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Great Fishing In Alabama

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Guide to fishing in the Yellowhammer State

By AA-Fishing Staff Writers

  • Bankhead Lake, AL
  • Jordan Lake, AL
  • Lake Eufaula, AL
  • Lake Guntersville, AL
  • Lake Harding, AL
  • Lake Martin, AL
  • Lake Mitchell, AL
  • Lake Tuscaloosa, AL
  • Lay Lake, AL
  • Lewis Smith Lake, AL
  • Logan Martin Lake, AL
  • Millers Ferry Reservoir, AL
  • Neely Henry Lake, AL
  • Pickwick Lake, AL
  • Weiss Lake, AL
  • West Point Lake, AL
  • Wheeler Lake, AL
  • Wilson Lake, AL

Alabama is a haven for anglers, offering a diverse range of fishing opportunities across its abundant waters. From warm water fisheries to cold water fisheries, ponds, lakes, and rivers, the state caters to the preferences of all types of anglers. The purpose of this page is to share basic information about the best fishing lakes in the state, plus the species found in each lake.

In Alabama's warm water fisheries, anglers can pursue popular species such as largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, catfish, crappie, sunfish, and more. Lakes like Lake Guntersville, Wheeler Lake, and Weiss Lake are renowned for their exceptional bass fishing, with anglers landing trophy-sized fish year after year. These lakes provide prime habitat for warm water species, offering anglers ample opportunities to hone their skills and reel in some impressive catches.

Alabama is also home to notable cold water fisheries, particularly in its rivers and streams. The Sipsey Fork of the Black Warrior River and the Tallapoosa River are renowned for their trout fishing. Rainbow trout and brown trout are stocked in these waters, providing a thrilling challenge for anglers seeking a cold water fishing adventure. These fisheries offer a serene and picturesque setting, making them popular among trout enthusiasts.

In addition to the lakes and rivers, Alabama's numerous ponds and small lakes provide excellent fishing opportunities. These smaller bodies of water are often stocked with various fish species, making them ideal for anglers looking for a more intimate fishing experience. Ponds and small lakes can be found throughout the state, offering a convenient and accessible option for anglers of all ages and skill levels.

Whether you prefer the thrill of reeling in a largemouth bass, the excitement of battling a feisty catfish, or the tranquility of trout fishing in a serene river, Alabama has it all. The variety of fish species and fishing environments in the state ensure that anglers can find their perfect fishing spot, whether it's a vast lake, a winding river, or a peaceful pond.

Anglers in Alabama have the opportunity to explore and discover the diverse fishing experiences offered by the state's warm water fisheries, cold water fisheries, ponds, lakes, and rivers. It's important to familiarize yourself with Alabama fishing regulations and obtain the necessary fishing licenses to ensure a responsible and enjoyable fishing experience. So grab your gear and head out to explore the bountiful fishing opportunities that Alabama has to offer.

Fishing Boats For Rent In Alabama

The state of Alabama offers a variety of fishing including lakes, ponds, streams and rivers. There are plenty of bass, crappie, walleye, catfish and sunfish. Here, you can fish for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, shoal bass, redeye bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, blue catfish, white catfish, black crappie, white crappie, walleye, rainbow trout, bluegill, green sunfish, longear sunfish, redbreast sunfish, redear sunfish, rock bass, warmouth, white bass, yellow bass, yellow perch, stripers, alligator gar, bowfin, chain pickerel, longnose gar, muskie, paddlefish, sauger and spotted gar in local lakes, rivers, ponds and/or streams.

Major Alabama Lakes & Species

Alabama major lakes and fish chart

Lake & Fish Chart

This chart shows the major angling destinations in Alabama, cross referencing these waters with the major species to be found in each of the lakes or impoundments. Many of these lakes offer fishing boats for rent.

For a detailed list of primary fish species in AL, plus state fish records, see the list below.

Fishing lake sizes and locations in the state.

