The most common sport fish found in Lake Tuscaloosa include the Alabama spotted bass, largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, and white crappie. Popular non-game fish include blue catfish, channel catfish, freshwater drum, buffalo and carp. Forage species commonly found in the lake include gizzard and threadfin shad and various minnows and shiners.
Overall, the status of the fish population in Lake Tuscaloosa remains unchanged from the 1980's. The fishery continues to be forage limited, and growth of important sport fish species such as black bass and crappie range from below average to average. Anglers that fish the lake frequently complain about low catch rates and the small size of fish. During 2000, bass tournament results ranked Lake Tuscaloosa 11th out of 25 major reservoirs in pounds of bass caught per day. Lake Tuscaloosa was the site of the B.A.S.S. Federation Qualifying Tournament in 2001, which was held out of Binion Creek Access Area.
Popular top water baits include jitterbugs and willow-leaf spinning lures, but many anglers prefer the traditional plastic worm or lizard to catch spotted bass off rocky walls or ledges found throughout the lake. Redear sunfish and other sunfish species are abundant, and are often found along weed beds, backwater sloughs and coves.
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Lake Tuscaloosa Fishing News
