As if a beautiful quiet and wooded community wasn't enough, our neighborhood offers the beauty and tranquility of our own private lake, where countless fisherman enjoy the quality fishing it has to offer all year round.  When it was established, Northwood Lake was the place to be...and that is still true today.

 

69 ACRE LAKE

Bank and boat access to fishing on private lake

Lake privileges (boating, fishing, lawn irrigation, etc.) are available only to Northwood Lake residents and non–residents who have paid their annual assessment. Guests MUST be accompanied by member. Each year the gate code will be changed in April. Email [email protected] for the new code.
 

GENERAL LAKE USE

  1. Leaves and other debris are not to be dumped or blown into the lake.
  2. No alcoholic beverages on NWL HOA property.
  3. No animals (duck, geese, etc.) will be released onto common properties of NWL HOA or onto properties where such animals may affect NWL HOA properties.
  4. No fish from any other bodies of water or aquariums will be introduced into Northwood Lake.
  5. Construction of docks, piers, boat houses, seawalls or any other structures in Northwood Lake must be approved by the NWL HOA Board of Directors.
  6. It is against the law to release contaminants into Northwood Lake; incidences will be reported to the proper authorities.
  7. Parking on the dam is not allowed at any time. Parking is available on each end of the dam.

 

BOATS

  1. All boats must display a Northwood Lake decal with a registration number. Decals can be acquired by all persons having paid their annual assessment by calling the number listed on the website. (One free per year; $5 per extra decal per year.)
  2. Boats will be thoroughly washed to remove vegetation and contaminants from other water sources before being launched into Northwood Lake.
  3. Trailer-launched boats may be launched at the boat ramps located on the east and west sides of the lake. Launching from the dam is not permitted.
  4. Only electric trolling motors may be used.
  5. Night fishing is allowed but restricted to navigational lights only.
  6. All boats kept in the NWL HOA maintained access areas must be moored in the water or on NWL HOA moorings. Storage on land is not permitted.
  7. Sailboats, canoes, kayaks and paddle boards are allowed on the lake.

 

FISHING

  1. All fishermen ages 16 and over must have a valid Alabama State Fishing License.
  2. The fish limit is as per State of Alabama Law. Based on fish studies, this limit will be adjusted as to size and limit with Lake Committee approval. 
  3. Jug, limb, and trotline fishing and fishing with gill nets is prohibited.
  4. No fish cleaning on NWL HOA property.
  5. No fish from any other bodies of water or aquariums will be introduced into Northwood Lake.
  6. Absolutely no fish habitat enhancement structures will be added to Northwood Lake without NWL HOA Board of Directors approval.
  7. NWL HOA members may extend fishing privileges to guests, but only when the member or a member of his/her household is present.
  8. All Lake Privileges and fishing rights are monitored by the HOA Board and Lake Committee members. These members monitor to make sure the lake and its grounds are being treated appropriately, fishing limits are being observed, and that these privileges are exclusive to paying members. These members, at any time, may ask to confirm your membership and check your creel and size limits. Please understand that these members are a group of neighborhood volunteers trying to ensure these regulations are being maintained. Please be courteous when approached.

 

FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THESE REGULATIONS WILL BE BROUGHT TO THE BOARDS ATTENTION AND DEALT WITH APPROPRIATELY.

 

INDIVIDUALS UTILIZING THESE PRIVILEGES THAT HAVE NOT PAID MEMBERSHIP ASSESSMENTS WILL BE KINDLY ASKED TO DISCONTINUE ACTIVITY UNTIL THEY HAVE PAID. CONTINUAL VIOLATION WILL BE VIEWED AS TRESPASSING AND TURNED OVER TO LAW ENFORCEMENT IF NECESSARY.

 

FISH SIZE AND CREEL LIMITS

Fish are to be measured by total length per state regulations. Total length is measured from the front of the mouth to the tip of the tail with both mouth and tail being closed.

LARGEMOUTH BASS

  1. Largemouth bass measuring 15 inches and under.                  No creel limit
  2. Largemouth bass measuring 16” to 22”                                       10 per person
  3. Largemouth bass measuring over 22”                                          0 per person

 

  1. We place this restriction to ensure that our lake thrives with the larger bass our anglers are accustom to catching and to ensure the larger females remain for spawning purposes.
  2. If you wish to mount a fish over this limit please take several pictures and measurements. It is not necessary to have the actual fish in order to have a replica mount made.

SPOTTED BASS                                                                                        No creel limit

  1. Spotted bass are classified as a nuisance fish for the success of our lake’s ecosystem. Any spotted bass caught, regardless of size, should not be released back into the lake. Below are useful tips for identifying which type you have caught.

 

    1. The jaw on a Spotted Bass does not extend past the eye line. On a Largemouth, the jaw is longer, and it does reach past the eye line.
    2. The dorsal fin on a Spotted Bass is clearly connected, with a gentle slope. On a Largemouth, the dorsal fin is separate, or nearly separate. This is probably the most significant distinction between the two species.
    3. The side of a Spotted Bass usually has a dark, spotted lateral line. Largemouth Bass don’t have a distinguishable lateral line.
    4. Spotted Bass boast lines of dark spots on the lower half of their bodies. These spots fade gradually towards the belly. On Largemouth Bass, the spots are not as pronounced, if at all.

 

BREAM                                                                                                         50 per person

 

CRAPPIE                                                                                                      30 per person

  1. Must measure a total length of 9 inches or longer.

 

CATFISH                                                                                                      No Limit