Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge
12295 State Hwy. 180, Gulf Shores, AL 36542; (251) 540-7720; http://refuges.fws.gov/profiles/index.cfm?id=43630. Office hours, 7:30 am-5:30 pm. Refuge is open 7 days per week during daylight hours only. Access roads are in fair condition. Nearest community is Gulf Shores. Nearest highways are I-10, State Hwy. 59 and State Hwy. 180. Available species include largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and catfish in Gator Lake (40 acres). Spotted seatrout, flounder, redfish, pompano, Spanish mackerel and bluefish are available nearby in the Gulf of Mexico, Mobile Bay and Bon Secour Bay. Little Lagoon (approximately 2,000 acres of saltwater) is surrounded by the refuge. In approximately 4 miles of Gulf of Mexico, fishing is open year-round. Canoes or small jon boats are allowed in Gator Lake, but this requires a portage of 8/10 of a mile. Only electric motors are allowed.

Amenities: Food nearby / Lodging nearby / Public rest facilities / Hiking and nature trails / Canoeing and kayaking / Information center

Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge
291 Jimmy Parks Blvd., Anniston, AL 36205, (256) 848-7085; http://refuges.fws.gov/profiles/index.cfm?id=43665. Managed as a part of Central Alabama NWR Complex. Refuge is open sunrise to sunset. Access roads are primitive. Nearest highway is Hwy. 5. Nearest community is West Blocton. River access is provided on the west side of the Cahaba River near Piper Bridge. Available species include largemouth bass, sunfish and catfish. The unique system of pools and shoals within the refuge provide many opportunities to wade and fish or bank fish. A ramp is available for canoe or jon boat launching (no launching from boat trailer).

Amenities: Hiking and nature trails / Canoeing and kayaking / Disabled angler facilities

Choctaw National Wildlife Refuge
P.O. Box 808, Jackson, AL 36545; (251) 246-3583; http://refuges.fws.gov/profiles/index.cfm?id=43535. Office hours, 7:30 am-4:00 pm. Refuge is open during daylight hours only. Fair access roads. Nearest highway is Hwy. 84. Nearest community is Gilbertown. Refuge waters include Duck Lake (20 acres). Fishing is allowed all year except for 1,500 acres closed as waterfowl sanctuary, December 1-March 1. Available species include largemouth bass, crappie, sunfish and catfish.

Amenities: Food nearby / Maps available / Boat launching / Hiking and nature trails / Canoeing and kayaking / Disabled angler facilities

Eufaula National Wildlife Refuge
367 Hwy. 165, Eufaula, AL 36027; (334) 687-4065; http://refuges.fws.gov/profiles/index.cfm?id=43535. Office hours, 8:00 am-4:30 pm, Monday-Friday. Public-use areas are open 7 days a week during daylight hours only. Nearest community is Eufaula. Nearest highways are U.S. 82, 431 and Hwy. 165. Good access roads. Impoundments on the refuge can be fished March 1-October 31. 4,500 acres of Lake Eufaula/Lake Walter F. George lie within refuge boundaries. Year-round fishing is allowed on Lake Eufaula and Lake Walter F. George. Refuge impoundments are open to fishing March 1-October 31. Available species include largemouth bass, white bass, hybrid striped bass, bluegill, crappie and catfish.

Amenities: Food nearby / Lodging nearby / Maps available / Boat launching / Hiking and nature trails / Canoeing and kayaking

Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge
2700 Refuge Headquarters Rd., Decatur AL 35603; (256) 353-7243. Refuge is open sunrise to sunset. Open all year to fishing, with the exception of Garth Slough, which is closed November 15-January 15 to all public entry. Crabtree Slough, Dinsmore Slough and the White Springs Dewatering Unit are closed to all watercraft November 15-February 15. The visitor center is open daily 9:00 am-5:00 pm, October-February, and Tuesday-Saturday 9:00 am-4:00 pm, March-September. Nearest highways are Alabama 67, U.S. 31 and I-65. Nearest communities are Decatur, Priceville and Huntsville. Waters within the refuge include Wheeler Reservoir, Tennessee River, Flint Creek, Limestone Creek, Beaverdam Creek, Piney Creek and Cotaco Creek. Available species include crappie, bluegill, redear sunfish, several species of catfish, largemouth and smallmouth bass, hybrid striped bass and striped bass. There are 6 improved boat ramps within the refuge boundary and a number of unimproved areas for launching of non-motorized vessels. Airboats and personal watercraft are not permitted. There are good access roads throughout the refuge. Additional information about the refuge may be found at http://wheeler.fws.gov/.

Amenities: Food nearby / Lodging nearby / Bait & tackle nearby* / Maps available / Public rest facilities / Boat launching / Hiking and nature trails / Canoeing and kayaking / Information center / Disabled angler facilities

*Nearby.

Comments are closed.