The extremely low level of the Mississippi River may create navigation problems for barge traffic but it is a big plus for the area fishermen and ladies. We are fortunate to have three “live” oxbow lakes along the west bank of the river within a short drive of Natchez.

Deer Park is located 17 miles south of Vidalia. The Old River, known locally as Minorca, lies just across the levee between Vidalia and Ferriday. Yucatan is a 45-minute drive north of Vidalia near Lake Bruin.

These Old River bend lakes are influenced by the Mississippi River until the gauge at Natchez drops below 14 feet. During the lower stages these productive fishing waters become land locked from any influence from the river.

All are home to a good population of bream, black bass, crappie, white bass and a few sea-run stripers not to mention some monster catfish.

The water level of the Old Rivers can fluctuate as much as 30 to 40 feet.

Take advantage of the lower stages. The river stage at Natchez today is 11.3 feet. At this level the majority of cover the fish use during the higher stages is high and dry.

Just idle around and mark the now visible cover on your GPS. When the Mississippi River rises you’ll have a many new areas to fish.

Another plus during the lower river levels is that the lack of visible cover tends to bunch the fish up on what little cover remains in the water. In other words the fish have a lot less cover to hold on so now is a great time to fish the Old Rivers.

The public and pay ramps are in fair shape at Minorca and Yucatan but be careful at Deer Park. Small boats will have no problem but be careful launching a big bass rig.

Fall is in the air and October is great month for fishing the protected oxbow lakes as well. Lakes Concordia, Bruin and St. John offer some great bass fishing this season.

Water temperatures are cooling off and pleasure boat traffic has really thinned out. The number one forage base this month is shad.

Threadfin shad spend most of the summer months suspended over deep water in the middle of the lakes. When water temps drop below 80 degrees shad will move toward the shallows. The bass, bream and crappie holding on shallow structure take advantage of this and feed on the shad.

Fishermen can take advantage of this too. Just keep an eye out for shad flipping around on the surface between the piers and in the flats on either end of the oxbow lakes. As I mentioned many times the blue and white herons can help you locate the shad.

If you see the herons wading and actively feeding near the banks you can bet the shad are present and the bass, stripers and crappie will be around at one time or another.

Get ready for a great month of fishing. Wear your life jacket, practice safe boating and keep only what you need and release the rest. Good luck to all.

Eddie roberts writes a weekly fishing colum for the Democrat. He can be reached at fishingwitheddie@cox.net