Name:	Marid4061 -	Reply
Subject:	SUP/Lake activities
Date:	7/9/2016 12:08:02 PM

My husband and I will be visiting my daughter in Montgomery. My daughter just moved there and this is my husband's first visit. He would like to bring his SUP to try out. Since we are not familiar with the area, and my daughter and SIL have not been to the lake, can anyone tell me where we can launch with our own paddleboards? Or would you not recommend it with too much boat traffic? We are down for a few days and my daughter and SIL have to work some of it, so we are really wanting to get out and do some water activities. Any other suggestions would be great. If the paddleboading does not work out, best place to rent kayaks there? Finding it difficult to find info from the various marinas and get a feel for how to access the lake. Things for any suggestions! 

Name:	DSCR -	Reply
Subject:	SUP/Lake activities - North End
Date:	7/9/2016 5:58:31 PM

I'll let someone who knows better than me address the south/Montgomery end of the lake.

On the north end, I would go to Wind Creek State Park. There is some protected water around there and is adjacent to Elkahatchee Creek, one of the prettiest areas of the lake. It's off Hwy 63 close to Alexander City but on the west/montgomery side of the lake. There is also a public launch on Coven Abbot Hwy 21 at Elkahatchee Creek, just north of Wind Creek.

Further away, DARE Park at the end of Youngs Ferry Rd in Dadeville is a nice area with ready access to Manoy Creek. You would have to cross some big water, but you could play around Youngs Island and Woods Island.

I can't help with kayak rentals, other than you are welcome to borrow my 2 seater sit on.

Good luck and have fun!

Name:	GoneFishin -	Reply
Subject:	SUP/Lake activities - North End
Date:	7/9/2016 8:17:10 PM

Try boating M-F. Too much traffic on the weekends.

Name:	rga82 -	Reply
Subject:	SUP/Lake activities
Date:	7/10/2016 8:27:22 AM

Lake Martin is not a very "visitor friendly" lake since most of the waterfront is private. I've had several people drive up to my house asking how they can access the lake.

I agree with the previous post about Wind Creek State Park. It's located on a beautiful part of the lake and it would be worth the extra few minutes drive. Even for a day paddle you would have your own "home base" for a rest or lunch.  There should be a good bit of protected water for a nice, calm paddle.  They have a nice website for all the info you need.  Hope you can make it work!

Name:	Lifer -	Reply
Subject:	SUP/Lake activities
Date:	7/10/2016 8:46:08 AM

I love Lake Martin. Been here all my life and encourage anyone to experience it in any way they can. That being said, if all you want is to enjoy the water and paddle board there are several options much closer to montgomery.  If you do come to the lake Wind Creek State park is an excellent option.

Name:	Aardvark -	Reply
Subject:	SUP/Lake activities
Date:	7/11/2016 11:07:56 AM

This thread brings up an interesting point.  There are not many public access areas on the lake.  Corps of Engineers lakes like Lake Lanier have access areas all over the place, but APCo lakes have a boat ramp or two, and that's it unless there is a public park like Wind Creek somewhere along the shores.  Alabama Power and Russell Lands could work with state and local governments to create recreation areas, and they could tie in with Forever Wild to protect the still undeveloped parts of the lake from being taken over by houses. 

Name:	Marid4061 -	Reply
Subject:	SUP/Lake activities - North End
Date:	7/11/2016 5:26:17 PM

Well thank you! Before my daughter moved to Alabama I had several people tell me that Alabama has the friendliest people you will ever meet. And they were so right!

Name:	rga82 -	Reply
Subject:	SUP/Lake activities
Date:	7/11/2016 5:50:00 PM

It seems that Russell has already worked to help create public access to the lake. According to the history tab on the Wind Creek webpage the park was originally a recreation area for Russell employees. Robert Russell worked with the state to create the park for the public and in 1969 the area was purchased by the State of Alabama with the strick stipulation that the park be completely renovated and operated as a State Park.

Name:	Aardvark -	Reply
Subject:	SUP/Lake activities
Date:	7/11/2016 7:00:46 PM

Two or three more Wind Creek type areas(without the massive RV campgrounds) would be good if they were run properly.  A swimming area, a few picnic tables, rest rooms with showers, and some trails would be enough.

Name:	Lifer -	Reply
Subject:	SUP/Lake activities
Date:	7/11/2016 7:22:14 PM

There is an really nice day use park on the east side that is so under utilized that it is sad. They are actually changing from wooden piers to aluminum now. You can reserve pavilions, there are bath houses, even an amphitheater that I don't think has ever been used. Pleasure point started out as recreation and I think is still catagorized as recreation. DARE PARK was built in '97 after the last relicensing because there wasn't enough recreation on the east side so FERC required a public park be built. FERC is who determines how much recreation area is required, not APCO or Russell. I don't see Russell ever pushing for more recreation, much less paying for it. The property adjacent to DARE is switching to public use with the new license so I anticipate more recreational space there in the coming years. The new piers could be the start of something but I haven't heard anything about it, but haven't inquired about it either.

Name:	Aardvark -	Reply
Subject:	SUP/Lake activities
Date:	7/13/2016 12:49:24 PM

Everything seems to be north or east, with nothing on the westernmost areas like Little Kowaliga.  

Name:	fish1550 -	Reply
Subject:	SUP/Lake activities
Date:	7/19/2016 1:21:33 PM

I believe you can rent kayaks at Catherine's. They also have bike and hiking trails.