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Mississippi · Fishing
Columbus sits along the Tombigbee River in northeast Mississippi, and the fishing here centers on that corridor.
3 spotsUpdated dailyFree to access
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Columbus sits along the Tombigbee River in northeast Mississippi, and the fishing here centers on that corridor. The main draws are Columbus Lake and the Tombigbee River itself, including the stretch at Stennis Lock and Dam where the current concentrates fish and makes for some of the more productive bank and boat fishing in the area. Striped bass, largemouth bass, channel catfish, and flathead catfish are all present in the Tombigbee system, which gives you options depending on the season and what you're after. The Dewayne Hayes area adds another river fishing access point to the mix. Skill-level requirements are moderate across the board — you don't need whitewater experience or technical gear, but understanding how to read current, work a lock-and-dam tailwater, and handle larger catfish will make a real difference. Elevation at the Stennis Lock and Dam site sits at 190 feet, so you're fishing lowland river country: warm water, slow to moderate current in most stretches, and the kind of structure that holds catfish and bass year-round. If you're driving in from out of town, the Columbus Lake and Tombigbee access points are the logical starting places.
The Tombigbee River at Stennis Lock and Dam holds striped bass, largemouth bass, channel catfish, and flathead catfish. Columbus Lake is a lake fishing destination in the same corridor. Catfish are the most consistent target across seasons, while bass fishing picks up in spring and fall.
Both work, but the tailwater below the dam is where fish tend to stack up, and bank anglers can reach productive water there without a boat. A boat gives you more flexibility to position on structure and work the river channel, which matters more when targeting striped bass.
Dewayne Hayes
~8 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MS.
Blue Bluff Campground (aberdeen Ms)
~38 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MS.
Columbus Lake
~3 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MS.
Tombigbee River - Stennis Lock and Dam
~8 min drive
Moderate
Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge - Bluff Lake
~42 min drive
Easy
Town Creek Campground - West Point - Ms
~11 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MS.
Pickensville Cg (pickensville Al)
~40 min drive
A worthwhile stop near AL.
Aliceville Lake
~41 min drive
A worthwhile stop near AL.
Choctaw Lake
~1h 15m drive
A worthwhile stop near MS.
J S Sommerville Lake
~58 min drive
A worthwhile stop near AL.
Pool B
~1h 6m drive
A worthwhile stop near MS.
Pool B
~1h 9m drive
A worthwhile stop near MS.
Early morning and the last two hours of daylight are the most productive windows for bass. Catfish, especially flatheads, feed most actively after dark, so night fishing the river is worth considering if regulations and access allow it at your chosen spot.
Yes, a valid Mississippi fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older fishing public waters in the state. You can purchase one online through the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks website or at local bait and tackle shops in Columbus.
A medium-heavy rod in the 7-foot range with 17-20 lb monofilament or braided line covers most situations for catfish and bass. For flathead catfish, live bream or large cut bait on a bottom rig near structure is the standard approach. If you're targeting striped bass, add a heavier setup and consider swimbaits or live shad.
