Fishing near Dothan, Alabama
Houston County, population 71,072.
- 22 milesto nearest paged water
- 0listed ramps nearby
Pick for bluegillPiscifun Carbon X ultralight spinning reel28% OFFSale $57.99 Photo, nearby stand in for Dothan: Olin Gilbert, CC BY 2.0
Lakes and creeks an easy haul from Dothan
At 71,072 people in 2020, Dothan ranks as a city of Houston County. Dale County Public Fishing Lake lies some 22 miles toward the northwest, the first water with its own page. Among nearby lakes, Lake Tholocco has the largest outline at about 640 acres.
The nearest ADCNR bank or pier site is Fort Novosel Army Aviation Base, 2 miles off. Day-permit fishing is 22 miles away at Dale County Public Fishing Lake.
Census 2020 population and Gazetteer point for Dothan; miles are straight lines.
Lake guides nearest Dothan
| Lake | Distance | Acres (source) | Kind | ADCNR ramps | Fish named |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dale County Public Fishing Lake | 22 miles northwest | 92 (ADCNR) | State Public Fishing Lake | 0 | largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish |
| Lake Tholocco | 22 miles northwest | 640 (ADCNR) | U.S. Army (Fort Novosel) reservoir | 0 | largemouth bass, black crappie, channel catfish |
USGS NHD lake outlines, ADCNR reservoir pages and the ADCNR WFF ramp list; read November 1, 2026.
For the bluegill herePiscifun Carbon XT ultralight spinning reel25% OFFSale $59.99 Rivers and creeks by Dothan
- Choctawhatchee River13 miles, ADCNR river page, 2 ADCNR-listed ramps, 1 bank or pier site, 51 mi of NHD channel inside Alabama
Live USGS data near Dothan
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Choctawhatchee River Near Newton, Al. | 205 cfs, 3.79 ft gage height | Nov 11 11:30 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 12, 2026 12:34 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 Dothan
Where Dothan boaters launch
- Newton boat ramp on Hurricane Creek (Dale County)Hurricane Creek (Dale County), 14 miles northwest
- Clayhatchee boat ramp on Choctawhatchee RiverChoctawhatchee River, 17 miles west
- Gordon boat ramp on Chattahoochee RiverChattahoochee River, 21 miles east
- Spann's boat ramp on Choctawhatchee RiverChoctawhatchee River, 27 miles west
- Thomas Mill Creek (Wilson's Landing) on Lake EufaulaLake Eufaula, 36 miles northeast
No-boat options near Dothan
- Fort Novosel Army Aviation Basefishing pier, US Army, 2 miles
- Abbie Creek Parkbank access, US Army Corps of Engineers, 3 miles
- Newton Boat Rampbank access, ADCNR, 3 miles
- Dale County Public Fishing Lakefishing pier, ADCNR, 4 miles
- Clayhatchee Boat Rampbank access, ADCNR, 6 miles
- Eastgate Parkfishing pier, City of Dothan, 7 miles
ADCNR WFF boat ramp list, coastal boating access and fish-from-the-bank map; read November 1, 2026.
Managed county lakes close to Dothan
| Lake | Details | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Dale County Public Fishing Lake | closed: open; 92 acres (ADCNR) | 22 miles |
| Geneva County Public Fishing Lake | Open sunrise to sunset during the following dates.; July 1 to November 30: Closed Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays; Dec | 33 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 Dothan
Bait counters near Dothan
- Southern Outdoor Sportsbait and tackle shop, Dothan, 2 miles
- City Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Dothan, 2 miles
- Academy Sports + Outdoors Dothansporting goods store, Dothan, 3 miles
- Dick's Sporting Goods Dothansporting goods store, Dothan, 3 miles
- Woofish Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Cottonwood
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 Dothan
| Species | Weight | Water | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Redbreast sunfish | 1 lb., 4 oz. | Choctawhatchee River | 6/12/10 |
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.
Keeper rules for Dothan 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 Dothan
Next towns over from Dothan
- Cowarts6 miles
- Kinsey6 miles
- Taylor6 miles
- Webb7 miles
- Midland City8 miles
Which county takes in Dothan
- Houston Countyseat: Dothan
Piscifun spinning and casting gear rigged for Dothan
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
The country around Dothan through a lens
Photo: Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Olin Gilbert, CC BY 2.0
What people staying in Dothan ask about fishing
How many miles separate Dothan from a guided lake?
Dale County Public Fishing Lake, 22 miles northwest.
Where does a Dothan angler back the trailer in?
The nearest listed ramp lies past 12 miles.
Where can kids fish from shore near Dothan?
Fort Novosel Army Aviation Base, some 2 miles off.
Who sells crickets and minnows around Dothan?
Southern Outdoor Sports, 2 miles away.
Which county guide covers Dothan and the lakes around it?
Houston County, Alabama.
What does an Alabama fishing license cost a Dothan visitor?
Plan on $68.20 for a nonresident freshwater annual.
Which reservoir near Dothan has the broadest NHD outline?
Lake Tholocco, about 640 acres, 22 miles away.
What communities sit next to Dothan?
The nearest are Cowarts (6 miles), Kinsey (6 miles) and Taylor (6 miles).
Does ADCNR run a lake near Dothan?
Dale County Public Fishing Lake, 22 miles away (closed: open; 92 acres (ADCNR)).
Which ADCNR record catches came from near Dothan?
Redbreast sunfish, 1 lb., 4 oz., from Choctawhatchee River.
Wet a line on the lakes around Dothan
Ramp pages carry a driving-directions link up top.