The Alabama Bass Trail Launches!
The Alabama State Parks Host the Birth of the Bass Trail!

Local and State Officials gathered today along the banks of Guntersville Lake at beautiful Lake Guntersville State Park to announce the birth of the Alabama Bass Trail.  Alabama Governor Robert Bentley lead an all-star cast of officials that included Don Logan, owner of B.A.S.S, Kay Donaldson, Program Director, Chris Lane, Current Bass Masters Classic Champion, DCNR Commissioner Gunter Guy, Dana Lee Jennings, Director of the Mountain Lakes Tourist Association, and a host of other state and local officials including Jeff Cook, of the group Alabama.

 They all come together to announce the launch of the Alabama Bass Trail.  The Trail features 11 of Alabama's premier bass fishing lakes that include; Lake Guntersville, Wheeler Lake, Pickwick Lake, Neely Henry Lake, Logan Martin Lake, Lay Lake, the Alabama River, Lake Eufaula and the Mobile-Tensaw River Delta. The purpose of the trail is to lure tourist to Alabama by teaching and promoting an appreciation for the sport of fishing.

The Alabama Bass Trail is a program of the Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association and their Director, Ms. Dana Lee Jennings. Ms. Jennings and her entire staff assisted in hosting the announcement event which began in the pavilion on the banks of Guntersville Lake and concluded with a luncheon in the Grandview Ballroom at Lake Guntersville State Park Lodge. The project also is being heavily supported by Lee Sentell, Director of the Alabama Department of Tourism and Travel. Governor Bentley praised the trail concept and predicted it would become a great tourist attraction by encouraging people to come to Alabama and "fish where the pros fish."

The Alabama State Parks figure to be a big factor with the Alabama Bass Trail in that five of the lakes and rivers listed have state parks on them. With the wide range of lodging and camping offered by the state parks, the paths of the two organizations should create a good partnership that ultimately provides good benefits for the State of Alabama.

The first stop on the Alabama Bass Trail is Lake Guntersville. Lake Guntersville State Park is located six miles northeast of Guntersville off Highway 227.  In the Tennessee Valley, overlooking the majestic 69,000 acre Guntersville Reservoir, this park ranges over 6,000 acres of natural woodlands. The park has a newly renovated 18-hole championship golf course, a beach complex, fishing center, hiking trails, nature programs and a day use area.  Modern campground and  pet-friendly cottages on the lake, coupled with a resort lodge on the pinnacle of Taylor Mountain, and chalets on the ridge-tops provide a selection of overnight accommodations beyond comparison.  The State Park Lodge provides a massive resort inn, restaurant and convention complex perfect for your organization's next state or regional meeting.  The magnificent vew of Lake Guntersville from atop Taylor Mountain will provide an experience not soon to be forgotten.  This park ranks as a total recreational resort. For lodging reservations at any of these five parks visit www.alapark.com or call 1-800-ALA-PARK.