Lake Albemarle, Lake Chotard, and Lake Washington are oxbow lakes of the Mississippi River that provide excellent crappie, catfish, bream, and bass fishing. With Mississippi’s warm climate, there are very few times of the year when fishing is not in season.
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Lake Washington
At 5000 acres Lake Washington is one of the largest natural lakes in Mississippi. Known for its excellent
crappie, catfish, bream and bass, Lake Washington is a popular fishing spot.
If you have an RV you can check out Bait-N-Thangs/Southern Star RV Park –RV hookups are available here as well as a boat ramp, bait shop and it’s located on the lake. Roy’s Store rents cabins on the lake, provides a boat ramp, a bait shop and one of the best hamburgers around, RV hookups are also available.
Other Activities
For wildlife watching or nature photography visit Yazoo National Wildlife Refuge near Lake Washington, off Highway 1. Yazoo NWR
is the oldest national wildlife refuge in the State of Mississippi. This refuge was established in 1936 as one of the links in a chain of refuges that provide for the wintering needs of ducks and geese in the Mississippi Flyway. Yazoo NWR is also known as one of the
premier hunting refuges in the southeastern U.S. and is home to a healthy population of American Alligators.
Lake Albemarle and Chotard
Lakes Albemarle and Chotard were formed during the flood of 1913 when the Mississippi River abandoned its old bed at Albemarle bend. Both of these lakes, located in Issaquena County, are accessible from Highway 465 which travels atop the Mississippi River levee.
The lakes are known for bass, crappie, bream and channel catfish. Fishing on Chotard and Albermarle is always dependent upon the MS River level and movement. For best results on these lakes, always check the MS River report to know if the river is moving in or out of the lake and target areas of moving water for improved fishing. Fishing is typically best when the river is on a slow fall. For most boats, access to the river is near impossible when the River is below 13 feet (Vicksburg Gauge).
The Chotard Landing Resort provides a boat ramp for launching boats into Lake Chotard. Gas, bait, grocery items and fishing supplies may also be purchased there. Boat rental, rental cabins, rooms, RV and camp sites are also available.
Details
Transportation—There are no public transportation options in this area. You will need to have your own vehicle for traveling. Rental cars are available at the Jackson and Greenville, MS airports.
- Southern Star RV Park/Bait-n-Thangs—662-827-2666; www.baitnthangs.com
- Roy’s Cabins – 662-827-2588; www.royscabins.net
- Yazoon National Wildlife Refuge—http://www.fws.gov/refuges/profiles/index.cfm?id=43682
- Chotard Landing Resort—www.chotardlandingresort.net
- For dining in Greenville, MS – www.visitgreenville.org
- For dining in Vicksburg, MS—www.visitvicksburg.com