Fishing Lake Tuscaloosa

AKA: Tuscaloosa Reservoir

Popular Fish Species
Lake Tuscaloosa Fishing Video
Available Fish Species
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Lake Tuscaloosa, AL

Popular Fish Species Lake Tuscaloosa, AL

Lake Tuscaloosa Popular Fish - Spotted Bass

Spotted Bass Fishing

Throughout Lake Tuscaloosa, 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 Lake Tuscaloosa, 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.

Lake Tuscaloosa Popular Fish - White Crappie

White Crappie Fishing

A healthy population of white crappie reside in Lake Tuscaloosa, in part due to length limits over the past years. The fish population is healthy and crappie fishing is excellent. The best time to catch crappie tends to be at dawn and dusk. Crappie always like cover and structure, so locate shallow brush and vegetation in Spring and Fall focusing on the 8 to 12 foot range. As the crappie move deep in summer and winter, follow points out to as deep as 30 to 35 feet, as well as ledges near channels at these depths. Live bait and small jigs are the most common method for crappie here.

Bluegill Fishing

Fishing for bluegill is a time-honored tradition at Lake Tuscaloosa. Young and old, beginners and seasoned anglers alike, all enjoy catching a bunch of fat bluegill. This year, much like recent years, the bluegill population is healthy and always looking for something to eat. Bluegill fishing is as basic as fishing gets. Any pole, reasonably small line and small hooks baited with anything edible, creates the ideal setup. Add a bobber and you can set the depth you prefer the bait to position. Bluegill hang around brush, rocks, vegetation or any cover available.

Lake Tuscaloosa Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, spotted bass, channel catfish, blue catfish, black crappie, white crappie, bluegill and redear sunfish at Lake Tuscaloosa in Alabama.

Considered on of the tougher lakes for catching bass, Lake Tuscaloosa can also surprise you with some excellent days on the water. Alabama spotted bass are a treat here and often run in packs.

Bass fishing is a major draw at Lake Tuscaloosa, with both largemouth bass and spotted bass being popular targets. Catfish are another popular species in Lake Tuscaloosa, with both channel catfish and blue catfish present. Crappie fishing is also prevalent in Lake Tuscaloosa, attracting anglers throughout the year. Both black crappie and white crappie can be found in the lake. Sunfish, including bluegill and redear sunfish (shellcracker), are abundant in Lake Tuscaloosa.

This 5,900-acre reservoir located 5 miles north of Tuscaloosa in west-central Alabama has 177 miles of shoreline to explore. Marinas, as well as public and private boat ramps, provide boating access and services to anglers and pleasure boaters alike. Canoes and kayaks can be launched at several locations around the lake from areas where shoreline fishing is also available. Catfish, crappie bluegill and sunfish also make Tuscaloosa Reservoir their home, and are available for catching.

Primary fish species residing in Lake Tuscaloosa

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Lake Tuscaloosa Amenities

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

Today's Weather & Forecast

Fishing Boat Rentals

Pier 43 on Lake Tuscaloosa
Rentals: Pontoon boats
205 339-4415

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Binion Creek Landing Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northwest section of the lake, northeast side, at the north end of the US Highway 43 Bridge, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with docks and paved parking.

Sharpes Landing Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southwest section of the lake, off Sharpes Lake Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking