Athens, AL Fishing: Countless Fishing Spots in the South

Athens is a city in Limestone County, Alabama, in the United States. It is also the county seat and capital of Limestone County. The city is included in the state’s most populous sub-region, the Huntsville, Decatur, and Albertville, AL, Combined Statistical Area. During the early 1800s, Athens’ soil drew in settlers in 1806 after the United States purchased the Mississippi Territory from the Cherokee. Following its founding in 1818, Athens is one of the oldest incorporated cities in the state. It was included a year before Alabama’s admittance to the Union as a state in 1819. The city was first called Athenson, but it was renamed after the Greek ancient city when it was incorporated. 

Athens provides easy access to transportation, recreational facilities, and educational centers, making it a vibrant city. It promotes itself as ‘We’re What You Love About the South’ due to its innate charm and unique attractions. The rich soil offers plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreational activities, but the city also showcases an engaging historical and cultural heritage from the Downtown Athens area. Unique shopping and dining opportunities are available throughout the city, but chain restaurants, modern stores, and trendy shops are also present. Anglers who happen to be around the area are in luck as Athens boasts plenty of quality fishing spots. Athens is home to lakes, creeks, rivers, and reservoirs that any angler would be happy to try out when they head there for their next fishing trip.

Athens Fishing

Athens offers anglers plenty of fishing opportunities because it is inundated with tons of waterways filled with a variety of fish. Whether inshore or offshore fishing, anglers won’t have difficulty finding a spot that suits their angling preferences in the city.

Swan Creek flows vertically across the city and feeds water to a few local lakes. It’s an excellent spot for anglers looking for tranquility while bank fishing. Plenty of access is available as the area around the creek is surrounded by trails. Fish species one can find in Swan Creek are largemouth bass, spotted bass, white bass, rock bass, black crappie, bluegill, channel catfish, and freshwater drum. Those who fish from the creek catch game by baitcasting and spinning. One of the lakes linked to Swan Creek is Braly Lake. It is located to the southeast of the city’s center. The 11-acre lake holds largemouth bass and white crappie. Another lake connected to Swan Creek is Lake Ida. This eastern lake also has largemouth bass and spotted bass and is home to butterfly peacock bass and warmouth. It’s another terrific place for peaceful bank fishing, and it also has some piers and docks available for use. Montgomery Lake is also situated in the east of Athens. Like the other local lakes and the connected creek, it has largemouth bass, spotted bass, and bluegill. It also has smallmouth bass and green sunfish. 

To the southeast is the Canebrake Club golf course, where one can find Anderson Pond and Piney Creek. Anderson Pond is an excellent spot for both anglers and golfers. Some species available in the pond include largemouth bass, black crappie, white crappie, bluegill, and chain pickerel. Piney Creek winds around the golf course and is home to a variety of bass and crappie species. It’s also a waterway with channel catfish, bluegill, freshwater drum, and alligator gar. It’s known for its clean surroundings, which make it a popular spot for bank anglers. 

Athens also offers the opportunity for anglers to fish from some of the state’s notable fishing spots. Situated to the south and east of the city is the Tennessee River. The river is sought out by anglers who want to catch large sizes of smallmouth bass and sauger. Besides this, the river is known for its fantastic smallmouth bass and blue catfish fishing. Other species one can target from its waters are largemouth bass, bream, freshwater drum, white crappie, white bass, striped bass, yellow bass, smallmouth buffalo, and silver redhorse. Tennessee River is a fantastic place for boat anglers due to its expanse and scenic views. 

The Elk River is another amazing waterway for boat anglers to check out. It is part of the Alabama Scenic River Trail that showcases several towns and cities, including Athens. The river is only a 20-minute drive from Athens. It comprises rocky outcroppings, shallow grass, and sudden depressions, which are excellent for bass fishing. Smallmouth bass is the most popular target in its waters, but plenty of other bass and catfish species are also present. The river also holds bream, crappie, and sauger. The closest boat launch area is the Elk River Mills Ramp which allows the launching of small and power boats.

Athens holds the City of Athens Relay for Life Bass Fishing Tournament annually to benefit the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. The event helps raise money to support cancer research, Hope Lodge, the toll-free American Cancer Society hotline, and transportation grants to Huntsville hospitals for patients. The tournament is held in Wheeler Lake in May. Winners are also awarded cash prizes and custom rods.

Top 10 Fish Species in Athens, AL

The top 10 fish species found in Athens, AL, are largemouth bass, spotted bass, white bass, rock bass, black crappie, bluegill, channel catfish, freshwater drum, white crappie, and smallmouth bass.

Seasonal Fishing

Trophy-sized largemouth bass and other bass species are best targeted in February, but anglers can still find fish that weigh over five pounds in March and April. Crappie can be fished at any time of the year, but they bite better when the water is cold. Anglers can pursue crappie from November to February when they’re in pre-spawn mode and from February to April in spawning beds. Bluegill season is from April to September when they spawn. The best months to target catfish are March, April, and May, when spring comes and temperatures start to warm up. Freshwater drum can be caught all year round and is easy to fish for because there’s little competition from other anglers as it’s not the most sought-after species. 

Going Around Athens

Athens is an excellent place to explore if one wants to experience the American South. There are plenty of attractions to visit that satisfy one’s cravings for Southern-style cooking or if one wants to know more about its history and heritage.

1. Book a Fishing Charter

Athens has plenty of rivers and lakes that act as fantastic fishing spots. Booking a fishing charter can make one’s fishing trip in the city more enjoyable and elevated. Local guides can help anglers pursue their targets better and show them where and when it’s best to cast their lines. 

2. Visit the Alabama Veterans Museum and Archives

The museum is located at 100 West Pryor Street, two blocks from Athens State College. It showcases displays, memorabilia, and testimonies of people who have served in the armed forces from Alabama. It contains an impressive collection of artifacts from the Revolutionary War. The Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association voted it Attraction of the Year in Alabama.

3. Check Out the Donnell House

The Donnell House was built around 1845. The historic home on 601 South Clinton Street is what remains of the 250-acre estate of Reverend Robert Donnell and was included in the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. It is used for special events and guided tours. It provides visitors with a glimpse of life in North Alabama in the 1800s. Nearby is the Log Cabin where Donnell and his family moved into when they were forced to leave the house. The cabin dates back to the early 1830s. Some renovations were made following donations, with Federal and Greek revival windows and doors installed around that time.