Alexander City, AL Fishing: Sweet City Fishing Trip

Called by locals as Alex City, Alexander City is located in Tallapoosa County. Alexander City has been the county's largest community since 1910. It was incorporated in 1872 as Youngsville, after the city's founder James Young. In 1873, when the Savannah and Memphis Railroad arrived at Alexander City, it was renamed in honor of the railroad's President, Edward Porter Alexander.

Alexander City's economy was traditionally based on the textile industry but stopped when textile jobs went to India. Alexander City is a perfect location for tourists looking for spots that offer outdoor activities like boating, swimming, fishing, golfing, and camping. Alexander City also celebrates various festivals. The Sun Festival is a community development and tourism initiative created to improve the lifestyles of locals in Alexander City. The nine-day family-friendly festival comprises different events and activities for visitors of all ages. Tourists are also welcome to attend the Alex City Jazz Fest. It is a two-night, six-artist, free music festival in Alexander City. Every fall, Alexander City Parks and Recreation Department commences the Oktoberfest. The annual fall festival brings vendors with exceptional and traditional gifts, musical entertainment, a wide variety of food, a custom car and truck show, and an area designed for children.

Alexander City is a renowned fishing location for anglers, especially anglers targeting trophy bass. Its humid subtropical climate also makes it a perfect spot for a vacation.

Alexander City Fishing

Alexander City is one excellent fishing location, mainly because Lake Martin sits on the city's outskirts. Lake Martin is a 39,180-acre man-made lake on the Tallapoosa River with an incredible 700 miles of shoreline. The Alabama Power Company created Lake Martin during the Thomas Wesley Martin Dam construction. The lake was constructed mainly for flood control and to supply hydroelectric power to residents, but it has provided ample recreational opportunities to anglers and boaters as time goes by. Lake Martin is an area for swimming, boating, fishing, water skiing, camping, and golfing. Lake Martin is the most popular recreational reservoir in the state, attracting hundreds of thousands of visiting anglers annually. Anglers can access public facilities in Lake Martin, but private marinas are also available. The widespread species typically caught in the lake are Alabama bass, striped bass, white bass, black and white crappie, channel catfish, blue catfish, flathead catfish, bluegill, and shellcracker. The Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division stock striped bass in Lake Martin, thus applying special striped bass regulations in the lake. Striped bass are considered a popular sport fish in the lake. Anglers will need to fish offshore to be able to catch one. Lake Martin is also considered a good place for winter fishing. They can also cast their line in Walls Lake and Sugar Creek.

The Wind Creek State Park is another famous fishing location in Alexander City. Anglers can fish from the fishing pier that is open 24 hours. A marina inside the state park sells live baits and tackle. Wind Creek is connected to the shoreline of beautiful Lake Martin, making the park an angler’s paradise. Anglers commonly catch crappie, bluegill, and striped bass. The Tallapoosa River flows 265 miles from the southern end of Georgia's Appalachian Mountains to Lake Martin. The river boasts three trophy bass: largemouth bass, redeye bass, and Alabama spotted bass. Anglers seeking non-game fish such as stippled studfish and Tallapoosa shiner should visit the Tallapoosa River drainage.

Hillabee Creek is another top fishing location in Alexander City. Anglers can catch largemouth bass, striped bass, spotted bass, and flathead catfish in the area. Jordan Lake is rich with Alabama spotted bass, largemouth bass, spotted bass, channel catfish, and freshwater drum. Blackman Creek, Elkahatchee Creek, and Harold Creek are some of the smaller creeks in Alexander County. Some fish available here are spotted bass, largemouth bass, striped bass, black crappie, flathead catfish, white crappie, and rainbow trout.

Anglers can fish from banks, cast bait, fly fishing, or spin fishing. With marinas and charters in Lake Martin, anglers can rent a boat and go drift and kayak fishing. Anglers should use their best judgment when determining where they can fish and follow local fishing regulations.

Lake Martin hosts numerous annual celebrations and events, including fishing tournaments. Lake Martin is a prevalent location for tournament bass anglers. Most tournaments are held at Wind Creek State Park, located on the north end of the lake. Although fishing tournaments are widely celebrated in Lake Martin, another fishing game is making a buzz. A little game called Crank 4 Bank challenges anglers not to catch the biggest fish but to catch the right fish with a tag showing its affiliation with the contest. Anglers who wish to participate are urged to obtain an Alabama fishing license if Alabama state law requires it.

Top 10 Fish Species in Alexander City, AL

The top 10 fish species found in Alexander City, AL, are Alabama bass, largemouth bass, striped bass, crappie, bluegill, yellow perch, shellcracker, white bass, channel catfish, and blue catfish.

Seasonal Fishing

Spring and fall are considered the best time to fish in Alexander City, but winter is also suitable for anglers to cast their lines. Alabama bass are caught during the cold months. March is the pre-spawn month for them. Like other fish, largemouth bass begin their spawning period during spring. White bass breed between March and May and prefer to lay their eggs in colder, moving waters, while striped bass spawn in late winter and spring. Generally, bass are available to anglers year-round. Spring is also the prime time to head out if you target crappie. They like to lay eggs in warmer waters. The early summer and the spring seasons are undoubtedly the time to go after bluegill. It is common knowledge for anglers that if you prefer to catch catfish, you should head out during summer when they are most active. Every catfish species has various spawning times. Blue catfish generate every spring or summer when waters are warm; channel catfish start their spawning season during the earlier summer days. Yellow perch naturally spawn in early spring. Late spring and early summer are the best times for perch fishing. Shellcracker's spawning occurs from late April to early June.

Head Out to Alexander City

Experience incredible outdoor activities in Alexander City with its scenic surrounding and facilities.

1. Book a Fishing Charter

Fishing with a licensed guide who knows their way around Alexander City and the surrounding waters will make the trip more accessible and pleasurable. Fishing charters offer boat and fishing essentials as well as guided trips. A chartered captain will help ensure you have a fishing experience you will never forget.

2. For the Car Enthusiasts

The Wellborn Musclecar Museum showcases great American muscle cars of the 1960s and 1970s, such as the Charger, the Road Runner, the SuperBee, and the US' most extensive Dodge collection. The museum displays approximately 60 cars, but the museum is constantly rotating through its inventory of muscle cars. 

3. Wind Creek State Park

The Wind Creek State Park is located in the southern part of Alexander City and on the western side of Lake Martin. The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources operates the state park. The state park offers boating, fishing, swimming, picnicking, hiking and equestrian trails, and a large camping area. It also has rental cabins for overnight trips.