Sweet Home Alabama
Alabama is full of good food, southern charm, and boats. Sandwiched between Mississippi and Georgia, Alabama is home to a 53-mile segment of the Gulf of Mexico's freshwater coast. When over 224 Mobile Bay and barrier islands are added, it extends the Yellowhammer's shoreline to over 600 miles. This marriage of land and water ensures Alabama boaters a lifetime of pleasure.
Boating World
Alabama's boaters have a never-ending list of boating options. The Gulf of Mexico provides large vessel adventures. Inland, there are over 100 major rivers - over 77,000 miles - welcoming all types of watercraft, from small outboards to SUPs and canoes to riverboats.
Alabama has 23 lakes scattered around the state. Lewis Smith Lake takes 'pride of place' in the Crimson State. The 21,000-acre Smith Lake, to the locals, is known as the state's cleanest and clearest lake. The man-made Lake Martin is popular for small craft and cruisers. The Logan Martin Lake, near Birmingham, is fed by the Coosa River, reaching a depth of 100 feet, perfect for boats of all sizes and drafts. Guntersville Lake, nestled in northeast Alabama, is the state's largest body of water - 69,000 acres. And Weiss Lake, known to many as the "Crappie Capital of the World," is a boater's paradise.
Alabama, because of its freshwater system, is the most bio-diverse state in the United States. An angler's dream, it is home to over 450 fish species. The Alabama River, the eastern half of the Coosa River, and the Tombigbee River are popular rivers for small-craft sport bass fishing.
Boating Details
Alabama, to safeguard its waterways, has a few boating rules. All boat operators must be licensed. Also, all motorized boats must be registered. Additionally, for safety, state law requires all watercraft, motorized and human-powered, to be inspected annually.