Public Fishing Areas

Public Fishing Areas (PFAs) are great places for family outings.  You can fish from the bank or a boat, picnic, hike, watch wildlife, camp (not all PFAs provide camping, check individual PFA pages at links on the right for more details), and enjoy being outdoors.  Good bank fishing opportunities are available at all PFAs and many of them have special kids fishing areas for young anglers.  So check out a PFA and see what you, your family, and friends have been missing!

What to expect at a PFA:

• Clean, safe, well-maintained, and family-friendly fishing environment.
• A variety of fish species available for harvest and the potential for catching a fish of a lifetime at some PFAs. Fish species available to the angler include: largemouth bass, bream (bluegill & redear sunfish), channel catfish, hybrid striped bass, and crappie.
• Fish that are have been tested for contaminants for your safety - PFA lakes have been sampled as part of the DNR fish consumption testing program [1].    
• Intensively managed lakes and ponds including those that receive fertilization and liming to increase fish harvest opportunities.
• One or more intensively managed ponds or lakes at a PFA so you can find just the right water body for your fishing experience.
• Boat ramps and fishing piers at many lakes.
• Restrooms and vending machines (drinks and snacks at some PFAs).
• On-site maintenance staff and Area Managers at many PFAs. 

Currently, WRD operates ten PFAs located around the state.  Purchasing property and constructing new PFAs is a high priority for the Wildlife Resources Division.

What you need at a PFA:

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) [2]

Purchase a license or pass! [3]