Blountsville, AL Fishing: Bountiful River Fishing in North Alabama

Blountsville is a historic locale situated northeast of Blounty County in North Alabama. This former county seat was initially a Native American trading crossroads until a group of white men led by Col. Coffee forced the Indians to cede their land in 1813. By 1816, the area was opened to settlement, taking on the name Bear Meat Cabin, the English translation of the original title of the place, Wasaax. Tennesseans and South Carolinians of Scotch-Irish or English descent initially populated it. The community was renamed Blountsville in 1820 when it became the county seat. It would remain the county seat for more than 60 years before the distinction transferred to Oneonta.

As part of the greater Birmingham Metropolitan Area, Blountsville and Blounty County have enjoyed continuous growth over the years, yet they’ve managed to retain a homey and friendly atmosphere. Known for its incredible natural beauty and historic landmarks, Blountsville is a wonderful day trip destination for people visiting Birmingham. The picturesque location likewise offers convenient pathways to some excellent Alabama inshore fishing spots, making it a goal worthy of inclusion in your freshwater fishing trips down south.

Blountsville Fishing

Blountsville is a beautiful and convenient starting point for anglers on fishing tours around the Blount County region. 

The Mulberry Fork, a major tributary of the Black Warrior River, runs along Blount County, separating it from Cullman County. As a tributary of the great river, the fork is a good fishing waterbody, particularly in its upper portion. Wade fishing is excellent here, with several bridge-crossing access. The terrains of these access points greatly vary, so anglers are advised to exercise caution and seek local experts’ help when navigating the location.

The lower part of the Mulberry Fork features slightly more limited fishing due to the industrialization of the surrounding area. It does offer excellent float fishing opportunities where there are pools and runs, though some of the shoals in this part of the fork can have periods of high flow.

The Mulberry Fork is home to plenty of diverse fish species, and anglers can expect to catch most of them in the upper regions. The most commonly found fish in its water include largemouth bass, spotted bass, crappie, bluegill, and longear sunfish. Anglers fishing the fork can enjoy a productive day, either ultra-light spinning or fly fishing with small spinners.

The Locust Fork is the other major Black Warrior tributary that runs along Blount County. This ancient river is in the top 2% of all rivers in the United States, with “outstandingly remarkable” values. It is the second longest free-flowing river in Alabama and one of the most frequently visited waterbodies by whitewater enthusiasts. It features an equally rich aquatic habitat, home to 74 fish species, plenty of which are favorite targets among anglers and freshwater charters. They include largemouth bass, spotted bass, channel catfish, bluegill, and many other sunfish species, as well as 36 species of mussels and other aquatic animals. It is likewise known as a fly fishing hotspot for spotted bass. However, bank fishing access to the fork is quite limited.

Inland Lake is situated southwest of Oneonta. The reservoir is a 1,560-acre impoundment on the Blackburn Fork of the Little Warrior River, a tributary of the Locust Fork. It supplies water to the Birmingham area. The lake has a 32.25-mile shoreline and can go as deep as 77 feet. There are two boat ramp access points to the lake: one on Hwy 75 on Inland Boat Landing Road near Allgood and another off Hwy 75 on Inland Dam Road southwest of Oneonta. Some fish species anglers can catch in this reservoir are bluegill and other sunfish species, largemouth bass, channel catfish, striped bass, and crappie. Apart from being a good fishing destination, it is a most sought-after boating and kayaking destination.

Top 10 Fish Species in Blountsville, AL

The top 10 fish species in Blountsville include spotted bass, largemouth bass, striped bass, channel catfish, crappie, bluegill, longear sunfish, redear sunfish, flathead catfish, and blue catfish.

Seasonal Fishing

As a whole, Alabama is a year-round fishing state. However, the best time to fish in the region is spring, when the weather is mild enough for outdoor recreation, and the bass are deep in their spawning season. Time your fishing trip two weeks before or after the bass spawning season to maximize your success with this fish. Fall is likewise a great time to target them. 

When visiting a state or a particular area, it’s always good to bear in mind their fishing regulations. Always purchase a fishing license, whether you’re saltwater or freshwater fishing. Know their daily creel limits, so you won’t accidentally over-fish or harvest beyond the allowable size. As always, practicing proper catch-and-release is helpful for the health of any fisheries, so be prepared, arm yourself with some circle hooks, and know how to handle fish with care.

Explore the Nature and Heritage of Blountsville

Blountsville is generally known for its historic landmarks and beautiful outdoor scenery. It is a must-visit for travelers looking for a peaceful escape near Birmingham.

1. Book a Fishing Guide

Anglers visiting a new place should always include booking fishing charters in their travel to-do list. No matter your level of expertise, having a local guide by your side is the safest way to enjoy your travels.

If you want to expand and diversify your fishing itinerary in the Deep South, make the most of your vacation by booking a fishing charter trip in advance. Explore the rich fishing opportunities in the Gulf Shores with Water Walker Fishing in Daphne and Charter Boat Dorado in Dauphin Island. Reel Fishin’ Charters and Killin Time Fishing Charters offer the whole family inshore and offshore fishing experiences in Orange Beach. Before booking a trip, ask your charter captain in advance for details about the trip — what kind of license you need to purchase, what type of gear you should bring, and if you’re allowed to bring snacks and drinks on board. Always arrive early for your trip to maximize the time you’ve booked on the boat.

2. Travel Back in Time 

Visit the Blountsville Historic Park for a glimpse into the area’s past. The park, maintained by the Blountsville Historical Society, is an award-winning historic park filled with wonderfully preserved houses and structures dating back to the 1830s. The Freeman House, the Old Blountsville Jail, the Brooksville Post Office, and various log cabins and barns are within the park. 

Other historical landmarks include the Barclift Inn and the Warren House Complex, dating back to the 1800s. For a real immersive history lesson, visit the locale during its annual Heritage Festival, where they reenact the Civil War's Forrest-Streight Raid.

3. Go Rock Climbing

Palisades Park in nearby Oneonta is one of Blount County’s most well-known outdoor recreation spots. Park visitors can enjoy a range of activities amid stunning views inside the park. Still, one of its biggest attractions is its rock bluffs, beloved by rock-climbing enthusiasts from all over Alabama and the United States. The park is likewise the venue for many kayaking and canoeing events, as it has access to the Class II and III rapids of the Locust and Mulberry Forks. The park hosts the Alabama Cup every spring, which has three events: the Locust Fork Classic, the Mulberry Fork Canoe, Kayak Races, and the Locust Fork Invitational.