enough to be worth checking before you fish.

• Where to Fish on J C May Lake

  Depth remains unrecorded, so treat the first session as a survey. Inflow corners move water, and moving water gathers fish. Built water gives depth close in, which suits a bank angler. Reported across Shelby County: bluegill, green sunfish, common carp, warmouth and longear sunfish. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. Read J C May Lake before you fish it and the day goes better.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages here run 81°F at the top of summer and 38°F at the bottom of winter. Winter here means light layers, not lost months. Late winter and spring fish steadiest here. Autumn steadies things again once the heat lets go. J C May Lake runs to its own calendar within the local pattern.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether you may fish here is not something records settle. You will be walking about half a mile from the nearest car park. For the catfish, fish bottom baits into the deeper holes and let them sit. Rules differ from one water to the next round here. Where the way in crosses private ground, ask first. Coro Lake sits 1.2 miles off and takes the overflow. Treat access at J C May Lake as something to verify.