Chambers Public Fishing Lake

CHAMBERS COUNTY STATE PUBLIC FISHING LAKE, near Lafayette, Alabama Lou Howell, Manager 1145 County Road 292 Lafayette, AL 36862 (334) 864-8145

Chambers County Lake is a 183-acre lake located 5 miles southeast of Lafayette on Chambers County Road 83.

Directions: From Lafayette at the intersection with US Hwy. 431, take Alabama Highway 50 east 3/4 mile, then right on County Road 83 for 4 miles, then right on County Road 292 to Chambers County Lake.

Lake is open Sunrise to Sunset as follows:
February 1 to June 30: open 6 days a week, closed on Tuesday.
July 1 to November 30: open 5 days a week, closed on Tuesday and Wednesday.
December 1 - January 31: closed.
Call the manager at (334) 864-8145 to verify the schedule before making the trip.

Fishing: Bass fishing good year-round, with the biggest usually caught from February through April when they are near the bank. Bluegill and redear sunfish are caught by bank and boat anglers from spring through summer. Catfish are caught year-round, but the summer months are best. Crappie fishing is best in February and March.

Facilities: Clean public restrooms and concessions are available, including a wide variety of fishing tackle, live and artificial baits, and other fishing supplies, as well as drinks and refreshments. An accessible fishing pier makes it easy to reach deeper water without using a boat. Fish attractors have been added around the lake. Boats are also available for rent; a launching ramp is available for anglers with their own boats. Boats may have an outboard motor attached, and anglers may use the outboard motor at trolling speeds (no wake). Picnic pavilions are available; contact the lake manager.

Regulations (partial list; complete regulations are available in the current regulation book and the "Alabama Game, Fish, and Wildlife Law Book"):

(1) Any person 12 years old or older must have a valid daily fishing permit in possession to fish. No child younger than 12 years old can legally be left unaccompanied by an adult.

(2) The daily creel, possession and size limits for each species are posted at the lake.

(3) Fishing is limited to daylight hours, or as specified by the lake manager.

(4) Swimming and wading are not allowed.

(5) Fish taken from the lake must be carried to the lake manager, who will count and weigh them.

(6) No method other than hook and line with natural or artificial bait may be used to take fish from a State Lake. Taking, or attempting to take, fish by any other means is not allowed, including but not limited to: snagging, snatching, trot lines, set hooks, limb lines, jug fishing, spear, or bow and arrow.

(7) Anyone launching a boat at a State Lake must have a valid launch permit and fishing permit.

(8) State fishing license requirements are in effect and fishing licenses may be purchased at State Public Fishing Lakes.

(9) A person fishing shall upon demand exhibit his catch, fishing permit, and fishing license to any Conservation Officer, concessionaire, or other agent or employee of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for inspection.

(10) No species of fish shall be stocked in the state-owned public fishing lakes. Live minnows used for bait shall be limited to goldfish minnows (Indiana minnows); golden shiners (shiners) and fathead minnows (toughies or tuffies) and no minnow, either dead or alive, shall be released from a minnow bucket or other method.

This information is subject to change without notice. Additional information and rules about the lakes are available from the lake manager, the Alabama Fisheries Section at (334) 242-3471, or Jack Turner. The Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries intensively manages the 23 state lakes totaling 1,912 acres.