ALL INFORMATION SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE. Clay County Lakes are open Sunrise to Sunset as follows: February 1 – June 30: open 6 days a week, closed on Thursday. July 1 – November 30: open 5 days a week, closed on Wednesday and Thursday. December 1 – January 31: The lake is closed. But call the manager at (256) 488-0038 to verify the schedule before making the trip.

Lake Wedowee

Harris Reservoir is located in east-northeast Alabama on the upper Tallapoosa River in Randolph and Clay Counties near Wedowee. The reservoir is 24 miles long and contains 10,660 acres. Completed in 1983, Harris Lake is the youngest hydropower lake in the state.

Since the implementation of the slot limit, numbers of smaller bass are declining and numbers of fish longer than 14-inches are increasing. Growth rates are improving, as is the plumpness of bass. These improvements are a direct result of educating anglers on the importance of removing (harvesting) bass smaller than 13-inches. Continued harvest of small bass is necessary to ensure sustained improvements in the fishery. Bass club tournament data for Harris Lake can be found at:

www.outdooralabama.com/fishing/freshwater/where/reservoirs/quality/baitcurrent/

Spring eleoctrofising yielded many large crappie in the 10-12 inch size and a good representation of crappie larger than 12 inches. Remember, Harris Lake has a 9-inch minimum length limit on crappie.

Fishing license information may be found at: www.outdooralabama.com/fishing/freshwater/license/; annual fishing licenses are good for 365 days. Instant licensing is available via the Internet (2% fee), via the telephone by calling 1-888-848-6887 ($3.95 fee), or at 900 vendors and probate offices in Alabama. All youth age 15 and younger fish for free.

Possession and creel limits for Alabama public waters are listed at: http://www.outdooralabama.com/fishing/freshwater/regulations/

Bass fishing quality at Harris Lake is assessed from bass club tournament results at: www.outdooralabama.com/fishing/freshwater/where/reservoirs/quality/baitcurrent/ If you are a member of a bass club, please consider being a part of our Bass Angler Information Team. We use information from clubs to help better manage your lakes for fishing.

State fish management information and Alabama reservoir location, size and elevation are listed at: Alabama Power Company provides information through www.southernco.com/hydro/home.asp The Geological Survey of Alabama has interactive maps showing the locations of boat ramps at: www.gsa.state.al.us/gsa/GIS/boataccessdetails.html

Bass fishing reports for Harris Lake may be available at: wmi.org/bassfish/reports/alabama/ General information for Lake Wedowee is available at lakewedowee.com and fishinweb.com.

Current water levels may be found for Harris Dam at: iwin.nws.noaa.gov/iwin/al/hydro.html

Information about the Lake Wedowee Property Owners Association can be found at: alabamarivers.org/dirlmnop.htm

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 except those waters from which it came without the written permission of a designated employee of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources authorized by the Director of the Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries to issue such permit. The provisions of this rule shall not apply to the incidental release of bait into the water during the normal process of fishing.

Flat Rock Park-Harris Reservoir (Swimming, Picnicking, Hiking, Fishing) Hours 9:00 A.M. til 8:00 P.M. Seasonal. From Lineville, take Blakesferry Road, South approximately. 7 miles, (256) 396-2338 (256) 396-5093

The Fisheries Section's District Supervisor can answer specific questions about Harris Lake, locally known as Lake Wedowee, by sending mail to: dcatchings@dcnr.state.al.us.

Bank Fishing (by County)

Clay County -

Cheaha Lake at Cheaha State Park(http://www.alapark.com/parks/park.cfm?parkid=7) (fee)

Lake Chinnabee Recreation Area in the Talladega Ranger District of US Forest Service, 256-362-2909

Clay County Public Fishing Lake(http://www.outdooralabama.com/fishing/freshwater/where/lakes/clay/) (wheelchair accessible) (fee)

Crooked Creek Watershed Lakes on Olive Branch Road north of Lineville (permit required from Clay County Water Authority) Talladega Creek