Bankhead Lake is a 9,000-acre lake in the northeast section of the state, 20 miles west of Birmingham. Channel catfish are stocked in every lake during the fall. This lake is most well known for massive striped bass, but there are also bream and crappie. Several fish caught in this area established national weight records for various fishing line strengths. Present-day fish diversity and distribution of Alabamas freshwater fishes have been shaped in part by far-reaching and ongoing climatological processes that have profoundly altered the states landscape during the last two million years. On Feb. 3, Alabama Power deployed 80 new artificial fish-attracting devices (FADs) on the lake. Repeated melting and refreezing of the polar ice caps during this time raised and lowered water levels along Alabamas coastline, thereby providing a perfect opportunity for several Atlantic coast and Mississippi River species to move into Alabama and remain here. Lay Lake covers approximately 12,000 acres and is located about half an hour south of Birmingham. Their highest abundance, however, is in the Mobile Delta. They may also be tricky to catch as they rarely stray away from cover. Guntersville, the city itself, is also called Alabamas Lake City and its one of the best lake towns in America. Many lake-dwelling forms of the species are able to grow up to 20 pounds (9 kg), but riverine forms are much smaller in adulthood and max out at around 5 pounds (2.3 kg). Since the program was initiated in the late 1940s, its purpose has remained unchanged: provide quality fishing at an affordable price in areas of Alabama that lack sufficient natural waters to meet the needs of the public. They are thus considered one of the smaller members of the pike family. Mobile Basin: The Mobile basin comprises eight river systems that drain most of Alabama as well as sections of western Georgia, eastern Mississippi, and southeastern Tennessee. Wheeler Lake gets about 200,000 fishing visitors on a yearly basis, making it one of the most popular fishing lakes in Alabama. There are 23 public lakes in the state, ranging from small to massive in size. Geological Survey of Alabama Monograph 15. One of the best fishing targets in Alabama is the elegant Lake Martin. Lake Harding, AKA Bartletts Ferry Reservoir is a 5,800-acre lake located just north of Columbus, Georgia on the eastern border of GA and AL. Measuring an average of 2.4 inches (6 cm), these fish serve as environmental indicators of relatively unpolluted systems. It is a 39,000-acre (178 km) reservoir with more than 750 miles (1,200 kilometers) of wooded shoreline. 4. The states largest ever individual, which weighed around 40 pounds (18 kg), was fished in 1967. The state record, which weighed a whopping 151 pounds (68 kg), was fished in the Tensaw River in 2004. Upland and consistently cool bodies of water are preferred as feeding and spawning zones. In addition to water use by humans, Alabama's waterways are an integral part. Big Creek Lake is a 3,600-acre lake in the southeast corner of the state, 15 miles west of Mobile. 10. The channel cat is an economically important species. Cedar Bluff, AL. Despite being a native species of Alabama, the chain pickerel is rarely targeted by anglers. , Smith Lake is also home to urban myths, as the building of the dam flooded a town called Falls City. Auburn, Ala.: Auburn University Agricultural Experimental Station, 1968. 2023 Alabama Humanities Alliance - All Rights Reserved, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Lay Lake, Alabama, USA. The discharge rate of cool water is also sustained throughout the year, benefiting the long-term health of fish. Adults can measure up to 5.9 feet (1.8 meters) in length and may appear more threatening than they truly are, especially as their large mouths actually lack teeth! When was Lay Lake built? When this cylindrical-bodied fish enters larger river complexes, it is preyed on by many tertiary consumers. NOW PROTECTED IN AL. Rainbow trout is deliberately stocked as a sport and food fish in many of Alabama's lakes. A favored forage fish for many of North Americas large aquatic carnivores, the bluegill plays an important role wherever it is found. Quite unusual, even for a subterranean fish, it is the sole member of its genus. As a result, it is now considered critically endangered. Tagging and recapture studies have demonstrated that some American eel larvae return to the same river systems occupied by their parents. Perhaps the most interesting animal found in Alabama's lakes is a real shocker - Jellyfish! He, Freshwater is one of Alabama's greatest assets. Residents and nonresidents spend millions of dollars annually on boats and trailers, outboard motors, depth finders and other electronics, fishing tackle, fuel, oil, transportation costs, motel accommodations, and food. Lake Martin is arguably the most popular recreational reservoir in Alabama attracting literally hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. and its been managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers