LOCATION   MEMBERSHIP   APPLICATION   PHONE NUMBERS   Bar-D PHOTOS   DONAVAN PHOTOS PHOTOS FROM THE PAST	A Public Membership Fishing Club near Marion, AL, Perry County Waypoint: N 32-33.385 W 087-18.656 Club Website created and maintained by Thomas H. Wilson, Manager All Club lakes were designed, stocked, and are managed by Thomas Wilson. All 17 piers were designed and constructed by Thomas Wilson. All Donavan Lakes are stocked with Tiger Bass from American Sport Fish Hatchery. Bar-D lakes are stocked with the "Marion" strain of the Largemouth Bass...a cross between the Northern and Florida subspecies (created by Jack Snow at the Marion Hatchery in 1960). All Club lakes are stocked with Threadfin Shad; Sturdivant and Donavan lakes also have Golden Shiners; Donavan, Roy, Ely, and Gayle also have Gizzard Shad. 2009 Membership: Join Donavan Lakes Fishing Club for $800 (fish remainder of 2008 and all of 2009) Want to see some big bass photos? Then click on Donavan Photos (link to the left) ""I am extremely impressed with your management of these properties... some of the best habitat that I have ever fished and I have been tournament fishing all over the USA for 30 years. In Alabama, I have fished Levelwood, Sweetapple, and Old Spring resort lakes and I had rather fish the Donavan Lakes." John Nolan (new member, 08). See John's bass and read about his fishing at the Club. DR. WILSON WE WACKED ‘EM SUNDAY, --- WE CAUGHT 40+ NO “GIANTS ( LIKE STEPHEN AND LIZ) BUT THE BITE WAS FANTASTIC! WE HAD A “BEST FIVE” EACH OVER THIRTY LBS. WITH SEVERAL 7’S AND A BEST FISH OF 8+. FINALLY FIGURED OUT THE DEEP STUFF AT DONAVAN. THANKS FOR A GREAT PLACE TO SPEND QUALITY TIME AND RECOUPE FROM THE REAL WORLD. JOHN P.S. THANKS STEPHEN AND LIZ FOR THE HELP! John Nolan, Oct. 08 Hi Mr Wilson, First of all, I would like to tell you that you are doing a great job of growing some big bass! The lakes at Donavan are producing very big and aggressive bass. I had a great day on July 9th, 2008. This hot day started at Donavan Lake with a 6 and 8 lb bass and followed with the biggest bass I have caught since I have been a member. It weighed 11 pounds 7 ounces on my digital scale! [current Donavan Club record]. I was fishing alone so I took the best pictures possible before releasing the fish. Stephen Russell, July 08. Note: Stephen joined the Club in Feburary, 08. He often fishes with girldfriend, Liz Lassiter. See this bass fishing dueo's trophies on Donavan Photos page.. TW Stephen Russell, Electrical Engineering student at the UofA, and girldfriend, Liz Lassiter, UofA Interior Design student (17 July 08) photo by Manager Wilson Hi Mr. Wilson, (email: 6 Oct. 2008) Just wanted to check back in with you. We managed to catch a few more lunkers since the last time I spoke to you. Liz finally caught one over 10 pounds, it weighed 10 lb 2 oz. We have not been able to do as much fishing lately now that school has started back. We went yesterday, which will probably be one of the last fishing trips we make this year. I wasn't expecting to do nearly as well as we did. We caught two seven pounders and the biggest was 10 lb 7 ounces. Not bad for a day in October. Well, I just wanted to say thanks again and look forward to another good year in 2009. Thanks, Stephen Russell Liz Lassiter Tuscaloosa, Al (see Donavan Photos link for Liz's big bass). Hudson Wilson, Manager Wilson's grandson, caught this 9 lb bass from a Donavan lake (07). Paul Wilson, brother of Thomas Wilson, with a big bass from a Club lake (Nov. 07). Google Earth photo of Donavan Lakes Club Google Earth Photo of the Bar-D lakes Club News and Water Conditions Eastern Lesser Siren salamanders are in the Donavan Lakes. Read all about it...see images. Gizzard Shad added to Bar-D lakes in May, 2007 Cast nets are not allowed on Club property! Release all Bass over 3 lbs. Do Not put bass over three pounds on stringers or in livewells! Bed Fishing for Bass is not allowed in any club lake! .Billy Bishop (above) caught this 11 lb 2 oz bass from Donavan Lake in March, 2008. This is one of sixteen bass caught Feb. 16th 2008 that weighted over five pounds. The weather was miserable cold and windy. I have fished Donavan for about four years and these bass have exploded in size and aggression . All fish were released healthy and are there to be caught again. Mark Wise's bass : ten lb. On four lb. Line The George Hinkle Story...Champion of Big Bass at Donavan Lakes Fishing Club! Rodney Smith tells his big bass secrets...don't miss this one! Location: Donavan Lakes Fishing Club includes the original four lakes (1994) of the Bar-D Fishing Club and the five lakes of the new (2002) Donavan Club. Donavan Lakes Fishing Club is located on Perry County 38 (four miles south of Marion on Hy 45; take Perry County 38 west for one mile; Donavan Club sign and gate on the right). Or, if traveling on State Hy 5, go six miles south of Marion and take Perry County 38 east for 2.1 miles; Club sign and gate will be on the left. There is a big American Flag posted at the highway entrance beside the gate. Sturdivant Farm (home of Donavan lakes) is a working hay farm and cattle ranch. Over 1,000 acres including lakes, swamps, woods, pasture, trails and creeks are available to members.     