Classic South Fishing Lakes

Discover Georgia's Classic South Travel Region Small Fishing Lakes - Featuring the A. H. Stephens State Park Lake, George L. Smith Park Lake, Magnolia Springs State Park Lake and McDuffie County Public Fishing Area. Stay and Play in GA!

Videos of places and things to do in Georgia

A. H. Stephens State Park Lake in Taliaferro County
Size: 2 lakes - 18, and 23 acres Fish: Bass, bream and channel catfish
Lake Facilities: A boat ramp, seasonal Jon boat rentals, picnic tables, restrooms, tent camping, RV camping, and handicapped accessible facilities are available.
Fee: $5 parking fee Open: All year from sunrise to sunset
Restrictions: Boats may use electric motors only, one acre lake for youth fishing, 23 acre lake for group campers use only, and 18 acre lake for public fishing only. A 1-acre channel catfish lake is used for youth fishing. A fertilized 18 acre lake contains largemouth bass and bream fishing, while a 23 acre lake with the same species is present for group campers use only. The park allows private boats with electric motors only, and does have rental boats available.
Contact Information
Owner: A. H. Stephens State Historic Park, Parks, Recreation and Historic Sites Division, GA DNR Phone: 706-456-2602 - Address: P. O. Box 310, Crawfordville, GA 30631
Directions: Off GA Hwy 22 just north of Crawfordville

George L. Smith State Park in Emanuel County
Size: 412 acres Fish: Bass, bream and channel catfish
Lake Facilities: Boat ramp, boat rentals, picnic shelters, camping, cabins, canoes and boat motor rentals are located at the park.
Fee: $5 parking fee Open: All year from sunrise to sunset
Restrictions: 10 hp motor restriction. Boaters are limited to motors 10 hp or less.
Contact Information - Owner: George L. Smith State Park, Parks, Recreation and Historic Sites Division, Ga. Department of Natural Resources - Phone: 912-763-2759 Address: 371 George L. Smith State Park Road Twin City, GA 30471 - Directions: 3.5 miles southeast of Twin City off GA Hwy 23

Magnolia Springs State Park Lake in Jenkins County
Size: 28 acres Fish: Bass, bream, catfish and crappie
Lake Facilities: Boat rentals, pool, hiking, biking and nature trails, picnic tables, shelters,indoor aquarium, interpretive boardwalk, playground,cottages, camping, group camps. Boat and bank fishing are allowed; boat rentals are available. Contact the park for further details.
Fee: $5 parking fee Open: All year
Contact Information - Owner: Magnolia Springs State Park, Parks, Recreation and Historic Sites Division, Ga. Department of Natural Resources - Phone: 478-982-1660 Address: 1053 Magnolia Sorings Drive Millen, GA 30442 - Directions: 5 miles north of Millen on U.S. Hwy 25

McDuffie County Public Fishing Area
Size: 13 ponds, ranging from 1 to 28 acres Fish: These ponds are managed for largemouth bass, bream and channel catfish. Several ponds are stocked with channel catfish only, while other ponds contain all of the above species.
Ponds Facilities: Camping, a boat ramp, picnic tables, and restrooms are available.
Fee: Anglers 16 or older must have: a state fishing license plus WMA stamp; honorary fishing license; or one day fishing license
Open: All year from sunrise to sunset, seven days a week
Restrictions: Boats may use electric motors only. All anglers 16 and older except those with an honorary fishing license must have a Georgia fishing license and a Wildlife Management Area stamp, or have a one-day fishing license. Private boats with electric motors are permitted. Special creel and length limits are enforced.
Contact Information - Owner: Wildlife Resources Division, Ga. Department of Natural Resources - Phone: 706-595-1684 Address: 4695 Fish Hatchery Road Dearing, GA 30808
Directions: 4 miles southwest of Dearing on Fish Hatchery Road off U.S. Hwy 278