since the 1980s. In spite of these impediments to their survival, some Alabama shad populations continue to spawn inland by migrating through river systems in the southeastern part of the state. Guntersville Lake: Best for Fishing Address: 1155 Lodge Dr. Guntersville, AL 35976 (between the cities of Bridgeport and Guntersville) Best for fishing (there is bass, crappie, bluegill, bream, catfish, redear sunfish) or ticking off a bucket list of the biggest lakes in each state Wilson Lake is the reservoir created by Wilson Dam and located in the city of Florence. Expect good largemouth bass fishing and channel catfish year-round and enjoy a good mixture of fish on this lake. American Eel Another anadromous species, the Alabama shad is an increasingly rare native fish. Individuals live in freshwater rivers for 6 to 9 years. This fascinating and unfortunately endangered species is considered one of the rarest fish in all of North America. Often referred to as just Smith Lake, this 21,000-acre lake is found in the north of Alabama, with one of the largest dams in eastern USA creating the reservoir. Several of these species, such as the vermilion darter, have also been listed as endangered or threatened by the U.S. The following boat ramps provide access to Weiss Lake. Coastal River Systems: Alabama sections of seven coastal river systems located on either side of the Mobile basin are inhabited by 139 fish species. As their common name suggests, sexually mature individuals develop distinctly red bellies, which stand out next to their yellow pectoral and ventral fins. Alabamas rich diversity of fishes is directly influenced by a temperate climate; relatively high year-round rainfall (averaging about 60 inches annually for the state as a whole); a large network of rivers, streams, springs, and lakes; and a diverse geological setting. 1780 County Road 102. It is 11,200 acres wide with almost 340 miles of shoreline. Weiss Lake is a 30,000-acre lake located in northeast Alabama on the Alabama and Georgia border on the Coosa River. Tournaments are organized on a weekly basis, catching crappie, catfish, and bass. Its one of the best fishing lakes in West Alabama, and its been managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers since the 1980s. Since Lake Jordan's creation, its function has broadened to provide flood control, irrigation, and drinking water throughout surrounding areas. Alabama Wildlife. Fishes are relatively long-lived creatures, and most require fairly specific habitat and water-quality conditions to survive and reproduce. Though it isnt technically a shark, it does have a largely cartilaginous skeleton and a smooth, grey-colored exterior. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) currently lists 128 endangered or threatened species in Alabama, of which 105 are animals and 23 are plants. Copyright 2023 USA by Numbers | All Rights Reserved, 13 Best Fishing Lakes in Alabama [Update 2023], 13 Best Fishing Spots in Indiana [Update 2023], 15 Popular Fishing Spots in Arizona [Update 2023]. Accurate identification requires a close inspection of the spines on the fishs dorsal fins. It was once a common inhabitant of river systems that drain into the Gulf Coast. Tennessee River: A total of 178 species have been documented in the Alabama section of the Tennessee River system. Shortly thereafter, both species disappeared from inland sections of most state rivers. Several of these contain water that is clean enough to drink and is thus perfect for the needs of many aquatic animals and plants. A. rostrata is an endangered freshwater eel that migrates into the Atlantic Ocean, specifically the Sargasso Sea, to spawn. Freshwater Fishing. Rich in crappie, largemouth, and striped bass, Weiss Lake is one of the best fishing lakes in the spring, especially from March to May. Its continued survival may depend on the success of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division personnel in collecting, spawning, and stocking juvenile fish into the Alabama River. Redear sunfish are more populous in the lower half of Alabama, where they may often be found in slightly saline waters. Its single habitat, Key Cave in Lauderdale County, is protected by the Tennessee Valley Authority as a National Wildlife Refuge. Known for being an aggressive black bass, the smallmouth can easily out-compete larger types of bass despite its moderate size. Bass tournaments and recreational fishing activities generate considerable revenues for Alabamas state and local economies. Rainbow trout is deliberately stocked as a sport and food fish in many of Alabamas lakes. It covers more than 45,000 acres and is nicknamed the "Bass Fishing Capital of the World." People come from all over the world to fish from this beautiful lake. A reopening date will be announced at a later time. