Fall on Jordan Lake

Jordan Lake, situated near the town of Wetumpka (not far from Montgomery, Al.), is noted for its trophy, Coosa River spotted bass. Fishing during the Fall to early Winter seasons, an angler can connect with one of these hard fighting bass, while fishing anywhere on this lake. Getting these true tackle testing, trophy "Spots" (some weighing from 5-8 pounds), in the boat...is another story all together.

Jordan Lake stretches a little over 18 nautical miles, from the lakes headwaters (situated just below upper Lake Mitchell dam), all the way to the lower lake dams. This dam, of two lower lake dams, is known as Jordan dam. It was built in 1928 and it is now been 77 years since the lake was impounded.

In 1967 another dam was added to the lower lake. Walter F. Bouldin dam was built, with access via a canal from Jordan dam, and known as a power pool. This dam collapsed in 1975, was rebuilt, and after 5 years was put back in service in 1980. Both of these lower lake dams, eventually empty downstream into the Alabama River.

Jordan Lake now consists of 188 miles of shoreline and 6,900 acres of some very fishy looking water. The upper stretches of the lake actually look more like a river, with over 10 miles of generally lightly stained and twisting and winding, current-filled Coosa River waters. The river channel features depths of 30-40 feet in these upper lake headwaters. It usually turns in close to bluff lined banks featuring small weed lined cuts and broken off banks with huge, current breaking boulders.

In the lakes headwaters are more rocks, huge boulders and loads of current breaking slab rocks, for bass to hide in ambush as they await the passing baitfish meals. This entire upper lake region is excellent habitat for striped bass, hybrid stripes, largemouth bass and spotted bass. Mitchell Lake dam tailrace features lots of oxygen rich waters and plenty of washed in baitfish and crayfish. Many of these huge bass species are taken here each Fall and early Winter seasons.

There is also plenty of aquatic weeds, and loads of wood cover such as brush, stumps and standing timber found throughout the dozens of small cuts and pockets in this upper lake region.

Fall rains, the constant passing of fronts through this mid Alabama area, and plenty of man made current generated at the dam, attracts the bigger bass of Jordan Lake to this area this Fall. These conditions keep the waters moving, the baitfish on the move and trophy sized bass of all species feeding constantly, to fatten up for the upcoming Winter months ahead.

Give Jordan Lake a try and maybe you will see why many anglers say, "This is the best Spotted Bass Lake in Alabama for quality bass action this Fall."

Or give me a call and I'll show you how I've discovered some good places, certain lures and various techniques for fooling and catching these bass, after over 30 years of fishing Alabama's famed, Jordan Lake.

This report provided by;
Reed Montgomery / Reeds Guide Service
Producer / Host "Fishing Alabama" With Reed Montgomery Radio Show
"6 Years on the Radio  / Jan 2005"
Birmingham, Alabama
Call Reeds Guide Service...First! (205) 787-5133
"Over 40 Years Fishing Alabama for Bass and Stripers"
E-mail: ALABASSGYD@aol.com
Website: www.FISHINGALABAMA.com

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