Berry, AL Fishing: Fine Freshwater Fishing Around the Sipsey River Region

Berry is a small town that sits between the North River and Cedar Creek and is part of the Black Warrior River watershed. It got its name from its first settler, Thompson Berry, who settled in the area in the 1840s. He prospered by farming and raising cattle and soon owned a gin and gristmill and acres upon acres of land in Fayette County. In the 1880s, the area officially got its name when it was appointed as the depot for the Georgia-Pacific Railroad connecting Birmingham, Alabama, and Columbus, Mississippi. Berry was formally incorporated in 1882, with its first municipal election in 1899.

Today, Berry is one of the incorporated spots in Fayette County, sitting on the county’s southeastern part. It is accessible via the Alabama State Route 18, which runs through its land area. It is the headquarters for Piggly Wiggly Grocers, Pittsburgh-Midway Chevron Mine, and the Stallion Trailers. The locale likewise supports plenty of small local businesses.

While typically viewed as more of a residential area, Berry is a worthwhile place to visit to explore Fayette County’s many natural resources and outdoor recreational spots. The county is known for its stunning forest areas, serene farmland, and excellent fishing spots. Berry is surrounded by the North River and is on the Black Warrior River watershed, while a big portion of the Sipsey River flows through the heart of Fayette County. Anglers looking for spots to fill their Alabama inshore fishing or freshwater fishing trips will find this place a suitable alternative to other more popular destinations in the Deep South.

Berry Fishing

Anglers stationed in Berry can enjoy great access to a range of inshore and freshwater fishing experiences around Fayette County. 

If you’re looking for a unique waterbody to fish, seek the portion of the Sipsey River or the Sipsey River Swamp for an unforgettable fishing trip. One of Alabama’s last free-flowing swamp streams, the Sipsey River is considered one of the state’s 10 Natural Wonders. It is a 92-mile-long, narrow river flowing through Fayette, Tuscaloosa, Pickens, and Greene counties. It is ranked one of Alabama’s largest wetland regions, with approximately 50,000 acres of marshes and swamps in its territories. Canoers particularly love this swamp river’s backwater areas which tend to feel secluded. Bank anglers love fishing off its main river channel. The river is home to over a hundred freshwater fish species, including a few rare ones that might qualify for conservation status in the future. Recreational sport anglers can enjoy catching crappie, largemouth bass, spotted bass, chain pickerel, bluegill, and several catfish and sunfish species. 

The Sipsey Fork is a branch of the Black Warrior River known for its year-round rainbow trout. It has cool and clear waters drawn from Smith Lake’s deep. They stay cold enough to support trout all year round — a unique experience in the Deep South. Stocked rainbow trout are not as hard to catch as wild trout. Holdover trout, or those that make it alive the first year of their stocking, are quite exciting and are almost as tricky to catch as wild trout.

To wade in the Sipsey Fork, head above the Birmingham Water Works Pump Station at Country Road 95’s end. Four access points are available from the dam to the pump station, where anglers report much success fishing. Conventional tackle can catch a lot of fish, but if you’re up for challenging yourself, fly fishing in the fork is the way to go. Check the Alabama Power Company for the generation schedule before going on a freshwater fishing trip in the river. And if you happen to get there when the generation alarm sounds, make sure to get out, as the water levels can rise within minutes. You can still fish in the river, but you can’t wade.

The Locust Fork is another branch of the Black Warrior River and is purportedly the best fly fishing spot for spotted bass in the river. It is generally popular among kayakers and whitewater canoers because of its exciting waters and scenic views. Though an excellent fishing spot, access to bank fishing in the fork is generally minimal. 

The North River is a 45-mile-long river flowing through parts of Fayette County and Tuscaloosa County. Its lower part has been impounded to create a reservoir to serve as the main supply for Tuscaloosa and Northport’s drinking water. The North River is known for its unique geology, allowing plenty of mussel species to thrive. The abundance of shellfish in the stream shows that the river is relatively healthy, and you can expect great fishing here. Spotted bass, redear sunfish or shellcracker, channel catfish, largemouth bass, bluegill, and chain pickerel are some of the most commonly caught fish in the river. Walleye makes an appearance every once in a while. 

The nearby city of Tuscaloosa is one of the best places in the west central Alabama region for anglers seeking freshwater charters and striped bass charters. One of the waterbodies you can fish within the area is Lake Tuscaloosa. This 5,885-acre reservoir has 177 miles of shoreline and has since become a favorite recreational spot for outdoor lovers in the region. Anglers and boaters can access public and private boat ramps and private marinas surrounding the lake. Spotted bass, largemouth bass, redear sunfish, crappie, blue catfish, channel catfish, freshwater drum, buffalo, carp, gizzard shad, and threadfin shad are found in the lake, along with minnows and shiners. While the bass and crappie are not as abundant as one might wish, the lake has tons of sunfish species available for the taking, especially along the weed beds, coves, and backwater sloughs. Alabama spotted bass run in packs whenever they’re occasionally around and are a surprising treat for patient anglers.

Top 10 Fish Species in Berry, AL

The top 10 fish species found in Berry, AL, include spotted bass, largemouth bass, redear sunfish, channel catfish, blue catfish, crappie, chain pickerel, carp, rainbow trout, and bluegill. 

Seasonal Fishing

Anglers can enjoy year-round fishing in Alabama, though expectedly, some seasons are better than others, depending on your target catch. Unique experience anglers can enjoy in this part of the state is year-round fishing for stocked rainbow trout in the Sipsey Fork. Bass and crappie are generally best caught during spring. Some crappie can appear early around February, during which they can be caught in shallow waters. Largemouth bass, a perennial favorite in Alabama, are best caught before and two weeks after spawning season. Early spring is the best time to target large bass if you fish in smaller waterbodies. But if you’re fishing in tournament waters, March and April are your best months. Anglers who can’t make it in time for crappie and largemouth bass peak seasons can catch plenty of bluegill around May to October when they concentrate around spawning beds. They’re best-caught midday when they’re feeding. Take note of the state’s daily creel limits before fishing so you won’t accidentally overfish.

Enjoy a Relaxing, Family-Friendly Trip around Berry

Fayette County, via Berry’s locale, is a good destination filled with many family-friendly recreational and scenic spots in a mostly rural area. 

1. Book a Fishing Charter or Guide

Book a local expert to enjoy a fruitful fishing trip in Alabama or anywhere else, especially if it’s your first time fishing in the area. If you are near Dadeville, Hook N Up River and Lake Guide Service can take you trolling in the Lake Martin territory. If you’re keen to fish the Gulf Shores, book a trip with Water Walker Fishing in Daphne, Sunrise Charters on Orange Beach, or Off the Hook Charters off Fort Morgan.

2. Discover Local Folk Art

Visit the Fayette Art Museum and Civic Center in the city of Fayette. This unique museum is one of the best in the Deep South that originated from Fayette native artist Lois Wilson’s gifting of her art collection. The museum has over 4,000 pieces in its collection, mainly by Alabama and other contemporary American artists.

3. Learn About the Local History

The Fayette County Depot Museum is within a restored historic train station, the keeper of the county’s rich history. The depot was one of the few structures that survived the fire that destroyed nearly all of Fayette’s commercial district.