Visit Georgia Coast and Islands Small Fishing Lakes - Refresh yourself and stay cool by visiting a Georgia lake. Many offer fun activities for everyone which includes fishing, swimming, boating, camping and nature hiking! Stay and Play in GA!
Activities, contact info and locations are listed. Some lakes are public and others are individually owned. Some restrictions apply. Please call them for more info.
Altamaha Waterfowl Refuge Lakes in McIntosh County
Size: Three lakes; 1/2, 12, and 20 acres Fish: Bass, bream, catfish and crappie Lake Facilities: Fishing piers. These lakes are diked marsh areas managed mainly for waterfowl, but afford good fishing opportunities year round. The smallest pond, near the refuge headquarters is for children under 12 years of age. The largest lake is located on Rhetts Island and is accessible only by boat from the Champney River. Boat launching into the 40-acre lake and the Champney River is available at the Champney River Recreational Park on U.S. Highway 17, or from Two-Way Fish Camp (912-265-0410) on the Altamaha River. Fishing opportunities exist for largemouth bass, bluegill, redbreast, crappie, and catfish, as well as red drum and mullett. Fee: No special fees Open: All year, 24 hours each day
Restrictions: Boats may use electric motors only Contact Information Owner: Wildlife Resources Division, Georgia Department of Natural Resources Address: DNR Game Management, 1 Conservation Way, Brunswick, Georgia 31526 Phone: 912-437-4569 Directions: 2 miles south of Darien off U.S. Hwy 17
Banks Lake in Lanier County Size: 4000 acres, 1000 acres open waters Fish: Bass, bream, crappie, gar and pickerel Lake Facilities: A boat ramp and a handicap accessible dock are located at the lake. Fee: No special fees Open: All year; sunrise to sunset. Fishing is allowed 24 hours a day from March 1 to September 31, and during daylight hours only the rest of the year. Restrictions: No trot lines or other set tackle allowed, special permit required for night fishing
Contact Information Owner: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Phone: 912-496-7366 - Office open 7 am to 3:30 pm Address: National Wildlife Refuge, Route 2, Box 3330, Folkston, Georgia 31537 Directions: 2 miles west of Lakeland on Georgia Hwy 122
Fort Stewart Ponds in Bryan County
Size: Twenty-two lakes which total 1,437 acres Fish: Bass, bream, channel catfish, crappie, hybrid bass, trophie bass and redear sunfish Lake Facilities: Picnic tables, pavilions, automated pass and permit system, can check in by phone or by internet: www.stewart.army.mil/outdoorrec Fee: State fishing license and a Fort Stewart fishing permit that is $30 per year Open: All year Restrictions: Fishing permit required. Boats may use electric motors only except on 1070 acre Canoochee Creek pond, anglers must wear personal flotation devices at all times.
Note: The Fort Stewart Fish and Wildlife Management Branch operates these ponds. Both a Georgia fishing license and a Fort Stewart fishing permit are required. Daily and annual permits are available that allow an entire family to fish. Private boats are allowed, but are restricted to electric motors with the exception of the large 800-acre Canoochee Creek pond, where outboard motors may be used. Post regulations require that all persons fishing from boats must wear personal flotation devices or have them tethered to their body at all times. Access to specific lakes can be restricted for military purposes. Contact Information Owner: Department of the Army Phone: 912-767-2584 Address: Fish & wildlife Branch, 1557 Frank Cochran Drive, Fort Stewart, Georgia 31314-4928 Directions: Accessible from GA Hwys 119 and 144, on the Fort Stewart Military Reservation
J F Gregory Lake Park in Bryan County Size: 2+ acres Fish: Bass, bream,catfish Lake Facilities: Park, pavillion, picnic area, trails, walking trails, fishing piers Fee: Free annual permit required. Can get free permit at City Hall. Open: All year sunrise to sunset Restrictions: A colonial coast birding trail site Contact Information Owner: City of Richmond Hill Phone: 912-756-3345 Address: P. O. Box 250 Richmond Hill, Georgia 31324 Directions: F Gregory Park Ford Ave, behind Richmond Hill City Hall
