Welcome to our Pickwick Lake Fishing Home Page
Pickwick lake is a large lake that covers over 30,000 acres of water along the Tennessee River. The lake stretches 46 miles between the Pickwick Landing in Tennessee to the Wilson Dam at Muscle Shoals, Alabama. This area is known as one of the better fishing destinations in the country for multiple species of fish. Whether you come here to enjoy the outdoors, go boating or go fishing, you have a lot of water to explore here.
Primary Species of Fish
Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Striped Bass, Catfish
The primary species of fish here are smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, striped bass and catfish. You can target these fish and catch good numbers of them if you hit it right. Big fish potential is possible for all 4 species of these fish as well.
Secondary Species of Fish
Walleye, Crappie, Bluegill
Walleye and sauger are possible here and some anglers do report some good catches of crappie and bluegill. Most people come here for the excellent bass fishing though instead.
Catch Big Bass
Pickwick lake is one of the better big bass lakes in the country for largemouth bass and smallmouth bass. Not only are there big fish of both species, there are lots of big fish of both species in this lake. Angler’s report largemouth bass and smallmouth bass over 5 pounds throughout the year and there are good numbers of bigger fish here too. If you’re looking to target big smallmouth bass and catch some big largemouth bass also, this is a tough lake to beat.
Awesome Multi-Species Fishery
Pickwick Lake is one of the better multi-species fisheries in the country. There are so many different species of fish here in good numbers and there are quality fish as well.
Current Plays a Major Factor Here
The Pickwick Lake dam is a large dam that moves a lot of water through the river system. Because of this, the current plays a large role in where the fish are and how they will be feeding. From Pickwick Lake Dam down, the current breaks on the main lake will be great spots to target smallmouth bass and other species of fish too.
Fish the Creeks
The creeks are popular places to fish especially in the spring since fish will be moving into the shallows to spawn. The fall is also a good time to fish the creek arms for a variety of fish. In the summer, some anglers do report good largemouth bass fishing in these creek arms around vegetation and other types of cover.
Fish the Dam
The dam is famous for its excellent catfish and smallmouth bass fishing. You can catch just about any species of fish that swims in Pickwick lake around the dam, but the smallmouth bass and catfish really can stack up here at times. You will need a boat and you’ll need to be careful because the current can be really strong here.
Fish the Main Lake
The main lake is very good for fishing especially, during the summer. Fish the river ledges, points and current breaks and you should be able to catch a variety of different types of fish. The rocky areas will usually hold more smallmouth bass while the areas with vegetation will hold more largemouth bass. The other species of fish in the lake will be mixed in around the rocks and the weeds.
Fish the Points
Pickwick lake has a lot of points to fish especially as you get further north towards the Mississippi / Alabama Border. Primary and secondary points can both definitely be effective. Many of the secondary points back in the creeks will usually be better in the spring and fall while the primary points off the main lake tend to be great summer and fall spots. All points aren’t created equal so make sure you’re looking for areas with access to deeper water. Current breaks will usually hold fish around these points. Rocks wood and vegetation will also help hold more fish.
Fish the Rocks
Pickwick Lake has lots of rocks and smallmouth bass love the rocks. You can find a lot of other species of fish around the rocks as well. Rocky areas near some current brakes tend to be some of the best places to fish if you’re targeting smallmouth bass around the rocks here. Mix in some vegetation or wood around a rocky shoreline and you got a good chance to find some largemouth bass and other species too.
Fish the Shorelines
With miles and miles of shorelines to fish, it may be difficult to pinpoint the best places to fish if you just want to target the banks. For the largemouth bass anglers, find vegetation, wood and/or rocks back in the creeks during the spring and early summer and you should do well. If you are fishing the main lake shorelines, you will almost always do better if you’re fishing shorelines that have some type of cover such as rocks, wood or vegetation with some access to deep water close by. Current breaks along the shorelines are also great places to target fish.
Fish the Weeds
Pickwick Lake does have a lot of vegetation which has helped to create a tremendous largemouth bass fishery for numbers and size. You will find some spots on the lake with rocks and weeds and these spots will hold just about every type of fish in the lake. For the areas that have a lot of vegetation with no rocks or wood you’re most likely going to find more largemouth bass in these areas as well as a variety of panfish.
Fish the Wood
While you will hear a lot about fishing the dam, the ledges and the vegetation on Pickwick lake, don’t rule out fishing shoreline timber. There are many good spots along the shorelines where the current will help position the bass around the wood. Most Anglers will flip these spots with jigs for largemouth bass but don’t be surprised if you catch an occasional spotted bass, smallmouth bass and other fish around the wood as well.
