In east-central Alabama, thirty-five minutes south of Birmingham along Interstate 65 and fifteen miles south of Columbiana is where you’ll find the 12,000-acre reservoir known as Lay Lake. The counties of St. Clair, Talladega, Shelby, and Chilton are all located on Lay Lake’s boundary. The generation of hydroelectric power and recreational usage are this reservoir’s two principal functions.
Can you swim in Lay Lake Al?
Within the counties of Talladega, Shelby, Coosa, and Chilton in east-central Alabama is where you’ll find the spectacular 12,000-acre reservoir known as Lay Lake. This lake stretches for a total of 48 miles. The generation of hydroelectric electricity and recreational activities in the great outdoors are the lake’s two principal uses.
- The Alabama Power Company dammed the lake in 1914, and ever since then, it has been famous among anglers for the largemouth bass and spotted bass it contains.
- Boating, fishing, swimming, and other types of outdoor sports are just some of the recreational options that are available on Lay Lake, which has a shoreline that is 289 miles long.
The general public has access to the boat ramps, picnic facilities, nature paths, and bathrooms at this location. When it comes to fishing, some of the greatest opportunities may be found at Lay Lake, which is located in the south. There are several different types of bass, crappie, bream, catfish, and sunfish that are used in sport fishing.
On a yearly basis, Lay Lake plays host to a number of bass events. There are plenty of largemouth bass and spotted fish that can grow up to 18 inches long. Both hybrid striped bass and catfish may be found in great numbers in the tailwater area below Logan Martin Dam, which is located at the upstream end of Lay Lake.
This location played host to the 2002 Bass Masters Classic, which was won there. Take note that the ingestion of fish from Lay Lake is discouraged owing to the presence of PCBs and mercury. Before eating fish from Lay Lake, please check out the linked article.
- Paddling or cruising about on Lay Lake is a delightful experience for boaters.
- Within its 48 miles of deep, clean, and calm water, you’ll find a total of five islands.
- There are a number of public and private boat ramps placed along the shoreline, which makes accessing the lake quite convenient.
- A few of the launches provide marinas, dining options, and retail shops.
Beeswax Creek Park is a county park in the vicinity of the lake that encompasses close to one hundred acres and provides visitors with a hiking route, picnic shelters, and facilities for launching boats. Campgrounds and RV parks are plentiful in the region, making it an ideal destination for families who enjoy spending time outdoors.
- Bed & breakfasts, along with other types of holiday rentals and real estate, are readily available in the region for those who would rather not rough it.
- Off of Interstate 65 and situated a convenient 15 miles to the southeast of Columbiana, Lay Lake may be reached in 35 minutes after leaving Birmingham in that direction.
The bustling metropolis of Birmingham may be found tucked away in the undulating foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. In addition to offering accommodations of every conceivable type, Lay Lake also features upscale eating and shopping opportunities, as well as world-class attractions, museums, and golf courses.
Talladega Superspeedway is an all-time favorite among NASCAR fans, and the University of Alabama at Birmingham is well-known for hosting a variety of athletic competitions throughout the years. A natural preserve of 1,000 acres and located just five miles from the heart of the city, Ruffner Mountain is a popular destination for people who enjoy being outside.
In this urban forest, there are hiking paths that go for miles and miles across all of the slopes and valleys; one of these trails leads to a fantastic overlook that provides a breathtaking view of the city. There is a picnic pavilion that is covered available, and it is an excellent spot to pause, relax, and enjoy a meal.
The town of Columbiana provides a variety of retail and dining options, in addition to a number of pocket parks, for those who prefer a setting with a bit less hustle and bustle. This town welcomes travelers and is a wonderful spot to do some present shopping or enjoy some of Alabama’s finest food. It is located just a few minutes’ drive to the northwest of Lay Lake.
Near Lay Lake, nature enthusiasts may choose from a number of different state parks and wilderness regions. Oak Mountain State Park is the largest state park in Alabama, and visitors may enjoy mountain bike trails, camping, picnics, tennis, swimming, boating, fishing, hiking, and backpacking while they are there.
- Horseback riding is also an option.
- Additionally, the Alabama Wildlife Rehabilitation Center may be found within the park.
- The Talladega National Forest is located to the northeast of Lay Lake and spans a total area of 392,567 acres.
- It is home to a variety of outdoor recreational options.
- An abundance of streams, lakes, verdant valleys, and bluffs ranging from 50 to 2,000 feet in height provide for an ideal setting for activities like as hiking, camping, hunting, boating, fishing, and horseback riding.
There are around 850 different types of animals that call the forest their home, including birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and fish. The white-tailed deer, the bobwhite quail, the gray and fox squirrels, the turkey, the rabbit, the raccoon, and the numerous waterfowl are all examples of game animals.
The red-cockaded woodpecker, the flattened musk turtle, and numerous different kinds of mussels are examples of animals that are endangered or threatened with extinction that find refuge in the forest. Lay Lake and the surrounding area is a fantastic outdoor playground, where children of all ages can enjoy every adventure imaginable, from fishing, boating, hiking, camping, and kayaking to horseback riding, hunting, scaling massive boulders, and rappelling down scenic ravines.
