Although not native to our coastal rivers. Rainbow trout is deliberately stocked as a sport and food fish in many of Alabama's lakes. Weiss Lake, Chattooga Bridge Boat Ramp. Read more about us here. Areopening date will be announced at a later time. Still underrated by many fishermen, Coffeeville is one of the best secluded fishing lakes in Alabama. Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy | Contact | About, List of Common Freshwater Fish Species in Alabama [Updated], 5) Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), 6) Smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu), 7) Black crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus), 9) Grass pickerel (Esox americanus vermiculatus), 16) Spring pygmy sunfish (Elassoma alabamae), 17) Alabama cavefish (Speoplatyrhinus poulsoni), 18) American paddlefish (Polyodon spathula), 19) Southern red belly dace (Chrosomus erythrogaster), 20) Watercress darter (Etheostoma nuchale), 21) Gulf sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus desotoi), 24) Alabama sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus suttkusi), Tony Webster from Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, expanded its range throughout the continent from within Alabamas wetlands, easily weigh more than 50 pounds (23 kg) each, advised against eating wild specimens of this species, one of the smaller members of the pike family, in the tributaries of the Tennessee River, Watercress Darter National Wildlife Refuge, What Can I Put in My Pond Besides Fish? He, Freshwater is one of Alabama's greatest assets. This carnivorous fish is found in many of Alabamas rivers, large streams, and estuaries. The Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, manages 23 public lakes in 20 counties throughout the state. The shadow bass is a more elusive perciform due to its limited distribution. In Alabama, they mostly occur within the Mobile Basin, though some individuals may also be found in connecting streams and below dams. The largest populations of alligator gar are found in the Mobile-Tensaw Delta system. Chambers County PFL is closed due to draining and restocking. Male and female spring pygmy sunfish exhibit markedly different coloration. Several Tennessee River tributaries, including Shoal Creek, Elk River, and Paint Rock River, offer excellent fishing opportunities for wading and canoe anglers to catch smallmouth, largemouth, spotted, and rock bass in a flowing stream environment. Logan Martin Lake is a 15,000-acre lake located in east-central Alabama on the Coosa River,30 miles east of Birmingham. They may also be tricky to catch as they rarely stray away from cover. The states largest ever individual, which weighed around 40 pounds (18 kg), was fished in 1967. Big Creek Lake is a 3,600-acre lake in the southeast corner of the state, 15 miles west of Mobile. They may also consume young of their own kind if food is scarce. [13 Reasons 2023]. Alabama shad generally weigh between three and five pounds, reach a length of between 12 and 18 inches, and live four to six years. It covers more than 45,000 acres and is nicknamed the "Bass Fishing Capital of the World." People come from all over the world to fish from this beautiful lake. When crappie fishing in Alabama, anglers generally know the top destinations. *, Washington County PFL(J. Emmett Wood Lake). 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. Located in the far north, this lake got its name after General Joseph Wheeler. Fishes of Alabama and the Mobile Basin. As such, its a very popular tourist attraction with the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge managing the area. No matter what kind of fishing you favor, Alabama has it. On Feb. 3, Alabama Power deployed 80 new artificial fish-attracting devices (FADs) on the lake. When was Lay Lake built? You will possibly see deer on your fishing trip to Lake Guntersville. Compared to the Atlantic sturgeon, which is also a subspecies of A. oxyrinchus, the Gulf sturgeon is set apart by just a couple of minor morphological differences. With the Elk River flowing from the Cumberland . The qualifications for this List of Alabama lakes is that the lake contains sports fish, is open to the public and is managed by Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources or other state or federal agencies. Wheeler Lake is a 67,000-acre reservoir located in north-central Alabama at Decatur, AL on the Tennessee River. Early newspaper photos and articles noted the collection of a 360-pound Gulf sturgeon in the Cahaba River near Centreville in 1941, a 400-pound fish from the Coosa River near Coopers in 1924, and several 300- to 400-pound fish in the lower Tallapoosa River near Wetumpka in the 1920s and 1930s. Lake Martin is one of our choicest fishing stops for blackcrappie, spotted bass, largemouth bass, striped bass, flathead catfish, channel catfish, redear sunfish, and bluegill in Alabama. Extremely popular as gamefish throughout the US, they reputedly put up the best fight (among bass species) and can be caught using both natural and artificial types of bait. Dekalb County Public Lake has a significant variation of fishing yearly. The bass bites best from February to May, as well as early fall. As a carnivore, it feeds on smaller fish. Alabama Shad 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. Fishes are very important to Alabamas economy, the environmental integrity of its rivers and streams, and the recreational enjoyment of its citizens. 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. Rainbow trout is deliberately stocked as a sport and food fish in many of Alabamas lakes. However, it is still very rich in terms of fish species, with bass, bluegill, and channel catfish very common in the area. 