The waters of Alabama have broken world records and offer anglers various species and numerous locations for fishing. Fly fishing isn't just for local ponds; large hydroelectric reservoirs and state-owned fishing lakes are drawing in anglers from all over the country.
In all the diverse water across the state, some of the best places to fly fish in Alabama include:
- Alabama Gulf Coast
- Aldridge Creek
- Cahaba River
- Coosa River
- Elk River
- Joe Wheeler State Park and more
Keep Reading to find out the best spots for fly fishing in Alabama and answers to some frequently asked questions about the area.
Best Fly Fishing locations in Alabama
1. Alabama Gulf Coast
The Alabama Gulf Coast is the gateway to the Gulf of Mexico, stretching from Mobile Bay and the little Lagoon through 17,000 artificial reefs. Waters remain somewhat shallow until about 60 miles offshore. Summer is the peak time to catch nearshore migratory fish.
The amount of species of fish in the Alabama Gulf Coast is innumerable. The most popular target species tend to be redfish, speckled trout, snappers, cobia, amberjack, and kingfish, to name a few. Deep sea fishing allows anglers to see Mahi Mahi, wahoo, white and blue marlin, yellowfin tuna, and more.
Recommended Fly Patterns for the Alabama Gulf Coast:
- Clouser Minnows Multiple Colors - Size 4
- Surf Candy - Size 2/0 and 3/0
- Crazy Charlies - Size 6
2. Aldridge Creek
Aldridge Creek starts on Jones Far, flowing south to the Tennessee River. You can find easy access along the Aldridge Creek Greenway. This humble stream grows wider and wider closer to the Tennessee River. With a thriving bass population and a reputation for quick and easy catches, Aldridge Creek is an ideal spot for beginners.
Anglers will find fish along the bank, wading only a foot and a half deep into the water. Aside from bass, the primary target fish in this creek is bluegill.
Recommended Fly Patterns for Aldridge Creek, Alabama:
- Blue Gill Popper - Size 12
- Slump Buster with Cone - Size 6
- Chubby Chernobyl - Size 10
3. Cahaba River
Alabama's longest free-flowing river, the Cahaba River, is 194 miles long. This river has one of the highest levels of biodiversity. Home to over 135 native fish species. Access is not simple from the shore or by boat. Anglers can opt to fish from a kayak or canoe but will have to balance paddling, obstacles, and casting.
There are several spots along the river to catch fish, including Highway 280 dam, Lake Purdy, Perry Lake Park, Cahaba National Wildlife Refuge, etc. Along the river, common species anglers will spot are crappie, sunfish, spotted bass, largemouth bass, channel catfish, and more.
Recommended Fly Patterns for the Cahaba Rivers, Alabama:
- Bass Poppers - Size 6
- Stealth Drone / Gurglers - Size 6
- Muddler Minnow - Size 4
4. Coosa River
The Coosa river forms in Rome, Georgia, then stretches 255 miles through Alabama before meeting with the Alabama River. This river has reservoirs of accumulated water, including Jordan Lake and Weiss Lake. Additionally, these lakes can have diversion canals that offer small water fishing opportunities. Four boat ramps provide access to the river by boat.
Common species in this river include carp, smallmouth buffalo, redbreast sunfish, bluegill, freshwater drum, black crappie, gar, bass, catfish, and more. Blue catfish are large, abundant, and can be found in deep holes in the river. In the spring and summer, white and striped bass are popular as they leave Weiss reservoir for their spawning run. Crappie, bass, and bream are found year-round but are best in spring and fall. Lake sturgeon are being reintroduced in this area, so they must be immediately released unharmed if one is caught.
Recommended Fly Patterns for the Coosa River, Alabama:
- Zoo Cougar in Yellow - Size 6
- Bass Poppers - Size 6
- Kaufmanns Stimulators - Size 12
5. Elk River
Starting in Tim's Ford dam in south-central Tennessee, Elk river winds down to converge with the Tennessee river in north-central Alabama. The landscape around the river consists of wild forest, rolling meadows, and large stone bluffs. The scenery is coupled with little to no fishing pressure.
The upper portion of the river is ripe with rainbow trout; largemouth bass thrives in the lower portion, while smallmouth bass is found throughout. Other common species include bluegill, redear sunfish, catfish, crappie, and bream.
Recommended Fly Patterns for the Elk River, Alabama:
6. Joe Wheeler State Park
Joe Wheeler State Park houses Wheeler Lake, the second-largest reservoir in the state. With 67,000 acres of water and over 1,000 miles of shoreline, anglers have ample opportunities. Plenty of boat ramps for access from kayaks, canoes, pontoon boats, and bass boats.
