The Alabama River and its lakes are the flowing heart of the Cotton State

Alabama residents enjoy endless recreational opportunities in one of the most biologically diverse states blessed with abundant water sources. The lakes and streams provide habitat for more aquatic and semi-aquatic species than any other state and provide excellent fishing, wildlife viewing and other activities.

“The lakes on the Alabama River system provide excellent bass, spotted bass and catfish fishing,” says Tommy Purcell, biologist with the Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division in Spanish Fort. “Millers Ferry Lake is definitely a hidden gem. Claiborne Lake is smaller and has much less pressure, but also offers good fishing.”

The Alabama system is a river but also a chain of lakes and flows through the heart of the Cotton State. The Tallapoosa and Coosa rivers join near Wetumpka to form the Alabama River. Dams divide the system into three main basins.

The Robert F. Henry Lock and Dam creates RE “Bob” Woodruff Lake, better known as Jones Bluff Reservoir, southeast of Selma. It runs 80 miles between Bouldin Dam on the Coosa River and Millers Ferry Lock and Dam near Camden. This dam forms the William “Bill” Dannelly Reservoir, better known as Millers Ferry Lake.

Millers Ferry travels 105 miles to Claiborne Lock and Dam near Monroeville and covers 17,200 acres. Claiborne Dam impounds the 5,930-acre Claiborne Lake.

“The fishing on Millers Ferry is phenomenal,” says Joe Dunn of Dunn’s Sports in Thomasville, who owns a camp on Millers Ferry Lake. “It has always produced more crappie than anywhere else in this part of Alabama. There is also good fishing for bass, catfish and bream.”

Millers Ferry Lake and Claiborne Lake can produce some big bass. Here, a biologist with the Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division shows off two largemouth bass he caught while sampling the lakes. (Alabama Department of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries)

Activities other than fishing

Many small streams and tributaries flow into the main river and provide great opportunities for canoeing, kayaking, boating, water skiing and other water sports activities. Many people enjoy kayaking on the Cahaba River, the longest free-flowing river in Alabama. The Cahaba River, one of the most scenic and biodiverse streams, begins near Birmingham and flows 194 miles to the Alabama, about 10 miles below Selma.

“Millers Ferry Lake has a lot of backwaters,” says Gerald Overstreet, a fishing guide. “The Cahaba River is a good place to paddle. There are a few small piers where people can dock their boats. Some people carry their boats around the dams and kayak all the way down to Mobile.”

The rare Cahaba lily grows along the river of the same name. The Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge preserves 3,690 acres of Bibb County 5 miles east of West Blocton to protect the largest known lily string. The refuge offers excellent opportunities for hunting, fishing, paddling, wildlife viewing and photography.

A canoe paddles through Cahaba lilies on the Cahaba River. (Karim Shamsi-Basha / Alabama News Center)

“Millers Ferry is a very popular destination for water skiing and bird watching,” said William Malone, former president of the Wilcox Area Chamber of Commerce and longtime Camden resident. “We have numerous bald eagles on the lake. The Stokes alligator is on display at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Millers Ferry office at the dam.”

In 2014, Mandy Stokes of Thomaston killed the largest Alabama alligator in modern history. It was 15 feet, 9 inches long and weighed 1,011.5 pounds. She hunted with her husband, John, her brother-in-law, Kevin Jenkins, and his children, Savannah and Parker. The crew caught the giant reptile in Mill Creek, which flows into Millers Ferry Lake.

While you’re in the Camden area, take advantage of shopping and dining in the revitalized downtown area. The city also hosts several annual events.

“The Wilcox Historical Society, the largest historical society in Alabama, hosts a historic home tour every March,” Malone said. “The chamber sponsors a barbecue cook-off every April. Cooking teams compete around Courthouse Square. We have lots of vendors, live music, arts and crafts.”

Many visitors to the area stay at Roland Cooper State Park, a popular stop on the Alabama Black Belt Birding Trail. Some people camp or bring their recreational vehicles, but the park also offers a variety of accommodations. People can launch boats in the park. Wildlife watchers can spot eagles, hawks, ospreys, waterfowl, various songbirds, herons, deer, turkeys and other species.

Near Camden, visit the quilters at Gee’s Bend in Boykin. The ladies of this small community create masterpieces out of fabric, continuing an old tradition. Alabama Public Television featured her in an Emmy-winning program.

The Old Courthouse Museum in Monroeville served as the model for author Harper Lee’s fictional courtrooms in “To Kill the Nightingale.” It is one of many attractions not far from the lakes in the Alabama River system. (contributed)

Along Claiborne Lake

With mostly forested shores and little human habitation, Claiborne Lake offers many different recreational activities. People can launch their boats at Silver Creek or Isaac Creek Campground. The main channel and some tributaries provide excellent fishing, boating, paddling and wildlife viewing. Many people who stay at Isaac Creek Campground hunt for deer, squirrels and other game in the Red Hills Wildlife Management Area. It covers 13,930 acres north of Monroeville.

“When the river is in normal condition, people just camp on a large sandbar across the river from the dock at Claiborne Lock and Dam,” said Mike Colquett, executive director of the Monroe County Economic Development Authority in Monroeville . “This is the beach in the area. This is also a good place for jet skiing, picnicking and swimming.”

Harper Lee, who wrote the novel “To Kill a Mockingbird,” lived in Monroeville. Today, visitors will find many reminders of Lee, her novel and the film that inspired it. Every April, Monroeville puts on a play based on the novel. The city has also remodeled many buildings, converting some into loft apartments overlooking the city square. The developers named some apartments after the novel Scout, Atticus and Harper.

“Business is booming around the downtown square,” Colquett says. “People can shop at clothing boutiques, gift shops, antique shops, garden shops, a gun shop and a coffee and ice cream shop. We have a storybook trail with pages from children’s books displayed around the square.”

From Claiborne Dam, the Alabama River flows south an additional 72 miles until it joins the Tombigbee River near Mount Vernon to form the Mobile River. The Mobile River and associated streams form the 250,000-acre Mobile-Tensaw Delta north of Mobile Bay. Here the mighty stream ends its long journey after offering unlimited recreational opportunities along the way.

This story originally appeared in Alabama Living magazine.