In the spring, it is hard to beat the fishing for big smallmouth bass on Wilson or Pickwick lakes on the Tennessee River. Photo by Jeff Samsel.

Deciding where to go bass fishing in Alabama is sort of like staring at the menu at one of those really good restaurants that serves a little bit of everything. A bunch of things look good, and they are so different that comparing one to another can be difficult.

From the vast reservoirs that impound the Tennessee River to the 23 little lakes that the state manages with fishermen in mind, Alabama offers outstanding variety. Among the state's many waterways are top destinations for largemouths, smallmouths and spots, not to mention redeyes and shoal bass.

You can't fish everywhere, every day, though, so we've picked a handful of waters that promise to serve up especially good bass fishing this spring.

Wilson Lake
Wilson Lake is somewhat of a sleeper as a bass-fishing hotspot, according to Damon Abernethy, the fisheries development coordinator for the Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. Despite producing excellent fishing, Wilson doesn't get nearly as much attention as other impoundments along the Tennessee River. Nor does it typically attract the big-name tournaments that Guntersville, Wheeler and Pickwick draw.

Wilson bass fishing has been especially good over the past couple of years, and prospects look excellent for this spring.

Abernethy spoke mostly about Wilson's largemouth population when he pointed toward the positive trend. However, he was quick to point out that the lake's smallmouth population has not fallen off any. Wilson produces some giant smallmouth bass, and some of the best smallmouth fishing of the year typically occurs during the spring.

Only 15 miles long, Wilson is substantially smaller than the other reservoirs along the Tennessee River. It impounds a very large river, though, and definitely fishes like a big impoundment. Current and current breaks are major factors that affect fish-holding areas, and the biggest fish in the lake tend to relate to the lake's main body.

During March, many largemouths and smallmouths alike are along the edges of the main river and in the lower ends of the major creeks. Largemouths generally stay out of the strongest current and relate to docks, brushpiles, riprap and other cover. Smallies hold over rocky points, often near spawning pockets and over flats between the channel edge and spawning areas.

Large numbers of smallmouths --including some very large fish -- also concentrate in the Wheeler Dam tailwater during March. Anglers find the fishing good in this area at the headwater of Wilson. Drifting live yellowtails (threadfins shad) on split shot rigs below the dam is the usual tactic. Alabama's state-record smallmouth, a 10-pound, 8-ounce giant caught by Owen F. Smith in 1950, came from the Wheeler tailwater. Although that was 60 years ago, many anglers believe there are state-record fish or even world-record fish swimming in Wilson Lake.

Arguably, the best overall lure for largemouths and smallmouths alike on Wilson Lake during March is a suspending jerkbait such as a Rattlin' Rogue. Fished slowly, with alternating twitches and pauses, a Rogue imitates a winter-slowed baitfish and looks like an easy meal to a largemouth or a smallmouth.

An important note about March fishing on Wilson Lake is that prevailing spring winds go directly against the current, and the main body of the lake can become dangerously rough in a hurry. Anglers need to watch the forecast and consider the conditions for their return trip when they venture up or down the lake.

The minimum size for smallmouth bass on Wilson Lake is 14 inches. There is no minimum size for largemouths or spots. For information about guides, ramps and area lodging, visit Alabama Mountain Lakes at www.northalabama.org.