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Georgia

Fishing

Fishing

Public Fishing Areas


Georgia Public Fishing Areas Map

Public Fishing Areas (PFAs) are great places for family outings! You can fish from the bank or a boat, picnic, hike, watch wildlife, and enjoy the outdoors. Good bank fishing opportunities are available at all PFAs and many of them have special kids fishing areas for young anglers.

Licenses:

  • Anglers 16 years of age and older must possess a valid fishing license.
  • To enter a PFA, visitors 16 years of age and older must have a valid license that allows fishing or hunting or a Lands Pass (see License Requirements).
  • Not all PFAs have the ability to sell licenses on site. Please call each PFA for details. Licenses can also be obtained online or by phone.

Length and Daily Limits:

Unless a pond or lake has been posted as having a different length limit or daily limit, the following apply:

Length Limit:

Largemouth bass: 14 inches minimum unless otherwise posted.

Daily Limits:

Largemouth bass (unless otherwise posted) - 5

Bream or sunfish (of any one species or a combination) - 15

Channel catfish - 5

All other species - see Game Species Daily Limits

Grass carp must be released immediately.

Hours of Operation

Public Fishing Areas hours of operation are open seven days a week, 24 hours a day, unless otherwise indicated in the following PFA listing or posted at the site.

Hunting on Public Fishing Areas

There are hunting opportunities available at several PFAs located around the state. Refer to the Hunting Regulations Guide for a complete list of PFA hunting opportunities and regulations or visit GoHuntGeorgia.com.

Big Lazer Creek

Talbot County, 229-430-4256

Fish Species: Largemouth bass, Hybrid striped bass, Bluegill and Red­ear sunfish, Channel catfish, Black crappie. Live fish (minnows) are allowed for bait.

Water: 195 acre lake.

Facilities: Concrete two-lane boat ramp, fishing piers, fish cleaning station, shooting range, restrooms, picnic tables, primitive camping, some facilities accessible to persons with disabilities.

Directions from Talbotton: East on US Hwy 80 for 4 mi.; left on Po Biddy Road for 6.4 mi.; left on Bunkham Road; left into area.

Marben PFA (Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center)

Jasper/Newton Counties, 478-825-6151 or 770-784-3059

Fish Species: Largemouth bass, Bluegill, Redear sunfish, Black crappie, Channel catfish. Live fish (minnows) are allowed for bait.

Note: Daily Bag Limit is five (5) largemouth bass, only one (1) of which can be 16 inches or longer.

Water: 20 ponds, totaling 293 acres, ranging in size from 1 to 95 acres.

Facilities: Kids only ponds, concrete boat ramps (6 lakes), boat docks, restrooms, fishing piers, fish cleaning station, picnic areas, primitive camping, (visit GoOutdoorsGeorgia.com for pricing and reservations) shooting and archery ranges, and some fishing areas accessible to persons with disabilities.

Note: Check information board for lakes that are open for fishing when you visit.

Directions from Mansfield: South on GA Hwy 11 for 2.7 mi.; left on Marben Farm Rd. Follow signs.

Dodge County

478-374-6765 or 912-285-6094

Fish Species: Largemouth bass, Bluegill, Red­ear sunfish, Channel catfish, Black crappie. Live fish (minnows) are allowed for bait.

Note: Largemouth bass between 16 and 24 inches must be released immediately. Bass up to 16 inches and over 24 inches can be kept (limit 5 total per person, only 1 over 24 inches).

Water: 104 acre lake.

Facilities: Concrete boat ramps, fishing piers, fish cleaning station, 3-D archery range, restrooms, picnic tables, nature trail, some facilities accessible to persons with disabilities. Primitive camping is allowed.

Directions from Eastman: South on US Hwy 23/341 for 3 mi.; left on County Rd. 49 for 0.6 mi. to lake.

Evans County

912-727-2112

Fish Species: Hybrid striped bass, Largemouth bass, Bluegill, Redear sunfish, Channel catfish, Black crappie, Brown bullhead. Live fish (minnows) are allowed for bait.

Water: Three ponds encompassing 122 acres (8, 30, 84 acres).

