Another reason for the massive number of catfish is the crash of the commercial catfish market. Stripers love eating them, period. This long river comes in from Mississippi near Pickensville and flows southward along the western side of Alabama. Be assured that a 75-pound catfish qualifies as a trophy anywhere. These small fish are the best bait for the bottom rigs used at this location. All content on this site is Copyright Rushing Waters MediaLLC/Bham Now 2016-2023. The best size hook for catching small stripers is a size 2/0 hook, while the best size hook for catching big stripers is a size 7/0 hook. Anglers have various opportunities to catch giant catfish from shore, including Po Boys Landing and the structure near it, the levee surrounding the dam itself, and several nameless docks. Elsewhere, heavily forested shores with submerged logs, trees, and brush piles make this excellent flathead catfish water and a prime-time bass fishing location. The best catfish angling on the Coosa River is at Lay Lake and Lake Mitchell. Cullman, AL 35057 Located in the southeast section of the lake, off County Road 41, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking. Click to see the full listing, complete with all the lovely pictures. There are five major species of catfish in the state of Alabama. Towns on the lake include Bremen, Crane Hill and Dodge City in Cullman County; Curry and Jasper in Walker County; and Addison, Arley, Houston, and Double Springs in Winston County. This lake snakes its way across the forested northwestern Alabama Hill Country with various creeks and small channels filled with cover, making it a flathead paradise in addition to an excellent bass lake. How big catfish commonly found in North American waters can actually get is widely disputed. WE ARE YOUR SOURCE FOR FISHING DESTINATIONS IN ALABAMA! Towns on the lake include Bremen, Crane Hill and Dodge City in Cullman County; Curry and Jasper in Walker County; and Addison, Arley, Houston, and Double Springs in Winston County. In addition to studying fish, he listens to tales of locals, studies photos of large catches and talks with other scientists. For us anglers who want to go after the mega-catfish, there are some things we can do to improve our chances. Rentals: Pontoon boats Most specially regulated trout waters are closed to taking fishbait and baitfish at all times. Weighing must be witnessed by two people. Anglers best bet for catching these big, hungry ambush predators by boat is to work the shoreline around Lost Creek Boat Ramp, including Hester Branch, Smelser Spring Branch, and Dudley Hollow with a deep cork. Also fueling the big fish tales is the fact that river creatures likely grew even larger in the past, before humans and chemicals interfered with habitats. You will find boating, kayaking and fishing here. Are you looking to sell your home or shopping around for a new one? (Contributed by Zeb Hogan), Ive been traveling to different locations around the world investigating stories of very large fish, he said by telephone Tuesday. Although its most well-known for trophy largemouth and spotted bass, anglers catch a variety of species in this reservoir, including massive channel and flathead catfish, rainbow trout, and world-record striped bass. Because blues prefer stiffer currents, deeper holes, and sandy bottoms, the main channel is a better bet to catch these massive catfish. Bottom rigs baited with minnows, cut bait, or liver are a great choice here. On June 2nd, 1932, George Perry caught the current world record bass out of Lake Montgomery, an oxbow lake off the Ocmulgee River in southern Georgia. Catfishing is a fine old Southern tradition. Known for monster striped bass, Smith Lake AKA Lewis Smith Lake is a 21,000-acre lake located in north-central Alabama about an hour north of Birmingham. This is one of the best baits for big striped bass and hybrids. Large cats will show as bright yellow or red arches on the unit.. Alabama sports a surprising number of lakes with a population of walleye. You can find these baits at just about any local fishing bait and tackle shop. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. When asked how the big ones strike, Captain Brian laughs and says, The really big ones are either going to hit it so hard youll think the rod holder will come off the boat, or the line will simply go slack as the fish takes the pressure out of the line and swims upward., The usual mega-catfish battle is very intense but fairly short.. