By the numbers
3,600: Largemouth bass100,000: Bluegill13,000: Red ear (shell crackers)3,500: Adult catfishSource: Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
SYLVANIA, Ala. - Anglers, imagine a pristine lake where the largemouth bass have never seen a fishing lure and are just waiting for a line with something irresistible dangling on the end.
That first line could hit the water as soon as June at DeKalb County Lake, Alabama's newly renovated and restocked state fishing lake near Sylvania.
DeKalb County Lake, about 50 miles south of Chattanooga, was drained in 2014 so its bottom could be refurbished, along with new fish habitat, cover and spawning beds installed, while shoreline facilities like fishing piers and campsites were improved, Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division state lake supervisor Matthew Marshall said.
"We've selected a lake manager - we're waiting for the fully executed contract to get back from the governor's office - and we've been coordinating with him and our district biologist [on the reopening]," Marshall said.
Marshall said upgrades and renovations over the last two years went smoothly, especially considering the lake's age and the fact that it hasn't been drained since it was opened in April 1967.
Because the lake's fish population is new, biologists are taking samples to make sure the lake isn't opened to fishing too soon.
"The reason we'd like to wait into June is to allow the bluegill to have a good spawn," Marshall said.
The lake has been restocked with largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, or shellcracker, and adult catfish, he said. There are also crappie in the lake, though Marshall said they probably came from other nearby waters.
Most of the fish are still relatively small because they're still young, he said.
Marshall said bass were stocked about a year ago and now are getting to about a pound or so in weight, bluegill are up to about one-quarter pound and the adult catfish mostly measure around 10 to 14 inches.
During its last fiscal year of operation ending 2014, DeKalb County Lake tallied 5,900 angler permits at a cost of $3 a day, 483 launch permits at $3 each and 247 flat-bottomed boat rentals at $5 a pop, according to the previous lake manager's records. During the same period, 7,433 fish were caught with a total weight of 7,357 pounds.
Sylvania Mayor Gerald Craig, who was checking on the town's nearby baseball fields last week, said the lake has been a favorite spot for DeKalb County folks for almost 50 years. And it's not only the fishing that attracts people - there are plenty of trails to hike, bike and jog, Craig said.
Swimming is not allowed at the deep lake, which is intended only for anglers.
Craig said he hopes the lake store's small snack grill - a successful operation at one time - is revived to give visitors a place to eat and rest while they pick up camping permits, fishing licenses and supplies.
Marshall said fishing will be easy for anglers, as the lake is now stocked with inexperienced, young fish. He said the impact of improvements will continue into the years ahead as the population matures.
"We're excited to reopen and we hope everybody comes out and fishes," he said.
Contact staff writer Ben Benton at bbenton@timesfreepress.com or twitter.com/BenBenton or www.facebook.com/ben.benton1 or 423-757-6569.