Bass tournaments and recreational fishing activities generate considerable revenues for Alabamas state and local economies. Smallmouth bass are usually bioindicators of clean lake systems due to their poor tolerance for pollution. They use their extended rostrums to detect these microscopic animals, which they filter out using their gill rakers. Its no surprise, then, that the Alabama watershed is perceived as the Amazon of the US. Adult Gulf sturgeons participate in spawning runs every five to seven years. In Alabama, the common carp can grow to enormous sizes sometimes up to three times the size of your typical largemouth bass specimen! Fortunately, this fantastic food fish is naturally found in several of Alabamas large river systems. As a carnivore, it is most successful in densely vegetated areas, where it can effectively ambush its prey. It is a recreational lake with fishing opportunities for large mouth bass, spotted bass, bluegill and other sunfish, crappie, catfish, striped bass, hybrid and white bass. The average discharge of the Mobile basin is about 0.94 million gallons of water per day per square mile, From July 1 until November 30, some lakes are only open five days a week. Bluegills are found all throughout Alabama as they can persist in smaller bodies of water. Located a bit northern from our previous two entries. Neely Henry Lake consists of 339 miles of coastline and 129,800 acre-feet established near the city of Gadsden on the Coosa River. Lay Lake is a 12,000-acre reservoir fed by the tailwaters of the Logan Martin Dam. Its hard, pharyngeal teeth allow it to break tough exoskeletons, giving it a competitive edge in macroinvertebrate-rich lakebeds. Besides fishing, Lake Martin includes many popular attractions, including eagles nest, actual sand beaches, restaurants, camping areas, and outstanding islands. Little River Marina and Lodge. When crappie fishing in Alabama, anglers generally know the top destinations. Yates Lake is a 2,000-acre lake located in east-central Alabama on the Tallapoosa River about 30 minutes northeast of Montgomery. Lake Lurleen State Park is also located there. Lake Jordan is recommended for bank fishing. See: Alabama List of U.S. National Forests. It has seven public access areas from where you can enjoy boating. When it comes to camping, this lake is managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Areopening date will be announced at a later time. That being said, the freshwater angling is no less impressive, thanks to the numerous lakes and rivers scattered throughout the state. The movement and retreat of northern glaciers extended the southern ranges of several northern species into northern Alabama. The larvae of this species are carried by ocean currents for several months, during which time they undergo one or two major changes in physical appearance. One of the most productive lakes in the state for different fish species is Lewis Smith Lake, near Cullman. A boat ramp and a fishing pier are available, as well as restrooms and a pavilion. 6. Big Creek Lake is a 3,600-acre lake in the southeast corner of the state, 15 miles west of Mobile. Surrounded by the Appalachian foothills, this section of the Tennessee River offers some of the state's best flatwater paddling and kayak fishing. Thats right, these shark-like fish have a diet that consists primarily of zooplankton. Pygmy Sculpin All lakes were originally stocked with largemouth bass, bluegill (bream), and redear sunfish (shellcracker). Aside from daily fishing throughout most of the year, night fishing is also organized during the summer. The bass bites best from February to May, as well as early fall. Read more about us here. The state record, which weighed a whopping 151 pounds (68 kg), was fished in the Tensaw River in 2004. Largemouth Bass are the nation's favorite fish, and Alamaba is an awesome place to catch them. 1780 County Road 102. As they rely on visual cues to feed, their success rate as predators is best in high-visibility waters. Geological Survey of Alabama Monograph 15. It is grown in aquaculture farms and is fished commercially in some of Alabamas most productive freshwater systems. Although very few sightings have been recorded in the last 10 years, traces of this fishs DNA continue to be found in water samples collected from the river. Largemouth bass and crappie are the most common species, with most fish ranging from 10 to 18 inches. Its slender and snake-like body is covered in fine scales, which are often difficult to see due to the thick layer of mucus covering them. Wilson Lake holds Blue catfish, Smallmouth bass, Largemouth bass, Striped bass, and White Bass. In Jefferson County, Alabama, lies a small pond that houses one of the last living populations of the endangered watercress darter. Like the shadow bass, the warmouth is also referred to by the residents of Alabama as the goggle-eye. The lake is very fertile and has a good population of bass and the baitfish they feed on. Its fragile population is increasingly threatened by polluted runoff and dredging. The last entry on our list is located near Jackson, Alabama, and its about 8,500 acres in size. Smith-Vaniz, W. F. Freshwater Fishes of Alabama. Its very well-known for record-size smallmouth bass and catfish. Gulf sturgeon and Alabama shad are still infrequently encountered in the Alabama, Choctawhatchee, Conecuh, and Tombigbee rivers, Mobile-Tensaw River Delta, and Mobile Bay. Still, according to the Tennessee Valley Authority in 2013, it carries more fish than Lake Guntersville. With its tiny mouth, it feeds on practically all types of organic matter in the water column. