Fishing at Little Bear Creek Reservoir
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Inland Lake - Caught 28 bigger than hand size. 6 shell crackers over 2 lbs.... Continued
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Little Bear Creek Reservoir is a Reservoir in Franklin, Alabama.
Do you have a question about Little Bear Creek Reservoir, ask it here.
Little Bear Creek Reservoir was impounded in 1976 mostly as a flood control reservoir and holds 1,560 acres of water at full pool. Located approximately 13 miles WSW of Russellville in Franklin County, it is one of four Tennessee Valley Authority reservoirs operated by the Bear Creek Development Authority. The primary uses of this reservoir are flood control and recreation. There is a small amount of residential development along the shoreline of Little Bear Creek Reservoir. Camping and fishing provide the main recreational opportunities.
Little Bear Creek Reservoir is known best for its black bass (largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and spotted bass) and crappie fishing, but catfishing and bream fishing are good too. There is a 13-16 inch protective slot limit on largemouth bass in Little Bear Creek. Smallmouth bass and spotted bass have no protective length limit. Removal of largemouth bass less than 13 inches is needed. Therefore, bass anglers are encouraged to harvest all largemouth bass less than 13 inches in length. The remaining bass will benefit with improved growth rates and larger over-all size.
The crappie population on Little Bear Creek Reservoir is characterized as a moderately low population of fast growing fish. They reach 9 inches in length during their second growing season. To protect this fast growing population of crappie there is a 9 inch minimum size limit.
Sampling: The crappie population is fast growing with fish reaching harvestable size during their second growing season. The majority of crappie measure 8-12 inches in length.
Little Bear Creek Reservoir is an infertile reservoir with clear water. During the summer months the reservoir stratifies and adequate oxygen levels are restricted to the top 18 feet, so anglers should avoid fishing in depths greater than this. Traditional bass baits such as; crankbaits, spinnerbaits, jigs, and plastic worms all work well. REMEMBER to harvest all largemouth bass less than 13 inches in length. Larger and faster growing bass will be the result. Crappie are caught in brush tops or suspended above the old creek channel and can be enticed to bite jigs or minnows.
Stocking: Little Bear Creek Reservoir was stocked with 7,500 Florida strain largemouth bass in 1981 in an attempt to incorporate the Florida bass genetics into the population. During January of 2000, 15,600 channel catfish were stocked and during January of 2004, 15,636 more were stocked into the reservoir. No other stockings of fish have been done, but all species are reproducing successfully on their own. Sampling work in 2004-2005 revealed a bass population with a high percentage of 8-12 and 15-20 inch fish. Fish 20+ inches in length appear at average frequency. A weak 2002 year class seems to have reduced the percentage of 12-15 inch fish in the population, but a strong 2003 year class appears to be entering the fishery. Bass growth seems to be adequate and exploitation appears to be low.
There are three public access areas (Elliot Branch, McAffee Landing, and Williams Hollow) and two campgrounds (Elliot Branch and Williams Hollow) located on Little Bear Creek Reservoir. Lakeside cabins are also available on a peninsula of the reservoir. A BCDA fishing permit ($3/day or $20/year) is required in addition to an Alabama state fishing license. Pre-impoundment topographic maps are available for Bear Creek Reservoir through the TVA.