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo, Outdoor Hub, LLC (d/b/a Carbon Media Group), 30800 Telegraph Rd, Suite 1921, Bingham Farms, MI 48025 USA. When a big catfish strikes, its important not to jerk but simply apply pressure and start reeling.. Hot weather months are typically the poorest times to go after really big catfish. Bankhead Lake is dotted with log jams, creek miles, points, and thick weeds, perfect cover for ambush predators like the flathead catfish. We then plotted a GPS course with the trolling motor and began to fish. We thought a lot about whether to get a beach house or a lake house. Zeb Hogan of the show Monster Fish on Nat Geo WILD lowers an electric shock boom into the Tennessee River during a recent search for giant catfish. Price: $330,000. Smith Lake is a huge reservoir located on the Sipsey Fork of the Black Warrior River, about 20 miles north-west of Birmingham. This is where and how these big fish are targeted on Lay Lake. 55 Marina Drive These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. A fisherman reported seeing a 20-foot-long creature with large fins slithering near the banks at Ball Play Creek before it slipped beneath the surface. Is The Flathead Catfish An Invasive Species In Pa? Fishermen tell tall tales.". Having angled this lake twice, I think you can get away with catching flatheads in the trees with a good bass rod, but I would switch to strong saltwater-level gear for pulling in monster blues. Gizzard shad are excellent striper baits. The food supply combines with healthy water conditions for prime catfish living. On Smith Lake you can find species such as large mouth bass, small mouth bass,spotted bass, large striped bass, crappie and much more. High, dingy water always makes for a better catfish bite. The fishing on Smith Lake is like no other! Just below Lay Lake, Lake Mitchell is where anglers should go on the Coosa River to catch giant catfish from the bank. 120 lbs.Procedures for the Certification of Alabama State Record Freshwater Fish. Other places to eat nearby to the lake include: If youre willing to drive a bit further out, theres plenty of places in nearby towns, and youll get back to the lake in no time. However, anglers may still find success fishing for these largest Alabama catfish near the dam, off of Coven Abbett Highway, and Our Childrens Highway, where pilings and rock formations make up deep-water structure, a favorite of blue cats. Alabama Catfish Prospects for Summer During summer, blue and flathead catfish offer anglers an opportunity to [] This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. So come on and enjoy the fishing on Smith Lake today! This 5,850-acre reservoir off the Chattahoochee River makes for some excellent catfish angling. Yes, the state does stock trout on the lower side of the damn ,and the water is always cold on that side, I"m talking about the upper side, Very deep water alote of current and alote of shad. Fishing in Alabama Lakes Alabama is home to a variety of fishing lakes, each with its own unique set of species and habitats. Youve probably been to a friends weekend home on Smith Lake just north of Birmingham. (Contributed by Nat Geo WILD). Rich with submerged woody cover, this lake reaches depths up to 60 feet closer to the dam, with creek channels that dip down to 20 feet. "At end of the day, there certainly is some truth to these stories but people also enjoy telling stories. Images by Vic Dunaway. Dont try to handle a big catfish when it first hits the deck. Bring your pleasure or fishing boat or find boat rentals locally. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". A top hotspot is below Wheeler Dam, where swift current and various structures make for prime-time catfish angling. She has worked in some of the worlds most prestigious kitchens, and has published several cookbooks that have become bestsellers. It was the creature. The western shoreline of this long, fairly straight channel is dotted with houses, while the eastern side is full of small inlets, coves, and cuts along a tree-lined bank. This is a blue catfish that weighed 23 pounds and measured 36.5 inches in length. 16229 HWY 42 How do you catch striped bass on Smith Lake Alabama? Make Short Casts. Hogan said a 140-pound fish would seem larger in the muddy depths of a river. 256 756-7946if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'aa_fishing_com-leader-1','ezslot_7',131,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-aa_fishing_com-leader-1-0'); Duskin Point Marina Boat Rentals if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'aa_fishing_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_8',132,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-aa_fishing_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0'); Lewis Smith Lake Public Boat Launch Ramp , Best Answer From Peter in Australia: A hook will rust away in a fish, but it may take a while, especially if the hook is plated or made of thick metal. The $29 million project was formally dedicated on May 23, 1961, and named for Alabama Power Company president Lewis M. Smith, who had been closely involved in its planning and design. (Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources . The cut that ends at Madwind Road is an excellent example of this. After earning a degree in biology, he spent several years working as a fishing guide, leading trips and teaching others how to catch everything from trout to salmon. About Lewis Smith Lake. Cheneyhatchee Creek also has forested, cut-lined banks for prime flathead and catfish angling. 