Georgia’s 11 Public Fishing Areas offer outdoor family fun
Special Photo: Georgia DNR
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SOCIAL CIRCLE – Georgia’s 11 Public Fishing Areas offer great fishing, as they PFAs are managed for fishing by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division, but many are not aware that most areas also offer additional experiences to entertain the whole family.
“Our fisheries staff takes great pride in managing these locations for the enjoyment of anglers and their families,” WRD Fisheries Management Chief Scott Robinson said in a news release. “And, even if fishing isn’t the activity for all of the family, these locations provide something for everyone, including activities like hiking, bird watching, picnicking and camping.”
Waters on PFAs vary from lakes several hundred acres in size to ponds less than 1 acre with some designated as kids-only fishing ponds. Anglers can fish from a boat, along the shoreline, or from piers or docks at most locations.
All PFAs have concrete boat ramps, picnic tables, various nature and wildlife observation trails, fish cleaning stations and restroom facilities. Some PFAs offer camping opportunities (from primitive camping to RV) for those wishing to stay overnight in the area. All PFAs are open seven days a week, and except for Rocky Mountain PFA, also allow night fishing year-round.
PFAs include:
Rocky Mountain PFA (Floyd County): Includes two lakes totaling 559 acres. Species: largemouth bass, bluegill and redear sunfish, channel catfish, crappie and walleye. Additional amenities: beach and swimming area, camping opportunities (tent, RV and group primitive camping), picnic shelters, archery range. Note: There is a $5 parking pass required to visit this PFA.
McDuffie PFA (McDuffie County): Includes seven lakes ranging from 5 to 37 acres, a trophy bass catch-and-release pond, fish hatchery, and an education center. Species: largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish and channel catfish. Additional amenities: camping (tent and RV) opportunities, archery range, covered pavilions.
Big Lazer Creek PFA (Talbot County): Includes a 195-acre lake. Species: largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish, redear sunfish, redbreast sunfish, and crappie. Additional amenities: primitive camping opportunities, canoe/kayak launch, firing range.
Marben Farms PFA (Jasper/Newton counties): Includes 20 ponds ranging from 1 to 95 acres, a wildlife management area and the Charlie Elliott Education Center. Species: largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, crappie and channel catfish. Additional amenities: RV and tent camping opportunities, archery, shotgun and firearm range, visitors center, covered pavilions.
Ocmulgee PFA (Bleckley County): Includes a 106-acre lake. Species: largemouth bass (catch and release), crappie, bluegill, and redear sunfish. Additional amenities: archery and shooting range (Ocmulgee WMA), canoe access.
Dodge County PFA (Dodge County): Includes a 104-acre lake. Species: largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, channel catfish and crappie. Additional amenities: primitive boat-in camping opportunities, group shelter facility, archery range.
Evans County PFA (Evans County): Includes three lakes ranging from 8 to 84 acres. Species: largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, redear sunfish, brown bullhead and channel catfish. Additional amenities: camping (tent and RV) opportunities, event center (with commercial kitchen), archery range, covered pavilion, boardwalk nature trail.
Flat Creek PFA (Houston County): Includes a 102-acre lake. Species: largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, crappie and channel catfish. Additional amenities: Pavilion with picnic tables and grills, archery range.
Hugh M. Gillis PFA (Laurens County): Includes a 109-acre lake. Species: largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, channel catfish and crappie. Additional amenities: primitive boat-in camping opportunities.
Paradise PFA (Berrien & Tift Counties): Includes 60 lakes totaling 525 acres. Species: largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, crappie, and channel catfish. Additional amenities: primitive tent camping opportunities and reserved group camping, canoe/kayak trail.
Silver Lake PFA (Decatur County): Includes more than 30 lakes and ponds totaling 537 acres. Species: largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, channel catfish. Additional amenities: Panic Pond (trophy bass pond), primitive camping opportunities, geocaching.
Add bird watching to one of the fun activities at Georgia PFAs. With an average of 154 species seen across all 11 PFAs, birders are sure to find something to boost their life lists. And, when enthusiasts report those sightings through the eBird app, the observations provide information for biologists and other birders.
PFA visitors should have a valid fishing or hunting license or Lands Pass. Get a license online at GoOutdoorsGeorgia.com; buy a license by phone at 1-800-366-2661, or visit a license vendor. (A list of vendors can be found at GoOutdoorsGeorgia.com.)
For more information on PFAs in Georgia or for detailed PFA guides and maps, visit georgiawildlife.com/allpfas.
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