Mississippi

[Top Heavy]

So I'm getting transfered for work pourposes to Mississippi from Colorado. Wondering how the boating is there if any. Anyone from there have any insight? The only thing that I have noted is when looking up the news in Canton I saw an article about a 500 pound 12' aligator. THis may be my hint.........

[Moki]

I am sure that there are great places to boat, but that is going to be tough moving further away from Lake Powell. Good luck with your transfer!

[Top Heavy]

It's only a year. But make no mistake i will be at lake Powell sometime next summer. Wont miss the yearly trip!

[Moki]

I have two more trips to LP planned this year! Glad to hear that you will be back in a year

[Buck]

Welcome to Mississippi!

To what part of the state are you moving?

In the north, there are Grenada, Enid, Arkabutla, and Sardis. Corp of Engineers managed, all have state parks. Sardis is about 30,000 acres at the recreational pool level.

East is the Tenn-Tom waterway with many recreational areas. At the north of the Miss end is PickWick. Actually considered to be a Tennessee lake, there is a spot where you are in Tennessee, Alabama, and Mississippi all at once! PickWick Watersports in Counce, Tn is a family owned Tige' dealer. They have been very helpful and responsive in my boat search.

West is the Mississippi River. Don't know about actually skiing on the river but there are many lakes next to/connecting to the river.

The 'gators you mentioned are probably on the upper end of Ross Barnett, a large resevoir near Jackson, MS, the capital in the central part of the state. Xtreme Woods and Water is a Tige dealer near there.

These are just the high spots, there are many smaller lakes, and several large ones in neighboring states.

[spharis]

gators and garfish.......we grow 'em big down south.....

[spharis]

another

This fish was 8'2" long and weighed around 245 lbs!!! Caught in Lake Maurepas. I have some photos of gators in and around areas where we board. If you don't mess with them, they won't mess with you, and chances are, you will be in water that they won;t care for anyway.

[Tequilasun]

We get Aligator gar here in Missouri, what species are those. I don't think our Gar get that big!

[Top Heavy]

Heading to the Canton, MS area. Working in an area called McAdams.

I beleive that you are correct with the allegator. It was the lake near Jackson. I guess my concerns are that if one lake has gators than what aobut the rest?

Gators aside it is good to hear that there are water sports fans in the area.

[spharis]

Almost every lake in LA, and oxbows too, have alligators. I have seen them while swimming, boarding, fishing, and just driving around. The University down the road has them in a pond in the middle of campus. Just part of living here. I have been frogging, passed a spot, and though we had a large bullfrog on the other bank only to get a little closer and see how big the eyes really are.....then you know it's not a frog. I have been swimming in Indian Creek and spotted them within 50 yards of our "camp". They won't eat you.

[spharis]

Originally posted by Tequilasun
We get Aligator gar here in Missouri, what species are those. I don't think our Gar get that big!

Alligator gar is an alligator gar. All the same. They do well here because of so much stagnant slow moving water. I know that one in the photo would make a helluva lot of garballs. What you are calling alligator gar may be a spotted or long nose gar.....there are also shortnose.......The alliagtor has two distinct rows of teeth on the upper jaw. It will also have interlocking scales.

[Buck]

That is some huge gar!!

Gators are not as prevalent at present north of Jackson with the exception of the Pearl River. I have heard of them but not seen them. Probably some on the Mississippi but I don't know how far north

The ones around Jackson I believe were actually released there to help reestablish the Mississippi version. A few years ago they were endangered and now I think theyare still protected but have a limited hunting season every year or so by lottery. Learn more about the Miss gators at www.mdwf.com

I haven't heard of any problems with people, but I think there have been some problems with pets where there was real estate on some of the sloughs.

[dogbert]

Are you bowfishing for those (alligator gar)?

[Moki]

For that fish, I would recommend the MK-48 Torpedo

[Top Heavy]

They might not eat me but they deffinitly don't make me too comferatable. BUt I am sure i will get over it to get some surfing in! THanks for the replys.