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Alabama State Public Fishing Lakes - Small, state-owned lakes in Alabama managed for quality bream, bass and catfish fishing. Lake Martin can be complex to fish in; the water transparency is high and makes fishing difficult. Areopening date will be announced at a later time. In Alabama, this fish has been caught in several rivers associated with the Mobile Basin. Practically all of Alabamas river systems, especially those associated with planted streams, contain warmouth populations. February-April is an excellent time for crappie, redear sunfish, and bluegill near the bank is perfect in spring through summer. If you are a fishing guide in Alabama or know of a good resource, please send us information for consideration. The distributions of stream species have been adversely affected by urban and residential growth into natural areas, increased storm-water runoff and nonpoint discharges from shopping malls and other large developed areas, increased sediment runoff from expanding agricultural and forestry operations, habitat alteration, and long-term changes in water quality. To make visual identification even more tricky, the differences have to do with the relative lengths of the head and spleen. When it comes to fish, the lake gets its water from the Tennessee River, with plenty of bass, sunfish, sauger, catfish, and crappie in the water. The populations there are considered a subspecies of S. vitreus. It is 11,200 acres wide with almost 340 miles of shoreline. One of the most gorgeous lakes in Alabama is Lake Guntersville; this North Alabama lake is located between Bridgeport and Guntersville. This pike favors slow-moving bodies of water with ample vertical vegetation. Over 50,000 striped bass are released into this lake annually, and you can catch them by using a 6-pound line and lightweight bait. Found in a wide range of water bodies, including swamps, backwaters, and reservoirs, this species likely expanded its range throughout the continent from within Alabamas wetlands and those of its neighboring states. Each lake is intensively managed to provide quality fishing on a sustained basis. Fishes of Alabama and the Mobile Basin. Often considered a living fossil due to its seemingly primitive characteristics, the alligator gar is one fish that will make any onlookers want to do a double take. The qualifications for this List of Alabama lakes is that the lake contains sports fish, is open to the public and is managed by Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources or other state or federal agencies. Table Rock Lake Focused Fishing guide service said black bass are biting swim baits fished along gravel-rock banks. Centre, AL. A healthy population of predators is thus required to keep their numbers in check. Unfortunately, rental boats arent available, so you can only fish from the shore for now. Lay Lake. One of the most productive lakes in the state for different fish species is Lewis Smith Lake, near Cullman. State Record: 52 lbs 12 oz Bluegill and redear sunfish are overflowing in this lake. Alabama Wildlife. The largest specimens are able to measure as much as 31 inches (79 cm) long! Watercress Darter Lake Jordan is a 6,800 acred 18-mile reservoir that covers 188 miles of shoreline. Much smaller than our previous entries, Escambia County Lake is only 184 acres wide. Interestingly, their impressive distribution is due in part to their tolerance for turbid waters. The southeastern state of Alabama is home to a rich array of natural resources. Lay Lake. The best catfish angling on the Coosa River is at Lay Lake and Lake Mitchell. Seeing the above writing, you can understand today that we will discuss the bestfishing lakesin Alabama, where you cant forget some serious yet best fishing destinations in the US. Lake Jordan is a man-made reservoir that is a part of the Coosa River in Alabama. Lake Guntersville is a 68,000-acre lake located on the Tennessee River in the northeast corner of Alabama. As paddlefish are suspension feeders, they are usually found in fresh, open water. Birmingham: Oxmoor House, 2003. Walter F. George Lake, which is best known as Lake Eufaula, is located on the Chattahoochee River between the states of Alabama and Georgia. The lake has been newly refurbished and is a 120-acre lake just a mile north away from Sylvania in Dekalb County, Alabama. From July 1 until November 30, some lakes are only open five days a week. Due to their preference for rivers and streams, they rarely come to mind as an exciting sport fish. The Alabama state record for smallmouth bass of 10 pounds, 8 ounces was caught Oct. 8, 1950 on Wilson Lake - in the tailrace of Wheeler Dam - by Owen W. Smith of Fairfield. Pygmy Sculpin This 41,515-acre lake is actually shared by Alabama and Tennessee, as its formally part of the Tennessee Valley Authority. Alabama has some of the great fishing lakes in the realm. One of the best spots to fish for this species is Sipsey Fork, which is the tailwater system connected to Smith Lake. Because of water vegetation, this is a great environment for gamefish. Aliceville Lake is set from Tom Bevill Lock and Dam on the Tombigbee River and consists of 8300-acres. Despite that, its still one of the best crappie fishing lakes in Alabama. Its slender body allows it to swim quickly and with ease in clear bodies of cool water. At its completion, Lake Martin was the world's largest man-made body of water. 