Those who visit Lay Lake and the surrounding area will find that they can enjoy all of these activities and more. It doesn’t matter what time of year it is, there is always something breathtaking to behold, whether it be the fall foliage in the mountains or the picturesque vistas along the coastline in the summer.
Is Lay Lake a good lake?
This 12,000-acre reservoir is conveniently located about 30 minutes south of Birmingham, and it features seven public-access locations that provide easy bank and boat access to the lake. The fishing in Lay Lake is fantastic throughout the whole year. The upper part of the lake, in the vicinity of the tailwaters of the Logan Martin Dam, is a fishery that sees a very high volume of use and is quite popular among local fishermen.
| Month | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 31.4° F | 55° F |
| Feb | 34° F | 59.3° F |
| Mar | 40.5° F | 67.3° F |
| Apr | 47.3° F | 75.7° F |
| May | 56.1° F | 82.7° F |
| Jun | 63.1° F | 87.9° F |
| Jul | 66.7° F | 90.6° F |
| Aug | 66° F | 90.3° F |
| Sep | 60.3° F | 85.3° F |
| Oct | 48.2° F | 76.2° F |
| Nov | 39° F | 66.2° F |
| Dec | 33.4° F | 57.4° F |
What is the water temp on Lay Lake?
Today. The current water temperature of Lay Lake is 72 degrees Fahrenheit.
What kind of fish are in Lay Lake Alabama?
Since it was dammed in 1914 by the Alabama Power Company, Lay Lake has been one of the most popular locations in the state for fishing for spotted bass and largemouth bass. At Lay Reservoir, anglers may engage in fishing for largemouth bass and spotted bass of a high grade.
- There is a good population of largemouth bass up to 18 inches long, along with a considerable quantity of bigger bass.
- Spotted bass that are up to 18 inches in length are fairly plentiful, and there are a reasonable number of fish that are bigger.
- Creeks and sloughs with shallow water provide the finest opportunities for fishing for largemouth bass.
Anglers who want to catch spotted bass should cast their lines in the riverine areas of the lake. Crappie ranging from nine to twelve inches in length are relatively plentiful and may be found all around the lake in association with weed beds and timber cover.
The bream fishing that may be done at Lay Lake is also quite popular. In waterways that have woody cover and near weed beds, fishing for bream may be productive in the summertime. Creeks and sloughs with shallow water provide some of the greatest fishing opportunities for bream and crappie. The hybrid striped bass and catfish population in the tailwater fishery below Logan Martin Dam is exceptional.
This fishery is located at the upstream end of Lay Lake. In addition, there are striped bass in the area. When shad are rushing down the banks of the tailwater, fishermen enjoy fishing for largemouth bass and spotted bass. This is another reason why the region is so popular with anglers.
- This location played host to the 2002 Bass Masters Classic, which was won there.
- The Logan Martin tailwater is a fishery that sees a very high volume of use and is particularly well-liked among local fishermen.
- The results of local bass club tournaments provide an accurate representation of the bass fishing in Lay Lake.
If you are already a member of a bass club, we would really appreciate it if you would consider joining our Bass Angler Information Team. We utilize the information provided by clubs to assist in more effectively managing your lakes for fishing. For more specific inquiries regarding Lay Lake, please get in touch with the Fisheries Section’s District II office.
Does the Coosa River have alligators?
Calm, calm, and tranquil here in WILSONVILLE, Alabama (WBRC), we hear. Deborah Katchum spends a lot of her spare time by the Coosa River in Wilsonville, and it’s one of her favorite places to go. At the river, she has spotted fish and snakes, but she has never seen an alligator.
“There’s always a potential that someone will let them go as a pet as they get a little larger, so there is a possibility,” said Katchum. “There’s always a possibility that someone will let them go as a pet.” Despite this, she continues to harbor skepticism in the face of a claim that an alligator was seen.
Bobby Box has been exposed to the same rumors for a number of years. “I’ve only heard of one but I don’t believe it. I mean what are they going to eat? Fish? An alligator is going to eat more than that ain’t they?” asked Box. “Heard they reside in the 280 area.
I’ve only heard of one but I don’t believe it.” Taking frequent dips in the water with Box’s kids is one of Box’s favorite things to do. It is possible that he does not think that an alligator inhabits the same body of water as he does. Nevertheless, he finds himself thinking about it every once in a while.
“It’s just one of those things you want to look for. You want to have in the back of your brain just in case, you never know,” said Box. “It’s just one of those things you want to check for.” Elizabeth Abramms, who lives nearby and is a neighbor of Box, is not startled by the notion of an alligator being close to her house.
Does Lay Lake have alligators?
SHELBY COUNTY, ALABAMA — Residents in Shelby County who live on Lay Lake just found out that there is a dangerous critter living in the water near them. On Thursday morning, an alligator measuring five feet in length was seen on video in the neighborhood of a few residences. The locals claim that it is a swimming spot frequented by children and animals and want it to be destroyed because of this.
