A regulation change allowing all sizes of spotted bass to be harvested became effective 1 April 2006. Largemouth bass are still under the 13 to 16 inch slot limit. (This means that only largemouth shorter than 13 inches or longer than 16 inches can be harvested from the lake. Largemouth bass between 13 and 16 inches must be released).
Spring electrofishing samples in 2007 indicated that the largemouth population size structure was such that numbers of fish from 12 to 25 inches approached or exceeded the statewide 75th percentile for each respective size range. Growth rates for largemouth ages 1-4 were average compared to other reservoirs throughout the state.
The 2007 sample also revealed a build up of quality size spotted bass (11 to 14 inches) unprecedented since sampling began on Harris Reservoir. Hopefully, this will translate into more preferred size (14 to 17 inches) spotted bass for the 2008 fishing season. Spotted bass growth, measured as mean length at age, in Harris Reservoir is slow. In fact, it was below the statewide 25th percentile for ages 1, 2 and 4 spotted bass in 2007. Age 3 growth was below average compared to the statewide average.
Condition (plumpness) of both largemouth and spotted bass remains poor. This is a reflection of the infertility of the lake coupled with a dense bass population that does not experience much harvest. District II fisheries personnel believe that spotted bass harvest in the 13 to 16 inch size range, in conjunction with a concerted effort to remove as many largemouth and spotted bass below 13 inches as possible, should result in increased numbers of desirable sized bass as well as improved growth and condition (plumpness) for largemouth and spotted bass in all size groups. Unfortunately, harvest effects on the black bass population are not evident to date.

Bass club tournament data for Harris Lake can be found at: www.outdooralabama.com/fishing/freshwater/where/reservoirs/quality/.