Bama
Spots
Lakes and Rivers:
Located on the outskirts of
Alexander City in Central Alabama, Lake Martin is a 39,180-acre
impoundment
on the Tallapoosa River with a 700 miles of shoreline.
This is the most popular recreational reservoir in Alabama attracting
hundreds to thousands of tourists and visitors annually. Alabama Power Company
impounded the waters of the Tallapoosa River in 1926 near Cherokee
Bluffs, on the Elmore and Tallapoosa County border to form Lake Martin.
This lake was constructed primarily for flood control and to supply
hydroelectric power to Alabama residents.
Lake Martin is a clear water reservoir with a limited amount of sport fish and baitfish. The upper region of the lake is the most fertile. Lake Martin is a fresh water lake and has abundance of steep, rocky bluffs.
The most common species of fish in Lake Martin include Largemouth Bass, Spotted Bass, Striped Bass, White Bass, Black Crappie, Channel Catfish, Flathead Catfish, Bluegill and Redear Sunfish. Growth rates in Lake Martin of smaller Largemouth Bass and Spotted Bass take fish about 2.5 years to reach 12 inches in length.
Located twenty-five miles north of Montgomery, Alabama, Lake Jordan is a 6,800-acre impoundment on the Coosa River with 188 miles of shoreline. Lake Jordan is very fertile and supports high densities of sport fish and forage species. The lake was constructed to provide flood control, and supply hydroelectricity; however, the lake has become very popular for various types of recreation including boating, swimming and fishing.
Growth rates of both largemouth bass and spotted bass in Lake Jordan are among the fastest in the state; in 5 years, these species can easily exceed 18 inches in length.