By DAVID RAINER, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Alabama is blessed with an abundance of lakes, reservoirs and waterways for residents and visitors to enjoy for fishing, boating, birdwatching and many other outdoor activities. However, several pockets exist in the state that are not close or convenient for residents to get to the water.
That lack of access for subsistence fishing, especially in our rural counties, led to the creation of the Alabama State Public Fishing Lakes (PFLs) program in the 1940’s and ’50s to serve those people who needed these lakes for recreational opportunities and as a source to provide healthy protein for their families.
The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ (ADCNR) Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) Division manages 23 PFLs in 20 counties throughout the state in those areas where easy access doesn’t exist to the numerous larger lakes, rivers and reservoirs.
The WFF-operated lakes range in size from 13 to 184 acres for a total of 1,912 surface acres and provide numerous recreational opportunities.
“The State Fishing Lakes Program was created after the Great Depression and World War II to provide places where people could fish and provide food for their families, as well as enjoy the pleasures of sitting on a lake bank enjoying the outdoors with family and friends,” said Conservation Commissioner Chris Blankenship. “The PFLs have been very popular over the years for fishing, but now we are seeing great interest in expanding the recreational opportunities at these facilities.
“Walking trails, archery parks, birdwatching platforms, paddling opportunities and small meeting facilities are being added through partnerships with cities, counties and local foundations. This has been great and really expands the use of these locations! However, many of the lakes are in need of some love and care after being in service for many decades. We are working to replace water control structures, fishing piers, boat ramps and performing dam maintenance on several lakes over the next three years. We are working with the legislature and the Governor’s Office to help with some of this vitally important work.”
Several of the PFLs were built more than 75 years ago, which means numerous older lakes are overdue for needed maintenance.
“A lot of these lakes were built in the late ’40s and ’50s and ’60s,” said Matt Marshall, Assistant Chief of the WFF Fisheries Section. “The latest one, Escambia County Lake, was built in the ’80s. The earliest ones were built with wooden drain structures with a 25-year lifespan. So, we’re 70-plus years out. We’ve done what we can, but it’s very expensive. There are 23 different lakes around the state, and it would be beneficial if those lakes are around for another 75 years.”
Marshall said partnerships have been formed with local municipalities to get some additional work done at several lakes.
“We’re partnering with the City of Troy at Pike County Lake on a concession building and a multiroom facility,” he said. “We’ve partnered with Ozark at Dale County Lake and Elba and Coffee County at Coffee County Lake to run those lakes. Hamilton has shown interest in helping operate Marion County Lake, which is currently closed.”