*Columbus Lake is part of the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway and is operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE). The MDWFP Fisheries Bureau manages the lake's fisheries resources and provides weekly fishing reports.

 Covering 8,910 acres, Columbus Lake is the largest reservoir along the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway. It was opened in 1981 and is owned and managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The reservoir extends 22 miles from Aberdeen Lock and Dam (mile 357.5) to Columbus Lock and Dam (Stennis Lock and Dam, mile 334.7). Historically, Columbus Lake has been a popular destination for bass and crappie anglers from around the state and the west central region of Alabama.

Fishing Report 

SpeciesDetail
BassAnglers are targeting the gravel pits and the deeper grass beds near the boat ramp, Hwy. 50, and the marina. A few anglers are targeting points off the old river runs as well as some of the deeper sloughs up Tibbee Creek. For the shallow grass and slough bite, Texas-rigged soft plastics are best baits, with spinnerbaits, frogs and buzzbaits catching some early and late bites. Shallow crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and shakeyheads have been productive for bass on the points and along the main channel. A few anglers are hitting the Buttahatchie in search of both spotted bass and largemouth bass in hopes of the cooler running water will hold the fish. Jigs, spinnerbaits, shakeyheads, and crankbaits are good options there. 
CrappieThe crappie bite is fair.  Anglers are having luck around deeper banks in the old river runs, laydowns, and the gravel pits, and targeting woody cover in various depths to find fish. Jigs and/or minnows are going to be the best options.
CatfishNo recent reports on catfish.  The submerged logs along the deep side of the old river run between the marina and the East Bank boat ramp is a good place for tightlining. Most catfish baits (cut/whole shad, liver, nightcrawlers) are catching fish. Jug fishing can be good just along the channel. 

Giant salvinia is a highly invasive aquatic plant found throughout the Tenn-Tom Waterway. It is critical that anglers visiting the lake clean their boats and boat trailers to reduce the possibility of transferring this plant to other water bodies. Giant salvinia is extremely difficult to eradicate once it becomes established.

Columbus Lake Special Regulations

Creel and Size Limits

SpeciesLengths to ReleaseDaily Creel Limits
Black Bass (combined largemouth, spotted and smallmouth)14 inches and under10 per angler
Crappie (combined white and black)9 inches and under30 per angler

Statewide creel and size limits apply to all other fish species

*Columbus Lake Interactive Map

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