Thurlow Lake Fishing
A 585-acre reservoir in Tallapoosa County.
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Thurlow Lake at first glance for Alabama anglers
Spread over 585 acres in Tallapoosa County, Thurlow Lake is a reservoir ADCNR manages for anglers. The dam is operated by Alabama Power. Maps and signs may call it Thurlow Reservoir. Groceries and fuel are nearest in Tallassee, under a mile off.
Shore fishing comes from 1 bank site 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 Thurlow Lake
ADCNR biologists wrote:
Thurlow Reservoir, also known as Lake Tallassee, is located in east central Alabama about 30 miles northeast of Montgomery in the City of Tallassee. Thurlow is the smallest reservoir (585 acres) in the chain of Alabama Power Company impoundments and is just downstream from the somewhat larger Yates Reservoir. Below Thurlow Dam; the Tallapoosa River is free flowing to its confluence with the Coosa River, which forms the Alabama River.
The water discharged from the upstream Martin Dam is cold and infertile, which directly influences the quality of the Thurlow Reservoir fishery. Baitfish, such as threadfin shad and gizzard shad, are not as abundant in Thurlow Lake as they are in most other Alabama reservoirs; therefore, the growth of game fish is adversely affected. In spite of this, fishing in Thurlow is often quite good, mainly because this reservoir is relatively unknown outside the local area and does not receive a lot of angling pressure.
Bass fishing is popular at Thurlow. The fishery includes both spotted bass and largemouth bass. Other species of angling interest include: striped bass, white bass, black crappie, bluegill, redear sunfish and channel catfish. Lake Thurlow also has a reputation for producing large redear sunfish (shellcrackers) and bluegill. Special striped bass regulations apply.
ADCNR page for Thurlow Lake, quoted, outdooralabama.com, read November 1, 2026.
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The species for Thurlow 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 Thurlow Lake
Ramps on Thurlow Lake are not on the ADCNR list; nearby ADCNR ramps appear below.
No boat needed at Thurlow Lake
- Tallassee Boat Ramp on Thurlow Lakefishing pier, Alabama Power Company
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 Thurlow 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 Thurlow Lake except where an exception below says otherwise.
Where the digest breaks from statewide rules at Thurlow Lake
| Water as printed | Species | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Thurlow Reservoir | 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 and only one of those may exceed 30 inches in total length. |
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.
Thurlow Lake and its nearest neighbours, side by side
Size leader in the table: Lake Martin, around 39,180 acres.
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Kind | ADCNR ramps | Bank sites |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thurlow Lake | 585 | reservoir | 0 | 1 | |
| Yates Lake | 3 miles north | 1,980 | reservoir | 0 | 2 |
| City Lake | 15 miles southeast | 82 | lake | 0 | 2 |
| Lake Martin | 20 miles north | 39,180 | reservoir | 5 | 9 |
| Saugahatchee Lake | 28 miles east | 346 | reservoir | 0 | 1 |
| Lake Jordan | 29 miles north | 6,800 | reservoir | 2 | 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 Thurlow Lake
More Alabama lakes near Thurlow Lake
- Yates Lake3 miles north
- City Lake15 miles southeast
- Lake Martin20 miles north
- Saugahatchee Lake28 miles east
- Lake Jordan29 miles north
Buying bait for Thurlow Lake
- Anchor Bay Marina Incmarina, Eclectic, 13 miles
- Chuck's Marinamarina, Dadeville, 13 miles
- Harbor Pointe Marinamarina, Dadeville, 15 miles
- Russell Marine Aqua Charters & Adventuresmarina, Alexander City, 15 miles
- Russell Marine – Kowaliga Marinamarina, Alexander City, 15 miles
- Tackle Niibait and tackle shop, Montgomery, 15 miles
Charter and guide names for Thurlow Lake
- Alex City Guide Servicefishing guide, Jacksons' Gap
Alabama towns with rooms near Thurlow Lake
- Tallasseeunder a mile
- Eclectic11 miles
- Emerald Mountain13 miles
Alabama county pages covering Thurlow Lake
- Tallapoosa Countyseat: Dadeville
Piscifun reels a Yellowhammer State angler might load for Thurlow Lake
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A picture guide to fish at Thurlow Lake
Photo: schizoform, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Watts, CC BY 2.0
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Thurlow Lake, the common questions settled
What part of Alabama holds Thurlow Lake?
Its home is Tallapoosa County, under a mile from Tallassee.
Does Thurlow Lake count as big water in Alabama?
The ADCNR count is 585 acres.
Can I trailer a bass boat to Thurlow Lake?
No listed ramp; carry in a kayak or ask locally.
Which gamefish have a source at Thurlow Lake?
ADCNR and the records list largemouth bass, spotted bass, striped bass, white bass, black crappie, bluegill and redear sunfish.
How many black bass may an Alabama angler take home from Thurlow Lake?
Black Bass: 10 a day. A water-specific rule applies too.
Which ADCNR license covers Thurlow 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 Thurlow Lake?
The one listing is Tallassee Boat Ramp on Thurlow Lake.
Is there a bait shop on the way to Thurlow Lake?
Our list starts with Anchor Bay Marina Inc, about 13 miles away,.
What else is Thurlow Lake called?
One lake, two names: Thurlow Reservoir is the other.
Take the county roads to Thurlow Lake
Fees, exceptions and border rules are on the license page.