Alabama’s Barbour County Lake is Now Open
Alabama DCNR 04.09.13
Barbour County Lake is now open to the public six days a week (closed on Wednesdays). The lake is open for fishing from sunrise to sunset and is located at 30 State Lakes Rd., Midway, Ala., 36053, approximately six miles north of Clayton, off County Road 49. The lake provides fishing for bass, bream, and channel catfish.
Closed since the fall of 2011, bass fishing at Barbour County Lake is expected to be excellent in 2013. Anglers are encouraged to harvest bass under 18 inches in length, but only two per angler may be kept over 18 inches in length. Bream (bluegill and redear sunfish) are also abundant in the lake. The creel limit is 20 bream per angler, per day. Bream of any size can be harvested. Channel catfish are also popular at Barbour County Lake, and were stocked in the fall of 2012. The daily creel is six catfish per angler.
Before leaving the lake, all anglers are required to take their catch to the concession building and have the lake manager count and weigh them. Biologists use this important information to sustain high-quality fishing.
Ray Windham is the new lake manager. He has stocked the concession building with a wide variety of refreshments, snacks, fishing tackle, rods, reels, and live bait. The building is wheelchair accessible. Restrooms are also available. Windham can be contacted at 334-367-8448.
Personal boats may be launched for $3. Boats, paddles, personal flotation devices/life jackets, trolling motors and batteries are also available for rent. Only trolling motors are permitted on the lake, but outboard motors may be used to launch or load your boat.
Anglers age 12 and older are required to purchase a $3 daily permit. Anglers age 16 and older are required to have a fishing license unless the angler is 65 or older and a resident of Alabama. A fishing license is not required for Barbour County residents fishing with a pole and line (no reel) from the bank or pier. Fishing licenses are available from probate offices, some sporting goods retailers, online at www.outdooralabama.com/licenses/ or by telephone at 1-888-848-6887.
Barbour County Lake is managed by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. Additional information about the lake, including contour maps, can be found at outdooralabama.com.
The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources promotes wise stewardship, management and enjoyment of Alabama’s natural resources through five divisions: Marine Police, Marine Resources, State Lands, State Parks, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. To learn more about ADCNR, visit www.outdooralabama.com .
