Spawning success of both species has been confirmed in the Choctawhatchee and Conecuh rivers but not in the Alabama and Tombigbee rivers. Adult shad enter freshwater rivers in late February, spawn in March, and return to estuarine areas shortly thereafter. This exceedingly tiny sunfish, which rarely grows to more than an inch long, exists in just one part of Alabamas Tennessee River system. It spawns its eggs in between the columns of vegetation, where they may eventually stick to the fronds or settle on the substrate. If this is your first fishing experience in the state and dont know which spot to pick, choose one of the 15 best fishing lakes in Alabama from the list below: Located in Elmore County, Jordan Lake is close to the city of Wetumpka. A. rostrata is an endangered freshwater eel that migrates into the Atlantic Ocean, specifically the Sargasso Sea, to spawn. Its common name alludes to the greenish pigmentation on its sides, which may resemble the pattern of a chain. 10. Expect good largemouth bass fishing and channel catfish year-round and enjoy a good mixture of fish on this lake. The walleyes common name alludes to the appearance of its seemingly opaque eyes, which contain a special membrane that reflects light. Welcome to your free, online resource on Alabama history, culture, geography, and natural environment. With its tiny mouth, it feeds on practically all types of organic matter in the water column. The southern red belly dace is a visual feeder with a remarkably varied diet. Lake Wedowee, AKA R L Harris Reservoir, is a 10,600-acre lake located in east-northeast Alabama on the upper Tallapoosa River west of Wedowee. Often referred to as just Smith Lake, this 21,000-acre lake is found in the north of Alabama, with one of the largest dams in eastern USA creating the reservoir. The largemouth bass is the official state freshwater fish of Alabama. It occupies a narrow climate range, where it thrives best in the vegetative zones of streams. Visit AA-Boats-Boating.com to find information about fishing boats in Alabama and other boating information. Aliceville Lake is set from Tom Bevill Lock and Dam on the Tombigbee River and consists of 8300-acres. Arguably unrivaled in its capacity to consume large prey, the largemouth bass is considered a formidable predator and a valuable sport fish. You might know Aliceville Lake under the name of Aliceville Reservoir or Pickensville Lake. This reserve, not so far away from Jordan Lake, has 39,000 acres of water and a 750-mile-long shoreline, making it one of the largest lakes in Alabama. Anthropogenic activity has significantly compromised many of its favored habitats, with dams blocking some vital spawning routes and polluting natural waters. Tennessee River: A total of 178 species have been documented in the Alabama section of the Tennessee River system. Chambers County PFL is closed due to draining and restocking. Measuring an average of 2.4 inches (6 cm), these fish serve as environmental indicators of relatively unpolluted systems. Here, you can fish for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, shoal bass, redeye bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, blue catfish, white catfish, black crappie, white crappie, walleye, rainbow trout, bluegill, green sunfish, longear sunfish, redbreast sunfish, redear sunfish, rock bass, warmouth, white bass, yellow bass, yellow perch, stripers, alligator gar, bowfin, chain pickerel, longnose gar, muskie, paddlefish, sauger and spotted gar in local lakes, rivers, ponds and/or streams. Interestingly, their impressive distribution is due in part to their tolerance for turbid waters. Also known as the shellcracker, the redear sunfish is most abundant where its favored prey types mollusks and snails are found. 4. Tagging and recapture studies have demonstrated that some American eel larvae return to the same river systems occupied by their parents. Lake Jordan is recommended for bank fishing. Auburn, Ala.: Auburn University Agricultural Experimental Station, 1968. Its back is an even darker shade of green, but the ventral portion of its abdomen may be creamy to yellow in color. Alabama offers a great abundance of fresh fishing lakes to fish at. Wilson Lake is a great fishing destination. Redear sunfish are more populous in the lower half of Alabama, where they may often be found in slightly saline waters. A growing understanding of the direct relationship between water quality and the health of Alabamas fish communities has prompted many state and federal agencies to incorporate fish community sampling as part of their regular water-quality monitoring programs across the United States. It is a recreational lake with fishing opportunities for large mouth bass, spotted bass, bluegill and other sunfish, crappie, catfish, striped bass, hybrid and white bass. Its highlight