Fishing Harris Reservoir
AKA: Lake Wedowee
Popular Fish Species Lake Wedowee, AL
Spotted Bass Fishing
Spotted bass are often found in small schools on steep banks, around rocky or sandy shorelines, points and ledges. They often prefer hanging out in slightly deeper water than largemouths. Here at Lake Wedowee, they are a favorite of many local anglers, as they are plentiful and put up a good tussle when hooked. Fishing for spotted bass can be good anytime you can locate them. Their diet consists mainly of crayfish and insects, but they also eat small baitfish, small sunfish and small bluegill. Most of the time, spots prefer to stage on steep rocky or gravel banks, and may move up and down the water column throughout the day. When shallow, use topwater or shallow crankbaits around rip rap. When they are deep, use drop-shot worms and jigs. Throughout winter, spend your time on deeper structure with small worms, jigs and spoons. Smallmouth bass and largemouth bass also reside here in decent numbers.
Black Crappie Fishing
A nice population of black crappie resides in Lake Wedowee. Crappie tend to run in schools, and once a school is located, there is a good chance for catching significant numbers. White crappie, in smaller numbers, also make this lake their home. Crappie fishing is easy and requires simple, basic gear. Virtually any fishing pole, reasonably small line and crappie jigs or small hooks baited with live bait, creates the ideal setup. Add a bobber and you can set the depth you prefer the bait to maintain. The best time to catch crappie tends to be at dawn and dusk. Live bait and small jigs are the most common method for crappie here. Because crappie prefer cover and structure, locate brush and vegetation in appropriate water depths. Using a fish finder can help locate schools of crappie, which tend to stack vertically around cover. 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 in deeper water.
Yellow Perch Fishing
Yellow perch tend to spawn in the April to May timeframe, and the spawn has been strong for years at Lake Wedowee. As a result, the lake continues to maintain a very healthy population of yellow perch, which have been a mainstay in the fishery for decades. Yellow perch are great table fare, and are a food source for many predator fish in the lake. Fishing for yellow perch is simple, their primary diet consists of minnows and other small fish, insects and worms. Yellow perch tend to gather in small groups and hang out on relatively deep structure, near cover and/or drop-offs. Use a small hook and sinker. Bait a small hook with minnows, worms or small jigs using 6 to 10 pound line.
Fish species to fish for...
Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, spotted bass, redeye bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, black crappie, white crappie, bluegill, redear sunfish, yellow perch and striped bass at Lake Harris in Alabama.
Lake Wedowee Fishing Video
Offering a nice variety of fish species, R L Harris Reservoir, AKA Lake Wedowee, is a 10,600-acre lake located in east-northeast Alabama, just west of Wedowee.
R L Harris Reservoir, also known as Lake Wedowee, is a prominent fishing destination in Alabama. Located in the eastern part of the state, R L Harris Reservoir covers approximately 10,600 acres and offers anglers a variety of fishing opportunities.
One of the popular fish species found in R L Harris Reservoir is largemouth bass. The lake's structure, including submerged vegetation, points, and rocky areas, provides excellent habitat for bass. Anglers can target largemouth bass using various techniques such as flipping jigs, crankbaits, and topwater lures. Spring and fall are typically the best seasons to fish for bass when they are more active and feeding actively.
Crappie fishing is also prevalent in R L Harris Reservoir, attracting anglers throughout the year. Both black crappie and white crappie can be found in the lake. Anglers often have success targeting crappie around submerged brush piles, fallen trees, and bridge pilings. Live minnows, jigs, and small plastic baits are effective in enticing crappie bites. The spring and fall seasons, especially during the spawning periods, are particularly productive for crappie fishing.
R L Harris Reservoir also offers opportunities for catfish anglers. Channel catfish and flathead catfish are commonly caught in the lake. Anglers can 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 can be particularly successful for catfish, as they tend to be more active during this time.
Before fishing at R L Harris Reservoir, 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.
Search the rocky 271 miles of shoreline for points, brush and boat docks as a good place to locate bass. Crappie can be caught on summer nights around lighted docks, or using crappie lights. The lake also has significant populations of catfish, yellow perch, striped bass, bluegill and other sunfish. There are boat ramps available to the public, a marina and rental boats.
Primary fish species residing in R L Harris Reservoir
Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.
Lake Wedowee Amenities
Marina: YES
Boat Rental: YES
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: NO
RV Hookups: NO
Lodging: YES
Convenience Store: NEARBY
Bait & Tackle: NEARBY
Restaurant: YES
Today's Weather & Forecast
Boating is a popular activity on R L Harris Reservoir, providing anglers with the opportunity to explore different areas of the lake and access prime fishing spots. The lake offers several boat ramps for easy launching and accommodates various watercraft, including boats and pontoons.
Fishing Boat Rentals
Molly's Pontoon Rental
Rentals: Bass boats and pontoon boats
404 434-7055
Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings
Cresent Creek Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northeast section of the lake, east side, off Cresent Ridge Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.
Highway 48 Public Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, west side, at the west end of the AL State Route 48 Bridge, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with docks and paved parking.
Lonnie White Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northeast section of the lake, east side, off Bradley Drive, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.
Swagg Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northeast section of the lake, west side, off County Road 329, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.
Tranquility Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, on the south side of the lake, off County Road 888, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with gravel parking.
Fishing Guides On Lake Wedowee
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.
No Campgrounds Or RV Parks Nearby
R L Harris Reservoir AL Map - Fishing & Camping Areas
Contact Information
Lake Wedowee
Lakeside Marina, Market & Grill
21143 Highway 431
Wedowee, Alabama 36278
256 357-2033
Fishing lakes in each state.
083024
Lake Wedowee in Alabama.
ALABAMA
Information about fishing lakes in Alabama
R L Harris Reservoir provides some of the best boating and fishing in east-northeast Alabama.