Fishing near Birmingham, Alabama
Jefferson County, population 200,733.
- 5 milesto nearest paged water
- 0listed ramps nearby
Pick for striped bassPiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 Photo: formulanone, CC BY-SA 2.0
Lakes and creeks an easy haul from Birmingham
At 200,733 people in 2020, Birmingham ranks as a city of Jefferson County. East Lake lies some 5 miles toward the northeast, the first water with its own page. Among nearby lakes, Lunker Lake has the largest outline at about 91 acres.
The nearest ADCNR bank or pier site is Avondale, 1 mile off. Day-permit fishing is 31 miles away at Walker County Public Fishing Lake.
Census 2020 population and Gazetteer point for Birmingham; miles are straight lines.
Lake guides nearest Birmingham
| Lake | Distance | Acres (source) | Kind | ADCNR ramps | Fish named |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Lake | 5 miles northeast | 23 (NHD outline) | lake | 0 | |
| Lake Purdy | 9 miles southeast | Birmingham Water Works reservoir | 0 | ||
| Lunker Lake | 12 miles southeast | 91 (NHD outline) | lake | 0 | |
| Oak Mountain Lake | 12 miles southeast | 76 (NHD outline) | lake | 0 | |
| Double Oak Lake | 14 miles south | 61 (NHD outline) | lake | 0 |
USGS NHD lake outlines, ADCNR reservoir pages and the ADCNR WFF ramp list; read November 1, 2026.
Rivers and creeks by Birmingham
- Fivemile Creek (Jefferson County)9 miles, ADCNR river page, 45 mi of NHD channel inside Alabama
Live USGS data near Birmingham
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Trib To Village Creek At 50th St In Birmingham | 4 cfs, 0.66 ft gage height | Nov 13 4:40 am |
| Valley Creek At Center St At Birmingham, Al | 7 cfs, 1.51 ft gage height | Nov 13 4:25 am |
| Shades Creek At Elder St Near Springdale Al | 2 cfs, 2.18 ft gage height | Nov 13 5:00 am |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 13, 2026 5:33 am ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
USGS NHD flowlines, ADCNR river pages, ADCNR ramp lists and USGS gauges; read November 1, 2026.
Plotting the ramps by Birmingham
Where Birmingham boaters launch
- Parker's Landing on Sipsey ForkSipsey Fork, 25 miles northwest
- Glover's Ferry boat ramp on Lay LakeLay Lake, 26 miles east
- Kelly Creek boat ramp on Lay LakeLay Lake, 26 miles east
- Cordova boat ramp on Mulberry ForkMulberry Fork, 27 miles northwest
- Lynn's Park on Mulberry ForkMulberry Fork, 28 miles northwest
No-boat options near Birmingham
- Avondalebank access, City of Birmingham, 1 mile
- East Lake bank accessbank access, City of Birmingham, 5 miles
- Mountain Brook Cahaba River Walkbank access, Mountain Brook, 6 miles
- Cahaba River on Hwy 280bank access, Not maintained, 8 miles
- Cahaba River Trail and Canoe Dropbank access, City of Birmingham, 8 miles
- Georgetown Parkfishing pier, City of Hoover, 9 miles
ADCNR WFF boat ramp list, coastal boating access and fish-from-the-bank map; read November 1, 2026.
Managed county lakes close to Birmingham
| Lake | Details | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Walker County Public Fishing Lake | 163 acres (ADCNR); Open sunrise to sunset during the following dates.; February 1 to June 30: Open seven days each week; July 1 to December | 31 miles |
These lakes are managed by ADCNR and need a daily permit.
ADCNR State Public Fishing Lakes page, outdooralabama.com, read November 1, 2026.
Bait and guides around Birmingham
Bait counters near Birmingham
- Mark's Outdoor Sportsbait and tackle shop, Vestavia, 7 miles
- Deep South Outfitters Ownerbait and tackle shop, Birmingham, 7 miles
- Lulus at Homeport Marinamarina, Birmingham, 8 miles
- Elite Rod Holdersbait and tackle shop, Birmingham, 9 miles
- Academy Sports + Outdoors Birminghamsporting goods store, Birmingham, 9 miles
- Academy Sports + Outdoors Gardendalesporting goods store, Gardendale, 9 miles
- Dick's Sporting Goods Hoover, 3851 Chapel Lanesporting goods store, Hoover, 10 miles
- Academy Sports + Outdoors Trussvillesporting goods store, Trussville, 10 miles
Paid trips near Birmingham
- Antlers & Anglers Worldwide Inccharter, Vestavia, (205) 969-2065
- Stripe Fishing Headquarterscharter, Morris, (205) 647-7683
Yellow Pages listings (miles only for shops with an exact point) and guide or charter business pages; read November 1, 2026.
Record fish from water near Birmingham
| Species | Weight | Water | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Channel catfish | 40 lbs., 0 oz. | Inland Lake | 6/17/67 |
| Striped bass | 69 lbs., 9 oz. | Bankhead Lake | 2/28/13 |
| Blue catfish | 120 lbs., 4 oz. | Holt Lake | 3/9/12 |
| Spotted bass | 8 lbs., 15 oz. | Lewis Smith Lake | 3/18/78 |
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. Waters within 40 miles.
For the striped bass herePiscifun AlumiX spinning reel46% OFFSale $64.99 Keeper rules for Birmingham anglers
Count on $17.45 (resident) or $68.20 (nonresident) for a year of Alabama freshwater fishing.
| Species | Limit | 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 |
Limits as printed in the Official 2026-2027 Alabama Hunting and Fishing Digest (ADCNR, eRegulations edition) (limits page; digest PDF), read November 1, 2026. Lake, river and coastal pages print any water exception.
Close to Birmingham
Next towns over from Birmingham
- Mountain Brook4 miles
- Homewood5 miles
- Tarrant5 miles
- Vestavia Hills6 miles
- Fultondale6 miles
Which county takes in Birmingham
- Jefferson Countyseat: Birmingham
Piscifun spinning and casting gear rigged for Birmingham
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
The country around Birmingham through a lens
Photo: T.K. Mc, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Ralph Daily, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Jamie, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Birmingham Photographer J.g, CC BY-SA 2.0
What people staying in Birmingham ask about fishing
How many miles separate Birmingham from a guided lake?
East Lake, 5 miles northeast.
Where does a Birmingham angler back the trailer in?
The nearest listed ramp lies past 12 miles.
Where can kids fish from shore near Birmingham?
Avondale, some 1 mile off.
Who sells crickets and minnows around Birmingham?
Mark's Outdoor Sports, 7 miles away.
Which county guide covers Birmingham and the lakes around it?
Jefferson County, Alabama.
What does an Alabama fishing license cost a Birmingham visitor?
Plan on $68.20 for a nonresident freshwater annual.
Which reservoir near Birmingham has the broadest NHD outline?
Lunker Lake, about 91 acres, 12 miles away.
What communities sit next to Birmingham?
The nearest are Mountain Brook (4 miles), Homewood (5 miles) and Tarrant (5 miles).
Does ADCNR run a lake near Birmingham?
Walker County Public Fishing Lake, 31 miles away (163 acres (ADCNR); Open sunrise to sunset during the following dates.; February 1 to June 30: Open seven days each week; July 1 to December).
Which ADCNR record catches came from near Birmingham?
Channel catfish, 40 lbs., 0 oz., from Inland Lake.
Wet a line on the lakes around Birmingham
Ramp pages carry a driving-directions link up top.