Jackson – In accordance to a detailed management plan, the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks fisheries bureau recently released Florida strain bass at seven lakes statewide. Three additional stockings are set for later this summer.

Ross Barnett Reservoir, Eagle Lake, Oktibbeha County Lake, Geiger Lake, Columbus Lake, Aberdeen Lake and Lake Boga Homa have already been stocked with the Florida strain bass. Lake Mary, Kemper County Lake and the Pascagoula River are scheduled to be stocked by the MDWFP in upcoming months.

At Ross Barnett, approximately 150,000 Florida strain bass were released as a part of a management plan at popular fishing destination. MDWFP District 4 Fisheries Biologist Larry Bull said the recent stocking will help Ross Barnett maintain its reputation as a top bass fishing location.

“From our work in the 1990s we believe that stocking Florida bass produce trophy fish in Ross Barnett,” Bull said. “Last year, we met with local bass fishermen to discuss the stocking in the management plan. Their input greatly helped us get these fish.”

At Eagle Lake near Vicksburg, 240,000 Florida strain bass were released. MDWFP District 5 Fisheries Biologist John Skains said the recent stocking will be a big benefit to an already good lake.

“Bass recruitment at Eagle Lake is limited,” Skains said. “Fishing improves a year or two after we stock and based on past experience I expect these fish to be in the pound to pound and a half range by next year. The bass we stocked three years ago are now showing up as five pounders.”

Oktibbeha County Lake received 25,000 Florida bass while Lake Boga Homa got 53,000 and Geiger Lake was stocked with 8,000.

“Each lake has its own management plan,” said Ron Garavelli, MDWFP fisheries bureau chief. “These stockings are an important part of the plan.”

All the fish released during the stockings were hatched at the North Mississippi Fish Hatchery near Enid.