Regardless of where the lakes are located, each is intensively managed by the DWFF. All of the public fishing lakes offer concessions that range from fishing tackle to live and artificial baits to food, drinks and other refreshments. All lakes also have public restrooms. Fishing piers and boat ramps have been constructed at each of the lakes, and boat rentals are available at many locations.

A few rules must be followed at all the ponds. All anglers aged 16 or older must have an Alabama fishing license and pay a $2 daily permit fee. Anglers under the age of 12 don’t need a license or a permit, but they must be in the company of an adult. The adult doesn’t necessarily have to fish, though, as Turner pointed out. “A mom can take a 10- or 11-year-old out to the lake, and they may want to buy some bait or a snack, but even if mom isn’t fishing, the child can fish for free.”

Boat rentals cost $3; it costs $2 to launch your own boat.

The lakes are open from Feb. 1 through the end of November each year. Most lakes are closed in December and January, though some are open on the weekends and a few stay open year around.

“We do allow the lake manager to close one day a week,” Turner noted. “I would advise any angler who wishes to visit a lake they’re not familiar with to call ahead of time and make sure they don’t arrive on a closed day.”

When you call, be sure to talk to the lake manager and get the low down on what is biting, too. “They’re happy to talk to anglers and give them some inside information,” Turner said.

The daily creel, possession and size limits for all fish species are posted at each lake; in addition, anglers may only fish during daylight hours, and may use only hook and line. All fish taken from the lake must be counted and weighed. Swimming and wading are not allowed.

If you’re looking for a good lake to catch some catfish at, here are a few that come highly recommended. Chances are good that one or more will be near your home.

In the northernmost reaches of the state, Marion County Lake is probably the best all-around catfish water, according to Turner. The 37-acre lake is in Guin in the northwest part of the state. The lake produces large numbers of fish every year.

“Though Marion’s catfish are a little smaller than most other lakes, they are usually just the right size for the dinner table,” Turner offered.

Other good bets in northern Alabama are Walker County Lake and Fayette County Lake. Walker County Lake is a 160-acre impoundment three miles southeast of Jasper on U.S. Highway. 78. This area features a picnic pavilion and offers good fishing for bream and crappie as well. The 65 acres of Fayette County Lake are also a good bet for reeling some catfish.

If you live in central Alabama, you’re in luck, as Dallas County Lake is one of the best catfish lakes in the state, producing both high numbers of catfish, and large ones at that. Turner reported that in 2006, the average-sized catfish coming out of 100-acre Dallas County Lake was 3 1/2 pounds -- the largest average size of any of Alabama’s public fishing lakes. This lake can be reached from Selma via State Route 41 South.

One of Alabama’s more unusual public fishing waters, Clay County Lake is actually a system of three separate lakes connected in stairstep sequence. The three ponds, in Delta on SR 47, encompass 74 acres altogether. According to Turner, Middle Clay is the best of the three lakes to try for catfish.