Fishing Lake Guntersville

AKA: Guntersville Reservoir

Popular Fish Species
Lake Guntersville Fishing Video
Available Fish Species
Amenities
Today's Weather & Forecast
Boat Launch Ramps
Fishing Boat Rentals
Marinas
Local Fishing Guides
Fishing License
Campgrounds & RV Parks
Map
Contact Info

Lake Guntersville, AL

Popular Fish Species Lake Guntersville, AL

Lake Guntersville Popular Fish - Largemouth Bass

Largemouth Bass Fishing

Considered by many to be one of the best bass fishing lakes in the country, Lake Guntersville is also a very popular bass tournament lake. Weekend and tournament anglers find the fishing to be slow at times, yet pretty good at other times. Fishing for bass can be quite rewarding, with an occasional bass over 4 pounds being caught. Anglers can also catch smallmouth bass and spotted bass, which reside here in decent numbers. Bass often move shallow and become aggressive when they are in a feeding mood. Use shallow crankbaits around rip rap. Around grass, use worms, jigs, topwater and spinnerbaits. In deeper water, drop shot rigs, big worms, jigs and spoons are good options. In winter, spend your time fishing deeper structure where the bass spend much of their time. A history of careful fisheries management by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has helped to maintain a good bass fishery for anglers.

Lake Guntersville Popular Fish - Crappie

Crappie Fishing

Crappie anglers can fish for both black crappie and white crappie at Lake Guntersville. These two species tend to school separately. However, once located around cover, you may catch both species, as they often use the same cover. For best results when fishing for crappie, light line and small hooks are key, especially when fishing live or prepared baits. Crappie jigs are also productive her in a wide variety of colors. This is a good place to catch quantities of nice, fat slabs. Crappie fishing can be found in varying size schools, hanging around brush, vegetation, wood or other cover. Using a fish finder any time of year can help locate these crappie schools, which tend to stack vertically around cover. Live bait and small jigs are the most common method for crappie here. In spring and fall focus on the 8 to 12 foot range. As the crappie move deep in summer and winter, follow points out deep, as well as find ledges near channels, especially areas with brush or timber in deeper water. The best time to catch crappie tends to be at dawn and dusk.

Lake Guntersville Popular Fish - Striped Bass

Striped Bass Fishing

Due to their large size, striped bass are a favorite of many locals and fishing guides at Lake Guntersville. They are plentiful, run in schools and can grow to bragging size. In Spring and Fall work the upper end of the lake where water is flowing into the lake. Look for deeper water in the river channel, as a holding place for stripers. In Summer and Winter, stripers hang out in deeper water during the day Morning often draws the stripers to much shallower water, look for them from the surface down to around the 20-foot range as they feed on shallow-running schools of bait. The lake is filled with plenty of baitfish and sunfish to to keep the fishery thriving. Being successful at fishing for stripers is a matter of locating schools of bait, and the wolf packs of stripers which are likely to be nearby. Fish finders, and forward facing sonar, are a big help in locating these roaming schools. Live bait is very effective here, and stripers can be caught year round.

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, blue catfish, black crappie, white crappie, walleye, bluegill, longear sunfish, redear sunfish, striped bass and sauger at Lake Guntersville in Alabama.

Lake Guntersville Fishing Video

Alabama's largest lake, Lake Guntersville is a 68,000-acre reservoir located on the Tennessee River in the northeast corner of Alabama. The lake spans 75 miles from Nickajack Dam to Guntersville Dam with over 950 miles of shoreline.

Lake Guntersville, located in northeastern Alabama, is widely recognized as one of the premier bass fishing lakes in the United States. With its expansive waters and abundant fish populations, Lake Guntersville offers anglers an exceptional fishing experience.

The lake is renowned for its outstanding largemouth bass fishing. The fertile waters of Lake Guntersville provide optimal habitat for bass, including submerged vegetation, weed beds, and ample forage. Anglers from all over the country flock to this lake in pursuit of trophy-sized bass. Spring and fall are considered the prime seasons for bass fishing on Lake Guntersville, as the fish are more active and aggressive. Anglers employ various techniques, such as flipping jigs, crankbaits, and topwater lures, to entice the bass to strike.

In addition to largemouth bass, Lake Guntersville is home to other popular fish species. Crappie, including both black crappie and white crappie, can be found throughout the lake. Anglers target crappie around submerged structures, bridge pilings, and brush piles. The spring and fall seasons are particularly productive for crappie fishing, when the fish gather in shallower waters for spawning. Anglers commonly use live minnows, jigs, and small plastic baits to attract crappie bites.

