continued from page 15<strong>Huntsville</strong> Foundation provides additional informationabout the area’s built heritage.Some outdoor adventurers in Madison Countyand <strong>North</strong> <strong>Alabama</strong> gravitate toward enclosedspaces. Underground streams and rivers dating toprehistoric times have carved their paths throughlimestone rock in this region, creating caves andcaverns. The headquarters of the National SpeleologicalSociety is located in <strong>Huntsville</strong>, given thenumber of caving opportunities in the surroundingarea. The areas where Tennessee, <strong>Alabama</strong> andGeorgia meet are collectively referred to as TAG bycaving enthusiasts. For those cavers lucky enoughto live in this area, every weekend offers an opportunityfor exploration and fun.Some of the biggest bass in the world comefrom <strong>North</strong> <strong>Alabama</strong>. According to an articleoffered by the <strong>North</strong> <strong>Alabama</strong> Tourism Association,anglers consistently catch Smallmouth Bassfrom the Tennessee River that weigh between 4and 6 pounds each. Wheeler Lake, LakeGuntersville – a favorite tournament location –Pickwick Lake and Wilson Lake regularly rankamong the top fishing lakes in the B.A.I.T. (BassAnglers Information Team) survey for numberand size of fish. Weiss Lake, in the northeasterncorner of <strong>Alabama</strong>, has held the title of “CrappieCapital of the World” for years. According to thearticle, out-of-state anglers buy more licenses atWeiss Lake than at any other body of water in<strong>Alabama</strong>.<strong>North</strong> <strong>Alabama</strong>’s Eight Sporting LakesBear Creek LakesComposed of four lakes each with its owndistinct personality. The lakes are stockedwith a variety of fish including largemouth,smallmouth and spotted bass; crappie; andcatfish.Lake Guntersville<strong>Alabama</strong>'s largest lake at 69,000 acreswith more than 900 miles of shoreline.Noted as an excellent bass lake and resortarea.H. Neely Henry LakeMade up of 11,200 acres of rippling bluewaters and 339 miles of shoreline. Fish forlargemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, aswell as catfish.Lewis Smith LakeHolder of five previous World Recordspotted bass catches and highly rated in thestate as a trophy saltwater striped bassfishery. The current lake record is 45 lbs. A~ provided by the <strong>North</strong> <strong>Alabama</strong> Tourism Associationdeep, clear lake with feeder streams, baysand sloughs. Rainbow trout fishery is locatedon the Sipsey Fork.Pickwick LakeOne of the South's best trophy smallmouthlakes and popular for crappie andcatfish.Weiss LakeA 30,200-acre lake offering 447 miles ofshoreline. Known as “The Crappie Capital ofthe World.”Wheeler LakeA 65,000-acre reservoir on the TennesseeRiver. Offers diverse sports fishing with largemouth,smallmouth and spotted bass; crappie,hybrids, bluegill, and channel catfish.Wilson LakeProvides great bass, crappie and catfishfishing because of its underwater points,gravel beds, rocky points and sand bars.The Tennessee River is also a great place for waterskiers who can skim the surface for miles withouthaving to turn their boats. For those who enjoycruising on houseboats, yachts or luxurious motorboats,the river stretches from one side of the state to theother, providing miles of picturesque shoreline.Lake Guntersville ~ courtesy of Tennessee Valley AuthorityFor a variety of hunters, <strong>North</strong> <strong>Alabama</strong> is paradise.Turkey, whitetail deer, mourning dove and waterfowlprovide hours of excitement and relaxation. TheWheeler National Wildlife Refuge and the nearbyBankhead National Forest offer excellent open permit,public land for hunting (during appropriate seasons andwith permits where required). The <strong>Alabama</strong> Departmentof Conservation and Natural Resources, Game & FishDivision at (334) 242-3829, can provide additionalinformation about hunting areas, or you can go towww.outdooralabama.com/hunting/land/wildlifeareas.Additional links from this Web site answerquestions about license fees, requirements and statehunting regulations.<strong>North</strong> <strong>Alabama</strong> State ParksCathedral Caverns State ParkOff U.S. 72 near Grant; (256) 728-8193Cathedral Caverns, 40 minutes east of <strong>Huntsville</strong>, contains widechambers, an impressive stalagmite “forest” & a massive 60 foottallcolumn with a girth of 200 feet. Fossils of sealife estimated at220 million years old dot the walls.Desoto State ParkCounty Rd. 89, 8 miles NE of Fort Payne; (256) 845-0051Lodge, modern and rustic cabins, motel, full service restaurant.Modern campground, primitive camping, nature center andprograms, hiking and biking trails, boardwalk trail, picnic and playareas, Olympic size pool (in season), waterfalls and wildflowers,boating and fishing areas. Located atop Lookout Mountain withinLittle River Canyon National Preserve and near DeSoto Falls. Openyear round. Many facilities are ADA accessible.Joe Wheeler State Park4401 McLean Dr., Off Hwy. 72, Rogersville(256) 247-5461A 2,500-acre park on Wheeler Lake offering a striking three-continued on page 19The Land Trust of <strong>Huntsville</strong>& <strong>North</strong> <strong>Alabama</strong>Outreach program activities include spring and fall hike series,the annual “Kidz Hike” for ages 4 -12 and their parents, summertours of historic Three Caves Quarry, trail maintenance andconservation education, speaker’s bureau and volunteer opportunities.Major fund raising events are the Emerald Classic GolfTournament at The Ledges, the popular “Moon Over ThreeCaves Dance,” and Auburn/<strong>Alabama</strong> football ticket raffle.907 Franklin Street, <strong>Huntsville</strong>, <strong>Alabama</strong> 35801www.landtrust-hsv.org 256/534-6263 (LAND)16October 2004 InitiativesInitiatives October 200417
18October 2004 Initiatives
Change language