GEORGIA – Georgia is home to a variety of fishing opportunities for anglers of all ages and skill levels. From Lake Burton to Swallow Creek Wildlife Management Area, McDuffie PFA, and more, there are plenty of places to cast a line and catch the big one.
Best Places to Fish in Georgia
Lake Burton
Discover the abundance of fishing opportunities at Lake Burton in Georgia. Spanning 2,800 acres, this lake is teeming with fish such as herring, trout, perch, and bass. Managed by Georgia Power / Southern Company, Lake Burton is open to the public and offers amenities like an ADA accessible fishing pier, boat dock, and ramp. While there, consider visiting the nearby Burton trout hatchery, one of Georgia's four trout hatcheries.
Flat Creek
For fishing opportunities in Houston County, Georgia, visit Flat Creek's 102-acre lake. This fishing spot boasts largemouth bass, redear sunfish, channel catfish, and more. Amenities include a fish cleaning station, two-lane boat ramp, fishing pier, and bank fishing options. It's advisable to fish on weekdays to avoid weekend crowds.
Swallow Creek Wildlife Management Area
For a wilder experience, venture to Swallow Creek Wildlife Management Area located near Cornelia. This expansive 19,000-acre property offers river fishing and hunting opportunities. Swallow Creek itself is home to channel catfish, white sucker, and rainbow trout. Early morning fishing at 6:00 a.m. is recommended to witness the forest and waters come alive.
Big Lazer Creek
Head to Big Lazer Creek, a 195-acre lake, where you can access boat ramps, a fish cleaning station, and piers. Although not all facilities are accessible to individuals with disabilities, the lake offers a range of fish species, including hybrid bass, bluegill, sunfish, black crappie, largemouth bass, and channel catfish. Be prepared with minnows and live fish as bait.
Paradise Public Fishing Area
For an angler's paradise, look no further than Paradise Public Fishing Area (PFA). With 68 lakes covering a total of 525 acres, Paradise PFA offers a variety of fish species, including brown trout, bullhead, channel catfish, and largemouth bass. The area features concrete boat ramps, fish cleaning stations, fishing piers, boat docks, primitive campsites, and an archery range.
Chattahoochee National Forest
The Rocky Mountain public fishing area, located next to Chattahoochee National Forest, is home to two lakes totaling 559 acres. This spot offers a chance to catch bluegill, channel catfish, crappie, walleye, and largemouth bass. The fishing season is from the first to the 10th of every month, with specific regulations for largemouth bass.
McDuffie PFA
McDuffie PFA, situated in Georgia's upper coastal plain, features seven ponds ranging in size from 5 to 37 acres. Anglers can fish for bluegill, channel catfish, redear sunfish, and largemouth bass. The area is adorned with longleaf pines and sandy beaches, including a fishing dock, nature trails, and other accommodations.
Silver Lake
Silver Lake, located in a public fishing area, boasts over 30 ponds covering 480 acres of land. Panic pond, one of the most popular ponds, is known for catching largemouth bass measuring 24 inches or larger. Fishing in these ponds is available from Saturday to Monday and amenities like concrete boat ramps and primitive campsites are accessible as well.
Waters Creek
Lastly, Waters Creek, one of Georgia's managed trophy streams, offers a rich fishing experience regardless of weather conditions. Situated in the Smithgall Woods Conservation Area, this spot features 5,555 acres of land with two miles of trophy water. Up to 30 anglers can access the creek each day, but only 15 at a time. Fishing sessions are available during spring, summer, and fall with opportunities to catch rainbow and brown trout.