may be the . Circumstances that require state recognition and federal protection vary from species to species. February-April is an excellent time for crappie, redear sunfish, and bluegill near the bank is perfect in spring through summer. Wheeler Lake gets about 200,000 fishing visitors on a yearly basis, making it one of the most popular fishing lakes in Alabama. Fishes of Alabama. State Record: 52 lbs 12 oz The lake is one of Alabama's best-kept fishing secrets. The discharge rate of cool water is also sustained throughout the year, benefiting the long-term health of fish. With 68,000 acres, spanning 75 miles from Nickajack Dam to . Some of their catch is sold locally, but most is cleaned, packed in ice, and shipped to northern markets. It favors murky waters, where it has a high tolerance for pollutants. This sustained discharge rate is very important to the long-term health of Alabamas many fish species, especially during prolonged periods of drought. Click here for an Alabama Fishing Licence. Several of these contain water that is clean enough to drink and is thus perfect for the needs of many aquatic animals and plants. The Cost Guys is dedicated to getting you a better deal. This fishs diet largely consists of macroinvertebrates and small types of fish, such as minnows and darters. One of the most productive lakes in the state for different fish species is Lewis Smith Lake, near Cullman. In fact, one-sixth of the states total land area is covered in freshwater resources like lakes, estuaries, reservoirs, ponds, and springs. There are also many other lakes, including public and private fishing purposes, everywhere in Alabama. Lake Demopolis Located a bit northern from our previous two entries. Found in a wide range of water bodies, including swamps, backwaters, and reservoirs, this species likely expanded its range throughout the continent from within Alabamas wetlands and those of its neighboring states. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries 64 North Union St. Montgomery, AL 36130 334-242-3465. The Mobile Basin provides some of the best game fishing habitat and opportunities in North America. Watercress Darter 2074 Co Rd 1651, Cullman, AL 35058. Rainbow trout is deliberately stocked as a sport and food fish in many of Alabama's lakes. This chart shows the major angling destinations in Alabama, cross referencing these waters with the major species to be found in each of the lakes or impoundments. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Its a very large reservoir with almost 7,000 acres of water and a 188-mile-long shoreline. Most marine species are confined to coastal rivers and the delta, but a few species move upstream as far north as Tuscaloosa in the Black Warrior River system and Montgomery in the Alabama River system. The shadow bass is a more elusive perciform due to its limited distribution. The best spot to fish for the channel cat is in the Alabama River specifically Miller Ferry Lake and a handful of reservoirs. www.facebook.com . 2023 Alabama Humanities Alliance - All Rights Reserved, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Tuscaloosa: University of Alabama Press, 2004. The best angling season for this species is during its spawning period, the peak of which takes place during the first full moon of May. It has 147 miles of shoreline, and there was a lot of wood and rock cover left in the lake when it was dammed in 1922. Lay Lake covers 12,000 acres (4,900 ha) and has a shoreline about 289 miles (465 km) long. The entire Mobile basin is inhabited by about 242 fish species. The lake hosts a 15,930-acre site that is 18 miles distant. Its an artificial reservoir, developed in 1974. Able to thrive in clean springs, reservoirs, and ponds (both private and public), it can easily sustain its local numbers through the annual production of millions of juveniles. There are plenty of bass, crappie, walleye, catfish and sunfish. In Jefferson County, Alabama, lies a small pond that houses one of the last living populations of the endangered watercress darter. Its single habitat, Key Cave in Lauderdale County, is protected by the Tennessee Valley Authority as a National Wildlife Refuge. The construction of high-lift dams has blocked the return of eel larvae into the upstream sections of many coastal rivers in the United States, including Alabama, resulting in smaller and smaller numbers of eels above each successive upstream dam. Since being taken in 1980 by the Army Corps of Engineers, Aliceville Lake, also known as Pickensville, by locals, is one of the best fishing lakes in Alabama. *, Crenshaw County PFL*Closed beginning October 1, 2022*, Dallas County PFL*Closed. A member of the Percidae family, this fish favors cool waters and is seldom associated with the freshwater systems of the warm, southern states of the US. In the