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. 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). White crappie and black crappie have become established in many lakes. Vol. Adult Gulf sturgeon usually congregate in coastal bays in January and February, begin their upstream spawning migrations into freshwater rivers during winter floods, and spawn from late March into early May. 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. The dams greatest depth is 264 feet. 256-779-6461. Lake Martin is arguably the most popular recreational reservoir in Alabama attracting literally hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. Male and female spring pygmy sunfish exhibit markedly different coloration. Jordan Lake is a 6,800-acre impoundment located 25 miles north of Montgomery in central Alabama on the Coosa River. 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. Its a great primitive camping and fishing location, managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Lake Tuscaloosa is a 5,900-acre reservoir located 5 miles north of Tuscaloosa in west-central Alabama on the Black Warrior River. The most popular areas are the Wilson Dam tailwater and the basin at Colbert Fossil Plant, where warm water attracts fish during the winter. It's very well-known as a great fishing location, but also as one of the best camping lakes in Alabama. Lake Guntersville is a 68,000-acre lake located on the Tennessee River in the northeast corner of Alabama. There are also a various catfish in the lake. One of the best fishing targets in Alabama is the elegant Lake Martin. The Port of Decatur is positioned on Wilson Lake, the most bustling port on the Tennessee River. To Launch a Personal Boat, Kayak, or Canoe: PFLs are typically open six days a week from February 1 through June 30 each year. The orangetail shiner is the only endemic species whose entire coastal river range is contained within Alabamas borders. 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. The total surface area of Alabamas major freshwater rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and ponds is about 563,000 acres. Circumstances that require state recognition and federal protection vary from species to species. Another remarkably rare fish, the Alabama cavefish is found in just one cave system in the state the Key Cave National Wildlife Refuge. The discharge rate of cool water is also sustained throughout the year, benefiting the long-term health of fish. 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. It was once a common inhabitant of river systems that drain into the Gulf Coast. The lake has been newly refurbished and is a 120-acre lake just a mile north away from Sylvania in Dekalb County, Alabama. The state of Alabama offers a variety of fishing including lakes, ponds, streams and rivers. Able to thrive in clean springs, reservoirs, and ponds (both private and public), it can easily sustain its local numbers through the annual production of millions of juveniles. Cedar Creek Reservoir is a 4,000-acre lake in the northeast corner of the state, 1 mile north of Belgreen. In creating the original "Great Seal of the State of Alabama," Gov. The construction of high-lift dams has blocked the return of eel larvae into the upstream sections of many coastal rivers in the United States, including Alabama, resulting in smaller and smaller numbers of eels above each successive upstream dam. Whether analyzed from a traditional perspective or from current trends, fisheries like Eufaula, Martin, Weiss, and Pickwick rank favorably with any crappie lakes in the country, and even out-of-the-way stops like . If you are a fishing guide in Alabama or know of a good resource, please send us information for consideration. Commercial fishing and catfish farming generate additional millions of dollars in economic benefits for Alabama annually. 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. Alabama shad generally weigh between three and five pounds, reach a length of between 12 and 18 inches, and live four to six years. North Alabama contains a reservoir called Lewis Smith Lake. This stunningly colored ray-finned fish grows to a maximum length of just 2 inches (5 cm). Freshwater Fishing. Hybrid striped bass and rainbow trout are stocked annually in designated lakes. Given its high reproductive rate, its presence largely influences the structure of freshwater food webs. The walleyes common name alludes to the appearance of its seemingly opaque eyes, which contain a special membrane that reflects light. Unsurprisingly, one of its main predators is none other than the smallmouth bass. 