Reservoir · Mississippi
Ross Barnett Reservoir near Jackson
Location Snapshot
Ross Barnett Reservoir near Jackson is a large Mississippi reservoir with broad flats, creek channels, standing timber, and extensive shoreline cover. Largemouth bass and crappie are major targets, with catfish adding another important warmwater fishery.
Current Lake Rating
Unavailable
A condition rating is not available from the current lake evidence.
Rating confidence: Low
Should I Go?
Not Enough Data
Fishing guidance for this destination based on available lake conditions, weather, and seasonal context. It is not a boating, swimming, ice, or access-safety rating.
Why
- Not enough current water information is available to recommend a reliable fishing window
- Live water observations could not be retrieved at this time.
Current Readings
Key lake readings are not available right now.
Better Nearby Options
Checking nearby StrikeTracks waters…
Weather Near Lake
Current Weather
Clear
Temperature
66°F
Feels like
60°F
Wind
6 mph E
Wind gust
8 mph
Current precipitation
0.00 in
Updated
Oct 20, 2026, 8:15 PM
Recent Rainfall
Estimated precipitation near this lake
Last 6 hours
0.00 in
Last 24 hours
0.00 in
Last 48 hours
0.00 in
Little recent rainfall near this lake.
Next 24 Hours
Tue 9 PM
Clear
Temp 64°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 6 mph
Wed 1 AM
Overcast
Temp 57°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 3 mph
Wed 5 AM
Overcast
Temp 54°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 5 mph
Wed 9 AM
Clear
Temp 63°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 3 mph
Wed 1 PM
Clear
Temp 78°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 6 mph
Wed 5 PM
Overcast
Temp 81°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Tue, Oct 20
Clear
High 78°F / Low 49°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 14 mph
Wed, Oct 21
Overcast
High 81°F / Low 53°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 9 mph
Thu, Oct 22
Clear
High 84°F / Low 56°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 12 mph
Fri, Oct 23
Clear
High 83°F / Low 60°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 16 mph
Weather and rainfall are estimated for this lake's coordinates. Local conditions can vary, especially in mountainous terrain and during isolated storms.
Recent rainfall can influence lake level and access, but the timing and magnitude depend on watershed size, soil conditions, and reservoir operations where applicable.
Weather data: Open-Meteo
Reservoir Elevation History
Elevation is reported relative to the datum used by this USGS monitoring site. Elevations from different lakes or datums should not be directly compared.
Loading historical elevation…
Fishery Profile
Documented species you may encounter at Ross Barnett Reservoir.
Species images are AI-generated illustrations for visual reference and may simplify natural variation. Fishery records are based on the cited agency sources. About fish illustrations
Fishery overview
Black crappie, largemouth bass, and white crappie are primary and established in Ross Barnett Reservoir near Jackson. Bluegill and channel catfish are common and established, and hybrid striped bass and striped bass are common and stocked.
Target species
Black Crappie
Pomoxis nigromaculatus
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
Source: Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks
Largemouth Bass
Micropterus nigricans
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
Source: Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks
White Crappie
Pomoxis annularis
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
Source: Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks
Bluegill
Lepomis macrochirus
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
Source: Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks
Channel Catfish
Ictalurus punctatus
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
Source: Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks
Hybrid Striped Bass
Morone saxatilis × Morone chrysops
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Stocked
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
Source: Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks
Striped bass
Morone saxatilis
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Stocked
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
Source: Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Mixed wild and stocked
- Flow regime
- Regulated flow
Best seasons
- Spring
- Fall
- Winter
Common techniques
- Boat fishing
- Shore fishing
- Spinning
- Trolling
Stocking information
Hybrid striped bass and striped bass are stocked in Ross Barnett Reservoir near Jackson.
- Stocked
Hybrid Striped Bass
Stocked · Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks
- Stocked
Striped bass
Stocked · Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks
Official sources
Location and Access
Cataloged lake location
Mississippi
The map marker represents the cataloged waterbody or monitoring location and may not indicate legal parking or public access. Confirm access through the official information before visiting.
Lake Details
Management Category
Pearl River reservoir
Regulation Scope
Ross Barnett Reservoir near Jackson.
Regulation Summary
MDWFP Reel Facts: crappie 30/day; black bass 7/day, 14-inch minimum; striped/hybrid bass 6/day, 15-inch minimum. Spillway/Pearl River specials and named trotline/jug closures apply. Confirm current official regulations.
Target Species
Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, White Crappie, Bluegill, Channel Catfish, Striped Bass, Hybrid Striped Bass
Public Access
Public
Boat Launch
Available
Shore Fishing
Available