Fishing William Dannelly Reservoir

AKA: Millers Ferry Reservoir

Popular Fish Species
William Dannelly Reservoir Fishing Video
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Millers Ferry Reservoir, AL

Popular Fish Species William Dannelly Reservoir, AL

William Dannelly Reservoir Popular Fish - Spotted Bass

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 Millers Ferry Reservoir, 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.

William Dannelly Reservoir Popular Fish - Crappie

Crappie Fishing

Crappie anglers can fish for both black crappie and white crappie at Millers Ferry Reservoir. 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.

William Dannelly Reservoir Popular Fish - Largemouth Bass

Largemouth Bass Fishing

Millers Ferry Reservoir is a 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. 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.

William Dannelly Reservoir Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, spotted bass, channel catfish, blue catfish, black crappie, white crappie, bluegill, redear sunfish, white bass, hybrid striped bass and striped bass at Millers Ferry Reservoir in Alabama.

Bass and crappie are the favorite targets at William Bill Dannelly Reservoir, also known as Millers Ferry Reservoir. Situated on the Alabama River, with over 500 miles of shoreline, this 35,000-acre body of water provides plenty of fishing action.

One of the popular fish species found in William Dannelly Reservoir is largemouth bass. Crappie fishing is also prevalent throughout the year. Both black crappie and white crappie can be found in the lake. Catfish anglers will find opportunities in William Dannelly Reservoir as well. Channel catfish and blue catfish are commonly caught in the lake.

Bass over three pounds are common, big stringers of crappie are common, and the lake also has populations of white bass, bluegill, sunfish, striped bass, hybrid stripers and catfish (often over 30 pounds). The lake is created behind the Millers Ferry Lock & Dam on the Alabama River in Central Alabama. Crappie hang around the brush in Spring while the bass tend to locate near creel channels, points and any structure allowing an ambush point for baitfish. Numerous boat ramps, campgrounds, beaches and picnic areas are available around the lake for fishing from the bank or launching kayaks or canoes.

Primary fish species residing in William Dannelly Reservoir

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Millers Ferry Reservoir Amenities

Marina: YES
Boat Rental: NO
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: YES
Convenience Store: NO
Bait & Tackle: NEARBY
Restaurant: YES

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Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Millers Ferry Campground Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southwest section of the lake, east side, off E Bank Park Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Shell Creek Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southwest section of the lake, at the east end of the State Route 28 Bridge, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.