Fishing in Alabama

The Alabama State Public Fishing Lakes are great places to experience the thrill of catching big largemouth bass or bream in a secure setting. Alabama is the place for fishing.



FIND FISHING SPOTS NEAR YOU






TOP FISHING SPOTS IN ALABAMA

GUNTERSVILLE LAKE

Guntersville is an extremely popular tournament lake and at 69,100 acres is the largest impoundment in the state.

OLIVER LAKE

Located from within Tuscaloosa and stretching upstream of Holt, Oliver Lake is the smallest reservoir on the Warrior River.

OAK MOUNTAIN STATE PARK

Here you'll find two 85-acre lakes and one 60 acre lake stocked with largemouth bass, bream, catfish and crappie to fish from.


GET AN ALABAMA FISHING LICENSE




COMMON CATCHES IN ALABAMA

largemouth bass

LARGEMOUTH BASS

FIND WHERE TO CATCH


Largemouth bass is the official State Freshwater Fish of Alabama. It is also their most popular gamefish.

GEAR TO USE
Rod 6.5 foot medium or medium-heavy action graphite spinning rod
Reel Spinning reel
Line 8-pound test monofilament fishing line
Lure Spinnerbaits, Crankbaits, Frog & Toad Fishing Baits, Soft Plastic Baits, Topwater Fishing Baits
bluefish

BLUEFISH

FIND WHERE TO CATCH

You can sniff out bluefish by their smell, which is something like fresh cucumbers.

GEAR TO USE
Rod 7-foot, light- to medium-​action spinning
Reel Matching spinning reel with quality drag
Line 15- to 20-pound braid; and 20-pound fluorocarbon leader
Lure Popper's; Bluefish aren't picky about lure type, just needs to create a surface disturbance. Smaller does well.
walleye

WALLEYE

FIND WHERE TO CATCH

Walleye have needle-like teeth, bite well when the waters are cold, and make excellent table fare.

GEAR TO USE
Rod 6.5 and 7 feet long medium-action graphite rod
Reel Spinning reel
Line 8 or 10 pound test monofilament fishing line
Lure Jigs, Plastic Baits, Crankbaits, Bottom Bouncers
channel catfish

CHANNEL CATFISH

FIND WHERE TO CATCH

The channel catfish is very highly regarded for its food and sports value.

GEAR TO USE
Rod 6- to 7-foot, medium-heavy spinning rod
Reel Spinning reel
Line 14-pound or stronger abrasion-resistant monofilament line
Lure Terminal tackle (circle or bait hooks, treble hooks, egg sinkers), live worms or minnows, cut-bait
greater amberjack

GREATER AMBERJACK

FIND WHERE TO CATCH

The largest and most sought after jack by sport fishermen because of its qualities as a game fish.

GEAR TO USE
Rod 6.5 foot heavy spinning rod with a heavy/fast action
Reel Heavy spinning reel
Line 60-100 pound test fishing line
Lure Live baits, Vertical Jigs, Minnows, Mullet, Spanish or Scaled Bait, Pinfish
tarpon

TARPON

FIND WHERE TO CATCH

The tarpon was one of the first saltwater species to be declared a game fish.

GEAR TO USE
Rod 5.5 foot, medium-heavy, medium-fast-action spinning rod
Reel Spinning reel
Line 30-pound test monofilament or braided fishing line (Monofilament is better)
Lure Jerkbaits, Single hook, Poppers, Soft Plastics, Live or dead sardines

TYPES OF FISHING IN ALABAMA

lakes and ponds

LAKES & PONDS

Learn about the structures in lakes and ponds. Learn where to find fish, tips and more.

streams and rivers

STREAMS & RIVERS

River & stream fishing means knowing where the water is moving, and how fish behave in it.

saltwater bay fishing

SALTWATER BAY FISHING

Reefs, hills and shallows are some the best saltwater fishing locations.

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