Written by Atlas Editorial · Last updated
Below R.L. Harris Dam, from Wadley and Malone down to Horseshoe Bend, the Tallapoosa River is a genuine riverine section — high-gradient bedrock and boulder shoals alternating with silt-substrate runs, with flow swinging up to 4 feet in stage from hydropeaking releases. Its real hook is rarity: the Tallapoosa Bass (Micropterus tallapoosae), described in 2013, is endemic only to the Tallapoosa drainage and found nowhere else on Earth.
Tallapoosa River — free-flowing reach below R.L. Harris Dam
Below R.L. Harris Dam (Wadley / Malone to Horseshoe Bend)
A genuine riverine section below Harris Reservoir — high-gradient bedrock and boulder shoals alternating with silt-substrate runs. The named shoal complex Irwin Shoals sits within this reach. Flow swings up to 4 feet in stage from hydropeaking releases; the favorable float range is roughly 1,500-10,000 cfs.
Species on this reach
Endemic only to the Tallapoosa drainage, described in 2013, and found nowhere else on Earth — the strongest hook for this river. Prime season runs March through October.
Present alongside the Tallapoosa Bass in this reach.
Present in this reach.
Run below Irwin Shoals from March through early April.
Access points
- Bibby's Ferry Access — Near Wadley.
- Germany's Ferry Access — Near Daviston.
- Horseshoe Bend Access — Near Dadeville.
- Peters Island Access — Near Daviston.
- Jay Bird Creek Access — Near Jacksons Gap, at the head of Lake Martin.
- Miller Bridge Boat Ramp — NPS ramp inside Horseshoe Bend National Military Park.
Seasonal notes
Prime season runs March through October. White bass and striped bass run below Irwin Shoals from March through early April. R.L. Harris Dam hydropeaking releases typically run 4-6 hours a day, once or twice on weekdays — check the release schedule before floating.
No reach-specific rule; the standard statewide 10-fish daily aggregate black bass limit (max 5 smallmouth) applies. See /regulations/ for the full statewide creel and size-limit table.
Always verify current statewide and lake-specific rules at /regulations/ before fishing.
Fishing regulations, generation schedules, and water conditions change. Alabama Fishing Atlas provides informational content only. Verify all regulations with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources before fishing, keeping any fish, or launching watercraft. We are not liable for decisions made based on information published here. Full disclaimer →
Data sources
- outdooralabama.com/rivers-and-mobile-delta/tallapoosa-river
- outdooralabama.com/fishing/freshwater-fishing-creel-and-size-limits
- nps.gov/hobe/planyourvisit/outdooractivities.htm
- aces.edu Harold Banks Canoe Trail
- fws.gov/species/tallapoosa-bass-micropterus-tallapoosae
- apcshorelines.com/lake/harris
Data last reviewed: 2026-07-01