Hartford Lake Fishing & Hunting with House

Some land properties are a challenge to describe just how special they are. Pictures help, and so do videos, but for the best of the best in legacy-quality land properties, you really must set foot on such properties to fully appreciate them. The 518 acre turnkey Hartford Lake Property is that type of property. The property namesake, Hartford Lake, is a professionally managed 190 acre pristine spring-fed cypress lake located in the heart of the property, and is one of the largest private lakes in Alabama. Hartford Lake has standing cypress trees in roughly one third of the lake, including scattered individual cypress trees and clusters with numerous cypress trees. The mix of flooded cypress and expansive areas of open water creates one of the most aesthetic lakes you can imagine. With an average depth of 8 feet, a variety of aquatic habitats, and a desired amount of aquatic vegetation, Hartford Lake is a prime fishing lake with largemouth bass, crappie, bream, and catfish. Ten years ago, 200 striped bass were added, and they are mostly over 5 lbs now. Largemouth bass are plentiful, and their size is steadily improving as a result of management practices, with 5-pounders and a 7-pounder recently caught. Hartford Lake is well known as a prime crappie lake. 2,000 Grass Carp were stocked in 2013, and the lake was treated with herbicide in 2013 and treated again in 2024. As expected with a private lake of this size, it is underfished. As the next owner, it will be very difficult for you to overfish the lake, but you and your guests will have fun trying to! Hartford Lake is spring-fed, and the water level generally fluctuates about a foot depending on rainfall. There is a well & pump to supplement water if needed. Before discussing the significant property improvements, lets discuss the balance of the acreage and the hunting opportunities. In addition to the 190 acre Hartford Lake, there are multiple other lakes and ponds, including a series of small ponds that used to be a catfish farm. The property has several great wetland areas, including cypress ponds and open grassy wetlands. With the mix of the big lake, ponds, some shallow areas with heavier aquatic vegetation, and flooded timber, there is great potential for quality duck hunting. The Hartford Lake property offers 117 acres of 2015 planted elite loblolly pine, 97 acres of mature natural hardwood/pine mix, 32 acres of grass fields/pastures, food plots, and a thorough road network. The deer hunting is excellent, and there is turkey hunting potential, especially if prescribed burning is introduced by the next owner. Once the planted loblolly is 1st thinned in a few years, those areas would be ideal for released quail hunting. Some of the existing fields could be managed as dove fields as well. Now for the improvements: the house is a 2-story, cypress-sided, well-maintained home with the 1st floor having a kitchen, dining area, living room, sitting area, master bedroom, master bathroom and shower, guest bathroom and shower, laundry closet, and nook with two built-in twin beds perfect for kids. Upstairs, there are 3 bedrooms and a bathroom with a bath and shower. Outside is a wraparound porch with great views, and a 2-car carport. Central heat & air. Built in 1990 (from public records) and well-maintained. 2,364 square feet (from public records). There is a classic red barn with horse stables, and a lighted sitting area in the loft overlooking the lake. There is also an old office and workshop in the barn that could be restored as a guest room, mother-in-law suite, office, gym, storage, shop, or some other use. There is a 2nd barn used as storage, and a 3rd smaller barn with lots of charm but needing a little work. There is a cookhouse with a brick oven and a covered picnic shelter, a boat house, a concrete boat ramp, and a concrete pad ideal for boat trailer and truck parking. Hartford Lake comes with a storied history. Constructed in 1959 by digging out a natural cypress lake, it was a popular public pay fishing spot and eventually had a restaurant, swimming pool, and dance hall. In the 1980s, the property went private. The current owner acquired the property in 2013 and introduced active professional lake and fisheries management practices, greatly improving the lake and fish health. Both the lake/fisheries manager and the overseer/caretaker are interested in continuing with the lake and property management if needed by the next owner. Hartford Lake is perfect for the all-around sportsman desiring a legacy property for family, friends, and/or clients. If monetizing the property is desired, there are many possibilities. The paved road frontage on 3 sides of the property allows for subdividing. While commercial hunting preserves are fairly numerous, there is a limited number of commercial fishing preserves with large private lakes. Hartford Lake would make a great pay-to-fish commercial fishing preserve, with the ability to offer pay hunts as well. With its beautiful picturesque landscape, the property would also make a great wedding venue. Also growing in demand are RV parks, and most RVers prefer parks with desirable natural settings such as Hartford Lake. A permanent conservation easement would be an attractive option as well, which would protect this fine property from future development and likely provide significant tax deductions. Location Description The property is located in an aesthetic and quite rural area of Geneva County, Alabama, 3.5 miles south of Hartford AL, and 75 miles north of Panama City Beach FL. Highlights 190 acre spring fed Hartford Lake, plus additional ponds 2 story cypress sided house, horse stables, barns, & fencing Cookhouse with brick oven and covered picnic shelter Boathouse & paved boat ramp Thorough road network Mature hardwood and pines 2015 planted loblolly Cypress ponds/wetlands Fields/pastures Price per Acre $6,950