How long is Lay Lake from dam to dam?
| Dam Name: | Lay |
|---|---|
| Purposes: | Hydroelectric |
| Year Completed: | 1914 |
| Dam Length: | 2260 feet |
| Dam Height: | 130 feet |
When was Lay Lake built?
The creation of Lay Lake in 1914 makes it the lake on the Coosa that is the most senior in age.
Can you swim in the Coosa River?
The decision of whether or not to dive into your go-to swimming hole during the warm months of the year ought to be the least difficult one you face all year. That is why, when the weather is nice, we spend every Thursday and Friday during those months testing the most popular sites to plunge along the Coosa River.
Where does the Coosa River begin and end?
The Coosa River has its beginnings in Rome, Georgia, at the confluence of the Oostanaula and Etowah rivers. Its final destination is Montgomery, Alabama, just to the northeast of the state capital, where it meets the Tallapoosa River to form the Alabama River. The Alabama River is located just south of Wetumpka.
Will a bass bite in 40 degree water?
Upper 40s (47-49 Degrees) – When the water temperature reaches the upper 40s, bass can be found in quite shallow water. This temperature range is between 47 and 49 degrees. They may also be caught in water that ranges from clear to muddy today! When the water temperature was in the upper 40s, I was successful in catching several bass even though the water clarity was less than 6 inches.
What river is Lay Lake on?
Jump straight to the table of contents Lake elevations are constantly subject to change and are based on current conditions. People who enjoy recreational activities below our dams, as well as those who use our lakes or facilities and have access to boats or other water-related equipment, should constantly be on the lookout for changing circumstances and be ready to take the appropriate precautions to safeguard their property.
- Have you ever pondered the reason behind why the water level at your favorite lake is frequently different from the last time you visited? There are two distinct types of lakes that are maintained by Alabama Power: run of river and storage.
- The lakes on the Coosa River known as Lay, Mitchell, and Jordan, as well as the lakes on the Tallapoosa River known as Yates and Thurlow, and the lakes on the Warrior River known as Bankhead and Holt (both of which are owned by the United States Army Corps of Engineers) are examples of what are known as “run-of-river” projects because they discharge virtually the same amount of water that flows into them.
They are able to maintain a lake level that is rather stable throughout the year thanks to the operation of this kind. The prevention of flooding was not a primary consideration throughout the planning stages of these lake projects. Alternately, “storage” projects such as Weiss, Henry, and Logan Martin lakes on the Coosa River, Harris and Martin lakes on the Tallapoosa River, and Smith lake on the Warrior (Sipsey) River provide seasonal storage.
- These lakes have different pool levels in the summer and the winter, and they are drawn down in the late fall and the winter to provide a means of managing and storing winter and spring rains.
- Smith lake is located on the Warrior ( These efforts offer some degree of protection from floods further downstream, particularly during periods of heavy flow.
The spring season is often the period when the levels of these storage projects are brought back up to their summer pool levels. The water that is kept in these lakes can also assist to reduce some of the negative effects of drought by providing a restricted amount of water that can be used when there is a scarcity of it, such as when there is a drought.
- During the summer and fall months, the demand for water can frequently exceed the natural supply.
- The majority of large lakes are maintained for a variety of other purposes, including hydropower generation, leisure, navigation, and protection of the environment.
- Each of these goals can have a role in determining whether or not water is released, which can result in a decrease in lake levels, particularly toward the end of summer and at the beginning of fall.
In most cases, floods are the source of the most significant and rapid shifts in the levels of lakes. Flooding may be caused by heavy rainfall, and it can happen overnight and elevate the level of a lake by many feet. After the floods have passed, it is essential to return the lake to its usual level in order to have it ready to store water for the subsequent flood that may occur.
What water temperature stops bass biting?
How Cold Must It Be Before Bass Fishing Is Impossible? When water temperatures drop below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, bass feeding activity will slow down, and this is especially true during warmer seasons like summer. They are going to be shaken up by the sudden drop in water temperature.
- There is still a chance that bass may eat, but fishing will be difficult.
- Because bass are so hardy, they can maintain their activity level even in the worst conditions, taking into account the climate of your particular area.
- However, it is essential to be aware that if the water temperature falls below 50 degrees, they will begin to dramatically lower their activity levels, opting instead for deeper water that offers more insulation.
If the water temperature is below 40 degrees, the best way to catch bass is to hang the bait practically right in front of them and make the meal appear sluggish and simple for them to consume. Even in water that is close to freezing, an experienced angler may still reel in a bass here and there, but it is in their best interest to hold off until circumstances improve.
Can you swim in the Coosa River?
The decision of whether or not to dive into your go-to swimming hole during the warm months of the year ought to be the least difficult one you face all year. That is why, when the weather is nice, we spend every Thursday and Friday during those months testing the most popular sites to plunge along the Coosa River.
How long is Lay Lake in Alabama?
The shoreline of Lay Lake is approximately 289 miles (or 465 kilometers) long and encompasses a total area of 12,000 acres (4,900 hectares). Recreational activities include fishing for largemouth bass, spotted bass, bluegill and other sunfish, crappie, catfish, striped bass, hybrid bass, and white bass in this lake.