Northwest area of Alabama, Lake Pickwick has a notable crappie population and is one of the more popular crappie fishing spots in the state. Locals call it "Lake Guntersville" but a lake by any other name would be just as noteworthy: this body of water is Alabama's largest lake. No matter what kind of fishing you favor, Alabama has it. Rich in crappie, largemouth, and striped bass, Weiss Lake is one of the best fishing lakes in the spring, especially from March to May. Weiss Lake is 564 feet above sea level when it is at its maximum summer pool. Fish and Wildlife Service. Walter F. George Lake, which is best known as Lake Eufaula, is located on the Chattahoochee River between the states of Alabama and Georgia. Locals are advised against eating wild specimens of this species, however, due to their capacity to bioaccumulate mercury. Its very well-known for record-size smallmouth bass and catfish. After spawning is completed, the adults die. Because of water vegetation, this is a great environment for gamefish. Its actually very close to Wheeler Lake, as the two are separated by a dam. When not involved in spawning runs, nonreproductive adults and juveniles of this species usually remain in coastal bays and the lower sections of coastal rivers. Able to feed on practically all forms of living and decaying animals, this phenomenal species is likewise abundant in the Alabama River. It covers over 15,000 acres and is another popular spot in Alabama for bass fishing in the spring and fall. It was once a common inhabitant of river systems that drain into the Gulf Coast. Over 50,000 striped bass are released into this lake annually, and you can catch them by using a 6-pound line and lightweight bait. As a carnivore, it feeds on smaller fish. One of the most gorgeous lakes in Alabama is Lake Guntersville; this North Alabama lake is located between Bridgeport and Guntersville. Neely provides a wide assortment of netting, such as crappie, bluegill, and other sunfish, spotted bass, striped bass, hybrid and white bass. Lake Guntersville. A reopening date will be announced at a later time. Its one of the best fishing lakes in West Alabama, and its been managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers since the 1980s. Cedar Bluff, AL. Wheeler Lake often abstains as a great fishing lake. The upper Coosa and Tombigbee Rivers are recognized nationally for their excellent crappie fishing. Apart from fish, they are able to consume many types of amphibians, reptiles, and small mammals. The larvae of this species are carried by ocean currents for several months, during which time they undergo one or two major changes in physical appearance. Weiss Lake is a 30,000-acre lake located in northeast Alabama on the Alabama and Georgia border on the Coosa River. This eel can grow up to 4 feet (1.2 meters) long, with females typically growing longer than males. The U.S. This sturgeons native habitats, much like those of Alabamas other endemic fish, are definitely in need of more effective conservation efforts. Its difficult for most freshwater fish to match the expansive spread of the common carp, which is a remarkably hardy species. It is located 15 miles south of Columbiana in east-central Alabama, famous for boating and fishing tournaments throughout the year. It is grown in aquaculture farms and is fished commercially in some of Alabamas most productive freshwater systems. You might also like tovisit these waterfalls in the Alabama. As paddlefish are suspension feeders, they are usually found in fresh, open water. Besides fishing, Lake Martin includes many popular attractions, including eagles nest, actual sand beaches, restaurants, camping areas, and outstanding islands. Largemouth bass and crappie are the most common species, with most fish ranging from 10 to 18 inches. , Smith Lake is also home to urban myths, as the building of the dam flooded a town called Falls City. Hybrid striped bass and rainbow trout are stocked annually in designated lakes. The state record dwarfs that . Over 23 public lakes are managed by The Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division. With 500 miles of shoreline and 27 square miles of water surface, this lake is very popular amongst locals as a fishing ground. Different bottom materials, such as gravel or sand, provide perfect spawning habitats. Alabama has some of the great fishing lakes in the realm. When it comes to fish, the lake gets its water from the Tennessee River, with plenty of bass, sunfish, sauger, catfish, and crappie in the water. the flathead catfish has been introduced into the Choctawhatchee and Conecuh Rivers by local anglers and through the collapse of local aquaculture ponds. Bankhead Lake is a 9,000-acre lake in the northeast section of the state, 20 miles west of Birmingham. The largest specimens are able to measure as much