Ashford, AL Fishing: Experience Freshwater Fishing in the Southeast Corner of Alabama

Ashford is in Houston County and part of the Dothan-Alabama Metropolitan Statistical Area. Ashford was incorporated as a town in June 1891, two years after a railroad line was built through the area. For most of Ashford's history, the room was a hub for naval store production, pulpwood harvesting, and cotton farming. Initially, Ashford was sustained by the timber industry, which included a large turpentine manufacturer. Agriculture remains the essential element of Ashford's economy. Ashford is accessible via U.S Route 86, which passes through the southern part of the area. The area was named for a large ash tree at a famous ford in a local creek. 

The Alabama Midland Railway built a Victorian-style small depot in Ashford as a rest stop for travelers traversing from Bainbridge to Montgomery. The depot was the only structure to survive the 1915 fire that destroyed the rest of Ashford. The depot is listed on the Alabama Register of Historic Places. Ashford celebrates a September Harvest Day Festival featuring musical concerts, children's games, and different food delicacies. Ashford also has Bicentennial Memorial Park, which celebrates the U.S. bicentennial and Armed Services members, and MacArthur Memorial Park, which features a heritage marker; both parks are located in downtown Ashford.

Ashford's adjacency to the U.S Route 84 gives anglers an easy way to access the area and the fishing spots near its border, specifically the great Chattahoochee River that separates the states of Alabama and Georgia.

Ashford Fishing

Ashford is surrounded by many fishing spots that anglers can choose from and cast their lines. The fishing season is open year-round, but spring and summer are the prime seasons to head to Ashford.

The Chattahoochee River is located 19 miles southeast of Ashford. The river separates the states of Alabama and Georgia. Chattahoochee is a tributary of the Apalachicola River, a short river formed by the junction of the Chattahoochee and Flint Rivers. Since the eighteenth century, early enhancements to the river have been made for navigational purposes. The river was a vital commercial and travel route, bringing goods and people. Chattahoochee River is home to a wide variety of wildlife, and fishing is abundant in the area. Rainbow trout, largemouth bass, striped bass, brown trout, blue catfish, channel catfish, shoal bass, and spotted bass are some fish that anglers can hook in the river. Bank fishing, fishing from boats and kayaks, baitcasting, and light tackle fishing are some techniques anglers can utilize in the river.

Mill Creek is a stream located 4.7 miles from Ashford and near Love Hill and Dothan. The creek flows through Ashford and is open to the public. Largemouth bass, bluegill, pumpkinseed, and blue catfish are caught here often. Anglers typically go bank fishing while in the area. Anglers can spot Webb Creek or Webbs Creek a few miles from Mill Creek. Largemouth bass, pumpkinseed, and channel catfish are the most popular species in the creek. Anglers can also enjoy fishing in Smiths Pond, a reservoir in Ashford near Webbs and Mill Creeks. Some fish anglers can target in Smiths Pond consist of largemouth bass, redear sunfish, bluegill, white crappie, and flathead catfish.

There are other waterbodies in Ashford that anglers can enjoy. They can try their luck and cast their line in fishing spots such as Blakey Pond, Bruce Blaum Lake, Garners Pond, Wilsons Lake, Cooper Creek, Moodys Pond, Glenn Lawrence Lake, Inan Lake, and Little Rocky Creek. These creeks and ponds are the best locations to target bass, catfish, smallmouth buffalo, and Northern pike. Also located south of Ashford is Green Valley Farm Ponds, another area where anglers can catch bass, catfish, and bluegill. Wet Weather Pond, a pond abundant with bass and catfish, is found in the city's east. Anglers can fish these lakes from the shore or by a small boat. Anglers can also spin fish, fly fish, and bank fish from the banks of rivers and creeks. 

Fishing regulations in Alabama can vary throughout the year. Anglers are advised to purchase and bring fitting licenses when fishing in the state. Anglers are encouraged to use their best judgment when determining where they can fish and make sure they follow local regulations.

Top 10 Fish Species in Ashford, AL

The top 10 fish species found in Ashford, AL, are largemouth bass, bluegill, pumpkinseed, blue catfish, Northern Pike, channel catfish, smallmouth bass, smallmouth buffalo, rock bass, and spotted bass.

Seasonal Fishing

While bass fishing is possible year-round, spring is the best time to go out and target them. Largemouth bass and smallmouth bass start their spawning season in the spring, whereas spotted bass begin in March and continue through late May. The best periods to fish for spotted bass are in the early summer and immediately following the spawning season. Rock bass spawn between the end of June and the beginning of July. Although anglers may catch them at any time, the spawning season is the optimal time to do it. Anglers can target catfish throughout the year, but summer is when they will most likely catch them. Channel catfish reproduce from May to July; on the other hand, blue catfish breed every year in the late spring or early summer. Bluegill are often the focus of anglers in the spring and the first few weeks of summer. Between May and July, pumpkinseed start to reproduce when the water temperature is high enough. It is best to lure and hunt for them during the spawning season. As soon as the spring ice starts to break up, the Northern pike may begin to spawn in late March or early April. Fall is the finest season for pike fishing since the water temperature is gradually lowering, and the fish are actively feeding and hunting. Late summer and late fall are the ideal seasons for catching smallmouth buffalo. They start spawning in early April and prefer to lay eggs over submerged vegetation.

Take a Deep Breath and Unwind in Ashford

Ashford has attractions that visitors can take advantage of while discovering the culture and history of the area. The area is a suitable spot to unwind and spend quality time with families. Here are some activities tourists can engage with and some places to see in Ashford and Houston Counties.

1. Book a Fishing Charter

Anglers can locate many fishing charters that provide unique angling experiences near Ashford's proximity to various bodies of water. Boat rental charters and bait and gear stores are typically near fishing sites. Hire a fishing charter and a charter captain if you plan to fish in Ashford fishing spots since they can significantly assist anglers, especially those navigating the area for the first time.

2. Family Fun Day at Eastgate

Eastgate Park is a 200-acre family-friendly recreational park where visitors can get out into nature and relax. Tourists can enjoy the shade of the trees or head into the two ponds to fish. Active kids can also enjoy the tennis and baseball courts. An area for archery is also available, but visitors must bring their equipment for that and hold a hunting license. A sand court is also open to guests who enjoy volleyball. Nature lovers who fancy getting all their friends down to run around and play to celebrate can rent the park's house or pavilions for various occasions.

3. Zoo Day

Flying Pigs Petting Zoo and Pony Rides offer a fun-filled far experience that the whole family, especially the kids, will enjoy. It is a good area for field trips as children can learn more and be with animals. The zoo offers a wildlife experience and can be an excellent introduction to nature for kids. Flying Pigs Petting Zoo and Pony Rides can look after and offer clients high-quality services personalized for their unique needs.