Lake Guntersville

Why visit

Lake Guntersville was created in the 1930s, when the Tennessee Valley Authority built a dam across the Tennessee River to control floods, make electricity and open the river to barges. The water spread into the valleys between Sand Mountain and the hills to the west, leaving islands, sloughs, wooded bluffs and long, shallow flats. Today it is a playground for anglers, boaters and paddlers, and in winter it is one of the best places in Alabama to see bald eagles.

Fishing

The lake is famous for largemouth bass. Its shallow flats are full of underwater grass, which shelters the fish, and it has hosted the Bassmaster Classic, the biggest event in professional bass fishing, in 2014 and 2020. Crappie, catfish, bluegill and smallmouth and spotted bass are caught here too. Spring is the best time for big bass, but people fish here all year. Read our guide to bass fishing on Lake Guntersville.

Boating and paddling

• Boats: there are public ramps and marinas all around the lake, including in and near Guntersville. Several marinas rent pontoon boats.
• Kayaks and paddleboards: sheltered coves and sloughs are calmer than the main channel, which can get choppy on busy summer weekends.
• The river: the main channel is a working waterway, so keep clear of barges, which cannot stop or turn quickly.

See our tips on boating and swimming on the lake.

Eagles in winter

From about December to February, bald eagles gather around the lake to fish. Lake Guntersville State Park runs its popular Eagle Awareness weekends each winter, with guided eagle-watching trips. Read more about eagle watching at Lake Guntersville.

Tips

• You need an Alabama fishing license to fish, and most boat operators need an Alabama boating license.
• Summer thunderstorms build quickly. Get off the water when you hear thunder.
• Wear a life jacket, and make sure there is one for everyone on board.
• The best views of the lake are from the bluffs of Lake Guntersville State Park.