as 31 inches (79 cm) long! Compared to many types of sunfish, the warmouth has a competitive edge in polluted waters due to its tolerance for low-oxygen conditions. Pygmy Sculpin The anglers are still scrambling around on this expansive 185,000-acre fishery, trying to piece things together as practice winds down. As a fishing lake, its very popular and it hosts great numbers of largemouth and spotted bass, bluegill, white bass, striped bass, and catfish. Distinguishing between these is very tricky as they possess the same pigmentation and are very similar to one another in size. Fishes are very important to Alabamas economy, the environmental integrity of its rivers and streams, and the recreational enjoyment of its citizens. Nevertheless, as a fishing spot, Pickwick Lake is a record-holding lake in Alabama! To make visual identification even more tricky, the differences have to do with the relative lengths of the head and spleen. As a predator, it feeds by lying motionless in productive shorelines, only darting forward to catch unsuspecting prey. Historic newspaper articles and harvest statistics indicate two anadromous species: Gulf sturgeon and Alabama shadonce migrated into the Alabama, Black Warrior, Cahaba, Coosa, Tallapoosa, and Tombigbee rivers from the late nineteenth century to about the middle of the twentieth century. It is a man-made 44,000-acre reservoir formed by constructing the Martin Dam on the Tallapoosa River. In Alabama, shadow bass are called goggle-eyes due to the cartoonishly-large appearance of their eyes. pixabay/tpsdave. Adults grow to just 8 10 inches (20 25 cm) on average. Information and schedules may change without notice, so please call the Lake Manager or the appropriate Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries District Office for the current operating schedule. When adults reach reproductive age, they begin a long spawning migration that carries them downstream into the Gulf of Mexico, around the southern tip of Florida, and north in the Atlantic Ocean to the Sargasso Sea near the island of Bermuda. Areopening date will be announced at a later time. Five of 15 endemic species documented in the system have disappeared, but populations of 11 speciesincluding the Alabama cavefish, spring pygmy sunfish, and a number of dartersstill inhabit the system. Birmingham: Oxmoor House, 2003. was formed by the building of the Neely Henry Dam. Some of these boast year-round trout fishing opportunities, but strict possession limits must be observed. When this cylindrical-bodied fish enters larger river complexes, it is preyed on by many tertiary consumers. A glimpse into the contents of its jaws reveals rows of sharp teeth. A boat ramp and a fishing pier are available, as well as restrooms and a pavilion. Alligator Gar It is situated on the Sipsey Fork of the Black Warrior River and spans more than 21,000 acres in the counties of Cullman, Walker, and Winston. Logan Martin is a 17,000-acre reservoir with an excellent range of fish, including common bream, spotted bass, striped bass, largemouth bass, and white bass. Lake Guntersville includes plenty of campgrounds, as well as stores, restaurants, boat rentals, fishing supplies and a great number of other amenities.Lake Guntersville is a reservoir located in the northeast corner of Alabama, on the Tennessee River between Bridgeport and Guntersville. Practically all of Alabamas river systems, especially those associated with planted streams, contain warmouth populations. The 18.4-mile (29.6-km) reservoir and dam were constructed by Alabama Power in 1928 to serve as a hydroelectric generator. Overall, Wheeler Lake has been the highest rated lake in terms of TVA's quality indicators in recent years. The Port of Decatur is positioned on Wilson Lake, the most bustling port on the Tennessee River. and its been managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers since the 1980s. However, Lake Martin is an excellent lake for crappie fishing in the summer and offers exceptional bass fishing. Gainesville Lake is a 6,400-acre lake on the AL/MS border northeast of Gainsville. Lake Guntersville is a 68,000-acre lake located on the Tennessee River in the northeast corner of Alabama. Black crappies are known for being prolific breeders with a tendency to overpopulate small bodies of water. Its landscape is dotted with canyons, beaches, cave systems, and wetlands that are full of both rare and endangered life. It is illegal to transport any live baitfish caught from streams, rivers, public lakes or reservoirs in Alabama, away from the waters where caught or to import live baitfish from streams, rivers, public lakes or reservoirs from any area outside the State of Alabama. 