Outdoors in Wilcox County, Alabama!

South Alabama has an abundance of good fishing waters. William "Bill" Dannelly Reservoir in southwest Alabama is one of those good spots. If the name doesn't sound familiar, perhaps "Miller's Ferry" will. This 17,200 acre reservoir on the Alabama River receives nothing but praise from the anglers who fish here. In addition to the excellent fishing, Lake Dannelly has many convenient facilities that provide access, recreation and other amenities for visitors.
Miller's Ferry may be the best kept secret in Alabama. Fishing for crappie and largemouth bass in this reservoir is normally outstanding and tailwater fishing for catfish below the dam is fantastic. (Fishing conditions may vary due to drought or other seasonal conditions.) Add the opportunity of catching striped bass and hybrids and you'll agree Miller's Ferry is worth a try on your next visit to southwest Alabama.
This reservoir was impounded in 1969 when the Miller's Ferry Lock and Dam was built by the Corps of Engineers, and lies between Claiborne Lake and Jones Bluff Dam on the Alabama River in Wilcox and Dallas counties near Camden. It is easily accessible from Highway 41 to the southeast, Highway 28 to the southwest, and Highway 5 to the northwest.
Backwater areas have ample stands of timber that were flooded during impoundment. The fertile Alabama River nourishes this productive reservoir, and anglers often fill their creels. The many creeks draining into the main reservoir help to create the ideal habitat for a fisherman's paradise.
The dominant species of crappie in Dannelly Reservoir is the white crappie. Current catches of 1 to 2-pound fish are common, with the average size of one pound. Abundant standing timber, logjams, and treetops in the lake provide excellent habitat for crappie. During the spring crappie is the number one fish sought in Miller's Ferry. Crappie fishing peaks during the spawning season when the fish congregate in shallow water during April as water temperature approaches 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Crappie fishing peaks again in October and November. In the fall, crappie can be found in sloughs around fallen trees and brush tops. Live shiners and "tuffy" minnows are the preferred crappie bait, but anglers with small jigs can also be successful. Some of the hot spots for crappie are Shell Creek, Gee's Bend, Chilatchee Creek, Bogue Chitto Creek, and Pine Barren Creek. Excellent bass fishing is also found on Lake Dannelly. A once closely held secret by local fisherman is no longer such a secret anymore. Over the past several years numerous regional outdoors publications have touted Lake Dannelly's waters as a prime destination for bass fishermen. The lake is known for producing large numbers of bass in the 2 to 4-pound range, including the occasional "lunker." April, May, and June are the favorite months for bass fishing, with November the best time in the fall. Underwater structures are easy to locate and usually hold fish. Standing timber, numerous creeks, and 516 miles of shoreline provide excellent habitat for largemouth bass. During spring the main reservoir is usually muddy until mid-May, so most anglers fish the treetops and logjams in the backwaters and creeks where the water stays fairly clear. Normally, water level fluctuation is minimal, even during periods of heavy flow. In June, the bass move into deeper water where they are taken along drop-offs, ledges, creek channels, and points at depths of 15 to 30 feet. For anglers willing to fish in early morning, top-water lures are productive around weed beds before the sun gets too high. Below Miller's Ferry Dam, anglers enjoy what may be the best tailwater fishing in southwest Alabama. Abundant populations of blue and channel catfish are found in the tailwater. Below the dam, most serious catfishermen use cut shad for bait. Tailwater fishing is best during May and June but excellent catches of catfish and other species are taken in the tailwaters year-round. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has provided a fishing deck below the dam for access to the tailwater.
Hold on tight to your rod when fishing in Miller's Ferry because your next strike may be a big striped bass or hybrid. The game and Fish Division's Fisheries Section annually stocks striped bass and hybrids into the reservoir. They are excellent big game fish because they can attain sizes in excess of 20 pounds.
From late March to June, striped bass migrate upstream and can be caught below Jones Bluff and Miller's Ferry Dams. In summer, striped bass seek cooler waters flowing into the reservoir from spring-fed creeks. Look for these areas during the hot months. Hybrid striped bass can usually be found feeding on schools of small shad in open water. Numerous boat ramps on Miller's Ferry provide easy access for anglers. At least 14 private and public boat ramps are scattered around the reservoir from Camden to Selma. Ramps are in good repair, so you should have no trouble launching a boat. There are also plenty of areas for bank anglers. Overnight camping facilities can also be found at many of the launching facilities including East Bank Park (near the Dam) and Roland Cooper State Park (5 miles north of Camden.)
by William H. Tucker & Joseph H. Addison Fisheries Biologist Game & Fish Division


Roland Cooper State Park, located six miles northeast of Camden features spacious vacation cottages; modern campground with bathhouse, laundry and campstore; and a scenic picnic area with tables, grills, pavilions and comfort station. With fishing so popular in the reservoir, the park also provides boat launching facilities and bait & tackle amenities.

Roland Cooper State Park also features a nine-hole golf course with clubhouse.