By DAVID RAINER, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Another lake in the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ (ADCNR) Public Fishing Lakes (PFLs) program is set to reopen this weekend, continuing the program’s legacy of serving communities that don’t have easy access to the waterways, impoundments and rivers in the state.
Bibb County Lake in West Blocton, Alabama, will resume operations on Saturday, April 26, under the new management of Micah and Amanda Dean. The 100-acre lake features multiple covered fishing piers, a boat ramp and restroom facilities. Bait, fishing tackle and snacks are available to purchase. A valid state fishing license and a daily fishing permit are required at all PFLs.
“We freshened up things at Bibb,” said Jonathan Brown, the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) Division biologist who oversees the operations of the PFLs. “We did some upgrades and renovations to the buildings. The creel limits will remain the same.
“Bibb is one we always have big bass pulled out of every year. If they’re not double digits, they’re close to it. We had one of our electro-fishing boats at the lake, and there were several nine-pounders. And the lake has a good crappie population.”
Chambers County Lake near Lafayette reopened on February 1 after a complete renovation of that lake. The lake was drained. The dam regraded. And a new drain tower was installed before the lake was restocked with catfish, bass and bream.
“This was a two-year process that started in 2023,” Brown said. “They are just now starting to catch catfish and bluegills.”
Bibb County Lake and Chambers County Lake are among 23 PFLs in 20 counties across the state that provide recreation and fishing opportunities, which can provide valuable protein sources for those in rural communities. For more information on the PFL program, which started after World War II, visit www.outdooralabama.com/where-freshwater-fish/alabama-public-fishing-lakes for details on the lakes, including the six lakes that are currently closed for renovations and/or repairs.
“We hope to have Washington County Lake open in the next month,” Brown said. “We’re just waiting for the water levels to come up. We hope to reopen several more lakes that have been closed for renovation or repairs in the next few years.
“At Coffee County and Marion County lakes, we’re working with local municipalities to run the lakes. We will manage the biological side, and the municipalities will run the locations as well as adding new construction and amenities. They will follow our rules and regulations, and we will manage the fish populations, but when that transfer takes place in the future, the timelines will be in their hands.”
The Alabama Legislature has provided $6 million in funding for repairs and improvements to the PFLs.
“Those funds are appropriated for each lake,” Brown said. “At DeKalb, the money is being used for new aluminum fishing piers. At Marion, it’s going to a whole lake renovation. At Monroe, it’s appropriated for upgrades. We will be constructing a new bait shop and event space at Walker. Some lakes will require necessary repairs to the drain towers. The lifespan of a drain tower is about 25 years, and some of our drain towers are a lot older. Some lakes have to close to get those replaced, but it’s well worth it for the health of the lake and fish populations.”