*Lake Washington is an oxbow lake managed by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP), which oversees the lake's fisheries resources and provides regular fishing reports.

Lake Washington is a 3,000-acre oxbow lake of the Mississippi River. It is one of Mississippi’s largest natural lakes, with scenic cypress forests in both ends and most of the western shore. Lake Washington supports an excellent fishery for crappie, bream, and catfish.

Fishing Report - 5/21/2024 

SpeciesDetail
BassThe bass bite on Lake Washington has been pretty good lately. Try fishing around the piers on the eastern banks as well as areas with submerged woody structures on the west side of the lake. Good bait choices are spinners baits, crankbaits, and soft plastics. Target areas with 5 to 10 feet of water especially, early in the morning and late in the afternoon.
CrappieCrappie fishing has slowed back down on the lake. Try trolling in the deep areas of the lake or try jigging near the cypress knees on the west side of the lake. Using jigs or minnows is always a good choice.
BreamFor bream fish in areas with 4 to 6 feet of water using red worms or crickets. The cypress trees are always a good place for bream.
CatfishTry fishing the deep areas of the lake using liver, cut bait, or worms.
Special Fishing Regulations

Special Fishing Regulations

SpeciesTypeLength To Release
Black Bass (combined largemouth, spotted and smallmouth)Minimum Length Limit15 inches & under
Crappie (combined black and white)Minimum Length Limit11 inches & under

Creel Limits

TypeAmountAdditional Information
Black Bass (combined largemouth, spotted and smallmouth)5The possession of black bass under 15 inches while in Paul Love Park or on the weir is prohibited.
Crappie (combined black and white)30The possession of crappie under 11 inches while in Paul Love Park or on the weir is prohibited.

Statewide creel and size limits apply to all other fish species

Lake Regulations

  • Yo-yos must be attended at all times (meaning you must remain in sight of your yo-yos at all times).
  • Yo-yos may be left unattended from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. During this time all yo-yos left unattended must be tripped with the hook out of the water.
  • Yo-yos left untripped during this two hour period and yo-yos left unattended at any other times can be confiscated by MDWFP law enforcement officers.
  • All yo-yo's must have a waterproof or metal tag attached and visible above the water surface. The tags must contain the angler's full name and address.

*Lake Washington Interactive Map

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