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Lake Information for Bear Creek Reservoir
Bear Creek Reservoir, also known as Big Bear, was first impounded in 1969 mostly as a flood control reservoir and holds 670 acres of water at full pool. The lake was drained in 2005. Located approximately 20 miles SW of Russellville in Franklin County, it is one of four Tennessee Valley Authority reservoirs operated by the Bear Creek Development Authority. The primary uses of this reservoir are flood control and recreation. There is no residential development of the shoreline on Bear Creek Reservoir. Camping and fishing provide the main recreational opportunities. Two public access areas (Piney Point and Horseshoe Bend) provide boat ramps, and one campground (Horseshoe Bend Campground) provides camping opportunities on Bear Creek Reservoir. A BCDA fishing permit ($3/day or $20/year) is required in addition to an Alabama state fishing license. Pre-impoundment topographic maps are available for Bear Creek Reservoir through the TVA.
The Bear Creek area is popular for all kinds of boating, including canoeing and kayaking. The Bear Creek Floatway, which flows into Bear Creek Reservoir, is a popular spot for teaching first-timers to negotiate rapids and work with the current.
Bear Creek Reservoir has fish consumption advisories due to mercury. Information on the consumption advisories may be found at the Alabama Department of Public Health Web site, www.adph.org. To answer questions, contact Dr. Neil Sass at [email protected].
The Fisheries Section's District I Supervisor can answer specific questions about Bear Creek Reservoir at [email protected].
Businesses Located Nearby
Bait & Tackle
- Roberts Bait Tackle & Fish Mkt
- 8775 Highway 57 - Counce, TN
- (731) 689-5474
- Fishermans Resort Bait & Tckl
- 300 County Road 411, #45 - Town Creek, AL
- (256) 685-9711
- Gray's Tackle Shop
- 2813 N Jackson Hwy - Sheffield, AL
- (256) 383-2716
Boat Rental
- Pickwick Boat Rentals Incorporated
- 7380 Highway 57 - Counce, TN
- (731) 689-5359
- Tj's Boat-N-4x4 Solutions Incorporated
- 2025 John Rankin Hwy - Fulton, MS
- (662) 862-2542
- Tracker Boat Center
- 4120 Florence Blvd - Florence, AL
- (256) 757-5000
Vacation Rental
- RE/MAX RESORT REALTY
- 9195 Highway 57 - Counce, TN
- (731) 689-0283
- Pickwick Lake Vacation Rentals
- 25 Bluebird Rd - Counce, TN
- (731) 689-0400
- Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Tupelo
- 1612 Mcclure Cv - Tupelo, MS
- (877) 786-9480
Bar and Restaurant
- Clay's Bar-B-Que
- 12316 Jesse Jackson Pky - Courtland, AL
- (256) 637-8300
- Gunwaleford Road Bar B Que Pit
- Gunwaleford Rd - Florence, AL
- (256) 767-3644
- On the Rocks - Bar & Restaurant
- 110 N Court St - Florence, AL
- (256) 412-4256