Attalla, AL Fishing: Angling in the Mountain Village

Attalla is located in Etowah County in Alabama, United States. Attalla is bounded to the east by Gadsden and to the south by Rainbow City. The city is part of the Gadsden Metropolitan Statistical Area. In 1892, the town formally and officially embraced Attalla as its name. There are no firm sources for the name is known, but there are suggestions it originates from the Cherokee word "otalie," meaning "my home." "Mountain" is another accepted translation for Attalla. Attala currently occupies the former location of a Native American village which was of significant importance during the Creek War. 

Attalla has continued to maintain a prosperous history since its founding. Attalla was once a rail and mining center in the nineteenth century and was home to Alabama's first hydroelectric dam. The Alabama Great Southern Railroad was constructed through Attalla in 1879. Attalla was the first town in the United States to be lit using hydroelectric power. This invention in Attalla led to the creation of the Southern Company and Alabama Power in 1906. For many years, Attalla further flourished with the growing boom of railroads. 

Attalla hosts its Attalla Heritage Day every third Saturday in October, which features arts and crafts, food, and live entertainment. Attalla also celebrates the holiday season with the Attalla Downtown Christmas Open House and the Attalla Christmas Parade every December.

Sitting in a prime location, Attalla features easy access to different fishing locations in Etowah County and serves as an angling paradise in a mountain village for anglers.

Attalla Fishing

Alabama is a well-known fishing destination, and the state is closely involved in handling its fisheries and creating as many opportunities as possible for anglers of all ages. Attalla's prime location gives anglers easy access to various fishing locations in the area and Etowah County. Fishing in Attalla is open year-round.

Anglers can start fishing at Attalla's Big Wills Creek. The creek can be accessed in many locations, including the Big Wills Creek Campground & Tubing. Fish species such as largemouth bass, spotted bass, channel catfish, blue catfish, flathead catfish, bluegill, and common carp are found in the creek. Activities like kayaking, swimming, and tubing are allowed in the lake. Tubing is simply getting into flowing water with a floating device and going along the current down the river. Anglers can also go bank fishing, kayak fishing, and fly fishing in Big Wills Creek. Big Wills Creek has a picnic area available for everyone, also a parking area, and hiking trails. Put-and-take fishing is observed in the creek. Anglers are free to "put" or "take" fish from waters into which fish have been stocked. Meanwhile, Little Wills Creek is a stream 1.3 miles from Attalla in Etowah County. The creek contains various fish species like largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish, black crappie, spotted bass, rock bass, and mangrove red snapper.

Lake Rhea is a reservoir in Attalla and is a favorite spot if fishing for largemouth bass, channel catfish, and spotted sunfish. Lake Rhea is a great place to swim. The lake's water comes from an underground spring, making the lake excessively cold and refreshing on a hot summer day. The lake gains fame as one of the coldest lakes to swim. In 1946, the Charles Murphy family purchased the lake, becoming a family-oriented establishment. The city of Attalla purchased the property in 1987 for its water supply. 

Clear Creek and Line Creek are popular areas to fish for various bass species, such as largemouth bass, rock bass, striped bass, and spotted bass. Anglers typically practice baitcasting in these areas.

Clayton Fish Pond near Gadsden and Attalla is another spot to visit. Anglers can catch largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, and bluegill in the creek. Fly fishing and bank fishing are utilized in Clayton Fish Pond. It is also a peaceful, quiet, and family-friendly pond for anglers of all ages. Near Clayton Fish Pond, anglers can find Noccalula Falls. Noccalula Falls is a 90-foot waterfall in Gadsden, near Attalla. The most popular species caught here are largemouth bass, bluegill, Skamania trout, rainbow trout, spotted bass, green sunfish, warmouth, and redbreast sunfish. 

Anglers are advised to bring their fishing license. The purchase of an Alabama fishing license financially helps protect and enhance the state's aquatic resources. 

Top 10 Fish Species in Attalla, AL

The top 10 fish species found in Attalla, AL, are largemouth bass, spotted bass, striped bass, rock bass, channel catfish, blue catfish, flathead catfish, common carp, bluegill, and crappie.

Seasonal Fishing

Attalla's angling season is open year-round. Bass fishing is a treasured practice in Alabama. Alabama's climate lets anglers cast their lines year-round, but certain months are ideal for hooking different species of bass in some of Alabama's best fishing locations. Even though bass fishing is open year-round, it is best done during spring and fall. The best time to specifically target largemouth bass is in February, but the months of March and early April also produce fish species weighing around five pounds. The same season goes for rock bass, spotted bass, and striped bass. Their spawning activities take place from April to late May.

Anglers can hook catfish species best during March, April, and May, when spring arrives and temperatures begin to warm up. Flathead catfish fishing is open year-round, but fishing for them from late summer into mid-fall is the most suitable. Anglers widely acknowledge early spring is the optimum time to catch channel catfish- meanwhile, evening and night fishing are the best times to target blue catfish, especially every January. Common carp's reproduction happens from early spring to summer in well-vegetated waters. They are also best targeted during their spawning period. Fishing for bluegill is also open year-round, but their spawning period from April into September is the best time to catch them. Winter and spring are the best months to target some crappie, although anglers can target them anytime.

Places To See in Attalla

Attalla is a place tourists would not want to miss, from fishing locations to areas where families can spend time together and rest for a weekend getaway or a longer stay.

1. Book A Fishing Charter

Attalla is a great fishing town in Etowah County that offers many fishing opportunities, such as freshwater fly fishing and bank fishing. Book a fishing charter to maximize your time out on the water without any worries. Once you decide on a guided fishing trip, the fishing guide will ensure you'll have a great time out in the water and that you will catch a fish. Fishing charters will also provide a terrific learning experience filled with fishing tips, techniques, and methods only a professional angler can give. They also provide all the fishing equipment and gear needed for the trip. They also offer a boat for the trip.

2. Have A Relaxing Time At Big Wills Creek Campground & Tubing

Big Wills Creek Campground and Tubing is a perfect place to take your family and friends to enjoy the beauty of nature. It is a family-oriented campground that offers activities that everyone will enjoy, whether you're staying in Attalla for the day or here for a while. The cabins are located on the banks of Big Wills Creek and offer a fascinating mountain view. Tent pitching is also available, as well as RV camping. Visitors can also try Big Wills Creek Campground's tubing activity. Big Wills Creek Campground & Tubing offers a great deal for tourists.

3. Spend Time At Pineview RV Park

Pineview RV Park is nestled in the woods in Attalla, northeast Alabama. The RV park has 100 extra large, shaded lots for RV camping, and it all comes with a picnic table. The park also has three pavilions with concrete floors, grills, picnic tables, and rocking chairs for gatherings. The area is well-lit at night, and the owners, Robert and Janice Patterson, are in the area much of the time. Visitors can relax by the pond and grab a rod and fish. Visitors are reminded that the pond is open for catch and release only. It is a perfect pull-through site for an overnight visit to Attalla.