Fayette County Public Fishing Lake

FAYETTE COUNTY STATE PUBLIC FISHING LAKE, near Fayette, Alabama Joyce Harkins, Manager 529 County Road 134 Fayette, AL 35555 (205) 932-6548

Fayette County Lake is a 60 acre lake located 6 miles southeast of Fayette off County Road 26.

Directions: U.S. 43 south for 2-1/2 miles, then right on County Road 26 for 4 miles, then left on County Road 134 for miles to Fayette County Lake.

Lake is open Sunrise to Sunset as follows:
Fayette County Lake is open Sunrise to Sunset as follows:
February 1 – June 30: Open 6 days a week, closed Monday.
July 1 - November 30: Open 5 days, closed Monday and Tuesday.
Dec 1 - January 31: The lake is closed.
But call the manager at (205) 932-6548 to verify the schedule before making the trip.

Fishing: Bass fishing good year-round, with the biggest usually caught from February through April when they are near the bank. Bluegill and redear sunfish are caught by bank and boat anglers from spring through summer. Catfish are caught year-round, but the summer months are best. Crappie fishing is best in from late February through April. The rules of what may be kept are posted at each lake. Before fishing, check to see what types and sizes of fish may be kept.

Facilities: Clean public restrooms and concessions are available, including a wide variety of fishing tackle, live and artificial baits, and other fishing supplies, as well as drinks and refreshments. An accessible fishing pier makes it easy to reach deeper water without using a boat. Fish attractors have been added around the lake. Boats are also available for rent; a launching ramp is available for anglers with their own boats. Boats may have an outboard motor attached, and anglers may use the outboard motor at trolling speed (no wake).

Regulations (partial list; complete regulations are available in the current regulation book and the "Alabama Game, Fish, and Wildlife Law Book"):

(1) Any person 12 years old or older must have a valid daily fishing permit in possession to fish. No child younger than 12 years old can legally be left unaccompanied by an adult.

(2) The daily creel, possession and size limits for each species are posted at the lake.

(3) Fishing is limited to daylight hours, or as specified by the lake manager.

(4) Swimming and wading are not allowed.

(5) Fish taken from the lake must be carried to the lake manager, who will count and weigh them.

(6) No method other than hook and line with natural or artificial bait may be used to take fish from a State Lake. Taking, or attempting to take, fish by any other means is not allowed, including but not limited to: snagging, snatching, trot lines, set hooks, limb lines, jug fishing, spear, or bow and arrow.

(7) Anyone launching a boat at a State Lake must have a valid launch permit and fishing permit.

(8) State fishing license requirements are in effect and fishing licenses may be purchased at State Public Fishing Lakes.

(9) A person fishing shall upon demand exhibit his catch, fishing permit, and fishing license to any Conservation Officer, concessionaire, or other agent or employee of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for inspection.

(10) No species of fish shall be stocked in the state-owned public fishing lakes. Live minnows used for bait shall be limited to goldfish minnows (Indiana minnows); golden shiners (shiners) and fathead minnows (toughies or tuffies) and no minnow, either dead or alive, shall be released from a minnow bucket or other method.

This information is subject to change without notice. Additional information and rules about the lakes are available from the lake manager, the Alabama Fisheries Section at (334) 242-3471, or Jack Turner. The Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries intensively manages the 23 state lakes totaling 1,912 acres.