Yates Lake Fishing

From the ADCNR write-up:

Yates Reservoir, also known as "middle pond," impounds the Tallapoosa River near Tallassee between the reservoirs of Martin and Thurlow. Alabama Power Co. built Yates Dam in 1928 to create a 1,980 acre reservoir that provides hydroelectric power generation, and recreation. The water discharged from Martin Dam is cold and infertile, which directly influences the quality of the Yates Reservoir fishery. Baitfish, such as threadfin shad and gizzard shad, are not as abundant in Yates as they are in most other Alabama Reservoirs; therefore, growth of game fish is is slower.

Largemouth bass and spotted bass were collected at similar rates during the spring 2006 electrofishing sample; however, bass abundance and growth is below average, since forage fish are somewhat scarce. Bass fishing success and techniques in this reservoir are influenced by hydropower generation, especially in the upper portion. Largemouth bass are more concentrated in feeder creeks and backwater areas. Spotted bass are more likely caught near the main river channel, although specific creeks with deeper water can still hold fish.

Yates Reservoir produces good crappie fishing, especially in the spring. Fall catch rates during trap-net sampling, revealed adequate catch rates of black crappie when compared to other reservoirs statewide. White crappie are also present in this system, but to a much lesser degree. Crappie are much more likely to be caught in the major creeks feeding the main reservoir such as Channahatchee and Sougahatchee. Crappie growth is slow and mortality rates are somewhat high in Yates.

ADCNR page for Yates Lake, quoted, outdooralabama.com, read November 1, 2026.

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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.