Getting there: Lake Mary Crawford is a 128-acre lake located in Lawrence County, 5 miles west of Monticello on U.S Highway 84. The street address is 293 Lake Mary Lane, Monticello, MS 39654. The GPS coordinates are N31 34.790, W90 09.353
Fishing: Lake Manager John Stamps said Mary Crawford is best known for its bluegill and redear sunfish, particularly during the summer. The lake also has populations of white crappie, channel catfish and large numbers of less-than trophy-sized largemouth bass.
Bream tactics: During the hottest time of the summer, bream will congregate around deep flats that have a sandy or non-mucky bottom. Bluegill catches tend to outnumber the redear. Use red worms and night crawlers fished on the bottom to target redear, and use crickets to catch bluegill around the man-made structure or off the deeper end of long points. Either of the two wooden piers located on the lake are also good places to catch bream. The daily limit on bream is 100 per person.
Crappie tactics: Crappie fishing for mainly white crappie slows down as the water starts to get hot in the summer. Best bets for crappie are in the 20 – 22 foot depths around the stump flats on the lower end of the lake. Anglers do best presenting jigs or live minnows on a jig poles around the marked structure. The limit on crappie is 30 per day per person.
Channel catfish tactics: Leftovers from past fishing rodeos and old stockings have grown to decent size in Mary Crawford, with the average cat ranging between 4 and 8 pounds. Cut bait, chicken livers, or dip baits fished on the drop where a long point reaches out to deep water are best bets. There is a 10 fish per day limit on catfish.
Bass tactics: Bass are over populated at Mary Crawford, reflecting a 30-fish per day limit to try to ease the burden. Stamps said catching them is as easy as just going down the bank casting crankbaits or plastic worms.
Boat ramps: Two boat ramps are available at Mary Crawford with no boat/motor size restrictions, but the lake is restricted to to trolling speed only, except on Sunday from noon to sunset. The daily ramp fee is $7 per boat.
Accommodations: Mary Crawford offers 20 RV hookups with power, water, and picnic tables at each site. Camping permits are $18 per day and a 30-day camping permit is $360. Primitive camping is also available for $13 per day.
Contact: Lake Manager John Stamps, (601) 587-7853
Maps: Lake and Campsite Maps, online at www.mdwfp.com/fishing-boating/state-fishing-lakes/south-region/mary-crawford-lake.aspx
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