Fishing Neely Henry Lake

Starting at the lakes lower end around Neely Henry dam, it is basically a straight shot right up the lake. This run, due north, is bordered by small cuts and pockets and many, major feeder creeks, situated along deep, river bends. The first feeder creek is on your left as you navigate up the lake. It is called Bridge Creek.

On your right, traveling the first few miles up the lake from the dam are only a few small pockets and lots of deep water which border rocky, bluff-type banks. The next bend to your right, will lead you due east, right into the mouth of several pockets lined with piers and boat houses. These are all on the Eastern side of the lower lake.

A mile past Beaver Creek, heading up the lake, and the huge pocket on your right (about one mile) is actually named Greens Creek. Although it only goes for a short distance from the main lake, there are lots of piers, a marina, and Hwy. 77 that crosses the back of Greens Creek, with a rip-rap lined causeway.

Fishing Neely Henry Mid-lake
As you travel up the lake you will begin to notice how wide it gets at the mouth of Canoe Creek. While fishing Neely Henry, many anglers without a map or navigation knowledge get lost here. Looking to your left is Canoe Creek, the biggest feeder creek on the lake, taking a right, at this creek and main lake junction, will continue you North to the lake's upper section.

Red and green creek channel markers will safely take you up in Canoe Creek. Then go slow in the creek backwaters. This is where all the standing timber was in year's past, before they cut it 5 feet below the water line. But still, stumps are all along the flats bordering this area.

Traveling up the lake, you will see a few small islands, most of which are on your right. This is a stumpy flat along the shallow side of the main lake and good for fishing day or night.

Navigation is marked along the left side of the lake with channel markers for about 5 miles. Just before you get to the Hwy. 77 Bridge that crosses the lake, is Buck's Island Marina with boat repairs and parts. Also other marinas and gas can be found here in this mid lake region, before continuing to the upper lake.

Fishing Neely Henry Upper-Lake
Leaving Hwy. 77 crossing at mid-lake and heading upriver, you will immediately notice the lake narrows to more of a river-type appearance. There are several weed and wood cover laden pockets to explore here, and loads of main lake flats all covered with washed-in trees, laying logs, brush and other wood debris. Navigating the middle of the lake is suggested. Fishing Neely Henry in this location has become a favorite spot to many anglers.

Just past this deep, rock bluff Minnesota Bend, heading upriver, on your right about a mile, is Honey Creek. It’s easily identified with a small island situated right in the mouth. This is a flat, backwater creek.

Continuing on up the lake, will show a few islands, another river bend, and then a bridge that crosses the lake. This is just after you go past some electrical towers in the mouth of Big Wills Creek. Of which is an excellent creek in this upper lake region, for both day and night fishing this summer.

Big Wills Creek has lots of rip-rap rocks found around two bridges, near the creek mouth. But use caution, after going under the first Big Wills Creek Bridge. It is deceiving and looks deep, but with only a few feet of shallow, stump-filled flats. Idling the boat is suggested here.

Right past Big Wills Creek mouth, heading upriver, is Hwy. 759 bridge crossing. Then on your right is famous, Gadsden City Boat Launch, where many bass tournaments are held weekly, year round. Again, many released bass can be re-caught when working this area near the city launch.

Leaving Gadsden City launch and heading upriver (where the lake is crossed by two bridges), the Lake narrows to a more river-type appearance. Neely Henry Lake, then continues North, twisting and turning among the scenic hillsides, for another 30 plus miles of River.

You will see rock bluffs, logjams, laydown trees, small islands, another bridge crossing and many small pockets and creek mouths, to explore this summer in the headwaters of Neely Henry Lake, often far from the summer crowd.

Be safe and be courteous to other boaters while fishing Neely Henry Lake. It is a true state gem.

Thanks for reading.

Good fishing.

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