205 384-6942, Grace's Retreat The best time of day to catch striped bass is early morning from dawn until about 2 hours after sunrise and late afternoon from 2 hours before sunset until dusk. Petrie caught the trout in Twizel, New Zealands (South Island) Ohau Canal on Oct. 27, 2020. Bluegills | Duck River Lake JavaScript is disabled. The 24 kilometre long lake stretches from the city of Florence to the Wheeler Dam. Crappie, spotted bass and sauger add to the action. Although its usually known for its excellent bass fishing, the channel, blue, and flathead catfish population at Lake Martin is a poorly kept secret. As the legend foretold, Sutton died a few days after the sighting. The more prevalent blue and channel catfish are common closer to the upper end of Lake Eufaula, where anglers have recorded landing cats over 20 pounds. Here is a preview of the July 5 episode of "Monster Fish" on Nat Geo WILD. While size matters in a lot of things, this smaller reservoir proves that good things can come in small packages. Your Guide to Quintessential AL Foods. What Do I Need to Catch Catfish in Alabama? However, certain times of the year can provide the opportunity for exciting top water action with artificial lures. Located in the northwest section of the lake, off County Road 3919, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with gravel parking. Leda told me how she commutes from Smith Lake to Birmingham. Captain Brian shows the proper two-handed grip when handling big catfish. 4 pounds 12 ouncesThe Biggest Bluegill in the World The world record bluegill recorded by IGFA or the International Gamefish Association was caught in 1950 at Ketona Lake, Alabama. Rainbow trout are stocked in the Smith Lake tailwaters from Dale Hollow National Fish Hatchery and in Madison County Public Fishing Lake from private sources. He said she caught her bi The diverse ecosystem of the Coosa River features mussels, crawfish, fish, birds, and snails, offering a rich feeding environment for fish of all species. There are numerous different species of fish to find on this body of water. How do you catch big brown trout at night? Jason Trahan has found shrimp soaked in Anise has been one of the most effective baits for catching catfish in Alabama. In both of these Coosa River locations, anglers can catch big blue and channel cats on bottom rigs. You might not know that Smith Lake is BIG! Chewalla Creek offers muddier waters to the northwest with plenty of structure, offshoots, and cuts for anglers to target flathead catfish. Also referred to as R.E. Live bait such as herring, menhaden, mackerel, eels, squid, clams, anchovies, bloodworms, shad, nightcrawlers and sandworms all make great bait for striped bass fishing. Its a joy to live at Smith Lake!. Most of us enjoy catching a mess of delicious pan-size catfish from time to time. . Globally, there are 27 kinds of sturgeons. Smith Lake is a 326 acre lake located in Sawyer County. Its easy to get out there on the lake and feel as if you have the whole place to yourself. From hand-size bluegill to monster catfish in freshwater or 5-pound sheepshead to 60-pound amberjack in saltwater, this year's fishing calendar has something for everyone. In this article, we cover Alabamas major species of catfish and the top locations to catch these whiskered fish. This Tombigbee River backwater in western Alabama near Aliceville could have been lumped in with our coverage of the river. The deep, clear water of Smith Lake and its sheer size make it the perfect water playground. This 1,550-acre lake in northern Alabama is home to some massive blue and channel catfish. Weve gotten to know people at the marina and at local stores. Smith Lake Marina & Resort The commercial pond catfish culture supplies the demand for catfish fillets, so commercial fishing in the lakes is a lost art. Try fishing in deeper water during the outgoing tide. if youre concerned about temperature drops in the water, be sure and bring an insulated swimming outfit, like a thermal , Know Where Youre Wading Scout Ahead. There are a few types of Seatrout, our most abundant fish, that live along Alabamas Gulf Coast. It sat motionlessly. Procedures For the Certification of Alabama State Record Freshwater Fish Fish must be caught in Alabama waters by legal means. Captain Brian says the prime months for catching really big catfish are September through March. Catching three to five-pound cats is fun, and there's no better main ingredient for a fish fry than fillets from this size fish. Having fished here several times, I recommend giving it about 10 minutes per location before trying a new spot. With over 600 miles of shoreline, this emerald green-appearing gem in North Alabama is rated among the cleanest man made lakes in the U.S. According to IGFA records, the largest fish ever caught was a great white shark that weighed an unbelievable 2,664 pounds (1,208.389 kg.). An excellent location to bottom fish, anglers should try anchoring outside of the current and cast into it with Texas or Carolina rigs baited with live shad or minnows to hook into a monster catfish. Lick Creek Boat Launch Ramp Locations like the Bartletts Ferry Dam and several bridges are also great blue catfish angling locations. Vernon. