DO IT: Fishing

Fishing: Bring Home Your Georgia Trophy

On the water, anglers enjoy boating and fishing, including for trophy bass, in lakes all over Georgia.

Trout is another favorite game fish, and you’ll find Georgia’s mountain streams enjoyed by fishermen throwing out hand-tied flies to fill a creel. There is also the opportunity to search for that deepwater trophy fish out of marinas in St. Marys, Jekyll Island, Brunswick, St. Simons Island, and Tybee Island. Fishing tournaments of all kinds are scheduled year-round so that you can display your skill at making the big catch.

Forty-five of Georgia’s state parks have bodies of water where you can fish, from reservoirs, warm water streams and rivers to lakes of all sizes and saltwater fishing. To make sure more guests experience the relaxation (and occasional thrill) of one of Georgia’s most popular sports, several state parks have programs that allow you to borrow equipment for little or no charge. You just check out a pole, try your luck and return it when you’re done.

There are also 10 Public Fishing Areas around Georgia. You can fish from the bank or a boat, picnic, hike, watch wildlife, camp (however, not all PFAs provide camping), and enjoy being outdoors. Good bank fishing opportunities are available at all PFAs and many of them have special kids fishing areas for young anglers. Fish species available include: largemouth bass, bream, channel catfish, hybrid striped bass, and crappie.

Get Licensed

Georgia law requires that anyone 16 and older who is fishing have a fishing license in their possession. There are separate licenses for trout fishing, saltwater shore fishing, and for fishing in a Wildlife Management Area. Fishing licenses can also be combined with hunting licenses in Georgia.

Georgia hunting and fishing licenses are available throughout the state from approximately 400 license agents in many sporting goods stores, marinas, bait and tackle stores, hardware stores, etc. Licenses also may be purchased in person at Department of Natural Resources’ Law Enforcement offices statewide. And for the current Georgia fishing regulations, click here.

Free Fishing Days

Georgia has established certain “free fishing” days for Georgia residents only. On these days, no fishing or trout license is required, and no WMA license is required on a Public Fishing Area or Waters Creek trophy trout stream. These special days do not apply to fees at private lakes, and all other fishing regulations do apply.

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Fishing - Locations

Watson Mill Bridge State Park

Northeast Georgia Mountains
650 Watson Mill Rd.
Comer, GA 30629
706-783-5349

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Vogel State Park

Northeast Georgia Mountains
405 Vogel State Park Rd.
Blairsville, GA 30512
706-745-2628

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Vidalia Area River Excursions

Magnolia Midlands
612 McNatt Falls Rd.
Uvalda, GA 30473
912-594-8379

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Victoria Bryant State Park

Northeast Georgia Mountains
1105 Bryant Park Rd.
Royston, GA 30662
706-245-6270

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Upper Lanier Water Trail

Northeast Georgia Mountains
Chattahoochee River Water Trail
Gainesville, GA 30501
770-297-5499

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Unicoi State Park & Lodge

Northeast Georgia Mountains
1788 GA Hwy. 356
Helen, GA 30545
706-878-2201

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Turner Lake Park

Historic Heartland
6185 Turner Lake Rd.
Covington, GA 30014
770-786-4373

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Tugaloo State Park

Northeast Georgia Mountains
1763 Tugaloo State Park Rd.
Lavonia, GA 30553
706-356-4362

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Tray Mountain Wilderness Area

Northeast Georgia Mountains
F.S. Rd. 698 and Appalachian Trail
Helen, GA 30523
706-754-6221

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Towns Bluff RV Park & Heritage Center

Magnolia Midlands
45 Riverwood Trail
Hazlehurst, GA 31539
912-379-9303

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Stephen C. Foster State Park

Plantation Trace
17515 Hwy. 177
Fargo, GA 31631-5004
912-637-5274

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Sprewell Bluff Park

West Georgia
700 Sprewell Bluff Rd.
Thomaston, GA 30286
706-601-6711

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Smithgall Woods State Park

Northeast Georgia Mountains
601 Tsalaki Tr.
Helen, GA 30545
706-878-3087

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Seminole State Park

Plantation Trace
7870 State Park Dr.
Donalsonville, GA 31745
229-861-3137

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Salacoa Creek Park

Northwest Georgia Mountains
I-75 Exit 315 Hwy. 156 / 388 Park Dr. NE
Ranger, GA 30734
706-629-3490

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Riverbend Campground

Northeast Georgia Mountains
2626 Streak Hill Rd.
Hiawassee, GA 30546
706-896-1415

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Ridgeway Park on Carter’s Lake

Northwest Georgia Mountains
2950 Hap Holt Rd. (take GA 282 to Dotson or Crossroads Church roads south to Hap Holt)
Ellijay, GA 30540
706-334-2248

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Richard B. Russell State Park

Northeast Georgia Mountains
2650 Russell State Park Rd.
Elberton, GA 30635
706-213-2045

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Red Top Mountain State Park

Atlanta Metro
50 Lodge Rd.
Acworth, GA 30102
770-975-0055

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R-Haven Overnight Family Park

Northwest Georgia Mountains
7643 Hwy. 11 S.
Rising Fawn, GA 30738
706-657-8334

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Panola Mountain State Park – Stockbridge

Atlanta Metro
2600 Hwy. 155 S W
Stockbridge, GA 30281
770-389-7801

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Panola Mountain State Park – Conyers

Historic Heartland
2600 Hwy. 155 SW
Conyers, GA 30281
770-389-7801

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New Echota Cherokee Capital State Historic Site

Northwest Georgia Mountains
1211 Chatsworth Hwy. NE
Calhoun, GA 30701
706-624-1321

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Magnolia Springs State Park

Classic South
1053 Magnolia Springs Dr.
Millen, GA 30442-6604
478-982-1660

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Little Ocmulgee State Park & Lodge

Magnolia Midlands
80 Live Oak Tr.
McRae-Helena, GA 31037
229-868-7474

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Laura S. Walker State Park

Georgia Coast
5653 Laura Walker Rd.
Waycross, GA 31503
912-287-4900

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Lake Lanier Olympic Park

Northeast Georgia Mountains
3105 Clarks Bridge Rd
Gainesville, GA 30506
855-536-1996

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Lake Lanier

Northeast Georgia Mountains
Northeast Georgia
Gainesville, GA 30501
770-297-5499

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Lake Jackson – City of Jackson

Historic Heartland
180 Dam Rd.
Jackson, GA 30233
770-775-4753

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Lake Chatuge

Northeast Georgia Mountains
U.S. Hwy. 76
Hiawassee, GA 30546
706-896-4966

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Featured Attractions