Most lakes return to regular hours on February 1
Most of Alabama’s 23 State-owned Public Fishing Lakes return to regular operational hours on Saturday, February 1, 2025. Located throughout the state, these lakes are noted for their quality fishing for bream, largemouth bass, channel catfish and crappie (in most lakes). Because these smaller lakes warm more quickly than larger bodies of water, early spring fishing can be excellent.
“Many state lakes have been renovated in recent years and some lakes are closed for repairs and restocking,” said Jonathan Brown, State Lakes Supervisor for the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) Division of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR). “Improvements will continue throughout our public fishing lake system in 2025. We encourage all Alabamians to visit one of these lakes this year and share that experience with family and friends.”
Changes coming to ADCNR’s State Public Fishing Lakes for 2025 include an operational change during the summer months and a price change for daily fishing permits and boat rentals.
To allow the lake managers more time to perform grounds maintenance and restock concessions, ADCNR has approved an additional closed day for the lakes from July 1 through October 31. All State Public Fishing Lakes will remain open Thursday through Sunday each week. The extra closed day is at the discretion of the lake manager but will take place between Monday and Wednesday. Anglers should call their district fisheries office or the individual lakes for the operational schedule when planning their fishing trip.
Also new for 2025, the price of fishing permits for the lakes will increase from $3 to $5, and the price of boat rentals will increase from $5 to $10. There is no longer a fee for launching angler-owned fishing boats. Fishing licenses and permits are available from license agents located throughout the state, online at www.outdooralabama.com, through the Outdoor AL mobile app, at local county probate offices or by phone at (888) 848-6887. Processing and convenience fees may apply.
Barbour, Coffee, Crenshaw, Escambia, Marion and Washington county lakes are currently closed for renovations. Bibb County Lake is expected to reopen sometime during the spring of 2025 under the operation of a new lake manager. Chambers County Lake was recently renovated and will reopen on February 1, 2025.
The WFF Fisheries Section carefully stocks and manages the lakes for optimum fishing. The lakes are also fertilized to maximize fish production and fishing piers allow anglers easy access to deeper water. In addition to traditional freshwater game species such as largemouth bass and crappie, WFF also stocks rainbow trout in select lakes.
In addition to fishing, some state fishing lakes offer additional outdoor recreational opportunities. Pike County Lake in Troy, Dale County Lake in Ozark and Walker County Lake in Jasper feature community archery parks and walking trails that are open to the public year-round. Walker County Lake also features a birdwatching tower.
For more information, contact your local WFF Fisheries Section District Office: District 1 in Tanner, (256) 353-2634; District 2 in Eastaboga, (256) 831-6860; District 3 in Northport, (205) 339-5716; District 4 in Enterprise, (334) 347-9467; District 5 in Spanish Fort, (251) 626-5153. A complete list of Alabama’s state lakes can be found in the fishing section of the ADCNR website, www.outdooralabama.com.
ADCNR promotes wise stewardship, management and enjoyment of Alabama’s natural resources through four divisions: Marine Resources, State Parks, State Lands, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. Learn more at www.outdooralabama.com.
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