Best Fishing Spots in Auburn, AL
American nature writer Harry Middleton once said, “Fishing is not an escape from life, but often a deeper immersion into it.” For many, fishing is an intense passion that helps you feel more connected to nature and yourself. Auburn sits near the Chattahoochee and Tallapoosa Rivers, so there are plenty of excellent local spots for anglers to drop a line. Secure your Alabama Fishing License and head to one of these fantastic fishing destinations.
Chewacla State Park
For excellent fishing close to home, you can’t beat Chewacla State Park, a sprawling recreational area in Auburn. For fishing enthusiasts, the 26-acre Chewacla Lake is the real drawcard. Fed by Moore’s Mill Creek, it’s a great spot for catching largemouth bass, crappie, and several types of catfish and sunfish. Since the lake is small, the park doesn’t permit boats with gas-powered engines. You can fish from a small personal non-motorized vehicle like a canoe or the water’s edge. There are also grills and picnic tables for enjoying your catch at its freshest.
Location: 124 Shell Toomer Parkway, Auburn.
Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
Pam Lake
Pam Lake is another local gem for Auburn residents. It doesn’t have the facilities of nearby Chewacla State Park, but if you simply want to cast a line and enjoy a quiet fish, Pam Lake has got you covered. Most anglers catch largemouth bass here. However, there have also been reports of people catching spotted bass and bluegill in the reservoir’s water.
Location: Mimms Trail, Auburn.
Hours: 24 hours daily.
Clements Pond
You’ll find Clements Pond on the outskirts of Auburn. It’s worth the drive out of the heart of town if you love largemouth bass or channel catfish because this suburban pond is teeming with them. Anglers have also caught bluegill, grass carp, black crappie, and rock and spotted bass here. This is a family-friendly spot, so bring your kids and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. While it doesn’t have sanctioned hours like fishing spots in national and state parks, be conscious of the nearby neighbors and keep the noise down if you’re fishing before sunrise or after dark.
Location: Mohican Drive, Auburn.
Hours: 24 hours daily.
Lee County Public Lake
For more space where all boats are welcome, head to Lee County Public Lake in Opelika, around 20 minutes from Auburn. This 130-acre state-operated lake has boat ramps for easy water access and rental boats if you don’t have your own vessel. You can cast a line from the pier if you prefer fishing from dry land. The most common catch is largemouth bass in Lee County Public Lake, but if you’re lucky, you might also take home channel catfish, bluegill, or black crappie. However, you don’t have to rush off as cabins are on-site.
Location: 321 Lee Road 808, Opelika.
Hours: Sunrise to sunset, daily December and January, Tuesday through Sunday February to June, Wednesday through Sunday July to November.
Sougahatchee Lake
If Lee County Public Lake isn’t large enough for you, head to Sougahatchee Lake. Also in Opelika, this massive freshwater lake spans 600 acres. It’s ideal for big largemouth bass fishing, with some anglers taking home fish weighing several pounds. You’ll also find crappie there in the spring. However, the fishing and boat permit fees can be expensive for out-of-towners. You’ll enjoy a discount if you have an account with Opelika Water Works Board, which owns the lake.
Location: Off Robert Trent Jones Trail, Opelika.
Hours: Sunrise to sunset Tuesday through Sunday.
Saugahatchee Country Club Fishing Lake
Not to be confused with Sougahatchee Lake, Saugahatchee Country Club Fishing Lake is a charming 22-acre fishing spot in the heart of the club’s golf course. If you love fishing and golfing, visiting this facility around 10 minutes from Auburn is an excellent way to combine two of your passions. As it’s a private club, you’ll need to become a member to access the lake and other club amenities, including the tennis courts, pool, and fitness center.
Location: 3800 Bent Creek Road, Opelika.
Hours: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday and Sunday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.
Tuskegee National Forest
If you can get some time off work, head to Tuskegee National Forest for some rest and relaxation. This national forest only welcomes visitors throughout the week, so it’s the ideal place to leave the crowds behind and enjoy some quiet time fishing. You can fish for largemouth bass, catfish, and bream from the banks of Thloko Okhussee, a 4-acre pond known as the Big Pond to locals. It’s twice the size of the Chutkee Pond, which also allows bank fishing. You can also try your luck at Uphapee and Choctafaula Creeks. Gas motor-powered boats aren’t permitted in the forest.
Location: 125 National Forest Road 949, Tuskegee.
Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Blue Creek
Blue Creek is a picturesque stream in Chilton County famous for its bass. You’ll find spotted, largemouth, and striped varieties here, along with other fish species such as bluegill, channel catfish, and white crappie. You can cast off anywhere along Blue Creek, but we love spots near Blue Creek RV Park. While Dadeville is only half an hour from Auburn, the park is a great home base for early-morning fishing and extended fishing trips.
Location: Blue Creek RV Park, 29 Herren Camp Road, Dadeville.
Hours: 24 hours daily
Make Sure You’ve Got the Right Vehicle for Your Next Fishing Excursion
If you love fishing, you need a vehicle that comfortably holds your poles, tackle, and bait. Of course, it needs to be reliable enough to get you safely from your home in Auburn or Montgomery to your favorite fishing spots every time. If you’ve been considering trading in your car for a better fishing companion, head to Hyundai of Auburn. Our friendly team will show you our great range of new cars for sale and used vehicles and trade a few fishing stories with you. We’re also open every day but Sunday for your convenience.
Chewacla State Park by John David Johnson is licensed with CC BY-SA 2.0
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