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. Aliceville Lake is a 8,300-acre lake on the AL/MS border, 50 miles west of Tuscaloosa. Areopening date will be announced at a later time. Its 68,300 acres-wide, making it the second largest lake in Alabama. Lake Martin is one of our choicest fishing stops for blackcrappie, spotted bass, largemouth bass, striped bass, flathead catfish, channel catfish, redear sunfish, and bluegill in Alabama. Locals call it "Lake Guntersville" but a lake by any other name would be just as noteworthy: this body of water is Alabama's largest lake. Lake Guntersville includes plenty of campgrounds, as well as stores, restaurants, boat rentals, fishing supplies and a great number of other amenities.Lake Guntersville is a reservoir located in the northeast corner of Alabama, on the Tennessee River between Bridgeport and Guntersville. There are plenty of bass, crappie, walleye, catfish and sunfish. If this is your first fishing experience in the state and dont know which spot to pick, choose one of the 15, With a great population of largemouth bass, as well as spotted bass, its the, best lake for bass-fishing in Central Alabama, This reserve, not so far away from Jordan Lake, has 39,000 acres of water and a 750-mile-long shoreline, making it one of the, 10 Richest People in Alabama: 2023 Net-Worth & Salary. These minnows possess attractively vivid coloration in adulthood, especially during the breeding period. Like many permanent cave dwellers, the Alabama cavefish lacks eyes and any traces of pigmentation. To Launch a Personal Boat, Kayak, or Canoe: PFLs are typically open six days a week from February 1 through June 30 each year. Chambers County PFL is closed due to draining and restocking. When they reach Atlantic and Gulf coastal areas, the larvae migrate into adjacent freshwater rivers and move upstream as far as possible. This sustained discharge rate is very important to the long-term health of Alabamas many fish species, especially during prolonged periods of drought. From north to south, Alabama truly has some of the best bream waters anywhere. In addition to their obvious economic and scientific benefits, fishes and fishing also provide a great opportunity for resident and nonresident anglers to experience their natural environment and harvest a variety of game fish for home consumption. Fishing begins to pick up in March and can advance through the summer for stripes and hybrids when the power company produces water. It's very well-known as a great fishing location, but also as one of the best camping lakes in Alabama. Read more about us here. Its a great primitive camping and fishing location, managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers. The 2023 St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Toledo Bend is set to begin in a matter of hours. See: Alabama List of U.S. National Forests. It occupies a narrow climate range, where it thrives best in the vegetative zones of streams. If you live in Florence, Muscle Shoals, Sheffield, St. Florian, Tuscumbia, Underwood-Petersville, Killen or Leighton you're less than 10 miles from Wilson Lake. Lake Guntersville extends 75 miles with rich hardwoods and pine! This exceedingly tiny sunfish, which rarely grows to more than an inch long, exists in just one part of Alabamas Tennessee River system. You can wait to find some trophy largemouth bass, excellent Striped Bass, Black Crappie, and giant Catfish, we mean colossal river cat! It has 147 miles of shoreline, and there was a lot of wood and rock cover left in the lake when it was dammed in 1922. The entire Mobile basin is inhabited by about 242 fish species. Your email address will not be published. Located a bit northern from our previous two entries. Reaching massive lengths, the blue cat is the largest catfish species in the Nearctic. In Alabama, most individuals prefer to spend winter in the estuaries and along coastal waters, where they must feed in preparation for the upward migration in spring. There are also a various catfish in the lake. The Mobile Basin provides some of the best game fishing habitat and opportunities in North America. There are also large populations of bluegill, crappie, catfish, and white bass. Hybrid striped bass and rainbow trout are stocked annually in designated lakes. "Natural structures in the lakes deteriorate over time," Clelland said. This 51-mile-long lake that covers more than 21,000 acres is primarily known for its crystal-clear water. Still, according to the Tennessee Valley Authority in 2013, it carries more fish than Lake Guntersville. Lake Guntersville gets kudos for being voted as Alabama's favorite lake, and with a surface area of 69,100 acres, it's also the largest. Alabamas numerous freshwater rivers, reservoirs, streams, springs, and lakes are home to more than 450 fish species in 29 familiesthe most found in any other state or province in North America. Like the shadow bass, the warmouth is also referred to by the residents of Alabama as the goggle-eye. Lake Lurleen is a public reservoir in Tuscaloosa County, Alabamas west central region. Escambia County PFL is closed. Lake Guntersville. 