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. was formed by the building of the Neely Henry Dam. Accurate identification requires a close inspection of the spines on the fishs dorsal fins. Alabama has some of the great fishing lakes in the realm. Areopening date will be announced at a later time. Directions. the flathead catfish has been introduced into the Choctawhatchee and Conecuh Rivers by local anglers and through the collapse of local aquaculture ponds. Areopening date will be announced at a later time. 1 Guntersville Lake. Neely Henry Lake consists of 339 miles of coastline and 129,800 acre-feet established near the city of Gadsden on the Coosa River. Five, 6, and even 7 lb fish are reeled in every year here. Bear Creek Reservoir is a 1,500-acre lake in the northeast corner of AL, nearby Atwood. Fairly large for a freshwater fish yet quite small for a sturgeon, S. suttkusi has been known to freshwater biologists for just a few decades. They use their extended rostrums to detect these microscopic animals, which they filter out using their gill rakers. Smallmouth bass are usually bioindicators of clean lake systems due to their poor tolerance for pollution. Cedar Bluff, AL. Lake Guntersville extends 75 miles with rich hardwoods and pine! Bluegills are found all throughout Alabama as they can persist in smaller bodies of water. Paddlefish Introduced into North America via the aquarium trade and the aquaculture industry, its escapees have managed to reshape the food webs of many important lake systems. A. rostrata is an endangered freshwater eel that migrates into the Atlantic Ocean, specifically the Sargasso Sea, to spawn. To tell them apart, you may have to do some math! Several of these species, such as the vermilion darter, have also been listed as endangered or threatened by the U.S. Alabama offers a great abundance of fresh fishing lakes to fish at. Smallmouth populations are delicate at Lake Wheeler. Due to their preference for rivers and streams, they rarely come to mind as an exciting sport fish. Wilson Lake Near Florence is located in Colbert County in Alabama. Alabama has some of the best Fishing in the country. Its an artificial reservoir, developed in 1974. The chain pickerel is the largest type of pike found in the state of Alabama. 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. As a carnivore, it is most successful in densely vegetated areas, where it can effectively ambush its prey. Our guides, vetted by experts, ensure you are paying a fair price for whatever it is you are looking for. Because of water vegetation, this is a great environment for gamefish. and its been managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers since the 1980s. Some of their catch is sold locally, but most is cleaned, packed in ice, and shipped to northern markets. The division is composed of the Enforcement, Fisheries and Wildlife Sections. Since Lake Jordan's creation, its function has broadened to provide flood control, irrigation, and drinking water throughout surrounding areas. Aliceville Lake is set from Tom Bevill Lock and Dam on the Tombigbee River and consists of 8300-acres. Rich in crappie, largemouth, and striped bass, Weiss Lake is one of the. Fishes are relatively long-lived creatures, and most require fairly specific habitat and water-quality conditions to survive and reproduce. Tennessee River: A total of 178 species have been documented in the Alabama section of the Tennessee River system. You read that right, we even have jellyfish in Alabama's lakes! Individuals live in freshwater rivers for 6 to 9 years. The licenses and their costs for 2021 are: Annual License: This license is valid from September 1 - August 31. Alabama is one of the best places in the world to catch bream, too. In Alabama, shadow bass are called goggle-eyes due to the cartoonishly-large appearance of their eyes. These lakes range in size from 13 to 184 acres for a total of 1,912 surface acres. William Wyatt Bibb included Alabama's main river channels in the design, forever imprinting the strategic importance of rivers to Alabama's future. This sustained discharge rate is very important to the long-term health of Alabamas many fish species, especially during prolonged periods of drought. These rare fish, which were discovered in 1937, were already considered extinct twice! Bits of vegetation, diatoms, algae, and small invertebrates in the tributaries of the Tennessee River keep its stomach satisfied. [1] These lakes range in size from 13 to 184 acres (0.7km2) for a total of 1,912 acres (8km2). Additional information and rules for each lake is available from the lake manager, the Alabama Fisheries Section at (334) 242-3471, or the PFL Biologist, Jonathan Brown. 1, A Checklist of Vertebrates and Selected Invertebrates: Aquatic Mollusks, Fishes, Amphibians, Reptiles, Birds, and Mammals. Adult Gulf sturgeon usually congregate in coastal bays in January and February, begin their upstream spawning migrations into freshwater rivers during winter floods, and spawn from late March into early May. Some of Alabamas rarest fish species are found only in those springs that discharge large quantities of cool groundwater. Seeing the above writing, you can understand today that we will discuss the bestfishing lakesin Alabama, where you cant forget some serious yet best fishing destinations in the US. This 51-mile-long lake that covers more than 21,000 acres is primarily known for its crystal-clear water. Despite that, its still one of the best crappie fishing lakes in Alabama. The tailwater area below Wheeler Lock and Dam is best known for its abundant population of smallmouth bass. Lay Lake, Alabama, USA. These lakes range in size from 13 to 184 acres for a total of 1,912 surface acres. The most common species of interest are the crappie, largemouth, white and smallmouth bass, flathead and channel catfish, and sunfish. One of the best locations for shellcracker fishing is Mobile Bay. Its a great primitive camping and fishing location, managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers. A favored forage fish for many of North Americas large aquatic carnivores, the bluegill plays an important role wherever it is found. www.facebook.com . Neely Henry Lake is an 11,000-acre lake located on the Coosa River in the northeast of the state directly south of Gadsden. 