The North Alabama Catfish Trail Will Debut
in January 2022
The new trail responds to angler worries of not having a trail close to home to compete in.
Led by Lisa Gail Haraway, the North Alabama Catfish Trail (NACT) will make its debut on January 29, 2022, on Wheeler Lake out of Joe Wheeler State Park with 9 North Alabama events to follow.
The series will operate as an American Catfishing Association (ACA) affiliated Division 3 event. The association with ACA makes member anglers eligible to compete and enjoy the challenge of fishing against anglers in other areas of the country. As anglers who participate in the ACA points race, they become eligible for thousands of dollars in cash and prizes, including the chance to win a new SeaArk boat.
The new trail has set its inaugural season to provide anglers with 10 opportunities to compete in Northern Alabama on the Tennessee River. The locations include Wheeler Lake, Wilson Lake, Pickwick Lake, and Guntersville Lake with 2 nighttime tournaments in the mix (see schedule below).
Encouraged by anglers, and noting adjustments made to local trails that reduced the number of events in Northern Alabama, Lisa decided to respond. Now, anglers who were worried that they would not have a trail close to home for them to fish can curb their worries. It all added up to a situation that fit well with Lisa’s long-time dream of being involved directly with a tournament trail.
“I have been wanting to be a tournament director or at least helping on that level for a while,” revealed Lisa. “The opportunity just opened up and anglers gave me the inspiration to follow my dream. I have many anglers backing me and I definitely have the drive to do this. So I decided this was my time to follow my dream and give back to the anglers.”
Having thought about the possibility for some time, Lisa has a good idea of what she wants to accomplish as a new tournament director. Mainly she wants to see the trail grow. She plans to inspire growth by proving to the anglers that she is committed to the trail as a way to contribute to the growth of the sport.
“In my first year as a director I want to run a tournament trail that everyone feels welcomed at,” explained Lisa. “I want the anglers to come out, have a great time fishing, and at the same time I want to promote the sport of catfishing.”
Her more specific goals include promoting Catch-Photo-Release (CPR), proper and safe fish handling, and conservation of the resource. She also plans to promote catfishing in general by recognizing youth and lady anglers at each event in a family-friendly atmosphere.
“The trail will also have a points race,” informed Lisa. “I am planning to have plenty of prizes and opportunities for the anglers that help them enjoy fishing the trail.”
2022 Schedule
Of the 10 scheduled ACA Division 3 events, 8 are daytime events and 2 are nighttime events. Fishing times for the day events are 7:00 am to 4:00 pm with anglers checking in at the scales by 4:30 pm. Fishing times for the night events are 5:00 pm to 1:00 am. Anglers are required to be back at the weigh-in by 1:30 am for the night events.
January 29—Wheeler, 1st Creek 
February 26—Wilson, Safety Harbor
March 26—Wheeler, 1st creek
April 23—Wilson, Safety Harbor
May 28—Guntersville, Stevenson
June 25—Wilson, Safety Harbor (NIGHT TOURNAMENT)
August 27—Wheeler, 1st creek (NIGHT TOURNAMENT)
September—24 Pickwick, Riverfront Park
October—22 Wheeler, 1st creek
November—19 Wilson, Safety Harbor
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For more information about the North Alabama Catfish Trail and sponsorship opportunities contact Lisa Haraway at 256-263-2085 or by email at lisaharaway@gmail.com.
