According to the state, most of Alabama’s public fishing lakes are set to go back to regular hours of operation come February.

Jonathan Brown, State Lake Supervisor for the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) Division of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR),  shared new information about the change.

“Many state lakes have undergone renovations and changes in management over the past year,” said Brown. “Some lakes will open later this month or remain closed for repairs and restocking. Anglers should call their district fisheries office or the individual lakes for the operational schedule when planning their fishing trip.”

Madison County Public Fishing Lake will open on February 1, while Walker County Public Fishing Lake will open on February 15.

Most state public fishing lakes offers boats for rent ($5) and launching private fishing boats ($3). A daily permit and state fishing license are required to fish in the lakes. Anglers may fish from the pier, bank, rental boat or personal boat.

Alabama’s public fishing lakes are known for being filled with a variety of fish species including bream, large mouth bass, channel catfish,crappie, and in some places rainbow trout. Because Alabama’s public fishing lakes are smaller bodies of water, they heat up far more quickly than larger bodies creating great fishing in the early springtime.

Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News.