These are some of the 2025 Weiss Lake Crappie Rodeo winners so far. Clockwise beginning on the upper left – Danny Wright of Sand Rock caught a $100 tagged fish, Brad Coley of Fort Payne caught a $100 fish, Shannon Read of Centre caught a $50 fish, Lei Winters of Cedartown caught a $100 tagged fish while fishing in the Mud Creek area. The $10,000 fish has not been caught, as of this writing. (Photos courtesy WEIS Radio Web Page)
$10,000 Crappie Swimming in Alabama’s Weiss Lake
by Capt. Richard Simms, CrappieNOW Editor
The annual Weiss Lake (Alabama) Crappie Rodeo is underway until April 30, 2025. The tournament, sponsored by the Weiss Lake Improvement Association (WLIA), includes 1,001 tagged crappies worth more than $134,000. There are 53 fish worth $1000 each, 474 worth $100 each, and 473 worth $50 each and there is one fish worth $10,000.
The tagged crappie were released in all areas of the 30,000-acre Weiss Lake. WLIA President, Mark Collins, said in general there are usually about 1,500 people who participate in the annual crappie rodeo. You must have a Rodeo Badge in your possession before you catch/claim a tagged fish. Anglers who want to participate need to get their $15 Rodeo Badge at these participating merchants around the lake.
- Bay Springs Country Inn, Campground, & Marina
- Coosa Corner
- Harton’s Grocery
- Little River Marina & Lodge
- Piggly Wiggly, Cedar Bluff
- Country Sportsman of Rome, GA
- Weiss Lake Mart Marina
- Wilson’s Store, Kirks Grove
- Yellow Creek Falls Fish Camp
The tags for the 2025 rodeo are blue (meaning other tag colors that might be left over from previous years do not qualify).
Crappie Rodeo rules are as follows:
- All tagged fish must be checked-in alive and with the tag in place. Do NOT remove tag!
- You must have in possession a current Crappie Rodeo Badge at the time of the catch. Awards & prizes are not transferrable.
- All fish must be caught with pole or rod & reel during tournament time.
- You must obey all State Fish & Game Laws.
- You must be willing to take a polygraph test if requested by Tournament Director.
- All decisions of Tournament Director are final.
Tagged Fish Check-in Locations:
- Bay Springs Country Inn, Campground, & Marina
- Coosa Corner
- Harton’s Grocery
- Little River Marina & Lodge
- Weiss Lake Tackle and Outdoors
- Wilson’s Store, Kirks Grove
- Yellow Creek Falls Fish Camp
Besides the Weiss Lake Improvement Association, sponsors include the City of Centre, Town of Cedar Bluff, Town of Leesburg and Town of Sand Rock, Alabama Power Shoreline and the Alabama Power Weiss Dam.
The Weiss Lake Improvement Association’s mission is to continuously improve the fishery, water quality and safe boating on Weiss Lake. All proceeds from the event are invested on improving Weiss Lake for today’s anglers and lake users and for future generations of anglers and boaters.
From Chattanooga, Tenn., in addition to being the CrappieNOW Editor, Capt. Richard Simms is owner of Scenic City Fishing Charters, Inc. He began his outdoor career as a Tennessee game warden later choosing journalism (and guiding) as his chosen profession. Check out his book, “An Outdoor State of Mind.” You can contact him at Richard@ScenicCityFishing.com.
