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Lake Information for Claiborne Lake
Claiborne Lake is a river-run reservoir with 5,930 surface acres of water which courses 60.5 miles through Wilcox, Clarke, and Monroe counties in southwest Alabama. This reservoir was constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and impounded in 1970. Claiborne Lake has a large watershed of 21, 473 square miles, and its primary function is navigation. This reservoir is the lowermost within the Alabama River System with the dam at river mile 72.5 and the pool ending at river mile 133, the Millers Ferry Lock and Dam. Downstream of Claiborne Dam, the Alabama River is essentially free-flowing and ultimately joins the Tombigbee River to form the Mobile River near the Mt. Vernon community.
Recreational opportunities in Claiborne Lake are quite varied, and there are approximately ten public boat access areas operated throughout the reservoir by the Corps of Engineers and various county municipalities. Anglers will find good fishing throughout the reservoir for largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, and catfish. The tailwaters of Millers Ferry (Dannelly) Reservoir also provide excellent seasonal fishing for striped bass, spotted bass, crappie, and large catfish.
Claiborne Lock and Dam was completed in 1971 but was opened for navigation in November, 1969. It has no power installation.
Although the lake remains mostly within the original river banks, Claiborne provides extensive opportunities for water-related recreation, such as boating, fishing, swimming and skiing. There are also plenty of good sites for picnicking, camping and hiking. One of the most beautiful views of the lake can be seen at Silver Creek Park; a rugged foot trail at Gullet's Bluff Provides access to a splendid waterfall.
Much of the lake's surrounding park land is being allowed to revert to its natural state, providing habitation for the abundant wildlife, including the rare Red Hill Salamander, a threatened species that lives only in this section of the state.
For anglers who wish to make a long weekend trip, there are excellent camping facilities at Isaac Creek Campground, just upstream of the dam. For U.S. Army Corps of Engineers camping and recreational facilities, call the Resource Managers Office at 334-682-4244. Primitive camping is available at Bells Landing, Haines Island, and Silver Creek access areas. Lodging, food, and fuel can be found in the nearby city of Monroeville. See www.monroecountyal.com/
While most of Claiborne Lake is rustic, the project does offer 11 developed areas featuring beaches, campgrounds, picnic areas, trails and boat launching ramps
Claiborne Lake is home to over 125 species of native freshwater fish. This reservoir is also home to numerous species of mussels, snails, crayfish, amphibians, and reptiles. Some animals may be unique, or even very rare, so please be aware that collecting them may be unlawful. Please see the nongame species protected by Alabama Regulation 220-2-.92 at www.outdooralabama.com/watchable-wildlife/regulations/nongame.cfm. For a listing of Alabama species on the federal list for threatened and endangered species or whose status is a concern, please see a link of Alabama wildlife by county at www.outdooralabama.com/watchablewildlife/regulations/endangeredbycounty.cfm.
Remember, it shall be unlawful to intentionally stock or release any fish, mussel, snail, crayfish or their embryos including bait fish into the public waters of Alabama under the jurisdiction of the Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries as provided in Rule 220-2-.42 except those waters from which it came without the written permission of a designated employee of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources authorized by the Director of the Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries to issue such permit. The provisions of this rule shall not apply to the incidental release of bait into the water during the normal process of fishing.
Businesses Located Nearby
Bait & Tackle
- J J's Bait & Tackle Shop
- 1197 Highway 84 E - Monroeville, AL
- (251) 765-2741
- B & J Bait & Tackle
- 911 W Nashville Ave - Atmore, AL
- (251) 368-2277
- Thomas Bait & Tackle
- 1565 South Blvd - Brewton, AL
- (251) 867-4817
Boat Rental
- Sailboat Center
- - Brewton, AL
- (251) 809-0408
- Century Marine
- 7999 N Century Blvd - Century, FL
- (850) 256-4347
- Gibson Marine LLC
- 3319 Cr-8 - Gilbertown, AL
- (251) 843-5122
Vacation Rental
- Royal Oaks Bed & Breakfast
- 5415 Highway 21 - Atmore, AL
- (251) 368-8722
- Days Inn Camden
- 44 Al-10 E - Camden, AL
- (334) 682-4555
- Thomasville Inn
- 1704 N Park Dr - Thomasville, AL
- (334) 636-2000
Bar and Restaurant
- Allen's
- 9441 N Century Blvd - Century, FL
- (850) 256-0852
- Carolyns Restaurant
- 4833 Broad St - Pine Hill, AL
- (334) 963-4441
- Cherry Street Bar-B-Q
- 3 Rutherford St - Monroeville, AL
- (251) 575-2668