Mississippi Fishing Lakes
Lake-by-lake species, seasonal bite, boat access, and regulations for the biggest fishing lakes in Mississippi.
Grenada Lake
Ross Barnett Reservoir
Sardis Lake
More Mississippi lakes
Tap a lake to open its guide: species, boat launches, bait shops, and size and creel limits.
Sardis LakePanola, Lafayette & Marshall Counties · 32,100 acres
Sardis Lake
An Army Corps reservoir on the Tallahatchie River east of Sardis in north Mississippi, about an hour south of Memphis. It is best known for big crappie, plus sand beaches and a strong white bass run.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Crappie
Single-pole, troll or drift jigs and minnows for suspended fish in the main lake and creek coves. Bigger baits and deeper water for big fish.
Largemouth Bass
Main-lake points, ledges and river channel edges. Try the dam and the Engineers Point rocks.
White Bass
Shad-imitating lures over firm bottom, often near Engineers Point and the dam in winter.
Channel Catfish
Liver, shrimp or cut bait on the bottom. Worms in the river and creeks after rain.
Bluegill
Crawlers or redworms 4 to 6 ft deep near timber, flooded vegetation and rip-rap.
Boat launches
8 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- Engineers PointFeeUSACE ramp near the dam with fish cleaning station. Day use pass requiredDirections ↗
- Clear CreekFeeUSACE ramp on the south side with fish cleaning station. Day use pass requiredDirections ↗
- TeckvilleFeeUSACE ramp with fish cleaning stationDirections ↗
- Coles PointFeeUSACE rampDirections ↗
- Hurricane LandingFeeUSACE rampDirections ↗
- Wyatt CrossingFeeUSACE rampDirections ↗
- Lower Lake Boat RampFeeUSACE ramp on the Lower Lake below the spillway, courtesy dockDirections ↗
- Sardis Lake MarinaMarinaConcession marina on the lakeDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Special rules for this lake, confirmed from official state regulations. Minimum size and daily limit.
| Species | Min size | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|
| Crappie 25 per boat with 3+ anglers. Spillway: 10 / day, no size or boat limit | Over 12 in | 10 / day |
| All species Max 2 hooks or lures per pole; 1 pole in rip-rapped spillway areas | See Mississippi rules book ↗ | 4 poles / angler |
Other species in this lake: look up the limits at Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
No shops listed yet for this lake. Use the search link below.
Search more bait shops near Sardis Lake ↗Local tips
- The lake drops to winter pool from December to mid-January and many ramps are dry; it refills toward 241 ft by March 1.
- USACE day use passes cover boat ramps and can be bought on Recreation.gov or by QR code at the ramps.
- Clean fish only at designated cleaning stations, not on the water or in ramp parking lots.