Fishing in Alabama: Top Spots for Freshwater Angling in the Yellowhammer State

Freshwater anglers in Alabama have abundant opportunities to catch fish throughout the state. But not all lakes and reservoirs produce large fish. Here are the most popular freshwater fishing spots in Alabama.

1. Guntersville Lake
According to Game & Fish Magazine, Guntersville Lake is a hot spot for bass, including largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass. The habitat of the lake is considered ideal for producing big fish.

According to Kay Donaldson, vice President of marketing for the Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association, "Lake Guntersville is the crowning jewel of Alabama's fisheries if not the country." The lake has consistently produced tournament-winning fish.

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2. Lay Lake
Lay Lake is another area known for a predominance of large, high-quality bass, as well as crappie, according to Outdoor Alabama. Just below the Logan Martin Dam, fishermen have also been successful catching hybrid striped bass and catfish. Bream fishing is also done on this lake with success. Lay Lake was also the site of the 2002 Bassmaster Classic tournament. Lay Lake is a popular and busy fishing area.

3. Millers Ferry Lake
This 17,000-acre reservoir, located on the Alabama River, is home to prosperous largemouth and smallmouth bass fishing, Outdoor Alabama said. Bass that are caught are usually three pounds or larger. White and black crappie are also in abundance in the lake. Anglers have also been known to catch large blue and channel catfish (up to 35 pounds) as well as striped bass (in the spring).

4. Bankhead Lake
Bankhead Lake is the second largest lake on the Warrior River and spans more than 9,000 acres. Crappie are a popular species caught on the lake, and usually large in size. Hybrid striped bass are also fished here, coming in anywhere from three to eight pounds. Other popular fish caught on Bankhead Lake include rainbow trout, catfish, various sunfish, largemouth bass, and spotted bass.

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5. Pickwick Lake
Bass, stripers, sauger, and catfish can all be found in Pickwick Lake. The 47,000-acre Tennessee River reservoir is home to a large bass population, with Bassmaster reporting that a majority of the fish caught weigh more than five pounds.

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