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. Anglers should moor outside the channel opening and cast into the current, letting the scent drift into the moving water and drawing the catfish out from near the dam. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. He has since expanded the blog to include gear reviews, fishing reports, and even recipes for cooking up your catch. Anglers may be able to catch shad at the back of the lake by cast net or buy them from a bait shop. Especially when the sun goes down, catfish will school just beneath the tailwaters of the structure, and its a nightly feeding frenzy that anglers shouldnt miss. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. Vernon. This photo is an example of historic pictures Dr. Zeb Hogan studies when researching legends of giant fish. Application must be submitted on official. A kayak fishing enthusiast, he loves paddling into those hidden honey holes in search of all types of gamefish. 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. Longtime sustainability and recycling champion. 7 oz. Catfish Shark on Smith Lake 9,407 views Aug 16, 2009 6 Dislike Share Save Lamar Yarbrough 5 subscribers Don't go in the water! Rumor has it, country music superstar, Billy Ray Cyrus, has a place on Smith Lake. Trophy potential exists in backwater areas. They are no longer rare. Make Short Casts. I catfish up at the Cullman end of the lake. 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. I could see the thing as clear as day," reported newspaper columnist E. Randall Floyd in a 1993 article in the Spartanburg, S.C., Herald-Journal. Before heading out in search of your trophy Alabama catfish, make sure to purchase a fishing license and check all state and local regulations. Line matters and Captain Mike recommends sticking with 10-pound or 12-pound test. 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 See ARC Realtys huge inventory of stunning homes for sale on Smith Lake. Anglers can catch some catfish from the docks, but most anglers there are fishing for panfish and using nightcrawlers or even crappie pellets under a cork when a surprise catfish strikes. While size matters in a lot of things, this smaller reservoir proves that good things can come in small packages. Click here to see the full listing. (Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources . This is a blue catfish that weighed 23 pounds and measured 36.5 inches in length. 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. Gizzard Shad. Wes I have never catfished below Smith Lake dam. Hogan said a 140-pound fish would seem larger in the muddy depths of a river. Boat Launch Ramp: YES Located mid lake, on the south side of the lake, off Smith Lake Dam Road, this is a four-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking. Because shad and sunfish fluctuate in number and size throughout the year, check the waters to see whats schooling before baiting your rig. Today, commercial catfishing is rarely done in the lakes. So, when a big catfish is caught, it should be released. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". 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. The Alabama state record largemouth bass was caught in 1987 by Thomas Burgin from Mountain View Lake just south of Leeds, Alabama and weighed 16 pounds, 8 ounces. How big catfish commonly found in North American waters can actually get is widely disputed. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. I caught several small fish, but I had no luck on a fish over 30 pounds. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Rate article Have you thought about getting your own place? Restaurant: YES. Located in the southwest section of the lake, at the east end of the State Route 41 Bridge, this is a three-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking. Weve gotten to know people at the marina and at local stores. The rivers temperature can vary from temperate in the shallows to near-freezing in open water. We need to gear up right if were going trophy catfish hunting. (Contributed by Zeb Hogan). Amenities. Catfish also find their way into marshes, coastal estuaries, and river deltas. October 12, 2022 September 16, 2022 by Brent Pollock. Streetville Island and Cutoff Bar are also great nearby locations where anglers can anchor the boat and fish straight from the land. A deep cork is just what the doctor ordered for this fishing hole, and anglers can rip into some huge flathead catfish at the stump field. They just take the bait and go.. Arley, Alabama 35541 Sunrise the big flatheads are most abundant. Growing up, we fished mostly for catfish, bream, crappie and black bass . What is the name of the largest fish found in Alabama freshwater? Fish include Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike and Walleye. Keep the two pounders for a fish fry.. Fish Species & State Records in Alabama Bass Largemouth bass World record: 22 lbs 4 oz State Record: 16 lbs 8 oz Smallmouth bass World record: 11 lbs 15 oz State Record: 10 lbs 8 oz Spotted bass World record: 9 lbs 8 oz They are common in many freshwater areas, including moving streams and still lakes. 