Fishing in Georgia
Georgia offers many types of fishing, and they are available
year round. You can enjoy fly fishing in the mountains,
pole fishing in the many lakes, rivers, and streams, and
deep sea fishing from charter boats and from the piers of the
coast. So grab your gear, and head to the waterways of Georgia!
Before you open your tackle box, there are a few things
you need to know concerning licensing:
1. Everyone 16 and older must have a GA fishing
license for fresh or saltwater fishing. An ID may be
required by Conservation Rangers, so be sure to have yours
with you. Exceptions- for private ponds (those not owned
by the county, state, or Federal gov.) by landowners and
their immediate family for fishing on their own land
2. Purchasing-Licenses may be bought
by phone 1-888-748-6887, online at www.GreatLodge.com for
$1.25 processing fee or at www.permit.com for a $3 processing
fee, or the y may be purchased from a license dealer.
3. Types of License:
Sportsman's License-
Residents-$60; not available to non-residents
Regular Fishing License-
Residents $9; non-residents $24 season or $7 for a week
One Day- $3.50 for residents and non-residents alike
Trout- $5 for residents and $13.00 for non-residents
Combination-Hunting & Fishing-
Residents $17; not available to non-residents
Wildlife Management Areas
Residents-$19; non-residents $73
Where to Fish in Georgia
There are numerous places to go fishing in Georgia, and
there is no way we can list them all. However, we will suggest
a few, and you can contact the Georgia Department of Natural
Resources www.gadnr.org
or (404-656-7092) for a listing of the many places to fish
till your heart's content.
In the northeast part of the state at LaPrade's Cabins
is Lake Burton. Located just 18 miles from Clarkesville, Lake
Burton is a fisherman's delight. At Burton you will find
 trout,
walleyes, bluegills, and bass. Or you can travel over to
nearby Lake Blue Ridge to catch muskellunge, trout, and bass.
Other north Georgia waters include, but are not limited
to, are the Chattahoochee River just downstream to Georgia
Highway 255, Left Fork Soque River, excluding the tributaries
found downstream of Georgia Highway 356, the Liberty Creek
Watershed, Middle Fork Broad River Watershed, North Fork
Broad River Watershed, or Panther Creek Watershed.
For sunfish, catfish, bass and crappie, head to Clarkesville
and Lake Russell. Here there is a 41 unit campground that
is open from mid May through October. The lake can be fished
year round and boats with electric motors are allowed. Also
in Clarkesville you will find the Nancytown Lake. The Nancytown,
while a bit cold and infertile, contains bass and bream.
During the early spring the Georgia Game and Fish Division
stocks the lake with 2,000 catchable trout.
Bainbridge, Georgia, located near Lake Seminole is a favorite
place for fisherman. Lake Seminole, ranked fifth in the
country for bass fishing, draws fisherman from far and wide
to cast their lines in search of the many big mouth bass
that live in the 37,000 acre lake. The lake contains many
grass beds and stumps that provide cover so the fisherman
can battle the scrappy hybrid, striped and white bass, catfish,
and crappie. In Lake Seminole over 79 species of fish have
been identified. So grab your pole and come fish the waters
where professionals like Jack Wingate, Pam Martin-Wells,
and the competitors from the B.A.S.S. association have found
fishing at its finest!
Lake Lanier, located 45 minutes north of Atlanta, is home
to spotted, stripers and largemouth bass. The bass can be
found by watching the fast paced action on the  surface
and identifying their chasing of baitfish. There have been
fish caught at Lanier that range in size from an 8 1/2 pound
largemouth bass to 20 pound stripers. You can use various
fishing styles here at Lake Lanier-trolling, live bait,
or top water fishing-all with fantastic results and plenty
of stories to tell to the folks back home!
Lake Conasuage, from the Cherokee Indian word meaning "sparkling
water" is located near the summit of Grassy Mountain
and is the highest lake in Georgia. The areas around the
lake includes a restroom, water fountain, tables, grills,
and shelters. Here you can fish for rainbow trout, bluegills,
shell crackers, bream, and large-mouth bass weighing in at
as much as 10 pounds.
Fly fishing can be enjoyed throughout
Georgia. Please keep in mind that some of the waters can
be quite deep and that is not a good idea to drink the water
without having treated it first. Also, it is recommended
that you always let someone know where you will be fishing.
The top ten places in Georgia for fly fishing are below.
For a very comprehensive list pick up Trout
Fishing in North Georgia: A Comprehensive Guide to Public
Lakes, Reservoirs, and Rivers
This book includes just about every place in North Georgia
to fish for trout. It's a great guide to keep in your vehicle.
Top Ten Places in Georgia for Fly Fishing
1. Jacks River, Crandall, GA
2. Conasauga River, Crandall, GA
3. Atlanta: Chattahoochee River, Dukes Creek, Waters Creek,
& Soque River, Dahlonega, GA
4. Chattooga River, Clayton, GA
5. Dukes Creek, Helen, GA
6. Chattahoochee River, Helen, GA
7. Dicks Creek, Cleveland, GA
8. Dukes Creek (Smithgall Woods - Dukes Creek Conservation
Area), Helen, GA
9. Stamp Creek, Cartersville, GA
10. Mountaintown Creek, Ellijay, GA
Record Fish Caught in Georgia
What do you do with an 83 pound catfish? If you mount it you'd better find a strong stud.
- Flathead Catfish - 83 Pounds
- Rainbow Trout - 17 Pounds, 8 Ounces
- Striper Bass - 63 Pounds
- Blacktip Shark - 148 Pounds
- Bull Shark - 455 Pounds
- Tarpon - 161 Pounds
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