Lake Guntersville also offers opportunities for catfish anglers. The lake is home to various catfish species, including channel catfish and blue catfish. Anglers target catfish using a variety of baits, such as cut bait, chicken liver, or stinkbaits. The lake's deep channels, drop-offs, and areas with structure are productive spots for catfish fishing. Night fishing is particularly popular for catfish, as they tend to be more active during this time.

Before fishing at Lake Guntersville, anglers should familiarize themselves with Alabama fishing regulations and obtain the necessary licenses. This ensures compliance with size and bag limits, as well as any specific regulations for the targeted fish species.

Guntersville is notorious as a quality bass reservoir, yet has much more to offer. Crappie, catfish, stripers, sauger, bluegill and other sunfish are also plentiful here. Marinas and public boat ramps are scattered up and down the lake for launching pontoons, pleasure boats and fishing boats of all kinds. At Lake Guntersville State Park there is shoreline access for those who wish to fish from the bank or launch a canoe or kayak. There are plenty of campgrounds at or nearby the lake, along with restaurants, stores, boat rentals, fishing supplies and other amenities to enhance your trip. Come for a few days of fishing, or bring the family for an extended vacation.

Primary fish species residing in Lake Guntersville

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Lake Guntersville Amenities

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

Today's Weather & Forecast

Boating is a favorite activity on Lake Guntersville, with its expansive waters and numerous boat ramps. Anglers can explore the lake's diverse areas, access prime fishing spots, and enjoy the scenic beauty from the water.

Fishing Boat Rentals

Erwin Boat Rentals
Rentals: Pontoon boats
423 834-7778

Guntersville Boat Rentals
Rentals: Pontoon boats
256 960-1807

Islands Boat Rental on Lake Guntersville
Rentals: Kayaks and pontoon boats
256 506-0300

Town Creek Fishing Center
Rentals: Bass boats, canoes, kayaks and pontoon boats
256 571-5440

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Cober Bridge Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northeast section of the lake, at the south end of the Veterans Drive Bridge, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with paved parking.

Goose Pond Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, west side, off Ed Hembree Drive, this is a three-lane, concrete ramp with docks and paved parking.

Guntersville Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, on the south side of the lake, off at the east end of the State Route 69 Bridge, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Guntersville Municipal Park Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southeast corner of the lake, off Wyeth Drive, this is a four-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Jackson County Park Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northwest section of the lake, off County Park Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with docks and paved parking.

Jaycees Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southwest section of the lake, at the west end of the State Route 69 Bridge, this is a three-lane, concrete ramp with docks and paved parking.

Lake Guntersville State Park Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, east side, off Anthony Carr Scenic Drive, this is a four-lane, concrete ramp with docks and paved parking.

Langston City Park Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, east side, at the north end of the 67 Road Bridge, this is a three-lane, concrete ramp with docks and paved parking.

Marshall County Park Public Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southwest section of the lake, at the north end of the US Highway 431 Bridge, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Mink Creek Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, west side, off State Route 79, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Poll Cat Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southeast corner of the lake, at the east end of the State Route 227 Bridge, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and limited, paved parking.

Short Break Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southeast section of the lake, at the east end of the State Route 227 Bridge, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and limited, paved parking.

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

Thomas Avenue Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southeast section of the lake, west side, off Thomas Avenue, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Trail of Tears Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, east side, off Anthony Carr Scenic Drive, this is a four-lane, concrete ramp with docks and paved parking.

Waterfront Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, west side, off State Route 79, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with docks and paved parking.

Marinas

Goose Pond Colony Marina
417 Ed Hembree Drive
Scottsboro, AL 35769
256 912-0080

Guntersville Marina
100 Marina Lane
Guntersville, AL 35976
256 582-3625

Sunrise Marina
28571 US-431
Grant, AL 35747
256 582-8087

Fishing Guides On Lake Guntersville

Guntersville Guide Service - bass

If you offer fishing guide services on this lake, please contact us for a free listing, to be posted here.

Fishing License

Click here for a Alabama Fishing License.

The lake also provides camping facilities, including both tent and RV camping sites, allowing anglers to extend their fishing trips and immerse themselves in the natural surroundings.

Campgrounds & RV Parks Nearby

Honeycomb Campground - 256 582-9882

Riverview Campground - 256 582-3014

Georgia Mountain RV Resort - 256 505-3010

Little Mountain Marina Reservation Campground - 256 582-8211

Honeycomb Haven Rv Park - 615 423-4059

Marshall County Park Campground - 256 582-2193

Fisherman's Rest RV Park - 256 505-8125

Lake Guntersville State Park Campground - 256 571-5455

Lakeside Campground - 256 582-8051

Seibold Camp Ground - 256 582-0040

Blue Heron RV Resort - 256 571-7527