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

Brasstown Valley Resort & Spa

Northeast Georgia Mountains
6321 U.S. Hwy. 76
Young Harris, GA 30582
706-379-9900

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Bobby Brown Park

Northeast Georgia Mountains
2509 Bobby Brown State Park Rd.
Elberton, GA 30635
706-283-5500

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Andrew’s Cove Campground

Northeast Georgia Mountains
GA 75 north from Helen for approx. 5.5 miles
Helen, GA 30545
706-490-1246

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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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Academy Springs Park

Historic Heartland
3120 Conyers St.
Covington, GA 30014
770-786-4373

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Yonah Mountain Campground

Northeast Georgia Mountains
3678 Helen Hwy.
Cleveland, GA 30528
706-865-6546

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Woods-n-Water Hunting and Fishing

Classic South
111 Industrial Dr.
Wrightsville, GA 31558
478-864-9108

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Woodring Branch Recreation Area

Northwest Georgia Mountains
5026 Woodring Branch Rd.
Chatsworth, GA 30705
877-444-6777

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Winfield Campground – Clarks Hill Lake

Classic South
7701 Winfield Rd.
Appling, GA 30802
877-444-6777

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Wilson Shoals Wildlife Management Area

Northeast Georgia Mountains
Off GA Hwy. 365 on Yonah Rd.
Homer, GA 30547
770-535-5700

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Willow Valley RV Resort

NE GA Mountains
323 Yorkhouse Rd.
Rabun Gap, GA 30568
706-746-0078

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Willis Knob Recreation Area

Northeast Georgia Mountains
F.S. Rd. 157
Clayton, GA 30525
706-754-6221

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Willis Knob Horse Camp & Trails

Northeast Georgia Mountains
F.S. Rd. 157
Clayton, GA 30525
706-754-6221

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William Sasser – Fishing Guide

Classic South
4769 Clark Dr.
Evans, GA 30809
706-589-5468

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Wiley Creek Duck Preserve

Northwest Georgia Mountains
205 Sawyer Farm Rd.
Waleska, GA 30183
770-597-0026

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Wildwood Park

Classic South
6212 Holloway Rd.
Appling, GA 30802
706-541-0586

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Wildcat Creek I and II Campgrounds

Northeast Georgia Mountains
West Wildcat Road
Clayton, GA 30525
706-490-1246

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Whitewater Express

West Georgia
1000 Bay Ave.
Columbus, GA 31901
706-321-4720

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Whitewater Creek Park

West Georgia
GA Hwy. 128 N. and Whitewater Rd.
Oglethorpe, GA 31068
478-472-8171

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Whitetail Ridge Campground – West Point Lake

West Georgia
565 Abbotsford Rd.
LaGrange, GA 30240
877-444-6777

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Whispering Pines RV Park

Georgia Coast
1755 Hodgeville Rd.
Rincon, GA 31326
912-728-7562

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Whispering Pines Campground

Northwest Georgia Mountains
290 Whispering Pines Road
Morganton, GA 30560
706-374-6494

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West Point Wildlife Management Area

West Georgia
GA Hwy. 219 N.
LaGrange, GA 30240
478-825-6354

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West Point Lake

West Georgia
500 Resource Management Dr.
West Point, GA 31833
706-645-2937

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Watsadler Campground – Lake Hartwell

Northeast Georgia Mountains
286 Watsadler Rd.
Hartwell, GA 30643
877-444-6777

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Waterside at Blue Ridge

Northwest Georgia Mountains
984 Loving Rd.
Morganton, GA 30560
706-851-8855

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War Hill Park

Northeast Georgia Mountains
GA Hwy. 318
Dawsonville, GA 30534
706-344-3646

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Wanee Lake Golf and RV Resort

Magnolia Midlands
3821 GA Hwy. 112 West
Ashburn, GA 31714
229-567-4653

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Walker’s Pond

Historic Heartland
205 Woodlawn Dr.
Warner Robins, GA 31093
478-293-1070

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Wahoo Creek Park

Northeast Georgia Mountains
3961 Mount Vernon Rd.
Gainesville, GA 30506
770-535-8280

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