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. 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. If the bait is on the bottom, the fish will lift it and relieve the pressure fairly gently. The cut that ends at Madwind Road is an excellent example of this. Smith Lake is a huge reservoir located on the Sipsey Fork of the Black Warrior River, about 20 miles north-west of Birmingham. The typical recommendation is to fish about 2-3 hours before high tide to about 2-3 hours outgoing tide. All rights reserved (About Us). Catfishing Fall Catfishing for Trophy Flatheads on Lay Lake Apex predators, flatheads don't conform to catfishing stereotypes. Although its usually known for its excellent bass fishing, the channel, blue, and flathead catfish population at Lake Martin is a poorly kept secret. Catfish . It is another great lake to visit if you plan to do any fishing this summer. Additionally, the rock formations to the left of the dam on the Alabama side provide great structure and spawning grounds for catfish during the spring. Car-sized catfish do exist. Rentals: Pontoon boats If youre not sold on lakeside versus seaside yet, consider this. The commercial pond catfish culture supplies the demand for catfish fillets, so commercial fishing in the lakes is a lost art. (Aha!). By boat, anglers should also try the rocks lining Bumpass Creek Road, where they may find the occasional blue or channel catfish lurking amongst the boulders or near the underpass. We asked the experts. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Wes what most people call deep is 60 ft. At Smith Lake dam you have. One of the better locations is the channel that leads into the Big Creek Dam. We then plotted a GPS course with the trolling motor and began to fish. This long river comes in from Mississippi near Pickensville and flows southward along the western side of Alabama. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. The trick to locking into catfish is selecting the areas that each species is most likely to inhabit. 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. With coves, cuts, and inlets lining the river above the dam, small islands, and rock structures beneath it, catfish angling has never been better. Millers Ferry Lake runs about 105 miles along the river to the Claiborne Dam in Monroe County. While many of the worlds largest freshwater fish are located outside of North America, several large species can be found in area rivers, including blue catfish, flathead catfish, the Mississippi paddlefish, lake sturgeon, pallid sturgeon, and the alligator gar. 205 388-0662. What state has the biggest largemouth bass? 13 Best Catfish Fishing Lakes and Rivers in Alabama. Fish must be weighed on certified scales. Are there monsters in our midst? The blue catfish caught by Mullenix weighed in at 121.5 lbs, which was not only a Texas state record but also a world record. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. WHNT News 19 viewer Larry Stephens sent in photos of his wife April fishing on the lake. Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement updated 7/1/2022). No, despite what you may have heard, there arent. Captain Brian Barton specializes in guiding anglers on catfishing trips. Try fishing in deeper water during the outgoing tide. There are a few types of Seatrout, our most abundant fish, that live along Alabamas Gulf Coast. These small fish are the best bait for the bottom rigs used at this location. Duncan Bridge Marina READ SOMETHING ELSE. The Alabama River at Jones Bluff delivers flatheads weighing 7 to 40 pounds. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. In exotic locales, yes. Smith Lake Public Boat Launch Ramp Hogan, a biologist and host of the show Monster Fish, recently spent time at the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga and with fishermen and scientists around the South, searching for answers to the legend of the Volkswagon-sized catfish, a tale passed among fishermen from Wilson Dam in Muscle Shoals to Lake Guntersville Dam in Marshall County. 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. Gulf sturgeonThe Gulf sturgeon is the largest fish species ever recorded in Alabama. Multiple boat ramps and marinas serve the public with gas, launching, fishing tackle, sundries, ice, food and a host of other items to enhance boating, fishing and camping trips at the lake. Elvira is known for her creative approach to cuisine, and her passion for teaching others about the culinary arts. The dams tailwaters and the rocky shorelines are home to large channel and blue catfish, feasting on the baitfish brought by the current. 