Inland Lake

Fish and Fishing in Inland Lake

Background: Inland Lake impounds 1,557 acres of water on the Blackburn Fork of the Little Warrior River in Blount County. The reservoir has a shoreline length of 32.25 miles and a drainage area of 70 sq mi.  It is a very deep clear lake with a mean depth of 77 ft.

The dam, completed in 1939, is located 9 miles SSW of Oneonta. The reservoir is operated by the Birmingham Water Works and Sewer Board of Birmingham for water supply, and they own all the shoreline property around the lake. Inland Lake is also used for pleasure boating, skiing and fishing. Two boat ramps provide access to the lake. At the upper end near Allgood, a ramp is located off Hwy 75 on Inland Boat Landing Road. Another ramp is 9 miles southwest of Oneonta off Hwy 75 on Inland Dam Road.  Currently, both access points are patrolled by the Blount County Sheriff’s Department, and a $5.00 boat launch fee is required.

The reservoir experiences a significant drawdown each year (water level fluctuates an average of 16.4 feet) to provide water for Birmingham residences and industries. The lowest water levels are reached in late Fall each year, prior to the winter rains.

The Inland Lake Management Report, Spring 2008 indicates anglers should harvest the abundant small spotted bass so that the other bass will grow more quickly. Largemouth bass abundance was low; however, the percentages of largemouth bass over 15 inches in the samples exceeded the values found in most Alabama reservoirs.  Striped bass have been stocked in Inland Lake for a number of years; however, due to public concern, stocking of striped bass have been suspended for two years to determine if striped bass impact the bluegill and black bass population.

Special striped bass regulations apply.

It shall be unlawful to intentionally stock or release any fish, mussel, snail, crayfish or their embryos including bait fish into the public waters of Alabama under the jurisdiction of the Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries as provided in Rule 220-2-.42. The provisions of this rule shall not apply to the incidental release of bait into the water during the normal process of fishing.

It is illegal to possess blueback herring in Alabama. Regulations designate legal capture methods for bait and specify additional species that may not be used for bait.

The Fisheries Section's District III biologist can answer specific questions about Inland Lake at Jay.Haffner@dcnr.alabama.gov.

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