February is a great month to enjoy our lakes. Many days feel like spring, but lake visitors should still be aware the weather can turn cold quickly.
Events are picking up with a combination of fishing tournaments, lake and river cleanups, and fun festivals in towns around the lakes.
A February Note
Twenty of Alabama’s 23 state-owned public fishing lakes reopened Feb. 1.. These waters are noted for quality fishing and, because they may warm more quickly than larger bodies of water, early spring fishing can be excellent. Before traveling to a particular lake, anglers should call ahead to determine the lake’s operational schedule. Visit Outdoor Alabama for additional information.
Renew Our Rivers
2/19-20/16 Alabama River (Henry Lock and Dam to Pintlala Creek)
Large item cleanup on Friday, Feb. 19 will be conducted by APC and the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).
Saturday, Feb. 20. Public cleanup on site to be determined. Visit the Renew Our Rivers website to stay up to date on all cleanups. Contact: John-Paul O’Driscoll, Autauga County PALS chairman at 334-358-6749 or Theodis Williams, USACE, at 334-872-9554
Fishing Tournaments
2/4-6/16 Bassmaster College – Carhartt College Southern Regional
2/6/16 The American Bass Anglers — Ram Open Series comes to Lake Mitchell in early February, launching from Higgins Ferry Park. Contact William Benedetti at wbenedetti@americanbassanglers.com or call 256-230-5632. Learn more about the Ram Open Series.
2/13/16 Ram American Fishing Tour — Alabama East Central — Weiss Lake. Visit the Ram American Fishing Tour website to join the tour, for additional information and dates of other area events.
2/13/16 Ram American Fishing Tour — Alabama Lay Lake — Logan Martin Lake
2/20/16 Alabama B.A.S.S. Nation High School on Lay Lake. This event will be putting in at the Beeswax Boat Ramp. Contact Darrel High at highdar@auburn.edu or call 334-707-7355.
2/20/16 Fishers of Men — Alabama Central — Team — Lake Mitchell. For more information, visit the Fishers of Men National Tournament Trail website.
2/20/16 Alabama Bass Trail Tournament Series — Lake Martin. Visit the Alabama Bass Trail website for more information about this event and to learn more about the bass trail.
2/21/16 Big Bucks Buddy Trail on Lake Martin putting in at Wind Creek State Park. Contact Barry Hagan at sylacaugamarinewarranty@yahoo.com or call 256-245-8920. For additional information, visit Sylacauga Marine.
2/27/16 4:19 BASS Club on Lake Mitchell putting in at Higgins Ferry Park. Contact Mike Graham at mike@419bass.org or call 205-294-1882. Learn more about the 4:19 Bass Club.
2/27/16 Alabama Bass Trail Tournament Series — Smith Lake
2/27/16 OGS Tournament Trails at Lake Martin — putting in at Wind Creek State Park. Contact Michael Oglesbee at mikeogs@gmail.com or call 386-546-3614. OGS Tournament Trails.
2/28/16 Ram American Fishing Tour — Alabama West — Bankhead Lake
Outdoor Events
2/5 to 2/28 Enjoy an early spring in Wetumpka at the Camellia and Early Spring Flowers Show. See early bloomers such as camellias, azaleas, bulbs and annuals at Jasmin Hill Gardens and Outdoor Museum.
1/8 to 2/21 Eagle Awareness 2016 at Lake Guntersville State Park is a fun opportunity for outdoors people. There is plenty to do for the entire family — complete with overnight packages. To get all the details, visit the Alabama Parks website.
2/27 Keep your New Year’s resolutions by training for the Russell Forest Run in late February. There is a 5K and 10K that wind through the beautiful forests around Lake Martin. Get all the details and register here.
Boat Shows
2/19 to 2/21 February marks a great time to be in Mobile. Not only does the city play host to what is billed at the nation’s oldest Mardi Gras celebration, this month you’ll find the region’s largest showcase of boats and all things water. Learn more about the Mobile Boat Show.