Facilities: Concrete boat ramps, picnic pavilion, event center (visit GoOutdoorsGeorgia.com for pricing and reservations), static and 3D archery ranges, fishing piers, fish cleaning station, restrooms, picnic tables, tent and RV camping in designated areas (visit GoOutdoorsGeorgia.com for pricing and reservations), some facilities accessible to persons with disabilities.

Directions from Claxton: East on US Hwy 280 for 8.5 miles; right on Old Reidsville-Savannah Road for 1 mile; left on Old Sunbury Road (dirt), PFA 0.3 miles on right marked by Wildlife Resources sign.

Flat Creek

Houston County, 478-825-6151

Fish species: Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear sunfish, Channel catfish, Black crappie. Live fish (minnows) are allowed for bait.

Water: 102 acre lake and Kids Only special event pond.

Facilities: Concrete two-lane boat ramp, fish cleaning station, restrooms, picnic tables, grills, pavilion, bank fishing, archery range, fishing pier and some facilities accessible to persons with disabilities.

Directions from I-75: Take I-75 to exit 134 (South Perry Parkway), Turn west onto South Perry Parkway, Travel approx. 0.25 miles and turn left (South) on Georgia Highway 41, Drive about 2 miles and turn left into Flat Creek Public Fishing Area.

Hugh M. Gillis

Laurens County, 478-296-6192 or 912-285-6094

Fish species: Largemouth bass, Bluegill, Red­ear sunfish, Channel catfish, Black crappie, Brown bullhead.

Note: Largemouth bass between 16 and 24 inches must be released immediately. Bass up to 16 inches and over 24 inches can be kept (limit 5 per person).

Water: 109 acre lake and two 1 acre KFE ponds. Live fish (minnows) are allowed for bait.

Facilities: Concrete boat ramps, fishing pier, fish cleaning station, restrooms, primitive camping, picnic tables, open-air covered pavilion (first come, first serve), some facilities accessible to persons with disabilities.

Directions from East Dublin: East on US Hwy 80 for 10 mi.; left on Keens Crossing Rd. for 1.4 mi., PFA entrance on right.

Mcduffie

McDuffie County, 706-595-1684 or 706-595-1619

Fish Species: Largemouth bass, Bluegill, Red­ear sunfish, Channel catfish.

Water: 7 ponds varying in size from 5 to 37 acres (102 total acres).

Facilities: Concrete boat ramps, courtesy docks, fish cleaning station, fishing piers, rest­rooms, picnic tables, tent and RV camping in designated areas (visit GoOutdoorsGeorgia.com for pricing and reservations), archery range, hiking trails, picnic tables, pavilions and some facilities accessible to persons with disabilities.

Directions from Thomson: South on Hwy 17 to US Hwy 278; left (east) for 5.6 mi.; right on Ellington Airline Road for 2.8 mi.; right on Fish Hatchery Road for 0.8 mi.

Ocmulgee

Bleckley/Pulaski Counties, 478-783-2557 (PFA) or 912-285-6094 (Waycross)

Fish Species: Largemouth bass, Bluegill, White crappie, Redear sunfish, yellow bullhead

Note: Largemouth bass are catch-and-release.

Water: 106 acre lake and Kids only Special Event Pond. Live fish (minnows) are allowed for bait.

Facilities: Two-lane Concrete Boat ramp, courtesy dock, fish cleaning station, 2 fishing piers, restrooms, picnic tables, bank fishing, and nature trail. Some facilities accessible to person’s with disabilities. Primitive (tent only) camping is allowed in designated area near WMA.

From Hawkinsville: Take HWY 341/27 south over the Ocmulgee River. In approximately a mile turn left onto HWY ALT 129/26. Continue 0.3 miles and turn left onto Upper River Road. Travel approximately six miles then turn left onto Allison’s Landing Rd. In approximately a mile, fork right at the PFA sign.

From Cochran: Take HWY Alt 129 North turn left onto Porter Rd. Travel about eight miles and turn right onto Allison’s Landing Rd. then turn right into the PFA at the sign.

Paradise

Berrien County, 229-533-4792 or 912-285-6094

Fish Species: Largemouth bass, Bluegill, Redear sunfish, Channel catfish, Black crappie, Brown bullhead, Hybrid striped bass. Live fish (minnows) are allowed for bait.

