Fishing at Ellis Lake, Jefferson County, Alabama

• Overview

  Ellis Lake is one of the Jefferson County waters in Alabama. It sits at 558 feet above sea level. Surface area runs to about 11 acres — small enough to read in one session. Lake View at 5.2 miles is the nearest place to stop. For a city, Birmingham is 21 miles off. The line between counties passes nearby, which can change who manages the water.

• Where to Fish on Ellis Lake

  No published figure covers depth, so learn it as you fish. Built water gives depth close in, which suits a bank angler. The old creek line under the surface is the feature worth finding. Open occurrence data for the surrounding area lists blackbanded darter, Alabama darter, bluegill, cahaba bass and gulf longear sunfish. Presence in the area does not guarantee a fish in this exact water on the day. Fish Ellis Lake where the bottom changes rather than where it looks deep.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate normals give 79°F for July and 42°F for January. Temperatures stay workable through the cold season. March through May is the strongest run, with autumn a second stretch. The hot months push the fishing to dawn and dusk. Ellis Lake fishes to that pattern most years. After heavy rain, give the water a day to settle.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. There is no mapped parking or launch nearby, which keeps numbers down. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Rules for this water may differ from the county norm. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. Rock Lakes sits 0.2 miles off and takes the overflow. Confirm access to Ellis Lake locally before you travel.