The lake bed in 3-D: deep basin, drop-offs and shoreline. Shape estimated, not for navigation. Spot 1 (point drop-off) is open for everyone; the other 6 come with LakeScope PRO. Full screen
Lay Lake
Shelby County, Alabama · 12,000 acres (18.8 sq mi)
68°F water, calm this morning.
About Lay Lake
Lay Lake is a reservoir in Shelby County, Alabama, covering 12,000 acres. Lay Dam holds it back on the Coosa River. Lay Dam, built in 1914, was Alabama Power's first hydroelectric plant.
From end to end it runs about 14.2 miles with roughly 80 miles of shoreline. The water sits about 400 ft above sea level. The deepest water is about 88 ft. Fayetteville is about 2.2 miles northeast. Hoover, the nearest city, is about 25 miles northwest.
- Size
- 12,000 acres (18.8 sq mi)
- Deepest
- About 88 ft
- Shoreline
- About 80 miles
- End to end
- About 14.2 miles
- Elevation
- About 400 ft
- Type
- Reservoir
- Dam
- Lay Dam, Coosa River
- County
- Shelby County
The lake from above
Best fishing times
Friday Good
- 5:45 am – 8:00 amsunrise
- 3:15 pm – 4:15 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 10 mph
Saturday Good
- 5:45 am – 8:00 amsunrise · wind 0 mph
- 3:00 pm – 5:15 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 5 mph
Based on sun and moon times and the wind forecast. A guide, not a promise. The app shows the whole week.
Fish in Lay Lake
Lay Lake holds largemouth bass, spotted bass, crappie, bluegill and sunfish, striped bass and catfish. With the surface at 68°F, the notes below say which of them should be biting.
- GoodLargemouth bass
Fall feed. They chase baitfish into creeks and coves.
- GoodSpotted bass
Fall feed. They chase baitfish into creeks and coves.
- FairCrappie
Scattered after the spawn. Try docks and brush at mid depth.
- GoodBluegill and sunfish
Active around docks and weeds.
- FairStriped bass
Warming. Early-morning topwater, then they go deep.
From today's water temperature and the season. A guide, not a promise.
Fishing spots
- 1Point drop-off
The bottom falls away fast off this point; fish rest deep and move up the slope to feed.
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
6 more spots with LakeScope PRO: fish, depth band, water temperature, best time and bait for each.
Picked from the shape of the lake bed. A guide, not a promise.
Water temperature
At the surface, seen .
Water level
No daily level reading for this lake.
Weather and wind
Sunrise 6:15 am · sunset 4:45 pm · waxing crescent moon (lake time).
Towns and places to stay near Lay Lake
- Fayettevilleabout 2.2 mi northeast
- Shelbyabout 3 mi northwest
- Wilsonvilleabout 4.8 mi north
- Columbianaabout 6.8 mi northwest
- Hoovernearest city, about 25 mi northwest
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Questions about Lay Lake
What fish are in Lay Lake?
Lay Lake holds largemouth bass, spotted bass, crappie, bluegill and sunfish, striped bass and catfish. Check the state fish and wildlife agency for stocking and limits.
How deep is Lay Lake?
About 88 ft at the deepest point. The 3-D view shows where the deep water is.
How big is Lay Lake?
12,000 acres, with about 80 miles of shoreline.
What town is near Lay Lake?
Fayetteville is about 2.2 miles northeast; Shelby is about 3 miles northwest.
What is the water temperature at Lay Lake today?
The surface was about 68°F on the latest clear reading. The page updates every day.
Lay Lake on your phone
The whole week of bite times, lake alerts and the 3-D view, every morning.
