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

Altamaha River

Magnolia Midlands

Baxley, GA 31513
912-367-7731

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Altamaha Regional Park

Georgia Coast
1605 Altamaha Park Rd.
Brunswick, GA 31523
912-264-2342

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Allatoona Wildlife Management Area – Cherokee

Northwest Georgia Mountains

Woodstock, GA 30189
706-295-6041

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Allatoona Wildlife Management Area – Bartow

Northwest Georgia Mountains
6231 State Rte 20
White, GA 30184
706-295-6041

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Allatoona Lake and Visitors Center

Northwest Georgia Mountains
1138 GA Hwy. 20 Spur
Cartersville, GA 30121
678-721-6700

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Alexander Park

Atlanta Metro
800 Old Snellville Hwy.
Lawrenceville, GA 30044
770-814-6054

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Albert Rollins Park and Baseball Complex

Northwest Georgia Mountains
521 Threadmill Rd
Dalton, GA 30720
706-226-0341

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Albany RV Resort

Plantation Trace
1202 Liberty Exp.
Albany, GA 31705
229-431-2229

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Acworth Beach/ Cauble Park

Atlanta Metro
2293 Beach St.
Acworth, GA 30101
770-917-1234

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A.H. Stephens State Park

Classic South
456 Alexander St. NW
Crawfordville, GA 30631-2903
706-456-2602

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A. Randall Tuten Environmental Park

Magnolia Midlands
U.S. Hwy. 15 S.
Baxley, GA 31513
912-367-7731

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A Big Wheel RV Park

Georgia Coast
6031 Charlie Smith Sr. Hwy.
St. Marys, GA 31558
912-576-5386

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