Lake Martin Fishing
A 39,180-acre reservoir in Tallapoosa, Elmore and Coosa counties.
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Lake Martin at first glance for Alabama anglers
Spread over 39,180 acres in Tallapoosa, Elmore and Coosa counties, Lake Martin is a reservoir ADCNR manages for anglers. The dam is operated by Alabama Power. Groceries and fuel are nearest in Jacksons’ Gap, about 5 miles off.
ADCNR maintains 5 public ramps that reach it. Shore fishing comes from 9 bank sites ADCNR maps. The digest prints 1 water exception for it. It falls in ADCNR Fisheries District II.
ADCNR acreage (ADCNR page); operator and kind from the ADCNR reservoir program and dam owner listings; Census 2023 places.
From the ADCNR page for Lake Martin
ADCNR biologists wrote:
Located on the outskirts of Alexander City in Central Alabama, Lake Martin is a 39,180-acre impoundment on the Tallapoosa River with an astounding 700 miles of shoreline. Lake Martin is arguably the most popular recreational reservoir in Alabama attracting literally hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. Alabama Power Company impounded the waters of the Tallapoosa River in 1926 near Cherokee Bluffs, on the Elmore and Tallapoosa county border, to form Lake Martin.
Private boating access areas and marinas are numerous on Lake Martin; however, many public facilities also exist. The State of Alabama, Department of Conservation, operates facilities at Wind Creek State Park, Smith Landing on Sandy Creek, Madwind Creek, Kowaliga Creek, and Pace’s Point near Camp Alamisco. Numerous other recreational and boating access areas are set aside for public use. Topographic maps of Lake Martin are available at local marinas and sporting goods stores.
Lake Martin is an infertile, clear water reservoir with a limited abundance of sportfish and baitfish, when compared to more fertile impoundments like those on the Coosa River. The upper region of the lake is the most fertile, especially around the Coley Creek and Elkahatchee Creek areas, while the Kowaliga Creek arm is the most infertile. Popular species sought by anglers include largemouth bass, Alabama bass, striped bass, white bass, black and white crappie, channel catfish, blue catfish, flathead catfish, bluegill and redear sunfish. Special striped bass regulations apply at Lake Martin.
ADCNR page for Lake Martin, quoted, outdooralabama.com, read November 1, 2026.
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The species for Lake Martin 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 Lake Martin
- Kowaliga boat ramp on Lake Martin2 lanes, 1 dock, 41 trailer spaces, lights, paved parking
- Madwin Creek (Windy Point) boat ramp on Lake Martin1 lane, 1 dock, 13 trailer spaces, lights, paved parking
- Pace's Point (Pleasure Point) boat ramp on Lake Martin1 lane, 2 docks, 50 trailer spaces, lights, paved parking
- Smith Mountain Landing on Lake Martin1 lane, 2 docks, 12 trailer spaces, lights, paved parking
- Young's Landing (D.A.R.E. Park) on Lake Martin1 lane, 1 dock, 21 trailer spaces, lights, paved parking
No boat needed at Lake Martin
- <![CDATA[Pace's Trail]]> on Lake Martinfishing pier, Alabama Power Company
- Elkahatchee Creek Boat Ramp on Lake Martinbank access, Alabama Power Company
- <![CDATA[Baker's Bottom Boat Ramp]]> on Lake Martinbank access, Alabama Power Company
- Timbergut Boat Ramp on Lake Martinbank access, Alabama Power Company
- Jaybird Boat Ramp on Lake Martinbank access, Alabama Power Company
- <![CDATA[Pace's Point Boat Ramp]]> on Lake Martinbank access, Alabama Power Company
- DARE Power Park on Lake Martinfishing pier, Alabama Power Company, open during summer months
- Alex City Boat Ramp on Lake Martinfishing pier, City of Alexander City
- Wind Creek State Park on Lake Martinfishing pier, ADCNR, day use fee required
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 Lake Martin
| 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 Lake Martin except where an exception below says otherwise.
