Choice lakes

Many of the MDWFP’s state lakes are home to fishing rodeos, where volunteers help children or the physically challenged catch catfish stocked by the agency.

Two mid-state lakes hold promise for the angler wishing for a catfish supper. Shadow Lake at Roosevelt State Park, while not technically a state lake, is managed in a very similar fashion. Park manager Andre Hollis said the better fishing was along the dam.

“Each year we host a fishing rodeo, and (MDWFP personnel) bring in 500 to 600 catfish,” Hollis said. “Those fish not caught during the rodeo are released into the lake. So each year there is a good infusion of good-sized fish.”

Hollis said most fishermen he had observed were using stink baits and chicken livers. Some put the bait on the bottom as a tight line, but a few he has seen use a float, to keep the bait just off the bottom.

That same scenario also seems to play out at Neshoba County Lake, where manager Chuck Hazelwood says that, while his lake is getting a reputation as a big bass lake, he gets good of catfish.

“While I can’t recommend it as a proven catfish bait, we have reports every year of good-sized catfish being caught on plastic baits, such as worms and lizards,” Hazelwood said. “Some of the bank fishermen use red worms or stink baits here with good success, usually fishing on the bottom.”

MDWFP biologist Tom Holman said all state lakes and state park lakes are stocked with channel catfish. Those with youth rodeos get an infusion of a few hundred after the tournament, but none of the lakes stock is removed for the rodeo.

“We sometimes get a report of a blue cat being caught at a state lake,” Holman said. “But I can say that fish was not intentionally stocked there. It might been a blue cat someone caught elsewhere and relocated to that lake, or one of the hybrid catfish released at a rodeo being misidentified.”

Whatever the case, whatever the bait, or whatever the time year, catfish are biting at a state lake or state park lake near you. Encourage your children to attend a fishing rodeo, then, after they get hooked, take them fishing.

For more information on lakes and rodeo dates, visit www.mdwfp.com.

About David Hawkins 195 Articles
David Hawkins is a freelance writer living in Forest. He can be reached at hawkins2209@att.net.

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