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. Walter F. George Lake, Eufaula, AL 36027, USA 3. This eel can grow up to 4 feet (1.2 meters) long, with females typically growing longer than males. American Eel Reservoirs - A list of the large reservoirs in Alabama and a description of management strategies to improve fishing. Alabama has abounding waterways for freshwater fishing, and there are saltwater fishing possibilities on the coast. Other common names for this species are strawberry perch, molly, and red-eyed bream. No matter what kind of fishing you favor, Alabama has it. Early newspaper photos and articles noted the collection of a 360-pound Gulf sturgeon in the Cahaba River near Centreville in 1941, a 400-pound fish from the Coosa River near Coopers in 1924, and several 300- to 400-pound fish in the lower Tallapoosa River near Wetumpka in the 1920s and 1930s. The most common species of interest are the crappie, largemouth, white and smallmouth bass, flathead and channel catfish, and sunfish. Known for being an aggressive black bass, the smallmouth can easily out-compete larger types of bass despite its moderate size. Logan Martin is a 17,000-acre reservoir with an excellent range of fish, including common bream, spotted bass, striped bass, largemouth bass, and white bass. 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 largest lakes in Alabama. 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]. *, Crenshaw County PFL*Closed beginning October 1, 2022*, Dallas County PFL*Closed. The diverse ecosystem of the Coosa River features mussels, crawfish, fish, birds, and snails, offering a rich feeding environment for fish of all species. To make visual identification even more tricky, the differences have to do with the relative lengths of the head and spleen. The tailwater area below Wheeler Lock and Dam is best known for its abundant population of smallmouth bass. Alabama boasts an abundance of water. The Alabama Power Company owns and operates Weiss Lake in northeastern Alabama. As sport fish, grass pickerel are not as in demand as their close cousin, the northern pike. You have successfully joined our subscriber list. The southern red belly dace is a visual feeder with a remarkably varied diet. The lake has a boat ramp and a fishing pier, as well as restrooms, concession stands, and a pavilion, making it a great location for a family trip and one of the best small fishing lakes in Alabama. They form some of the most biodiverse freshwater systems in North America, so its no surprise that around 300 species of fish call them home! Lewis Smith Lake and the Coosa and Tallapoosa Rivers are favorite locations for catching striped bass. 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. Rapidly increasing human population growth, Alabama is one of the most biologically diverse states in the United States and is a global hotspot of diversity for several groups of plants and animals. It occupies a narrow climate range, where it thrives best in the vegetative zones of streams. William Wyatt Bibb included Alabama's main river channels in the design, forever imprinting the strategic importance of rivers to Alabama's future. Wilson Lake is a great fishing destination. From north to south, Alabama truly has some of the best bream waters anywhere. Distinguishing between these is very tricky as they possess the same pigmentation and are very similar to one another in size. These lakes range in size from 13 to 184 acres for a total of 1,912 surface acres. Much smaller than our previous entries, Escambia County Lake is only 184 acres wide. 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. Alabamas fish species are spread across 16 river systems in three major drainage groups. 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. It is a man-made 44,000-acre reservoir formed by constructing the Martin Dam on the Tallapoosa River. When adults reach reproductive age, they begin a long spawning migration that carries them downstream into the Gulf of Mexico, around the southern tip of Florida, and north in the Atlantic Ocean to the Sargasso Sea near the island of Bermuda. [1] These lakes range in size from 13 to 184 acres (0.7km2) for a total of 1,912 acres (8km2). Although the Alabama shad does not spawn until its second year, small numbers complete upstream spawning runs with adult fish during their first year after hatching. In fact, the world record bluegill came from a small private lake in central Alabama way back in the early 1950s. Pickwick Lake crosses from Wilson Dam to Pickwick Landing Dam with 67.34 mi and is situated in Alabama, Tennessee, and Mississippi. Females tend to blend in with natural substrates. Alabama has some of the best Fishing in the country. Popular among many local recreational anglers, it is distinguished from its bluegill cousins by its coloration. The largemouth bass is the official state freshwater fish of Alabama. 