Pickwick Lake
A Tennessee River reservoir running about 53 miles from Wilson Dam at Florence, Alabama, to Pickwick Landing Dam in Tennessee, bordering Mississippi along the way. It is best known for big smallmouth bass in the current below Wilson Dam, plus largemouth, spotted bass, crappie and catfish.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Smallmouth Bass
The Shoals below Wilson Dam to the end of Seven-Mile Island are the hot spot. Fish current when TVA is generating; live bait is a top method.
Largemouth Bass
Main-lake and creek ledges and humps with Carolina rigs, crankbaits and jigs. Weed edges in the lower lake hold fish too.
Crappie
Spring is best in the Bear Creek and Second Creek embayments. Drift jigs and minnows along creek channels.
Sauger
Winter fish in the Wilson Dam tailwater as they move upstream to spawn.
Blue Catfish
High numbers in the tailwater in summer. Cut bait or whole shad on ledges and humps.
Boat launches
6 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- McFarland Park (West and North ramps)PublicADCNR ramps in Florence. Five lanes total, docks, big parking lot, hosts major tournamentsDirections ↗
- Riverfront ParkPublicADCNR ramp in Sheffield. Two lanes, restroomsDirections ↗
- Rose Trail (Riverton)PublicADCNR ramp near Riverton. Two lanes, restroomsDirections ↗
- Waterloo RiversidePublicADCNR ramp at WaterlooDirections ↗
- Pride StationPublicADCNR ramp. One lane, dockDirections ↗
- Buzzard's Roost (Margerum)PublicADCNR ramp. One laneDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Special rules for this lake, confirmed from official state regulations. Minimum size and daily limit.
| Species | Min size | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth & Smallmouth Bass Pickwick Reservoir minimum; statewide black bass limit, no more than 5 smallmouth | 15 in | 10 / day |
| Crappie Pickwick is named as included in the 9 in minimum | 9 in | 30 / day |
Other species in this lake: look up the limits at Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (Outdoor Alabama) ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.
- Warehouse TackleNearby417 East College Street, Florence(256) 980-0951Directions ↗
Local tips
- TVA holds the lake lower in winter (about 408 ft) and raises it to 413 to 414 ft in summer, so check levels before launching.
- Below Wilson Dam, bass bite best when TVA opens the turbines; watch the generation schedule and be careful in the strong current.
- Your license matters: Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee waters meet here, so check reciprocal rules before crossing state lines.
View on interactive map
Zoom and pan on a street, satellite or terrain map. Red pins are boat launches; blue pins are bait shops nearby.
More Alabama lakes
Walter F. George Lake (Lake Eufaula) Lake Martin Weiss Lake Lewis Smith Lake (Smith Lake) William "Bill" Dannelly Reservoir (Millers Ferry) Wilson Lake Logan Martin Lake Woodruff Reservoir (Jones Bluff) All Alabama lakes →
Always wear a life jacket and check your state's current regulations before you fish.