An easy fish for a common problem
March 2010
Every year, starting about now and continuing through May, a lot of farm ponds in Mississippi are plagued by “pond scum.” I pass a few farm ponds on my way to work every morning. When I see the ponds developing their annual ring of pond scum, I know to expect a few phone calls.
Anglers tax selves for fisheries’ benefit
February 2010
Providing fishing opportunities costs money. Think about it. A launching ramp with a 3-acre parking lot and a road to it might cost $1 million. Modern hatcheries cost $10-20 million, maybe more. The new North Mississippi Hatchery cost $12 million.
Odds of catching a trophy bass are long
January 2010
If you want to catch a really big bass, my first advice is to travel to some place where double-digit bass are common — places like the California Delta, the lakes around San Diego or maybe Lakes Amistad, Falcon or Fork in Texas.
‘Tis the season for fish furniture
December 2009
Christmas means many things to many people. But after the holidays are over, it means there’s a pile of fish attractors somewhere waiting to be gathered up by ambitious anglers and “replanted” in a favorite fishing hole.
Flying carp: coming to a lake near you
November 2009
You’ve seen the videos on the internet and even on the national news — silver projectiles weighing 10 to 20 pounds erupting from the water and occasionally landing in boats.
Once abundant, gator gar are struggling
September 2009
I’ve heard they attack people. Any fish that grows to more than 7 feet and 150 pounds, has a tooth-lined snout big enough to grab and hold a grown man’s leg, and lurks in shallow backwaters is bound to generate some scary stories.
Taking a look through the foraging window
August 2009
Late summer is when anglers begin seeing schools of shad. The schools are generally most apparent in the evening when the water is calm and the shad tend to swim at the surface. With all this forage, how could bass growth rates not be off the charts?
Underrated ‘stripes’ plentiful here
July 2009
The white bass — what many call “stripes” — is Mississippi’s unsung and untapped sportfish. They are abundant where they occur, grow to good size, blast the heck out of topwaters and crankbaits, and can be darn-good eating.
Three steps for healthier summer bass
June 2009
Warm water can be tough on fish. Hatcheries avoid handling and transporting fish during warm seasons. The mortality of tournament-caught bass goes up in the summer, too.
Sterile crappie much better for ponds
May 2009
Mississippi is home to some of the best crappie fishing in the country. The fertile waters and long growing season are conducive to fast growth. When year-class strength is moderate, the crappie can grow to more than 1 pound in three to four years, and fishing is fantastic.
Bass program reports in for 2008
April 2009
The place to fish for bass in 2008 was Pickwick, according to the annual report from the Mississippi Bass Tournament Program conducted by MDWFP with the assistance of bass clubs throughout the state.
Smallie population may be growing
March 2009
There is something special about smallmouth bass. Maybe it’s their airborne acrobatics, often followed by a dive back to the bottom with line-breaking tenacity. Or maybe it’s their vicious, no-doubt-about-it strikes on crankbaits and jerkbaits.
Black, white crappie similar, different
February 2009
Crappie, sac-a-lait, papermouth, white perch, specks or calico bass — call them what you will, the Magnolia State can rightfully boast some of the best crappie fishing in the U.S., and the best time for crappie fishing is nearly upon us.
MSU study reveals anglers’ likes
January 2009
Fishery managers are in the business of providing the best fishing opportunities that are compatible with the wise conservation of the aquatic resources. They assess and, if needed, manipulate fish populations to achieve this goal.
Currents
Gettin' Fresh 
