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Lakes

Alabama Lakes

The Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division manages 23 public lakes in 20 counties throughout the State. These lakes range in size from 13 to 184 acres for a total of 1,912 surface acres. Each lake is intensively managed to provide quality fishing on a sustained basis. All lakes were originally stocked with largemouth bass, bluegill (bream), and redear sunfish (shellcracker). Channel catfish are stocked in every lake during the winter. White crappie and black crappie have become established in many lakes.

A valid fishing license and daily fishing permit are required to fish these lakes. Anglers 12 years old and older must possess a valid daily fishing permit. State-owned public fishing lakes are typically open six days a week from February 1 through June 30 each year. From July 1 until November 30, some lakes are only open five days a week. During the months of December and January, a majority of the lakes are closed or operate on a limited basis. Information and schedules may change without notice, so please call the Lake Manager or the appropriate Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries District Office for the current operating schedule. Click for license information.

Lakes

Map: Lakes In Alabama

By Staff | June 10, 2019

Lakes in Alabama are numerous. Alabama has no large natural lakes, but dams built on the abundant rivers have created many artificial lakes.

Alabama State Parks

Guntersville Lake

By Staff | July 6, 2018

Guntersville Lake (generally referred to locally as Lake Guntersville) is located in north Alabama between Bridgeport and Guntersville.

Lakes

Claiborne Reservoir

By Staff | May 1, 2017

Claiborne Lake is a river-run reservoir with 5,930 surface acres of water which courses 60.5 miles through Wilcox, Clarke, and Monroe counties in southwest Alabama. This reservoir was constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and impounded in 1970. This reservoir is the lowermost within the Alabama River System with the dam at river mile 72.5 and the pool ending at river mile 133, the Millers Ferry Lock and Dam. Downstream of Claiborne Dam, the Alabama River is essentially free-flowing and ultimately joins the Tombigbee River to form the Mobile River near the Mt. Vernon community.

Birmingham Alabama

Bankhead Lake

By Staff | May 1, 2017

Bankhead Lake

The second largest lake on the Black Warrior river, Bankhead Reservoir is centrally located in Alabama and offers plenty of residential and commercial waterfront property for camping, boating and fishing. Bankhead Reservoir contains 9,200 acres and is the second largest lake on the Warrior River. Located approximately 15 miles west of Birmingham and 30 miles northeast of Tuscaloosa, Bankhead Reservoir flows through Walker, Jefferson and Tuscaloosa Counties. Fishing
Alabama Power Company impounded Bankhead Reservoir in 1915. Bankhead Lake is best known for catches of largemouth bass and spotted bass.

Boating

Aliceville Lake

By Staff | May 1, 2017

Aliceville Lake
Aliceville Lake, aka Aliceville Reservoir and sometimes called Pickensville Lake by local anglers, is an 8,300-acre reservoir located approximately 12 miles northwest of the City of Aliceville Alabama in Pickens County. The reservoir is formed by the Tom Bevill Lock and Dam, which is located one mile southwest of Pickensville, just off Alabama State Highway 14. This reservoir is popular with anglers from both Alabama and Mississippi since portions of the impoundment are located in both states. Modern campgrounds, primitive camping areas, and day-use facilities are found around the lake. We have additional information on Alabama campground areas here.