Ross R Barnett Reservoir

Boat Ramps: 17
Access Points: 22
Species: 31

Ross Barnett Reservoir is a 33,000-acre impoundment of the Pearl River located six miles northeast of Jackson, Mississippi. Known locally as The Rez, this diverse fishery consists of approximately 24,000 acres of open-water lake habitat and 9,000 acres of riverine habitat north of Highway 43. The reservoir extends through Hinds, Rankin, Madison, Scott, and Leake counties and is managed by the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District (PRVWSD). With its abundant native aquatic vegetation, including large stands of American lotus in Pelahatchie Bay, the northeastern main lake, and upriver areas, Ross Barnett provides excellent fish habitat targeted by anglers year-round.

Mississippi licenses and regulations4 to check before you go

Species & education

Learn what type of fish are at Ross R Barnett Reservoir and what's needed to catch them.

Find which waters have the species you want to catch

Largemouth Bass

Micropterus salmoides

Black Crappie

Pomoxis nigromaculatus

Black Buffalo

Ictiobus niger

Black Bullhead

Ameiurus melas

Blue Catfish

Ictalurus furcatus

Bluegill Sunfish

Lepomis macrochirus

Brown Bullhead

Ameiurus nebulosus

Chain Pickerel

Esox niger

Channel Catfish

Ictalurus punctatus

Flathead Catfish

Pylodictis olivaris

Flier

Centrarchus macropterus

Freshwater Drum

Aplodinotus grunniens

Grass Pickerel

Esox americanus

Green Sunfish

Lepomis cyanellus

Highfin Carpsucker

Carpiodes velifer

Longear Sunfish

Lepomis megalotis

Longnose Gar

Lepisosteus osseus

Oscar

Astronotus ocellatus

Paddlefish

Polyodon spathula

Redear Sunfish

Lepomis microlophus

Redspotted Sunfish

Lepomis miniatus

Shadow Bass

Ambloplites ariommus

Shortnose Gar

Lepisosteus platostomus

Skipjack Herring

Alosa chrysochloris

Smallmouth Buffalo

Ictiobus bubalus

Spotted Bass

Micropterus punctulatus

Spotted Gar

Lepisosteus oculatus

Spotted Sucker

Minytrema melanops

Striped Bass

Morone saxatilis

Warmouth Sunfish

Lepomis gulosus

White Crappie

Pomoxis annularis

Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities

Learn how to get on Ross R Barnett Reservoir. Uncover great fishing access points, boat ramps, and all the facilities you need for an unforgettable day on the water. Some locations shown may border or include private property. Always check property boundaries and applicable regulations before visiting. onWater's Public & Private Land layer can help you plan your access with confidence.

Know where you can legally fish on Ross R Barnett Reservoir

See public and private land boundaries along the water, turn on private parcels with owner details to know where permission is required, and find land-trust parcels that offer permitted fishing access.

Mississippi licenses and regulations

Mississippi Boating Regulations

When using any type of watercraft to access a body of water, it is important to follow all federal, state, and local rules and regulations. These rules and regulations include boat permitting and licensing, invasive species inspections and stamps, life jacket and PFD rules, motor size and horsepower restrictions, noise limitations, restrictions on personal watercraft, and many more. Visit the web link below for the most current rules and regulations for this body of water.

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Mississippi Fishing License

Resident - Each resident of the State of Mississippi ages sixteen (16) through sixty-four (64), fishing in the fresh or marine waters of Mississippi, including lakes and reservoirs but NOT to include privately owned ponds and streams, shall be required to buy a fishing license. A saltwater license is required south of U. S. Highway 90 and a freshwater or saltwater license is valid between I-10 and U. S. Highway 90. Saltwater license is not valid north of I-10. Any person sixty-five (65) or older, or any person otherwise exempted from obtaining a freshwater fishing license, must have documentation with him/her at all times while fishing as described in Exemptions. All non-resident anglers, except minors under the age of sixteen (16), are required to obtain a fishing license while fishing in the fresh or marine waters of the State of Mississippi.

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Mississippi Fishing Regulations

This river has a variety of species and regulations, including potential floating and/or watercraft restrictions. Because this river is specially managed for species, seasons, angling methods, and watercraft, it is strongly encouraged you check all federal, state, and local regulations before fishing. Visit any of the links below, inquire locally, or contact a local fly shop to learn current regulations and restrictions.

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Mississippi Stream Access Laws

Mississippi waterways with a long history of public use or a mean annual flow of at least 100 cfs are considered navigable and open to public recreation. The public may use surfaces and streambeds, regardless of ownership, up to the high watermark.

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Take Ross R Barnett Reservoir with you

The onWater Fish app keeps this water's access points, species and conditions in your pocket, with the tools you use once you're there.

Use the map without signal
Download the map around Ross R Barnett Reservoir to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for Ross R Barnett Reservoir to find where and when fish are biting for you.
HD depth charts from Garmin
Find drop offs, ledges, channels, points and shallow flats with Garmin depth charts in the app.

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Water and weather conditions (10 day forecast)

See the best times to fish Ross R Barnett Reservoir and check the forecast before you go.

PELAHATCHIE CREEK AT STATE HWY 25 NR FANNIN, MS

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