Lake Wedowee Boating Rules

For more specific information on Alabama Waterways, please visit http://www.outdooralabama.com/boating/rules-regulations.cfm.


“Rules of the Road” according to the Alabama Department of Conservation are as follows:

• Vessels passing head-on shall keep to the right.
• Vessels overtaking another vessel may do so on either side, but must grant the right-of-way to the vessel being over-taken. When vessels are passing at right angles, the vessel on the left will yield right of way to vessel on the right.
• Motorboats shall yield right-of-way to non-motor powered boats except as follows:
• a) When being overtaken by non-powered vessels.
• b) For deep draft vessels that have to remain in narrow channels.
• c) When vessel is towing another vessel.
• Motorboats must maintain a direct course when passing sailboats.
• Any vessel approaching a landing dock or pier shall yield the right-of-way to any departing vessel.
• Any vessel departing shoreline or tributary shall yield right-of-way to through traffic and vessels approaching shoreline or tributary.
• Vessels will not abruptly change course without first determining that it can be safely done without risk of collision with another vessel.
• If an operator fails to fully understand course of an approaching vessel he must slow down immediately to a speed barely sufficient for steerageway until the other vessel has passed.
• Vessels yielding right-of-way shall reduce speed, stop, reverse, or alter course to avoid collision. Vessel with right-of-way shall hold course and speed. If there is danger of collision, all vessels will slow down, stop, or reverse until danger is averted.
• Vessels will issue warning signals in fog or thick weather.
• No mechanically propelled vessel shall be operated in a circular course around any other vessel or any person swimming.
• In a narrow channel, vessels will keep to the right of mid-channel.
• Vessels approaching or passing another vessel shall be operated in such manner and at such rate of speed as will not create a hazardous wash or wake.
• No vessel shall obstruct or interfere with take-off, landing, or taxiing of aircraft.
• All vessels shall be operated at reasonable speeds for given situations and must be under the completed control of the operator at all times.
• No person shall, under any circumstances, operate a vessel in excess of an established speed zone.
• No vessel or person shall obstruct or block navigation channel, entrance to channel, mooring slip, landing dock, launching ramp, pier or tributary.
• Vessels shall keep at least 100 feet clearance of displayed diver’s flag.
• Operator shall maintain a proper lookout.

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Lake Wedowee Fishing Advice Oct/Nov

Lake Wedowee Fishing Advice

By Brian Morris, Fishing Guide

It’s finally fall!! This is my favorite time to fish for numbers of bass, but it can be bittersweet according to what the bass are doing in this reservoir. I am always excited and confused to be honest! Fish are everywhere from deep to shallow to suspending in depths up to 60 feet of water. What this means is that every fishing angler out there has the opportunity to catch fish with a variety of techniques and how they are comfortable of fishing. Here is a little secret of what I do during the fall. I always look for schooling fish in main channels or creek mouths and all the way up into the backs of creeks. Find bait find fish!! I rely on my electronics this time of year because you never know where the fish might be. Look for points off the main river, throw top water early or even a small diving crank bait. Try this technique on secondary points in creeks as well for bass. After the sun gets up, revert to a shaky head or Carolina rig and always( something in green) throw shad colors for your crank baits. On bright sunny days look for cover like lay downs or boat docks. Crappie are making their way up, also look for docks on main creek bends 10 to 20 ft of water throwing a crappie jig around docks and structures, something in shad color. Just remember fall is a feeding frenzy for crappie and bass. Find bait, find fish and catch,. Keep it simple throw something that resembles bait fish and you may end up with the best day of you life fishing on Lake Wedowee!!!! God Bless and Good fishing!!

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Lake Wedowee Real Estate Market Update

Market Update

by Leisel Caldwell

It is not easy being green...

Well Kermit, it is not easy being a real estate agent these days either! As a practicing real estate agent and broker in the local market, I can tell you the majority of active real estate agents are taking a hard hit.

Anyone associated with real estate is working a lot harder and making a lot less than they did just a few years ago. Many issues and problems are plaguing local agents: low appraisals, less financing options for lake property, more stringent financing guidelines on all real estate, fewer qualified buyers, title issues, the lack of buyer or seller loyalty as well as the doom and gloom of the national economy. Another factor is the over abundance of agents competing for the actual number of viable sales in our market. This has created a situation where very few local agents are making a living by solely selling real estate.

The national news outlets are reporting the housing market is getting better. Is this true or is it just more political propaganda? Personally, it has not been a good year for me as an agent (my team) and I know I am not alone. The majority of active real estate agents I know are struggling.

A lot of the general public is not familiar with how real estate agents are compensated, so let me explain... If we don't sale and close the sale we don't get paid. When the news media talks about unemployment statistics, real estate agents are not figured into those numbers. We also can't collect unemployment and we have very few benefits like corporate America and government employees. This is also true for most small businesses.

No, it is not easy being a real estate agent but just like Kermit, I am proud to be what I am and I will continue to work hard for my buyers and sellers and be the best real estate agent I can be.

Leisel Caldwell is the broker of RE/MAX Lakefront on Lake Wedowee.

