Fishing Lake Martin

AKA: Martin Reservoir

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Lake Martin Fishing Video
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Lake Martin, AL

Popular Fish Species Lake Martin

Spotted Bass Fishing

Spotted bass are often found in small schools around rocky or sandy shorelines, points and ledges. They prefer hanging out in slightly deeper water than largemouths. Here at Lake Martin, they are a favorite of many local anglers, as they are plentiful and put up a good tussle when hooked. Fishing for spotted bass can be good anytime you can locate them. Their diet consists mainly of crayfish and insects, but they also eat small baitfish, small sunfish and small bluegill. Most of the time, spots prefer to stage on steep rocky or gravel banks, and may move up and down the water column throughout the day. When shallow, use topwater or shallow crankbaits around rip rap. When they are deep, use drop-shot worms and jigs. Throughout winter, spend your time on deeper structure with small worms, jigs and spoons. Shoal bass and largemouth bass also reside here in decent numbers.

Crappie Fishing

Both black crappie and white crappie make their home in Lake Martin, with white crappie often out-weighing black crappie. Both species provide great fishing entertainment and are desired "slabs". Crappie fishing is on the rise and they can be found in sizeable schools. Crappie always like cover and structure, so locate brush and vegetation. Using a fish finder can help locate schools of crappie, which tend to stack vertically around cover. Live bait and small jigs are the most common method for crappie here. In spring and fall focus on the 8 to 12 foot range. The best time to catch crappie tends to be at dawn and dusk. As the crappie move deep in summer and winter, follow points out deep, as well as find ledges near channels in deeper water.

Largemouth Bass Fishing

As one of the top bass fishing lakes in Alabama, and a favorite lake for bass tournaments, Lake Martin continues to deliver great results. Recent success by locals, and many bass fishing tournament organizations, attest that fishing for largemouth bass has been very good. A significant number of large bass also roam these waters for the added bonus of a potential lunker. Excellent fisheries management by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has maintained a quality bass fishery for some time now. Generally speaking, when the bite is good bass often move shallow and become fairly aggressive. Any time you find them shallow and they seem disinterested in your presentations, try slowing down and use smaller, lighter baits. Use shallow crankbaits around rip rap. Around grass use worms, jigs, topwater and spinnerbaits. In deeper water, big worms, jigs and spoons are three good weapons. In winter, spend your time fishing Lake Martin on deeper structure where the bass spend much of their time. Fishing for largemouth bass is good here is year round.

Lake Martin Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, spotted bass, shoal bass, channel catfish, black crappie, white crappie, bluegill, redear sunfish, white bass, yellow bass and striped bass at Lake Martin in Alabama.

The most popular boating and fishing lake in Alabama, Lake Martin is an angling paradise with 40,000 surface acres. Located directly south of Alexander City in Central Alabama on the Talapoosa River, there is both public and private access for boat launching and marina facilities.

One of the popular fish species found in Lake Martin is largemouth bass. Smallmouth bass and spotted bass also reside here. Crappie fishing is also highly regarded for both black crappie and white crappie. Lake Martin is also known for its striped bass fishery. The lake boasts a healthy population of striped bass.

Over 750 miles of shoreline with bluffs and tree-lined banks provide untold amounts of targets for casting. The lake has healthy populations of bass, catfish, crappie, sunfish and stripers. Due to the relatively clear water, fish can be spooked easily. Long casts and lighter lines are a good approach here. The lake is used for watersport activities as well as fishing so boat traffic may include pleasure boats, canoes, sailboats, kayaks, pontoons and a wide variety of fishing boats. Spring and fall are the best times for fishing here, but winter also produces some really nice stringers of spotted bass. Area campgrounds provide close-by access to fishing areas.

Fishing Report

Primary fish species residing in Lake Martin

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Lake Martin Amenities

Marina: YES
Boat Rental: YES
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: YES
Convenience Store: YES
Bait & Tackle: YES
Restaurant: YES

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