Alabama lowers Washington County Public Fishing Lake to fight giant salvinia, but it stays open

Alabama's Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division has started lowering the water in Washington County Public Fishing Lake, about 2 miles west of Millry, the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources said Nov. 3. The goal is to dry out giant salvinia growing around the lake's edge.

The drawdown will last through the winter to make sure the exposed plants are killed. Salvinia on the lake's surface will also be treated with an aquatic herbicide. Giant salvinia is a fast-growing invasive plant that can choke out a waterbody and hurt fishing and boating, and the division has been working to remove it from this lake since it was found there in 2024.

The lake stays open to fishing during the drawdown. Anglers who want to use the boat ramp should first check whether the water is deep enough to launch their boat.

More information is available from the WFF Fisheries Section at (334) 242-3471.

This is a The Gillnet news desk summary, not a reprint.

Source: Outdoor Alabama (ADCNR) (Nov. 3, 2026).