Pearl River
river in Mississippi
From the Ross Barnett Reservoir down through rural stretches into Louisiana, the Pearl supports varied habitat—pools, runs and oxbows—making it a versatile river for fly anglers targeting bass and occasional striped bass runs.
Conditions right now
No USGS gauge is linked to this water yet, so we can't chart flows.
Water temperatures are cooling
- 01Water temperatures are cooling, stimulating active feeding among predatory species.
- 02Bass are actively following schooling shad into shallower areas and creek channels.
- 03Target fallen trees and dock pilings along river edges for bass concentration.
- 04Lower, brackish sections of the river offer good opportunities for redfish and flounder.
- 05Look for topwater action during warmer fall days, especially in calmer pockets.
Past reports week by week
8 weeksWhat to tie on
Picked from reports, hatches and the season. Tap a fly for the recipe and where else it works.
Hellgrammite Fly
Hellgrammites are a consistent, protein-rich food source in rocky river environments year-round. This subsurface nymph is a reliable pattern for bass (Largemouth, Smallmouth, Spotted) and catfish in the Pearl River.
Bead Chain Crab
Crabs are a primary forage for redfish, flounder, and sheepshead in the lower, brackish sections of the Pearl River. This subsurface pattern effectively imitates these crustaceans.
Buy at AmazonClouser Crayfish (river)
Crayfish are a primary food source for smallmouth and largemouth bass, as well as catfish, in the rocky areas of the Pearl River. This subsurface pattern is highly effective when stripped along the bottom.
Popping Bug (Bass)
As water temperatures cool in fall, bass and sunfish move to shallower water and can still be enticed by topwater action on warmer days, making this popper effective.
EP Shrimp
Shrimp are a consistent and abundant food source year-round in the inshore and brackish sections of the Pearl River, making this pattern essential for targeting redfish, flounder, and opportunistic catfish and bluegill.
Buy at AmazonWoolly Bugger (Olive)
A highly versatile streamer, the olive Woolly Bugger imitates leeches and baitfish, which are consistent food sources for a wide range of predatory species, including bass, sunfish, catfish, redfish, and flounder, as they become more active in cooling fall waters.
Clouser Minnow (Chartreuse/White)
Bass on the Pearl River are actively following schooling shad in the fall. This baitfish imitation is a go-to for predatory species like bass, redfish, flounder, and catfish, mimicking their primary food source.
Where to fish and who to ask
Pearl River at Carthage/Lauderdale County Access
Public put-ins and tailwater runs with riffles and pools productive for fly-caught bass.
Ross Barnett Reservoir Outlet / Pearl River
Transition from reservoir to river with strong current breaks and holding water for bass.
Fly shops within 40 miles
Fireside Fly & Field
Orvis
Riptide Outdoors
Get Pearl River reports by email
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Mississippi season by season
What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.
Read before you go
Quick answers
Common questions about Pearl River.
What flies work best on Pearl River?
Our top scored fly patterns for Pearl River right now are Hellgrammite Fly (80% confidence), Black Woolly Bugger (Bass) (80% confidence), Bead Chain Crab (80% confidence). These picks are scored from recent fishing reports, hatch data, and seasonal patterns.
What fish species are in Pearl River?
Pearl River holds Bluegill, Catfish, Redfish, Flounder. See the species links on this page for fly recommendations and seasonal behavior for each.
Is Pearl River fishing well right now?
We publish a fresh bite report for Pearl River each week based on recent on-the-water intel. The current report — with conditions, hatches, and what's producing — is on this page.