Georgia is home to 45 state parks, many of which offer excellent fishing opportunities. You can’t beat the price either. For the cost of a fishing license and a $5 parking pass (annual passes are also available!), you’re free to fish all day.
It can be overwhelming to choose just one when you’ve only got a weekend. So, take the guesswork out of where to Go Fish Georgia and take a look at our top 7 state parks to head to on a weekend. A handy map of where they parks can be found here.
Popular Parks:
Gainesville – Hall County
While it’s only 5 years old, Don Carter State Park is a popular fishing hole for anglers. Its banks border the shore of Georgia’s largest lake, Lake Lanier. Annually, several million anglers take to its almost 700 miles of shoreline to catch crappie and bass. Anglers can fish on the shoreline everywhere except for the beach area and also have access to docks and piers. On-site overnight lodging is available in either cottages or the campground. Several boat slips are also available for users staying overnight on the property.
Cartersville – Bartow County
Red Top Mountain State Park’s distance from Metro Atlanta makes it a convenient fishing spot to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. Anglers are encouraged to fish from banks, docks and boats in their search for a trophy bass, catfish, crappie or blue gill from Lake Allatoona. Georgia DNR and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers manage brush piles along the Bethany Bridge Fishing Jetty to provide excellent cover and increased fishing success. Also located within easy casting distance of the jetty are 200 sunken Christmas trees that act as a fish attractor.
Secret Spots
- Elijah Clark and Mistletoe State Parks
Lincolnton – Lincoln County and Appling – Columbia County
Lying along Clark’s Hill Lake, these areas provide excellent fishing opportunities for Largemouth bass, sunfish, catfish, and crappie. Both parks have boat ramps, service piers, fishing piers and tons of bank space for anglers. Fisheries staff sink Christmas trees every 1-2 years along the bank to create cover and attract fish. Mistletoe State park also participates in the tackle loaner program allowing anglers to checkout rods, reels and tackle box equipment for the day.
Elberton – Elbert County
This 26,650 acre lake on the Savannah River is owned and operated by the U.S Army Corps of Engineers. Richard B. Russell boasts 540 miles of shoreline and 9 boating access areas. Anglers say the best fishing happens in the Beaverdam, Coldwater and Van Creek areas. Plan on making your fishing trip a long weekend since onsite camping is available. Before heading out, anglers should check current fishing regulations for size and daily creel limits for Georgia-South Carolina Border Waters.
Fort Gaines – Clay County
If you’re looking for a new boat angling spot, here’s your place. There are numerous boat ramps located throughout and anglers can get by with even kayaks or canoes. A large fish attractor reef was added to the lower end of the reservoir recently, consisting of large cedar trees. This lake has great Largemouth bass and crappie fishing opportunities. Area biologists also say catfish and hybrid fishing can be extremely good throughout the area. Hybrids school and are located at different areas and times. People often catch them by trolling baits until they find them and then cast or use live bait from there.
Jackson – Monroe County
High Falls provides a unique river and lake environment. This allows guests to experiment with tactics from fly-fishing to baiting catfish in essentially the same location, give or take a few hundred yards. An old powerhouse below the dam and falls has some quiet coves and hiding places for bass. Some large bass are caught in this area and it’s a favorite spot for many anglers. Unique to High Falls are the residents encompassing the lake itself. Fishing from the shore and docks is limited to those locations on park property as all private resident docks are off limits.
Omaha – Stewart County
Day or night, Florence Marina is a great place to fish for the favorites: bass, catfish, and crappie. This state park features a lighted fishing pier, a camper’s dock specifically for guests at the park, and one of the only deep water marinas on the Chattahoochee River. You can fish anywhere on the shoreline except for the marina itself or on the lake by boat. The park offers Jon Boats for rent and full hook-up campsites with power, water, sewage, and cable to our visitor’s. There are also 15 cabins on the park that can be rented.
Alice DeForest
Thanks for the fishing posts, we’re here on the coast and this gives us some great ideas for weekend trips
Georgia DNR, Wildlife Resources Division
You’ll have to let us know where you go!
Georgia – 7 State Parks You Have to Fish
[…] Date: March 30, 2018Author: Georgia DNR, Wildlife Resources Division0 Comments […]
tarzan341
Here’s one for ya, I live in Oconee County, SC. And I haven’t been here very long and I’m trying to find out just exactly is the farthermost that I can go across the Georgia Line to fish for trout, and be able to use my SC licence. I’m an avid Trout fisherman that would love the info. Maybe marked maps, internet, or just info. OK !! And if I do need to get a Georgia licence, OK !
Pat J Cheshire
We’ve made reservations for Red Top Mountain State Park for 1st week in May. We have kayaks and hoping my husband can catch something, anything!
Jr. James
Obviously nice trip for fishing. I wanna thank you guys for sharing such informative post with us
Gary Fomby
I have fished in Carters lake a couple of times. It is an outstanding spotted bass and stripper fishery. I caught a personal best for each species while fishing there. It has rental cabins and great boat access.
Georgia DNR, Wildlife Resources Division
Glad you had a great time out there, Gary!
Georgia DNR, Wildlife Resources Division
Glad you enjoyed it, Gary! We agree that Carters Lake offers top notch fishing 🙂
rch
How about Hamburg, in Washington county? Oh, but you obviously avoided anywhere in middle GA.
Georgia DNR, Wildlife Resources Division
High Falls and Hamburg are just a few counties away from each other. But if Hamburg is one of your favorite fishing spots, then I’m sure other Middle GA anglers will love it, too!
Dean
A state park and a public fishing area are badly needed in Commissioner William,s home county, Wayne County
Georgia DNR, Wildlife Resources Division
There are a few WMAs close to Wayne County that offer fishing opportunities! Check out Griffin Ridge, Morgan Lake, Townsend and Penholoway Swamp WMAs! You can also use our interactive map to find fishing near you — just enter your address here: https://georgiawildlife.com/locations/fishing
Marlieta LassiterLoop
Fished for three days at Laura S. WALKER State Park lake only caught two small turtles and a small war mouth. Maybe lake needs stocked. Beautiful setting enjoyed it.
Georgia DNR, Wildlife Resources Division
Glad you still had a good time, Marlieta!
Mark Kitson
Thanks for providing information showing docks where public fishing is allowed. Not all of us have a boat and some of us can’t handle a boat. I wish there were more fishing docks at state parks.
Georgia DNR, Wildlife Resources Division
No problem, Mark!
Fiskeri
IS it possible for a tourist to rent fishing gear at Red Top mountain ?
Georgia DNR, Wildlife Resources Division
Unfortunately, Red Top Mountain State Park does not rent out fishing gear.