DeKalb County fishing lake to reopen June 16


DeKalb County Lake, also known as Sylvania Lake, has undergone improvements that will boost its appeal to anglers. The lake was closed in 2014 for repairs and updates and now has been restocked with fish.
DeKalb County Lake, also known as Sylvania Lake, has undergone improvements that will boost its appeal to anglers. The lake was closed in 2014 for repairs and updates and now has been restocked with fish.
photo DeKalb County Lake, also known as Sylvania Lake, has undergone improvements that will boost its appeal to anglers. The lake was closed in 2014 for repairs and updates and now has been restocked with fish.

ON THE MENU

3,600: Largemouth bass100,000: Bluegill13,000: Red ear (shell crackers)3,500: Adult catfishSource: Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

Two years' worth of renovations at DeKalb County Lake near Sylvania, Ala., will come to a close with the reopening of the now-refurbished and restocked 120-acre fishing spot on June 16.

Anglers can cast a line starting at daybreak.

DeKalb County Lake, about 50 miles south of Chattanooga, was drained in 2014 so its bottom could be renovated and new fish habitat, cover and spawning beds installed, according to Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division state lake supervisor Matthew Marshall.

The renovation is completed and the last details are being crossed off the to-do list, Marshall said.

The new manager, Steven Simmons, will become a Sylvania resident over the next week or so and live on the grounds, Marshall said. "[He] is getting moved in and getting settled," he said.

He said volunteers made an enormous impact on the work.

"Leadership DeKalb put forth a lot of time, effort and funds in this project," he said. "They spruced up the concession area. They added a new swing set, finished a new entrance sign and they've done a lot of cleanup at the lake and some renovations of the campground bathrooms."

The last work day for volunteers before the opening is June 11.

Marshall said that work to give the public lake a face-lift over the last two years went smoothly. The lake hadn't been drained since it was opened in April 1967.

Sylvania Mayor Gerald Craig said in April that the lake has been a favorite fishing hole for 50 years and the renovated facilities should appeal to new generations of visitors.

During its last fiscal year of operation ending 2014, DeKalb County Lake sold 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 each, 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.

For lake visitors there's a camp store selling bait, fishing tackle, snacks and other supplies. It costs $3 for a daily fishing permit for anyone 12 and older and a state freshwater fishing license is required for anglers between 16 and 65 years of age.

A number for the manager is 256-657-1300 once he has moved into his residence. Otherwise, for more information call Alabama fisheries officials at 334-242-3471 or visit www.OutdoorAlabama.com.

Contact staff writer Ben Benton at bbenton@timesfreepress.com, at twitter.com/BenBenton, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ben.benton1 or 423-757-6569.

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