Life is better with a line in the water

  • Published
  • By Airman Daniel Lile
  • 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  If you want to be involved with outdoor recreation Columbus AFB is a great place to be. With all of the possible outdoor activities available to us, fishing has to be the most popular. There is no shortage of places to fish around Columbus AFB. Catfish, bass and crappie are just some of many options of fish you can go for. Just be sure to have your fishing license before you go out.

There is a lake on base, SAC Lake, which is stocked annually and is a very close and convenient place to fish, but you do need to buy a base fishing permit in combination with having a Mississippi fishing license.

"We stock the lake annually with a combination of largemouth bass, bluegill, catfish and we have put crappie in there before," said Frank Lockhart, an avid fisherman around Columbus AFB. "We have had several reported large fish caught there. There was actually a bass that was caught there that weighed in around four or five pounds. The lake was established for residents here on Columbus AFB, so Airmen have a place they can fish that's real close. We have a feeder for the fish at the lake to try to maintain the fish population."

There are many other fishing opportunities off base that are well known and great options for just recreation and fishing with friends, or tournament and competition fishing.

"You have the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway; that is stocked," said Lockhart. "They do have tournament fishing, both crappie, bass and catfish tournaments, but you would want to use a boat if in a tournament. If you want to fish from the bank you can fish below the Lock and Dam on the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway. People have caught some real nice catfish there. I would use shad, chicken livers or gizzards if you can find them for bait."

Boats and canoes are available for rent at the Columbus AFB Outdoor Recreation building. Aside from waterways there is a multitude of lakes around Columbus AFB that are great for fishing.

"There are a number of lakes around Columbus AFB," said Lockhart. "There are big fishing tournaments all up and down Mississippi and the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway. You can fish at Lake Lowndes right of the bank."

Most fishermen have a specific time they like to fish, and it can make or break you catching a lot of fish or not even getting a bite.

"I like to fish real early in the morning or late in the afternoon," said Lockhart. "That is when fish typically like to feed."

Fishing is a great hobby to have, especially around Columbus AFB. It's a great way to get outdoors and have fun. Just be safe and make sure you have a fishing license.