The 'Crappie Capital Of The World' Is Alabama's Fishing Haven With An Unparalleled Shoreline And Recreation

Alabama's abundant fishing options offer a plethora of opportunities for eager anglers. The state's southern coast offers the chance to drop a line inshore or have easy access to great offshore fishing. There are plenty of spots for freshwater fishing, too. Seasoned anglers know that Lake Eufaula is the "Big Bass Capital of the World," but Lake Guntersville also has some of the best fishing in the Southeast. While Weiss Lake is another great place for bass fishing, another species is its claim to fame — crappie. Known as the "Crappie Capital of the World," Weiss Lake has 447 miles of shoreline and is 52 miles long. It covers over 30,000 acres and has five free public access areas, as well as several marinas — making it a haven for recreation. 

There are two types of crappie in Alabama — black and white crappie. Weiss Lake is one of the lakes that also has hybrids of the two. Crappie can be caught year-round, but spring and fall tend to be the most productive times on Weiss Lake. The locals are welcoming to visiting anglers and are happy to share their tips on everything from the best lures to places to eat. There's a public Weiss Lake Fishing Facebook Group that has over 21,000 members (and counting) at the time of writing. If you want to fit in with the local anglers, though, just make sure you say the name of their prized lake correctly. It's pronounced "wice," not "weese."

This is a big lake, so many visitors find it advantageous to book a trip with one of the local experts. Luckily, there are multiple fishing guides in the area. One Google review called Mark Collins Guide Service the best guide on Weiss Lake and said, "I have been fishing with Mark for over 20 years, and I will only utilize his services. Have my own boat, and I still continue to fish with Mark yearly, not as a guide but as a teacher. He will show you how to catch crappie. How to use the equipment and electronics. Best though, he is simply a great guy." The company seems pretty confident in your chances of catching fish, as its website says, "No Fish No Pay."

When going out with a guide, they should know the rules of Weiss Lake. However, make sure you've studied up on things like size and creel limits. In many Alabama lakes, you can keep crappie that are at least 9 inches long, but at Weiss Lake, you can't keep crappie less than 10 inches. You're also limited to 30 fish per day. 

If you go on your own, you can rent a boat and pick up some live minnows — one of the best baits for crappie fishing. Once you get on the water, look for places with brush piles, aquatic vegetation, submerged logs, and other underwater structures. Some say those are spots where crappie like to hang out.

If you want to visit this esteemed fishing hole, you can book a flight to the closest major airport, Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (BHM), rent a car, and drive there in less than an hour and a half. You may also want to look at all your options and consider flying into Huntsville International Airport (HSV) or Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL). They aren't much farther — both are just a couple of hours away by car. If you're staying for a few days, you can book a stay at one of the local spots like Cowan Creek Lodges, Weiss Lake Lodge, or Starlight Haven. 

Before you cast a line into Weiss Lake, make sure you've purchased an Alabama freshwater fishing license, too. Everyone 16 and older will need one, but take a look at the options. For example, if you're just coming in from out of state for a few days, you can get a short-duration license for a three-day trip that covers you and up to four of your immediate family members. At the time of writing, you can snag the license for $36.10. Once you have an Alabama freshwater fishing license, you may also want to visit some other great fishing spots in the state, such as Lake Martin, another of Alabama's top lakes with water recreation and fishing. The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources shows that the current state record white crappie was caught there.