Ariton, AL Fishing: The Merging of Two Rival Towns

Every day spent fishing is indeed a great day. Alabama offers outstanding fishing opportunities for local and tourist anglers no matter what time of the year you wish to visit. With its 77,000 miles of rivers, streams, and mobile delta, as well as 60 miles of shoreline along the Gulf Coast, it is impossible not to catch the most sought-after salt and freshwater species in the state. 

In Ariton, a Dale County, Alabama city, exciting freshwater fishing opportunities await you. But aside from various fish species, you can catch them in their water bodies. This small city is widely known for its rich history, being two rival towns that have decided to merge to build a growing community. Back then, Ariton was in two different cities named Ariosta and Charlton. Ariosta was a train stop on Alabama Midland Railroad, while Charlton was a train stop on the Central of Georgia Railroad. These towns competed with each other in transporting their customers, eventually leading to the detriment. As it began to damage two cities, the city leaders decided to purchase land between Ariosta and Charlton to create a new place where businesses from the separate community would move. 

By 1905, the two towns had already purchased the land, laid out blocks, and began selling it. They had already dug a city well in the center of the new city and were eventually followed by stores, cotton warehouses, and a cotton gin. At first, the citizens wanted to name the town Union City, but unfortunately, someone else had taken that name already. Instead, they decided to combine the name of the two towns. ARI from Ariosta and TON from Charlton to make the new name Ariton. Soon after it was named, a post office opened, the city incorporated in 1906, churches and other institutions like the Masonic Lodges moved to the city, the first school was built in 1907, and published its first-ever newspaper in 1913. The community grew in that short period, and until now, it is thriving and can soon become a tourist destination worth visiting.

Ariton Fishing 

Alabama offers some of the best bass fishing anglers are eyeing to try. It has diverse fishing opportunities within its rivers, lakes, streams, and ponds, wherein you can catch your favorite freshwater fish species without a doubt. 

The Pea River is one of the famous fishing places in Ariton, Alabama. This one serves as the border between the counties of Barbour and Pike, skims to the Northwestern tip of Dale County, cuts across Coffee County, and then flows into Geneva County's Choctawhatchee River. When the water level is low in the area, anglers can catch species like redbreast sunfish, spotted bass, and redear sunfish just by simply casting lures such as catalpa worms and wriggler crickets. 

As you go down the River, you can enjoy canoeing and boating using a flat bottom boat, or you can also use an outboard motor or launch a boat on Elba Park's Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries ramp. The pea river is where you can find various freshwater species, including bluegill, largemouth bass, channel catfish, and black bullhead. No wonder why this spot is widely known to anglers. 

There are only a few water bodies in Ariton that locals easily recognize. Another of its few water bodies is the Bear Creek stream in Dale County, Alabama. It is home to freshwater species such as largemouth bass, blue catfish, flathead catfish, and black crappie. 

If you want to catch these fish, you could use traditional baits such as plastic worms, crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and jigs. But, it is still best to follow your co-angler's tested methods in landing a great catch of these species. 

Top 10 Fish Species in Ariton, AL 

The top 10 fish species to catch in Ariton, AL, are largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, bluegill, flathead catfish, channel catfish, black bullhead, spotted bass, black crappie, striped bass, and warmouth.

Seasonal Fishing 

Fishing in Alabama is excellent all year round. However, the best time to fish will vary in your target species, whether they are active or not in that specific season. 

Spring and fall is the time of the year when Bass fishing is more active. The largemouth bass is present in almost every aquatic environment in Alabama, and its spawning takes place from April to May. Smallmouth bass is also present during the spring and is more abundant than largemouth bass since they are active in colder waters. 

Bluegill, crappie, and channel catfish are present in almost all seasons. Since these species can be found easily in any freshwater spot in the state, great fishing can be done by everyone all year. However, channel catfish are at their peak during the spring, and it's the same for crappie during spring and winter when it is in their optimum condition to bite. 

Summer and mid-fall is the best time for anglers to catch flathead catfish. If they get lucky, they can capture a trophy fish that weighs more than 40 pounds and a large amount of flathead catfish to catch. 

Explore the Growing Community of Ariton

Ariton is a small city in Alabama that is yet to be famous for tourists. It has good places that tourists can visit. Below are some of the famous tourist destinations in Ariton:

1. Gear Up for Some Rock Music at Wiregrass Amphitheater 

This live music venue offers an outdoor Amphitheater that can cater to up to 4,000 people. They host various musical events with different bands that will surely excite the crowd. Food stalls are also available on site. As you visit Alabama's Concert City, these events will be an exciting experience. 

2. Watch Ball Games at Ariton Parks and Recreation 

If your kids are into ball games, this spot might be the best place for you to bring them. There is an organization that provides a place for children the age of 4 to 15 years old to participate in sports such as baseball, t-ball, softball, football, basketball, and even cheerleading. These activities would be a fun time for kids and kids at heart. 

3. Satisfy your Inner Bookworm at Ariton Dot Laney Memorial Library

This library, located at 30 W Main St in Ariton, has been in business since 1975. It plays a vital role for those hungry for knowledge and those who find peace as they read their favorite books. Some residents would even visit the library every day for the summer break. So, if you are a person that would sit down and read books for hours, then this place must be for you.