Directions: Calling Panther Lake, a 512-acre lake managed by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, is located in Copiah County, 5 miles west of Crystal Springs off New Zion Rd. The nearest street address is 1000 Gaddy Ln., Crystal Springs, MS 39059. GPS – N31.984 726, W90.475 823.
Fishing: According to former lake manager Jake Guess, Calling Panther Lake is best known for it’s trophy-sized largemouth bass. The lake also has good populations of crappie, bream and catfish. His summer pattern tips:
Bass – Look for bass to hold 20 to 25 feet deep along the main creek channel in the lake’s standing timber. Best bets are big plastic baits fished down in the wood. Early and late and at sporadic intervals during the day, bass will chase bait on the surface. Casting crankbaits to these fish will produce. The lake record is 15.4 pounds, caught by James Allen of Crystal Springs.
Crappie – Crappie will be in nearly the same locations as the bass, only about 10 feet shallower. Tight lining small minnows on single poles beside the timber works best. Be sure to allow up to 20 minutes per spot as crappie will move in and out of an area.
Bream – Look for bream to be holding along the edge of the channels where the water drops off in the mid lake region from 2 to 4 feet into the channel at 6 to 8 feet. Any laydowns along the bank that afford deeper water should also not be overlooked. Worms and crickets will produce the best results.
Catfish – Channel cats will turn nearly nocturnal during August. Look for them to move out of the channel and onto mid-lake flats at night or early and late in the day. All the typical catfish baits — cut bait, stink bait and small live baits — will work.
Launch: A boat ramp is available at Calling Panther with no restrictions on the size boat or motor launched on the lake. The daily ramp fee is $7 per boat; $6 for ages 65 and older or disabled. Annual permits are available.
Fishing fees: A launch fee is good for one person in one boat. Each additional non-exempt angler (ages 16-64) must pay a $5 fee; $3 for disabled anglers and anglers aged 65 and older. Youth aged 15 and under fish free. Annual permits are available.
Accommodations: Calling Panther Lake offers 23 camping pads with electrical/water/sewer hookups. Primitive camping is also available. Camping permits are $18 per day and a 30-day camping permit is $360.
More Information: Contact lake manager Ricky Blakeney at (601) 892-4776
Maps: Lake and Campsite Maps, online at www.mdwfp.com/fishing-boating/state-fishing-lakes/central-region/calling-panther-lake
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