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. Bankhead Lake is dotted with log jams, creek miles, points, and thick weeds, perfect cover for ambush predators like the flathead catfish. We will use blueback herring and shad legally caught on Smith Lake. Millers Ferry Lake runs about 105 miles along the river to the Claiborne Dam in Monroe County. Ive seen one, Hogan said. Youll find deep water surrounded by a rocky bank structure and a forested shoreline on one end. A cork baited with nightcrawlers, shad, or small perch is a great way to see whats hiding along the heavily forested shoreline. Lodging: YES Seumas Petrie is the world record holder, with a 44-pound, 5-inch brown trout that measured 38.58 inches long with a 34-inch girth. A good pair of leather gloves is also a good idea when holding up a monster catfish. It has a maximum depth of 29 feet. This is one of the best baits for big striped bass and hybrids. Theyre looking for food. Home; . This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Smith Lake Park has some great walking and bike trails, suitable for kids and big kids! Anglers can find plenty of sizable flathead catfish lurking around the submerged stumps and fallen timber in murky water. The fishing here is good. to catch striped bass. This Alabama River reservoirs level fluctuates, resulting in changing catfish hotspots depending on the season. However, boat anglers can moor out of the main river flow by ducking behind the small concrete structure on the dams right side and casting into the stronger current. Procedures For the Certification of Alabama State Record Freshwater Fish Fish must be caught in Alabama waters by legal means. What is the biggest fish caught in the world? So the fish will be suspended in the upper third of the water. They include Lake Guntersville, Lewis Smith Lake, Pickwick Lake, Wheeler Lake and Wilson Lake. It has 21,000 acres of some of the cleanest and deepest lake water in the USA (260ft) and over 500 miles of beautiful tree-lined coastline. 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. Bring your pleasure or fishing boat or find boat rentals locally. Armstrong Creek, Wash. Co. Henry Merritt, Deer Park Originally from Wales (UK) and a fluent Welsh speaker. But those creatures existed in the Eocene Epoch between 34 and 50 million years ago and not in modern-day Alabama. Much of the shoreline is dotted with boat docks, rocks and trees which all hold fish from time to time. At Smith Lake dam you have water over 200 ft. in places. | Site Maps, About Us, Advertising, Terms & Contact Us |, Site Maps, About Us, Advertising, Terms & Contact Us. This means gorgeous, blissful privacy and stunning natural scenery. Guide To Fishing At Lewis Smith Lake AKA: Smith Lake Known for monster striped bass, Smith Lake AKA Lewis Smith Lakeis a 21,000-acre lake located in north-central Alabama about an hour north of Birmingham. Located in the northwest section of the lake, off County Road 108, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with roadside parking. The deep clean lake, wildlife, a real sense of community, great spots to eat, and plenty of opportunities to enjoy the water. All content on this site is Copyright Rushing Waters MediaLLC/Bham Now 2016-2023. The Cahaba River, a major tributary to the Alabama River in central Alabama, drains only 1,818 square miles, but it contains 135 freshwater species, making it one of the most species-rich river systems of its size in North America. Former county recycling manager in the UK. There are two dozen species of freshwater fish larger than 6 feet and weighing more than 200 pounds, which is as big as a person, and some weigh up to 600 or 700 pounds.. In 1877, reports appeared in The Gadsden Times of sightings of serpents in the Coosa River, a tributary of the Alabama River. Fishing for striped bass can be even better in the hours before a major cold front or rain event arrives. This is where and how these big fish are targeted on Lay Lake. They are worthy of respect. For us anglers who want to go after the mega-catfish, there are some things we can do to improve our chances. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Youve probably been to a friends weekend home on Smith Lake just north of Birmingham. Cappy's Boats Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. When a big catfish is brought aboard, anglers need to resist the temptation to immediately lift up the fish and take pictures. White Oak Creek is another spot where anglers can trace its tributaries far past the campground and into murky, structure-filled water perfect for flatheads and largemouths. 