Largemouth Bass fishing at Lay Lake

Spring largemouth bass on Lay Lake hold shallow, usually 2 to 10 ft. By summer they slide out to 8 to 20 ft, and by winter most fish are in 15 to 35 ft. Shallow bay flat is the standout, a weed flat at roughly 6 ft, rated prime for spring largemouth bass. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. A texas-rigged 10" worm or a deep-diving crankbait covers the summer program.

Spotted Bass fishing at Lay Lake

Start shallow in spring: spotted bass sit in 5 to 20 ft that time of year. Summer pushes them deeper, 15 to 40 ft, and winter fish settle into 25 to 50 ft. The spot to know is Main-lake point, a point in about 15 ft of water that rates prime for spotted bass in spring. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. Tie on a drop shot over brush or a underspin + fluke (schoolers) and you're in the game.

Crappie fishing at Lay Lake

Spring crappie on Lay Lake hold shallow, usually 2 to 8 ft. They move out to 10 to 25 ft in summer and finish the year down in 15 to 35 ft. The spot to know is Old creek channel, a creek channel in about 30 ft of water that rates prime for crappie in winter. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. A jig trolled/spider-rigged or a small crankbait (trolled) covers the summer program.

Channel Catfish fishing at Lay Lake

Start shallow in spring: channel catfish sit in 3 to 12 ft that time of year. By summer they slide out to 8 to 25 ft, and by winter most fish are in 20 to 40 ft. Coosa River inflow is the standout, a inflow / creek mouth at roughly 6 ft, rated prime for spring channel catfish. Plan around after dark and the evening in the warm months.

Striped Bass fishing at Lay Lake

Start shallow in spring: striped bass sit in 5 to 20 ft that time of year. Summer pushes them deeper, 25 to 60 ft, and winter fish settle into 20 to 50 ft. The spot to know is Coosa River inflow, a inflow / creek mouth in about 6 ft of water that rates prime for striped bass in spring. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. Tie on a flutter spoon (deep) or a umbrella rig (trolled) and you're in the game.

Bluegill fishing at Lay Lake

Start shallow in spring: bluegill sit in 1 to 6 ft that time of year. By summer they slide out to 4 to 15 ft, and by winter most fish are in 10 to 25 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Shallow bay flat: a weed flat around 6 ft that scores prime in spring. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. Tie on a small sponge spider (fly) or a micro tube jig and you're in the game.

How deep is Lay Lake?

Lay Lake is about 60 ft (18 m) deep at its deepest point. The contours here are modeled from the water's real shape and maximum depth, so treat them as a rough guide.

What fish are in Lay Lake?

Anglers target largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, channel catfish, striped bass, spotted bass on Lay Lake.

Where is the best fishing spot on Lay Lake?

Shallow bay flat is the top-rated area: a weed flat in about 6 ft of water that rates prime for largemouth bass in spring. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.

When is the best time to fish Lay Lake?

For largemouth bass, the summer bite is best in early morning and the evening. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.