Alabama has become a Mecca for fresh water fishing. The State is home to 14 lakes that have produced some of the biggest fish in the country. No matter if you like bass fishing or if you just enjoy getting out with the Grandchildren to bream fish, it can be done on Alabama's lakes. These lakes have produced 55 pound striped bass, 16 pound large mouth bass, 4 pound bluegill and crappie and 9 pound rainbow trout. Although they are not as good to eat, Alabama has also produced 151 pound Alligator Gar, 111 pound blue catfish, 80 pound flathead catfish and 40 pound channel cats. Those are some absolutely amazing fish. Located smack dab in the middle of this fishing wonderland is Birmingham, Alabama. Within one hour of Birmingham you can find some of Alabama's finest lakes. They include: Lake Logan Martin to the east, Smith Lake and Neely Henry to the North and the Bankhead Reservoir to the West. More information on Alabama Fresh Water Fishing can be found at: https://www.outdooralabama.com/fishing/freshwater/
Lake Logan Martin
Map of Logan Martin
Lying 30 miles East of Birmingham is Lake Logan Martin. Logan Martin is fed by the Coosa River and has approximately 275 miles of shoreline. The Coosa River was created in 1965 by Alabama Power and is contained by the Neely Henry dam to the north and the Logan Martin dam to the south. The lakes depth runs between 35 and 110 feet with about 5 feet of variance between low and high levels. Largemouth bass, Spotted Bass and Crappie are the fish of choice but spotted bass and striped bass can also be found in the spring and summer months. Logan Martin was ranked first in Alabama's lakes for percent of success and 3rd in pounds per angler per day. Largemouth bass are prevalent in the 12" to 18" range with spotted bass being found in the 14" to 21" range. Black Crappie are usually in the 9" to 12" range with 9" being the keeper size.
Smith Lake
Map of Smith Lake
With just a one hour drive north of Birmingham you can reach the southern end of Smith Lake. This lake is a beauty with crystal clear waters and high rocky cliffs surrounding the lake. Smith lake lies about 15 miles west of Cullman Alabama and is easily accessible from I-65. Smith lake is the deepest lake in Alabama with depths reaching 200 feet. With approximately 21000 acres and 500 miles of shoreline there is no shortage of room to fish. Smith Lake boasts monster 40 pound striped bass along with nice sized largemouth bass. Spotted and black bass can also be found, as a matter of fact, Alabama's record spotted bass at 8lbs 15oz was caught in these waters. These monster fish are the reason that many people make the trip up from all around the state to fish Smith Lake.
Lake Neely Henry-
Map of Lake Neely Henry
Close to Gadsden in the Northeast corner of Alabama you can find Lake Neely Henry. This lake is fed from the Coosa River and is located about 45 minutes from Birmingham. Encompassing 11,200 acres and running 78 miles from the Neely Henry Dam to the Weiss Dam the lake is mostly a river run system. Largemouth and Spotted Bass are the most widely fished variety since they top the state in plumpness. Most largemouth bass are in the 12" to 15" range with some getting up to the 18" size. Large Spotted Bass top the states fishing for this species. Neely Henry ranks third in the state with percent of successful anglers per trip. The White Crappie fishing is good with the best times of year being in the Spring and Fall. Most white crappie are in the 9" to 11" size range with 9" being a keeper. Striped Bass fishing is best in the headwaters just below Weiss Dam in the Spring and early Summer months. A good number of 7' striped bass are caught every year. More information on Lake Neely Henry can be found at: http://www.outdooralabama.com/fishing/freshwater/where/reservoirs/neelyhenry/
Bankhead Reservoir
Map of Bankhead Reservoir
The Bankhead Reservoir lies just 15 miles west of Birmingham on the Warrior River. The lake encompasses 9200 acres and is located close to Hueytown. Largemouth and Spotted Bass are the most widely caught fish on the lake with 16" bass being abundant. Trophy potential bass are located in backwater (low current) areas off the main channels. Spotted bass are normally caught on the lower sections of the Reservoir. Crappie fishing is being promoted and fish numbers are increasing. Most crappie caught are usually large in size. Huge fish have been caught here with the most notable being the former world record Hybrid Striped Bass weighing in at 25lbs and 15oz. Rainbow Trout are in good number since the Reservoir is stocked seven times per year with over 3,000 fish per stocking. More information can be found at: http://www.outdooralabama.com/fishing/freshwater/where/reservoirs/bankhead/
Sources: Alabama Outdoor, Emighworld.com-photo, lake lubbers.com-photo
