Marben Public Fishing Area is part of Georgia DNR’s Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center near Mansfield, about an hour east of Atlanta. Twenty managed ponds from 1 to 95 acres hold largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, redear sunfish and channel catfish, and the center adds trails, shooting and archery ranges, a museum and lodging.
Lake Margery closed
Lake Margery is closed to all fishing and boating while it recovers from maintenance. DNR has not set a reopening date; check the DNR Marben PFA page before you go.
- Ponds20 ponds, 1 to 95 acres
- FishLargemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, redear, channel catfish
- Visitor centerMon to Sat 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- AccessLicense that allows fishing or hunting, or a Lands Pass, for ages 16 and up
Fishing Marben PFA
The ponds are intensively managed for fishing, and many have PVC fish attractors placed within reach of the bank. Water temperatures differ from pond to pond in early spring and late fall, so try several. Live minnows are not allowed.
Largemouth Bass
Fish topwater baits along the shoreline and brush early in the morning, and deep-diving crankbaits in the flooded timber in the afternoon. Limit five, only one 16 inches or longer.
Crappie
Suspended crappie hold in deeper water and the shade of flooded timber; yellow or pink jigs work well.
Bream
Bluegill and shellcrackers are abundant, best April through June. Fish crickets or worms on the bottom near spawning beds, or small spinners and poppers along shallow edges.
Channel Catfish
Fish earthworms or liver in deep water.
Dove Pond is a kids-only pond open for harvest June through August; anglers under 16 may keep five catfish each. Grass carp must be released immediately.
More at Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center
The center covers about 6,700 acres with Clybel Wildlife Management Area. Visitors can hike, bike and ride horses on trails, use the Clybel shooting and archery ranges, watch birds, camp at primitive sites, launch canoes and boats, and tour the visitor center and museum. Groups can book the conference center, banquet hall and 28 lodge-style guest rooms, and DNR runs school, family, Becoming an Outdoors-Woman and hunter-education programs.
Marben PFABank fishing with fish attractors
Visitor Center & MuseumMon to Sat, 9 to 4:30
Clybel RangesShooting and archeryLicenses & Access
Visitors 16 and older need a Georgia license that allows fishing or hunting, or a Lands Pass, to enter a public fishing area or WMA. See DNR’s land access chart for details and exceptions.
Contact & Directions
543 Elliott Trail, Mansfield, GA 30055. 770-784-3059. From Mansfield, take Georgia 11 south for 2.7 miles and turn left on Marben Farms Road, then follow the signs. The area straddles Jasper and Newton counties. See also more Charlie Elliott recreation, Marben PFA boat ramps and Georgia PFA rules.
Sources we checked
Facts in this guide were checked against the agencies and operators that run these places:
- Georgia DNR: Marben PFA – ponds, species, limits and Lake Margery closure
- Georgia DNR: Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center – acreage, facilities and programs
- Georgia DNR: Land access chart – license and Lands Pass rules
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