Places to go Fishing in Georgia
Georgia is a state that lies in the southeast of the United States. The state is mostly famous for the coastal beaches, mountains, and vast expanses of farmland. It consists of several places to go fishing in Georgia. The officially designed state fish in Georgia is the largemouth bass. However, you will also find a large number of rainbow trouts in the crystal clear mountain streams, lakes, and reservoirs of Georgia.
You can ask any accomplished angler about their favorite place to fish in the United States. Their answer would probably be fishing in the Georgia State Parks. Georgia State Parks offer some of the best fly fishing, trout fishing, and bass fishing in the country. You must also be aware of the fact that the largest bass fish ever caught was right here in Georgia. With the varieties of warm water streams and rivers, to the lakes of different sizes and saltwater fishing, Georgia State Parks is truly an angler’s paradise.
If you are really into saltwater fishing, you will surely love the three dozen artificial reefs in Georgia. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources manages these reefs. Here you will mostly get to witness red snapper, grouper, bluefish, black sea bass, etc. You can easily spot sea trout and red drum abound the many creeks and rivers that flow into the ocean.
Below are some of the top 10 places for fishing in Georgia no matter the type of angler you are.
Top 10 Places to go Fishing In Georgia
1. High Falls Lake
High Falls is a state park that consists of a 600-acre lake just off I-75 west of Jackson. You can find the highest population of more than 15-inch largemouth fish in High Falls Lake. So, you can really make a good amount of catches when you fish here. Most of the channels in High Falls Lake are silted in since it is an old lake. You can see a lot of natural and man-made wood cover in it.
You can see that the lake lines up with docks and brush piles out around them. So, the brush piles and the dock posts hold the bass. You can only fish on High Falls Lake from sunrise to sunset. So, start your fishing adventure early in the morning. Try fishing around the wood cover on the steeper bank of the main river. Fishing around the shady banks will give you some nice catches.
High Falls Lake is Georgia’s top fishing sport for hybrid and white bass and also the best places to go fishing in Georgia. Visitors can even choose to stay overnight here. You can choose from a spacious campground or lake yurts which are like wood tents. The swimming pool of the park provides visitors with a great refreshment in the hot summer season. You can choose to hike along the edge of the river and through the hilly forest if you want to.
2. Big Lazer Creek
Second, on our list of best places to go fishing in Georgia is Big Lazer Creek. It sits in Talbotton, Talbot country. This stream holds a 195-acre body of water. It is home to some of the best channel catfish, bluegill, crappie, and largemouth bass. This site provides visitors with a fishing pier, boat ramp, fish cleaning station, and canoe access.
If you are really up to catching some large bass, fish in the early morning with topwater baits around the shoreline. When fishing during the daytime, try fishing around the edges of dense timber into thick cover. The Big Lazer Creek also provides proper restrooms and picnic areas for visitors. There are campsites if you wish to stay overnight at the Big Lazer Creek.
If you want to catch some monster fish, you can go fishing from late April and early May. Bluegill and Shellcracker become prey of many anglers during this time.
3. Lake Seminole
Lake Seminole is a US Army Corps reservoir and measures 37500 acres. It sits in southwest Georgia along the border with Florida. This lake is home to some of the largest largemouth bass which makes it the major attraction for anglers across the state. The lake consists of large aquatic vegetation and stands of timber which makes a favorable living environment for big bass.
Some of the most popular species of fish you will get in Lake Seminole are bluegill, black crappie, sunshine bass, striped bass, Redear sunfish, panfish, and many more. When you go fishing in Lake Seminole, remember that the lake springs close for fishing from May 1 to November 1. But do not worry, the cool water creeks remain open. So, you will get a chance to catch some stripers and sunshine bass during this time.