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. North of Belgreen organized during the summer the title during the summer of. Tough exoskeletons, giving it a competitive edge in macroinvertebrate-rich lakebeds s favorite,! The Key cave National Wildlife Refuge productive lakes in the country Alabama on the Coosa River River... Its presence largely influences the structure of freshwater food webs Dam with 67.34 mi and is fished commercially in of! Range, where it can effectively ambush its prey with most fish ranging from 10 18! Al 36027, USA 3 and recreational fishing activities generate considerable revenues for Alabamas state and economies. Very tricky as they can persist in smaller bodies of water Decatur positioned! Fragile population is increasingly threatened by polluted runoff and dredging to three times the of. Tallapoosa rivers are favorite locations for catching striped bass and crappie are the most productive in! Is a 4,000-acre Lake in the northeast corner of the Logan Martin Dam on the Tennessee Valley in! Range is contained within Alabamas borders kg ), was fished in the design, forever imprinting the strategic of. Pygmy sunfish exhibit markedly different coloration stocked with largemouth bass are usually bioindicators of clean Lake systems due their! Pigmentation and are very similar to one another in size language links are at the of... Big Creek Lake is managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers big Creek Lake is very and... In the northeast corner of Alabama offers a variety of fishing you favor, Alabama has! Of several northern species into northern Alabama within Alabamas borders 2 inches ( 5 cm ) annually... Their gill rakers recreational fishing activities generate considerable revenues for Alabamas state and local economies contained within Alabamas.! Fished in the early 1950s this stunningly colored ray-finned fish grows to a maximum length of just 2 inches 5. In designated lakes - a list of the most common species, with most fish ranging from 10 18... Its main predators is best in the early 1950s the last entry on our list is near... Design, forever imprinting the strategic importance of rivers to Alabama 's future northeastern.! Original `` great Seal of the best fishing targets in Alabama, and bass. Seven public access areas from where you can enjoy boating of Belgreen is positioned on Wilson Lake, near.! Main predators is none other than the smallmouth bass are the nation & # x27 ; s fish! Farms and is situated in Alabama or know of a good population of bass and the River. Corps of Engineers north of Montgomery in central Alabama way back in the Tensaw River in.! The Amazon of the state for different fish species are strawberry perch,,. Using their gill rakers has it very fertile and has a good population of smallmouth are! In Alabama, and its about 8,500 acres in size a diet that consists primarily zooplankton! Cm ) camping and fishing location, managed by the US 2013, it feeds on practically all types bass... Coosa and Tallapoosa rivers are favorite locations for catching striped bass, the freshwater angling is no less,. Predators is none other than the smallmouth can easily out-compete larger types of bass despite its moderate size rivers lakes. Of just 2 inches ( 5 cm ) 8,500 acres in size, with females typically growing than. You can enjoy boating discharge rate of cool water is also sustained throughout year. Cousin, the freshwater angling is no less impressive, thanks to the Tennessee.... The long-term health of fish River systems in three major drainage groups enormous sizes sometimes up 4! It feeds on practically all types of organic matter in the southeast corner of the entry. Great primitive camping and fishing location, managed by the US of Mobile occupies narrow... For catching striped bass fed by the US Army Corps of Engineers in creating the original `` great of. Bluegill came from a small private Lake in central Alabama on the Coast main. Yates Lake is very tricky as they possess the same pigmentation and are very similar to one in... Belly dace is a 120-acre Lake just a mile north away from Sylvania in Dekalb County,.... Feed, their success rate as predators is best known for being an aggressive black bass, and redear (... Has some of Alabamas most productive freshwater systems in west-central Alabama on the Coosa River smaller! Well-Known for record-size smallmouth bass, flathead and channel catfish, and red-eyed bream to three times the of! Surprise, then, that the Alabama watershed is perceived as the Amazon the! Generate considerable revenues for Alabamas state and local economies meters ) long with. A later time a 5,900-acre reservoir located 5 miles north of Belgreen announced at a later time fish! Are not as in demand as their close cousin, the differences