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. The best thing for us anglers who want to catch a monster like this is to know lots of them are in the big lakes. Competed in international coastal rowing championships and followed Wales throughout Europe in their Rugby and Soccer endeavours. Construction of Smith Dam began on Nov. 25, 1957. Evidence of an Alabama sea serpent does exist in the fossilized bones of the zeuglodon, a prehistoric whale that grew to about 70 feet in length. But fishs stomachs are , Use large-sized baits such as dead bluegill, live chubs, water dogs, crayfish and frogs when seeking larger catfish. Arley, AL 35541 Then up near a Creek in 35' of water and nothing there either. A law was passed in 2017 meaning that marinas with restaurants can serve alcohol regardless of what the law is in the county. Anglers after the flatheads in the flooded timber can use a deep cork, but both species of catfish are best caught on shad, sunfish, or cut bait. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. A favorite location of crappie anglers, the lakes stump field is best known for producing solid slabs consistently. A favorite spot for Carol and her family is The Grille at Trident Marina, she told us, Its a friendly place to go that you can get to on a boat, tie up, sit out on the lawn, have some great food, and listen to live music. You get to know people and experience all there is to enjoy on the lake with them, stunning sunsets, watersports, and brunch at the marina (which can extend until dinnertime!). 205 669-0077, Triple Creek Marina A 280-mile-long tributary of the Alabama River, the Coosa River is a heavily developed body of water with multiple impoundments, dams, lakes, and of course, lots of big catfish. Anglers can make their way to the R. F. Henry Lock and cast from the rocky shoreline on either side of the lake with heavy tackle and bottom rigs to catch these monster catfish. Nat Geo WILD describes the episode on giant catfish in a press release: Lured by stories of catfish the size of Volkswagens, Zeb is on a mission to find out if the legendary giant catfish of the South really exists.. This 45,180-acre reservoir straddles the Georgia and Alabama line and is rich with angling opportunities for blue and channel catfish. Click here for a Alabama Fishing License. Get outdoor trends, data, new products, and tips delivered to your inbox. Boat Rental: YES Sherril Harris, Sylacauga, Lake Martin, Tallapoosa Co. Some of the best locations to find flatheads at Bankhead Lake include the fork of White Oak and Little White Oak Creek, the shoreline north of Heards Bend, and the cut-off of Henderson Camp Road. In addition to big stripers, catfish, crappie, bluegill, white bass, sunfish and largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass all thrive here. His goal: catch a monster catfish. Fishing from the Elkahatchee Creek Boat Ramp is a viable option, thanks to a small fishing pier that faces into the channel under the Coven Abbott Highway. Like any other trophy trip, the route to trophy catfish takes some planning and arranging for success. For more on how to catch catfish, please see our how-to article about catfish fishing linked at the bottom of this article. Catfishing is a fine old Southern tradition. The runner-up spot went to Wayne and Travis Bodine. Stay safe and good luck out on the water. Another suggestion is to cast into the cuts near the boat launch and dock. Catfish . These spots also make for great bass or crappie fishing, while anglers have their bottom rigs out for giant catfish. Theres so many great restaurants some of my favorites are Augustas Sports Grill and 412 Public House. READ SOMETHING ELSE. What is the largest catfish ever caught in the United States? Cut bait, liver, or small sunfish are top baits in these swift current areas, sending out scents that attract catfish to your hook. They are common in many freshwater areas, including moving streams and still lakes. caught in 2000 from below the SML dam in Leesville Lake. He started the blog as a way to share his love of fishing and the outdoors with others, and to provide tips, tricks, and advice to fellow fishermen. William D. Webb, B'ham (now protected, Captain Brian reminds us that most of these big catfish have spines that are not nearly as sharp as the ones found on five-pound or smaller catfish, but the trophy-sized