10 Top Fishing Destinations in Alabama

Alabama has beautiful weather that makes it an ideal place for a year-round fishing escapade. It has abundant waterways that are great for freshwater fishing and fantastic coastal waters that create saltwater opportunities for local and tourist anglers. 

If you are a freshwater fishing enthusiast, the lakes in the Northern part of the state are the best location for recreational fishing. There are plenty of public lakes, rivers, and streams that you can choose from. 

For saltwater anglers, the excellent coastal waters of gulf shores and beaches around Alabama are where you can snag a big catch. Red snapper, amberjack, triggerfish, king mackerel, wahoo, and tuna are just some of the fish you can catch in these great waters. 

The 10 Top Fishing Destinations in Alabama

1. Pickwick Lake

Pickwick Lake, a 47,500-acre lake on the Tennessee River near Sheffield, Alabama, is an ideal fishing spot for smallmouth bass. Pickwick Lake is generally 11-feet deep, but some areas are over 50 feet deep. The grassy flats and the ledges on the lower part of the lake is the favorite hiding spot for different varieties of bass. This lake has abundant largemouth bass, crappie, striped bass, and giant flathead catfish. According to some anglers, the best time to fish in this lake is when the water flows over Wilson Dam since it causes the baitfish to move and search for food, leading to a feeding frenzy.

2. Wheeler Lake

If your target fish species are largemouth bass and smallmouth bass, Wheeler Lake near Decatur is a great spot to visit. The south side portion of this 67,100-acre lake on the Tennessee River is abundant with different varieties of bass. Although catfish are not rich in this fishing spot, unlike some other locations, they previously generated a world record for having a 111-pound catfish caught in this Lake. You may also find sauger fish right below the Guntersville Dam, accessible for anglers in Wheeler Lake since Joe Wheeler State Park surrounds the lake. 

3. Lake Guntersville

Lake Guntersville is a favorite spot for national and regional tournaments because of its outstanding bass fishing. The grassy area of the lake during spring is where you can aim to catch a bass fish using crankbaits. As the Tennessee River meets the lake, the temperature warms up and makes the bass move towards the lake's center, where the water is more profound. This 69,000-acre lake is also an excellent place for bream and crappie fishing during the spring and early summer seasons. 

4. Weiss Lake

For anglers that are into crappie fishing, Weiss Lake is a place you should visit. The months of March to May and September to December are the best times to go fishing, where you can try to catch using minnows afloat. This lake is also home to the bass family, including largemouth bass and smallmouth bass.  The months of February until May and October to November are when bass are usually biting. The lake's various fishing conditions make it an excellent place for shore fishing anglers.  

5. Neely Henry Lake

This lake near Gadsden, Alabama, is ideal for fishing largemouth bass and spotted bass. If your target fish is striped bass, you should fish in the headwaters below the Weiss Dam during spring. Although summer might make your fishing trip in the many lakes of Alabama quite challenging, it doesn’t apply here on Neely Henry Lake because of the spring-fed creeks that flow into it. Therefore, fishing during summer in the area where Ohatchee and Cane Creeks enter the lake is ideal and can make you land a catch. 

6. Lewis Smith Lake

Lewis Smith Lake is one of the most productive lakes in the state. Its crystal-clear waters are home to different fish species, including the striped bass and largemouth bass. The lake releases over 50,000 striped bass annually, which you can catch using a 6-pound line and lightweight bait. Ryan Creek’s arm, a branch of Lewis Smith Lake, is where you can find largemouth bass since this spot is flatter than the Rock Creek and Spivey areas. You could fish along with the shrubs if the water level in the lake is low and head to the lower part of the lake if the water level becomes high, as it will be more transparent on the lake’s upper portion. 

7. Lower Alabama River

This part of the river, which starts at the Claiborne Lock and Dam, runs 72 miles to where the Alabama and Tombigbee rivers join, has many fish species, including crappie, spotted bass, catfish, white bass, and striped bass. Aside from the usual fish you can catch, the Lower Alabama River can be an excellent spot to hit for unusual species like alligator gar, Alabama darter, paddlefish, and Alabama sturgeon. 

8. Lake Eufaula 

This lake in Chattahoochee River is a prime bass fishing location. Although bass fish is the top of the line in Lake Eufaula, other fish species are available, including black crappie, channel catfish, white catfish, flathead catfish, and especially a blue catfish that can weigh over 40 pounds. Rigging your line with jigs, minnows, and jigging spoons effectively hooks up a catfish.  If you’re after a spring bass, your best option is to use a buzz bait, spinnerbait, and swimbait. 

9. Lay Lake

If you want to fish in peace, Lay Lake is your place. With its mesmerizing beauty and quietness, this is a perfect spot to relax and enjoy your recreational fishing. This 289-mile lake inhabits different fish species like the bass family, including largemouth bass, striped bass, spotted bass, white bass, hybrid striped bass, and other fish like bluegill, catfish, and crappie.   

10. Gulf State Park Pier

Experience Alabama’s coastal waters by visiting this pier. There are abundant saltwater fish species in this public fishing spot in Alabama, like the king mackerel, tarpon, speckled trout, and flounder. There are a lot of fishing techniques you can try, but if you prefer nearshore fishing, you’ll be able to catch speckled trout and flounder. Moreover, sailfish might be present in the deeper water off the end of the pier. But to experience this exciting saltwater fishing, make sure to have a fishing license and permit, which you can buy on the site. 

Alabama is a fantastic place to visit once you've decided to go on a fishing adventure. With lots of available fishing destinations, picturesque views, and many fish species you can catch, your trip to this state will surely be worthwhile.