Deepest lakes in Mississippi: 5 lakes ranked by depth

Deepest first

1. Ross Barnett Reservoir

Ross Barnett Reservoir spreads over some 33,300 acres. It holds crappie, largemouth bass, catfish and bluegill. The deepest water is around 60 ft. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and a wind-blown bank worth a first look.

Ross Barnett Reservoir today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

2. Arkabutla Lake

Arkabutla Lake is a reservoir of some 11,200 acres. It lies about 2.3 miles southeast of Coldwater. The fish here are largemouth bass, crappie and catfish. The deepest water is around 60 ft. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves to work. Arkabutla Lake's surface shrinks from about 11,240 acres in summer pool to roughly 5,100 acres in winter pool.

Arkabutla Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

3. Grenada Lake

Grenada Lake is a reservoir of 35,800 acres of water. The lake is near Grenada. It is the Yalobusha River behind Grenada Dam. Expect crappie. It goes down to about 50 ft. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look.

Grenada Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

4. Lake Washington

Lake Washington covers 5,000 acres of water. It lies about 7.9 miles south of Mayersville. Largemouth bass, crappie, catfish and white bass are the draw. The deepest water is around 22 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and a sheltered cove: good places to start. Lake Washington is an oxbow lake that formed when the Mississippi River shifted its course.

Lake Washington today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

5. Lake Beulah

At 1,030 acres of water, Lake Beulah is small enough to learn in a few trips. The lake is about 3.6 miles northwest of Rosedale. It holds largemouth bass, crappie, catfish and bluegill. It goes down to about 20 ft. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look. Lake Beulah is an oxbow lake straddling the Mississippi-Arkansas state line.

Lake Beulah today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

Fishing deep water

In summer a deep lake splits into a warm top layer and a cold bottom; fish hold near the line between them, often 20 to 40 ft down. A depth finder, a slow troll or a jig dropped straight down finds them.