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This PFA is located on 444 acres southeast of Eastman in Georgia’s middle coastal plain. Gently rolling terrain surrounds the 104-acre lake containing mixed pine/hardwood stands, longleaf/wiregrass communities, planted pines and a mature hardwood bottom. |
 General Information - Coves, points, shallow creek channels, a small island and standing timber and submerged structures to attract fish characterize Steve Bell Lake.
The 104 acre lake is intensively managed to provide quality fishing. The peaceful surroundings provide an excellent setting for fishing and enjoying the outdoors with family or by yourself.Click here to view the guide. Coves, points, shallow creek channels, a small island and standing timber and submerged structures to attract fish characterize Steve Bell Lake.
The lake is intensively managed to provide quality fishing. The peaceful surroundings provide an excellent setting for fishing and enjoying the outdoors with family or by yourself.
Facility Amenities -  Concrete boat ramps Fishing pierRestrooms & picnic tables Primitive camping Nature trail Most facilities accessible to persons with disabilities |
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| Major Fish Species and Fishing Tips |
Largemouth bass Bluegill Redear sunfish (shellcracker) Channel catfish
The standing timber, natural shoreline structure, riprap along the dam, and the roadbed that transects the lake just upstream of the ramp are
good locations for bass. Generally in late winter and early spring, as water temperatures begin to warm, larger bass are caught using crank
baits, jigs, plastic worms and lizards in 8-12 ft. deep water.
In early summer fish top-water lures or spinner baits in the mornings. In summer and fall try fishing for suspended bass in standing timber. As
the water cools in late fall, fish will become active again and move to the banks. Small bass are caught all year casting small plastic worms in
shallow, shoreline cover.
Standing timber, fish attractors, piers, docks and steep shorelines are good locations for crappie.
A good technique is casting or trolling jigs. Vertical jigging or using corks to fish a jig at a specific depth works well during the summer and
early fall. Traditional chartreuse, white, yellow and black jigs work well.
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Bluegill and redear sunfish (shellcrackers) like to spawn over sandy areas with hard bottoms. Successful anglers fish flat areas on both ends of
dam, shoreline points, the island and fertilizer
platforms(orange & white markers) in late spring through early fall.
Fish earthworms and crickets on or near the bottom in 4-6 ft. Casting small lures, spinner baits and poppers along shorelines is also productive during the late spring and summer when the fish are more active.
For catfish, fish with liver, worms, mullet gut or prepared commercial bait. In the late spring concentrate near shoreline vegetation. During
summer, fish on the bottom in 6-8 ft. of water or try fishing with a float and bait suspended 3-6 ft. deep in the standing timber or the rip-rap
along the dam.
During the summer and early fall months, fish will concentrate in the upper 6-8 ft. of the water column, near the bottom in water to 8 feet, and suspended offshore to depths of 8 feet. |
| Hours: Open Wednesday through Sunday, sunrise to sunset.
Regulations - Public fishing areas have special regulations that are posted on site as well as published in the Georgia Sport Fishing Regulations.
Anglers 16 years of age and older, except honorary license holders, must possess a current fishing license and a wildlife management area (WMA) license to fish.
An angler possessing a one-day fishing, sportsman's or lifetime license is not required to possess a WMA license. |
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| Boat Ramp Operated by WRD in Dodge County |
| River Basin: Ocmulgee - Longitude: -83.13102 and Latitude: 32.15752 - Contact: 912-285-6094
Fee ChargedBoat Ramps: 3 Lanes Courtesy Dock: Handicap accessible Restrooms: Flush - handicap accessible Camping: Primitive Parking: Unpaved and handicap accessible Parking Capacity: 200 |
| Dodge County Public Fishing Area Largemouth Bass Tagging Study |
Largemouth bass have been tagged and released back into the Dodge County PFA Lake.
Information gained from this study will help biologists better manage the bass population in this lake. REWARDS will be given to individuals catching and releasing or keeping tagged bass (anglers must completely fill out envelope available at fish cleaning station).
Largemouth bass have been tagged and released back into the Dodge County PFA Lake. Information gained from this study will help biologists better manage the bass population in this lake. REWARDS will be given to individuals catching and releasing or keeping tagged bass (anglers must completely fill out envelope available at fish cleaning station)
YOU Can Also Participate by Providing Bass Over 21” Long for Tagging
If you catch an untagged bass over 21” long and are interested in having it tagged:
Keep fish in aerated livewell. Contact staff at office and they will measure, weigh, and tag fish. (Unfortunately, staff are not always at the office.)
If You Catch A Tagged Bass
If you plan to RELEASE the fish: Measure the fish to the nearest 1/8 inch (measuring boards provided at boat dock and fishing pier). Weigh fish, if possible. Read the tag number (tag number located next to “REWARD” on the tag). Please DO NOT remove the tag before releasing the fish. Rewards will be sent without having to include tag. Obtain a tag return envelope available at the fish cleaning station by the boat ramp. Fill out envelope completely and drop in adjacent box.
If you plan to KEEP the fish: Please measure fish (measuring boards provided at boat dock and fishing pier) and weigh fish (if possible) and fill out all information on tag return envelope available at fish cleaning station. Cut tag off and include it in return envelope. |
| Licensing |
| To help cover the costs of maintaining these great resources, visitors (ages 16-64) must have one of the following to access Public Fishing Areas except for Rocky Mountain PFA: 3-day hunting/fishing license Wildlife Management Area license Sportsman's, Honorary or Lifetime license Georgia Outdoor Recreational Pass (GORP) Click to purchase a GORP pass. |
| Contact, Directions & Website Link |
| Telephone: 478-374-6765 or 229-426-5272 - Directions From Eastman: US Hwy. S 23/341 for 3 miles; left on Dodge Lake Rd (County Rd. 49) for 0.6 miles to lake. Visit website for info |
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Visit:
GA Public Fishing Areas
Fishing Trip Check List
GA Wildlife Areas:
Bird Watching
Public Fishing Areas (PFA)
Horseback Riding
Fish Hatcheries
Archery & Firearms Ranges
Range Rules
License & Regulations:
PFA Hunting
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