Best Fishing Spots Near Huntsville, AL
Using the fishing reports from the Omnia community across the country, we've compiled a list of the top lakes to fish on. Make sure to check out the baits each angler used if you need tackle recommendations too!
1. Lady Ann Lake
Distance from Huntsville: 10.7 miles
Nearest city: Madison, AL
Size: 106 acres
Species: Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Crappie, Panfish, Striped Bass, White Bass
Only a few miles outside of Huntsville downtown, check out this smaller lake for some awesome bank fishing! If you don't have the time to make a big trip or don't have a boat easily available, Lady Ann Lake could be a great choice to catch some fish.
Species
Largemouth BassSeason
Winter
Technique
Spinnerbaits
Structure
Points
Species
White BassSeason
Spring (Pre-Spawn)
Technique
Bladed Jigs
Structure
Open Water/Basin
Didn't even know they had stripers in Lady Anne! Jackhammer chatterbait for the win, though!
2. Guntersville Lake
Distance from Huntsville: 37.8 miles
Nearest city: Guntersville, AL
Size: 67,900 acres
Species: Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Crappie, Panfish, Spotted Bass, White Bass, Walleye, Catfish, Sauger
The host lake of many Bassmaster Elite events and home lake of Bassmaster Elite Gerald Swindle, check out one of the most popular lakes in all of Alabama. This reservoir will test the skills of every angler on it, but the bites are so worth it.
Species
Largemouth BassSeason
Spring (Spawn)
Technique
Umbrella Rigs
Structure
Submerged Vegetation
Forage
Shad
Water Temperature
56°
Fished in backs of creek channels and grass ledges
Species
Largemouth BassSeason
Spring (Pre-Spawn)
Technique
Lipless Crankbaits
Structure
Submerged Vegetation
Forage
Bluegill
Water Temperature
60°
Great day ripping lipless crank baits out of the grass ! All in 15ft of water !
3. Wheeler Lake
Distance from Huntsville: 37.8 miles
Nearest city: Guntersville, AL
Size: 67,900 acres
Species: Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Crappie, Panfish, Spotted Bass, White Bass, Walleye, Catfish, Sauger
Wheeler Lake is bookended on either end by dams to two popular fisheries on either side. To the west is Wilson Lake and to the east is Guntersville Lake. If you start fishing here, it's just a quick hop to another great southern reservoir.
Species
Largemouth BassSeason
Fall
Technique
Ned Rigs
Structure
River Channels
Forage
Shad
Water Temperature
78°
There are a few places on this lake/river, between Decatur and Guntersville, where the channel swings up against a bluff wall. On these swings, I had success pitching a Ned rig against the bluff wall and jigging as the current carried it. No wall-hangers but consistent bites. Especially late morning (10-12).
Species
Largemouth BassSeason
Spring (Post-Spawn)
Technique
Drop Shot
Structure
Stumps
Forage
Shad
Water Temperature
74°
I fished a Bassmaster Open the 3rd week of may on Wheeler lake out of Decatur. I did most of my damage on the flats around stumps in 4 to 10ft of water. I had a 3 prong approach on each stump. I'd start with a football jig, follow up with a drop shot and end with a DT-6 to elicit a strike. There was very little current so wind and clouds seemed to be a major help.
Strike King Rage Craw Blue Craw / 4"
$5.59
$6.99
Shimano Vanford Spinning Reel - EOL 3000 / 6.4:1
Out of Stock
4. Wilson Lake
Distance from Huntsville: 66 miles
Nearest city: Florence, AL
Size: 15,535 acres
Species: Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Crappie, Panfish, Spotted Bass, White Bass, Walleye, Catfish, Sauger
Wilson Lake is just across a dam to the west of Wheeler Lake. It's a good bit farther from Huntsville but still very worth the trip if you make it, plus you're still very close to Wheeler Lake too.
Species
Largemouth BassSeason
Fall
Technique
Shakey Heads
Structure
Baitfish
Water Temperature
81°
The bass have the shad pushed up shallow. A lot of bass are schooling as well so topwater plugs, rooster tails, spinnerbaits are hot right now!
Species
Largemouth BassSeason
Spring (Post-Spawn)
Technique
Tubes
Structure
Docks
Forage
Crawfish
I recently went fishing at Wilson Lake in April and had a great time targeting fish around docks using a tube and wacky rig. I found that the key to success was to pick apart the docks at varying depths, as the fish could be found at different levels of the water column depending on the time of day and light conditions. I had the most success using the wacky rig when it was overcast or earlier in the day when the sun was low. This was because the fish were looking up and were more likely to be attracted to a bait that was suspended in the water column. I used a variety of wacky rig baits, including senkos and finesse worms, and found that they worked well. Later in the day, when the sun got up and the light became brighter, I switched to the tube. The fish tended to look down and sit lower in the water column at this time, so the tube was the most effective bait to use. I fished the tube slowly and methodically, bouncing it off the bottom and working it through the dock pilings and other structure. I also found that the fish were cruising around the docks in lower light conditions and seeking out shade during the day. I had the most success fishing around docks that provided shade, such as those located on the north side of the lake. Overall, my experience fishing at Wilson Lake in April was very productive. If you're willing to put in the time and effort to target fish around docks using a tube or wacky rig, you're sure to have a great time and catch some fish. Just remember to pay attention to the light conditions and adjust your bait selection and presentation accordingly to maximize your chances of success.
5. Lewis Smith Lake
Distance from Huntsville: 73.6 miles
Nearest city: Dodge City, AL
Size: 19,662 acres
Species: Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Panfish, Spotted Bass
Surrounded on many sides by sheer bluff walls, Lewis Smith Lake (often shortened to Smith Lake) hosts many fishing tournaments every year because of how great the fishing can be. This reservoir is a fantastic fishery that everyone should try out.
Species
Spotted BassSeason
Spring (Pre-Spawn)
Technique
Soft Swimbaits (Sm/Md)
Structure
Docks
Forage
Shad
Bass destroying a small swimbait right at the shad line from docks.
Species
Spotted BassSeason
Summer
Technique
Soft Swimbaits (Sm/Md)
Structure
Points
Forage
Blueback Herring
Found blueback herring relating to points. Cast and slow retrieve in 10-20 ft with a 6 gear ratio reel to catch suspended spots waiting for an easy meal. If herring weren’t present the bass weren’t either. Schooling action was the easy giveaway for productive areas. Spots could also be picked up occasionally on top water. High speed reels are key in burning a bait back in when schooling action is occurring away from your cast.
