KEMPER COUNTY LAKE
The second largest state fishing lake in Mississippi is located in the east-central part of the state about 30 miles north of Meridian. Kemper County Lake totals 595 acres and is home to a strong largemouth bass fishery. For a smaller lake, this impoundment also has an unusual spotted bass population.

Fisheries biologist Larry Bull of the Mississippi Department of Wildlife Fisheries and Parks said the catch rate is good for bass and sampling has indicated good size structure within the fishery. There is generally good reproduction every year and plenty of fish larger than 15 inches are present.

Just recently, a 14- to 18-inch slot limit was removed at Kemper County Lake. The regulation was no longer necessary, which was attributed primarily to a decrease in fishing pressure. Additionally, most of those who do fish for bass here typically release their catch anyway.

Kemper County Lake is known for producing some really large bass at times. In August of this past year a 9-pound bass and an 11-pounder were taken within a three-week period by one angler. Those fish weren’t just anomalies because another bass weighing 11 pounds 9 ounces was pulled from Kemper County Lake in 2004. The lake record largemouth was taken back in 1994 and weighed 14 pounds, 4 ounces.

Largemouth bass aren’t the only impressive fish in the lake though. Although smaller in size and number, spotted bass make up about 10 percent of the bass caught during electro-fishing sampling. There are some spotted bass up in the 3- to 4-pound range, which are very respectable fish.

There is not a lot of turbidity to the lake’s water and the reservoir is relatively deep for a state lake. The clear deep water makes the use of smaller lures and lighter line a good idea.

A popular spot on the lake during the months of March and April is in the northern end. That region has a fair amount of vegetation, including lily pads. It is possible to target the openings in the weeds or fish the break line between the plants and open water.

Early in the year while the water is still a little cool, fishing baits slowly works best. Suspending jerkbaits can be hot when other baits fail. After the water begins to warm, crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and topwater lures all can be effective.

Kemper County Lake is three miles northwest of DeKalb off of State Route 397. Facilities at the lake include a boat launch, camping spots, and restrooms. More information may be obtained by calling (601) 743-5505.

BEE LAKE
The bass fishery at little-known Bee Lake, an old 400-acre oxbow off the Yazoo River in west-central Mississippi, isn’t particularly exceptional, but it’s definitely improving.

Bee Lake’s angling has been somewhat hampered in the past owing to high turbidity. However, there has been extensive work done on the watershed that should greatly reduce the amount of muddy water at the lake. In fact, the Delta Wildlife Foundation has worked with local landowners within the watershed to install 37 sediment retention structures to reduce erosion.

Most of the work has now been completed in the watershed project. However, some reforestation efforts are still ongoing.

There are some fairly decent bass in the fishery at Bee Lake. The lake has been stocked during the past couple of years and the size structure of the bass ranges from 1 pound up to around 7 or 8 pounds. Those larger sized fish are not all that uncommon at Bee Lake.