Lake Guntersville is much more than just a bass lake. The crappie population thrives
on the lake and can be caught in a variety of ways year-round. (Photo: Greg McCain)
Beyond Bass: Discover Guntersville’s Underrated Crappie Fishing
by Greg McCain
Many fishermen think of Lake Guntersville as synonymous with that other fish.
The sprawling 69,000-acre lake, part of the Tennessee River chain in northeast Alabama and centered around the cities of Guntersville and Scottsboro, certainly deserves its reputation as a bucket-list black bass destination. The overall fishery, however, is much more than just a bass factory.
“Bass fishing made Lake Guntersville,” local guide Mike Carter told me years ago, “but people, especially those from outside the region, don’t really know what they are missing when it comes to other species.”
Carter (call or text 423.802.1362 for guided trip information) continued that conversation with this basic idea about Guntersville: the crappie fishing can be as good or even better than the bass fishing.
The potential for crappie fishing, the lake offers a ready supply of both black and white crappie, is an around-the-clock, every-day-of-the-year proposition. While the September bite can admittedly be tough, fishing improves considerably in the cooler months. A mid- to late-November outing on Guntersville can be awe-inspiring not only in terms of crappie fishing but also in the promise of postcard-like fall foliage.
Carter, once exclusively a bass guide, started offering trips for crappie about 10 years ago. He continues to put clients on crappie, mainly through the winter and early spring, and practices an old-school approach. He casts for crappie, targeting stumps with small jigs and pinpointing fish and likely structure with side-imaging technology.
“The crappie really thrive on Guntersville,” Carter said. “That’s especially true for me in late winter through the spring.”
For late-summer fishing – that label defies the calendar and extends into October, local tournament pro Kevin McCarley, of Ardmore, AL, suggests targeting deep fish roaming in open water along major creek channels. He specifically mentions Browns Creek on the lower end and Town and South Sauty creeks in the mid-lake area.
A recent phenomenon has changed the approach to crappie fishing in the summer. Once the domain of trollers pulling crankbaits, the proliferation of a particular grass has made trolling difficult if not impossible on certain days. Floating eel grass abounds at just about every stop on the lake. The wind helps to push and congregate the annoying grass on certain days, but anglers have to choose their spots carefully.
While the traditional grasses found on Guntersville have always been a welcome sight for fishermen and provide a safe haven for various species, the eel grass creates an extra challenge.
“Once upon a time, I would have said to target these summer fish by pulling crankbaits,” McCarley said. “The eel grass makes it tough on most days. Sometimes you can still find some open water in the creeks when the wind pushes the grass north or south. Trolling can still be productive but difficult because of the grass.”
McCarley’s current approach involves pinpointing single fish or small schools with forward-facing sonar technology. He scopes crappie and either casts to them from 30- to 40-foot distances or vertical jigs. He uses an array of B’n’M (www.bnmpoles.com) rods, casting with 6’ Sharpshooter or 8’ Blue Diamond models and vertical jigging with a 14’ Blue Diamond or a 16’ Black Diamond.
His preferred lures are a hair jig or an Eye Hole Jig.
“That’s about the most effective approach late in the summer because of all the grass,” McCarley said.
If he had a choice, McCarley said February is his favorite month for Guntersville crappie fishing. He moves far upriver to Mud Creek (easily accessible off U.S. 72) with Roseberry Creek, near Scottsboro, a good alternative. Jackson County Park is a good launching site for Roseberry and other creeks near Scottsboro.
“In February, I would be spider rigging in Mud Creek,” he said.
One of the great things about Guntersville crappie fishing is the variety. While boaters have access to more fish, bank fishermen catch plenty of crappie, especially around the bridges. The bridge on the Alabama 69 causeway is often littered with fishermen as are those bridges at Short Creek and Town Creek near Guntersville State Park. Fishermen can be found at those locations, and many others, just about any time of day or night when the bite is hot.
Dock shooting is another time-honored approach on the lake, and plenty of docks are available especially around mid-lake.
Aside from the fishing, the region is replete with opportunities for the entire family. The state park is just one of many camping destinations in the area and also features a lodge, cabins, and chalets. Restaurants abound in both Guntersville and Scottsboro. The iconic Top O’ the River is a Guntersville tradition, feeding visitors large platters of catfish, seafood, and steaks for the past 40-plus years.
“Top O’ the River is just one of those go-to places that you have to visit,” McCarley said. “There are plenty of other quality restaurants – I haven’t visited all of them – but Top O’ the River is hard to beat.”
For those family members interested in a short day trip, Cathedral Caverns is just a few miles up the road. Part of the Alabama State Park (www.alapark.com/parks) system, the caverns feature one of the largest cave openings in the country, measuring roughly 125 feet wide and 25 feet high.
Once inside, the caverns maintain year-round 60 degree temperatures, a perfect respite from the September heat, and spectacular scenery, all accessible via a 1.3-mile, wheelchair-accessible concrete path. Among the many features are “Goliath,” one of the largest stalagmites in the world, a “caveman” formation, a “frozen” waterfall, and various cathedral-like rooms, thus the name.
For another unique experience, Huntsville, now Alabama’s largest city, is just an hour away from Guntersville. This ever-growing city features many amenities and attractions, perhaps none more unique than the U.S. Space and Rocket Center. Huntsville remains one of the nation’s leaders in space-related industry.
“Visiting Guntersville is a great experience,” said Maleah Hames, social media manager for Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association. “The lake is beautiful, but there is so much more to do in the area. The new City Harbor is there and has been a great addition to the area. It offers several different restaurants, shopping, and the hotel. It’s a really neat area to visit.
“Cathedral Caverns is another great place to visit. It’s not too far from there, maybe a 20-minute drive. It’s really cool back in there. You can take a tour and learn how the cavern came to be, the prehistoric history.”
