For current fishing conditions, drop by J.R.’s Marina on the Little River or visit their Web site at www.jrsmarina.com. The marina telephone number is (256) 779-6461.

R.E. “BOB” WOODRUFF LAKE (JONES BLUFF)
“Our catch rates on Jones Bluff are always good for crappie,” reported Chris Greene, District IV fisheries supervisor. “In my opinion, it ranks right up there with Weiss as one of the top crappie fisheries in the state. Local anglers know it, but it’s not known throughout the southeast. Jones Bluff is a great fishery that’s like a hidden jewel.”

Jones Bluff is the first of three flood control reservoirs maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on the Alabama River. The Tallapoosa River joins the Coosa at Parker Island, which is downstream and southwest of Wetumpka, to create the Alabama River. About 80 miles downstream from the confluence of these rivers, near the community of Edsons, the Robert F. Henry Lock and Dam controls the waters of the impoundment.

Jones Bluff is mostly a riverine lake, but it does have some backwaters.

“There is a variety of habitat types,” explained Greene, “so crappie can use different areas during the year, depending on baitfish location.

There is also an abundance of shallow-water areas that provide spawning habitat.”

Greene’s trap-net sampling revealed a strong crappie spawn in 2005, with some of the highest catch rates ever documented on Jones Bluff.

He said anglers should begin catching large numbers of these fish this spring.

For the month of April, Greene recommended fishing the shallow water in Prairie Creek near the dam; Catoma, Swift and Tallawasee creeks midlake; and Cooters Pond up lake. He said that his trap nets always produce good numbers in Cooters Pond.

For fishing information, visit Big Bass Bait and Tackle in Prattville on State Route 14 West or call (334) 365-0600.

An excellent boat ramp for fishing the upper lake is off SR 31 at Cooters Pond. Use the ramp at Swift Creek southeast of Autaugaville for fishing midlake, and the ramp north of Edsons to fish near the dam.

WILLIAM (BILL) DANNELLY RESERVOIR (MILLERS FERRY)
Located downstream from Jones Bluff between Selma and Camden, Millers Ferry is also a riverine impoundment, particularly as it flows through Dallas County. Once in Wilcox County, the Alabama River overflows its banks to create productive crappie habitat.

Known for big crappie, Millers Ferry offers the best papermouth fishing in southwest Alabama. But it, too, has its ups and downs. According to Dave Armstrong, District V fisheries supervisor, crappie populations have suffered.

“Prior to this,” he reported, “Millers Ferry had some bad year-classes, and it’s just now starting to turn around. When we sampled in the spring, we saw some really nice crappie. In fact, we were surprised by the size and number of those crappie.”

Armstrong said a few of these fish measured 13 inches.

What ordinarily makes the crappie fishing on Millers Ferry so good?

“In general,” Armstrong answered, “it’s what makes the bass fishing good: stable water levels, highly productive water and a stable shad population. Crappie don’t live and die by shad, but shad do provide a forage base for the crappie. It’s the one thing that makes a difference between a good crappie reservoir and a great one.”

Armstrong recommended that anglers fish Bogue Chitto, Ellis, Gold Mine, Pine Barren and Shell creeks. He said that, of these, his trap nets always produce good numbers in Bogue Chitto. He also reported seeing big crappie in Ellis.

“All of those areas have quite a variety of habitats,” he offered, “shallows, deep water and lots of cover.”

When he is fishing in April, Armstrong prefers to target cover.