S P O R T S P L A N N E R S G U I D E | 4 9

TOURNAM ENT FISHING

LAY LAKE (P) 205.669.1515 (W) OUTDOORALABAMA.COM/FISHING/FRESHWATER/ WHERE/RESERVOIRS/LAY

The host lake for the 1996 and 2002 BASS Masters Classics, this haven for largemouth and spotted bass is one of the most popular sites for Alabama fishermen. The lake boasts standing timber, stump filled pockets and miles of grass beds, enabling anglers a multitude of fishing techniques. Floating worms, floating lizards and scum frogs tossed in the grass result in explosive strikes that are not for the faint of heart. It was from this grass that the lake record 13 pound, 2 ounce largemouth was reeled in. The lake, with 245 miles of shoreline, has numerous guides available to put visitors onto the big one. Paradise Point is the most popular launch site on the lake.

LEWIS SMITH LAKE (P) 256.734.0698 (W) OUTDOORALABAMA.COM/FISHING/FRESHWATER/ WHERE/RESERVOIRS/SMITH

This mountain lake, heavily stocked with striped bass, has a current lake record of 45 pounds. In fact, 20 pound fish no longer even raise eyebrows with locals. The deep, cool water found in Smith Lake is the perfect habitat for the rapid growing striped bass. When the summer heat becomes unbearable, stripe fishing becomes a nighttime endeavor. Smith Lake also has a healthy population of spotted bass, producing through the years eight world record spotted bass. Located an hour north of Birmingham off I 65. A number of spotted bass fishing guides are available. Speegle s Marina and Smith Lake Park, both in Crane Hill, are the lake s most popular launches.

SMITH LAKE DAM TAILRACE (P) 256.287.0050

The Smith Lake Dam tailrace is the top rated spot in Alabama for fly fishing for feisty rainbow trout. The icy cold waters below the dam are stocked annually with hundreds of thousands of rainbows, and catches of up to 2 pounds are common. The tailrace record is over five pounds. It was here that the world record 23 pound hybrid striped bass was caught. The Smith Lake Dam tailrace is located north of Birmingham off I 65. A full service fly fishing store, complete with fishing guides and the hottest flies, is located less than half a mile from the prime fishing areas.

12,000 Largemouth Bass Spotted Bass

35

ACRES FISH TYPE MINUTES FROM DOWNTOWN

21,000 Striped Bass Spotted Bass

60

ACRES FISH TYPE MINUTES FROM DOWNTOWN

21,000 Rainbow Trout

60

ACRES FISH TYPE MINUTES FROM DOWNTOWN