Mitchell Lake Fishing
A 10,856-acre reservoir in Elmore, Coosa and Chilton counties.
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The short version on Mitchell Lake
The NHD polygon for Mitchell Lake, a reservoir in Elmore, Coosa and Chilton counties, adds up to about 10,856 acres. Alabama Power runs the dam that holds it. Another name for it is Lake Mitchell. It is about 8 miles to Clanton.
It has 1 public ramp in the ADCNR ramp list. The ADCNR bank map adds 5 bank sites. It carries 1 water exception in the 2026-27 digest. Questions go to ADCNR Fisheries District IV.
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.
ADCNR ramps that reach Mitchell Lake
- Higgins Ferry boat ramp on Mitchell Lake3 lanes, 1 dock, 85 trailer spaces, lights, restrooms, paved parking
Where bank anglers stand at Mitchell Lake
- Lay Dam tailrace on Mitchell Lakebank access, Alabama Power Company
- <![CDATA[Barrett's Park]]> on Mitchell Lakefishing pier, Alabama Power Company
- <![CDATA[Higgin's Ferry Boat Ramp]]> on Mitchell Lakebank access, ADCNR
- Bouldin Dam Tailrace on Mitchell Lakebank access, Alabama Power Company
- Jordan Dam Tailrace on Mitchell Lakefishing pier, Alabama Power Company
If the lot is full at Mitchell Lake
- Flatlands (Pineview) boat ramp on Lay LakeLay Lake, 7 miles north
- Hidden Valley (Paint Creek) boat ramp on Lay LakeLay Lake, 8 miles north
- The Narrows (Co. Rd. 400) boat ramp on Lay LakeLay Lake, 12 miles north
ADCNR WFF public boat ramp list (list), read November 1, 2026; ADCNR fish-from-the-bank map (outdooralabama.com), read November 1, 2026.
Alabama creel and length rows for Mitchell 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 |
Start with the statewide table for Mitchell Lake, then read any water exception.
Exceptions printed for Mitchell Lake
| Water as printed | Species | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Mitchell (Coosa River between Mitchell Dam and Lay Dam) and its tributary streams | Walleye | Illegal to take or attempt to take walleye by any method; any walleye taken must be released immediately with least possible harm. |
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.
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By acreage, Woodruff Lake heads these nearby lakes at about 12,510.
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Kind | ADCNR ramps | Bank sites |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mitchell Lake | 10,856 | reservoir | 1 | 5 | |
| Lay Lake | 21 miles north | 12,000 | reservoir | 7 | 5 |
| Lake Jordan | 25 miles east | 6,800 | reservoir | 2 | 3 |
| Tallaseehatchee Watershed Number 1 | 28 miles northeast | 136 | lake | 0 | 1 |
| Woodruff Lake | 32 miles south | 12,510 | reservoir | 1 | 5 |
| Double Oak Lake | 35 miles northwest | 61 | lake | 0 | 1 |
Acres from ADCNR pages where printed, else NHD outlines; ADCNR ramp list and bank map; read November 1, 2026.
Next stops after a day on Mitchell Lake
Alabama reservoirs a short haul from Mitchell Lake
- Lay Lake21 miles north
- Lake Jordan25 miles east
- Tallaseehatchee Watershed Number 128 miles northeast
- Woodruff Lake32 miles south
- Double Oak Lake35 miles northwest
Bait and tackle stops on the way to Mitchell Lake
- Lake Mitchell Marinamarina, Clanton, 2 miles
- Grace's Marina On Lake Mitchellmarina, Verbena, 4 miles
- T & N Baitbait and tackle shop, Clanton, 7 miles
- The Fishing Holebait and tackle shop, Clanton, 9 miles
- Lacoosa Marinamarina, Shelby, 13 miles
- Bozo's Fish Campmarina, Shelby, 13 miles
Who will take you out on Mitchell Lake
- Hog Wild Crappie Guidefishing guide
- River Region Guide Service, Inc.fishing guide, Millbrook
- Southern Scales Guide Servicefishing guide
Where to stay for a trip to Mitchell Lake
- Clanton8 miles
- Thorsby14 miles
- Jemison16 miles
Counties around Mitchell Lake with their own pages
- Elmore Countyseat: Wetumpka
- Coosa Countyseat: Rockford
- Chilton Countyseat: Clanton
Line and reels from Piscifun before a run to Mitchell Lake
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Reservoirs, rivers and bays close to Mitchell Lake, pictured
Photo: John Coley, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Anne Adrian, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Alabama Extension, CC0 1.0
Photo: Bill Sutton, CC BY 2.0
Before you fish Mitchell Lake, read these answers
Which Alabama town sits closest to Mitchell Lake?
Drive to Elmore, Coosa and Chilton counties, about 8 miles from Clanton.
What acreage goes with Mitchell Lake?
The NHD outline measures about 10,856 acres.
What is the nearest ramp to Mitchell Lake?
The single ADCNR ramp is Higgins Ferry boat ramp on Mitchell Lake.
Which fish swim in Mitchell Lake, by the sources?
ADCNR sources leave its fish roster blank.
What creel rules govern reef fish in Mitchell Lake?
Black Bass: 10 a day. The limits band shows its exception.
May an out-of-state angler fish Mitchell 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.
Does ADCNR map bank access at Mitchell Lake?
Lay Dam tailrace on Mitchell Lake is one of 5 bank sites.
Where do anglers stock up for Mitchell Lake?
Lake Mitchell Marina, about 2 miles away, is the first shop on our list.
Is Lake Mitchell another name for Mitchell Lake?
Yes; Lake Mitchell is another name for the same water.
Pick a calm morning for Mitchell Lake
Fees and the digest limits are on one page.