Fishing in Athens

[RevCov]

Hi all - any advice on where to fish in Athens? I want to take my youngest boy out fishing so somewhere fairly accessible is preferred. I had some advice to try Lake Chapman at Sandy Creek Park and wanted to see what other suggestions ODT has.

Thanks!

 

[Freshly Minted Georgian!]

In, always looking for good spots in and around Athens

 

[Foxtrot Sierra]

In, always looking for good spots in and around Athens

me, too

 

[MrJim]

Back in the 80s I lived in a subdivision that backed up to Sandy Creek park. I fished that lake every Saturday morning and never caught a thing. Couple guys at work back then swore by it but they had boats and I was fishing from the bank. I really enjoyed it just never caught anything. Even tried chicken livers for catfish off the fishing pier one evening and nothing. Maybe I wasn’t holding my mouth right idk. Never caught one fish there. Have heard good things about Bear Creek reservoir but never been there.

 

[gh1950]

Lake Chapman is good for what you want to do.. Opens back up tomorrow. Good access. If he gets bored, other stuff to do. There's a new foot bridge over the upper end that might open up some new fishing. They have canoe rentals if you want to do that, but I don't if that part if going to be up and running any time soon.

Bear Creek has limited bank fishing access - like 75 yards.

If you want him to catch some fish so the gets the taste for it, Crowe's Lake outside Jefferson is a sure thing. It's a pay lake heavily stocked with catfish. Downside is you pay by the lb. live weight for all fish you catch (no C&R) and it can get spendy, especially if he wants to keep on fishing. Good facilities, good access.

Dudley Park has good access to the river. Not going to catch a world's record but he should be able to get in some bream. Good facilities.

Lake Herrick at UGA intramural fields is a possibility. It was basically rebuilt a few years ago, and I haven't fished it since then. It gets hammered but you should be able to pull out some fish, and it has some great access.

Bell's Lake in Watkinsville is a pay lake. I've never fished it seriously, but must have some fish because there usually are some people fishing there. I've always caught a few fish. Really good access. You can watch the cows.

Also not too far away is Charlie Elliot PFA at Social Circle. There are a couple of kid's lakes that are heavily stocked, and about a dozen other lakes of various sizes. Also gun range, so if you want to blend that in, it's doable.

 

[RevCov]

Thank you G gh1950 !!!

I really appreciate that.