Lake Mayer in Chatham County Size: 35 acres Fish: Bluegill, largemouth bass, crappie, catfish and bream Lake Facilities: Boat ramp at entrance, picnic tables, multiple use recreational complex. This lake is operated by the Chatham County Parks and Recreation Department as part of a multi-use recreational complex. Picnicking facilities are provided. Fee: No special fees except on rental of shelters Open: All year Restrictions: Boats may use electric motors only
Note: Private boats with electric motors only are permitted on the lake. No fee is required for fishing. No swimming allowed Contact Information Owner: Chatham County Recreation Department Phone: 912-652-6780 Address: P. O. Box 1746 Savannah, Georgia 31402 Directions: Near Sally Moore Road and Montgomery Cross Road on the south side of Savannah
Laura S. Walker State Park Lake in Ware County
Size: 120 acres Fish: Bass, bream, channel catfish, chain pickeral, warmouth perch, mud fish and crappie Lake Facilities: Concession stand, camping, picnic tables and shelters, canoe rental, swimming pool close to the lakes at Laura Walker Golf Course. Canoes can be rented. Fee: $5 parking fee Open: All year, 7 am to 10 pm Restrictions: 10 hp motor restriction except from 11 am to 6 pm Eastern Standard Time (7 pm Daylight Savings Time). There is a motor restriction of 10 hp or less except from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM. (7:00 PM Daylight Savings Time). Swimming is not allowed in the lake, but a pool is present. Contact Information Owner:Laura S. Walker State Park, Parks, Recreation and Historic Sites Division, Georgia DNR Phone: 912-287-4900 Address: 5653 Laura WAlker Road Waycross, Georgia 31503 Directions: On GA Hwy 177 between US Hwy 82 & US Hwy 1
Louis Scott Stell Lake in Chatham County
Size: 17 acres Fish: Largemouth bass, bluegill, and channel catfish. Lake Facilities: Picnic tables and multiple use recreational complex. No fee is required for fishing. This lake is operated by the Chatham County Parks and Recreation Department as part of a multi-use recreational complex. Picnicking facilities are provided. Fee: No special fees except on rental of shelters Open: All year Restrictions: Private boats are allowed, but are restricted to electric motors. Contact Information Owner: Chatham County Recreation Department Phone: 912-652-6780 Address: P. O. Box 1746 Savannah, Georgia 31402 Directions: 2 miles north of Interstate 95 on Bush Road off GA Hwy 204
Pamona Lake in Liberty County
Size: 100+ acres Fish: Bass, bream, catfish and crappie Lake Facilities:Boat ramp Fee: Daily fee per person Open: All year sunrise to sunset Restrictions: Boats may use electric motors only Contact Information Owner: Private Phone: 912-884-2585 Address: 1829 Camp Viking Road Midway, Georgia 31320 Directions: Off Ga Hwy 38 east of Midway to Old Viking Road
S.C. Foster State Park Lakes in Charlton County Size: 500 plus acres divided up into several lakes and swamps. Fish: Bass, bream, catfish, pickerel, perch, panfish and jackfish. Wildlife includes alligators and cranes. Lake & Swamp Facilities: Boat ramp, boat rental, camping, cottages, picnic tables, restrooms, dock, accessible to persons with disabilities, cabins Fee: $5 Gate fee plus a boat launching fee Open: All year, gate openings vary Restrictions: 10 hp motor restriction. Reservations are required for campsites and cabins at 800-864-7275 Contact Information Owner: Stephen C. Foster State Park, Parks, Recreation and Historic Sites Division, Ga. Dept. of Natural Resources Phone: 912-637-5274 Address: Route 1, Box 131 Fargo, Georgia 31631 Directions: 18 miles northeast of Fargo on GA Hwy 177
Suwannee Canal Recreation Area in Charlton County
Size: 12 miles available for fishing Fish: Bass, bream, catfish and pickerel. Wildlife includes alligators and cranes. Lake & Swamp Facilities: Boat ramp, boat rentals, restrooms, picnic tables, snacks, tackle, bait, guide service, tours, accessible to persons with disabilities, boardwalk, observation tower, guided tours, visitor center Fee: No special fees Open: All year; summer months open 30 minutes before sunrise and close at 7 pm Restrictions: 9.9 hp motor restriction Contact Information Owner: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Phone: 912-496-7156 Address: P. O. Box 3325 Folkston, Georgia 31537 Directions: 7 miles southwest of Folkston on GA Hwy 121 (Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge)
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