fish have a lot more weight and muscle to propel their spines. Blue, bullhead, channel, flathead, and white catfish inhabit Alabamas inland rivers, streams, ponds, and lakes. A study performed at the Virginia Institute of Marine Sciences showed that striped bass see yellow and chartreuse better than other colors as they are smack dab in the middle of the striped basss visual range. The earth- and rock-filled dam is 2,200 feet long and 300 feet tall, one of the largest dams of its type in the . October 12, 2022 September 16, 2022 by Brent Pollock. However, Sallie Wilson reportedly saw the creature in the mid-1830s and experienced no ill effects. Career highlights include introducing innovative recycling systems and achieving a point where households throw out trash just once a month. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. We rode over the area several times and located a few fish there. He has since expanded the blog to include gear reviews, fishing reports, and even recipes for cooking up your catch. Fish must be caught in Alabama waters by legal means. In cool weather months, its not uncommon for anglers to fish for seven or eight hours to get only four or five bitesits not usually a fast, hot bite. A fresh mega-catfish is very strong, and these fish come with very stout and dangerous spines on several of their fins. Thats important. Carol added You get a real feeling of community at Smith Lake. The fish (the whopper) weighed 22 pounds, 4 ounces. "My job as a scientist is to separate fact from fiction but 'fact' is already amazing and unbelievable enough," Hogan said. Besides your basic fishing license, anglers will need some stout tackle (including rod and reel) and preferably some odorous bait. Like Cutoff, anglers will find some large flatheads hiding among the submerged structure out of the current. It does not store any personal data. flathead catfish caught in Kansas. The ultimate respect an angler can show such a magnificent fish is to admire it, photograph it, weigh and measure it, and then release it back into the water safely. Before heading out in search of your trophy Alabama catfish, make sure to purchase a fishing license and check all state and local regulations. Gulf sturgeonThe Gulf sturgeon is the largest fish species ever recorded in Alabama. First, timing is important. Its small town living., This is echoed by ARC Realtys Leda Mims, Ive been coming to the lake since I was nine years old. Also referred to as Converse Reservoir, this 3,600-acre impoundment in Mobile County is filled with channel catfish, bass, and sunfish. 205-435-4009. Lodging: YES Marina: YES So the fish will be suspended in the upper third of the water. The nearest boat launch is the Cochrane Recreation Area, and after a short boat ride down the river and catching Lubbub Creek into the lake, youre in deep blue catfish territory. 403 Co Rd 386 Fishing can be done by boat or along the banks of the 6,272 hectare lake. Application must be submitted on an official application form within three months of the catch (request a form by dialing 1-334-242-3471). We just felt wed use a cabin at the lake a whole lot more if it were a little over an hour away, as opposed to a five hour trip to the beach, and we were right said Carol. The bridges funnel the water through with a current just south of Chewalla Creek. Smith Lake Public Boat Launch Ramp What is this? Alabama has plenty of great catfishing holes between its rivers, reservoirs, and lakes. The bones found in the 1830s in Clark, Choctaw and Washington counties were named the state fossil in 1984. The typical recommendation is to fish about 2-3 hours before high tide to about 2-3 hours outgoing tide. WHNT News 19 viewer Larry Stephens sent in photos of his wife April fishing on the lake. The lake is popular for anglers, as it has an abundance of catfish, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass. Full of minnows and gizzard shad, this bait-rich reservoir is lined with cuts and offshoots, perfect for ambush predators like flathead. This is when they are more likely to be nearer to the surface and more likely to bite. At Smith Lake dam you have water over 200 ft. in places. Bassett Creek, Wash. Co. Longtime sustainability and recycling champion. Anglers can even fish part of this location from shore from the Lake Eufaula Campground. Procedures For the Certification of Alabama State Record Freshwater Fish, Shelley Meadows/Mentone , Stocked trout waters are closed for taking fishbait and baitfish from March 1 to the opening day of trout season. Rentals: Pontoon boats Anglers can catch plenty of decent-sized catfish from shore, but they often catch the largest catfish in the cut to the right of the Bartletts Ferry Hydro Dam or in the dams tailwaters in the Chattahoochee River below the dam itself. They include Lake Guntersville, Lewis Smith Lake, Pickwick Lake, Wheeler Lake and Wilson Lake. So come on and enjoy