Alabama - Inland Lake Fishing Report
Caught 28 bigger than hand size. 6 shell crackers over 2 lbs.... Continued
Alabama - Inland Lake Fishing Report
Fished for two hours and within the first hour we had a 7.5lb largemouth and a 6lb in the boat. After that it was too cold to keep fishing so we heade... Continued
Alabama - Madison County Lake Fishing Report
Fished from 7am until rain set in at 11am.Found a bed a bluegills and filled a cooler very quickly.Nice size.Would have finished out the day fishing f... Continued
Solar Lunar Best Fishing Times - Little Bear Creek Reservoir, Alabama
Little Bear Creek Reservoir, Alabama - Solar Lunar Chart - May 17, 2012
Moon Phase ![]() | Waning Crescent | Sun Phase ![]() |
Rise 4:46 Transit 11:46 Set 18:48 | Fish Major Periods 8:47 - 11:17 0:00 - 0:00 | Activity Minor Periods 15:34 - 17:04 2:08 - 3:38 | Day Rating |
Little Bear Creek Reservoir, Alabama - Solar Lunar Chart - May 18, 2012
Moon Phase ![]() | Waning Crescent | Sun Phase ![]() |
Rise 4:45 Transit 11:46 Set 18:48 | Fish Major Periods 9:31 - 12:01 0:00 - 0:00 | Activity Minor Periods 16:29 - 17:59 2:40 - 4:10 | Day Rating |
Little Bear Creek Reservoir, Alabama - Solar Lunar Chart - May 19, 2012
Moon Phase ![]() | Waning Crescent | Sun Phase ![]() |
Rise 4:45 Transit 11:46 Set 18:49 | Fish Major Periods 10:17 - 12:47 0:00 - 0:00 | Activity Minor Periods 17:24 - 18:54 3:15 - 4:45 | Day Rating |
Little Bear Creek Reservoir, Alabama - Solar Lunar Chart - May 20, 2012
Moon Phase ![]() | NEW at 17:50 | Sun Phase ![]() |
Rise 4:44 Transit 11:46 Set 18:50 | Fish Major Periods 11:04 - 13:34 0:00 - 0:00 | Activity Minor Periods 18:18 - 19:48 3:54 - 5:24 | Day Rating |
Little Bear Creek Reservoir, Alabama - Solar Lunar Chart - May 21, 2012
Moon Phase ![]() | Waxing Crescent | Sun Phase ![]() |
Rise 4:43 Transit 11:46 Set 18:50 | Fish Major Periods 11:52 - 14:22 0:00 - 0:00 | Activity Minor Periods 19:09 - 20:39 4:37 - 6:07 | Day Rating |
Businesses Located Near Little Bear Creek Reservoir
Bait and Tackle
- Fishermans Resort Bait & Tckl
- 300 County Road 411, #45
- Town Creek, Alabama
- (256) 685-9711
- Gray's Tackle Shop
- 2813 N Jackson Hwy
- Sheffield, Alabama
- (256) 383-2716
- Elk River Tackle & Deli Incorporated
- 18833 Highway 72
- Rogersville, Alabama
- (256) 247-7070
Boating
- Anderson Boats
- 5155 Al Highway 157
- Cullman, Alabama
- (256) 734-1354
- Davenport Boats
- 173 County Road 1154
- Cullman, Alabama
- (256) 734-9193
- D & D Boat Outlet
- 4491 Highway 36 E
- Somerville, Alabama
- (256) 778-9446
Food
- Clay's Bar-B-Que
- 12316 Jesse Jackson Pky
- Courtland, Alabama
- (256) 637-8300
- Gunwaleford Road Bar B Que Pit
- Gunwaleford Rd
- Florence, Alabama
- (256) 767-3644
- Panzeffie's Bar-B-Que and Grill
- 8846 Highway 72 W
- Madison, Alabama
- (256) 722-0430
Gas / Convenience Store
- Bud's Convenience Stores
- Highway 31 S
- Tanner, Alabama
- (256) 233-2899
- Buds Convenience Stores
- 904 6th Ave Ne
- Decatur, Alabama
- (256) 340-2307
- Jd Quick Stop
- 7218 County Road 23
- Mt Hope, Alabama
- (256) 974-7318
Real Estate
- Ballard Construction & Real Estate LLC
- 2384 U.S. Highway 43
- Winfield, Alabama
- (205) 487-6580
- Davis, Bart Realtor - Lifestyle Real Estate
- 122 W Tombigbee St
- Florence, Alabama
- (256) 766-7355
- Ricketts, Carol - Dixistar Real Estate
- 300 1st Ave Se, #104
- Cullman, Alabama
- (256) 739-1050
Lodging
- Days Inn Moulton
- 12701 Al-157
- Moulton, Alabama
- (256) 974-1214
- Russellville Hotel and Suites
- 13770 Highway 43
- Russellville, Alabama
- (256) 332-1002
- Webster Hotel & Suites
- 4205 Hatch Blvd
- Sheffield, Alabama
- (256) 383-4100







