Look for some small stripers and hybrids near the dam where some water flows. You can cast some spoons if you want to catch some gamefish feeding underneath. If you want to catch some largemouth bass in the cornfield and Man-made island, the flats would be an amazing spot. During warm weather, bass fish move into deeper water, so fish vertically along the channels during this time. Likewise, panfish head towards deeper water in late summer. For most of the time, it would be best to fly-fish after dark along the banks.
You can find several campsites around the lake with lodgings. The site is easily accessible through a boat, ramp, marina, etc. making it one of the best places to go fishing in Georgia.
4. Simons Island
Further on our list of Best places to go fishing in Georgia is Simons Island. It is a coastal fishing paradise for anglers who want the best fishing experience. The island is popular for its sandy beaches and salt marshes and sits within the Golden Islands off the Georgia coast.
You do not have to stay ideal waiting for your fish to get caught while fishing in Simons Island. The fresh ocean air and the beautiful panoramic views of Jekyll Island will keep you entertained. If you are fortunate enough, you might witness some pods of migrating whales through the deeper water.
Fishermen mostly prefer off-shore fishing, surf fishing, and fly fishing in Simons Island. Red snapper and tarpon are some of the common fish you will encounter when off-shore fishing. Tarpons are a fighter and take a lot of time to get caught even for experienced anglers. The red snapper is mostly found in the deepwater sections. You can find Tarpons throughout the summer. However, if you are more into catching some Red snappers, July and August would be the best time to fish them.
Surfcasting from the stunning beaches of Simons Island is a favorite among various anglers. Anglers are mostly into catching Redfish that measures 40 inches long and over 30 pounds in weight. The best time to catch this redfish is during late summer and fall mostly in October. Likewise, fly fishing in Simons Island is fun and exciting too. Here you will find some of the different species of redfish, trout, Spanish mackerel, Cobia, jack crevalle, Tarpon, tripletail.
5. Lake Allatoona
Lake Allatoona lies 30 miles to the north of Atlanta and extends from southeastern Bartow County and southwestern Cherokee County. It is a US Army Corps of Engineers 11860-acre reservoir and sits on the Etowah River. Most of the common species found in this Lake are Largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, spotted bass, hybrid bass, striped bass, gar, bream, bluegill, Redear sunfish, etc.
If you go to Lake Allatoona for bass fishing, you can use a small-size jig and pig or a jig head worm to cast towards the lake banks. It is better to use minnows if you prefer live bait. Try fishing in the shallow coves of the lake if you want to catch some of the biggest largemouths. Fish in the deepwater sections if you want to target a spotted bass.
Reaching Lake Allatoona is quite accessible too. This place has free boat ramps and free parking. You will have plenty of camping opportunities and lodgings if you want to stay here overnight as it is one of the most popular places to go fishing in Georgia.
6. Flat Creek
Are you seeking to catch Shellcracker or bluegill? If yes, a trip to Flat Creek would be perfect. Flat Creek lies in the south of Perry, Houston Country and is home to 108-acre Lonice C. Barret Lake. This lake manages to offer fishermen some of the best bream fishing.
If you want to catch some genuinely excellent bream fish, the best to explore Flat Creek would be from March to June. Redear fish is mostly active during the spring season and bites better too. If you are more into catching some largemouth bass, fishing in the summer months would be perfect. Try to fish in cooler areas with deep water. May to July would be the best time to catch some catfish.
Along with the appropriate fishing environment, you will have the facility of a concrete boat ramp and fish cleaning station. And if you wish to stay at Flat Creek overnight, there are proper picnic areas and camping areas with better bathrooms.
7. Lake Oconee
Lake Oconee is a vast 19,000 acre Georgia Power lake. This enormous body of water has a shoreline of about 400 miles. The lake sits on the Oconee River near Greensboro and Eatonton. Similarly, Fishing in Lake Oconee is an experience for a lifetime and you shouldn’t miss this trip if you are more into fishing.
