Fishing McKay Lake in Blount County, Alabama

• Overview

  Set in Blount County, Alabama, this is McKay Lake. It lies 945 feet above sea level. This is a pocket water of some 23 acres, and every part of it is reachable from the bank. It sits higher than most water we list in Alabama. Supplies mean a trip to Oneonta, 4.8 miles off. The nearest city of size is Birmingham, 35 miles away. A county line runs close by, so local bylaws can differ within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on McKay Lake

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. The old creek line under the surface is the feature worth finding. Points where the flooded channel swings in are the reliable ones. Biodiversity records within roughly six miles include bluegill, green sunfish, largemouth bass, redeye bass and redspot darter. Use it to know what is possible here, not what is certain. Treat McKay Lake as a water to read rather than to cover.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Average temperature peaks around 78°F in July and bottoms out near 40°F in January. Cooler months are the productive ones on most of this water. Shade and hour of day matter more than month. Late winter often fishes better here than midsummer does. Plan any trip to McKay Lake around it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Who may fish here is not settled in anything we hold. A slipway is marked about half a mile from here. The car has to stay half a mile away, which shapes how much tackle you bring. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Where the road in crosses private land, ask first. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. Jourden Creek at 0.4 miles is the sensible second choice. Check the position at McKay Lake before loading the car.