Complete your Alabama inshore fishing adventure with a visit to Berry in Fayette County. This historic locale is a nice change of pace from the usual Deep South destinations, adding a different flavor to your freshwater fishing trips in the state. Berry is situated between the North River and Cedar Creek and is part of the Black Warrior River watershed, so you can expect the area to be a wonderfully scenic outdoor recreation hotspot. Looking for even more great fishing opportunities in the region? The rest of Fayette County is accessible from this residential area, with the natural wonder, the Sipsey River Swamp flowing through it, offering a unique fishing trip experience for intrepid anglers.
Berry is a town surrounded by Alabama’s unique waterbodies. The most popular and unique is the Sipsey River Swamp, one of Alabama’s last free-flowing swamp streams. This 92-mile-long river is home to crappie, largemouth bass, spotted bass, chain pickerel, bluegill, and several catfish and sunfish species. The best place to fish in the river is on the main river channel banks.
For a year-round rainbow trout fishing experience like no other in the Deep South, the Sipsey Fork of the Black Warrior River is the ultimate place to be. An anomaly in Alabama, this tributary’s waters are cool and clear, perfect for stocked rainbow trout to thrive in. Another fork of the Black Warrior River, the Locust Fork, is a fly fishing hotspot teeming with Alabama spotted bass, though it’s quite tricky to hunt for a bank fishing spot in this tributary.
The North River is a productive river flowing through the counties of Tuscaloosa and Fayette. Spotted bass, redear sunfish or shellcracker, channel catfish, largemouth bass, bluegill, and chain pickerel can all be found in this river, along with a healthy population of mussel species.
Looking to book freshwater charters and striped bass charters in the area? Try the city of Tuscaloosa, which is only a few miles away from Berry. One of its most beloved recreational hotspots is in Lake Tuscaloosa. It is home to plenty of sunfish species inshore but is not so friendly to bass anglers. If you’re keen to fish the lake for spotted bass, you must be patient and savvy to be rewarded. Alabama spotted bass are not so abundant in the lake, unlike other Alabama waterbodies. Still, when they appear, anglers can hunt for them in big packs, providing plenty of great fishing.
If you’re keen to widen your cast in the state, why not go on guided fishing trips? Head further down south and book a fishing charter to experience saltwater and deep sea fishing experiences on the Gulf Coast and beyond. Stressed Out Charters and Sunrise Charters are excellent family-friendly saltwater fishing charters in the Gulf Shores, while Orange Beach has Ocean Cat Charters and Fairwater II Charters. All are waiting to take you out and show you a memorable fishing excursion. To make the most of your trip, go on an overnight charter with locals who have also experienced anglers. New to fishing? No need to worry about bringing your live bait, fishing rods, reels, and tackle. Just make sure to have the appropriate fishing license on your guided fishing trips, and while you're at it, bring a few snacks to share on the fishing boat.
Enrich your Deep South experience by taking your family and friends to Berry and Fayette County.
Visit the Fayette Art Museum and Fayette County Depot Museum to learn about the region's folk art and history. Both museums are unique to the county and offer great insight into the area’s local pride.
Visiting Berry around April? Catch the annual Berry Heritage Festival, typically centered around the beautiful Berry Heritage Park, with many more highlights in the downtown area, including live performances, a vintage car, tractor, motorcycle show, and a food festival.