Logan Martin sits right in the middle of the Coosa River chain, and the spotted bass here get overlooked in favor of Logan Martin's reputation as a striper lake. I want to spend time working the rocky points for spots and running the main channel in fall when the stripers start chasing shad.
Today's Bite Score · October 8, 2026
Above average conditions worth planning a trip
🌘Waning Crescent
Logan Martin Lake Fishing Report
October FishingMonthly fishing report · October patterns and techniques
In October, Logan Martin Lake experiences cooling water temperatures that typically range from the mid-70s to low 80s Fahrenheit, triggering significant changes in fish behavior. The lake's 16,000 surface acres begin transitioning as water clarity improves and fish move from summer haunts into more predictable fall patterns. Anglers find bass, crappie, and catfish responding to the comfortable water temperatures by feeding more aggressively this month, positioning themselves in preparation for cooler months ahead.
Largemouth bass dominate October action at Logan Martin Lake, with fish actively hunting around the lake's extensive dock systems, rocky points, and submerged timber in 8 to 20 feet of water. Spotted bass hold tight to the deeper channel ledges and structure along the main river channel, while striped bass hunt shallower areas near creek mouths and current breaks. Crappie fishing accelerates this month around brush piles and standing timber in 12 to 25 feet of water, with both white and black crappie responding to live shiners and small jigs. Channel catfish remain active in deeper holes and channel bends, feeding heavily before the water gets too cold.
Anglers find crankbaits and deep-diving plugs particularly effective this month, especially around the rocky bluffs and secondary points that characterize Logan Martin's geography. Drop-shot rigging with soft plastics works exceptionally well for bass holding on deeper structure, while live shiners and small minnows attract crappie and striped bass near current-moving areas. Spinnerbaits in darker colors produce well around docks and shallow timber, and Carolina-rigged crawfish patterns catch both spotted and largemouth bass on the deeper channel structure. For catfish, anglers find chicken liver, shad, and live bluegill effective when fished on the lake's deepest holes and along the creek channels. As water temperatures continue declining throughout October, fish gradually move deeper, making deeper presentations and bottom-hugging baits increasingly productive as the month progresses.
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Logan Martin Lake Fishing Guides
Looking for a Logan Martin Lake fishing guide? The Coosa River chain spotted bass and striper fishery at Logan Martin rewards specific local knowledge of current seams and depth transitions that visiting anglers consistently miss. Here are 2 fishing guides for Logan Martin Lake that are worth checking out.
Logan Martin Lake Fishing Strategies by Species
Seasonal patterns and techniques by target species · Verified against official sources
Logan Martin Lake is the central reservoir in Alabama Power's Coosa River chain, positioned between Lay Lake to the south and Neely Henry Lake to the north on the Coosa River drainage east of Birmingham. The 17,500-acre impoundment was completed in 1964 and is known for its spotted bass population along the rocky main-channel structure, a substantial striped bass fishery, quality crappie in the timber and bridge pilings, and channel catfish through the creek arms. Alabama's 12-inch minimum size limit applies to spotted bass, and striped bass regulations require verification at outdooralabama.com before each trip.
Logan Martin Lake Largemouth Bass Fishing Report
Largemouth bass are present throughout Logan Martin Lake, occupying the shallower creek arms, dock structure, and the vegetation that grows along the lake's middle and upper sections. The upper lake area near the Coosa River channel's backwater pockets and the creek arms off the main reservoir hold the most consistent largemouth populations. Spring spawning activity concentrates largemouth in 2 to 6 feet near wood, dock pilings, and the brushy cove banks throughout St. Clair and Talladega counties. Summer largemouth fishing on Logan Martin benefits from early morning topwater presentations along the dock lines and the brushy points in the upper lake. Texas-rigged worms and spinnerbaits worked through the dock shadows and creek arm cover produce fish throughout the warmer months. Fall brings largemouth onto the main lake transition points as shad schools move to the open water, and crankbaits covering water efficiently will locate actively feeding fish. Verify current largemouth bass size limits and bag limits at outdooralabama.com before fishing Logan Martin.
Logan Martin Lake Spotted Bass Fishing Report
Spotted bass are the signature bass species on Logan Martin Lake, thriving in the rocky main-channel structure, the riprap banks, and the harder bottom points that characterize the lower and middle sections of the Coosa River impoundment. Spotted bass prefer the faster current in the vicinity of the dam and the main channel ledges where the reservoir maintains greater depth. Alabama's 12-inch minimum length limit applies to spotted bass: verify current regulations and bag limits at outdooralabama.com. The most productive spotted bass technique on Logan Martin is working main-channel ledges and rocky points with Carolina rigs and drop-shot rigs in the 10 to 25 foot depth range during summer. Spotted bass school aggressively and can be targeted on main lake humps and channel bends with deep-diving crankbaits and flutter spoons when fish are located on sonar. Spring spotted bass fishing is excellent on the rocky transition areas between the creek arms and the main reservoir. Jigs worked slowly along the rocky bottom produce quality fish throughout the year.
