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Pickwick Lake, Alabama, Mississippi & Tennessee USA

Also known as:  Pickwick Reservoir

Pickwick Lake is a 43,100-acre reservoir created by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) with construction of Pickwick Landing Dam across the Tennessee River. Construction of Pickwick Lake reservoir took four years to complete, from 1934 to 1938. Pickwick Reservoir stretches out over 53 miles, from Pickwick Landing Dam in Tennessee, into Mississippi, ending at the Wilson Dam in Alabama. Although Pickwick Lake’s primary purposes are navigation, flood…
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    • All About Pickwick Lake, AL/MS/TN

    Lake Locations: USA - US South Region - Alabama - Mountains Region, AL - Mississippi - Hills Region, MS - Tennessee - West Tennessee -

    Pickwick Lake is a 43,100-acre reservoir created by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) with construction of Pickwick Landing Dam across the Tennessee River. Construction of Pickwick Lake reservoir took four years to complete, from 1934 to 1938. Pickwick Reservoir stretches out over 53 miles, from Pickwick Landing Dam in Tennessee, into Mississippi, ending at the Wilson Dam in Alabama. Although Pickwick Lake’s primary purposes are navigation, flood control, and hydropower generation, it also provides recreational opportunities for residents and visitors alike. Pickwick Reservoir’s shoreline is dotted with upscale residential development.

    The origin of the Pickwick name dates back to the mid-1800s when the first local postmaster, a fan of Charles Dickens, named the post office “Pickwick”, in honor of the Pickwick Papers. Today, Pickwick Lake boasts more than 496 miles of shoreline, including about 85 miles of island shoreline. Normal summer pool is 414 feet above sea level. The TVA draws down the water level to about 410 feet in winter, in anticipation of snow melt and rain in the spring.

    If you’re an avid angler, Pickwick Lake is an ideal vacation destination. Fishing largely centers on largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and catfish. Prize-winning specimens of each have been taken here. Crappie and sauger also grow to impressive size.

    Anglers aren’t the only ones who take advantage of Pickwick Lake. Boaters love the open waters and use Pickwick Reservoir’s numerous boat ramps to launch their boats. Boat rentals, including ski boats, pontoon boats, houseboats, and jet skis, are available at marinas around Pickwick Lake. At 43,100 acres, Pickwick Reservoir offers countless nooks and crannies to be explored. Don’t hesitate to take advantage of long, warm afternoons in the Alabama and Tennessee sun.

    Water skiing and tubing will get your blood flowing and your adrenaline pumping. Ski, jump some wakes, and let the breeze in your hair exhilarate you before you enjoy Pickwick Reservoir’s cool waters. If water skiing isn’t your game, tie a tube to the back of your boat and bump along the lake’s small waves, enjoying one of the most fun, yet simple, water sports that exists.

    Locks at either end of Pickwick Lake handle boat traffic. The Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway (called the Tenn-Tom) begins at Pickwick Lake, providing boating and sailing enthusiasts with a 234-mile waterway to the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico.

    For camping enthusiasts, the TVA operates the Pickwick Dam Tailwater Campground near Counce, Tennessee. This self-service campground offers 95 campsites, about 70% with water and electric hookups, plus restrooms with heated showers, a boat ramp, and tailwater bank fishing.

    Pickwick Lake State Park is located south of the Pickwick Dam in Tennessee. This 1,400-acre park offers a marina, golf course, fishing, swimming, picnicking, and a 2.8 mile hiking trail to enjoy the local flora and fauna. Park accommodations include a conference center, an inn with restaurant, cabins, and camping.

    The National Park Service operates the Shiloh National Military Park in Shiloh, Tennessee, 15 miles from Pickwick Lake State Park. Shiloh includes the Civil War battlefield, the Shiloh National Cemetery, and the Shiloh Indian Mound.

    After a day exploring Pickwick Lake and the surrounding area, slow your pace to enjoy sapphire skies, emerald green scenery, and the sun setting on the horizon. Pickwick Lake provides unadulterated relaxation.

    Things to Do at Pickwick Lake

    These are some activities in the Pickwick Lake, AL/MS/TN area visitors can enjoy:

    • Vacation Rentals
    • Fishing
    • Boating
    • Sailing
    • Swimming
    • Jet Skiing
    • Water Skiing
    • Tubing
    • Golf
    • Camping
    • Campground
    • Picnicking
    • Cabin Rentals
    • Hiking
    • State Park
    • National Park

    What Kind of Fish Are in Pickwick Lake?

    Pickwick Lake has been known to have the following fish species:

    • Bass
    • Black Bass
    • Catfish
    • Crappie
    • Largemouth Bass
    • Perch
    • Sauger
    • Smallmouth Bass
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    Find Places to Stay at Pickwick Lake

    If you’re considering a Pickwick Lake lake house rental or hotel, we’ve made it super easy to find the best rates and compare vacation accommodations at a glance. Save time using this interactive map below.

    Note: These are affiliate links and we may earn a small commission if you click and make a purchase. Read our full disclosure policy here.

    More Sites to Book a Pickwick Lake Vacation

    Our interactive Pickwick Lake lodging map above is an easy tool for comparing VRBO rental homes and nearby hotels with Booking.com, but there could be times when you need to expand your search for different types of accommodations. Here are some other lake lodging partners we recommend:

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    Pickwick Lake Statistics & Helpful Links

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    Lake Type: Artificial Reservoir, Dammed

    Water Level Control: Tennessee Valley Authority

    Surface Area: 43,100 acres

    Shoreline Length: 496 miles

    Normal Elevation (Full Pond): 414 feet

    Minimum Elevation (Min Pond): 419 feet

    Maximum Elevation (Max Pond): 407 feet

    Average Depth: 15 feet

    Maximum Depth: 59 feet

    Water Volume: 492,700 acre-feet

    Completion Year: 1938

    Drainage Area: 32,820 sq. miles

    Trophic State: Meso-eutrophic

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    Lake Water Level
    Local Weather Forecast

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