Washington County Public Fishing Lake lowered to combat giant salvinia
State wildlife officials have worked to remove the fast-growing invasive plant since its discovery in 2024. The lake near Millry will remain open during the winter drawdown.
The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has begun lowering the water level at Washington County Public Fishing Lake to expose and dry out giant salvinia along the shoreline.
The department’s Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division will keep the water level lowered through the winter to kill the exposed plants. The division will also treat giant salvinia floating on the lake’s surface with an aquatic herbicide.
The lake will remain open while the water level is lowered. Anglers should check whether the water is deep enough at the ramp before launching a boat. The lake is at 809 State Lake Road, about 2 miles west of Millry.
The division has worked to remove giant salvinia from the lake since crews discovered it in 2024. The fast-growing invasive plant can overtake aquatic ecosystems and interfere with outdoor recreation if left unchecked.
For information about Washington County Public Fishing Lake and other state public fishing lakes, call the division’s Fisheries Section at 334-242-3471 or visit Outdoor Alabama’s public fishing lakes page.
The department manages Alabama’s natural resources through four divisions—Marine Resources, State Lands, State Parks and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. Learn more at Outdoor Alabama.
