The largemouth bass fishing is very good on Pickwick Lake, however, most anglers come here to target smallmouth bass. In many areas, you could catch largemouth bass and smallmouth bass while fishing with the same lure in the same spots. However, if you are coming to target largemouth bass, there are plenty of places you can fish to help you target more largemouth bass.
Catch Big Bass
Pickwick lake is one of the better big bass lakes in the country for largemouth bass and smallmouth bass. The big smallmouth bass get a lot of the attention on Pickwick Lake, but there are plenty of big largemouth bass caught here year round as well. Anglers catch plenty of largemouth bass over 5 pounds on Pickwick Lake.
Current Plays a Major Factor on Pickwick Lake
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 will help position fish, which can make it easier to find fish willing to bite. The areas with more current will usually hold more smallmouth bass than largemouth bass, but this also helps largemouth bass locate larger numbers of fish as well. Fish the areas with larger current breaks and calmer waters with some type of cover such as rocks, weeds or wood and you’ll find plenty of largemouth bass on Pickwick Lake.
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 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
The rocky areas are known for holding a lot more smallmouth bass than largemouth bass, but you will definitely find some largemouth bass around the rocky areas too. Find the rocky areas with less current and some other type of cover such as weeds, wood or a dock and you’ll find more largemouth bass on both lakes.
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.
Learn More About Largemouth Bass
Our largemouth bass section is huge with information on the best live baits, lures, where to catch them and how to catch them. Visit our largemouth bass page to learn more.
