Jim Henderson Lake in Sumter County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Jim Henderson Lake falls in Sumter County, part of Alabama. Around the bank it is open plain. At roughly 7 acres, the whole thing is within casting reach of a single walk. Most waters listed here for Sumter County are larger. For a base, Aliceville sits 11 miles out. Macon is 21 miles and Eutaw 22 miles. Rules can differ a short way off, since the county line is near.

• Where to Fish on Jim Henderson Lake

  Our records hold no depth for this water. A reservoir gives you a hard edge, a shelf, and not much else. The arms fish better than the open middle whenever the water is up. Documented catches and surveys in the area cover freshwater drum, gizzard shad, channel catfish, bluegill and longear sunfish. It is a record of sightings and surveys, so use it as a guide. Work Jim Henderson Lake in sections rather than trying to cover it.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warm month here averages 81°F; the cold one sits at 43°F. Fish stay active all year, but they move with the heat. Shade and hour of day matter more than month. February into May fishes hardest as the water warms. That is the shape of the year on Jim Henderson Lake. A rising level usually fishes better than a falling one.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. Access points are not mapped for this water, which suits people who like quiet. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Where parking is tight, arriving early solves most problems. Failing this one, try Lake Hollolla, 2.4 miles away. Treat Jim Henderson Lake as unsettled until someone local tells you otherwise.