Lay Lake is a 12,000-acre reservoir in Chilton County, Alabama. It is a relatively young lake, having been created in 1914 by the construction of the Lay Dam on the Coosa River. The lake is a popular destination for fishing, boating, and swimming. It is home to several species of fish, including sunfish, bluegill, spotted bass, striped bass, largemouth bass, crappie, and catfish.
Construction of Lay Dam began in 1912 and was completed two years later. The dam was named after John Hays Lay, an engineer who helped design and construct the dam. Lay Lake soon became a popular spot for fishing and swimming. In fact, the first major bass fishing tournament was held on the lake in 1953.
The lake continued to grow in popularity in the ensuing years. In 1974, work began on constructing additional facilities at Lay Lake, including a marina and campground. Today, Lay Lake is a popular tourist destinations in Alabama. Visitors come from all over to enjoy the lake’s clear waters and ample opportunities for fishing, swimming, and boating.
5181 Desoto Caverns Pkwy,
Childersburg, AL 35044
Caverns are an incredible natural phenomenon, beautiful works of art that are created over time by water eroding limestone and creating huge underground caves. There are only a few places in the world where you can see caverns, and Majestic Caverns about 35 miles from the center of Lay Lake, Alabama is one of them.
The caverns themselves are huge with many different rooms and formations. One of the most unique features is the “caveman room” which has ancient Native American artifacts.
Majestic Caverns has a long and rich history. The first people to live near the caverns were Native Americans who used the cave for shelter, storage, and ceremonies. In 1540, Hernando De Soto became the first Spaniard to visit Alabama and he mentions in his journals finding a “great cave.”
The first recorded commercial use of the cavern was in 1816 when saltpeter was mined from the cave to make gunpowder during the War of 1812. It wasn’t until 1845 that Majestic Caverns was open to the public as a tourist attraction. Since then, it has been used as a dancehall, speakeasy, and now a state park.
Today, Majestic Caverns is open year-round with guided tours leaving every hour. The tour takes about an hour and a half and covers about a mile of walking. The temperatures inside the cavern stay at a cool 60 degrees, so it is a great place to escape the summer heat. In the winter, the stalactites are covered in ice and the experience is truly breathtaking.
There are many different rooms and formations to see on the tour including stalagmites, stalactites, column caves, rimstone dams, draperies, soda straws, flowstones, cave coral, and petrified wood.
If you’re feeling adventurous, there is even an area where you can go zip-lining!
No matter what time of year you visit, Majestic Caverns is sure to be a memorable experience.
7346 Grist Mill Rd #180,
Alpine, AL 35014
If you’re looking for a fun day trip destination near Lay Lake, Alabama, look no further than Kymulga Grist Mill Park. This park is home to a grist mill built in the 1800s, and it’s been beautifully restored.
There are also plenty of other activities to keep you busy at Kymulga Grist Mill Park. Take a hike on one of the park’s nature trails, go fishing in Lay Lake, or picnic in the park’s scenic pavilion.
The centerpiece of Kymulga Grist Mill Park is the grist mill. In the early 1960s, the mill was scheduled to be demolished, but local residents banded together to raise money for its restoration.
Today, the grist mill is fully operational, and it’s powered by water from the Tallapoosa River. Visitors can watch as corn is ground into meal, and they can purchase fresh-made cornmeal to take home with them. Be sure to visit the on-site museum to learn more about the history of the grist mill and its importance to the community.
In addition to being home to a grist mill, Kymulga Grist Mill Park is also a great place for nature lovers. The park has several miles of hiking trails that wind through pristine forestland.
If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also bring your mountain bike and explore the park’s mountain biking trails. Just be sure to stay on marked trails and obey all posted sign
Spend a day fishing on Lay Lake and you’re sure to have a “reel” good time! Located in central Alabama, this 12,000-acre lake has a maximum depth of 88 feet and is a popular spot for bass fishing. In fact, the record for the largest largemouth bass caught in Alabama was set on Lay Lake back in 2002. So, whether you’re an experienced angler or just trying your hand at fishing for the first time, Lay Lake is the perfect place to drop a line.
Before you head out onto the lake, be sure to check the fishing regulations. A valid Alabama fishing license is required for all anglers 16 years of age or older. You can purchase a license online or at any number of locations around the state.
Lay Lake is managed as a high quality bass fishery, anglers are limited to keeping only ten bass per day of which no more than 5 can be small-mouthed. So be sure to practice catch and release if you’re hoping to land that big one! Check out Outdoor Alabama (www.outdooralabama.com) for more details.
There are public boat ramps located all around Lay Lake, so you won’t have any trouble finding a place to launch your boat. Once you’re out on the water, try fishing near rocky points, submerged brush piles, or grass beds—bass love to hide out in these types of spots. And if you need some help locating the fish, be sure to pick up a map of Lay Lake before heading out or using the map app on your phone with the satellite layer toggled on to find islands, low water areas, bridges, or docks and boathouses to fish.
Lay lake is known for its abundance of ground vegetation and weeds which make great homes for bass and other species of fish. This lake is controlled by Alabama Power as a “Run of River” lake meaning the water level is rarely changed from season to season as you may see on other Alabama lakes like Martin, Weiss, Logan, and Smith lakes. These lakes are “storage” lakes designed to lower their level in the winter to get ready for the rainy season.
Fisherman’s Ridge – This spot on the west side of the lake is ideal for those who are looking to catch bass. There is an abundance of submerged vegetation in the area, which makes for great hiding and spawning spots for bass. One tip: use a plastic worm or crankbait and fish near the bottom for the best results.
The Narrows – The Narrows is a great spot for those who want to catch bream. Bream can be found near the shoreline or in the deeper waters near submerged logs or stumps. A baitcasting reel with light tackle and a small hook baited with crickets or worms is all you need to lure in these tasty fish.
Old Lock 12 – Old Lock 12 is the name for the dam that went into production on April 12th, 1914. This dam is one of our favorite spots on Lay Lake for catfish. Catfish like to congregate near areas with high amounts of baitfish, so keep your eyes peeled for schools of shad or other small fish. Once you’ve found a school, use cut bait or live bait on the bottom to attract catfish. Chicken livers are especially effective.
If you’re looking for a place to get away and enjoy the great outdoors, Lay Lake is definitely worth checking out. With its crystal-clear waters and abundance of fish, it’s no wonder this spot is a favorite among anglers. And if fishing isn’t your thing, don’t worry – there are plenty of other things to do in the area as well. So next time you’re feeling antsy and need to take a break from the city, pack your gear and head on over to Lay Lake. You won’t regret it!
Source:
http://encyclopediaofalabama.org/article/h-4254
Welcome to Majestic Caverns! DeSoto Caverns reveals new name, future plans and more
