If you’re interested in lake homes for sale, set your sights on Lewis Smith Lake, spanning Walker, Winston, and Cullman Counties, Alabama. Lewis Smith Lake is prized by anglers and nature enthusiasts alike, boasting crystal-clear water and more than 500 miles of shoreline.

Anglers appreciate the lake’s diverse and difficult fishing options. Spotted, largemouth, striped, and white bass, along with black and white crappie, and several varieties of catfish and sunfish are the most prevalent catches you’ll find in Lewis Smith Lake. Monster striped bass roam the waters, weighing in at over 40 pounds, and evidence of even larger bass makes the hope of catching “the big one” a real possibility. Prime bass fishing months include October, November, February, March, and April. Fishing for Crappie is recommended from April to May. The lake has garnered a reputation for offering great fishing year round and has hosted several notable professional fishing tournaments. The clarity of the water makes all water activities a joy, while the impressive depths of the lake (reaching over 200 feet) keep the fishing exciting and challenging.

Lewis Smith Lake offers much more than fishing. The 21,200-acre lake borders the William Bankhead National Forest and Sipsey Wilderness Area, encouraging visitors to explore the surrounding areas and animals. You may even catch sight of a bald eagle in flight! Homes for sale along the lake enjoy access to the many amenities available. Numerous boat launches are placed strategically around the lake, in addition to one ADA-compliant dock for excellent lake accessibility. The lake’s swimming pool with waterslide is a popular attraction with visitors of all ages, and carpet golf is another favorite among guests. Many people also take to the water in boat, pontoon, and Jet Ski rentals.

Lewis Smith Lake is a short drive from Birmingham (to the south) and Huntsville (to the north), giving lake home owners (lake home renters) the opportunity to enjoy the city life whenever they please. If golf is your game, you’ve come to the right place! There are a number of great golf courses you can play near Lewis Smith Lake. In addition to area golf courses like the Cullman Golf Course and Chelsey Oaks Golf Course, Alabama’s own Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail is recognized as being one of the finest public golf establishments in the country. If you are interested in living on any of these courses, check out GolfHomes.com.

The Clarkson Covered Bridge near Lewis Smith Lake is a functioning piece of history, as it survived the Battle of Hog Mountain in 1863. Berkeley Bob’s Coffee House, LLC, will get you charged for a day on the lake, and Hunan Chinese Buffet satisfies the appetites of small and large groups alike. When the hunt turns from fish to antiques, look no farther than Finders Keepers Cullman; with 150 booths of craftsman gifts and treasures to scour, you’re sure to find what you’re looking for.

Smith Lake has over 500 miles of shoreline for camping, and 21,200 acres of clear water for sport fishing, skiing, and boating. Smith Lake draws campers, fishermen and recreational boaters from all over the Southeast. It is located midway between Birmingham and Huntsville. Smith Lake serves as a perfect get away for individuals in both metro areas. Smith Lake is probably the largest and definitely the cleanest lake in Alabama.

"Why not RENT a Lakehouse on Lewis Smith Lake while you are viewing houses or lots for sale? Check out our website for Lake Rentals, LakeHouseVacations.com. Here is a link to rentals on Lewis Smith Lake Vacation Rentals

Are Jet Skis permitted on Lewis Smith Lake? Yes

Can you Swim in Lewis Smith Lake? Yes

What is the Water Quality at Lewis Smith Lake? Ranked as the third cleanest lake in the entire United States

What is the Average water level variance at Lewis Smith Lake? 18 feet

Are Boat Docks permitted at Lewis Smith Lake? Yes, boat docks, swimming platforms and sundecks are permitted on the water

Are Power Boats permitted at Lewis Smith Lake? Yes

What is the Lake Depth at Lewis Smith Lake? 300 feet at its deepest point with an average depth of 180 feet

What are the Nearby Cities to Lewis Smith Lake? Cullman - 30 miles, Decatur - 50 miles, Jasper - 25 miles, Birmingham - 85 miles, Huntsville - 60 miles

What is the Closest Airport to Lewis Smith Lake? Cullman - 30 miles, Huntsville - 60 miles

What are the Building restrictions at Lewis Smith Lake? Only neighborhood restrictions

Lewis Smith Lake
Fishing Information

Smith Lake contains over 70 species of fish. The dominant species are spotted bass, large mouth bass, crappie and blue gill. Gulf Coast striped bass and Florida large mouth bass have been stocked annually in the lake since 1980. It is very common for the striped bass to be in the 30 pound range. Striped bass in the 40 plus pound range are present. Seth Lucas and Amy Sorenson set World Record catches in Smith Lake.

