Washington County Public Fishing Lake

WASHINGTON COUNTY STATE PUBLIC FISHING LAKE, near Millry, Alabama Kay Buie, Manager 809 State Lake Road MILLRY, AL 36558 (251) 846-2512

Washington County Lake is a 84 acre lake located 2 miles west of Millry, Alabama.

Directions: From Chatom take Alabama Hwy. 17 north to Millry, then left on Healing Springs Ave. for 1-3/4 miles, then left on State Lake Road for 3/4 miles to Washington County Lake.

ALL INFORMATION SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE.
Washington County Lake is normally open Sunrise to Sunset as follows:
May 26, 2006 – July 4: Open six days a week, closed on Monday except Memorial Day and July 4.
July 5 - November 30: Open 5 days a week, closed on Monday and Tuesday.
December 1 – January 31: The lake is closed.
But call the manager at (251) 846-2512 to verify the schedule before making the trip.

Fishing: Bass fishing good year-round, with the biggest usually caught from the middle of January through the middle of March when they are near the bank. Bluegill and shellcracker (redear sunfish) are caught by bank and boat anglers from spring through summer. Catfish are caught year-round, but the summer and fall months are best.

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, but anglers may not use the outboard motor, only the trolling motor. 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.