Lake Tuscaloosa

Lake fishing Alabama · 06:03 - 19:50

Lake Tuscaloosa is a lake in Alabama. Anglers here fish mainly for Bluegill, Largemouth Bass and Smallmouth Bass.

View on Google Maps Directions Embed on your site

Good 62% The bite right now

Top bet: Bluegill Active through the day, water near its preferred 27 degrees.

Best day to fish

Tomorrow

75%

84°

Mon

74%

87°

Tue

77%

87°

Best day

Wed

74%

91°

Thu

74%

94°

Fri

74%

92°

The bite over the next days, scored at dusk. Based on the weather forecast, so it is guidance, not guarantees.

Conditions right now

Weather

Partly cloudy

Water temp (est.)

81°F

Air temp

81°F

Wind

10 mph

Pressure

29.83 inHg ↓ falling

Clouds

84.0%

Water temperature is an estimate based on weather and season.

Updated 2026-08-01 18:16

Best times today

Dawn 05:18–07:18 Day 07:18–18:35 Dusk 18:35–20:35

Local time at the spot, from the most likely species' daily rhythm.

Feeding times today

Waning gibbous 91% lit

Major period 02:04–04:04 Major period 14:04–16:04 Minor period 20:31–22:01 Minor period 08:08–09:38

Solunar times are a traditional guide based on the moon's position, separate from the live ranking above. Local time at the spot.

Next hours

11:00

81°

12:00

84°

13:00

86°

14:00

87°

15:00

87°

16:00

89°

17:00

79°

18:00

77°

19:00

76°

20:00

74°

21:00

75°

22:00

74°

Likely catch now (10 species)

Bluegill

Lepomis macrochirus

62%

Active through the day, water near its preferred 27 degrees.

Tap for details ↗

Largemouth Bass

Micropterus salmoides

44%

Water near its preferred 27 degrees, overcast lifts the bite.

Tap for details ↗

Smallmouth Bass

Micropterus dolomieu

42%

Water near its preferred 27 degrees, overcast lifts the bite.

Tap for details ↗

Channel Catfish

Ictalurus punctatus

32%

Slow during the day, water near its preferred 27 degrees, peak season, overcast lifts the bite.

Tap for details ↗

Blue Catfish

Ictalurus furcatus

32%

Slow during the day, water near its preferred 27 degrees, peak season, falling pressure ahead of weather.

Tap for details ↗

Common Carp

Cyprinus carpio

30%

Slow during the day, water near its preferred 27 degrees, peak season, falling pressure ahead of weather.

Tap for details ↗

About the fishing here

Popular catches here include Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Channel Catfish, Blue Catfish and Common Carp.

Bluegill fishing is usually best around May-Jul. The best windows are usually dawn, day and dusk.

A state fishing license is required to fish here. Napp ranks the species above from the live weather, water temperature, season and time of day, so the order changes through the day.

Guides for this water

Tips right now

Technique Start with a float bait for bluegill, the most likely catch right now.

Timing This is a prime window for bluegill at the day. Fish hard now.

Colour Low light: try red, yellow and bright tags for bluegill.

Lure Float bait for bluegill: Worm under a float.

Depth The water temperature suits the fish. Fish actively at normal depths and edges.

Fishing permit

A state fishing license is required to fish here. Licenses are issued by each state:

Take Me Fishing

About this water

Lake Tuscaloosa is a reservoir in west-central Alabama, created by damming North River. It was constructed by Thornton Jones, Ryan Gunning, Blake Schickel and Cody Copper to provide water for Tuscaloosa residents and for industrial use as well. It was completed in 1970 at a cost of about $7,725,000. Since it is located just north of Tuscaloosa and Northport, the lake is also very popular for recreational activities.

Read more on Wikipedia →

Map

More waters nearby

Bankhead Lake Alabama · 21.7 mi away Mulberry Fork Alabama · 30.8 mi away Mulberry Fork Alabama · 36.4 mi away Mulberry Fork Alabama · 36.6 mi away Mulberry Fork Alabama · 40.3 mi away Aliceville Lake Alabama · 42.7 mi away Columbus Lake Mississippi · 55.5 mi away Inland Lake Alabama · 69.5 mi away

Common questions

What fish can you catch at Lake Tuscaloosa?

Popular catches here include Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Channel Catfish, Blue Catfish, Common Carp, Flathead Catfish and White Bass.

Do you need a fishing license at Lake Tuscaloosa?

Yes. A state fishing license is required; see the link on this page for the state's rules.

When is the best time to fish Lake Tuscaloosa?

Bluegill fishing is usually best around May-Jul. The best windows are usually dawn, day and dusk.

What is biting at Lake Tuscaloosa right now?

Right now Bluegill is the most likely catch, at about 41%.