Directions to McFarland Park?

[alanc]

Can anyone tell me how to get to McFarland Park after you cross the Pickwick bridge?
Also, how long did it take to get there once you left I-65?
What are the species size limits? Is anything over 12" a keeper for LM, spot or SM?
Last question, if you go down the lake to MS or TN, will you get a ticket for fishing with an AL licence and tag?

Thanks,
AlanC

[AveryF]

Alan, I presume you're talking about O'Neal Bridge (US-72/US-43) over Pickwick. You'll see McFarland Park on the left as you cross the bridge. Just after you cross the bridge, take the AL-20 exit toward Savannah, Tennessee and McFarland Park will be on the left.

Not to be a smarta$$, but it depends on where you're planning on getting off of I-65. If you're coming up AL-157 through Moulton (exit 310 in Cullman), it's probably an hour and fourty-five minutes or so. If you take either ALT US-72 through Decatur or US-72 through Athens, it's probably right at an hour.

Pickwick has a 12" size limit for largemouth and spotted bass, and a 14" size limit for smallmouth.

An Alabama fishing license is valid for all of Pickwick except for the portion of Yellow Creek west of State Hwy 25 in Mississippi. That's probably a 50 or 60 mile run each way from McFarland Park so I don't think that'll be much of a concern for most of us.

[alanc]

Thanks Avery, this is a big help. We will be in Harry's Bee this trip. We haven't been to Pickwick in 7 years and have never put in at McFarland so this is going to be interesting. However, I love fishing for smallmouth (I like catching them even more but its a lot harder). The pre-fishing reports don't sound encouraging but we will give it our best shot.

AlanC

[Challenger84]

Also, be aware that there are three launches at Mc Farland. We will use the one close to the river. When you see the parking lot for the first ramp turn right just before the parking lot. That road will take you around to the ramp close to the river.

[AveryF]

Another "plus" is that this is the only weekend for the next couple of months that there isn't a big tournament (ABA, etc.) leaving out of McFarland Park. One of the local bass clubs (? Quad Cities Bassmasters perhaps) is the only other tournament leaving out of McFarland park this Saturday so I don't expect we'll have to fight a huge crowd of people or boats.


Modified by AveryF at 10:02 AM 3/2/2005

[Jason Phillips]

Alan,

I think the easiest way for you guys would be to take 157 from Cullman and follow it all the way to Muscle Shoals. You'll turn right on HWY 43 (main intersection where Hardee's is on your right) and follow it all the way to McFarland. You can't miss it as you cross the bridge. As soon as you get across the bridge take an exit off to the right. Hang a left at the STOP sign and go under the overpass. Take another left at the next STOP sign and in a hundred yards or so you'll be turning left into McFarland Park/Florence Harbor.

Man I wish I could be there. Maybe one day I can fish with you guys again. Of course maybe by then I'll have my new boat in too.