Hunting Deer and Quail at the Donavan Inn ... (open to non-Club members)     The Roy and Inez Barnett family enjoys an outing at the Donavan Lakes farm (December, 2002). Roy and Inez Barnett, owners of the Donavan Lakes Fishing Club and Donavan Inn   Bob Romine, Pratville, fishes only from the bank and he is a leader in the club for landing big bass. The 12 lb. 1 oz. lunker (below) came from Lake Gayle. Bob's largest bass from the Club is 14 lbs. 1 oz caught in February. "I went to Mexico bass fishing two years ago. I won't go back. I had rather fish at Donavan...the bass are bigger!" ... said to me by member Bob Romine of Pratville (9 Dec. 07) Special Feature...Bob Romine and his big bass     Look for Bob and his bright red truck. His entire tackle collection is designed for big bass f rom the bank. His 9 ft. spinning outfit is the best...in fact, I bought one exactly like it and now I can fish in the middle of all lakes from the bank   Read about Donavan Lakes Fishing Club and Bio Logic pond management project.     Bar-D Fishing Club         Manager Wilson, I have been catching some really big bluegill at the Bar-d lakes. I have attached some pictures and I double checked my scales when I got home and they were dead on. First 3 pounder I have caught and several two pounders. Just thought you might want to know. Thanks, Ed Johnston (Birmingham, 22 June, 06)     The low water of this summer's drought (2006) has exposed bream beds in the pea gravel of a Donavan lake. We put pea gravel in all of the Donavan lakes. Big bream own the best bedding areas and the fishing can be hot and fast. If you can find the gravel...you will catch the bream!             Email to me from Dr. Jackson...he has the 3 solar powered water monitors in our club lakes) Thomas: I got this 9 lb. 14 oz. bass from Donavan on Saturday (2/2/2008). She hit a green and brown jig in about 9 feet of water. I think she hit again about 2 hours later, or a very similar sized fish from practically the same location, but I had the jig spit back at me that time! Some new members told me they got a 7 lb. bass on Swamp lake that day also.     Randal Cowart with a 14 lb 1 oz bass caught from Lake Ely. Randal was using 4 lb test line (February, 2001). (left) World record bass (22 lbs. 4 ozs) caught in Georgia by George Perry, 1932. With Gizzard Shad now in Bar-D lakes, we can break the AL State Record and maybe the World Record for largemouth bass.     Donavan & Bar-D Clubs - Photos and Tales   The Donavan Lakes project consists of Donavan (40 acres w/three large fishing piers) and Sturdivant (12 acres w/three piers) lakes. These two lakes opened for fishing on 1 June, 2002. Lakes Sturdivant, Inez and Donavan have well water pipes running to them for low water periods.     HudsonWilson caught a seven pound channel cat using a Pop R on six pound test line. John Herd of Marion with a giant shellcracker from Donavan Lake (Sept., 04). David Carlisle (above) from Bay Minnette. Terry Crater, Michigan, caught this nice bass in Nov. 06. Terry invented my favorite buzzbait...the "Terrybuzz." It has a big plastic triple-wing blade and it rides high in the water. Kent Johnson from Marion with a big tilapia from Sturdivant Lake, Sept. 04, 2006. Lauren and Hudson Wilson (my grandkids) with nice bass from Sturdivant Lake.     Donavan Lakes Club restroom   Club Lakes - Structure and Honey Holes   The new 8 inch well for Donavan Lake was completed on Wednesday, July 30, 2002. We are now capable of pumping 800 gallons per minute (1,000,000 gallons per day) into Donavan or Sturdivant lakes.   The roofed pier on Sturdivant Lake has four ceiling fans with lights, a sink and cabinet with hot and cold running water, patio furniture and a fishing deck. The walkway to the pier is lined with solar lighting. This pier is open to members but may be reserved for functions. A "Pier Reserved by Owner" sign will indicate when this pier is rented or reserved for functions. Two lakes at the Donavan Club opened for fishing on 1 June, 2003. Snag and Swamp lakes are each close to 20 acres and they are full of heavy structure...definately Spider Wire lakes. Lake Inez is six acres and is well designed for bass fishing with islands, channels, ditches, pea gravel bedding areas and numerous large felled trees. Lake Inez lost all of its water during the drought of 2006. The lake is now full, has been restocked, and will be open for fishing 1 Jan. 2009. The Stocking Program for the Donavan lakes adds to the excitement and productivity of this outstanding fishery. Only F1hybrid largemouth "Tiger Bass" have been and will be stocked in these lakes. Bluegill, shellcrackers, and coppernose bream are being stocked along with rosyred fathead minnows and threadfin shad. Sturdivant Lake is stocked with a combination