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Waterbody · Alabama

Lewis Smith Lake Fishing Regulations 2026

Lewis Smith Lake fishing regulations as of 2026-05-08: 33 current rules from DCNR. Anglers target spotted bass, striped bass, largemouth bass.

DCNRVerified Official source

Rules (33)

DCNR regulates 33 rules across 8 species at this water.

Largemouth Bass

Lewis Smith Reservoir
Slot min
13"
Slot max
15"
It is illegal to possess any largemouth bass, Alabama bass or spotted bass between 13 inches and 15 inches in total length.
Guntersville Reservoir
Min size
15"
Harris Reservoir
Slot min
13"
Slot max
16"
It is illegal to possess any largemouth bass between 13 inches and 16 inches in total length.
Pickwick Reservoir
Min size
15"
R. L. Harris Lake
Slot min
13"
Slot max
16"
Largemouth bass between 13 inches and 16 inches in total length must be returned to the lake unharmed
Town Creek (Tributary Of Guntersville Reservoir)
Min size
15"
Walter F. George Reservoir (Lake Eufaula)
Min size
14"
Walter F. George Reservoir (Lake Eufaula) And Its Tributaries
Min size
14"
Walter F. George Reservoir (Lake Eufaula) Tributaries
Min size
14"
West Point Reservoir
Min size
14"
West Point Reservoir And Its Tributaries
Min size
14"
West Point Reservoir Tributaries
Min size
14"

Saltwater Striped Bass

Lewis Smith ReservoirCatch & release
Status
Catch And Release
Possession
2
Max size
22"
Gear
No Culling
It shall be unlawful to intentionally cull from the creel any saltwater striped bass from June 15th to October 15th. Culling is defined as removing and releasing a saltwater striped bass from the creel (live well, stringer, basket, bucket, cooler or other container) whether or not it is replaced with another striped bass. that exceed 22 inches in total length in the daily creel limit. It is illegal to possess more than two saltwater striped bass that exceed 22 inches in total length in the daily creel limit.

Rainbow Trout

Cold Tailwaters Below Lake Lewis Smith DamOpen
Status
Permitted
stocked from the Dale Hollow National Fish Hatchery in Tennessee
Sipsey Fork From Lewis Smith Dam Downstream To The Confluence With The Mulberry ForkCatch & release
Status
Catch And Release
Daily bag
5
Gear
No Culling
It shall be unlawful to cull from the creel any trout caught from the Sipsey Fork from Lewis Smith Dam downstream to the confluence with the Mulberry Fork. Culling is defined as removing and releasing a trout from the creel (live well, stringer, basket, bucket, cooler or other container) whether or not it is replaced with another trout. It shall be unlawful to cull from the creel any trout caught from the Sipsey Fork from Lewis Smith Dam downstream to the confluence with the Mulberry Fork. Culling is defined as removing and releasing a trout from the creel (live well, stringer, basket, bucket, cooler or other container) whether or not it is replaced with another trout

Striped Bass

Alabama State Waters
Daily bag
2 fish
Only two Striped Bass are allowed within MRD Jurisdiction.
Inland ReservoirOpen
Status
Permitted
saltwater restriction removed
Mrd Jurisdiction
Daily bag
2 fish/person
Only two Striped Bass are allowed within MRD Jurisdiction
Waters Of AlabamaCatch & release
Status
Catch And Release
Game fish must be immediately returned to the water.

Alabama Bass

Lewis Smith Reservoir
Slot min
13"
Slot max
15"
It is illegal to possess any largemouth bass, Alabama bass or spotted bass between 13 inches and 15 inches in total length.

Spotted Bass

Lewis Smith Reservoir
Slot min
13"
Slot max
15"
It is illegal to possess any largemouth bass, Alabama bass or spotted bass between 13 inches and 15 inches in total length.

Black Bass

Lewis Smith ReservoirOpen
Status
Permitted
included in slot limit

All Species

Sipsey Fork River From Lewis Smith Dam To The Confluence With The Mulberry Fork
Gear
Angling Only
No more than two rods and reels, or poles, or any combination thereof may be used

FAQ

Who regulates fishing on Lewis Smith Lake?

DCNR regulates fishing on Lewis Smith Lake.

What species can I target on Lewis Smith Lake?

Lewis Smith Lake is best known for spotted bass, striped bass, largemouth bass. Other species are present and tracked in the rule tables below.

When was this last updated?

These rules were last verified against DCNR on 2026-05-08. Always confirm with the official source before keeping a catch.

Reference only. Regulations change mid-season. Always verify with the official source before keeping a catch. Last verified .

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