Cherokee County, AL · Reservoir
Weiss Lake
A Coosa River reservoir near the Georgia line billed as the "Crappie Capital of the World," with excellent largemouth and catfish alongside its famous crappie.
Live · updated
Top picks today
Crappie, Largemouth Bass & Channel Catfish — tied at the top (0/100)
3 species tied for best of 3 tracked at Weiss Lake.
Atmosphere
Water
Sun & Moon
Species at Weiss Lake
3 species tracked, ranked by today's conditions. The top 3 (tied) are open below — tap any species to expand it, or a chip to focus.
#1 Crappie Skip the Crappie trip today. In season 0/100
What's helping
- 5 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- 89°F water — above crappie's active range (50–80°f) — fish move deep
- Thunderstorms — get off the water immediately when storms approach
About. Pomoxis spp. — Covers both black crappie (P. nigromaculatus) and white crappie (P. annularis). Schooling panfish around brush, docks, and submerged timber. Spring pre-spawn is the prime season — small minnows and 1/16-oz jigs are the go-to.
Prefers. Water 50–80°F (ideal 65°F) · either tide · depth 3–20 ft.
Last verified 44 days ago on 2026-05-29. Open source page →
- Min size
- 9"
- Daily creel
- 30
9" minimum, 30/day.
Source: Alabama regulations · verified 2026-05-29.
#1 Largemouth Bass Skip the Largemouth Bass trip today. In season 0/100
What's helping
- 5 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- 89°F water — above largemouth bass's active range (55–85°f) — fish move deep
- Thunderstorms — get off the water immediately when storms approach
About. Micropterus salmoides — Most popular gamefish in MD non-tidal waters. Ambush predator around cover — lily pads, submerged timber, docks, grass edges. Hits plastics, spinnerbaits, jigs, and topwater across the season.
Prefers. Water 55–85°F (ideal 72°F) · either tide · depth 3–25 ft.
Last verified 44 days ago on 2026-05-29. Open source page →
- Min size
- 15"
- Daily creel
- 10
10 black bass/day (no more than 5 smallmouth); 15" minimum on Guntersville and many reservoirs.
Source: Alabama regulations · verified 2026-05-29.
#1 Channel Catfish Skip the Channel Catfish trip today. In season 0/100
What's helping
- 5 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- 89°F water — above channel catfish's active range (60–85°f) — fish move deep
- Thunderstorms — get off the water immediately when storms approach
About. Ictalurus punctatus — Native catfish of MD non-tidal rivers, reservoirs, and farm ponds. Bottom-feeder that takes chicken liver, stinkbait, nightcrawlers, and cut bait. Most active at night and in warm water.
Prefers. Water 60–85°F (ideal 75°F) · either tide · depth 5–30 ft.
Last verified 44 days ago on 2026-05-29. Open source page →
- Daily creel
- no limit
No limit under 34"; only one over 34"/day.
Source: Alabama regulations · verified 2026-05-29.
Location Info
Water Body
Reservoir
Access
Pier, shore, and ramp
Jurisdiction
Alabama
Coordinates
Local reports & rules for Weiss Lake: Outdoor Alabama (ADCNR) fishing & regulations → · fish-consumption advisories (EPA directory) →
Nearby Access Points
Frequently Asked
Do I need a fishing license to fish at Weiss Lake?
Yes (anglers age 16 and older). To fish at Weiss Lake you need the appropriate state fishing license. See the agency's current rules: the state agency website
What fish are commonly targeted at Weiss Lake?
Weiss Lake is listed on this site for 3 commonly-targeted species: Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Channel Catfish. Which species is currently in season and which is scoring highest today is shown in the per-species ranking on this page.
When is the best time to fish at Weiss Lake?
It depends more on the species and the day's conditions than on a fixed "best hour." Water temperature, weather, and — at tidal locations — the stage of the tide drive activity most. The per-species ranking on this page scores every target species at Weiss Lake against today's live conditions, so the fish near the top are your best bets right now; check back as conditions change through the day.
What kind of access does Weiss Lake have?
Weiss Lake has multiple access types — pier, shoreline, and at least one public boat ramp.
Which state's fishing regulations apply at Weiss Lake?
state agency regulations apply at Weiss Lake. Size limits, creel limits, and seasonal closures are listed per species on each species page. Always confirm against the agency source linked from each regulation block — emergency closures can take effect mid-season.
Is Weiss Lake tidal water?
No. Weiss Lake is non-tidal — water level varies with rainfall, seasonal flow, and (where applicable) upstream dam releases rather than tidal exchange.