Hatchet Creek

Hatchet Creek

Hatchet Creek begins in the Talladega National Forest in Clay County, flows through Coosa County, and eventually empties into Mitchell Reservoir on the Coosa River.  The creek drains 422 square miles, runs for approximately 40 miles, and drops over 400 feet in elevation.  The watershed is secluded and heavily forested, and offers stunning scenery to outdoor adventurists.  Rare Cahaba lilies are present in many shallow water areas of the creek and when in full bloom, are literally breathtaking.

Along its span, there are numerous shoals and whitewater areas, especially during periods of adequate rainfall.  Experienced canoeists and kayakers consider the creek to be of moderate difficulty, although some areas require skill to maneuver.  When floating the creek at flows of less than around 400 cfs, boaters should be prepared to drag their vessel over rocks and shallow flats.  Flows are typically the lowest during the summer months and highest in the late winter and early spring.

The creek offers a nice getaway for individuals or groups who wish to stay away from the more crowded whitewater creeks and rivers, although arrangements must be made without the assistance of an outfitter.  Canoe put-in and take-out locations are at: 1) County Road 4 Bridge near East Mill; 2) Highway 280 Bridge near Goodwater; 3) Highway 231 Bridge north of Rockford; 4) Highway 29 Bridge north of Kelley’s Crossroads.  In order to flow the entire length of the creek, overnight gear should be taken; however, short stretches of the creek like the portion between Highway 280 and Highway 231 can be done easily in one day.

Aquatic biodiversity in Hatchet Creek is excellent, as 61 species of fish and 12 species of snails call the creek home, including the endangered Tulatoma snail.  It offers reasonably good angling opportunities, but its popularity has lessened over the years. The primitive campground on Hatchet Creek north of Kelley’s Crossroads was once a very popular spring fishing site for white bass, as well as other species such as the southern walleye. Although these species still inhabit the creek, degradation of the creek bed by heavy siltation has severely impacted their spring spawning runs. Restoration efforts for the southern walleye are currently ongoing by Fisheries Section biologists.  The collection of walleye broodfish typically takes place during the month of February.  These fish are used by hatchery personnel for spawning and restocking purposes.  Other popular game fish that are found in flowing portions of Hatchet Creek include largemouth bass, spotted bass, redeye bass, bluegill, redear sunfish (shellcracker), longear sunfish, and redbreast sunfish.

The US Geological Survey has a gage height and estimates discharge at Rockford, Alabama.

Note: In Alabama, it is illegal to stock or move any fish, mussel, snail or crayfish to any public water without a permit.

Barrett's Fish Camp is on Lake Mitchell and can be a take-out point for Hatchet Creek paddlers.

The Fisheries Section's District Supervisor can answer specific questions about Hatchet Creek by sending mail to: Chris.Greene@dcnr.alabama.gov

Prepared by: Fisheries Section, Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. This site is presented for information only the Fisheries Section cannot be responsible for the quality of information or services offered through linked sites, disclaimer. To have your site included, send your URL, email address, or telephone number to the Fisheries Web Master, doug.darr@dcnr.alabama.gov. The Fisheries Section reserves the right to select sites based on relevant and appropriate content, of interest to our viewers. If you discover errors in the content or links of this page, please contact Doug Darr. Thank you.  

Support kids fishing, aquatic habitat improvement
and bringing back rare Alabama fish - click here