Everything You Need To Know About Pickwick Lake Alabama

     The Tri-State Area of Alabama/Mississippi/Tennessee has thousands of miles of streams, over 45 lakes, and at least 300 species of fish. This region has some of the best fly fishing opportunities around, including an ample amount of wild trout (brook, rainbow, and brown). Some more things to notice are the scenic views and relaxing surroundings of these lakes and streams. Away from the hustle and bustle of the city who does not want to relax at a wonderful place? The extraordinary beauty of the lakes and many fishing opportunities, which these bodies of water provide, are excellent for an amazing adventure! Among them, the name of Pickwick Lake is at the top. Three featured access points in this region are: Pickwick Landing State Park in Tennessee, the port of Eastport, Mississippi, and the inlet of Waterloo, Alabama.     

     The Pickwick Reservoir is formed by Pickwick dam. Having a shoreline of 496 miles, the lake has a maximum depth of 18m. With the convenient location of the nearby Pickwick Landing State Park, there are ample opportunities for family angling, as well as camping or resorting to recreational activities!

Fish Species

Smallmouth Bass

     The reservoir is literally known for record-sized smallmouth bass and catfish! Anglers can be seen bagging big slab crappie and sauger from the cold waters of the lake during early spring. Largemouth bass found here also command the attention of many anglers.
     During the spring season, bass move to shallow water to spawn which provides a great opportunity for anglers to catch them. If you are interested in catching the bass around grass and brush, use spinners, surface lures, and Carolina-rigged worms. When the fish move offshore, the most effective bait is deep diving crankbaits, rigged worms, and surface bait. Remember that the best time for fishing bass is early morning when they move away from the shore. Habitat that should be taken into consideration are: boulders, stumps, logs, channels, and rocks. Bass fishing during fall makes the angler enthusiasts excited, as their chance of catching a large number of bass maximizes.
     The smallmouth bass is limited to the arm area, unlike the largemouth bass which spread in the whole reservoir. During the spring season, bass move to shallow water to spawn which provides a great opportunity for anglers to catch them. If you are interested in catching the bass around grass and brush, use spinners, surface lures, and Carolina-rigged worms. When the fish move offshore, the most effective bait is: deep diving crankbaits, rigged worms, and surface bait. Remember that the best time for fishing bass is early morning when it moves away from the shore. Other points that should be considered are: boulders, stumps, logs, channels, and rocks. During the day time, smallmouth bass can be found under vegetation. During morning and evening time, they move to the shorelines. It is recommended to go for smallmouth bass fishing in the right season. You can also enlist the help of a guide, if required. Many anglers consider it difficult to tackle this fish. The smallmouth is a feisty fish - that’s why special tricks are required to catch it in this reservoir.

Crappie

     Crappie construct their nests in deep water. Anglers have the chance to try their luck all year round for crappie. The time of spawning is when the temperature reaches 55 to 65 degrees. The fish is found all year round in the lake, but the most productive time is winter during late May or early June.  When the water temperature reaches 75 degrees, the fish spawn. Underwater ledges, holes under the mud banks, underwater ledges and other similar places are the best for crappie. Pickwick Lake has both rocky bluffs and sandy beaches, which make it one of the best lakes that provide unique experiences to the visitors. So one more opportunity for the visitors here is the beautiful and lovely scenery that can be enjoyed fully.  Anglers head to the Pickwick Lake for crappie all year long.  Larva and worm bait are used to attract fish in this area.

Catfish

     The channels take the catfish after the rains, especially in the spring and fall. Anglers can try their luck in the areas of rip-rap and rocky shores during late spring and early summer. At this time, the effective baits will be cut bait, shad gizzards, blood bait, large minnows, sunfish, and shrimp. When the fish migrate downstream and into the main pool area in spring, live gizzard shad should be the choice. Anglers do not catch flathead catfish by rod and reel but usually by trotlining with live sunfish as bait.

Lodging

     This region provides many hotels, motels, B&Bs and cabins to behold the amazing views. The calm weather, appealing surroundings, bird songs, and nature are more than enough to capture the attention of the visitor and mesmerize them. It is the perfect place for kids as well as adults. The cabins are located in beautiful areas where you can fully enjoy the fascinating evenings. Other places are hotels, restaurants, and motels in the nearby areas. Check out the Inn at Pickwick Landing State Park. the views are amazing here. In Waterloo, AL, check out the Gunrunner Boutique Hotel. It looks just like a 19th century hunting lodge, with rustic, all-wood interiors and rooms. The Bay Bed and Breakfast in Short, Mississippi, is a late 19th century manor that's been lovingly restored by the proprietors.
     Want to go fishing in the small portion of the lake? Canoes and kayaks are the best options to discover a small area. For large area coverage, different types of boats are available such as pontoons, pleasure boats, and fishing boats.

Outside Attractions

     With the amazing fishing activity, there is much more to discover along Pickwick Lake. Pickwick Landing State Park is a favorite for visitors as well as locals. It also has a campground and other facilities. The spot offers the best camping opportunities for enjoying fishing even more! So if you are a camping lover, add this to your vacation itinerary, as this reservoir has all the fun you want! Whether it is camping, swimming, golfing, or hiking, the lake can be marked as a hub for various outdoor activities. For hiking, there are two easy trails for visitors of all ages.
     The place provides facilities and activities for all the anglers and other people who come here to witness the beauty of this place. Decided to plan a fishing trip to Pickwick Lake? You will surely get a wonderful experience!