Inland Lake Fishing
A 1,557-acre reservoir in Blount County.
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Inland Lake at first glance for Alabama anglers
Spread over 1,557 acres in Blount County, Inland Lake is a reservoir ADCNR manages for anglers. The dam is operated by Birmingham Water Works. Groceries and fuel are nearest in Allgood, about 4 miles off.
It falls in ADCNR Fisheries District III.
ADCNR acreage (ADCNR page); operator and kind from the ADCNR reservoir program and dam owner listings; Census 2023 places.
From the ADCNR page for Inland Lake
ADCNR biologists wrote:
Background: Inland Lake impounds 1,557 acres of water on the Blackburn Fork of the Little Warrior River in Blount County. The reservoir has a shoreline length of 32.25 miles and a drainage area of 70 sq mi. It is a very deep clear lake with a mean depth of 77 ft.
The dam, completed in 1939, is located 9 miles SSW of Oneonta. The reservoir is operated by the Birmingham Water Works and Sewer Board of Birmingham for water supply, and they own all the shoreline property around the lake. Inland Lake is also used for pleasure boating, skiing and fishing. Two boat ramps provide access to the lake. At the upper end near Allgood, a ramp is located off Hwy 75 on Inland Boat Landing Road. Another ramp is 9 miles southwest of Oneonta off Hwy 75 on Inland Dam Road. Currently, both access points are patrolled by the Blount County Sheriff’s Department.
The reservoir experiences a significant drawdown each year (water level fluctuates an average of 16.4 feet) to provide water for Birmingham residences and industries. The lowest water levels are reached in late Fall each year, prior to the winter rains.
ADCNR page for Inland Lake, quoted, outdooralabama.com, read November 1, 2026.
Gamefish listed for Inland Lake
The species for Inland Lake come from ADCNR and the state record book.
ADCNR reservoir and state lake pages, Alabama state record lists; read November 1, 2026.
Ramps for boaters headed to Inland Lake
Ramps on Inland Lake are not on the ADCNR list; nearby ADCNR ramps appear below.
ADCNR WFF public boat ramp list (list), read November 1, 2026; ADCNR fish-from-the-bank map (outdooralabama.com), read November 1, 2026.
Statewide rows and exceptions at Inland Lake
| Species | Daily limit and size | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Black Bass | 10 a day | open all year |
| Walleye | 2 a day | open all year |
| Sauger | 5 a day; 15 inches TL minimum | open all year |
| White Bass | 15 a day | open all year |
| Yellow Bass | 15 a day | open all year |
| Saltwater Striped Bass and Hybrids or Combinations | 15 a day | open all year |
| Crappie | 30 a day; 9 inches TL (exemptions apply) minimum | open all year |
| Yellow Perch | No daily limit | open all year |
| Catfish (under 34 inches) | No daily limit | open all year |
| Catfish (over 34 inches) | 1 a day | open all year |
| Bream | 50 a day | open all year |
| Rainbow Trout | 5 a day | open all year |
| Alligator Gar | 1 a day | open all year |
| Sturgeon | Closed Season | Closed season (immediate release) |
| Paddlefish or Spoonbill | Closed Season | Closed season (immediate release) |
| Skipjack Herring | 50 a day | open all year |
The statewide freshwater rows apply on Inland Lake except where an exception below says otherwise.
Freshwater anglers need an Alabama fishing license from 16 on ($17.45 resident, $68.20 nonresident for 2026-27); residents 65 and older are exempt.
Limits as printed in the Official 2026-2027 Alabama Hunting and Fishing Digest (ADCNR, eRegulations edition) (limits page; digest PDF), read November 1, 2026.
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| Species | Weight | Water as printed | Angler | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catfish, Channel | 40 lbs., 0 oz. | Inland Lake | Donald R. Cox | June 17, 1967 |
Alabama state record lists kept by ADCNR (Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division for freshwater; Marine Resources Division State Record Fish Committee for saltwater) (freshwater, saltwater), read November 1, 2026.
Inland Lake and its nearest neighbours, side by side
Size leader in the table: Lewis Smith Lake, around 21,200 acres.
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Kind | ADCNR ramps | Bank sites |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inland Lake | 1,557 | reservoir | 0 | 0 | |
| East Lake | 22 miles southwest | 23 | lake | 0 | 1 |
| Logan Martin Lake | 25 miles southeast | 15,263 | reservoir | 0 | 7 |
| Neely Henry Lake | 26 miles east | 11,235 | reservoir | 4 | 9 |
| Lake Purdy | 28 miles south | reservoir | 0 | 1 | |
| Lewis Smith Lake | 30 miles northwest | 21,200 | reservoir | 3 | 3 |
Acres from ADCNR pages where printed, else NHD outlines; ADCNR ramp list and bank map; read November 1, 2026.
Shops, rooms and water close to Inland Lake
More Alabama lakes near Inland Lake
- East Lake22 miles southwest
- Logan Martin Lake25 miles southeast
- Neely Henry Lake26 miles east
- Lake Purdy28 miles south
- Lewis Smith Lake30 miles northwest
Buying bait for Inland Lake
- Leroy Tackle Shopbait and tackle shop, Locust Fork, 7 miles
- Academy Sports + Outdoors Trussvillesporting goods store, Trussville, 18 miles
- A & A Tacklebait and tackle shop, Gardendale, 20 miles
- Elite Rod Holdersbait and tackle shop, Birmingham, 20 miles
- Academy Sports + Outdoors Gardendalesporting goods store, Gardendale, 22 miles
- Big Head's Bait SHopbait and tackle shop, Ashville, 24 miles
Alabama towns with rooms near Inland Lake
- Remlap5 miles
- Springville7 miles
- Locust Fork7 miles
Alabama county pages covering Inland Lake
- Blount Countyseat: Oneonta
Piscifun reels a Yellowhammer State angler might load for Inland Lake
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
A picture guide to fish at Inland Lake
Photo: Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: robposse, CC BY 2.0
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Inland Lake, the common questions settled
What part of Alabama holds Inland Lake?
Its home is Blount County, about 4 miles from Allgood.
Does Inland Lake count as big water in Alabama?
The ADCNR count is 1,557 acres.
Can I trailer a bass boat to Inland Lake?
No listed ramp; carry in a kayak or ask locally.
Which gamefish have a source at Inland Lake?
ADCNR and the records list channel catfish.
How many black bass may an Alabama angler take home from Inland Lake?
Black Bass: 10 a day.
Which ADCNR license covers Inland Lake?
Freshwater anglers need an Alabama fishing license from 16 on ($17.45 resident, $68.20 nonresident for 2026-27); residents 65 and older are exempt.
Where can an angler on foot reach Inland Lake?
The bank map skips this water.
Is there a bait shop on the way to Inland Lake?
Our list starts with Leroy Tackle Shop, about 7 miles away,.
Which Alabama record names Inland Lake?
Catfish, Channel at 40 lbs., 0 oz., caught by Donald R. Cox on June 17, 1967.
Take the county roads to Inland Lake
Fees, exceptions and border rules are on the license page.