Lake Lincoln State Park
Mississippi’s 550-Acre Lake Retreat — 71 RV Sites with Hookups, Cabins & Cottages, Beach, Bass & Crappie Fishing, Disc Golf & Nature Trails Near Wesson
Lake Lincoln State Park is a full-service recreation area on 550-acre Lake Lincoln near Wesson, Mississippi. The park offers 71 developed RV campsites with electric hookups (22 lakeside), 1 cabin, 3 cottages, a swimming beach, bass and crappie fishing, disc golf, nature trails, picnic shelters, and two bathhouses with hot showers and laundry. Lake Lincoln provides the complete Mississippi state park experience — affordable lakeside recreation with genuine Southern hospitality.
The 550-acre lake supports a productive warm-water fishery for largemouth bass, crappie, bream, and catfish. Fishing is rod-and-reel only (no trotlines, set lines, or jug fishing), maintaining a quality sport-fishing environment. A boat launch provides access, with idle speed and trolling motors only at night. The park’s convenient location between Jackson and Brookhaven makes it an easy weekend destination for families across central Mississippi.
Things to Do
Fishing
- Species: Largemouth bass, crappie, bream (bluegill/sunfish), catfish
- Habitat: Brush piles are the main fish-holding structure
- Regulations: Rod and reel / pole fishing ONLY — no trotlines, set lines, jug fishing, or commercial gear
- Night fishing: Permitted from shore and boat; idle speed and trolling motors only at night
- Sport fishing license and park fishing permit required
Swimming
- Beach area: Sandy beach on Lake Lincoln
- Seasonal: Generally open Memorial Day through Labor Day
Boating
- Boat launch: Ramp access to 550-acre lake
- Night operation: Idle speed and trolling motors only after dark
Recreation
- Disc golf: On-site course
- Nature trail: Wooded trail through lakeside forest
- Playground and playing fields
- Picnic shelters
Camping & Lodging
| Type | Features |
|---|---|
| RV Sites (71) | Electric hookups; concrete pads; concrete picnic tables; grills; 22 lakeside sites; dump station |
| Cabin (1) | Furnished cabin |
| Cottages (3) | Furnished cottages for families/groups |
Facilities: Two bathhouses with hot showers, central A/C and heat, laundry facility. Reservations via Reserve America.
Best Time to Visit
| Season | Highlights | Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Spring (Mar–May) | ⭐ PEAK FISHING: Bass spawn; crappie run; comfortable temps; wildflowers; beach opening | Spring rain; popular weekends; reserve early |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | ⭐ Beach open; full services; longest days; family season; catfish active | Hot and humid (90°F+); thunderstorms; mosquitoes; drink water |
| Fall (Sep–Nov) | Comfortable temps; bass active; disc golf; quiet; off-peak rates | Beach closed; shorter days; some services seasonal |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | Mild Mississippi winter; catfish fishing; solitude; lowest rates; cabins year-round | Cooler; limited services; shorter days |
Visitor Tips
- Lakeside sites: Of the 71 RV sites, 22 are lakeside — these are the premium spots. Reserve early for weekends and holidays.
- Rod-and-reel only: Lake Lincoln enforces rod-and-reel/pole fishing only — no trotlines, set lines, jug fishing, or commercial gear. This maintains quality sport fishing.
- Brush piles: The lake’s brush pile structure is the key to finding fish — crappie and bass hold tight to submerged brush. Ask at the park office for current brush pile locations.
- Bathhouse quality: The two bathhouses feature hot showers, central A/C and heat, and laundry — among the best facilities in the Mississippi state park system.
- Disc golf: Lake Lincoln has an on-site disc golf course — bring your discs for a round between fishing sessions.
- Location: The park is between Jackson and Brookhaven on I-55 — a convenient weekend escape from Mississippi’s capital.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you swim at Lake Lincoln State Park?
Yes — Lake Lincoln State Park features a swimming beach on the 550-acre lake, generally open from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The beach provides sandy shoreline access for swimming and wading. The park also offers 71 RV campsites (22 lakeside), a cabin, three cottages, and complete facilities including bathhouses with hot showers.
What are the fishing rules at Lake Lincoln?
Lake Lincoln enforces rod-and-reel or pole fishing only. Trotlines, set lines, jug fishing, and commercial fishing gear are not permitted. Night fishing is allowed from shore and by boat, but boats must operate at idle speed with trolling motors only after dark. A Mississippi sport fishing license and a park fishing permit are both required. The 550-acre lake supports largemouth bass, crappie, bream, and catfish, with brush piles serving as the main fish-holding structure.
Last updated: May 2026