Aliceville Lake is a 8,300-acre lake on the AL/MS border, 50 miles west of Tuscaloosa.

Bankhead Lake is a 9,000-acre lake in the northeast section of the state, 20 miles west of Birmingham.

Bear Creek Reservoir is a 1,500-acre lake in the northeast corner of AL, nearby Atwood.

Big Creek Lake is a 3,600-acre lake in the southeast corner of the state, 15 miles west of Mobile.

Cedar Creek Reservoir is a 4,000-acre lake in the northeast corner of the state, 1 mile north of Belgreen.

Gainesville Lake is a 6,400-acre lake on the AL/MS border northeast of Gainsville.

Jordan Lake is a 6,800-acre impoundment located 25 miles north of Montgomery in central Alabama on the Coosa River.

Lake Eufaula, AKA Walter F George Lake, is a 45,000-acre lake located in the southeast corner of the state, on the AL/GA border.

Lake Guntersville is a 68,000-acre lake located on the Tennessee River in the northeast corner of Alabama.

Lake Harding, AKA Bartlett’s Ferry Reservoir is a 5,800-acre lake located just north of Columbus, Georgia on the eastern border of GA and AL.

Lake Martin is a 40,000-acre lake located directly south of Alexander City in Central Alabama on the Talapoosa River.

Lake Mitchell is a 5,900-acre lake located 10 miles east of Clanton in central Alabama on the Coosa River.

Lake Oliver is a 2,100-acre lake on the AL/GA border at Phenix City.

Lake Tuscaloosa is a 5,900-acre reservoir located 5 miles north of Tuscaloosa in west-central Alabama on the Black Warrior River.

Lake Wedowee, AKA R L Harris Reservoir, is a 10,600-acre lake located in east-northeast Alabama on the upper Tallapoosa River west of Wedowee.

Lay Lake is a 12,000-acre lake located 30 miles south of Birmingham in east-central Alabama.

Logan Martin Lake is a 15,000-acre lake located in east-central Alabama on the Coosa River,30 miles east of Birmingham.

Neely Henry Lake is an 11,000-acre lake located on the Coosa River in the northeast of the state directly south of Gadsden.

Pickwick Lake is a 43,000-acre reservoir located in the extreme northwest corner Alabama on the Tennessee River.

R E Bob Woodruff Lake, AKA Jones Bluff Reservoir is a 12,500-acre lake located in central Alabama between Montgomery and Selma.

Smith Lake AKA Lewis Smith Lake is a 21,000-acre lake located in north-central Alabama on the Black Warrior River, about an hour north of Birmingham.

Weiss Lake is a 30,000-acre lake located in northeast Alabama on the Alabama and Georgia border on the Coosa River.

West Point Lake is a 26,000-acre lake located on the Chattahoochee River, along the GA - AL border at the vertical mid-point of the state.

Wheeler Lake is a 67,000-acre reservoir located in north-central Alabama at Decatur, AL on the Tennessee River.

William Bill Dannelly Reservoir AKA Millers Ferry Reservoir is the 35,000-acre body of water behind the Millers Ferry Lock & Dam, on the Alabama River in Central Alabama.

Wilson Lake is a 15,000-acre lake located in north-northeastern Alabama just south of Florence, Alabama on the Tennessee River.

Yates Lake is a 2,000-acre lake located in east-central Alabama on the Tallapoosa River about 30 minutes northeast of Montgomery.