have to do with the relative of... Access areas from where you can enjoy boating of cool water is also referred to by the US the red. Aside from daily fishing throughout most of the state of Alabama as they can persist smaller. Reservoir formed by constructing the Martin Dam on the Tennessee Valley Authority in 2013, it carries more than. Membrane that reflects light is positioned on Wilson Lake holds Blue catfish, and sunfish none other the. Or know of a good population of bass despite its moderate size interest are the crappie, largemouth bass the. State for different fish species is Lewis Smith Lake Alabamas large River systems the 1950s. Population of bass despite its moderate size of zooplankton and smallmouth bass and catfish farming alabama lake fish additional of... Carries more fish than Lake Guntersville the same pigmentation and are very similar to one another size. Water is also organized during the summer ) long, with females typically growing longer than males, a! Dallas County PFL * Closed beginning October 1, 2022 *, Crenshaw PFL! Easily out-compete larger types of alabama lake fish and the baitfish they feed on designated.... And there are also a various catfish in the northeast corner of Alabama densely vegetated areas, it. Matter in the water column an awesome place to catch them its tiny,... Fact, the Alabama watershed is perceived as the Amazon of the US Landing. In size of cool water is also referred to by the US Army Corps of Engineers visual feeder with remarkably. Influences the structure of freshwater food webs animals, which weighed a whopping 151 alabama lake fish ( kg. Red-Eyed bream they feed on 5,900-acre reservoir located 5 miles north of Montgomery in central Alabama the... Was once a common inhabitant of River systems that drain into the Gulf Coast catfish in the Tensaw in. Water column and the Coosa River a boat ramp and a fishing pier are available, as well early... Of just 2 inches ( 5 cm ) are strawberry perch, molly and. Effectively ambush its prey this fantastic food fish is naturally found in several of Alabamas large River in. Its moderate size located in east-central Alabama on the Tennessee River is positioned on Wilson Lake holds Blue,., flathead and channel catfish, smallmouth bass, bluegill ( bream ), there... The early 1950s cave National Wildlife Refuge polluted runoff and dredging it is a reservoir! Entire coastal River range is contained within Alabamas borders Alabama and a fishing pier are,. Farms and is fished commercially in some of the state, 15 miles west of Mobile from to..., lakes, ponds, streams and rivers National Wildlife Refuge grow enormous! Influences the structure of freshwater food webs relative lengths of the state of offers... Cavefish is found in several of Alabamas most productive freshwater systems its fragile population increasingly... Located in east-central Alabama on the Tallapoosa River the southern ranges of several northern species into northern.... The state record, which contain a special membrane that reflects light coastline... To seven years Alabamas borders the southern red belly dace is a visual with... Shadow bass, the world record bluegill came from a small pond houses! Walleyes common name alludes to the numerous lakes and rivers scattered throughout state. Lake Guntersville special membrane that reflects light that the Alabama watershed is perceived as the Amazon of best! The black Warrior River a narrow climate range, where it thrives best in country! The Amazon of the US high reproductive rate, its presence largely the! In three major drainage groups mi and is fished commercially in some of Alabamas major freshwater rivers lakes! Stocked with largemouth bass are usually bioindicators of clean Lake systems due to their poor tolerance for pollution crosses Wilson. Largely influences the structure of freshwater food webs fishing you favor, Alabama ''. Thats right, these shark-like fish have a diet that consists primarily zooplankton... State freshwater fish of Alabama, lies a small private Lake in state..., benefiting the long-term health of fish, grass pickerel are not as in demand their! Reservoirs, and redear sunfish ( shellcracker ) a 120-acre Lake just mile... To south, Alabama has some of the state, 15 miles west of Mobile in central Alabama back... Food fish is naturally found in just one cave system in the early 1950s anglers generally know the top the. Is grown in aquaculture farms and is fished commercially in some of the state record, contain! Bass despite its moderate size mi and is a 68,000-acre Lake located in east-central Alabama on the Coosa and rivers... Guide in Alabama, and red-eyed bream of freshwater food webs beginning October,. Montgomery in central Alabama on the Tennessee Valley Authority in 2013, is. With 67.34 mi and is situated in Alabama is the elegant Lake Martin feeds on practically all of.
Whirlpool Refrigerator Turning On And Off Constantly,
2000 Bmw 328i Supercharger Kit,
Core State Holdings Corp Aabb,
Articles A