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Bouys on Lake Wedowee

News to Know

by Barry Popham

The Placement of buoys by individuals on Lake Wedowee has gotten out of hand. These are becoming an interference to navigation, a hazard and an eyesore to most of the boating public. The issue is more a problem with people not following the rules of the road. This has escalated to the point that the lake looks like a slalom course. The law relating to placement of buoys is as follows:

220-6-.19

(2) It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to place or maintain any regulatory markers (signs or buoys) on the public waters of this state without first having received permission for the erection of such regulatory markers from the Marine Police Division of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

When permission for the erection of such markers is given, same may only be of a standard type and with standard lettering and colors which shall be specified and designated by the Marine Police Division of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

Any person, firm or corporation desiring to place or erect regulatory markers on the public waters of this state must first make application to the Marine Police Division for permission.  Upon receipt of such application, the Marine Police Division shall notify such applicant or applicants of the necessary specifications for regulatory markers of the type desired and if permission for the erection and placing of markers is granted to the applicant, same must comply with the specifications as provided by the Marine Police Division.

The following will be strictly adhered to when considering requests for restrictions of boating on the public waters of  the state:

Fuel docks

Public Launching Areas

Any area determined by the Director of Marine Police to be in the best interest of public safety

The Marine Police would like to have the removal of these non compliant buoys accomplished by Aug. 31^st . After that date enforcement action will be taken.

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Happy Birthday USA! 4th Annual Lake Wedowee Fourth of July Boat Parade

Along both sides of the lake, either in boat or on land, the 4th annual Lake Wedowee Fourth of July Boat Parade had an overwhelming number of spectators! Parade boats had numerous “mascots” including Bandit the outlaw dog, Statues of Liberty, Patriotic baton twirler, Rockin’ Uncle Sam and Red, White & Blue everywhere. “Happy Birthday USA!” (left) won Pride of Wedowee. Unfortunately their cake was not real and we could not share with everyone.

Pride of Wedowee: Andrew Hall “Happy Birthday USA!”

Most Outrageous: Leslie Craft & Bandit

Best Use of American Flags: Scott Teal & Barry Warren

Most Spirited: The Randolph County Rescue Squad

Best Mascot: The Edison Family

Star Spangled Celebration: Tony & Melody Shumake

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Lake Wedowee Real Estate Market Update for Early Summer

Lake Wedowee Real Estate Update

By Leisel Caldwell

Published in Lake Wedowee Life Magazine

The Lake Wedowee market continues to see buyer activity. Since the first of the year there have been 11 (22 transactions) reported lake house sales and 8 (16 transactions) lake lot sales by local agents. The lake house sales vary in range from a low sale of a foreclosed townhome at $85,000 to a recent closing of $700,000 on a large custom home located in the south part of the lake. Out of the 10 documented sales 6 sold for under $230,000 and 4 of these houses were foreclosed
properties. Foreclosures have definitely played a big part in reducing the market values on Lake Wedowee in the last 12 months. The good news is there are fewer foreclosures currently on the market and we are seeing increases in traditional sales and prices offered. Based on recent reports there are 6 lake houses under contract with the majority of the list prices in the high $200's. This is a good indicator values are taking a turn for the better for lake houses.

Lake lots are another story. The sale of lake lots continues to be very sluggish and the very cheap is what makes up the majority of sales, with 5 out of the 8 documented sales being $60,000 or less. Lake lot sales suffers from a double whammy due to the lack of financing options and the sizeable inventory of reasonably priced pre-owned lake houses currently for sale. Why build when you can buy for less. This will change as the inventory of lake houses priced under $300,000 disappears. Savvy investors should be looking at the lake lot market. Lots of lots for sale and prices are low. More good news includes sales in other areas of our county and surrounding areas. Most sales are in the range of $60,000 to $100,000. If you have a stable income and feel secure with your job it is an excellent time to buy. With the lower prices and low interest rates, you have a tremendous opportunity to buy more with lower payments.

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Lake Wedowee Fishing Advice June and July

Lake Wedowee Fishing Advice

By Brian Morris, Fishing Guide

Even though summertime is here and the lake traffic is heavy on the weekend's don't put them fishing rods up yet!!! The bass are coming off their post spawn mode and are feeding up on shad heading out to their summer homes. Majority of the bass are going to be in 10 to 30 ft .This time of the year is when your electronic sonar's are going to be your best friend finding the bait and fish. Early in the morning till around 8:00 a.m. I would recommend throwing top water, a popping or walking type bait, throwing it around steep bluff banks and sharp points. A lot of these fish will be suspended and come up exploding on the bait.

After the sun gets up I would recommend throwing a Carolina rig or a finesse type bait like a 4 to 6in plastic worm  green in color, working it around main lake points and deep structure. The crappie fishing can be really good all day as well, use your electronics to find them suspended around standing timber, underwater timber and deeper boat docks. Use a 1/16oz jig blue/white or chartreuse/black trolling and  also casting minnows work really well trolling them slow around deep brush 18 to 25ft.

Hope this information will help you land your next trophy. Good fishing and God bless.

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