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Over 100 fishing permits were sold at the Chambers County Lake last Saturday in the second week of being open since 2020.

The lake reopened earlier this month after a five-year hiatus thanks to the new operators, Alan and Karen Franks, who are running the bait and tackle shop. Both are Chambers County natives and have spent time at the lake recreationally before it closed.

When they saw the application for the position, Franks said they decided to take on the responsibility of operating it.

“We want to make it a pleasant place for people to come and bring their family and try to do things for Chambers County and surrounding areas, [for] families to come out here and have a good place to get the things they need for a good afternoon,” Franks said.

Franks said the community has been very supportive of the news that the lake would reopen, which is a good thing because they will need the community’s support to keep up with it.

“We’ve had all kind of people coming here, just so happy and glad it’s open. Glad that we’re here,” Franks said.

The job itself doesn’t pay. The Franks’ will get their income from sales at the bait shop, which they stocked themselves. They began stocking supplies back in December when they got the news that they would be chosen as the operators.

Though the county is responsible for upkeep to the road, County Road 292, Franks will be in charge of maintaining the 183-acre lake itself and its banks.

The lake’s operating hours are from sun up to sun down Thursday through Sunday. There is a lot to do in that time from fishing to grilling out at the picnic tables. The pavilion at the lake is available for reservations. The rates are $60 for a full day and $30 for half a day.

To fish in the lake, visitors need to pay for a daily fishing permit and have an Alabama fishing license. Before leaving, fishermen need to check in and have their fish weighed. For bass, fihsermen have to do a catch and release over 12 inches with a creel limit of 10.

Most of the fish in the lake are blue gill and bass, Franks said.

Once they get fully set up at the lake, Franks said they hope to begin offering some activities like kids’ fishing events.

However, Franks said they are not offering camping at this time.

“We want to do our best to just make it a good place to come visit, and [we] want everybody to come out here to have a good, safe time,” Franks said.