2. In spite of these impediments to their survival, some Alabama shad populations continue to spawn inland by migrating through river systems in the southeastern part of the state. Aside from being home to some of the best striped bass fishing in Alabama, Smith Lake is also home to urban myths, as the building of the dam flooded a town called Falls City. It is a 39,000-acre (178 km) reservoir with more than 750 miles (1,200 kilometers) of wooded shoreline. Neely Henry is in Gadsden Alabama on the Coosa River Chain of lakes and is just one lake down below Weiss Lake where the ABT Championship will be held in October. They begin moving downstream toward the coast in August and September. Often considered a living fossil due to its seemingly primitive characteristics, the alligator gar is one fish that will make any onlookers want to do a double take. Lake offers fishing and boating, but boats are limited to 25 horspower. The states largest ever individual, which weighed around 40 pounds (18 kg), was fished in 1967. Backwater areas along the Tennessee River provide excellent fishing opportunities for bluegill, redear sunfish, and blue, channel, and flathead catfishes. The diverse ecosystem of the Coosa River features mussels, crawfish, fish, birds, and snails, offering a rich feeding environment for fish of all species. It is a man-made 44,000-acre reservoir formed by constructing the Martin Dam on the Tallapoosa River. Lake Mitchell is a 5,900-acre lake located 10 miles east of Clanton in central Alabama on the Coosa River. You read that right, we even have jellyfish in Alabama's lakes! Tournaments are organized on a weekly basis, catching crappie, catfish, and bass. One of the best spots to fish for this species is Sipsey Fork, which is the tailwater system connected to Smith Lake. When it comes to camping, this lake is managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Alabamas official state fish, theyre found in practically all freshwater systems. From north to south, the state is littered with well-known crappie venues that produce consistently. Lay Lake is a 12,000-acre lake located 30 miles south of Birmingham in east-central Alabama. [Be Surprised! Another anadromous species, the Alabama shad is an increasingly rare native fish. This total not only includes about 325 described (formally named) and undescribed (recognized but not formally named) native freshwater species, but also 15 introduced (nonnative) freshwater species, and 100 or more marine species. The lower reaches of the Alabama river are home to its most significantly-sized populations. The sport fish found most in Jordan Lake are bass, bluegill, crappie and sunfish. This 183-acre lake located in Chambers County is home to bass, crappie and bluegill. As a carnivore, it is most successful in densely vegetated areas, where it can effectively ambush its prey. Lake Guntersville gets kudos for being voted as Alabama's favorite lake, and with a surface area of 69,100 acres, it's also the largest. Their productive populations make them highly sought after as a sport and food fish. Coastal River Systems: Alabama sections of seven coastal river systems located on either side of the Mobile basin are inhabited by 139 fish species. Lewis Smith Lake and the Coosa and Tallapoosa Rivers are favorite locations for catching striped bass. During the 2012 Alabama Nongame Symposium, the Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources published a series of reports on Alabamas imperiled vertebrate and aquatic mussel and snail species. Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Alabama State Owned and Operated Public Fishing Lakes, Official Web site of Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_lakes_of_Alabama&oldid=1081552478, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 8 April 2022, at 04:17. Eufaula Lake, formally known as the Walter F. George Lake, is a 46,000-acre lake in southeast Alabama with almost 650 miles of coastline. Walter F. George Lake, Eufaula, AL 36027, USA 3. The largest largemouth bass was caught at Mountain View Lake, a private 19-acre body of water in Shelby County, Alabama, known for its bass, bluefish, catfish, and perch fishing. The lake is very fertile and has a good population of bass and the baitfish they feed on. In addition to water use by humans, Alabama's waterways are an integral part. Lauderdale County, Alabama 's waterways are an integral part waters, where they may eventually to! The bank is perfect in spring through summer located a bit northern from our previous two entries northern our. Boating, but boats are limited to 25 horspower most abundant where its favored habitats, like! For catching striped bass: 52 lbs 12 oz the Lake is set from Tom Bevill and... Your free, online resource on Alabama history, culture, geography, and mammals! Alabama 's waterways are an integral part, everywhere in Alabama for bass fishing eggs between. 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