of Florida and F1 hybrid Tiger Bass. This lake is stocked with coppernose bream (85%) and shellcrackers (15%). Fathead minnows and threadfin shad were stocked in this lake. Gizzard shad are in this lake and should help the bass grow exceptionally large in a few years. Catfish weighing up to 20 pounds are in Sturdivant Lake by accident...we thought we had removed all of the catfish. Vincent Thornton, Tuscaloosa, caught a 14 lb bass from Lake Gayle in February, 2003. Tina Russell from Heiberger, Alabama, caught a 13 1/2 lb bass from the Lake Ely pier in May of 2001. These two Bar-D lakes continue to produce huge fish. The Sturdivant Farm House (1890) has been remodeled and restored. New living quarters have been built as an add-on to the rear of the old house. This farm house (Donavan Inn) is available for rent to all interested persons. Donavan Inn opened on 1 April, 2004. Swamp Lake is a great fishing place for those who like heavy structure and a closeup trip to nature. It is a Scum Frog and Snagless Sally hole.     Camping in tents, popup campers and in RVs is free at the both Clubs. Electrical outlets are available and free for general use. We charge $25/day to members for electrical hookups for summertime airconditioner usage. Payment is on the honor system...Give the fee to Manager Wilson when you see him at the Club or mail the fee to Manager Wilson.     Self-contained RVs of any lengh may camp at the RV gravel pad next to Lake Gayle at the Bar-D Club (see above photo). The Donavan Club has a self-contained RV camping area beside Swamp Lake. This RV area is grassed and has five 30/50 amp hookups. Do Not leave your camper unattended anywhere at the Club...take it home with you!     People who camp at the Club are doing so at their own risk. We are not responsible for damage done to camping vehicles. You need to see the camping areas before coming to camp. This is a prairie...the land can be a soggy mess during the winter and after a big rain. Popup campers and tent camping are allowed anywhere reasonable at the Bar-D club. Popup campers and tent camping at the Donavan Club are allowed only on the back property near lakes Snag, Swamp and Inez. Do Not leave your camper on Club property...take it home with you!     Manager Wilson led a birding tour of Perry County for the Birmingham Audubon Society in April of 05. The group spotted the uncommon American Bittern in the reeds on Donavan Lake. This bird was a new Life List for many of the birders.     In addition to exceptional fishing, the Donavan/Bar-D environs provide wonderful opportunities for birding, walking, camping, picnics, nature trails, and peaceful relaxation. I have seen eagles, ospreys, kites, great egrets, wood storks, white ibises, ducks, geese, shore birds, herons, rails (with chicks), hawks, anhingas, cormorants, bobolinks, and may songbirds on the property. The lakes and woods are visited by deer, fox, beavers, coyotes, ground hogs, otters, turkeys, alligators, snakes, and other fine creatures.     Club Animals and Wildlife Snakes at the Club...an ID article     http://www.alabamahuntingfishingtrail.com     " American Bitterns have been seen during the winter at Donavan for the past two years. I saw one in early December of 07. A pair of mature bald eagles spent Sunday afternoon on Swamp Lake. I watched these majestic birds play and pearch on dead trees for several hours. Their brilliant white heads and tails were beautiful. It was a blessing to be so close to birds that almost became extinct in my earlier years" (Manager Wilson, December 15, 2002). A ball eagle has been perching atop a pecan tree beside the Farm House. An anhinga can be seen early in the morning at Lake Ely at Bar-D." (Wilson, December 28, 2003). Membership in Donavan Lakes Fishing Club Credit Card Payments: We take credit cards for the fishing club and for the Donavan Inn. All credit card transactions are to be done with Manager Wilson. The card number will be entered on the College City Drug store credit card machine. This is the place of employment for the owners of the fishing club and of the Inn. Do not pay your dues with a credit card at College City Drugs! All dues are to be paid to Manager Wilson. Two new and exciting Donavan Club lakes (Snag, & Swamp) opened for fishing on 1 June, 2003. Lake Inez Inez lost all of its water in the drought of 2006. It has been restocked and will open for fishing on 1 Jan. 2009     Corporate/Business Donavan Lakes Fishing Club Contract   Hunting and Fishing in West Alabama     Hunting in the Ozarks of Arkansas... the Wilson Ranch in Heber Springs     Outstanding natural areas with superior birding, interpretive nature trails, and swamp canoe trips are found at Perry Lakes Park/Bartons Beach Cahaba River Preserve. Located only 10 miles NE from the Donavan Club on Perry County 175, these two recreational areas are well worth a visit.
Thomas H. Wilson, Manager 1714 Prier Drive Marion, AL 36756 334-683-6389 Waypoint: N 32-36.664 W 087-20.056 wils5789@bellsouth.net