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Lay Lake, Alabama, USA

Lay Lake is an impressive 12,000-acre reservoir stretching for 48 miles through the counties of Talladega, Shelby, Coosa, and Chilton in east-central Alabama. The primary uses for this lake are hydroelectric power generation and outdoor recreation. Since being impounded in 1914 by the Alabama Power Company, the lake is best known for its largemouth bass and spotted bass fishing. Lay Lake offers 289 miles of shoreline and…
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    • All About Lay Lake, AL

    Lake Locations: USA - US South Region - Alabama - Metropolitan Region, AL -

    Lay Lake is an impressive 12,000-acre reservoir stretching for 48 miles through the counties of Talladega, Shelby, Coosa, and Chilton in east-central Alabama. The primary uses for this lake are hydroelectric power generation and outdoor recreation. Since being impounded in 1914 by the Alabama Power Company, the lake is best known for its largemouth bass and spotted bass fishing.

    Lay Lake offers 289 miles of shoreline and provides recreational opportunities for boating, fishing, swimming, and other outdoor activities. Boat ramps, picnic facilities, nature trails, and restrooms are available to the public. When it comes to fishing, Lay Lake offers some of the best fishing in the South. Sport fish species include several varieties of bass, crappie, bream, catfish, and sunfish. Several bass tournaments are annually held on Lay Lake. Largemouth bass and spotted bass up to 18-inches are abundant. In the upstream end of Lay Lake, the tailwater area below Logan Martin Dam is excellent for hybrid striped bass and catfish. The 2002 Bass Masters Classic was won in this area. Note: Lay Lake dose have a fish consumption advisory due to PCBs and mercury. See the link below before consuming fish from Lay Lake.

    For boaters, Lay Lake is an excellent lake to cruise or paddle. Five islands can be found within its 48 miles of deep, clear, cool water. Multiple public and private boat ramps are located along the shoreline making getting on the lake a breeze. Many of the launches have marinas, restaurants and stores. Beeswax Creek Park is a county park adjacent to the lake which covers nearly 100 acres and features a walking trail, boat launch facilities and picnic pavilions.

    Families who like to camp will find several campgrounds and RV parks in the area. Those would rather not rough it will find bed-and-breakfasts and other various vacation rentals and real estate in the area. Lay Lake is conveniently located 35 minutes southeast of Birmingham off I-65 and 15 miles southeast of Columbiana.

    Birmingham is a vibrant city nestled in the rolling foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. Visitors to Lay Lake can enjoy fine dining, shopping, a zoo, museums, golfing, world-class attractions, and lodging of every kind imaginable. The University of Alabama at Birmingham is well known for its sporting events and Talladega Superspeedway is an all time favorite with NASCAR fans. For outdoor enthusiasts, Ruffner Mountain is a 1,000-acre nature preserve, just five miles from the center of the city. In this urban forest, mile after mile of hiking trails cover all the ridges and valleys; one trail ends at a spectacular overlook with a breathtaking view of the city. A covered picnic pavilion is available and a great place to stop, relax, and have lunch.

    For a little less hustle and bustle, the town of Columbiana offers shopping, dining and several small parks. Just a few minutes northwest of Lay Lake, this town welcomes tourists and is a great place to do a little gift shopping or sample some fine Alabama cuisine.

    Nature lovers will find several state parks and wilderness areas near Lay Lake. Oak Mountain State Park is Alabama’s largest state park where visitors can enjoy mountain biking trails, camping, picnicking, tennis, swimming, boating, fishing, hiking, backpacking, and horseback riding. The park is also home to the Alabama Wildlife Rehabilitation Center.

    Northeast of Lay Lake is the Talladega National Forest which covers 392,567 acres and offers numerous outdoor recreational opportunities. Hiking, camping, hunting, boating, fishing and horseback riding are allowed amid numerous streams, lakes, lush canyons and bluffs from 50 to 2,000 feet. Approximately 850 species of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and fish make their home in the forest. Game animals include white-tailed deer, bobwhite quail, gray and fox squirrel, turkey, rabbit, raccoon, and various waterfowl. Threatened or endangered species finding shelter in the forest include the red-cockaded woodpecker, the flattened musk turtle, and several species of mussels.

    Lay Lake and the surrounding area is a fantastic outdoor playground, where kids of all ages can enjoy every adventure imaginable, from fishing, boating, hiking, camping, and kayaking to horseback riding, hunting, scaling massive boulders and rappelling down scenic ravines. From scenic views along the shoreline in the summer to the mountain region’s gorgeous fall colors, there’s something spectacular to experience year round.

    Things to Do at Lay Lake

    These are some activities in the Lay Lake, AL area visitors can enjoy:

    • Vacation Rentals
    • Fishing
    • Fishing Tournaments
    • Boating
    • Swimming
    • Kayaking
    • Golf
    • Tennis
    • Camping
    • Campground
    • Picnicking
    • Hiking
    • Biking
    • Horseback Riding
    • Hunting
    • Wildlife Viewing
    • Birding
    • State Park
    • National Forest
    • Museum
    • Playground
    • NASCAR
    • Shopping

    What Kind of Fish Are in Lay Lake?

    Lay Lake has been known to have the following fish species:

    • Bass
    • Black Bass
    • Catfish
    • Crappie
    • Largemouth Bass
    • Spotted Bass
    • Striped Bass
    • Sunfish
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    Find Places to Stay at Lay Lake

    If you’re considering a Lay Lake lake house rental or hotel, we’ve made it super easy to find the best rates and compare vacation accommodations at a glance. Save time using this interactive map below.

    Note: These are affiliate links and we may earn a small commission if you click and make a purchase. Read our full disclosure policy here.

    More Sites to Book a Lay Lake Vacation

    Our interactive Lay Lake lodging map above is an easy tool for comparing VRBO rental homes and nearby hotels with Booking.com, but there could be times when you need to expand your search for different types of accommodations. Here are some other lake lodging partners we recommend:

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    Lay Lake Statistics & Helpful Links

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    Water Level Control: Alabama Power Company

    Surface Area: 12,000 acres

    Shoreline Length: 289 miles

    Normal Elevation (Full Pond): 396 feet

    Average Depth: 22 feet

    Maximum Depth: 88 feet

    Water Volume: 262,774 acre-feet

    Completion Year: 1914

    Drainage Area: 9,087 sq. miles

    Trophic State: Eutrophic

    Lay Lake Map
    Lake Water Level
    Local Weather Forecast

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