FAQ's
Brad Whitehead Fishing 256-483-0834
Note: If you rent the Pavilion at either Elliott Branch or Slickrock, your group will not be required to have BCDA permits as long as they stay at the pavilion. If they use the beach area, etc. they will be required to have a BCDA permit.
The Pavilions at Slickrock and Elliott Branch can be reserved by calling the BCDA office. They can be rented from 10am-4pm for $20.00 or 4pm-10pm for $20.00 or 10am-10pm for $40.00. The smaller pavilions at Mon-Dye Beach, Twin Forks Beach, and Quarter Creek Beach are used on a first come-first served basis with no fee required.
Note: Camp Managers are away from their campgrounds on Mondays or possibly Tuesdays if Monday was a state holiday. If you wish to rent a spot on Monday and the camp store is closed, drive through the camp ground and find an open site that does not have a rented sign on it. Set up your camper and your camp manager will rent the site to you when they return and check the campground.
Twin Forks Campground is operated through a lease agreement with BCDA by the Town of Bear Creek. Their number is 205-269-3554
BCDA is not affiliated with any of these and makes no claim as to the quality of their services.
BCDA is not affiliated with any of these and makes no claim as to the quality of their services.
Bear Creek Canoe Run 205-993-4459
Oliver’s Canoe Rental 256-356-2000
Dismal’s Canyon 800-808-7998
Currently BCDA does not rent canoes/boats.
See Floatway section
TVA’s office in Muscle Shoals, which is where TVA’s Bear Creek Watershed team is located. Their number is 256-386-2228.
TVA will start to slowly lower Little Bear, Big Bear, and Cedar on Nov. 1st and then will begin to slowly raise the same lakes on Feb. 15th. This is done for flood control purposes and is managed by TVA’s River Operations group. Upper Bear is kept at approximately the same level year round.
Not at this time. State hunting and/or fishing license can be purchased 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by phone by calling 1-888-848-6887..
See section under permit vendors
If you are legally disabled, you can obtain a disabled fishing license from the probate office in your county. This license will serve as your BCDA permit.
Yes, however it may not be good for an entire year depending on when it is purchased. Annual permits are good from Oct. 1st of the current year through Sept. 30th of the following year.
There are four types of BCDA permits available. Daily, 3-Day, Annual, and Lifetime are available. To purchase a Lifetime permit, you must come by the BCDA office during working hours located next to Little Bear Creek Dam.
People between the ages of 16 and 65 regardless of state residency. If you are 65 and older you do not need a BCDA permit, but if you’re a non-resident you still need an out-of-state fishing or hunting license if 65 and older.
Cabins are booked by calling the BCDA office. Please note that you can only book a date for the current calendar year. We do not book for the next year and we start taking reservations after we return from the New Year’s holiday. Booking will be taken in the order they are received, this gives everyone an equal opportunity at booking the most requested dates which is (Memorial Day, July 4th, and Labor Day).
The cabins at Elliott Branch are open year round. The campgrounds are usually open from Mid March until Mid October, however some years certain campgrounds may be open longer or shorter depending on use and other factors. Call the individual campground or the BCDA office for more information.