Some of the most commonly found fish in Lake Oconee are Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, crappie, sunfish, channel catfish, white catfish, flathead catfish, and many more. If you want to catch a great population of bass, try fishing on the deep rocky banks. Do not forget to use spinnerbaits and jerk baits in shallower water when fishing in the spring season.
Likewise, the summer season mostly calls for deep-diving crankbaits. You can find these in the main lake points, river channels, and deep ridges. Also, if you want to catch fish such as catfish, live shad, flathead, and bluegill, fishing in hot summer mornings and nights would be the ideal time. There are several camping grounds available around the lake. So, you do not have to worry about staying overnight here
8. Clarks Hill Lake
Further, we present you with another best places to go fishing in Georgia, Clark Hill Lake. It lies on the Savannah River and holds a shoreline of 1200 miles. The lake holds an area of 71000 acres and consists of 250 islands. Therefore the Clarks Hill Lake offers enough fishing opportunities for enthusiastic anglers.
Moreover, this man-made reservoir consists of plenty of hybrids, striped bass, and largemouth. You can enjoy bass fishing throughout the year. But spring would be the best time if you want to catch some large bass fish. If you go fishing during April and May, a large number of fish can be found on humps and the islands. During warm summer days, you can fish in the long points and hydrilla beds. Fishing in the autumn season would be better on clay and rocks with crankbaits. During winter, use jig spoons.
Along with bass, you can fish crappies in Clark Hill Lake. Most of these fish lurk under structures around the lake and its islands. You can choose to hire a fishing guide if you want to maximize your chances of catching the best fish. Besides, you can find suitable camping areas around the lake and a few lakeside cabins too. You will get excellent facilities such as toilets, a boat ramp, picnic shelters, and fish cleaning stations. So, even if you want to stay overnight, you will get decent accommodation.
9. Lake Lanier
Measuring an area of 38,000 acres, Lake Lanier extends into the northern portion of the state. This extensive water reservoir was created in 1956 by the completion of the Buford Dam on the Chattahoochee River. Lake Lanier boasts a 700-mile shoreline which makes it the largest of Georgia’s lake.
Lake Lanier hosts several fishing tournaments and attracts hundreds of anglers every year. Because of this, the Georgia Game and Fishing Commission stocks the lake with several species such as largemouth bass, bluegill, walleye, rainbow trout, striped bass, brown trout, brook trout, crappie, spotted bass, white bass, catfish, panfish, and many more.
The commonly found spotted bass weighing 5 pounds are the prime target of many anglers. If you are someone who is into live bait, this lake houses thread-finished, larger lizard shad, blueback herring, and Spottail minnows. You can find over 45 parks and ten campgrounds around the shores of Lake Lanier. You will have facilities such as boat ramps, fish cleaning station, and picnic areas. Varieties of restaurants are available around its area which is only 30 minutes drive making it one of the viable places to go fishing in Georgia.
Similar articles you may like:
10. Flint River
The Flint River starts from the south of the Atlanta Airport and joins through piedmont and lake Blackshear to Lake Seminole. It is a beautiful river with stunning natural surroundings for most of its length. Flint is one of the unique rivers in the state. What is most special about this river? Well, the clear rippling water over the limestone shoals, breathtaking scenery, abundant wildlife, and exhilarating canoeing make fishing in the Flint River even more exciting.
Shoal bass is the most common fish found in the Flint River. Along with the shoal bass, the falt water section in the Flint River contains decent numbers of crappie, largemouth bass, Shellcracker, bluegill, channel as well as flathead catfish. The most common flathead catfish found in the Flint River weighs about 30 pounds and about 50 pounder flathead catfish have been reported. The best habitat for shoal bass is the stretch between Thomaston and Gay. So, fish in the area if you want to catch some healthy shoal bass.
The best to fish for shoal bass would be from March to November. You can use the medium spinning or baitcasting gear when fishing. If you are a serious fisherman, you need to try fishing in the Flint River. Shoal bass are much rarer species, and the Flint River is the best place to catch them.
