*Pickwick Lake is part of the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway and is owned and managed by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). The MDWFP Fisheries Bureau manages the lake's fisheries resources and provides weekly fishing reports.

Covering 43,100 acres, Pickwick Lake, which borders Alabama, Tennessee, and Mississippi, is the 4th largest impoundment on the Tennessee River. It is owned and managed by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). The reservoir extends 52.7 miles from Wilson Dam (river mile 259.5) in Florence, Alabama to Pickwick Landing Dam (river mile 206.7). The lake is nationally recognized as one of the best bass fishing lakes in the country.

Per a reciprocal agreement, a Tennessee fishing license is valid in parts of Mississippi.

Fishing Report

SpeciesDetail
BassBass fishing is fair.  Slowly fishing soft plastic worms is working very well right now.  Topwater lures have been somewhat productive as well.  For deeper areas, try deep-diving crankbaits, swimbaits, or big Texas-rigged worms.  Good electronics are a must for the off-shore bite. 
CrappieAnglers using FFS are continuing to have success with crappie.  Some anglers are drifting/trolling small crankbaits for suspended fish while others are targeting offshore brushtops by vertically jigging or using minnows.  
CatfishThe catfish bite is fair.  Tight lining with cut/whole shad or liver along the deeper gravel bars and shallower river ledges can typically produce bites.  A reminder that Pickwick is a shared waterbody with Alabama, so only 1 catfish over 34 inches is allowed.

Pickwick Lake water level

Pickwick Lake Special Regulations

Creel and Size Limits

SpeciesLengths to ReleaseDaily Creel Limits
Black Bass (combined largemouth, spotted, and smallmouth)15 inches and under10 per angler
Crappie (combined black and white)9 inches and under30 per angler
CatfishNo Length Limit1 over 34 inches per angler, no creel limit under 34 inches

Statewide creel and size limits apply to all other fish species

*Pickwick Lake (JP Coleman State Park) Interactive Map

Find and learn more about *Pickwick Lake (JP Coleman State Park)...