Alabama is rich in lakes, reservoirs, and waterways where residents and visitors can enjoy fishing, boating, bird watching, and many other outdoor activities. However, there are some areas in the state where residents cannot or may not have access to water.
Due to the lack of access to subsistence fishing, especially in rural counties, Alabama was established in the 1940s and '50s to serve people who needed these lakes for recreational opportunities and water sources. The State Public Fishing Lakes (PFL) program was created. To provide your family with healthy protein.
The Alabama Department of Conservation and Conservation (ADCNR) Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) manages 23 PFLs in 20 counties across the state. These areas do not have easy access to many large lakes, rivers, and reservoirs.
WFF-operated lakes range in size from 13 acres to 184 acres, with a total surface area of 1,912 acres and offer numerous recreational opportunities.
“The State Fishing Lakes Program was established after the Great Depression and World War II to provide a place for people to fish and provide food for their families, as well as the pleasure of sitting on a lakeshore and enjoying the outdoors with family and friends. ” said Chris Blankenship, director of the Department of Conservation. “PFLs have been very popular for fishing for many years, but there is now significant interest in expanding recreational opportunities at these properties.
“Through partnerships with cities, counties, and local foundations, walking trails, archery parks, birding platforms, paddling opportunities, and small gathering facilities are being added. will really expand. But many of the lakes have been used for decades and are in need of love and care. Over the next three years, we will build flood control structures, fishing piers, We are working to replace the boat ramp and perform maintenance on the dam. We are working with the Legislature and the Governor's Office to support some of this vital work.”
Some of the PFLs were built more than 75 years ago, meaning many older lakes are past their required maintenance dates.
“Many of these lakes were built in the late 1940s, ’50s and ’60s,” said Matt Marshall, WFF Fisheries Division Chief. “The newest ones, Escambia County Lakes, were built in the '80s. The earliest ones were built with wooden drainage structures and had a lifespan of 25 years. That means we're looking forward to more than 70 years. We've done everything we can, but it's very expensive. There are 23 different lakes around the state that would benefit if they existed for another 75 years.”
Mr Marshall said partnerships with local authorities were being formed to carry out additional work on some lakes.
“We are partnering with the city of Troy in Lake Pike County on concession buildings and multi-room facilities,” he said. “We partner with Dale County Lake of the Ozarks and Coffee County Lake of Elba and Coffee County to operate these lakes. Hamilton is interested in helping operate Marion County Lake, which is currently closed. is showing.”
Marshall said major work will be needed to reopen the Marion County lake.
“We have trees that are 40 to 50 years old at the dams on Marion County lakes,” he says. “In the 1960s, they raised the water level in the lake by three feet and submerged the drainage tower. There is also a sedimentation pond with corrugated pipes, which also probably have a useful life of 25 years. Inspection. Everything that needed to be done.”
The lake is managed to provide sustainable, high-quality fishing for numerous fish species, including largemouth bass, bluegill, and red sunfish. During the winter, each lake is stocked with channel catfish of catchable size. Many lakes offer crappie fishing opportunities, and some are home to hybrid striped bass.
Marshall said PFL provides an important recreational opportunity in rural areas where travel to Alabama's large lakes, reservoirs and rivers is difficult.
“Many of the counties that have lakes may not have large populations, but they serve an important purpose,” Marshall said. “The lake is one of the few, if not the only, public water source. It's important not just for fishing, but for the people who use it. People come to the lake for picnics, walks, bird watching, etc. Masu.
“Currently, anglers fund dam repairs and other work through license sales and the Sportfish Restoration Fund. But the benefits go beyond just the anglers. The lake benefits the entire community. It brings.”
Marshall said PFL typically sees more than 100,000 anglers a year, not to mention people who visit the lake for other activities. He said the number of pedestrians on DeKalb County lakes is probably three times the number of anglers.
WFF's Jonathan Brown, who took over as PFL program manager in 2020, said the county's lakes are essential to the community.
“Anytime we have to close a lake for maintenance or change of management, we get calls from the public and are reminded of the importance of these natural resources,” Brown said. “Many of these people depend on the lakes to put consistent food on their tables. Many of these lakes have people fishing on a daily basis. Many of these communities have no private ponds. There is no place to find these natural resources. These lakes are very important to rural communities.”
Many lakes offer additional outdoor recreation opportunities. Pike County Lake in Troy, Dale County Lake near Ozark, and Walker County Lake in Jasper have archery parks and trails on their lakes. Walker County Lake also has a bird watching tower. At Barbour County Lakes, the Fisheries Division is working with the Wildlife Division to enhance habitat for both fishing and waterfowl hunting in the future.
“Every lake has birdwatchers,” Marshall said. “There's a lot of shade, so people who live or work nearby come over for lunch or picnics. There's a small campground in DeKalb.
“People will come out and take their high school photos or their engagement photos. We've had weddings on some of the lakes. The real benefit goes beyond just anglers. This is great for everyone. It is a public resource.”
Brown said six PFLs are currently closed for a variety of reasons, ranging from dam work and renovations including drainage and water supply to the absence of the lake manager, who is a private contractor. However, WFF is trying a new strategy of opening some PFLs without a lake manager.
“We just opened the Monroe County Public Fishing Lake without an on-site manager,” Brown said. “Washington and Fayette's PFL has adopted the same approach as Monroe and may continue to do so. All anglers who wish to use these lakes should contact their county probate office or license vendor. You can go. www.outdooralabama.com and purchase daily or annual permits for those lakes. Business hours will remain as usual. ”
visit www.OutdoorAlabama.com/
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