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Fly Fishing in Alabama

25 featured rivers, lakes and streams in Alabama, each with target species, a hatch chart and a map of nearby access.

Alabama River (Jones Bluff) (Striped Bass, Hybrid Bass)
Heavy current and deep structure attract massive striped bass; requires heavy sink-tip lines.
Bear Creek Tailwater (Smallmouth Bass, Spotted Bass)
Cold water releases provide a unique small-stream feel for bass and occasional trout stockings.
Black Warrior River (Mulberry Fork) (Spotted Bass, Largemouth Bass)
Rugged and remote river section known for aggressive spotted bass and beautiful scenery.
Bon Secour River (Largemouth Bass, Speckled Trout, Redfish)
A brackish winding river that offers a mix of freshwater and saltwater species in a jungle-like setting.
Cahaba River (Old Slab) (Spotted Bass, Largemouth Bass)
Famous for its biodiversity, this section offers excellent wading for 'Alabama spotted bass' and heavy topwater action.
Chattahoochee River (Phenix City) (Shoal Bass, Striped Bass)
A fall-line fishery where shoals create perfect fly water for shoal bass and large stripers.
Choctawhatchee River (Lower) (Bluegill, Redear Sunfish, Largemouth Bass)
Winding blackwater river through cypress swamps, home to massive hand-sized bluegill and shellcrackers.
Conecuh River (Point A Tailwater) (Striped Bass, Largemouth Bass)
A deep south Alabama river with sandy bottoms and excellent numbers of striped bass during spring runs.
Dauphin Island Surf (Spanish Mackerel, Bluefish, Redfish)
Accessible beach fly fishing for migratory species along the Gulf of Mexico, best during calm mornings.
Elk River Shoals (Smallmouth Bass, Drum)
The rocky sections of the Elk River near the Tennessee line are premier spots for trophy smallmouth bass.
Flint River (Madison County) (Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Sunfish)
A quiet, slow-moving river perfect for floating in a canoe and casting small poppers for panfish.
Fort Morgan Flats (Redfish, Spanish Mackerel, Tarpon)
Sandbar points and shallow flats where the Mobile Bay meets the Gulf, prime for larger predatory fish.
Fowl River (Redfish, Speckled Trout, Largemouth Bass)
A coastal tributary with crystal clear upper reaches and brackish lower sections, perfect for diverse bag limits.
Grand Bay Marsh (Redfish, Speckled Trout)
Expansive salt marshes near the Mississippi border ideal for stalking tailing redfish in very shallow water.
Guntersville Lake (North Sauty Creek) (Largemouth Bass)
Vegetation-heavy backwaters that offer incredible frog and popper fishing for bucketmouth bass.
Little River Canyon (Redeye Bass, Bluegill)
A stunning high-gradient river flowing through a deep canyon, perfect for adventurous anglers seeking wild bass and sunfish.
Locust Fork (Spotted Bass, Smallmouth Bass)
Free-flowing river with numerous shoals and boulders, providing classic smallmouth-style habitat for spotted bass.
Mobile Causeway (Meaher Park) (Speckled Trout, Redfish)
Accessible marshes and grass lines where the Delta meets the bay; great for winter speckled trout.
Paint Rock River (Largemouth Bass, Rock Bass, Bluegill)
A scenic, small river in North Alabama known for its clear water and high concentration of native sunfish.
Perdido Bay Flats (Redfish, Jack Crevalle)
Clear sandy flats on the eastern edge of Alabama, offering sight-fishing opportunities for cruising reds.
Sipsey Fork Tailwater (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout)
Alabama's only year-round trout fishery, located below Lewis Smith Dam, offering cold-water wading for stocked rainbows.
Tallapoosa River (Below Thurlow Dam) (Tallapoosa Bass, Striped Bass)
World-class fishery for the endemic Tallapoosa Bass found in the rocky shoals and fast water.
Terrapin Creek (Redeye Bass, Bluegill)
A favorite for kayak fly anglers, offering easy wading and consistent action for Coosa Bass.
Weeks Bay (Redfish, Flounder)
A protected estuarine reserve that serves as a nursery, offering consistent action for schoolie reds.
Wolf Bay Inshore (Speckled Trout, Redfish)
Mangrove-like shoreline and grass beds that hold high numbers of speckled trout and juvenile redfish.

Fly Fishing in Alabama

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