Fishing Pickwick Lake

AKA: Pickwick Reservoir

Popular Fish Species
Pickwick Lake Fishing Video
Available Fish Species
Amenities
Today's Weather & Forecast
Boat Launch Ramps
Fishing License
Campgrounds & RV Parks
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Pickwick Lake, AL

Popular Fish Species Pickwick Lake, AL

Spotted Bass Fishing

Spotted bass are often found in small schools on steep banks, around rocky or sandy shorelines, points and ledges. They often prefer hanging out in slightly deeper water than largemouths. Here at Pickwick Lake, 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. Smallmouth bass and largemouth bass also reside here in decent numbers.

Crappie Fishing

Crappie anglers can fish for both black crappie and white crappie at Pickwick Lake. These two species tend to school separately. However, once located around cover, you may catch both species, as they often use the same cover. For best results when fishing for crappie, light line and small hooks are key, especially when fishing live or prepared baits. Crappie jigs are also productive her in a wide variety of colors. This is a good place to catch quantities of nice, fat slabs. Crappie fishing can be found in varying size schools, hanging around brush, vegetation, wood or other cover. Using a fish finder any time of year can help locate these crappie schools, 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. As the crappie move deep in summer and winter, follow points out deep, as well as find ledges near channels, especially areas with brush or timber in deeper water. The best time to catch crappie tends to be at dawn and dusk.

Channel Catfish Fishing

To fish for catfish on Pickwick Lake, most any rod and reel will work, as long as the line is strong enough. Flathead catfish and blue catfish also reside in the lake and fishing for them is often good as well. For serious catfish enthusiasts, using the right equipment improves success. A medium action, to medium-heavy action rod is ideal, in the 6' to 7' range. Use a slip sinker or Carolina rig with popular catfish baits on at least 10-pound line. Use sharp hooks with bait holders on the shank, or circle hooks for live bait. Pickwick Lake has a decent population of channel catfish, and they are eager to bite. The typical fish are about 2 pounds, with larger ones caught frequently. Night fishing for catfish often delivers better results than daytime fishing. Fishing for channel catfish is often most productive around any kind of structure in the area. In Spring channel catfish migrate toward incoming water, so stay up river away from the main lake. In early summer look for rocky banks, the bigger the rocks the better. In summer and winter deeper structure is where to look. The river end of the lake is often the area where the bigger catfish are caught. Road beds, creek channels and rocky points are all good places to begin.

Pickwick Lake Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, blue catfish, black crappie, white crappie, walleye, bluegill, longear sunfish, redear sunfish, striped bass, hybrid striped bass and sauger at Pickwick Lake in Alabama.

Largemouth and smallmouth bass are angler favorites at Pickwick Lake, a 43,000-acre reservoir located in the extreme northwest corner Alabama on the Tennessee River. At full pool 490 miles of shoreline await anglers in pursuit of the many species of fish which swim these waters.

One of the popular fish species found in Pickwick Lake is smallmouth bass. Spotted bass also get a lot of attention here. Largemouth bass is another sought-after species here. Crappie fishing is excellent at times in Pickwick Lake, attracting anglers year round. Both black crappie and white crappie can be found in the lake. Catfish anglers will find opportunities in Pickwick Lake as well. Flathead catfish, channel catfish and blue catfish all populate the lake.

Crappie, catfish, walleye, stripers, hybrid striped bass, sauger, spotted bass and numerous sunfish all call Pickwick home. There is limited access to shoreline for fishing from the bank, but canoes, kayaks, pontoons, pleasure boats and all types of fishing boats can provide access to this popular fishing destination. Rocky banks, boat docks, brush and creek channels are good places to locate fish. The Shoals area is well known as a great area for smallmouth bass. There are plenty of choices for camping, boat rentals, lodging, restaurants, fishing gear and other local services, many available at the marinas on the lake.

Primary fish species residing in Pickwick Lake

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Pickwick Lake Amenities

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

Today's Weather & Forecast

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Brush Creek Park Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, on the north side of the lake, off Brush Creek Park Entrance Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Cane Creek Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southeast section of the lake, south side, off Cane Creek Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Hayes Landing Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, on the south side of the lake, off Margerum Road, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with paved parking.

Natchez Trace Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, on the south side of the lake, at the west end of the Natchez Trace Parkway Bridge, this is a four-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Waterloo Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, on the north side of the lake, off Lauderdale County Road 14, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.