Quick facts about Lake Eufaula:

•  The lakes official name: Walter F. George Lake; commonly called Lake Eufaula in Alabama.  
• Location: On the Chattahoochee River along the Alabama–Georgia border
• Surface area: ~45,181 acres.  
• Length / shoreline: extends roughly 85 miles with about 640 miles of shoreline at pool elevation.  
• Managed by: United States Army Corps of Engineers (Walter F. George Dam/lock).  

Why Eufaula is called the “Big Bass Capital of the World”

Eufaula has a long bass-fishing legacy — local anglers, guides, and tournament history helped brand the town as the “Big Bass Capital of the World.” That nickname grew from decades of trophy bass catches, local promotion, and increasingly prominent tournaments; the town even installed a large “Manny” bass statue to celebrate the identity. Major fishing organizations (B.A.S.S., Major League Fishing) and local tourism leaders regularly highlight Eufaula’s reputation. 

Fishing: species, quality & management

• Primary species: largemouth bass (noted for producing big fish), along with crappie and catfish. The lake is widely regarded as a top destination for anglers after largemouth “lunkers.”  
• Fisheries work and local conservation (catch-and-release culture promoted by influential local anglers) contributed to maintaining a strong bass fishery.  

Tournaments & angling economy

• Tournament history: organized bass tournaments have been held on the lake for decades (records and coverage show tournaments dating back to the late 1960s), and Lake Eufaula is a frequent stop for professional and big-event circuits (coverage by Major League Fishing and Bass publications documents recurring pro-level events).  
• Economic impact (recent study highlights): an Auburn University analysis (2017 data) estimated $14.6 million in angler expenditures on and around Lake Eufaula for that year, with more than $10 million attributed to bass-related activity. Tournament and visiting anglers are important spenders — tournament anglers can spend nearly $500 per angler per day, while the average angler visit expenditure was estimated at ~$435 per visit ($189 per angler-day). A combined estimate of angling consumer surplus plus expenditures produced a larger annual recreational value in the Auburn study.  

Recreation & visitor amenities

• State and federal recreation areas and parks along the lake include Lakepoint State Park (AL), Eufaula National Wildlife Refuge, and several Corps-managed ramp and camping areas — making the lake accessible for boat anglers, bank fishermen, and family recreation.  
• Nearby towns (Eufaula, Fort Gaines, Georgetown, Abbeville) provide lodging, bait & tackle shops, guide services, and tournament-support businesses. Major events bring anglers and spectators who use local hotels, restaurants, and services.  

Conservation & management

• The reservoir is primarily controlled by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; fisheries habitat and angler success benefit from state and local management efforts and angler stewardship programs. Visitors should follow state fishing regulations and best-practice conservation measures (clean, drain, dry boats; follow size/creel limits; support catch-and-release where appropriate).  

Visitor tips

• Best access & services: launch ramps and marina services cluster near Eufaula and Lakepoint State Park. Book lodging early when tournaments are scheduled. (Backwater Cabins is a great budget friendly option!)
• Tournaments: if you plan to fish during a tournament weekend, expect heavier boat traffic and local ramp congestion; conversely, tournament weeks are a great time to see pro anglers and local festivities. Check Major League Fishing, Bassmaster, and local tournament calendars for event dates.  

Annual Tournaments and events on lake eufaula:

Here is a list of just some of the regularly occurring fishing events that occur on lake eufaula

Alabama Bass Trail Tournament Series (ABT)

ABT 100 Series (a higher level event under the Alabama Bass Trail umbrella)

Major League Fishing Tackle Warehouse Invitationals (MLF Invitational stop)

Phoenix Bass Fishing League Regional Tournament (BFL Regional)

American Bass Anglers Professional League (South-division, etc.)

Some smaller events include:

Lakepoint Fishing Tournament

Annual Kids Fishing Rodeo

Eufaula Team Trail

Abu Garcia College Fishing

Hummingbird Big Bass Classic

Lake Eufaula (Walter F. George Lake) is a large, historically important reservoir on the Chattahoochee River known regionally and nationally for producing trophy largemouth bass. Its combination of lake size, shoreline complexity, decades of tournament history, and a measurable economic contribution from anglers has earned Eufaula the widely used title “Big Bass Capital of the World.” 

Primary sources & further reading

• Outdoor Alabama — Lake Eufaula (reservoir overview).  
• Walter F. George (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers pertinent data).  
• Auburn University — Economic Value of Recreational Fishing on Walter F. George (Lake Eufaula) (Plauger / Hanson).  
• Bassmaster & Major League Fishing feature stories about Eufaula’s bass history and tournament role.