Alabama's State Public Fishing Lakes

Date Published: January 8, 2001

The Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fish of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources manages 23 public lakes in 20 counties throughout the State. These lakes range in size from 13 to 184 acres for a total of 1,912 surface acres, including the newly renovated and reopened Monroe County Lake.

All lakes were originally stocked with largemouth bass, bluegill, and redear sunfish (shellcracker). Bass fishing is good year round. Bluegill and redear sunfish are abundant and easily caught by bank and boat anglers from late spring through early fall. Crappie are also present in several lakes, and are caught primarily in March, April and May.

Channel catfish are stocked annually at all sites, and are most easily caught from late spring through summer. Hybrid striped bass and rainbow trout are also stocked in designated lakes.

Anglers 12 years and older must purchase a $2.00 daily fishing permit. At Pike County Lake, fishing permits are $2.50, and anglers 65 and older may fish at no charge. At all lakes, boats may be rented for $3.00, or launched for $2.00. Fishing licenses, fish bait and other fishing gear may also be purchased at the lake.

Although some lakes are open year round, most lakes are in operation from the first of February through the end of November. The lakes operate from daylight until dark. The location of the lakes, the names of each lake's resident lake manager, and the managers’ telephone number are listed below:

For more information on Alabama's public fishing lakes, contact the Alabama Fisheries Section by telephone at (334) 242-3471, by mail to Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, 64 North Union St., Montgomery, AL 36130, or on the Web.