*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 - 6/25/2024

SpeciesDetail
BassBass bite is fair to good and a variety of lures are working right now. Some anglers are reporting a decent buzzbait bite in some of the backwater areas where grass and bushes are flooded. Others are throwing weightless and Texas-rigged soft plastics for those more lethargic fish. Most are targeting water depths of about 15-25 feet. Spawning shad can offer bass anglers some fast action in the early and late parts of the day on topwater lures like buzzbaits and walking baits. 
CrappieThe crappie bite has slowed. A few quality fish are still being caught, but not at the frequency of weeks past. Anglers are targeting 15-20 ft of water. Trolling/drifting minnows and jigs in 20-30 feet of water can be productive.
CatfishThe catfish bite is starting to pick up. Anglers should be starting to fish along the rock walls soon, if they're not already. Redworms, nightcrawlers, and koolaid flavored chicken are the bait of choice right now. Hand grabbing has been productive as well.

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)...