The lake has various fish species, including hybrid stripper, sunfish, bass, crappie, bluegill, sauger, and more. Brush, timber, and creek channels offer hiding spots for fish. The Decatur "flats" are a prime spot for largemouth bass. Smallmouth bass congregates in the oxygen-rich water by the Wheeler dam. In fact, this location is where a former world record for smallmouth bass was held.
Recommended Fly Patterns for Joe Wheeler State Park, Alabama:
7. Lake Lewis Smith Dam
Lake Lewis Smith Dam is popular for nighttime fly fishing, located between Huntsville and Birmingham. Surrounded by mountainous cliffs, this lake boasts crystal-clear waters that allow anglers to see right to the bottom.
Fishing at night, anglers have witnessed large trout by the dam. Other popular target species include striped, largemouth, and spotted bass.
Recommended Fly Patterns for Lake Lewis Smith Dam, Alabama:
8. Little River Management Area
Little River is located in northeast Alabama and runs atop a plateau until it flows into Lake Weiss. Great wadeable runs accompanied by waterfalls, Class VI rapids, and a rugged streambed. Little River and its tributaries are deemed Outstanding Alabama Waters by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management.
The park Little River is located in, provides easy access to the west fork. A boat ramp near the dam allows for boat access. A small impoundment at the beginning of Little River Canyon provides a decent concentration of game fish like redeye bass, largemouth bass, sunfish, spotted bass, and catfish.
Recommended Fly Patterns for the Little River Management Area, Alabama:
- Slump Buster with Cone in Black - Size 6
- San Juan Worm - Size 12
- Blue Gill Popper - Size 12
9. MudCreek in Tannehill State Park
MudCreek in Tannehill State Park is a regularly stocked rainbow trout fishery. This spring-fed creek is near McCalla in Jefferson County, and water temperatures are a cool 54 to 66 degrees in these waters.
Rainbow trout can be found in calm eddies and deep pools. In fact, they can often be found hanging out at the bottom of the pool. The state record rainbow, a 9 lb 1 oz fish, came from MudCreek.
Recommended Fly Patterns for the Mud Creek in Tannehill State Park, Alabama:
10. Mobile – The Tensaw Delta
North of Mobile Bay, the Tensaw Delta has about 20,323 acres of water and is 30 miles long and 12 miles wide. The water's landscape and surrounding area are marshes, swamps, and river bottomlands. It is a network of wetlands, bayous, creeks, bays, lakes, and tidally influenced rivers. Access to the Delta is via the Bartram Canoe Trail, taking you through Tupelo gum and cypress forest.
This estuary empties into Mobile Bay and has various salt and freshwater fish species. In the spring, crappie fishing along the banks of lakes and creeks is productive. In the fall, abundant redfish, flounder, and speckled trout exist. Bream and largemouth bass can be caught all year round.
Recommended Fly Patterns for the Tensaw Delta, Alabama:
11. Mobile Bay
Mobile Bay offers both inshore and offshore fishing for prime saltwater fishing. This shallow inlet in the Gulf of Mexico is a gateway into the Delta. From the bay's outlet, it extends 35 miles north to Mobile River. It's 45 feet deep and 8-18 miles wide until it enters the Gulf.
There are over 150 prime locations for fishing in Mobile Bay. Spots vary from grass flats and oyster beds to reefs and sandflats. Being open to the Gulf means that various species enter the bay. Target species include redfish, tarpon, Spanish mackerel, cobia, and speckled trout.
Recommended Fly Patterns for Mobile Bay, Alabama:
- Bonefish Critter--Dumbbell Eyes
- Stealth Drone / Gurglers - Size 6
- Clouser Minnows Multiple Colors - Size 4
12. Sipsey Fork of the Black Warrior River
Just below the Lake Lewis Smith Dam is Sipsey Fork of the Black Warrior River. This fork is a put-and-take rainbow trout fishery stocked every third Thursday of each month. Due to the location of the stocking and ease of access, most trout fishing is done above Birmingham Water Works Pump Station.
The water of Smith Lake is drawn from deep below the lake's surface and used to generate electricity by spinning two turbines. The water dish charged into the tailwaters where temperatures remain below 70 degrees yearly to support the trout population. A minimum flow in the tailwaters mimics natural stream conditions to lower summer water temperatures, enhance water quality, and improve trout survival.
