Escambia County’s largest city, Atmore, can be found in South Alabama. You can also find it sharing its southern border with the sunny state of Florida. One of Alabama’s safest cities has a lot going for it, especially for anglers interested in fishing some of the best rivers in Alabama and Florida.
Atmore is passionate about developing itself as an attractive southern destination that entices businesses, tourists, and aspiring residents. Despite its rapid development from a tiny town that has transformed into a bustling city, it still maintains its welcoming and charming atmosphere that is typical of places in the South. You can see what Atmore is all about by exploring its historic downtown area to absorb the culture. You can also head to some of the city’s beautiful wildlife areas, like the Marina Branch Wildlife Reserve, to immerse yourself in nature.
Atmore is undoubtedly a worthy place where you can plan for your next fishing trip. Experience the rivers and the Gulf breeze that feed the city’s angling areas.
You have an advantage as an angler if you have a fishing license for Alabama and Florida because Atmore offers you the chance to fish in rivers flowing through both states. But you won’t need to worry about it if you want to stay in Alabama, as there are plenty of water access areas near the city for inshore fishing and offshore fishing.
A fishing charter or charter boat can help enhance your fishing trip in Atmore. Just to the northwest of Atmore, you’ll find the Perdido River. The blackwater river defines the border between the two states and is the Coastal Plain’s remaining highest quality free-flowing river. When you go float fishing in the Perdido, you’ll likely be able to reel in largemouth bass, chain pickerel, longear sunfish, and bluegill that are eager to bite any bait or lure you present them. Other fish you can find in its waters are blue catfish, channel catfish, gafftopsail catfish, red drum, and green sunfish. Besides fishing, the Perdido is also an amazing place for boaters, equestrians, and hikers because of its numerous trails and boat landings.
Heading west, you’ll come across one of the best freshwater river fishing in the country. Big Escambia Creek and the Escambia River are home to plenty of native North American freshwater fish species that excite avid anglers. Some sport fish you’ll find in their waters include shadow bass, sunshine bass, spotted bass, warmouth, redear sunfish, spotted sunfish, bluegill, longear sunfish, largemouth bass, black crappie, chain pickerel, blue catfish, channel catfish, and flathead catfish. If you want to avoid crowds and competition from other anglers, check out Big Escambia Creek for its excellent spotted bass and smallmouth bass fisheries that are rarely noticed and utilized. If you have time to visit the lower section of the Escambia River, you can target saltwater and deep sea fish like speckled trout, redfish, and sheepshead.
Deep sea fishing can be done further down the river, where you can access the Gulf Coast and plenty of other great fish species to snag your bait. Other terrific fishing trips you can plan near Atmore include going to Orange Beach, Pensacola Beach, and Fort Walton Beach. They offer anglers a fishing experience on and off the Emerald Coast. Orange Beach and Pensacola Beach give you access to fish from Pensacola Bay and Pensacola Pass, which are linked to the Escambia River and offer a great time deep sea fishing for various big fish. Book a deep sea fishing charter to experience amazing angling away from the Gulf shores and have an experienced angler show you the best methods of catching fish in the nearby waters. You even have the chance to go shark fishing and hook fish like red snapper, flounder, king mackerel, Spanish mackerel, and more if you book charters around the area.
The Little River State Forest is South Alabama’s hidden gem tucked away between Escambia and Monroe counties. The 2,100-acre longleaf pine forest is 12 miles north of Interstate 65 at Atmore. The state park has the unique identity of being one of the few handicap-hunting sites in Alabama. You can also go fishing, hiking, and swimming in the state park. Campers and visitors can wander around its trails or enjoy its 25-acre lake.
Visit the Atmore Historical Society & Welcome Center on South Main Street to learn more about the city’s history and community. The Welcome Center is located in the Peavy-Webb Building, while the museum and archive can be found at the Watson Cabin. The site is open on weekdays from 9 AM to 5 PM.