Very few people have complained about the recent drop in temperatures in the Miss-Lou. In fact, it seems everybody is in a better mood – even the fish.

&uot;The fish have really been going nuts,&uot; said angler Eddie Roberts of Brian’s Marine in Vidalia, La. &uot;You notice people getting along better, not being as grouchy. It’s the same with the fish.&uot;

With the summer drought causing low water levels and the summer heat making days in the sun nearly unbearable, fishing was not a particularly pleasurable or profitable endeavor early in September.

But the recent cool spell has dropped the water temperature of most area lakes from the mid-90s to around 75 degrees, Roberts said.

&uot;The prime temperature for bass fishing is right at 72 degrees, and we’re near that now,&uot; he said. &uot;That’s one reason we’re seeing more fish.&uot;

Another reason is the natural migration of bait fish to warmer, more shallow waters as the weather cools the lakes’ temperatures.

&uot;The shad and brim do it first, and the bass, being predators, follow them,&uot; Roberts said. &uot;It’s a chain reaction.&uot;

The drought and heat had forced many fish into deeper, cooler waters for much of the summer, making them harder to catch.

Sue Powell of the Natchez State Park said she has seen evidence of bass returning to more shallow water.

&uot;There was a guy last week who caught about 20 bass in 10 feet of water on worms,&uot; she said.

However, the cooler temperatures won’t fix the low water levels of area lakes.

&uot;All we need is some fresh water, some rain, and we’ll be back in business,&uot; Roberts said. &uot;I’ve been doing this for 30 years or so, and I’ve never seen water this low.&uot;

The 230-acre lake at Natchez State Park is 7 feet low, Powell said.

&uot;People need to take caution launching boats in all area lakes,&uot; Roberts said.