| The McDuffie Public Fishing Area is a 570-acre site located in Georgia’s upper coastal plain. It is open daily, sunrise to sunset. Characterized by majestic longleaf pines and sandy soil, it offers a unique and beautiful landscape. |
General Information - Managed by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division, this location provides visitors with an array of outdoor opportunities.
McDuffie offers anglers 7 ponds, varying from 5 to 37 acres, for quality bream, bass and catfish angling. The Area is also home to the McDuffie Environmental Education Center (MEEC) and Fish Hatchery. While fishing is the major theme of the area, visitors can take their pick from numerous other outdoor activities. Anglers, hunters and nature lovers can all find a place at McDuffie PFA. For more info, see Georgia PFA Info and Regulations page. |
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| Recreation |
| Nature Trails - A variety of trails await the avid nature lover. Paths such as Blackwater Swamp Trail, Beaver Pond Trail and Longleaf Pine Trail offer a variety of geographic characteristics for their followers to enjoy. Spectators frequently see wildlife such as whitetail deer, fox squirrels and Canada geese. |
| Fish Hatchery - The fish hatchery consists of numerous ponds used to produce various species and sizes of warmwater fish. These fish are stocked into ponds, lakes and rivers throughout Georgia. Note: Public fishing is prohibited in hatchery ponds. |
| MEEC - The MEEC is an environmental education center open to public, private and home school groups, grades K through 12. A certified teacher directs the outdoor environmental education experience. All lesson plans are aligned with Georgia Performance Standards. For more information, go to www.themeec.org. |
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| Kid's Fishing Events - The PFA holds Kids’ Fishing Events (KFEs) during the spring, summer and fall months to encourage youngsters under the age of 16 to enjoy the sport of fishing. Two ponds stocked with channel catfish are reserved for Kids’ Fishing Events. |
Archery - Two archery ranges provide practice in both open ground and regular field conditions. A 14-foot tower gives archers the opportunity to practice shots from an elevated position. From the tower, six targets at varying distances can be shot at under regular field conditions. The flat ground site has three targets for sighting in. The range is open year round.
 Individuals under 16 years of age must be supervised by an adult. No broadheads allowed; only fieldpoints are permitted. Up to four people are allowed on the tower at one time. |
| Dove Hunting - A 12-acre dove field planted with wheat is open to the public on Saturdays only during dove season. Hunters are required to have a hunting license, a Wildlife Management Area (WMA) stamp and an HIP permit. Firearms are permitted on the dove field ONLY. Statewide laws and regulations apply. |
| Waterfowl Hunting - Several lakes are available for waterfowl hunting during the months of December and January. Specified lakes and hunting dates will be posted around the PFA. Firearms are permitted ONLY in areas posted for waterfowl hunting. Statewide waterfowl laws and regulations apply. |
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| Hours and Fees |
The McDuffie Public Fishing Area is open year round from sunrise to sunset, 7 days a week.
Admission is free. Anglers should note PFA licensing regulations.
Campground opens at 7 AM and closes at 10 PM. Check-out time is 3 PM. |
| McDuffie Environmental Education Center |
The McDuffie Environmental Education Center (MEEC) is a collaboration between the McDuffie County Board of Education, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Educational Technology Training Center - Fort Discovery, National Science Center - Fort Discovery, CSRA Resource Conservation and Development Council (RC & D), the Watson-Brown Foundation and CSRA RESA.
This project provides teachers a unique site to take students for a hands-on outdoor experience. Lessons are tied to the Georgia Performance Standards in this diverse biologically and technologically rich site.
The McDuffie Environmental Education Center provides students with stimulating, outdoor learning experiences about the ecology of our wildlife, water, soils, and forests and the stewardship of these important natural resources.
The MEEC offers three diverse habitats and trails, a hands-on self-directed discovery room, and several outdoor classroom areas. Two certified teachers are on hand to coordinate instruction.
Visit the McDuffie Environmental Education Center Website |
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| Camping |
Sites are available year round for visitors to camp and enjoy a full outdoors experience. Campground amenities include: Tent and full-hookup RV campsites; ADA site available. Restrooms - bathhouses Picnic tables Grills Covered picnic pavilion
Camping Regulations
No reservations—Sites are available on a first come, first served basis.
To protect McDuffie PFA resources, campsite occupancy is limited to one of the following:
One motor home and one automobile
One auto with pop-up tent trailer (or other type trailer)
One auto and one pickup with mounted camping rig
Two motorized vehicles
Please camp in specified camping areas.
When all campsites are filled, no additional campers may stay overnight in the park.
Campers under 16 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.
Consideration of others is important. Please observe quiet time between 10 PM and 7 AM.
Pets are permitted; but, owners are responsible for pets conduct & must clean up after them.
Maximum occupancy of a site is 14 days. Campers using the site for 14 days must vacate the area for at least four days. |
| Contact, Address and Directions |
| Telephone: 706-595-1684 - Thomson Fisheries Office 706-595-1619 - Address: Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division, Fisheries Section, 4695 Fish Hatchery Road, Dearing Georgia 30808
- Directions From Thomson - Go East on U.S. Highway 278 for 5.6 miles; Right on Ellington Airline Road for 2.8 miles; Right on Fish Hatchery Road for 0.8 miles
into the area. |
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