Most of Alabama's public fishing lakes will return to normal operating hours starting in February, the state said.

Jonathan Brown, State Lake Superintendent for the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF), shared new information regarding this change.

“Many state lakes have undergone renovations and management changes over the past year,” Brown said. “Some lakes will open later this month or remain closed for repairs and restocking. Anglers should contact their district fisheries office or each lake for operating schedules when planning a fishing trip.” .”

Madison County Public Fishing Lake will open on February 1st and Walker County Public Fishing Lake will open on February 15th.

Most state fishing lakes offer boat rentals ($5) and private fishing boat launches ($3). A daily permit and a state fishing license are required to fish the lake. Anglers can fish from piers, levees, rental boats, and personal boats.

Alabama's public fishing lakes are known for a variety of fish species, including snapper, largemouth bass, channel catfish, crappie, and in some places, rainbow trout. Because Alabama's public fishing lakes are small bodies of water, they warm up much faster than larger bodies of water, allowing for excellent early spring fishing.

Austin Shipley is a staff writer at Yellowhammer News.