The Lewis Smith Lake is ranked as the number one lake in Alabama for spotted bass fishing and number three for crappie. Five world record catches for spotted bass is held by Smith Lake; a state record was set by a 32.8 stripped bass catch. Holder of five previous World Record spotted bass catches and highly rated in the state as a trophy saltwater striped bass fishery. The current lake record is 45 lbs. A deep, clear lake with feeder streams, bays and sloughs. Rainbow trout fishery is located on the Sipsey Fork. It is a deep, clear lake with dozens of different feeder streams, winding bays, and sloughs. Steep bluffs cradle much of the lake, with water depths dropping as deep as 60 or 70 feet just a few yards offshore. The water often appears emerald green, and a bass that strikes a lure 10 feet down can be seen as it hits. Access to the lake is easy from Cullman via Alabama Highway 69.

Anglers begin their search for spotted bass on Smith Lake by fishing points, and because there are hundreds of coves along the shoreline, there is no shortage of points. Smith Lake is a difficult lake on which to pattern the bass because the fish are frequently moving as they follow their main food source, crawfish. The big bass months on Smith Lake are February, March and early April with October and November being excellent times. Action continues through the summer, but is best very early and late, or at night. Crappie action is best in April or May with striped bass hunting good year-round.

There are several well-known fishing areas on Smith Lake, with Dismal Creek being the most famous with two world spotted bass having been caught here. Other good spots are Brushy Creek and Rock Creek. There is no a great deal of standing timber in this impoundment, so crappie anglers concentrate in the backs of coves, along some of the shallow shorelines, at feeder streams and near piers and boathouses. The Gulf Coast strain of striped bass that has been stocked in Smith Lake since 1982 are at maturity with weights of over 20 lbs. Commonly being recorded. Trolling with a three-way swivel lure produces the best results during the summer with the Red Fin lures being popular in late

Lewis Smith Lake
Boating Information

Alabama Boat Lifts Arley, AL 205-302-0788 or 1-866-504-LIFT

FSI Aluminum Boat Docks 1-800-711-1785, 2700 Alabama Hwy. 69 S, Cullman, AL 35057

Speegle's Marina & Campground 256-739-0364, 7146 County Road 310, Crane Hill, AL 35053-4303

Duskin Point Marina 205-384-6942, 196 Duskin Point Rd, Jasper, AL 35504-3808

Richard's Clearwater Marina 205-387-2952, 65 Marina Dr, Jasper, AL 35504-3840

Ram Docks Inc 256-287-2227, 850 County Road 225, Cullman, AL

Castle Rock Marina 200 Co Rd 96, Crane Hill, AL 35053, (256) 287-1117

Lewis Smith Lake
Camping Information

Smith Lake Park - Located on Lewis Smith Lake at Trimble, it is one of the top rated recreational areas in Alabama. This back to nature park offers 200 plus tent and RV campsites, a swimming pool (in season), spiral waterslides and lake swimming, picnic area, shelters, and special events throughout the summer.

Arrowhead Park 256-747-2519, 1146 County Road 941, Crane Hill, AL 35053-2722

Big Bridge Camp Ground 256-287-0440, 21899 County Road 222, Crane Hill, AL 35053-3343

Camp David 256-747-3828, 3735 County Road 940, Cullman, AL

Country View RV Park 15959 AL Hwy 91, Hanceville, AL 35077, (256) 352-4678

Camp Meadowbrook 205 4th Ave NE, Suite 102, Cullman, AL 35055, (256) 734-6471

Cullman Campground 220 Co Rd 1185, Cullman, AL 35057, (256) 734-5853

Lewis Smith Lake
Local Area Businesses

White Pines Golf Course 256-287-2400, 2320 County Road 30, Bremen, AL

Pace Grocery Inc 205-221-9315, Highway 41, Arley, AL 35541

Natural Bridge of Alabama ~ Hwy. 278, Natural Bridge; (205) 486-5330 The 148-foot sandstone bridge towers 60 feet above winding pathways. Created thousands of years ago by headward erosion of a tributary stream. Found in a forest setting with natural gardens, picnicking, nature trails, and concessions. Hours: Open daily 8 a.m.-sunset, year round. Admission.

The Historic Warehouse District ~ 1st Avenue NE, Cullman, AL. District merchants offer everything from baby clothes, to scrapbooks, from fine gifts to custom invitations and stationary, from quilts to perfume, to premium portraits, elegant women’s clothes, custom embroidery, children’s and women’s shoes and fabulous home furnishings. There’s something for just about everyone in the family. There’s even a place to hold your next party or reception.

Lakes With Lake Houses For Sale within 25 miles:

Cedar Lake
Forest Ingram Lake
Lake Catoma
Locust Fork River - Jefferson County
Sipsey Fork River
Warrior River