LAKE REPORT: Fishing season here again

Yep, it is that time of year again, folks. Fishing season.

This is the time of the year everybody is calling, wanting to know what is biting, when are we open and how much weight I gained over the winter.

This week, let me give you as much information as possible about the lake.

Lee County State Lake is a 130-acre public fishing lake. The lake is located in the Beauregard community on Lee Road 146, just a few miles southeast of Auburn and Opelika.

We are presently open every day, except Monday, sunrise to sunset. Check the Opelika-Auburn News weather section for the daily sunrise-sunset times.

Alabama fishing licenses are required if you are 16 or older, unless you are an Alabama resident 65 or older. A daily permit is required if you are 12 or older. There is no charge for children under 12.

Over a mile of managed shoreline is available for bank anglers. A large fishing pier with a feeder is a very popular spot for many anglers. Boat rentals with trolling motors are also available for those of you who want to get away from the crowd and go to the wild side.

We provide a concrete boat ramp for those of you with your own boat. Gas motors are not allowed to be cranked except to load your boat on the trailer. Trolling motor only for fishing and getting around the lake.

A bait house, restrooms and picnic tables are also available for your convenience. Our camp cabins overlooking the lake are becoming very popular. They are air conditioned with a bath and shower, microwave, refrigerator and two twin beds.

The large deck on the front allows you to enjoy the lake and the outdoors. A 24-hour notice is required for reservations.

Lee County State Lake is well stocked with bass, bream, catfish and crappie. The Alabama Department of Conservation restocks thousands of fish annually. Our district biologists have worked hard to supply marked fish reefs for bank and boat anglers.

All anglers are required to let us weigh and count all fish before leaving. There is no charge for the fish. Creel and possession limits are posted at the lake.

I hope we’ve answered most of your questions. Feel free to call.

We look forward to seeing you soon. I know you will have a good time and hopefully catch a few fish to stink up the kitchen.

Ya’ll come now, ya hear.

RATES: Daily permit is $3. Launch fee is $3. Cabin is $39.99 plus tax for two. Boat, motor and battery with accessories is $20 per day.

Water level: Full Pond.

Visibility: 36 inches.

Water temperature: 61 degrees at 2 feet.

Bass: Several 6-pounders and above caught in February. They are beginning to move to the shallows.

Bream: Good especially from the fishing pier. Kenny Pitts weighed out several shell cracker, two of which weighed over 2 pounds each.

Crappie: Numbers have been fairly good. The Brooks brothers have done well on the pier. Ken Frazier caught his limit of 30 on Sunday, weighing out at 39 pounds.

Catfish: We weighted out over 1,000 stockers in February and they are still biting. It’s getting time for the big boys to kick off.

Dwight Lake is the manager of Lee County Lake. He may be reached at 749-1275.