Neely Henry Lake is a beautiful destination in northeastern Alabama that offers a wealth of history and outdoor recreation opportunities. The lake was created in 1966 when the Coosa River was impounded by the construction of the Neely Henry Dam. The dam is named for Alabama Power Company executive James M. Neely, who oversaw its construction. Today, the lake is a popular spot for fishing, boating, and camping. Read on to learn more about the history of this fascinating place.
The early history of the land now occupied by Neely Henry Lake is a story of cotton plantations, Native American removal, and industrial development. Prior to the arrival of Europeans in North America, the Coosa River Valley was inhabited by the Creek and Cherokee peoples. After the United States was established, the Creek ceded their claim to the land in 1814. This opened up the area to white settlers, who began establishing cotton plantations.
The plantation economy thrived until the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861. During the war, many of the plantations were destroyed or abandoned. Afterward, the area began to be developed for industry. In 1882, the Alabama Power Company was founded with the goal of harnessing hydroelectric power from the Coosa River.
Construction on Neely Henry Dam began in 1963 and was completed three years later. The dam created an 1150-acre lake with a shoreline of about 160 miles. The lake quickly became a popular spot for boating and fishing. In recent years, recreational development has continued with the construction of campgrounds and hiking trails.
If you’re looking for a place to get away from it all and enjoy some quality time outdoors, Neely Henry Lake is the perfect destination.
Neely Henry Lake has been a very popular destination for anglers since it was impounded in 1966. The lake is home to a large number of bass, crappie, catfish, and bream. In fact, the Alabama state record largemouth bass was caught in Neely Henry Lake back in 1976. The fish weighed in at 14 pounds 4 ounces and was caught by Tommy Youngblood.
Over the years, numerous fishing tournaments have been held on Neely Henry Lake. Some of these tournaments include the Bassmaster Classic, FLW Tour events, and numerous tournaments put on by local bass clubs. The popularity of these tournaments has only increased over the years as more and more anglers flock to Neely Henry Lake in hopes of landing that big one.
Based on everything we know about the lake today, it is safe to say that Neely Henry Lake will continue to be a premier destination for anglers for many years to come. The lake’s abundant supply of fish combined with its proximity to Birmingham makes it the perfect place to wet a line whether you are a tournament angler or just looking to do some casual fishing with family and friends.
Neely Henry Lake is one of Alabama’s best-kept secrets when it comes to fishing destinations. If you’re looking for a place to drop a line and relax, this is definitely the place for you. And with these three excellent fishing spots to choose from, you can’t go wrong no matter where you cast your line.
The Coosa River is the primary waterway that was dammed to create the Neely Henry Lake. This lake is commonly compared to its bother Weiss Lake to the north and Logan Martin Lake to the south. All three of these man-made lakes were created by damming the Coosa River. This dam forces water to pool In low areas expanding the River into a lake enabling the electric company to leverage these dams to generate power without fear of impacting the flow of water or flooding a town.
This river is fed by several smaller streams, making it a great place to fish for bass, catfish, and crappie. As the mouth of the river flows into Neely Henry Lake, this stretch of water where it meets the lake is always teaming with fish traveling from upstream. There are several boat ramps and docks located around the mouth of Coosa River that dumps into Neely Henry Lake, so accessing the water is easy. You can also find bait and tackle shops in the area if you need to stock up on supplies. This mouth
Visit the Ten Islands, Historic Park. The park is situated on a series of small islands near Neely Henry Lake and is home to a variety of plant and animal species. This park is a great place for bird watchers to see the occasional bald eagles, loons, ducks, purple martins, and many more species of birds. Visitors can hike, bike, or paddle their way through the park while enjoying views of the scenic lake.
There is no shortage of things to do at the Ten Islands Historic Park. Nature lovers can hike or bike along any of the park’s seven miles of trails.
If you’re interested in getting out on the water, you can rent a canoe or kayak from one of the park’s two rental locations and paddle your way around Neely Henry Lake. Fishermen will be happy to know that fishing is allowed in certain areas of the lake (be sure to check with park officials before casting your line!). And birdwatchers will have plenty to look at as well; over 200 species of birds have been sighted in and around Ten Islands Historic Park.
If you’re looking for a place to get away and enjoy nature, Neely Henry Lake is the perfect destination. With plenty of fishing spots and places to visit, you’ll be able to relax and unwind while enjoying all that Alabama has to offer. So pack your bags and head on down to Neely Henry Lake for a vacation you won’t forget!
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