Fishing is one of the most popular outdoor activities around Alabama. Whether you’re a veteran fisherman or just getting started, bass fishing can offer some of the best experiences and highest catches. With so many great locations to try in Alabama, it can be hard to know which spots will give you the biggest reward for your effort – but don’t worry! We have compiled this guide on some of our favorite lakes and rivers, perfect for angling bass. So what are you waiting for? Grab your tackle box and explore these premier locations with us right now!
Best Bass Fishing Locations in Alabama
Alabama is a haven for bass fishing enthusiasts, offering diverse lakes, rivers, and reservoirs teeming with various bass species. In this article, we’ll explore some of the best bass fishing locations in the state, providing more in-depth information about each location’s unique features, history, and fishing tips. Get ready to cast your line at these amazing spots!
Lake Guntersville
Lake Guntersville is a 69,000-acre reservoir in north Alabama, stretching approximately 75 miles from Nickajack Dam to Guntersville Dam. It was created in 1939 by the construction of Guntersville Dam on the Tennessee River. The lake has a long history of hosting national bass tournaments, including the Bassmaster Classic, and is considered one of the top bass fishing destinations in the United States.
Lake Guntersville is known for its diverse aquatic vegetation, including hydrilla, milfoil, and eelgrass, which provide excellent habitat for bass. The lake’s numerous creeks, channels, and pockets also offer plenty of structure for anglers to target. When fishing at Lake Guntersville, consider using lipless crankbaits, swimbaits, and jigs around grass edges, points, and submerged humps.
Fish species often seen in Lake Guntersville:
- Largemouth Bass
- Smallmouth Bass
- Spotted Bass
- Crappie
- Bluegill
Pickwick Lake
Pickwick Lake is a 43,100-acre reservoir in northwest Alabama, stretching into Mississippi and Tennessee. Created in 1938 by the construction of Pickwick Landing Dam, the lake has been a popular destination for anglers due to its healthy bass and other game fish population. The lake has hosted numerous professional fishing tournaments, including FLW Tour events.
Pickwick Lake has diverse habitats, from shallow grassy flats to deep rocky ledges. Anglers can target bass around the numerous islands, points, and underwater humps that dot the lake. When fishing at Pickwick Lake, use football jigs, crankbaits, and spinnerbaits along bluff walls, main lake points, and creek channels.
Fish species often seen in Pickwick Lake:
- Largemouth Bass
- Smallmouth Bass
- Spotted Bass
- Catfish
- Crappie
Lake Eufaula
Lake Eufaula, also known as the Walter F. George Reservoir, is a 45,181-acre impoundment located along the border of Alabama and Georgia. The lake was created in 1962 by the construction of the Walter F. George Dam on the Chattahoochee River. It has earned the nickname “Bass Fishing Capital of the World” due to its consistently high-quality bass fishing opportunities.
Lake Eufaula is renowned for its excellent bass fishing opportunities, thanks to its vast expanses of shallow water and abundant aquatic vegetation, including hydrilla, coontail, and lily pads. Anglers can target bass around the many docks, points, and creek mouths that provide structure throughout the lake. When fishing at Lake Eufaula, consider using Texas-rigged soft plastics, topwater baits, and spinnerbaits around grass edges and shallow cover.
Fish species often seen in Lake Eufaula:
- Largemouth Bass
- Spotted Bass
- Crappie
- Catfish
- Bluegill
Lay Lake
Lay Lake is a 12,000-acre reservoir in central Alabama, approximately 35 miles south of Birmingham. It was created in 1914 by constructing Lay Dam on the Coosa River. The lake is well-known for its healthy Coosa River strain spotted bass populations, which grow larger than their counterparts in other lakes. Lay Lake has hosted several major fishing tournaments, including multiple Bassmaster Classics.
Lay Lake features a variety of habitats, including rocky bluffs, submerged timber, and grassy flats. Anglers can target bass around the numerous islands, ledges, and brush piles found throughout the lake. When fishing at Lay Lake, try using shaky head jigs, crankbaits, and topwater baits around rocky cover, docks, and aquatic vegetation.
Fish species often seen in Lay Lake:
- Largemouth Bass
- Coosa River Spotted Bass
- Crappie
- Catfish
- Bluegill
Smith Lake
Smith Lake is a 21,200-acre reservoir in north-central Alabama, approximately 20 miles northwest of Birmingham. It was created in 1961 by constructing Lewis Smith Dam on the Sipsey Fork of the Black Warrior River. The lake is known for its clear, deep waters and steep, rocky banks that provide excellent structure for bass.
Smith Lake is home to largemouth and spotted bass, with spotted bass being the more dominant species. Anglers can target bass around the many docks, points, and submerged timber found throughout the lake. When fishing at Smith Lake, consider using swimbaits, jerk baits, and finesse worms around rocky headlands, bluff walls, and deep creek channels.
Fish species often seen in Smith Lake:
- Largemouth Bass
- Spotted Bass
- Striped Bass
- Crappie
- Catfish
Neely Henry Lake
Neely Henry Lake is an 11,235-acre reservoir located in northeastern Alabama. It was created in 1966 by constructing Neely Henry Dam on the Coosa River. The lake has a reputation for producing quality-sized largemouth and spotted bass, with the latter being particularly attracted to the lake’s abundant aquatic vegetation and rocky cover.
