By By Chandler Myers
With spring approaching, avid outdoors enthusiasts will soon be hitting lakes, ponds, rivers and even the ocean to reel in some fish.
Fishing is always a fun, relaxing event to take in with friends and family.
It has always been one of my favorite things to do, and I plan on finding some place to get in some quality time with my fishing rod.
The Alabama Department of Conservation and Outdoor Resources recently released a press release on this year’s fishing schedule.
Here is the release:
Feb. 1 marks the return of the fishing season schedule for 22 of Alabama’s 23 State-owned public fishing lakes, commonly known as state lakes or county lakes. Madison County Lake will open Feb. 5. Noted for quality fishing for bream, largemouth bass, channel catfish, and crappie (in some lakes), these smaller lakes warm more quickly than larger waters. State lakes also provide excellent bank fishing, pier and boat fishing.
“State public fishing lakes are the ultimate family fishing destination,” said Jack Turner, State Lakes Supervisor for the Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division (WFF). “Each lake has a concession building with snacks, drinks, restrooms and fishing advice. The concessionaires have mowed areas along the banks for fishing, and children have room to play when they tire of catching fish.”
Fishing is an affordable and easily accessible recreational opportunity for all Alabamians. Each state lake, except Pike, offers boats for rent ($5) and launching of private fishing boats ($3). Essentially all work by the Fisheries Section is paid for by anglers; no General Fund money is used. A $3 daily permit is required at all lakes except Pike County Lake, and state fishing license requirements apply.
The Fisheries Section carefully stocks and manages the lakes for optimum fishing. Concessionaires fertilize the lake for maximum production. Fishing piers allow anglers to fish deeper water in a comfortable environment. According to Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Commissioner Barnett Lawley, the fishing in state lakes is exceptional. “I knew we had excellent bream fishing, but I did not realize the number of big bass caught at these lakes until I became Commissioner,” Lawley said. “Last year, anglers weighed out 176 bass over five pounds each from Alabama’s state-owned lakes.”
To ask a biologist about what types of fish and the average sizes that are caught at each lake, anglers may also call a regional office: Montgomery 334-242-3471; Spanish Fort, 251-626-5153; or Enterprise, 334-347-9467.
Chandler Myers is sports editor of the Atmore Advance. He can be reached at 368-2123 or by e-mail at sports@atmoreadvance.com.