The whole lake is shallow. Not dangerously shallow, it's just not a deep lake. Wind is your enemy on Guntersville. Especially down south on the "big water." It's not what I would consider to be a dangerous lake. If/when you run up river, just stay in the channel. It's well marked. You don't have to stay in the channel all the time, but that's the safest plan. I wouldn't drive to Bama and not fish both the Sauty creeks while you're here.