Best Fishing Times in Alabama This Week
Near Guntersville, Orange Beach and Eufaula: today on a 24 hour timeline and the next seven days rated Fair to Best.
Working out the moon and the sun for Guntersville, AL, and reading the forecast.
Fishing somewhere else? Enter any ZIP for your own spot
Photo: “Fall fishing on the Madison River at sunrise”, Jacob W. Frank, Yellowstone National Park (NPS), Public domain
Alabama at a glance
Solunar windows plus the agency calendarWhen fish bite in Alabama
Alabama's fishing year opens with crappie in February, big reservoir bass in March and April, bluegill spawning May through October, and Guntersville sauger running upstream in winter.
Each entry below is from Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources or its published guides, quoted word for word and linked. Line the season up with the week above: a run in its prime and a Great day with a window at first light is the morning to take off.
- February
Crappie
Early season crappie fishing begins when daffodil leaves push out of the soil, usually in February.
“Early season crappie fishing begins when daffodil leaves push their way out of the soil, usually in February.”
Spring Fishing Tips, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, read October 9, 2026 - March and April
Bass
Alabama bass club tournament data from reservoirs show anglers catch more large bass in March and April.
“Alabama tournament data from bass clubs fishing reservoirs show anglers catch more large bass in March and April.”
Spring Fishing Tips, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, read October 9, 2026 - May through October
Bluegill
Bluegill spawn monthly from May through October, often during the full moon.
“Bluegill spawn monthly from May through October, often during the full moon.”
Spring Fishing Tips, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, read October 9, 2026 - Winter and early spring
Sauger
On Lake Guntersville, sauger and a few walleye run upstream in winter and early spring, and anglers catch sauger at bridge crossings and below the dam.
“Sauger and a few walleye run upstream during the winter and early spring, and anglers catch sauger within the reservoir at bridge crossings and below Guntersville Dam.”
Lake Guntersville, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, read October 9, 2026
Reading the Alabama timeline
Each day has two major solunar periods of about two hours, centered on the moon overhead and underfoot, and two minor periods of about an hour at moonrise and moonset. A window within an hour of sunrise or sunset is marked in gold. The rating adds the moon phase, the gold windows and a capped nudge from the National Weather Service forecast for each town. Every factor and its points.
Dawn and dusk are the reliable part; the moon windows are the old angler’s rule.
