Woodruff Lake Fishing
A 12,510-acre reservoir in Montgomery County and 3 other counties.
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Woodruff Lake at first glance for Alabama anglers
Spread over 12,510 acres in Montgomery County and 3 other counties, Woodruff Lake is a reservoir ADCNR manages for anglers. The dam is operated by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Maps and signs may call it Jones Bluff Reservoir. Groceries and fuel are nearest in Prattville, about 4 miles off.
ADCNR maintains 1 public ramp that reach it. Shore fishing comes from 5 bank sites ADCNR maps. 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 Woodruff Lake
ADCNR biologists wrote:
Jones Bluff Reservoir (also known as R. E. "Bob" Woodruff Lake) impounds the Alabama River between Montgomery and Selma in central Alabama. The Army Corps of Engineers built the Robert F. Henry Lock and Dam to create a 12,510 acre reservoir that provides navigation, hydroelectric power generation, and recreation. Jones Bluff is a riverine impoundment; meaning much of the reservoir is confined to the historic river channel. Its low retention time and water storage capacity often result in frequent winter and spring flooding.
Bass are numerous and growth is average, thanks to an abundant population of small shad. Bass fishing success and techniques in this reservoir are highly influenced by hydropower generation. Largemouth bass can be caught in backwater areas off the main river and the influence of current on their feeding activity is negligible. However, Alabama bass feeding activity is highly influenced by current and fishing for this species can be excellent on the main river when current is present. Without current, Alabama bass fishing is usually very difficult.
Similar to the last sample, largemouth bass were more abundant in backwater areas of the reservoir in the spring 2009. Electrofishing catch rates were similar to the lake average and higher than the last two sample years. Growth and condition of largemouth bass was excellent. The oldest largemouth bass collected was age-8. Riverine sample sites in 2009 were dominated by Alabama bass. These fish are the Alabama sub-species, which typically grow faster and larger than the northern subspecies found outside the Mobile Bay drainage.
ADCNR page for Woodruff Lake, quoted, outdooralabama.com, read November 1, 2026.
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The species for Woodruff 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 Woodruff Lake
- Wetumpka City Ramp on Woodruff Lake1 lane, 1 dock, 60 trailer spaces, lights, ADA access, paved parking
No boat needed at Woodruff Lake
- Swift Creek Park on Woodruff Lakefishing pier, US Army Corps of Engineers
- Prairie Creek Park on Woodruff Lakefishing pier, US Army Corps of Engineers
- Jackson Lake Island Park on Woodruff Lakefishing pier, Private, fee upon entry
- Cooters Pond Park on Woodruff Lakefishing pier, City of Prattville
- Gunter Hill Campground on Woodruff Lakefishing pier, US Army Corps of Engineers
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 Woodruff 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 Woodruff 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.
Woodruff Lake and its nearest neighbours, side by side
Size leader in the table: Mitchell Lake, around 10,856 acres.
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Kind | ADCNR ramps | Bank sites |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Woodruff Lake | 12,510 | reservoir | 1 | 5 | |
| Thurlow Lake | 31 miles east | 585 | reservoir | 0 | 1 |
| Yates Lake | 31 miles east | 1,980 | reservoir | 0 | 2 |
| Mitchell Lake | 32 miles north | 10,856 | reservoir | 1 | 5 |
| Dallas County Public Fishing Lake | 39 miles west | 100 | State Public Fishing Lake | 0 | 1 |
| Lake Jordan | 41 miles northeast | 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 Woodruff Lake
More Alabama lakes near Woodruff Lake
- Thurlow Lake31 miles east
- Yates Lake31 miles east
- Mitchell Lake32 miles north
- Dallas County Public Fishing Lake39 miles west
- Lake Jordan41 miles northeast
Buying bait for Woodruff Lake
- Academy Sports + Outdoors Prattvillesporting goods store, Prattville, 2 miles
- Bass Pro Shops Prattvillesporting goods store, Prattville, 3 miles
- Marina Riverfrontmarina, Montgomery, 5 miles
- Big Bass Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Prattville, 6 miles
- Stoddard Bait and Tacklebait and tackle shop, Wetumpka, 14 miles
- Academy Sports + Outdoors Montgomerysporting goods store, Montgomery, 15 miles
Charter and guide names for Woodruff Lake
- River Region Guide Service, Inc.fishing guide, Millbrook
Alabama towns with rooms near Woodruff Lake
- Prattville4 miles
- Millbrook6 miles
- Coosada7 miles
Alabama county pages covering Woodruff Lake
- Montgomery Countyseat: Montgomery
- Autauga Countyseat: Prattville
- Lowndes Countyseat: Hayneville
- Elmore Countyseat: Wetumpka
Piscifun reels a Yellowhammer State angler might load for Woodruff Lake
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A picture guide to fish at Woodruff Lake
Photo: kmitschke, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Woodruff Lake, the common questions settled
What part of Alabama holds Woodruff Lake?
Its home is Montgomery County and 3 other counties, about 4 miles from Prattville.
Does Woodruff Lake count as big water in Alabama?
The ADCNR count is 12,510 acres.
Can I trailer a bass boat to Woodruff Lake?
ADCNR lists one: Wetumpka City Ramp on Woodruff Lake.
Which gamefish have a source at Woodruff Lake?
ADCNR and the records list largemouth bass, alabama bass, striped bass, hybrid striped bass, white bass, white crappie and black crappie.
How many black bass may an Alabama angler take home from Woodruff Lake?
Black Bass: 10 a day.
Which ADCNR license covers Woodruff 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 Woodruff Lake?
Start at Swift Creek Park on Woodruff Lake; ADCNR maps 5 bank sites.
Is there a bait shop on the way to Woodruff Lake?
Our list starts with Academy Sports + Outdoors Prattville, about 2 miles away,.
What else is Woodruff Lake called?
One lake, two names: Jones Bluff Reservoir is the other.
Take the county roads to Woodruff Lake
Fees, exceptions and border rules are on the license page.