Anglers can target bass around the numerous shoals, ledges, and grass beds found throughout Neely Henry Lake. Try using spinnerbaits, square-bill crankbaits, and Carolina-rigged soft plastics around rocky points, flats, and submerged vegetation when fishing at this location.
Fish species often seen in Neely Henry Lake:
- Largemouth Bass
- Spotted Bass
- Crappie
- Catfish
- Bluegill
Logan Martin Lake
Logan Martin Lake is a 15,263-acre reservoir located in east-central Alabama, about 30 miles east of Birmingham. It was created in 1964 by the construction of Logan Martin Dam on the Coosa River. The lake is known for its healthy largemouth and spotted bass populations, with the latter being particularly attracted to its numerous rocky shoals and abundant aquatic vegetation.
Anglers can target bass around the many points, ledges, and grass beds found throughout Logan Martin Lake. When fishing at this location, consider using crankbaits, jigs, and topwater baits around main lake points, creek mouths, and submerged vegetation.
Fish species often seen in Logan Martin Lake:
- Largemouth Bass
- Spotted Bass
- Crappie
- Catfish
- Bluegill
Weiss Lake
Weiss Lake is a 30,200-acre reservoir in northeastern Alabama, near the Georgia border. It was created in 1961 by constructing Weiss Dam on the Coosa River. Weiss Lake is affectionately known as the “Crappie Capital of the World,” it also offers excellent bass fishing opportunities. The lake’s abundant aquatic vegetation, rocky shoals, and creek channels provide ideal largemouth and spotted bass habitats.
Anglers can target bass around the numerous docks, points, and submerged timber found throughout Weiss Lake. Try using spinnerbaits, Texas-rigged soft plastics, and topwater baits around grass edges, laydowns, and rocky cover when fishing at this location.
Fish species often seen in Weiss Lake:
- Largemouth Bass
- Spotted Bass
- Crappie
- Catfish
- Bluegill
Lake Martin
Lake Martin is a 41,150-acre reservoir located in east-central Alabama, about 40 miles northeast of Montgomery. It was created in 1926 by constructing Martin Dam on the Tallapoosa River. The lake is known for its clear water, deep structure, and healthy largemouth and spotted bass populations.
Anglers can target bass around the many points, ledges, and humps found throughout Lake Martin. When fishing at this location, consider using drop-shot rigs, deep-diving crankbaits, and football jigs around main lake points, bluff walls, and brush piles.
Fish species often seen in Lake Martin:
- Largemouth Bass
- Spotted Bass
- Striped Bass
- Crappie
- Bluegill
Well, there you have it! Thanks to Alabama’s expansive coastal shorelines, vast freshwater lakes and rivers, and wide stretches of forestry, fishing for bass in the state has something for everyone. Whether planning to spend a day on the water or seeking an outdoor adventure of a lifetime, Alabama offers some of the best bass fishing experiences.
But no matter how you do it – be sure to take extra precautions when engaging in recreational fishing sport, obey all regulations from the State Division of Fish and Wildlife, and always stay safe on the water. Be sure to check out our other articles to learn more about exploring Alabama’s recreational activities so that your next outdoor excursion is worth remembering!
FAQ
1. What is a largemouth bass?
A largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) is a popular freshwater game fish native to North America. They are known for their large mouths, aggressive feeding habits, and intense fighting ability when caught by anglers.
2. How big do largemouth bass get?
Largemouth bass typically grow to a length of 12-20 inches and weigh between 1-5 pounds. However, some exceptional specimens can reach over 20 pounds and more than 29 inches in length.
3. What do largemouth bass eat?
They are opportunistic predators and primarily feed on smaller fish, insects, and crustaceans. As they grow larger, their diet expands to include frogs, crayfish, and even small aquatic birds or mammals.
4. Where can I find largemouth bass?
Largemouth bass inhabits various freshwater environments such as lakes, ponds, rivers, and reservoirs. They prefer clear, slow-moving water with plenty of vegetation or other structures to provide cover and ambush points.
5. When is the best time to catch largemouth bass?
Largemouth bass can be caught year-round, but the most productive times are during the early morning and late afternoon when they feed most actively. Spring and fall seasons are also excellent times to target these fish, as they tend to be more active during these periods.
6. What type of tackle should I use for largemouth bass fishing?
Medium to medium-heavy spinning or baitcasting rods and reels with 8-15 pound test line are ideal for largemouth bass fishing. Popular lures include plastic worms, jigs, crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and topwater plugs.
7. How can I tell the difference between a largemouth bass and a smallmouth bass?
The most noticeable difference is the size and shape of their mouths. A largemouth bass has a broader mouth that extends past its eye when closed, while a smallmouth bass has a more petite mouth that does not extend past its eye. Additionally, largemouth bass have a more pronounced lateral line and a deeper, more robust body than smallmouth bass.
8. Are largemouth bass good to eat?
Yes, largemouth bass is safe to eat and considered a tasty game fish by many anglers. Their flesh is white, flaky, and mild in flavor. However, following local regulations and guidelines regarding your area’s size limits, bag limits, and any specific consumption advisories is essential.