Note: Daily creel limit is five (5) hybrid striped bass.

Water: 68 lakes encompassing 525 acres of water.

Facilities: Restrooms, fish cleaning station, picnic area, concrete boat ramps, archery range, primitive camping, (visit GoOutdoorsGeorgia.com for pricing and reservations), fishing piers, boat dock, nature trail, numerous bank fishing opportunities, some facilities accessible to persons with disabilities.

Directions from Tifton: East on US Hwy 82 for 8 mi. to Whitley Road near Brookfield; follow signs from US Hwy 82 to the area.

Rocky Mountain Recreation & Public Fishing Area

Floyd County, 706-802-5087

Fish Species: Largemouth bass, Bluegill, Redear sunfish, Channel catfish, Black crappie, Walleye. Live fish (minnows) are allowed for bait.

Water: Two lakes (202 and 357 acres). Heath Lake is open the 1st–10th of each month only.

Facilities: Concrete boat ramps, fishing jetties, restrooms, picnic shelters, scenic overlooks, hiking trails, biking trails, swimming beach, some facilities accessible to persons with disabilities. Reservations required for tent and RV camping, group primitive camping, and group picnic area (visit GoOutdoorsGeorgia.com for pricing and reservations).

Fee: Daily or annual Rocky Mtn. PFA parking permit required (one per vehicle).

Restrictions:

  • All activities prohibited on upper and lower reservoirs.
  • It is illegal to possess alcoholic beverages.
  • Day fishing only.
  • No one may rappel, rock climb or hang glide.

Directions from Rome: North on US Hwy 27 for 10.4 mi.; left on Sike Storey Road 0.4 mi.; left on Big Texas Valley Road 5.4 mi. to entrance.

Silver Lake

Decatur County, (229) 430-4256

Fish Species: Largemouth bass, Bluegill, Redear sunfish, Channel catfish, Black crappie, Brown bullhead. Live fish (minnows) are allowed for bait except in Panic Pond.

Note: The harvest for largemouth bass in Panic Pond is one fish greater than 24 inches per day. Panic Pond is open to fishing Saturday – Monday and is closed to all fishing during July and August. The harvest of hybrid striped bass in House Pond is one fish not less than 18 inches in total length and for Bluegill, redear sunfish, and warmouth is five (5) singly or in combination and not less than 8 inches in total length. House Pond is open only from sunrise on Thursday through sunset on Saturday.

Water: Thirty ponds totaling more than 480 acres.

Facilities: Five ponds with concrete boat ramps with accompanying service piers, restrooms and primitive camping in designated areas. Some facilities are accessible to persons with disabilities.

Directions from Bainbridge: South on Hwy 253 (Spring Creek Rd.) to Hwy 310 (Yates Spring Rd.): left for 2.5 mi: right on Silver Lake Rd. for 0.8 mi.

Public Fishing Areas

Unlawful Activities

  • Operate boats on ponds or lakes posted as closed to boats.
  • Operate gas outboard motors unless lake is posted as being open to the use of outboard motors. NOTE: Gas motors, if allowed, must be operated at idle speed only.
  • Fish in a pond or lake that has been posted “closed.”
  • Fish with any gear other than pole and line.
  • Fish with more than two poles and lines.
  • Use or possess live fish (minnows) for bait, unless otherwise posted.
  • Consume alcoholic beverages except at campsites on the area. No alcoholic beverages are allowed anywhere on Rocky Mountain PFA.
  • Operate personal watercraft (jet skis), sailboats, or sailboards.
  • Allow children under 14 years of age to be on PFA without adult supervision.
  • Fish at night at Rocky Mountain PFA.
  • Drive on any closed road or block any gate.
  • Camp any place other than designated camping areas. NOTE: Contact the PFA before visiting for regulations regarding camping.
  • Swim, except at Rocky Mountain Recreation and PFA beach.
  • Ride horses in restricted areas or areas not designated as open to equestrian use.
  • Operate a motor vehicle, including off-road vehicles, in a reckless and negligent manner, or in a manner that willfully causes damage to roads, ditches, wildlife habitat, berms, firebreaks, campgrounds or parking areas.
  • Hold an organized event of more than 8 people without first obtaining a Right-of-Entry permit from the public fishing area.