For information on fishing conditions or to make cabin reservations, call Dwight Lake at (334) 749-1275. Lee County Lake is open for night-fishing during July and August.

LAKE FRANK JACKSON
"When I was a boy setting night hooks for channel catfish on Lightwood Knot Creek," reminisced Mike Jones of Opp, "I never dreamed the creek would become a big lake and state park. Now that it's a lake, my favorite fishing spot is only minutes away."

Covering 1,037 acres within a 2,050-acre park, Jones' fishing hole is the largest lake operated by the Alabama State Parks Division. Frank Jackson's primary landmark is the U.S. Highway 331 Bridge, which divides the lake's open water to the south from the maze of standing and fallen timber to its north. Including a 13-acre island near the ramp, the lake has more than eight miles of shoreline.

Having pursued catfish from the banks of the now submerged creek channel, and on Lake Frank Jackson since it opened in June of 1989, Mike Jones is regarded by many as one of the lake's best cat men. Jones, who is semi-retired, said that when he is not working, he spends a lot of time fishing.

"I believe the best time of the year to fish the lake is early summer," Jones advised. "And the best time during early summer is just after a rain when the water is rising. Late-summer fishing is difficult because of the hot water."

In June, Jones said, a half-day's fishing may produce a dozen channel catfish weighing between 1 1/2 and 5 pounds each. His biggest cats weigh between 8 and 10 pounds.

Ken Weathers, fisheries biologist for the district, sampled Frank Jackson a few years ago and reported the presence of big channel catfish.

"Auburn was conducting genetics testing on catfish from around the state," said Weathers, "so we collected fish for them using trotlines on Lake Frank Jackson. Just about all the channel catfish we caught were big -- between 3 and 5 pounds. We also caught a good many brown and yellow bullheads.

"That was in 2002. Then in 2003 the state stocked 5,000 more channel catfish in Lake Frank Jackson."

Although Jones has fished from the dam to the head of the lake for cats, his favorite spot is located above the bridge where the creek channel is 20 feet deep and its submerged banks are 11 feet deep. The bottom there is like a carpet made of logjams.

"Big catfish lie under the timber," Weathers advised. "It's tough to catch them, but it's possible if you use strong line."

That is also one of the secrets to Jones' success. His spinning reel is spooled with 20-pound-test line, which is tied to a 45-pound-test wire leader. To keep the fish from moving deeper in the logs, Jones locks his reel's drag so the fish cannot take line. Even so, he still connects with big fish that snap his monofilament.

Jones completes his rig by adding a hook of high-carbon steel, baited with chicken liver. Above the wire leader, he adds just enough split-shot to sink the rig and then attaches a golf-ball- sized float about 10 feet above the hook.

For current fishing or park information at Frank Jackson State Park, call Park Ranger Donnie Thornton at (334) 493-6988.

Lake Frank Jackson does not have a daily creel limit on catfish; however, anglers may only fish with a rod and reel or pole. In addition to providing fishing and swimming, the park features picnic areas, lakefront camping and a boardwalk to the island.