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. Vol. Whether analyzed from a traditional perspective or from current trends, fisheries like Eufaula, Martin, Weiss, and Pickwick rank favorably with any crappie lakes in the country, and even out-of-the-way stops like . Its landscape is dotted with canyons, beaches, cave systems, and wetlands that are full of both rare and endangered life. Unlike Lake Guntersville, Wheeler holds a healthy population of smallmouth bass. 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. Still, according to the Tennessee Valley Authority in 2013, it carries more fish than Lake Guntersville. Lake Martin is a 40,000-acre lake located directly south of Alexander City in Central Alabama on the Talapoosa River. The most popular areas are the Wilson Dam tailwater and the basin at Colbert Fossil Plant, where warm water attracts fish during the winter. Alabama Wildlife. Like many permanent cave dwellers, the Alabama cavefish lacks eyes and any traces of pigmentation. Some adults remain in deep pools and around submerged structures in freshwater rivers after spawning ends, and others occasionally migrate between freshwater and marine environments. This site offers articles on Alabama's people, events, sports, art, literature, industry, government, plant and animal life, agriculture, recreation, and so much more. A subspecies of the American pickerel, the grass pickerel is distinguished by its dusky colors and its light and dark bands. The Alabama State record for freshwater drum of 41 pounds, 8 ounces was caught on Wilson Lake June 24, 1949 by Wilson Brock of Birmingham. The distributions and life histories of several riverine species have been altered by the construction of navigation locks and dams, habitat loss resulting from dredging activities, pulsed discharges of cold water from hydroelectric dams, and water pollution. Vermilion Darter Reservoirs - A list of the large reservoirs in Alabama and a description of management strategies to improve fishing. 2. A reopening date will be announced at a later time. Excellent largemouth, smallmouth, spotted, shoal and redeye bass fishing opportunities are available to anglers in many lakes and ponds in Alabama. Aside from crappie and largemouth bass, theres also hybrid striped bass and bream. Mobile-Tensaw River Delta, Alabama 36527, USA. When these young eels reach adult size, the process is repeated. In fact, the world record bluegill came from a small private lake in central Alabama way back in the early 1950s. Located a bit northern from our previous two entries, Neely Henry Lake was formed by the building of the Neely Henry Dam. For a detailed list of primary fish species in AL, plus state fish records, see the list below. Commercial fishing and catfish farming generate additional millions of dollars in economic benefits for Alabama annually. There are 23 public lakes in the state, ranging from small to massive in size. With 500 miles of shoreline and 27 square miles of water surface, this lake is very popular amongst locals as a fishing ground. Practically all of Alabamas river systems, especially those associated with planted streams, contain warmouth populations. Numbers of species per river system range from 123 in the upper Tombigbee River to 147 species in the Coosa River. 5. When this cylindrical-bodied fish enters larger river complexes, it is preyed on by many tertiary consumers. Apart from fish, they are able to consume many types of amphibians, reptiles, and small mammals. Lake Oliver is a 2,100-acre lake on the AL/GA border at Phenix City. Impressively, the largest and oldest specimens of this massive fish can measure about 12 feet (3.7 meters) in length. 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. 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. The lake has a boat ramp and a fishing pier, as well as restrooms, concession stands, and a pavilion, making it a great location for a family trip and one of the, Unfortunately, rental boats arent available, so you can only fish from the shore for now. Its populations help control the growth and spread of macroinvertebrates and, in turn, serve as a vital food source for secondary and tertiary consumers. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Books, 2004. Support freshwater habitat enhancement, aquatic wildlife species protection and restoration, conservation education, bass genetic research, sport fish disease research, invasive species management, and public water fish stockings. The U.S. After hatching, young shad feed aggressively in fresh water for three to four months, during which time they grow to six to seven inches in total length. Mettee, Maurice F., Patrick E. ONeil, and J. Malcolm Pierson. Where To Fish In Alabama. As a fishing lake, its very popular and it hosts great numbers of largemouth and spotted bass, bluegill, white bass, striped bass, and catfish. Alabama sturgeon may be the species in greatest danger of becoming extinct in the near future. This exceedingly tiny sunfish, which rarely grows to more than an inch long, exists in just one part of Alabamas Tennessee River system. Set apart by its lengthy bodice, it can grow to about 24 30 inches (61 76 cm) long. Lewis Smith Lake and the Coosa and Tallapoosa Rivers are favorite locations for catching striped bass. Weiss Lake is a 30,000-acre lake located in northeast Alabama on the Alabama and Georgia border on the Coosa River. 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. 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