Fish expected to bite like crazy when this Mississippi state lake reopens

Simpson County Lake near Magee is scheduled to open in June and anglers can expect to load the boat with fish.

"They catch a lot of fish at openings," said Jerry Brown, Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks director of Fisheries. "Catch rates are usually really high. It's the first time a bass has seen a worm or a spinnerbait and they'll hit almost anything."

Brown said the lake was drained and closed in 2020 to make repairs to the dam. He said during its closure other improvements were made to increase catch rates for anglers, offer more access for people without boats and upgrade the campground.

Brown said youth anglers ages 15 and under will get the first shot at the lake on June 3 from 7 a.m.-3 p.m.

"That's where families and adults can bring their kids," Brown said. "This is a great opportunity for them to go and catch a lot of fish and have a good time. Only the kids can fish, of course."

Brown said that day coincides with a free fishing weekend as a part of National Fishing and Boating Week. So, on June 3-4, people can fish without purchasing a license or paying to fish at Mississippi state lakes and state parks.

The lake opens for adults at 6 a.m., June 7. All bass between 14 inches and 22 inches must be released immediately. Only one bass measuring over 22 inches may be kept.

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Improvements made at Simpson County Lake

• Dam repaired and improved

• Fish attractors added

• Boat ramp replaced with double ramp

• Two courtesy piers built at ramp

• Decking replaced on fishing piers

• Earthen fishing piers constructed

• Lake deepened around earthen piers

• Gravel beds constructed near piers and banks to attract bedding bluegill

• Water connections replaced in campground

• Campground electrical outlets upgraded to 50 amp

• Camper pads leveled

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Simpson County Lake at a glance

• Size: 76 acres

• Location: US 49, 5 miles north of Magee

• Coordinates: 31.9158814-89.7955646

• Camping: 11 camping pads with electrical and water hookups. Pavilion available for rent.

• Species: bluegill, crappie, channel catfish, largemouth bass, redear sunfish

• Manager: Gregory Perry

• Contact: 601-849-4886

Simpson County Lake records

• Largemouth bass: 14.7 pounds

• Bluegill: open

• Channel catfish: 39.8 pounds

• Crappie: 2.1 pounds

• Redear sunfish: .95 pounds

Contact Brian Broom at bbroom@gannett.com or 601-961-7225.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Simpson County Lake scheduled to reopen in June