Fish Species & State Records in Alabama

Bass

Largemouth Bass

Largemouth bass

World record: 22 lbs 4 oz

State Record: 16 lbs 8 oz

Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth bass

World record: 11 lbs 15 oz

State Record: 10 lbs 8 oz

Spotted Bass

Spotted bass

World record: 9 lbs 8 oz

State Record: 8 lbs 15 oz

Shoal Bass

Shoal bass

World record: 7 lbs 8 oz

State Record: 6 lbs 11 oz

Redeye Bass

Redeye bass

World record: 8 lbs 12 oz

State Record: 3 lbs 2 oz

Catfish

Channel Catfish

Channel catfish

World record: 58 lbs 0 oz

State Record: 40 lbs 0 oz

Flathead Catfish

Flathead catfish

World record: 123 lbs 9 oz

State Record: 80 lbs 0 oz

Blue Catfish

Blue catfish

World record: 143 lbs 0 oz

State Record: 120 lbs 4 oz

White Catfish

White catfish

World record: 22 lbs 0 oz

State Record: 10 lbs 5 oz

Crappie

Black Crappie

Black crappie

World record: 6 lbs 0 oz

State Record: 4 lbs 5 oz

White Crappie

White crappie

World record: 5 lbs 3 oz

State Record: 4 lbs 9 oz

Walleye & Sauger

Walleye

Walleye

World record: 25 lbs 0 oz

State Record: 10 lbs 14 oz

Sauger

Sauger

World record: 17 lbs 7 oz

State Record: 5 lbs 2 oz

Trout

Rainbow Trout

Rainbow trout

World record: 42 lbs 2 oz

State Record: 9 lbs 1 oz

Panfish

Bluegill

Bluegill

World record: 4 lbs 12 oz

State Record: 4 lbs 12 oz

Green Sunfish

Green sunfish

World record: 2.2 lbs

State Record: 1 lbs 9 oz

Longear Sunfish

Longear sunfish

World record: 1.75 lbs

State Record: 0 lbs 8 oz

Redbreast Sunfish

Redbreast sunfish

World record: 2 lbs 0 oz

State Record: 1 lbs 4 oz

Redear Sunfish

Redear sunfish

World record: 5.4 lbs

State Record: 4 lbs 4 oz

Rock Bass

Rock bass

World record: 3.0 lbs

State Record: 1 lbs 6 oz

Warmouth

Warmouth

World record: 2.4 lbs

State Record: 1 lbs 12 oz

White Bass

White Bass

World record: 6.8 lbs

State Record: 4 lbs 9 oz

Yellow Bass

Yellow bass

World record: 2 lbs 15 oz

State Record: 2 lbs 8 oz

Yellow Perch

Yellow perch

World record: 4 lbs 3 oz

State Record: 2 lbs 2 oz

Striped bass

Striped Bass

Stripers

Inland world record: 64 lbs 8 oz

State Record: 69 lbs 9 oz

Hybrid Striped Bass

Hybrid Striper (Wiper)

World record: 27 lbs 5 oz

State Record: 25 lbs 15 oz

Other species

Alligator Gar

Alligator gar

World record: 279 lbs

State Record: 151 lbs 9 oz

Bowfin

Bowfin

World record: 21 lbs 8 oz

State Record: 18 lbs 6 oz

Chain Pickerel

Chain pickerel

World record: 9 lbs 6 oz

State Record: 6 lbs 6 oz

Longnose Gar

Longnose gar

World record: 50 lbs 5 oz

State Record: 32 lbs 14 oz

Muskie

Muskie (Muskellunge)

World record: 69 lbs 9 oz

State Record: 19 lbs 8 oz

Paddlefish

Paddlefish

World record: 144 lbs

State Record: 52 lbs 12 oz
NOW PROTECTED IN AL

Spotted Gar

Spotted gar

World record: 9 lbs 12 oz

State Record: 8 lbs 12 oz

Click the images and links above for species details.

Fishing Eagle
An eagle watches for fish.

For fishing regulations and information about fishing in Alabama, visit the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources website. Click here for an Alabama Fishing Licence.

Alabama Fishing Guides

We are looking for information on local guides who offer services within Alabama. You can find a listing of AL fishing guides here. If you are a fishing guide in Alabama or know of a good resource, please send us information for consideration.

Bass fishing book

Fish for big bass

Excellent largemouth, smallmouth, spotted, shoal and redeye bass fishing opportunities are available to anglers in many lakes and ponds in Alabama.

 

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