Weiss Lake is a beautiful, 30,000-acre lake in northeastern Alabama that is known for its clear water and abundant fishing opportunities.
The first Euro-American settlers arrived in the area that would become Weiss Lake in the early 1800s. These settlers were mostly farmers and ranchers who were attracted to the area’s fertile soil and mild climate. The first recorded mention of the lake itself comes from a travel journal written by one of these settlers in 1821. In it, the author describes a “beautiful lake” that was “clear as crystal” and teeming with fish.
Over the next few decades, more and more settlers arrived in the area, drawn by the same factors that had brought the first settlers there. By the turn of the century, there was a small but thriving community around Weiss Lake. In fact, the lake played an important role in this community’s development; it was used as a navigation route by steamboats carrying goods to and from nearby towns.
The first dam in the Alabama Power Company’s building program that would permanently change the Coosa River was Weiss Dam, located near Leesburg in Cherokee County. On July 13, 1958, construction began, and on June 5, 1961, Weiss began producing electricity.
Former Alabama Power chief engineer Fernand C. Weiss was honored with the naming of this building. The whole length of the earth dikes that make up Weiss Dam is 30,406 feet. The dam itself is 392 feet long and 126 feet tall. Totaling 87,750 kilowatts, the dam’s three generators rank tenth among Alabama Power’s 14 hydroelectric-producing facilities due to their individual ratings of 29,250 kilowatts.
Because the spillway gates are located around four miles from the powerhouse, Weiss Dam is unlike any other in Alabama Power’s system. A man-made canal stretching a mile brings water to the power plant’s forebay. As power is produced, water is redirected down the tailrace canal and back into the natural riverbed. The 5,273-square-mile Weiss Dam watershed includes parts of northeast Alabama and northwest Georgia.
Weiss Lake in Alabama is a world-renowned fishing destination, attracting anglers from all over the world. But it wasn’t always this way. In fact, just a few decades ago, Weiss Lake was considered a “dead lake,” devoid of any fish worth catching. So, how did Weiss Lake go from being a fishing wasteland to one of the best fishing spots in the country? Let’s take a look at the history of Weiss Lake fishing.
The 1950s and 1960s were tough times for Weiss Lake. The construction of dams upstream altered the natural flow of the river, resulting in drastic changes to the lake’s ecology. The once-abundant populations of catfish and bass had dwindled, and the only fish left were small panfish that were not popular with anglers. As a result, Weiss Lake earned its nickname as the “Dead Lake.”
In the 1970s, state and federal biologists recognized the potential that Weiss Lake had for being a premier fishery. They decided to take drastic measures to restock the lake with game fish. Over a period of several years, they stocked Weiss Lake with millions of juvenile fish, including bass, crappie, and catfish. At first, the stocking efforts did not appear to be working. However, by the early 1980s, the stocking efforts began to pay off. The gamefish population had exploded, and anglers from all over the country descended on Weiss Lake in search of big bass and crappie. Today, Weiss Lake is renowned for its fishing, and it continues to attract anglers from all over the US. If you’re looking for a great place to fish, you can’t go wrong with Weiss Lake!
The Cobia Bridge Boat Launch Ramp is located on the north side of Weiss Lake. The ramp itself is clean and well constructed, and there is plenty of room for parking. There is also a restroom facility available. We recommend this ramp for launching your boat on Weiss Lake, as there are no crowds and the boat launc is well maintained.
If you’re looking for a great place to take in the scenery, then the Cobia Bridge Boat Launch Ramp is definitely worth checking out. From this vantage point, you’ll be able to see some of the most beautiful parts of Weiss Lake because you can clearly see the dam, which in itself is quite impressive. Whether you’re launching your boat or just taking in the scenery, the Cobia Bridge Boat Launch Ramp is definitely worth a visit.
Mud Creek Boat Launch Ramp is located on the north side of Weiss Lake in Cherokee County, Alabama. The ramp is open year-round and provides access to the main body of the lake. There is a concrete boat ramp with two-lane loading docks. The ramp can accommodate boats up to 24 feet long. There is also a courtesy dock for loading and unloading passengers and gear. Parking is available for vehicles and trailers.
