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All youth fishing derbies for the year 2020 have been canceled in the National Forests throughout the state. This includes the derbies at the Leon Brooks Hines Lake. According to the USDA Forest Service, the events are being canceled for the safety and health of partnership volunteers, Forest Service employees, and participants.
As an alternative to a fishing derby, the Conecuh National Forest will release 500-600 pounds of catfish at Leon Brooks Hines Lake in Escambia County.  The lake is located on the Conecuh National Forest and operates under a special use permit with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources State Lake Division.  For additional information about Leon Brooks Hines Lake you can contact the lake manager at (251) 809-0068 or visit www.outdooralabama.com.
“The Conecuh National Forest is normally the host of a well-attended youth fishing derby each year,” said Daks Kennedy, natural resource specialist on the Conecuh National Forest.  “Since we are not able to host a fishing derby this year we are donating the fish we normally stock and encourage the public to visit Leon Brooks Hines Lake on June 13 to enjoy a day of fishing with family.”
The first couple of weeks in June are normally when Forest Service districts host youth fishing derbies in celebration of National Get Outdoors Day and National Fishing and Boating Week.  Although the fishing derbies have been canceled, during National Get Outdoors Day on June 13, 2020, no fishing license is required to fish any of Alabama’s public waters that are open for fishing.  Keep in mind, some lakes may still require a fishing permit on this day.
The National Forests in Alabama continues to monitor the COVID-19 situation and is working closely with partners to open recreation sites across the National Forests in Alabama.