Donald Smith Lake near Blountsville: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Blount County, Alabama, is where Donald Smith Lake sits. It sits at 768 feet above sea level. At 9 acres it is the sort of place you fish for an evening rather than a day. Blountsville at 1.7 miles is the nearest place to stop. Birmingham sits 42 miles out, and it is the nearest city worth the name. It sits near the edge of the county, so check which rules apply.

• Where to Fish on Donald Smith Lake

  Depth is unmeasured here, so let the shoreline guide you. Look for where the old bank line still shows under the surface. Draw-down through summer strips the margins, so follow the water out. Public wildlife records from this area list blackfin darter, warrior darter, blackbanded darter and bluegill. The list reflects reported sightings and surveys rather than what is stocked. At Donald Smith Lake the water rewards a slow, careful approach.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages here run 78°F at the top of summer and 40°F at the bottom of winter. No part of the year shuts this water. The first and last hours carry the summer; the middle is slow. Late winter often fishes better here than midsummer does. It holds true on Donald Smith Lake more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. Mapping is blank for access, so scout the approach before committing the car. Bluegill and other panfish take small jigs or worms under a float near any cover. Check locally before you travel, because a wasted drive is a long one. Some ground is open by custom rather than by right, so tread carefully. Burgess Spring Lakes sits 1.4 miles off and takes the overflow. What applies at Donald Smith Lake may have changed since it was mapped.