A gravel pit is on the south side of the lake; some rocky points are on the north side. Bass also gang up in these areas during the warm months.

Eight boat ramps provide excellent access to the prime fishing spots. Obtain more information by calling the Corps office at (662) 562-6261.

FLOWER LAKE
Tunica County is home to this 1,000-acre oxbow lake and its excellent bass fishery. It's off U.S. 61, sited south of the town of Tunica and is about five miles west of Clayton. This venue is truly a diamond in the rough for bass anglers.

Fairly remote, Flower Lake has only one boat ramp, which anglers find a little inconvenient. The lake feels practically no bass fishing pressure, which is great for the anglers who do frequent the lake.

Bass numbers and size structure are both good at Flower, which has a lot of bass in the 1- to 4-pound range. Bigger fish are available; most top out at around 6 to 8 pounds.

Flower Lake is ringed with cypress trees, which add to the scenic beauty of the experience. In this very shallow lake, its maximum depth only 9 to 10 feet, are a couple of deeper areas known as "blue holes."

Topwater baits are a very good choice at Flower. Different types of floating minnow baits, wobble baits and chuggers bring bass up to the surface for some very exciting action. Buzzbaits can also be good at times.

Most anglers like to target shoreline habitat when searching for bigmouths. Fishing around the cypress knees and aquatic vegetation can be terrific. Bring plenty of weedless baits to cope with the variety of aquatic vegetation like lotus, naiads, and moss.

TUNICA CUTOFF
Known for its great bass fishery, this artificial oxbow lake in Tunica County is still connected to the river at high water levels, and so fluctuates in size as the Mississippi River rises and falls.

Tunica Cutoff was ranked second in statewide bass tournament statistics in 2005. Largemouths reproduce excellently here, and the fishery's in great shape. The bass receive very little fishing pressure except during the tournaments held at the lake.

The size of the bass at Tunica Cutoff is very similar to that at Flower Lake: plenty of fish up to around 4 pounds, with big fish typically maxing out at about 6 to 8 pounds.

The banks of Tunica Cutoff are ringed with cypresses and willows. The cypresses are mostly along the steeper banks, with the willows being more on the shallow shores. Most anglers tend to target the steeper banks, particularly those with sandy bottoms. A thermocline makes it pointless to fish deeper than 12 feet in the summertime.

Another tip for fishing this lake: Check the water level in the Mississippi and resulting current conditions in the Cutoff. In August, a slowly falling lake level is optimum for the greatest success. Bass fishing gets tougher at Tunica Cutoff when the water's on the rise.

The lake has four boat ramps from which to choose, but all require a launch fee. King's and Charlie's Camps are the most popular, and the majority of the bass tournaments are headquartered out of these sites.

One odd cautionary note is also appropriate regarding summer fishing here: Be aware of the dangers presented by the large population of silver carp at Tunica Cutoff. These fish grow fairly large and are prone to leap out of the water when alarmed by an approaching boat. Serious injury from being struck by one of these fish is possible, so stay alert when boating on the Cutoff. You might need to duck in a hurry!

These are but a few of the locations at which you can find great bass fishing during the summer months in the northern reaches of the Magnolia State. Remember this, no matter where you choose to fish: If the bass were there before summer, they're still there -- and they have to eat. It may take a change of tactics, but it can be well worth the effort to find some hot summer action.