Fish and Fishing in
Jordan Lake

Public and private boat ramps, as well as several private marinas provide access to Lake Jordan. Two popular public boating access areas include Bonner’s Point on the west side of the lake and Rotary Landing to the east. Several private marinas located on the main lake and up river near Mitchell Dam also include boat ramps. Topographic maps of Lake Jordan are available at local marinas and sporting goods stores.

Fishery:
The most common sport fish found in Lake Jordan include the Alabama spotted bass, largemouth bass, hybrid striped bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, and black and white crappie. Popular non-game fish include channel catfish, blue catfish, and flathead catfish. Primary forage species include both threadfin and gizzard shad. Overall, the status of the fish population in Lake Jordan remains unchanged from the 1980s.

Like many other fertile impoundments, the potential of this fishery is limited by poor early life survival and high mortality of fish during their first winter. However, growth of important sport fish species such as black bass and crappie exceed the statewide average. Most anglers are very satisfied with the fishing on Lake Jordan because it has remained very consistent during the last 20 years. Based upon quality indicators from B.A.I.T. tournaments held during 1986 - 1998, Lake Jordan ranked first among reservoirs in the state for overall bass fishing, and it continues to provide excellent fishing.

2001 Dozier students fishing at YMCA Camp Chandler, Jordan Lake.

Sampling:
Sampling work in 2004-2005 revealed that the abundance of black bass, crappie, and shad have remained stable in recent years. Growth rates of both largemouth bass and spotted bass in Lake Jordan are among the fastest in the state; in 5 years, these species can easily exceed 18 inches in length. The condition of bass and crappie in Lake Jordan is similar to most other Alabama reservoirs when compared to the statewide average for each species. Most harvestable-sized bass are from 2 to 5 years old and range from 11- to 18-inches in length. As in other lower Coosa River impoundments, crappie spawned heavily in 2001, and those fish are now 10- to 12-inches long. This year class should sustain the crappie fishery until another heavy spawn occurs. Creel surveys conducted in 2002 indicated that anglers harvested 13% of bass and 73% of crappie caught from Lake Jordan.

Stocking:
The Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division has stocked numerous sport fish into Lake Jordan beginning in 1969, which include Florida largemouth bass, hybrid striped bass, and striped bass. The Division currently stocks hybrid striped bass at a rate of 6 per acre, annually.

Fishing:
The most productive times to fish are during spring and fall; however, during the summer months, nighttime catfish and bass fishing can also be very good. Largemouth bass are more cover oriented and are usually caught by fishing in or near dense water willow stands that grow near the shoreline. Spotted bass are more structure oriented and can be caught from various habitat-types including, points, humps, ledges, rock-piles, and vegetation.

Popular bass lures include willow-leaf spinnerbaits in white or shad color patterns, topwater chuggers and walking baits in shad colors, hard and soft plastic jerk-baits, and Carolina-rigged centipedes or finesse worms in various shades of green. Numerous bass tournaments are held at Bonner’s Point on the western shore and Rotary Landing on the eastern shore, with night tournaments generally being held during the week and daytime tournaments taking place on weekends.

Crappie often congregate around shallow woody debris during springtime and can be caught using live minnows. During winter months, crappie frequently remain in large schools suspended just below the surface in open water and can be caught by trolling light-weight jigs tipped with live minnows.

Bluegills, shellcrackers, and other sunfish species are abundant and are often found along weed beds, backwater sloughs and in shallow coves. Live crickets or tiny beetle-spins are the best choices when targeting bluegill. Fishing for bluegill is usually best near the first full moon in May, but remains good throughout the summer. Bluegill spawning areas can be identified by the clusters of circular depressions in shallow water areas protected from wind and wave action. Peak spawning activity usually occurs near the full moon during summertime.

"Jug-fishing" is also a very popular fishing method for catfish on Lake Jordan. The jugs are usually baited with chicken liver, nightcrawlers, or cut shad and are allowed to drift down the river with the current just above the bottom. Early summer is the best time to catch catfish.

The Bouldin Canal on the south end of the lake provides a unique fishing opportunity. When hydroelectricity is being generated at Bouldin Dam, a strong current flows through the canal. The current attracts many species of fish that sometimes feed heavily during power generation. Contact Alabama Power Company at 1-800-LAKES11 for tentative generation schedules.