Striped Bass

While not a renowned striped bass destination, McLain offers a unique, albeit challenging, opportunity to target these fish in the Pascagoula River system. Landlocked stripers have been stocked in some of the larger reservoirs upstream, and some fish make their way down into the river. These fish are not abundant, making them a prized catch. The best time to target them is during the cooler months, from late fall through early spring, when they move upriver to spawn. Look for them around deeper holes and areas with current. Large swimbaits or crankbaits that imitate shad are effective. A practical tip: access can be limited, so be prepared to do some exploring to find suitable boat ramps or bank fishing spots. Keep in mind that striped bass fishing here requires patience and persistence, but the reward of landing one of these fish in this environment is well worth the effort.