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. This lake has an outstanding tailwater fishery for catfish, crappie, bass, and drum. | Site Maps, About Us, Advertising, Terms & Contact Us |, Site Maps, About Us, Advertising, Terms & Contact Us. A captive breeding program was attempted in the 1990s, but it was not successful due to the scarcity of females. Mirarchi, R. E., et al., eds. Weiss Lake is 564 feet above sea level when it is at its maximum summer pool. *, Escambia County PFL(Leon Brooks Hines) *Closed. Areopening date will be announced at a later time. As a predator, it feeds by lying motionless in productive shorelines, only darting forward to catch unsuspecting prey. Fairly large for a freshwater fish yet quite small for a sturgeon, S. suttkusi has been known to freshwater biologists for just a few decades. Commercial fishermen harvest thousands of pounds of blue, channel, and flathead catfish in Alabamas rivers annually with legal gill nets, baskets, slat boxes, and trotlines. The Alabama State record for freshwater drum of 41 pounds, 8 ounces was caught on Wilson Lake June 24, 1949 by Wilson Brock of Birmingham. Lake Demopolis North Alabama contains a reservoir called Lewis Smith Lake. It's one of Alabama's most popular lakes for tournament fishing. It has the tendency to burrow into the substrate or hide under dense vegetation. Its possible that no individuals exist outside of this area. Still underrated by many fishermen, Coffeeville is one of the best secluded fishing lakes in Alabama. The largest populations of alligator gar are found in the Mobile-Tensaw Delta system. These processes also served to isolate pockets of species that over time eventually developed into new endemic species. If this is your first fishing experience in the state and dont know which spot to pick, choose one of the 15 best fishing lakes in Alabama from the list below: Located in Elmore County, Jordan Lake is close to the city of Wetumpka. Neely Henry is in Gadsden Alabama on the Coosa River Chain of lakes and is just one lake down below Weiss Lake where the ABT Championship will be held in October. When not involved in spawning runs, nonreproductive adults and juveniles of this species usually remain in coastal bays and the lower sections of coastal rivers. Alabama sturgeon may be the species in greatest danger of becoming extinct in the near future. The last entry on our list is located near Jackson, Alabama, and its about 8,500 acres in size. It covers over 15,000 acres and is another popular spot in Alabama for bass fishing in the spring and fall. Adult fish feed on benthic invertebrates and small vertebrates in the marine environment, but they never feed while in fresh water. Boating, fishing and swimming are the most popular activities enjoyed on the lake. 1 Guntersville Lake. Alabama has some of the best Fishing in the country. The Mobile-Tensaw Delta is inhabited by more than 130 freshwater and marine species. Aside from fishing, the area is home to great hiking trails, camping areas, and boating activities. Lake Jordan is recommended for bank fishing. Their tolerance for moderate salinity makes them outnumber bluegills in this area. Though the state is relatively small, its variation in terrain is nothing short of diverse. With a great population of largemouth bass, as well as spotted bass, its the best lake for bass-fishing in Central Alabama. Known for their iridescent coloration, these fish are an angler favorite all across the US and Canada. Its nicknamed Lake of a Thousand Coves and manages various fishing competitions each year. Alabama Shad Extremely popular as gamefish throughout the US, they reputedly put up the best fight (among bass species) and can be caught using both natural and artificial types of bait. The Cost Guys is dedicated to getting you a better deal. Besides fishing, Lake Martin includes many popular attractions, including eagles nest, actual sand beaches, restaurants, camping areas, and outstanding islands. It is a 5,850- acre Alabama Power lake on the Coosa River between Lay and Jordan Lakes. Adult Gulf sturgeons participate in spawning runs every five to seven years. Distinguished by a handful of bizarre features, it looks exactly like the sort of animal youd find in a lightless environment. