The Lewis Smith lake is a coveted destination for many serious anglers across the country, but its 500-mile shoreline is just as inviting to casual enthusiasts. This deep and steep lake is loaded with spotted bass and largemouths. It is also home to smallmouth bass, spotted bass, channel catfish, black crappie, white crappie, bluegill, redear sunfish, white bass and striped bass. While it can be a challenging spot to fish at times, there are marinas, recreation areas, and boat ramps one can enjoy.

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If you aspire to land a 40-plus pound bass, you have a great chance at Lewis Smith Lake. With depths over 200 feet, there’s plenty of room for them to grow. Since the waters are clear, anglers need to be smart about bait and tactics. Head out on a Spring morning and use shad for bait along with smaller lures and tackle that sink down to around 25 feet. Sometimes the fish are much deeper.

Depending on the amount of rainfall, rivers and creeks on the east and west sides might be worth exploring as well. Many anglers stick to waters near the shoreline where rocks and trees provide places for the fish to hide.

Between Huntsville and Birmingham, Lewis Smith Lake is conveniently located off I-65. For extended trips, there are plenty of lakefront homes available to rent. For day trips, there are several boat ramps all around the lake. Motels and restaurants are available at Lakeshore Marina and Resort, but launching from here is a long boat ride to the main lake area.

Lewis Smith Lake boat ramps:

The following boat ramps provide access to Lewis Smith Lake.