Sunrise over Jackson Lake in Elmore County, Alabama welcomes anglers at the boat launch. (Photo by Anietra Hamper)
Fishing and Outdoor Recreation in Elmore County, Alabama
By Anietra Hamper
Adventurous opportunities await within central Alabama’s natural landscape.
Just outside of Montgomery, Alabama is Elmore County, which is a prime destination for outdoor enthusiasts, especially anglers. From the Alabama, Tallapoosa and Coosa Rivers to Lake Jordan, Lake Martin and Jackson Lake, anglers can easily target a wide range of species from a boat or from the shoreline.
Spectacular fishing in Elmore County’s lakes and rivers is just one of the many outdoor activities available within easy traveling distance of one another. The unique central Alabama landscape lends itself to hiking, kayaking, mountain biking, golfing, bird watching and sporting events all in the same trip.
Exploring Elmore County
Elmore County’s unique natural landscape is the result of a five-mile-wide impact crater that happened 85 million years ago. It altered the water and land in the region, making way for some of the finest recreational opportunities in the state. Hikers and bikers can enjoy recreation trails, including Swayback Bridge Trail, Piedmont Plateau Birding Trail and Lake Tallassee Riverwalk. Kayakers can navigate numerous paddling trails along the Alabama and Coosa rivers and Lake Jordan. And for golfers, the Robert Trent Jones Capitol Hill Golf Course is an unforgettable experience.
“We have one of the premier golf courses in the entire country, but we have a trail throughout the state. The venue that’s here in Elmore County in the city of Prattville is one of the highest utilized Robert Trent Jones courses in Alabama. It sits over Cooters Pond and the Alabama River, with beautiful views from that location,” said Richie Beyer, Chief Operations Officer for Elmore County Economic Development Authority.
Establishing a base in Millbrook or Wetumpka provides easy access to all of Elmore County’s outdoor experiences.
Jackson Lake Island
Casting a line from Jackson Lake Island is a must for anglers visiting Elmore County, but it is also a quiet escape for families, kayakers and campers. The surrounding lake is fed by the flowing water from the Alabama River. It has strong crappie populations that thrive among the structural features surrounding the island and deeper pools where anglers can target channel, flathead and blue catfish.
The private island’s added charm is that it was the backdrop for the town of Spectre in the Tim Burton film “Big Fish.” Many of the movie-set buildings remain for visitors to see. For a $5 access fee to the island, anyone can come to enjoy the tranquil greenspace accented by old cypress trees and friendly goats that freely roam to groom the landscape.
Anglers and kayakers have boat ramp access, and the island has plenty of space with tranquil scenery perfect for a midday picnic in the shade.
Alabama Wildlife Federation
The angling and hunting heritage that is central to Elmore County is due in part to the Alabama Wildlife Federation’s work to keep it alive. The non-profit was founded by sportsmen in 1935 to sustain the wildlife and natural resources of the region for future generations to enjoy. Its work continues today through the Alabama Nature Center in Millbrook, which is open to the public. Visitors can enjoy hiking trails, conservation education programs, hands-on animal experiences and an interactive Discovery Hall featuring the land, water, plant and animals specific to this region.
For local school children, the facility is often their first introduction to nature. They learn how to fish and engage with natural resources by exploring the boardwalk over wetlands, birdwatching, hiking and walking in the creek beds offered through the facility’s educational programming.
The Alabama Nature Center is responsible for broader statewide initiatives, including oyster restoration, with plans to expand the facility to southern Alabama.
Coosa River Adventures
Elmore County has some of the most navigable waterways in Alabama, making it easy to add in a day of kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding along the Coosa River. Coosa River Adventures, an outfitter in Wetumpka for more than 30 years, offers kayak, canoe or stand-up paddleboard rentals along with guidance about how to make the most of experiences on the local waterways. Visitors can enjoy a leisurely float or kayak fishing or choose to level up their experience by tackling Class III whitewater on the Coosa River.
The scenery and local wildlife are a bonus to the experiences, including a chance to spot a pair of resident bald eagles.
“People can expect to see some of the most beautiful property along the river,” said Chris Carter of Coosa River Adventures. “The distinct rapids out here on the Coosa River make it exciting. We enjoy hosting and seeing those eyes and those experiences that people get to take back to their families.”
Visitors can plan a half-day of paddling along the seven-mile section of river and reward their resulting appetite with a dinner at Smokehouse Pit BBQ known for its hand-pulled meats. The solid reputation of this local barbecue joint stems from its master recipes for pork, chicken, brisket, ribs and turkey and the five closed-brick pits that smoke meat for up to 12 hours.
17 Springs
One of the experiences that is hard to miss in Elmore County, and one that should be worked into any itinerary, is a visit to the 17 Springs Sports Complex. The state-of-the-art facility in Millbrook has several multi-use fields and a fieldhouse that accommodates a broad range of sporting events, from soccer and pickleball to tennis and football. Pickleball and tennis courts are open to the public on a first-come first-served basis free of charge. Visitors can also purchase tickets to enjoy some of the scheduled events and tournaments at the complex.
17-Springs is a nice option for outdoors enthusiasts when they need a break from the action but still want to soak in activities in the area.
“Not all the time can you just be out on the lake or on the river,” said Beyer. “Sometimes you need downtime or you’re back at the hotel and you need something to do. 17 Springs is a great opportunity to come play a little pickleball, take in a game or use the track around the facility.”.
The next phase of the complex soon underway will include dining, lodging, shopping and entertainment.
Before an evening at 17 Springs, visitors can indulge in a hearty southern dinner at The Front Porch Grill. Popular dishes include the hamburger steak smothered in onions and mushrooms, southwestern chicken and selections from the porterhouse menu.
All the outdoor activities in Elmore County are within close proximity to each other, making it a destination where you can easily include a variety of experiences in one visit.
(Anietra Hamper is a career television news anchor and investigative journalist turned award-winning outdoor writer specializing in fishing and outdoor adventure. Anietra travels the world fishing for catfish and other unique species in new destinations.)