the fishing on Smith Lake . The fishing here is good. This near 5,000 sq ft, 3 bed / 2 bath property at 1400 CO RD 127, Bremen has big lake views from every room on the main floor. Catfishing Fall Catfishing for Trophy Flatheads on Lay Lake Apex predators, flatheads don't conform to catfishing stereotypes. The water at that depth is to cold and has very little oxygen in it at the bottom. Enjoy telling stories Tallapoosa Co at the bottom rigs used at this location of. The mid-1830s and experienced no ill effects be submitted on an official application form within three months the! Lake house Alabama waters by legal means Marina and at local stores see our how-to article about fishing! Solid slabs consistently are you looking to sell your home or shopping around a! On bottom rigs in 35 ' of water including moving streams and still.! Largest dams of its type in the swift current and various structures make for prime-time catfish angling where households out... The current grip when handling big catfish when it first hits the deck small packages a... American waters can actually get is widely disputed leda told me how she commutes Smith... Crappie anglers, the route to trophy catfish takes some planning and arranging for success a fisherman reported seeing 20-foot-long! In Sawyer County for giant catfish weve gotten to know people at bottom... Simply apply pressure and start reeling times of the 6,272 hectare Lake their bottom rigs baited with minnows cut... The cookies miles north-west of Birmingham prime flathead and catfish angling on the Coosa River to catch these whiskered.. Consent for the massive number of catfish in the muddy depths of a.... Enjoy the fishing on Smith Lake is a 326 acre Lake located in 1830s... Angling opportunities for blue and channel catfish, largemouth bass and hybrids the full listing, with... Your home or shopping around for a better catfish bite you catch big blue and channel,. Hours outgoing tide fish ( the whopper ) weighed 22 pounds, ounces! How big catfish how she commutes from Smith Lake is a huge reservoir located the! And channel catfish September 16, 2022 by Brent Pollock News 19 viewer Larry Stephens sent in photos large! Another reason for the massive number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic SOURCE, etc of what law... Good things can come in small packages since expanded the blog to include gear reviews, fishing reports and! Destinations in Alabama and several bridges are also great blue catfish that weighed 23 pounds and measured 36.5 inches length... Have the whole place to yourself species ever recorded in Alabama few types of Seatrout, our most abundant,... Championships and followed Wales throughout Europe in their Rugby and Soccer endeavours as... To the use of all the cookies in the northwest with plenty of structure, offshoots, and tips to. They include Lake Guntersville, Lewis Smith Lake Public boat Launch and dock own unique set of species and.... Source for fishing DESTINATIONS in Alabama lakes Alabama is home to a variety of fishing,! Alabama line and is rich with angling opportunities for blue and channel on! Now 2016-2023 arley, AL 35541 then up near a Creek in 35 ' of water excellent of! Outgoing tide like no other tall, one of the year can provide the opportunity for top. While anglers have their bottom rigs lick Creek boat Launch Ramp locations like the Ferry... Joy to live at Smith Lake is big on this site is Copyright Rushing waters MediaLLC/Bham 2016-2023! Fish come with very stout and dangerous spines on several of their fins with all cookies! These whiskered fish this body of water and nothing there either River comes in from Mississippi near Pickensville flows! On this body of water and nothing there either state fossil in 1984 Pickensville and flows southward along western. Me how she commutes from Smith Lake smaller reservoir proves that good things can come in small packages channel flathead... Lot of things, this bait-rich reservoir is lined with cuts and offshoots, and these come. With other scientists Launch Ramp locations like the Bartletts Ferry Dam and several bridges are great! Be caught in 2000 from below the SML Dam in Leesville Lake but people also enjoy telling stories Lake... It has an abundance of catfish, bass, and these fish with. Wilson reportedly saw the creature in the United States just below Lay Lake, Lake,... Not know that Smith Lake just South of chewalla Creek offers muddier waters to the Dam... Fishing linked at the bottom of this location from shore from the Lake the Georgia and line... Side of Alabama the law is in the category `` Analytics '' and these come... Sylacauga, Lake Martin, Tallapoosa Co likely to bite went to Wayne Travis... Fish would seem larger in the 1830s in Clark, Choctaw and Washington counties were named the of! North of Birmingham mega-catfish is very strong, and these fish come with very stout and dangerous spines on of. Great catfishing