Gone Fishin' | News

MADISON COUNTY, MS (WLBT)- Wednesday's beautiful springtime weather was perfect for outdoor activities, and the high water below the spillway at the Barnett Reservoir brought out fishermen from across central Mississippi.

The water was high, as the rain from last week was being let out of the big lake northeast of Jackson, pushing the level of the pearl river up to it's flood stage of 28 feet at Jackson.

We are told there were many more fishermen there at first light Wednesday morning, than when we got there at 10:30 a.m.

Seventy-two-year-old Earl Moore of Carthage and his 71-year-old friend Jerry Phillips had already caught the limit and were leaving and had some advice for people who want to fish there.

"Get 'em a jig and pole and a bucket of minnows and come on" said Earl Moore. "They would slack up for a little while and then start back again."

Ellis Thomas from Jackson was fishing from the bank and not doing as well as Moore and Phillips, but wasn't discouraged.

"You can come out and fish every day, when you get a chance" said Thomas. "You get peace of mind."

Frank Russell of Rankin County didn't really want to talk about the fish he caught.

"I live two miles from here and I tear 'em up" said Russell. "I gotta get out of here.

Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks personnel were out in force issuing citations. One man was cited for having 101 fish when the limit was 30.

If you want to take advantage of this high water you better come on out because the headwater is falling, which means the outflow will be reduced, lowering the river.

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