By EMILY D. COOK / Community Columnist

Alabama’s rivers and lakes are among the most biologically diverse waterways in the world.

Thirty-eight percent of North America’s fish species, 43 percent of its freshwater gill-breathing snails, 51 percent of its freshwater turtle species and 60 percent of its freshwater mussel species are native to Alabama’s rivers.

Alabama hosts 47 reservoirs larger than 500 acres that cover 551,220 acres, 23 Alabama State Public Fishing Lakes and 77,000 miles of rivers, and the Mobile Delta as well as over 60 miles of shoreline along the Gulf Coast that provide fresh and saltwater fishing opportunities.

Alabama supports 11 million angler fishing days each year.

As you can see fishing is a very popular sport and a great way to relax, but also serves as a way to feed yourself and your family.

Oak Mountain State Park has three lakes, averaging about 75 acres each.

You can catch largemouth bass, bream (Bluegill and Redear Sunfish) and catfish.

The largemouth bass is the state fish of Alabama.

It is a popular sportfish, which can put up a fight with an angler.

The largemouth bass is an olive-green fish that has been known to reach lengths of 29 inches and weights of 25 pounds (depending on food and habitat).

Largemouth bass like to live in locations of the lakes that have overhanging brush, aquatic vegetation and stumps.

Largemouth bass like to eat smaller fish such as bluegill but will also eat crayfish, frogs, snakes and worms.

Bluegill and Redear Sunfish are small fish species, ranging in size from 6 to 11 inches in size.

They are quite tasty, fun fish to catch. Many have been stocked as a source of food for larger fish like the largemouth bass.

Catfish is another common fish caught at Oak Mountain. Catfish range in size from 18 to 24 inches and can weigh on average 3–4 pounds.

The main lake located behind the park office on Terrace Drive is stocked every May after the annual Gone Fishing Exceptional Anglers event.

Please remember that you keep Alabama State Parks open by visiting them.

Visit the Back Gate for all your fishing needs. We are bait and tackle.

For more information on fishing, visit Outdooralabama.com/fishing-alabama.