Clean your boat trailers! Giant Salvinia is a highly invasive floating aquatic plant that is present in this lake. Please remove all vegetation from your boat trailer before leaving the launch areas.
*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 - 6/25/2024
| Species | Detail |
|---|---|
| Bass | The bass bite could be called fair to good. The increase in temperature has slowed down some of the fishing pressure. Low-light hours will be the most productive in the summertime pattern. Buzzbaits, frogs, and weedless swimbaits have been popular lure choices. Some anglers are targeting deep cover along the navigation channel and up around the mouth of the Buttahatchie. Texas-rigged plastics, jigs, spinnerbaits, and crankbaits are all good options there. |
| Crappie | The crappie bite has slowed down. The increase in temperature has pushed them into deeper waters, so the deeper banks in the old river runs and gravel pits seem to be the most productive. Jigs and minnows are your best bait choices. Alternate between the two to increase the chances of a bite. |
| Catfish | The catfish bite is starting to pick up with the rising water temperature. Nightcrawlers, whole shad, and cut bait have been productive baits. Most anglers are using trotlines or jugs. Some anglers are starting to target catfish with rod-n-reel combos along the channel. There may be success with hand grabbing as well. |
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
Columbus Lake Special Regulations
Creel and Size Limits
| Species | Lengths to Release | Daily Creel Limits |
|---|---|---|
| Black Bass (combined largemouth, spotted and smallmouth) | 14 inches and under | 10 per angler |
| Crappie (combined white and black) | 9 inches and under | 30 per angler |
Statewide creel and size limits apply to all other fish species
*Columbus Lake Interactive Map
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