Date and Time Updated:
Species
SpeciesDetail
Largemouth BassThe bass bite is fair to good, and bass are moving onto beds. Beating the banks with soft plastic creature baits should produce some strikes. Trace Lake is bass crowded and anglers are encouraged to keep a limit of bass under 13".
CrappieLike the bass, crappie are moving up for the spawn. Jigs and minnows are the best bets.
BreamThe bream bite has bee nreportedly fair to good. Tight lining worms or drop shotting should be good techniques.
CatfishAs with bream, the creek channels should be good for catfish. Try tight lining with liver or worms.
Special Fishing Regulations
SpeciesRegulation TypeLength To Release
   
Creel Limits (per person, per day)
TypeAmountAdditional Information
Catfish10Creel limit for all State Fishing and State Park Lakes
  • No trotlines, set lines, jug fishing, or commercial gears are permitted on State Park Lakes .
  • Night fishing (from 30 minutes before sunset to 30 minutes after sunrise) will be permitted from the shore or from boats which are in compliance with State and Coast Guard regulations. Only idle speed and trolling motors may be used at night.
  • Only rod and reel or pole fishing is allowed on State Park Lakes except that carp, gar, buffalo, and bowfin may be taken by use of a bow and arrow at night only after purchasing a valid permit for fishing and/or boating. No other gear is allowed at these lakes.

Statewide creel and size limits apply to all other fish species.

Additional Information

Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) re-opened Old Natchez Trace Lake at Trace State Park to fishing and boating on Wednesday, August 5, 2020.

Old Natchez Trace Lake is a 565-acre lake located on Trace State Park near Tupelo. For more information call the park office at (662) 489-2958.

Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks Fisheries Biologists use various sampling methods to assess the fish populations in the State’s waters.   Sampling results for selected water bodies are summarized in Reel Facts Sheets.

While Trace Lake was drained for repairs to the dam, MDWFP fisheries personnel built and placed 19 fish attractors throughout the lake. The GPS coordinates for these attractors are listed below:

LatLonLatLon
N 34.250176W -88.892688N 34.250552W -88.890833
N 34.249174W -88.892625N 34.251191W -88.889463
N 34.249510W -88.893674N 34.252348W -88.887880
N 34.248284W -88.893239N 34.252516W -88.887813
N 34.247894W -88.893541N 34.253179W -88.886563
N 34.247681W -88.893344N 34.253262W -88.886470
N 34.246820W -88.893612N 34.255404W -88.890669
N 34.247843W -88.893170N 34.253982W -88.905252
N 34.250452W -88.891138N 34.254598W -88.905299
N 34.256715W -88.905611