Leesburg Landing is located at 3800 Weiss Lake Parkway in Leesburg, Alabama, and is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. There is no fee to use the ramp. The boat launch ramp at Leesburg Landing is newly paved and in excellent condition. The ramp can accommodate boats of all sizes. There is also a courtesy dock for loading and unloading passengers and supplies.
Joyland is a great place to set up camp if you’re looking to enjoy all the recreational activities Weiss Lake has to offer. The RV park is located within walking distance of the lake, and there are plenty of amenities on-site to keep you comfortable during your stay.
Joyland RV Park offers both 30 and 50-amp hookups for RVs, as well as water and sewer hookups. The park also has a laundry facility, a bathhouse, and a heated pool that’s open year-round. Wi-Fi is available throughout the park, and there’s even a dog run so your furry friend can get some exercise.
Driftwood is located on the shores of Weiss Lake in Cherokee County, Alabama. The campground features 75 full hookup sites, 30/50 amp service, a laundry facility, restrooms with showers, a playground, and a boat ramp. There is also a store on-site where you can purchase supplies.
The campsites at Driftwood Family Campground are large and well-spaced, providing plenty of room for tents, RVs, and any other camping gear you might have. All of the sites have water and electricity hookups, making it easy to keep your devices charged and your cooler stocked. And if you don’t feel like cooking while you’re camping, the store at Driftwood Family Campground has hot food available for purchase.
Big Oak Campground is located just off of Highway 9, making it easy to get to from anywhere in the area. The campground is also close to all of the popular attractions around Weiss Lake, so you won’t have to spend time driving just to get to where you want to go.
The campground is situated on a bluff overlooking the lake, so you’ll have stunning views of the water no matter where you are. There are also plenty of trees and other foliage around the property, providing plenty of shade and privacy.
In addition to RV and tent sites, the campground also offers cabins for rent. There are also laundry facilities on-site, as well as a bathhouse with showers. And if you need anything else during your stay, the friendly staff at the campground office will be more than happy to help.
Weiss Lake is sometimes called “the crappie capital of the world” because of its exceptional crappie population. But crappie isn’t the only fish that thrive in Weiss Lake; largemouth striped bass and hybrid striped bass also call the lake home, drawing in anglers from all over the country for competitions.
Slabs may be caught right now by fishing the margins and slopes of stream channels. Cast a sinking line with a live minnow along the bottom of these ledges, ideally near submerged cover. Weaving back and forth across the channels when trolling is a certain way we use to attract the attention of hungry fish. You’ll have the most success using tube jigs during the winter months when fish are more lethargic. In this situation, slowness is crucial; the curled tails may wait until the pre-spawn. Double-rigging is another option to explore. Wrap either two jigs or a jig and a minnow onto your line. Put out twice as many minnows if that’s what the fish are feeding on.
Crappie will get closer to breeding grounds as the weather warms. Use crappie jigs to troll over the flats around spawning coves. It’s less difficult to snap when snagged, and you won’t have to replace your rod and reel if you do. If you’re interested in fresh water trolling, consider the Chattooga River, Little River, and Yellow Creek regions. Keep in mind that on Weiss, you can only have three rods in total.
Fishing with tiny jigs or minnows near shallow cover is productive when dogwoods are in bloom, so make your way up into the coves at that time. To hold the jig in one place, especially in shallow water, try using a bobber.
Weiss Lake is a fisherman’s paradise, with plenty of places to catch bass, bream, catfish, crappie, and stripers. If you’re looking for a place to spend some time outdoors and see some beautiful scenery, Weiss Lake is definitely worth a visit. There are also plenty of things to do in the area if you’re looking for something fun and exciting. Whether you’re a fishing enthusiast or just looking for a new place to explore, be sure to add Weiss Lake to your list of must-see destinations!
Source:
https://www.aa-fishing.com/al/al-fishing-lake-weiss.html
https://usatales.com/weiss-lake-fishing-top-3-incredible-facts/
https://fishbrain.com/fishing-waters/H9S2-WPc/weiss-lake