The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) has launched its annual supplemental fish stocking program for 2025, with Florida largemouth bass as the first species being introduced to public waters across the state.
The stocking process began last month at the Turcotte Hatchery, where hatchery biologists have been raising fingerling bass in grow-out ponds for 30–45 days. These young bass are now being harvested and transported to lakes and reservoirs across Mississippi.
This year, MDWFP’s fisheries biologists requested more than 500,000 Florida largemouth bass to bolster popular fishing spots such as:
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Wolf Lake
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Ross Barnett Reservoir
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Eagle Lake
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Lake Bogue Homa
The stocking plan is driven by sampling data collected last fall, which identified areas where the bass population would benefit from additional stocking efforts.
Florida largemouth bass are known for their rapid growth and are prized by anglers for their fighting spirit and size potential.
For more information on MDWFP’s fish hatcheries and the statewide fish stocking program, visit MDWFP Fish Hatcheries & Stocking.
MS Dept. of Wildlife Fisheries and Parks said that the annual stocking effort aims to support healthy fish populations, promote recreational fishing, and ensure Mississippi’s waters remain vibrant and sustainable for generations to come.
