Nestled between the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains and the Cumberland Plateau lies what many regard as one of the top bass fishing lakes in the Southeast, Lake Guntersville. The lake was formed on January 16th, 1939, when construction was finished on the Guntersville Dam. It took over 13,824,356 man-hours to complete the project and the results are fantastic. Not only for the fishing, as Lake Guntersville also provides 700- kilowatt hours of electricity each year and river navigation at Guntersville is the most stable in the Tennessee river chain. The difference in the summer pool and winter pool is normally 2 foot. With almost 890 miles of shoreline and 67,900 acres of water surface, it is easy to see why Guntersville has so much to offer in recreation also.
Now, let’s get to the good part, the fishing! From Nickajack Dam to Guntersville proper lies a distance of over seventy-five miles and every foot of those 75 miles is fishable. The upper end of the lake and the tailwaters of Nickajack Dam offer anglers the best opportunity to catch smallmouth, striper, and white bass. Also, huge catfish and drum roam the same waters. Trolling umbrella rigs and drifting shad seem to produce best for striper and other species. About fifteen miles downstream, you come across Widow's Creek Fossil Fuel Plant. With the warm water discharge and the added current it produces good numbers of white bass, spotted bass, drum, catfish, and gar.
Continuing our trip down river we come across the Scottsboro area of the lake. To me, this has to be the best part of the lake. It could be that I have spent most of my fishing life on that area of the lake. The hydrilla and milfoil really start to show in this area. There are many backwater areas and coves that were created when the lake was formed, too numerous to name all of them.
The lure selection on Guntersville varies from season to season and angler to angler. Check out the Alabama Fishing Report section here at Ultimate Bass to find out the latest news from our fishing reports!
One of the most popular areas on the lake is Goose Pond Colony. Situated pretty much in the center of the lake, Goose Pond offers a marina, restaurant, camping, cabins, golf, and fishing! Another popular area is the Guntersville State Park. With a five lane launch ramp, you won't be waiting in line to launch or load here. There are numerous launch ramps on the lake to put your fishing rig in at. Getting to Guntersville Lake is just as easy.
To get to the Scottsboro area of the lake, take US-72 East from Huntsville, Alabama to Scottsboro, Alabama and follow the signs. There are numerous launch ramps on the way, just look for the brown boat ramp signs. From Eastern Alabama, take AL Highway 35 across Sand Mountain, where Highway 35 runs right to US-72. From Southern Alabama take Interstate 59 North to the Fort Payne exit (#218), and then take Highway 35 West. If you would rather visit the Guntersville area of the lake you want to take US-431 South from Huntsville, Alabama. You can also take US-431 north from Gadsden, Alabama from the I-59 exit at Attalla. Proceed to take US-431 through Albertville and over Sand Mountain to Guntersville.
Eric Couch is a staff moderator here at UltimateBass.com, and he can be reached via the Personal Message system, under the screenname, CouchTater.