Guntersville, however, will always be synonymous with fishing. Crappie fishing is now a year-round pursuit, especially among the locals. While many people visit for the bass potential, crappie provide a consistent opportunity just about any day of the year.
The bite picks up as cooler temperatures arrive in the fall. The winter-to-early-spring potential is great, rivaling or even exceeding better-known crappie fisheries like Weiss or Martin.
“People don’t always think of Guntersville as a crappie lake, but they are missing one of the most consistent fisheries available,” McCarley said.
Many anglers hear “Lake Guntersville” and immediately think of that other fish.
The sprawling 69,000-acre reservoir—part of the Tennessee River chain in northeast Alabama and anchored by the towns of Guntersville and Scottsboro—deserves its reputation as a bucket-list black bass destination. But this legendary fishery is far more than just a bass factory.
“Bass fishing made Lake Guntersville,” local guide Mike Carter told me years ago. “But people, especially those from outside the region, don’t really know what they’re missing when it comes to other species.”
Carter believes the crappie fishing can be just as good—if not better—than the bass bite.
Guntersville offers healthy populations of both black and white crappie, with year-round potential. Although September can be a slower month, fishing ramps up with the arrival of cooler weather. By mid- to late-November, the crappie action—and the fall foliage—can be nothing short of spectacular.
Carter, who once guided exclusively for bass, began offering crappie trips about a decade ago. He still runs winter and early spring trips, using an old-school casting approach. He targets stumps with small jigs, aided by side-imaging sonar to locate fish and structure.
“The crappie really thrive on Guntersville,” Carter said. “Especially from late winter through spring.”
Late Summer Tactics
Local tournament angler Kevin McCarley of Ardmore, Alabama, agrees that Guntersville crappie can be found year-round—even in the dog days of late summer, which on this lake stretch well into October. He recommends chasing deep, roaming fish in open water along major creek channels. Browns Creek on the lower end and Town and South Sauty creeks in mid-lake are reliable hotspots.
However, one recent challenge has shifted summer strategies: eel grass.
What was once prime trolling season for pulling crankbaits has become a frustrating game of dodge-the-floating-vegetation. The invasive eel grass, unlike Guntersville’s native aquatic vegetation, drifts with the wind and piles up in certain areas, making trolling nearly impossible some days.
“Once upon a time, I’d say to pull crankbaits in the summer,” McCarley said. “But the eel grass makes that tough now. Some days you can find open water when the wind pushes the grass north or south, but it’s inconsistent.”
His solution?
Precision targeting with forward-facing sonar. McCarley searches for individual fish or small schools, casting from 30 to 40 feet away or vertical jigging when necessary. He relies on B’n’M rods – 6′ Sharpshooter or 8′ Blue Diamond models for casting, and 14′ Blue Diamond or 16′ Black Diamond rods for vertical presentations. His go-to baits include hair jigs and Eye Hole Jigs.
“That’s the most effective summer strategy right now with all the grass,” he said.
Favorite Time? February
If given the choice, McCarley picks February as his favorite month for crappie on Guntersville. He heads far upriver to Mud Creek (accessible off U.S. 72), with Roseberry Creek near Scottsboro as a backup. Jackson County Park offers a good launch point for these areas.
“In February, I’d be spider rigging in Mud Creek,” he said.
Options for All Anglers
One of Guntersville’s great strengths is its variety. While boaters have more access, bank anglers catch their share—especially around the bridges. The Alabama 69 causeway bridge is often lined with anglers, as are those at Short Creek and Town Creek near Guntersville State Park. These popular spots attract crappie seekers day and night, especially when the bite is hot.
Dock shooting is another reliable technique here, particularly around the many mid-lake docks.
More Than Just Fishing
Guntersville also shines as a family destination. The Lake Guntersville State Park offers camping, a lodge, cabins, and chalets. Both Guntersville and Scottsboro offer ample dining options. A regional favorite for more than 40 years, Top O’ the River serves up generous platters of catfish, seafood, and steaks.
“Top O’ the River is just one of those places you’ve got to visit,” McCarley said. “There are other great restaurants, but it’s hard to beat.”
Looking for a side trip?
Cathedral Caverns State Park is just a short drive away. With one of the largest cave openings in the country—about 125 feet wide and 25 feet tall—the caverns maintain a year-round temperature of 60 degrees, a refreshing break from Alabama’s summer heat. A 1.3-mile, wheelchair-accessible concrete path leads visitors past towering stalagmites (like “Goliath”), cave formations, and cathedral-like chambers.
For a full-day excursion, Huntsville—now Alabama’s largest city—is just an hour from Guntersville. Highlights include the U.S. Space and Rocket Center, a major hub of America’s space program.
“Visiting Guntersville is a great experience,” said Maleah Hames, social media manager for the Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association. “The lake is beautiful, but there’s so much more to do. City Harbor is a great new addition with restaurants, shops, and a hotel. And Cathedral Caverns is just 20 minutes away—it’s a must-see with a fascinating prehistoric history.”
Year-Round Crappie Paradise
Though bass may always steal the headlines, crappie have quietly become a year-round draw on Guntersville. As fall cools the air and water, the bite picks up. Winter through early spring delivers some of the best action in the region, rivaling better-known crappie lakes like Weiss or Martin.
“People don’t always think of Guntersville as a crappie lake,” McCarley said, “but they’re missing out on one of the most consistent fisheries in the country.”
Greg McCain is a freelance writer and retired educator who lives in prime crappie-fishing territory in northwest Alabama. His home waters are Cedar Creek Lake near Russellville, AL. His recent credits include articles in the ACC Crappie Stix blog, Georgia Outdoor News, and the Alabama B.A.S.S. Nation website in addition to his contributions to CrappieNOW.