Recommended Fly Patterns for the Sipsey Fork of the Black Warrior River, Alabama:
13. Styx River
The Styx River is located in eastern Baldwin County, beginning at Steelwood and ending 26 miles downstream near Seminole. This river has one of the few waterfalls in the southern part of the state, upstream of County Road 68. Access is limited to this stream but is best for canoes, kayaks, and shallow draft boats.
Styx River provides anglers with a population of beam, bass, and catfish. Summer during the weekdays is the best time to fish the river due to all the recreational traffic it gets. Fish can be found all along the river, but prime spots include those closest to the mouth and deep holes near bends.
Recommended Fly Patterns for the Styx River, Alabama:
- Bass Poppers - Size 6
- Zoo Cougar - Yellow - Size 6
- Muddler Minnow - Size 6
14. Tallapoosa River
The Tallapoosa River has one of the best water qualities of most southeast rivers. Tallapoosa does not flow through any metropolitan area and does not suffer from pollution. The clarity of the water means that you can see straight to the bottom structures and rocks.
Four bass species can be found at various times throughout the year in this river. Largemouth, striped, spotted, and redeye bass inhabit the waters. If you're going on a kayak, canoe, or boat, there is good fishing from mid-spring to mid-November. If you prefer wading in search of fish, the river is lowest July-September.
Recommended Fly Patterns for the Tallapoosa River, Alabama:
- Hair Bass Bug - Size 6
- Clouser Minnows Multiple Colors - Size 4
- Double Bunny Olive & White - Size 6
15. Tombigbee River
From the Fall Line Hill region of west Alabama, the Tombigbee River flows to the lower Coastal Plain. This river was impounded to create the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway, so barge traffic and recreational boats could move freely throughout this area. The impoundments from Aliceville Lake, where Tombigbee River begins, down to Coffeeville Lake, provide prime spots for fishing.
The target species in the Tombigbee are largemouth bass, beam, crappie, and catfish. Fish can be caught anytime on the river, but the ideal time for fishing is from late September- March, especially for flathead catfish.
Recommended Fly Patterns for the Tombigbee River, Alabama:
16. Wilson Lake/Tennessee River
Wilson Reservoir in north Alabama, near Muscle Shoals and Florence, extends upstream for 15 miles and covers 15,500 acres. It's a small lake compared to other Tennessee Valley Authority lakes, but it still allows for 50 lb catfish, 7 lb largemouth bass, and 5 lb smallmouth bass.
In the spring and fall, smallmouth bass can be found in the tailwaters of the Wheeler Dam. Hybrid and striped bass are also found there in the spring, and channel catfish in the summer. In the winter you can fish sauger.
Recommended Fly Patterns for the Wilson Lake/Tennessee River, Alabama:
- Muddler Minnow - Size 6
- Bass Poppers - Size 6
- Kaufmanns Stimulators - Size 12
What Gear do I Need to Fly Fish in Alabama?
Like other fly fishing destinations, you'll want all your standard gear like a rain jacket, brimmed hat, nippers, net, pliers, bug spray, split shot, etc. Lightweight or breathable waders, layered clothing, neoprene socks, and boots for all conditions.
Gear specific to the waters of Alabama includes:
- 4 to 6-weight rod for lakes and rivers
- 7 to 10-weight rod for inshore
- 9 to 12 ft leader
- 5X and 6X tippet for rivers and lakes
- 0X to 4X tippet for inshore fishing
Additional Facts about Fly Fishing in Alabama
Where is the best trout fishing in Alabama?
The best spots for fly fishing in Alabama include the Sipsey Fork of the Black Warrior River, Elk River, Lake Lewis Smith Dam, Mud Creek in Tannehill State Park, and more. Bankhead Lake is one spot not mentioned on this list for tour fishing.
Where is the best place to fish in Alabama?
Alabama offers the best fishing spots in lakes, rivers, reservoirs, dams, and along the gulf. Some top locations include Mobile Bay, Wheeler Lake, Lewis Smith Lake, MudCreek, Sipsey Fork, etc. The state offers freshwater and saltwater fishing spots with numerous species, including big-game species.
Where in Alabama can you catch trout?
In Alabama, you can catch trout in various locations like Bankhead Lake, Mud Creek in Tannehill State Park, Sipsey Fork of the Black Warrior River, Lake Lewis Smith Dame, Elk River, etc. The primary trout in Alabama are brook, cutthroat, lake, brown, and rainbow trout.
When it comes to fly fishing, Alabama has everything an angler needs. With diverse locations and species, it's an ideal fishing destination for beginners and experts. Be sure to review the regulations set forth by the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries to ensure a safe and fun experience for all.