Where the digest breaks from statewide rules at Lake Martin
| Water as printed | Species | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Martin | Saltwater striped bass | It is illegal to possess more than two saltwater striped bass that exceed 22 inches in total length in the daily creel limit. It shall be unlawful to intentionally cull from the creel any saltwater striped bass from June 15th to October 15th. Culling is defined as removing and releasing a saltwater |
Size and creel exceptions as printed in the Official 2026-2027 Alabama Hunting and Fishing Digest (ADCNR, eRegulations edition), limits page, read November 1, 2026.
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.
Trophy records from Lake Martin
| Species | Weight | Water as printed | Angler | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crappie, White (tie) | 4 lbs., 9 oz. | Lake Martin, Tallapoosa Co. | Jeremy S. White | May 8, 2000 |
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.
Competitive fishing on Lake Martin
The Lake Martin tournament page collects organizer schedules and results.
Lake Martin and its nearest neighbours, side by side
Size leader in the table: Lake Jordan, around 6,800 acres.
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Kind | ADCNR ramps | Bank sites |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Martin | 39,180 | reservoir | 5 | 9 | |
| Lake Jordan | 13 miles northwest | 6,800 | reservoir | 2 | 3 |
| Yates Lake | 17 miles south | 1,980 | reservoir | 0 | 2 |
| Thurlow Lake | 20 miles south | 585 | reservoir | 0 | 1 |
| Lafayette Reservoir | 24 miles east | 96 | lake | 0 | 1 |
| Saugahatchee Lake | 28 miles east | 346 | reservoir | 0 | 1 |
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 Lake Martin
More Alabama lakes near Lake Martin
- Lake Jordan13 miles northwest
- Yates Lake17 miles south
- Thurlow Lake20 miles south
- Lafayette Reservoir24 miles east
- Saugahatchee Lake28 miles east
Buying bait for Lake Martin
- Lakeside Marina at Bay Pinesmarina, Jacksons Gap, 1 mile
- Lake Side Marina Water Craft Rentalsmarina, Jacksons Gap, 1 mile
- Russell Marine – River North Marinamarina, Alexander City, 5 miles
- Foshee's Boat Docmarina, Dadeville, 6 miles
- Fish Tales Bait and Tacklebait and tackle shop, Alexander City, 6 miles
- Harbor Pointe Marinamarina, Dadeville, 7 miles
Charter and guide names for Lake Martin
- Alex City Guide Servicefishing guide, Jacksons' Gap
- Hog Wild Crappie Guidefishing guide
- River Region Guide Service, Inc.fishing guide, Millbrook
- Southern Scales Guide Servicefishing guide
Alabama towns with rooms near Lake Martin
- Dadeville5 miles
- Alexander City7 miles
- Camp Hill13 miles
Alabama county pages covering Lake Martin
- Tallapoosa Countyseat: Dadeville
- Elmore Countyseat: Wetumpka
- Coosa Countyseat: Rockford
Piscifun reels a Yellowhammer State angler might load for Lake Martin
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
A picture guide to fish at Lake Martin
Photo: kmitschke, CC BY 2.0
Photo: USFWS Pacific Southwest Region, Public domain
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Lake Martin, the common questions settled
What part of Alabama holds Lake Martin?
Its home is Tallapoosa, Elmore and Coosa counties, about 5 miles from Jacksons' Gap.
Does Lake Martin count as big water in Alabama?
The ADCNR count is 39,180 acres.
Can I trailer a bass boat to Lake Martin?
ADCNR lists 5 public ramps; Kowaliga boat ramp on Lake Martin is one.
Which gamefish have a source at Lake Martin?
ADCNR and the records list largemouth bass, alabama bass, striped bass, white bass, white crappie, black crappie and bluegill.
How many black bass may an Alabama angler take home from Lake Martin?
Black Bass: 10 a day. A water-specific rule applies too.
Which ADCNR license covers Lake Martin?
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 Lake Martin?
Start at <![CDATA[Pace's Trail]]> on Lake Martin; ADCNR maps 9 bank sites.
Is there a bait shop on the way to Lake Martin?
Our list starts with Lakeside Marina at Bay Pines, about 1 mile away,.
Which Alabama record names Lake Martin?
Crappie, White (tie) at 4 lbs., 9 oz., caught by Jeremy S. White on May 8, 2000.
Take the county roads to Lake Martin
Fees, exceptions and border rules are on the license page.