The Forever Wild Land Trust announces that the M. Barnett Lawley Field Trial Area in Hale County will be open for fishing to families and small groups on several Saturdays in upcoming months. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 334-624-9952. Three catfish and three bass and bream ponds are scattered around the property.
“We feel like having a family or group of friends make reservations is a good way to ensure that everyone has a safe, fun outing,” said Bill Mason, property manager. “We would particularly like to see youth have the opportunity to fish in these ponds.”
When reservations are made, each group will be assigned a pond along with details such as creel limits and what kind of tackle to bring. Ponds will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. There is no cost to anglers, but anyone between the ages of 16 and 64 is required to have a fishing license.
Fishing will be from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the following dates:
- May 7, 2016
- June 4, 2016
- June 18, 2016
- July 2, 2016
- July 16, 2016
- August 13, 2016
- August 27, 2016
The M. Barnett Lawley Forever Wild Field Trail Area consists of 3,340 acres of pasture and a mixture of pine-hardwood forest purchased by the Forever Wild Land Trust from the Department of Corrections in 2008. Historically, the property, known as the “State Cattle Ranch,” was a working cattle ranch and catfish farm operated by the Department of Corrections. The land is now being used as a Nature Preserve and Recreation Area with scheduled field trials and opportunities for hunting and fishing.
The Forever Wild Land Trust was established by constitutional amendment in 1992 and reauthorized in 2012. Funding for this program is generated by the interest earned from offshore natural gas royalties deposited into the Alabama Trust Fund. For more information on Forever Wild, visit. www.alabamaforeverwild.com.
