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

New Echota Cherokee Capital State Historic Site

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

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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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Victoria Bryant State Park

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

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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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Fort Mountain State Park

Northwest Georgia Mountains
181 Fort Mountain Park Rd.
Chatsworth, GA 30705
706-422-1932

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Fort McAllister State Park

Georgia Coast
3894 Fort McAllister Rd.
Richmond Hill, GA 31324
912-727-2339

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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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Lake Lanier

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

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James H. Floyd State Park

Northwest Georgia Mountains
2800 'Sloppy' Floyd Lake Rd.
Summerville, GA 30747
706-857-0826

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Fort Yargo State Park

Northeast Georgia Mountains
210 S. Broad St.
Winder, GA 30680
770-867-3489

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Don Carter State Park

Northeast Georgia Mountains
5000 N. Browning Bridge Rd.
Gainesville, GA 30506
678-450-7726

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Georgia State Parks

Atlanta Metro
2600 Hwy. 155 SW
Stockbridge, GA 30281
770-389-7286

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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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Lake Blackshear Resort & Golf Club

West Georgia
2459H U.S. Hwy. 280 W.
Cordele, GA 31015
229-276-1004

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George T. Bagby State Park and Lodge

Plantation Trace
330 Bagby Pkwy.
Fort Gaines, GA 39851
229-768-2571

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Amicalola Falls State Park & Lodge

Northeast Georgia Mountains
418 Amicalola Falls State Park Rd.
Dawsonville, GA 30534-1003
706-265-4703

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Red Top Mountain State Park

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

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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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Seminole State Park

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

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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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Magnolia Springs State Park

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

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Kolomoki Mounds State Park

Plantation Trace
205 Indian Mounds Rd.
Blakely, GA 39823
229-724-2150

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Indian Springs State Park

Historic Heartland
678 Lake Clark Rd.
Flovilla, GA 30216
770-504-2277

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Jack Hill State Park

Magnolia Midlands
322 Park Ln./Hwy. 280 W.
Reidsville, GA 30453
912-557-7744

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F.D. Roosevelt State Park

West Georgia
2970 GA Hwy. 190
Pine Mountain, GA 31822-2200
706-663-4858

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Crooked River State Park

Georgia Coast
6222 Charlie Smith Sr. Hwy.
St. Marys, GA 31558
912-882-5256

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Chattahoochee Bend State Park

West Georgia
425 Bobwhite Way
Newnan, GA 30263
770-254-7271

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Smithgall Woods State Park

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

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Lamar Moody Park

Northwest Georgia Mountains
2377 Lake Paradise Rd.
Villa Rica, GA 30180
770-459-7011

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