Lewis Smith Lake, one of the most beautiful man-made lakes in the Southeast lays nestled between Cullman and Walker Counties in north-central Alabama.  The lake has over 21,000 surface acres, over 500 miles of shoreline and is the uppermost lake located on the Black Warrior River. Full pool for Smith Lake is 510 feet above sea level and has depths that reach 300 feet.

Smith Lake’s Dam is the largest earthen dam east of the Mississippi River and was constructed, beginning in 1957. Smith Lake provides hydroelectric generation and supplies Birmingham with drinking water. Located between Huntsville and Birmingham just off of I-65, makes Smith Lake a prime recreation lake for anglers and sportsmen from all over north and central Alabama.

The rule of thumb on Smith Lake when bass fishing, is to go for Spotted Bass. But, don’t let that fool you. Largemouth bass are abundant and have size. Being a deep, clear lake, anglers normally target the Spotted Bass population and overlook what the Largemouth Bass has to offer. The main reason is that Smith Lake boasted eight consecutive world record Spotted Bass in the 1970’s and 80’s. The current record now belongs to California, but that record’s ancestors came directly from Smith Lake. Deep clear lakes in California were stocked with Smith Lake Spots in the early 1980’s. The current lake record Spot is 8 pounds, 15 ounces.

Not only does Smith boast a good bass population, but anglers from all over the Southeast come to Smith for its monster Stripe fishing. The Stripe business has boomed over the past decade and doesn’t see an end in site. Stripe are caught year round in the 15-30 pound range.

Smith currently has a “slot limit” placed on it by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. The slot limit is 13”-15”. Meaning that anglers cannot keep a bass that measures between 13 and 15 inches. Any bass below 13 inches, and 15 inches and above are legal.

Bass tournaments are abundant on Smith Lake. Weekly pot tournaments are held year round from Smith Lake Dam and from Speegle’s Marina. The two are on opposite ends of the lake and make traveling close to home for the anglers. B.A.S.S. has brought its Elite Tour to Smith along with FLW events that are planned for 2006.

All in all, Smith Lake has a little something for everyone when it comes to fishing. An abundance of Crappie and Bream awaits anglers year round. Bass enthusiasts stay on Smith Lake twelve months out of the year, and recreational boaters enjoy it during fair weather. Lewis Smith Lake’s deep, clear water offers anglers of all ages fishing trips that memories are made of.