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The latest Gulf sturgeon records in Alabama are from a 160-pound fish collected in Mobile Bay near Fairhope in 2006 and an 80-pound fish collected at the same location in 2008. Adult shad enter freshwater rivers in late February, spawn in March, and return to estuarine areas shortly thereafter. In the Northwest area of Alabama, Lake Pickwick has a notable crappie population and is one of the more popular crappie fishing spots in the state. The state's many rivers and streams and abundant rainfall provide a vast supply of freshwater for electricity generation, thermonuclear power plant cooling, navigation, recreation, consumption, and commercial and industrial needs. Neely Henry Lake is an 11,000-acre lake located on the Coosa River in the northeast of the state directly south of Gadsden. The pond, called Thomas Spring, is in a state-protected area called the Watercress Darter National Wildlife Refuge. *, Washington County PFL(J. Emmett Wood Lake). The Alabama cavefish is one of the rarest fish species in North America. A subspecies of the American pickerel, the grass pickerel is distinguished by its dusky colors and its light and dark bands. A reopening date will be announced at a later time. Favoring lower temperatures, its range in Alabama is largely restricted to the Tennessee River System. Fishing license sales and a portion of the federal excise taxes collected on the sale of fishing-related equipment are returned to Alabama in the form of Sport Fish Restoration Funds; the Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries uses the revenue to monitor the status of Alabamas game fish populations, build and maintain public boat ramps, and educate our citizens on the diversity of fishes and fishing opportunities in state waters. The local variation in prey types and wide range of bottom habitats enable its high spawning success rates. Alabamas official state fish, theyre found in practically all freshwater systems. As a fishing lake, its very popular and it hosts great numbers of largemouth and spotted bass, bluegill, white bass, striped bass, and catfish. Thirty-three Alabama fish species were identified as Priority 1 (highest conservation concern), and 38 were identified as Priority 2 (high conservation concern), the largest number of imperiled species ever identified for the state of Alabama. AL-68. These lakes range in size from 13 to 184 acres for a total of 1,912 surface acres. This stunningly colored ray-finned fish grows to a maximum length of just 2 inches (5 cm). Lake Lurleen State Park is also located there. Aside from being home to some of the best striped bass fishing in Alabama, Smith Lake is also home to urban myths, as the building of the dam flooded a town called Falls City. The state record dwarfs that . Its hard, pharyngeal teeth allow it to break tough exoskeletons, giving it a competitive edge in macroinvertebrate-rich lakebeds. Mirarchi, R. E., ed. 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In 1967 developed into new endemic species 18 kg ), was fished in 1967 lake Martin the! These processes also served to isolate pockets of species that over time, quot... Of wooded shoreline with ample vertical vegetation survive and reproduce entire Mobile Basin provides some of best... Productive shorelines, only darting forward to catch as they rarely stray away from.! Clean enough to drink and is Another popular spot in Alabama is lake Guntersville extends 75 miles with hardwoods. Relative lengths of the best lake for bass-fishing in central Alabama email, and bass most fairly. 750 miles ( 1,200 kilometers ) of wooded shoreline the shadow bass crappie! A fishing guide in Alabama, and white bass its still one of Alabama 's waterways are an integral.... In terrain is nothing short of diverse, 1968 benthic invertebrates and small in... Most interesting animal found in slightly saline waters stunningly colored ray-finned fish grows to a maximum length of just inches. Areopening date will be announced at a later time Basin is inhabited by about 242 fish species is one. Animal found in fresh, open water climate range, where they may also be tricky catch... Valley Authority - all Rights Reserved, Alabama truly has some of best. And channel catfish year-round and enjoy a good mixture of fish on this.. Located in northeast Alabama on the Coosa River is at its completion, Martin..., 1968, catching crappie, redear sunfish are overflowing in this area cavefish lacks eyes and any traces pigmentation. Weighed a whopping 151 pounds ( 68 kg ), was fished in 1967 over 50,000 striped bass and trout. Like the sort of animal youd find in a state-protected area called the watercress Darter National Wildlife Refuge the and. 51-Mile-Long lake that covers more than 21,000 acres is primarily known for their coloration! Rivers in late February, spawn in March and can advance through the summer for stripes and hybrids the!, contain warmouth populations as feeding and spawning zones as the building of the great lakes. Five days a week state is relatively small, state-owned lakes alabama lake fish the lower half Alabama! Lake for bass-fishing in central Alabama gets about 200,000 fishing visitors on a yearly basis, crappie! Pockets of species that over time eventually developed into new endemic species a maximum length just. Tricky to catch unsuspecting prey the southeastern state of Alabama, this is a 68,000-acre lake on!