Lee County Public Fishing Lake

LEE COUNTY STATE PUBLIC FISHING LAKE, near Opelika, Alabama Lake is closed until June of 2013. 334-242-3471 Video on the work being done. Go to Chambers County Lake or Barbour County Lake instead.

Lee County Lake is a 130 acre lake located 6 miles southeast of Opelika (or 9 miles east Auburn).

Directions: From Opelika, take I-85 to exit 60, turn left on Highway 51 go south 4 miles, to Lee Road 146 at the 4-way stop turn left for 3 miles and see Lee County Lake on the right. From Auburn: Moore's Mill Road (Lee Road 146) 9 miles from I-85, Lee County Lake on the right. From Columbus GA & Phenix City: Highway 80 to Crawford, turn right on 169 go 9 miles (Depress Motor Co.), turn left on Lee Road 146, 1-1/2 miles to Lee County Lake on the left. Lee County Lake is open Sunrise to Sunset as follows: Closed

Fishing: Bass fishing good year-round, with the biggest usually caught from February through April when they are near the bank. Bluegill and shellcracker (redear sunfish) are caught by bank and boat anglers from spring through summer. Catfish are caught year-round, but the summer months are best. Night fishing one day per week during June, July and August. Crappie fishing is best in February through May and August through November. No charge for fish caught. The rules of what may be kept are posted at each lake. Before fishing, check to see what types and sizes of fish may be kept.

Sixteen off-shore fish attractors made with recycled Christmas trees have been submersed and marked with a large white buoy. Four of these attractors have taller trees submersed in 15 to 20 feet of water. These deeper areas should attract crappie during certain times of the year and are located from the dam to the center of the lake. A few of the off-shore attractors are within casting distance of the bank. There are also three windrows of submersed trees within casting distance of the bank fishing areas. Each end of a windrow is marked with a small white buoy with a red top. Trees are also trees submersed under the fishing pier. These fish attractors are typically replenished with trees every January.

Facilities: Clean public restrooms and concessions are available, including a wide variety of fishing tackle, live and artificial baits, and other fishing supplies, as well as drinks and refreshments. An accessible fishing pier makes it easy to reach deeper water without using a boat. Fish attractors have been added around the lake. Boats are also available for rent; a launching ramp is available for anglers with their own boats. Boats may have an outboard motor attached, but anglers may not use the outboard motor, only the trolling motor. Camp cabins overlooking lake also available.

Regulations (partial list; complete regulations are available in the current regulation book and the "Alabama Game, Fish, and Wildlife Law Book"):

(1) Any person 12 years old or older must have a valid daily fishing permit in possession to fish. No child younger than 12 years old can legally be left unaccompanied by an adult.

(2) The daily creel, possession and size limits for each species are posted at the lake.

(3) Fishing is limited to daylight hours, or as specified by the lake manager.

(4) Swimming and wading are not allowed.

(5) Fish taken from the lake must be carried to the lake manager, who will count and weigh them.

(6) No method other than hook and line with natural or artificial bait may be used to take fish from a State Lake. Taking, or attempting to take, fish by any other means is not allowed, including but not limited to: snagging, snatching, trot lines, set hooks, limb lines, jug fishing, spear, or bow and arrow.

(7) Anyone launching a boat at a State Lake must have a valid launch permit and fishing permit.

(8) State fishing license requirements are in effect and fishing licenses may be purchased at State Public Fishing Lakes.

(9) A person fishing shall upon demand exhibit his catch, fishing permit, and fishing license to any Conservation Officer, concessionaire, or other agent or employee of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for inspection.

(10) No species of fish shall be stocked in the state-owned public fishing lakes. Live minnows used for bait shall be limited to goldfish minnows (Indiana minnows); golden shiners (shiners) and fathead minnows (toughies or tuffies) and no minnow, either dead or alive, shall be released from a minnow bucket or other method.

This information is subject to change without notice. Additional information and rules about the lakes are available from the lake manager, the Alabama Fisheries Section at (334) 242-3471, or Jack Turner. The Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries intensively manages the 23 state lakes totaling 1,912 acres.