The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) wants Alabama residents to get out there and fish this year.

While we are fortunate to live in an area of Alabama where we can easily fish at the beach, there are plenty more places in Alabama to cast a line.

Starting Feb. 1, most of Alabama's 23 state-owned public gishing lakes will return to their regular operating hours, offering anglers an opportunity to cast their lines in pursuit of bream, largemouth bass, channel catfish and crappie.

Known for their high-quality fishing and accessible locations across the state, these lakes are ideal spots for early spring fishing as their smaller sizes allow them to warm up faster than larger bodies of water.

"Many state lakes have been renovated in recent years and some lakes are closed for repairs and restocking," said Jonathan Brown, state lakes supervisor for the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) Division of the ADCNR. "Improvements will continue throughout our public fishing lake system in 2025. We encourage all Alabamians to visit one of these lakes this year and share that experience with family and friends."

While most lakes will open on Feb. 1, Barbour, Coffee, Crenshaw, Escambia, Marion and Washington county lakes are closed for renovations. Bibb County Lake is set to reopen in the spring of 2025 with a new manager. Chambers County Lake, which was recently renovated, will be open by Feb. 1.

CHANGES TO OPERATIONS AND PRICING

In addition to welcoming anglers back in February, there are a few notable changes for 2025.

From July 1 to Oct. 31, all state public fishing lakes will be closed on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, with the exact day chosen at the discretion of the lake manager. The new schedule will allow more time for grounds maintenance and restocking of concessions. Lakes will remain open Thursday through Sunday during this period. Anglers are advised to call ahead to confirm individual schedules for the lakes they plan to visit.

Pricing for daily fishing permits will also increase, from $3 to $5, and boat rentals will rise from $5 to $10. However, anglers will no longer need to pay a fee for launching their own fishing boats.

Permits and fishing licenses can be obtained from various license agents, online at www.outdooralabama.com, or through the Outdoor AL mobile app.

OUTDOOR RECREATION BEYOND FISHING

While fishing is the main draw, some state fishing lakes offer additional outdoor activities. Pike County Lake in Troy, Dale County Lake in Ozark and Walker County Lake in Jasper boast community archery parks and walking trails, which are open to the public year-round. Walker County Lake also features a birdwatching tower for nature enthusiasts.

The WFF Fisheries Section manages and stocks these lakes to ensure optimal fishing conditions, with fertilization practices in place to maximize fish production. In addition to traditional freshwater game species like largemouth bass and crappie, select lakes are stocked with rainbow trout to diversify the fishing experience. Fishing piers at many lakes also provide easy access to deeper waters for anglers.

For more information on Alabama's public fishing lakes, anglers can contact their local WFF Fisheries Section District Office:

District 1 in Tanner: (256) 353-2634

District 2 in Eastaboga: (256) 831-6860

District 3 in Northport: (205) 339-5716

District 4 in Enterprise: (334) 347-9467

District 5 in Spanish Fort: (251) 626-5153

A complete list of lakes can be found on the ADCNR website at www.outdooralabama.com.