LakeWater

Jet Skis:

Are they permitted? Yes

Swimming:

Can you swim in the lake? Yes
What is the water quality? Ranked the third cleanest lake in the U.S.

Water Level:

Average water level variance? 18 ft.

Boat Docks:

Are they permitted? Yes

Power Boats:

Are they permitted? Yes

Depth of Lake:

300 ft. 

Nearby cities:

Distance to nearby major cities? Cullman - 30 miles, Decatur - 50 miles, Jasper - 25 miles, Birmingham - 85 miles, Huntsville - 60 miles

Nearest airport:

Cullman - 30 miles, Huntsville - 60 miles

Building restrictions and requirements:

Only neighborhood restrictions

Smith Lake contains over 70 species of fish. The dominant species are spotted bass, large mouth bass, crappie and blue gill. Gulf Coast striped bass and Florida large mouth bass have been stocked annually in the lake since 1980. It is very common for the striped bass to be in the 30 pound range. Striped bass in the 40 plus pound range are present. Seth Lucas and Amy Sorenson set World Record catches in Smith Lake. The Lewis Smith Lake is ranked as the number one lake in Alabama for spotted bass fishing and number three for crappie. Five world record catches for spotted bass is held by Smith Lake; a state record was set by a 32.8 stripped bass catch. Holder of five previous World Record spotted bass catches and highly rated in the state as a trophy saltwater striped bass fishery. The current lake record is 45 lbs. A deep, clear lake with feeder streams, bays and sloughs. Rainbow trout fishery is located on the Sipsey Fork. It is a deep, clear lake with dozens of different feeder streams, winding bays, and sloughs. Steep bluffs cradle much of the lake, with water depths dropping as deep as 60 or 70 feet just a few yards offshore. The water often appears emerald green, and a bass that strikes a lure 10 feet down can be seen as it hits. Access to the lake is easy from Cullman via Alabama Highway 69. Anglers begin their search for spotted bass on Smith Lake by fishing points, and because there are hundreds of coves along the shoreline, there is no shortage of points. Smith Lake is a difficult lake on which to pattern the bass because the fish are frequently moving as they follow their main food source, crawfish. The big bass months on Smith Lake are February, March and early April with October and November being excellent times. Action continues through the summer, but is best very early and late, or at night. Crappie action is best in April or May with striped bass hunting good year-round. There are several well-known fishing areas on Smith Lake, with Dismal Creek being the most famous with two world spotted bass having been caught here. Other good spots are Brushy Creek and Rock Creek. There is no a great deal of standing timber in this impoundment, so crappie anglers concentrate in the backs of coves, along some of the shallow shorelines, at feeder streams and near piers and boathouses. The Gulf Coast strain of striped bass that has been stocked in Smith Lake since 1982 are at maturity with weights of over 20 lbs. Commonly being recorded. Trolling with a three-way swivel lure produces the best results during the summer with the Red Fin lures being popular in late October and early November. Seymore Fish & Game 256-747-7320, 34 County Road 137, Cullman, AL

Alabama Boat Lifts Arley, AL www.alabamaboatlifts.com 205-302-0788 or 1-866-504-LIFT

FSI Aluminum Boat Docks 1-800-711-1785, 2700 Alabama Hwy. 69 S, Cullman, AL 35057

Speegle's Marina & Campground 256-739-0364, 7146 County Road 310, Crane Hill, AL 35053-4303

Duskin Point Marina 205-384-6942, 196 Duskin Point Rd, Jasper, AL 35504-3808

Richard's Clearwater Marina 205-387-2952, 65 Marina Dr, Jasper, AL 35504-3840

Ram Docks Inc 256-287-2227, 850 County Road 225, Cullman, AL

Castle Rock Marina 200 Co Rd 96, Crane Hill, AL 35053, (256) 287-1117

Smith Lake Park - Located on Lewis Smith Lake at Trimble, it is one of the top rated recreational areas in Alabama. This back to nature park offers 200 plus tent and RV campsites, a swimming pool (in season), spiral waterslides and lake swimming, picnic area, shelters, and special events throughout the summer. Arrowhead Park 256-747-2519, 1146 County Road 941, Crane Hill, AL 35053-2722 Big Bridge Camp Ground 256-287-0440, 21899 County Road 222, Crane Hill, AL 35053-3343 Camp David 256-747-3828, 3735 County Road 940, Cullman, AL Country View RV Park 15959 AL Hwy 91, Hanceville, AL 35077, (256) 352-4678 Camp Meadowbrook 205 4th Ave NE, Suite 102, Cullman, AL 35055, (256) 734-6471 Cullman Campground 220 Co Rd 1185, Cullman, AL 35057, (256) 734-5853

White Pines Golf Course 256-287-2400, 2320 County Road 30, Bremen, AL Pace Grocery Inc 205-221-9315, Highway 41, Arley, AL 35541