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SMITH LAKE

Smith Lake is holder of the five past World Record spotted bass catches and is billed as number one for spotted bass and number three for crappie in Alabama.

Smith Lake impounds approximately 21,000 acres with over 500 miles of shore, primarily in Cullman and Winston counties. It is a deep, clear lake with dozens of different feeder streams, winding bays, and sloughs. Steep bluffs cradle much of the lake, with water depths dropping as deep as 60 or 70 feet just a few yards offshore. The water often appears emerald green, and a bass that strikes a lure 10 feet down can be seen as it hits. Access to the lake is easy from Cullman via I-65 exits 299 and 304.

Anglers begin their search for spotted bass on Smith Lake by fishing points, and because there are hundreds of coves along the shoreline, there is no shortage of points. Smith Lake is a challenging lake on which to pattern the bass because the fish are frequently moving as they follow their main food source, shad. The big bass months on Smith Lake are February, March and early April with October and November also being excellent times. Action continues through the summer, but is best very early and late, or at night. Crappie action is best in April or May with striped bass hunting good year-round.

There are several well-known fishing areas on Smith Lake, with Dismal Creek being the most famous with two world spotted bass having been caught here. Other good spots are Brushy Creek and Rock Creek. There is not a great deal of shallow standing timber in this impoundment, so crappie anglers concentrate in the backs of coves, along some of the shallow shorelines, at feeder streams and near piers and boathouses.

The Gulf Coast strain of striped bass were first stocked in Smith Lake in 1983 and are re-stocked each year reaching maturity with weights of over 20 lbs. in approximately 5 years. Trolling with a deep diving lure and a bucktail jig rigged onto a three-way swivel can produce good results starting in late spring and continuing through late fall. Good top-water action for stripers can be had during the cooler months of the year casting a Red Fin or similar top-water lure. The best all around method from catching big striped bass is fishing live bait such as shad or large shriners.

 

Fish the Sipsey Fork (Smith Lake Tailwaters), Alabama's only year-round Trout fishery.

The deep waters leaving Smith Lake provide a fishery unique within Alabama. The Sipsey Fork of the Black Warrior River below Lewis Smith Dam remains in the 50°-65° range all year. These temperatures are too cold for native populations to thrive, but the cold water provides an opportunity for anglers interested in rainbow trout to test their skills. The tailwaters also provide a seasonal skipjack herring fishery (March-April).

For more information on fishing the Sipsey Fork click here.

For additional information on Smith Lake from the Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division, click here.

Fishing Guide Service

 

Smith Lake Guide Service

(256) 734-2081

Stripers, largemouth and spotted bass guide Bruce Holcombe brings 30 years experience. Companies and pleasure parties welcome. All equipment furnished – just bring lunch, drinks and an Alabama fishing license.

Speegle’s Marina

(256) 734-0698

Fishing guide service

Riverside Fly Shop

17027 AL Highway 69, Jasper, AL 35504; (256) 287-9582

E-mail: riversideflyshop@gmail.com

Fly-fishing outfitter specializing in custom rod building, fly fishing and tying classes as well as guided tours on Smith Lake.

Visit our Web site @ www.riversideflyshop.com

 

Alabama Fishing License Information

Click here for Alabama Freshwater Fishing license information.