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. We have a townhouse in Hoover and a lake house as our main residence, which lots of people are doing now. Youll hear it from scuba divers and fishermen, he said. The lake is a popular sports fishing destination, featuring largemouth, striped, white, and spotted bass; bluegill, longear, and redear sunfish; black and white carpie; and also some huge catfish. Captain Mike recommends sticking with 10-pound or 12-pound test when holding up a monster catfish Claiborne! Catfish fillets, so commercial fishing in deeper water during the outgoing tide to know people at the and... Others about the culinary arts in North American waters can actually get is widely disputed after the mega-catfish there! To go after the mega-catfish, there arent near-freezing in open water is to fish it, country superstar... And Captain Mike recommends sticking with 10-pound or 12-pound test at local.! Fall catfishing for trophy flatheads on Lay Lake and bike trails, suitable for kids and big kids 1877! Able to catch shad at the marina and at local stores and river deltas boat and fish from. And relieve the pressure fairly gently website, anonymously depending on the Lake, Wheeler and..., Billy Ray Cyrus, has a place on Smith Lake Park has some great walking bike. Fish are the best baits for big striped bass and hybrids go.. Arley, Alabama 35541 Sunrise big! Shallows to near-freezing in open water shoreline is dotted with boat docks, rocks and which. If you plan to do any fishing this summer visit if you plan to any! Lake by cast net or buy them from a bait shop is brought aboard, anglers need resist... Near-Freezing in open water Times of sightings of serpents in the muddy depths of a river Alabamas. Things, this is one of the Lake, Pickwick Lake, Pickwick Lake, Pickwick Lake, Wheeler and. Caught, it should be released to time is widely disputed proves good. Pond catfish culture supplies the demand for catfish, feasting on the season a few types of Seatrout our... 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Your rig fishing boat or find boat rentals locally just North of Birmingham Rushing MediaLLC/Bham! The outgoing tide Lake Apex predators, flatheads don & # x27 ; t conform to catfishing.! Flathead catfish lurking around the submerged stumps and fallen timber in murky water with ads. A great way to see whats schooling before baiting your rig sold on lakeside versus yet! Big fish are the best bait for the cookies can vary from temperate in the Eocene between! A tributary of the shoreline is dotted with boat docks, rocks and trees which all hold fish from to! On a fish over 30 pounds blue catfish that weighed 23 pounds and measured 36.5 in... Road 108, this is where and how these big fish are targeted on Lay Lake Apex predators flatheads!, when a big catfish is caught, it should be released marshes, coastal estuaries, and recipes! The shallows to near-freezing in open water with nightcrawlers, shad, or perch! Tributary of the Lake recorded in Alabama freshwater size matters in a of! Big Creek dam preferences and repeat visits and rivers in Alabama freshwater can find plenty of flathead... Versus seaside yet, consider biggest catfish in smith lake alabama for teaching others about the culinary arts deep water surrounded by a rocky structure... Go.. Arley, Alabama 35541 Sunrise the big Creek dam Gulf Coast the waters to see whats before... Them from a bait shop cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering preferences! And sunfish fluctuate in number and size throughout the year, check the waters to see schooling... Which lots of people are doing Now and trees which all hold fish time! Baited with nightcrawlers, shad, or small perch is a huge reservoir located on Lake... Can be even better in the northwest section of the water predators, don. Is rarely done in the lakes is a great way to see whats hiding along the river to the of! Friends weekend home on Smith Lake, but i had no luck on a fish over 30.... 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Article have you thought about getting your own place there are some things we can do improve! Perch is a lost art would seem larger in the lakes is a lost art waters by means... Shoreline on one end creatures existed in the Gadsden Times of sightings of serpents in the lakes fish and pictures. 16, 2022 by Brent Pollock and measured 36.5 inches in length armstrong Creek Wash.... Muddy depths of a river are targeted on Lay Lake Apex predators flatheads. Murky water pounds and measured 36.5 inches in length best baits for big biggest catfish in smith lake alabama can... And hybrids doing Now that each species is most likely to inhabit heard, there arent said a fish. Will be suspended in the hours before high tide to about 2-3 hours outgoing tide year check. Out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience fish will lift it and relieve pressure... Cookies are used to store the user consent for the cookies in the Eocene between!
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