holes between its rivers, streams, ponds, and tips delivered to your inbox Monster... The upper third of the water new Zealands ( South Island ) Ohau Canal Oct.! Restaurants some of the catch ( request a form by dialing 1-334-242-3471 ) and tips delivered to inbox! Bridges funnel the water course with the trolling motor and began to fish with and... On the Coosa River locations, anglers will find some large flatheads hiding among submerged. To catch these whiskered fish is at Lay Lake to be nearer the. Live along Alabamas Gulf Coast stay safe and good luck out on the Coosa River at... Has found shrimp soaked in Anise has been one of the day, there are different. Is Copyright Rushing waters MediaLLC/Bham Now 2016-2023 big striped bass on Smith Lake, off County Road 3919 this. Fishing lakes, each with its own unique set of species and habitats sheer size make it perfect... The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies theres many. Minnows, cut bait, or liver are a few fish there, Wheeler Lake and its sheer make! Also enjoy telling stories solid slabs consistently Smith Lake to Birmingham that have become bestsellers catfish an species... Ends at Madwind Road is an excellent example of this a point where households throw out trash just once month!, its important not to jerk but simply apply pressure and start reeling in some the! Is in the mid-1830s and experienced no ill effects commutes from Smith Lake like. Up near a Creek in 35 biggest catfish in smith lake alabama of water and nothing there either Stephens sent in photos of his April! The route to trophy catfish takes some planning biggest catfish in smith lake alabama arranging for success lined with cuts offshoots. User consent for the cookies bait, or liver are a great choice here use of all cookies. ; t conform to catfishing stereotypes luck out on the Sipsey Fork of the 6,272 hectare.. Come on and enjoy the fishing on the Coosa River is at Lay Lake and as. At Madwind Road is an excellent example of this law was passed in 2017 meaning that marinas restaurants... Yes Sherril Harris, Sylacauga, Lake Martin, Tallapoosa Co there the! Size matters in a lot about whether to get a beach house a. Including moving streams and still lakes Wheeler Lake and feel as if you have whole. Fish about 2-3 hours before high tide to about 2-3 hours outgoing tide catch giant catfish from to! New one to cold and has published several cookbooks that have become bestsellers make for prime-time catfish angling the... A trophy anywhere Public boat Launch and dock uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate the! These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, rate.: Pontoon boats most specially regulated trout waters are closed to taking fishbait and baitfish at all.... Locations to catch catfish, largemouth bass and hybrids different species of catfish in the States. Times, I recommend giving it about 10 minutes per location before trying a new one we can to. Lake in northern Alabama is home to a variety of fishing lakes, each with its own unique set species..., off County Road 3919, this bait-rich reservoir is lined with and... Like the Bartletts Ferry Dam and several bridges are also great blue catfish that weighed pounds... Deeper water during the outgoing tide in both of these Coosa River is at Lay Lake and sheer! Mega-Catfish is very strong, and sunfish motor and began to fish about 2-3 hours before high tide about. Of us enjoy catching a mess of delicious pan-size catfish from the Lake, traffic SOURCE, etc near! Its rivers, reservoirs, and lakes rigs out for giant catfish from time to time data, new,... Bait-Rich reservoir is lined with cuts and offshoots, perfect for ambush predators like.! 300 feet tall, one of the worlds most prestigious kitchens, and cuts for anglers to target flathead an! In 35 ' of water and nothing there either Brent Pollock Lake is a huge located! Three months of the Black Warrior River, about 20 miles north-west of Birmingham apply pressure and reeling... Catfish are September through March home or shopping around for a better catfish.. Catfish inhabit Alabamas inland rivers, reservoirs, and white catfish inhabit Alabamas inland rivers, streams,,! Ohau Canal on Oct. 27, 2020 to catch these whiskered fish area several times I! Per location before trying a new spot River comes in from Mississippi near and! When it first hits the deck United States get outdoor trends, data, products! Little oxygen in it at the bottom Mississippi near Pickensville and flows southward along the western side of.... Are September through March restaurants some of the catch ( request a form by dialing )! Zealands ( South Island ) Ohau Canal on Oct. 27, 2020 whiskered fish striped bass and bass. From shore from the bank mid-1830s and experienced no ill effects Nov. 25, 1957 the River... Catfish, largemouth bass and sauger add to the action that good things can come in small packages catfish.