Logan Martin Lake Striped Bass Fishing Report
Striped bass are a major draw on Logan Martin Lake, stocked by the Alabama DCNR to support an open-water fishery in the deeper sections of the Coosa River reservoir. Stripers follow shad schools through the main channel and are most active during the cooler months of fall and early spring when water temperatures drop below 70 degrees. The tailrace below Logan Martin Dam and the main channel near the dam are primary striper holding areas throughout the year. Fall is the prime season for Logan Martin striped bass as fish school aggressively near the surface to chase shad in the open main channel. Jigging flutter spoons and live shad under anchored or drifting presentations produce the biggest fish. Early morning topwater fishing with large surface lures during the fall striper blowups can be exceptional when schools push bait to the surface. A boat with good sonar capability is important for locating suspended striper schools in the main channel. Verify current striped bass size limits and possession limits at outdooralabama.com before fishing.
Logan Martin Lake Crappie Fishing Report
Crappie are abundant throughout Logan Martin Lake, with the bridge pilings on U.S. Highway 231 and other bridge crossings, the flooded timber in the creek arms, and the boat dock structure providing consistent crappie habitat. Spring crappie fishing is the most productive period, with fish staging near the bridge pilings and timber in 6 to 12 feet before moving shallow to spawn near wood and brush in 2 to 5 feet. Small tube jigs and crappie jig-minnow rigs worked vertically around the bridge pilings and the woody structure in the creek arms produce fish throughout the spring season. Night fishing around lighted docks and bridge pilings in summer is a consistent warm-weather crappie pattern. Fall crappie return to the timber and bridge structure as water cools, and slow presentations with live minnows near the bottom produce fish through the winter months. Alabama has no minimum size limit on crappie but does have a daily bag limit: verify current regulations at outdooralabama.com.
Logan Martin Lake Bluegill Fishing Report
Bluegill and redear sunfish are plentiful throughout Logan Martin Lake, concentrated in the creek arms, around the dock pilings, and along the weed edges in the shallower upper sections of the reservoir. Late spring and early summer produce the best bluegill action as fish move to the spawning beds in 1 to 3 feet near gravel and sandy bottoms adjacent to dock structure and woody cover. Small jigs tipped with a piece of nightcrawler or a cricket worked near the bottom around dock pilings and the brushy creek arm banks produce consistent bluegill through the spring and summer. Redear sunfish tend to run deeper than bluegill and are caught near the dam structure and the harder bottom areas in 8 to 15 feet during summer. Both species provide quality panfish action and grow to respectable sizes in Logan Martin's productive ecosystem.
Logan Martin Lake Channel Catfish Fishing Report
Channel catfish are distributed throughout Logan Martin Lake, with the creek arm flats, the main channel edges, and the area near the dam tailrace producing consistent catfish throughout the year. The Coosa River's naturally productive bottom provides good catfish habitat across the 17,500-acre reservoir. Night fishing in the warmer months is the most productive approach for channel cats, targeting the channel edges and flat bottom areas with cut bait, chicken liver, or prepared stink baits. Late spring through early fall is the prime catfish season on Logan Martin, with fish moving to shallower areas in the creek arms and the tributary mouths to feed actively at night. Still fishing with bait on the bottom near the channel edge transitions in 8 to 20 feet produces the most consistent catches. Flathead catfish are also present in the main channel of Logan Martin, though channel cats are the dominant catfish species encountered. Verify current catfish size and bag limits at outdooralabama.com before fishing.
For fishing heavy cover after Largemouth Bass, I run 50-65lb braid. Zero stretch means you feel every bite and you can pull fish out of structure before they wrap you. Reaction Tackle is where I restock. Their low-vis green disappears in most water conditions.
Top Fish to Target in Logan Martin Lake
Lures for Logan Martin Lake
Tackle matched to this lake's species and structure.
Worth checking before any trip: your line. Old braid gets brittle at the tag end and loses sensitivity over time. I rotate mine every season. Reaction Tackle is where I order from when it's time to restock.
About Logan Martin Lake
Logan Martin Lake is one of those Coosa River chain reservoirs that gets overlooked by bass anglers focused on Guntersville or Eufaula, but the spotted bass fishery here is genuinely impressive. Alabama Power completed Logan Martin Dam in 1964, and the resulting 17,500-acre reservoir has matured into a productive multi-species lake that serves the Pell City and Talladega County communities east of Birmingham.
Location and geography. Logan Martin occupies the middle position in the Alabama Power Coosa River chain, sitting between Lay Lake to the south and Neely Henry Lake to the north. The reservoir spans parts of St. Clair, Talladega, and Shelby counties, with Pell City on Interstate 20 serving as the primary access point. The lake reaches approximately 90 feet deep near the dam and is characterized by the rocky main-channel structure typical of the Coosa River drainage.
Fishery character. The Coosa River's rocky geology gives Logan Martin a different character from the weed-dominated TVA lakes to the north. Spotted bass dominate the rock and ledge structure while largemouth bass hold the shallower creek arms and dock cover. The Alabama DCNR stocks striped bass to maintain the open-water striper fishery that is one of Logan Martin's primary draws for anglers outside the immediate area. Crappie production from the bridge pilings and flooded timber is consistent.
Access and facilities. Multiple boat ramps provide access along the Pell City shoreline and in the St. Clair County portion of the lake. The lake is a popular recreation destination for the Birmingham metro area due to its location on Interstate 20. Fishing tournaments are regularly held on Logan Martin through the Alabama Bass Trail and local club circuits. Verify current Alabama fishing license requirements and regulations at outdooralabama.com before your trip.
