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Lake Information for Mitchell Lake
Located just off I-65 and ten miles due east of the city of Clanton in central Alabama, Lake Mitchell is a 5,850-acre impoundment on the Coosa River with 147 miles of shoreline. The Lay Dam tailwater area at the upper end of the lake is a popular recreational area to many anglers with ample bank fishing access. Impounded by Alabama Power in 1922, an abundance of material left behind serves as fish habitat. Lake Mitchell is very fertile and supports high densities of sport fish and forage species. The lake was constructed to provide flood control, and supply hydroelectricity to central Alabama; however, the lake has become very popular for various types of recreation including boating, swimming and fishing.
Public boat ramps, private boat ramps, and several private marinas provide access to Mitchell Lake. Two popular boating access areas include Higgins Ferry on the west side of the lake and Barrett’s Fish Camp (launch fee) to the east, although several private marinas located on the lake also include boat ramps. Topographic maps of Lake Mitchell are available at local marinas and sporting goods stores.
The most common sport fish found in Lake Mitchell include the Alabama spotted bass, largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, and black crappie and white crappie. Popular non-game fish include channel catfish, blue catfish, and flathead catfish. Primary forage species include both threadfin and gizzard shad. Overall, the status of the fish population in Lake Mitchell remains unchanged from the 1980s. Like many other fertile impoundments, the potential of this fishery is limited by poor early life survival and high mortality of fish during their first winter. However, growth of important sport fish species such as black bass and crappie are generally near the statewide average. Most anglers are very satisfied with the fishing on Lake Mitchell because it has remained very consistent during the last 20 years and usually ranks among the top ten reservoirs in the state for bass fishing.
Sampling:
Sampling work in 2003-2004 revealed that the abundance of black bass, crappie, and shad have declined somewhat in recent years. This is part of a natural cycle that occurs repeatedly in reservoirs throughout the state, and will likely improve in the coming years. Although bass and crappie in Lake Mitchell grow at the same rate as those in most other Alabama reservoirs, their condition is poor when compared to the statewide average for each species. Most harvestable-sized bass are from 2 to 4 years old and range from 10- to 15-inches in length. Crappie spawned heavily in 2001, and those fish are now 10- to 12-inches long. This year class should sustain the crappie fishery until another heavy spawn occurs. Creel surveys indicated that anglers harvested 7% of bass and 45% of crappie caught from Lake Mitchell.
Stocking:
The Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division have stocked numerous sport fish into Lake Mitchell beginning in 1980, which include Florida largemouth bass, walleye, hybrid striped bass, and striped bass. The Division currently stocks hybrid striped bass.
The most productive times to fish are during spring and fall; however, during the summer months, nighttime catfish and bass fishing can also be very good. Largemouth bass are more cover oriented and are usually caught by fishing in or near dense water willow stands that grow near the shoreline. Spotted bass are more structure oriented and can be caught from various habitat-types including, points, humps, ledges, rock-piles, and vegetation.
Popular bass lures include willow-leaf spinnerbaits in white or shad color patterns, topwater chuggers and walking baits in shad colors, hard and soft plastic jerk-baits, and Carolina-rigged centipedes or finesse worms in various shades of green. Numerous bass tournaments are held at Higgins Ferry, with night tournaments generally held during the week and daytime tournaments taking place on weekends.
Crappie often congregate around shallow woody debris during springtime and can be caught using live minnows. During winter months, crappie frequently remain in large schools suspended just below the surface in open water and can be caught by trolling light-weight jigs tipped with live minnows.
Bluegill, shellcracker, and other sunfish species are abundant and are often found along weed beds, backwater sloughs and in shallow coves. Live crickets or tiny beetle-spins are the best choices when targeting bluegill. Fishing for bluegill is usually best near the first full moon in May, but remains good throughout the summer. Bluegill spawning areas can be identified by the clusters of circular depressions in shallow water areas protected from wind and wave action. Peak spawning activity usually occurs near the full moon during summertime. Shellcrackers can be caught using redworms fished on the bottom in shallow coves during late spring.
"Jug-fishing" is also a very popular fishing method for catfish on Lake Mitchell. The jugs are usually baited with chicken liver, nightcrawlers, or cut shad and are allowed to drift down the river with the current just above the bottom. Early summer is the best time to catch catfish.
Tournament weigh-in facility at Higgins Ferry Park, Lake Mitchell, Alabama
A tournament weigh-in station is now available to bass clubs at the Higgins Ferry Access Area. This facility is a joint project of the Lake Mitchell Home Owners and Boat Owners Association, the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and Alabama Power Company. Proper handing of fish during weigh-ins helps to minimize post-release mortality. For information or reservations for free use of this facility contact Mr. Frank Atkinson, Chilton County Park Ranger at 1-205-755-5952.
Businesses Located Nearby
Bait & Tackle
- Martin's Bait & Tackle
- 1165 Lightwood Rd - Deatsville, AL
- (334) 569-1123
- T & N Bait Shop
- 446 County Road 55 - Clanton, AL
- (205) 755-2394
- Mike's Bait & Tackle
- 1089 Highway 280 - Alexander City, AL
- (256) 212-9850
Boat Rental
- International Boat Rentals Incorporated
- 2521 Arbor Cv - Birmingham, AL
- (205) 967-8176
- Alabama Small Boats Incorporated
- 2800 Cahaba Village Plz - Birmingham, AL
- (205) 977-7010
- Flat Top Boats
- 380 Dogwood Rd - Sylacauga, AL
- (256) 249-2821
Vacation Rental
- Lake Martin Corporate Vacation Rental Property
- 183 Larkwood Ln - Dadeville, AL
- (256) 825-7317
- Indian Hills Motorcycle Resort
- 345 Highway 22 E - Rockford, AL
- (256) 377-1225
- Lake Martin Vacation Rentals
- 5610 Highway 49 S - Dadeville, AL
- (256) 825-2225
Bar and Restaurant
- Devena BBQ & Family Restaurant
- 3975 Us-31 - Verbena, AL
- (205) 280-0408
- Bar-B-Q Willie's
- 87 Deatsville Hwy - Millbrook, AL
- (334) 285-4644
- Bar-B-Q Mike's
- 3521 Main St - Millbrook, AL
- (334) 285-3545
