Lake Tuscaloosa Fishing
A 5,076-acre reservoir in Tuscaloosa County.
Pick for striped bassPiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 Photo of Tuscaloosa: Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0
Lake level today
Reading at 1:15 am CST, Nov 13US Geological Survey gauge 02464800, Lake Tuscaloosa near Tuscaloosa, AL. Provisional data, refreshed hourly.
Lake Tuscaloosa at first glance for Alabama anglers
Roughly 5,076 acres of water make up the Lake Tuscaloosa outline in Tuscaloosa County. The dam is operated by City of Tuscaloosa. Maps and signs may call it Tuscaloosa. Groceries and fuel are nearest in Northport, about 6 miles off.
ADCNR maintains 1 public ramp that reach it. Shore fishing comes from 2 bank sites ADCNR maps. It falls in ADCNR Fisheries District III.
USGS NHD High Resolution (Alabama) outlines and flowlines, read November 1, 2026; operator and kind from the ADCNR reservoir program and dam owner listings; Census 2023 places.
Gamefish listed for Lake Tuscaloosa
The species for Lake Tuscaloosa 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 Tuscaloosa
- Binion Creek boat ramp on Lake Tuscaloosa2 lanes, 2 docks, 65 trailer spaces, lights, restrooms, paved parking
No boat needed at Lake Tuscaloosa
- Binion Creek Landing Park on Lake Tuscaloosabank access, ADCNR
- Binion Creek Landing on Lake Tuscaloosabank access, ADCNR/PARA
Other ramps a short tow from Lake Tuscaloosa
- Riverview Access on Oliver LakeOliver Lake, 8 miles south
ADCNR WFF public boat ramp list (list), read November 1, 2026; ADCNR fish-from-the-bank map (outdooralabama.com), read November 1, 2026.
Where the water stands at Lake Tuscaloosa
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Tuscaloosa Near Tuscaloosa, Alabama | 220.37 ft gage height, 220.37 ft lake elevation | Nov 13 2:15 am |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 13, 2026 2:33 am ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
This Lake Tuscaloosa panel refreshes from USGS.
USGS instantaneous values (LAKE TUSCALOOSA NEAR TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA), provisional.
Statewide rows and exceptions at Lake Tuscaloosa
| 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 Tuscaloosa 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bowfin | 18 lbs., 6 oz. | Lake Tuscaloosa | Nelson Ray Sansing | July 31, 2005 |
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.
Lake Tuscaloosa and its nearest neighbours, side by side
Size leader in the table: Bankhead Lake, around 4,114 acres.
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Kind | ADCNR ramps | Bank sites |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Tuscaloosa | 5,076 | reservoir | 1 | 2 | |
| Lake Nicol | 5 miles southeast | 311 | lake | 0 | 1 |
| Lake Harris | 6 miles southeast | 139 | lake | 0 | 1 |
| Oliver Lake | 8 miles southeast | 663 | reservoir | 1 | 2 |
| Holt Lake | 8 miles east | 3,296 | reservoir | 0 | 8 |
| Bankhead Lake | 20 miles northeast | 4,114 | reservoir | 0 | 0 |
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 Tuscaloosa
More Alabama lakes near Lake Tuscaloosa
- Lake Nicol5 miles southeast
- Lake Harris6 miles southeast
- Oliver Lake8 miles southeast
- Holt Lake8 miles east
- Bankhead Lake20 miles northeast
Buying bait for Lake Tuscaloosa
- Bob's Campground & Marina LLCmarina, Northport, 3 miles
- Blue Heron Marinamarina, Northport, 4 miles
- Hide-A-Way Harbor Marinamarina, Cottondale, 9 miles
- Shark's Fish and Chickenbait and tackle shop, Tuscaloosa, 10 miles
- Dick's Sporting Goods Tuscaloosasporting goods store, Tuscaloosa, 10 miles
- Academy Sports + Outdoors Tuscaloosasporting goods store, Tuscaloosa, 12 miles
Charter and guide names for Lake Tuscaloosa
- Alabama Guide Servicesfishing guide, (205) 454-7313
Alabama towns with rooms near Lake Tuscaloosa
- Northport6 miles
- Tuscaloosa8 miles
- Holt9 miles
Alabama county pages covering Lake Tuscaloosa
- Tuscaloosa Countyseat: Tuscaloosa
Piscifun reels a Yellowhammer State angler might load for Lake Tuscaloosa
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
A picture guide to fish at Lake Tuscaloosa
Photo: robposse, CC BY 2.0
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, CC BY 2.0
Photo: robposse, CC BY 2.0
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Lake Tuscaloosa, the common questions settled
What part of Alabama holds Lake Tuscaloosa?
Its home is Tuscaloosa County, about 6 miles from Northport.
Does Lake Tuscaloosa count as big water in Alabama?
Close to 5,076 acres on the NHD.
Can I trailer a bass boat to Lake Tuscaloosa?
ADCNR lists one: Binion Creek boat ramp on Lake Tuscaloosa.
Which gamefish have a source at Lake Tuscaloosa?
ADCNR and the records list bowfin.
How many black bass may an Alabama angler take home from Lake Tuscaloosa?
Black Bass: 10 a day.
Which ADCNR license covers Lake Tuscaloosa?
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 Tuscaloosa?
Start at Binion Creek Landing Park on Lake Tuscaloosa; ADCNR maps 2 bank sites.
Is there a bait shop on the way to Lake Tuscaloosa?
Our list starts with Bob's Campground & Marina LLC, about 3 miles away,.
Does USGS track Lake Tuscaloosa?
A USGS gauge reports it; the live reading is in the level band.
Which Alabama record names Lake Tuscaloosa?
Bowfin at 18 lbs., 6 oz., caught by Nelson Ray Sansing on July 31, 2005.
What else is Lake Tuscaloosa called?
One lake, two names: Tuscaloosa is the other.
Take the county roads to Lake Tuscaloosa
Fees, exceptions and border rules are on the license page.