Sardis Lake

Boat Ramps: 17
Access Points: 30
Species: 26

Sardis Lake, located in northwest Mississippi, is one of four flood control reservoirs built by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Constructed in 1939 on the Little Tallahatchie River, it's the oldest and most popular angling destination among the flood control reservoirs in the state. This massive body of water spans 98,000 acres at summer pool with over 80 miles of shoreline, fluctuating significantly throughout the year from a winter pool of 10,700 acres to a potential flood pool of 58,500 acres. Set within the scenic Holly Springs National Forest, Sardis Lake provides excellent fishing opportunities for a variety of species, making it a premier destination for anglers from across Mississippi and beyond.

Mississippi licenses and regulations4 to check before you go

Species & education

Learn what type of fish are at Sardis Lake 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

Blue Catfish

Ictalurus furcatus

Bluegill Sunfish

Lepomis macrochirus

Channel Catfish

Ictalurus punctatus

Common Carp

Cyprinus carpio

Dollar Sunfish

Lepomis marginatus

Flathead Catfish

Pylodictis olivaris

Freshwater Drum

Aplodinotus grunniens

Green Sunfish

Lepomis cyanellus

Longear Sunfish

Lepomis megalotis

Longnose Gar

Lepisosteus osseus

Northern Hogsucker

Hypentelium nigricans

Orangespotted Sunfish

Lepomis humilis

Redear Sunfish

Lepomis microlophus

Redspotted Sunfish

Lepomis miniatus

Silver Carp

Hypophthalmichthys molitrix

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 Bass

Morone chrysops

White Crappie

Pomoxis annularis

Yellow Bullhead

Ameiurus natalis

Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities

Learn how to get on Sardis Lake. 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 Sardis Lake

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 Sardis Lake 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 Sardis Lake to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for Sardis Lake 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.