According to the group Take Me Fishing, four state parks in Georgia have been included in the Top 100 fishing spots in the USA and among the 2015 Top 100 Family Friendly Places to Boat and Fish in the United States of America.
The list was timed for release during National Fishing and Boating Week (NFBW), June 6-14, 2015.
Georgia State Parks in Top 100 Fishing Spots:
- Tugaloo on Lake Hartwell
- High Falls near Jackson,
- Fort Yargo in Winder and
- Georgia Veterans in Cordele.
In total, parks and recreation areas in 25 states made the list of the Top 100 fishing spots.
The Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation’s (RBFF) Take Me Fishing campaign initiated the nationwide vote to provide a list of best family-friendly places to experience the joys of boating and fishing. Criteria for the top places to fish and boat included having a public body of water within an hour of a major city with good fishing opportunities, and family-friendly amenities.
“Fishing and boating are great ways to spend time with family and friends; and most people aren’t even aware that by participating in the sport, they’re actually helping to conserve our environment,” said RBFF President and CEO Frank Peterson. “We’re encouraging outdoor enthusiasts across the country to pick a park on our Top 100 list, get out on the water with family and friends and create lifelong memories…”
GA’s State Parks in Top 100 Fishing Spots
Tugaloo State Park (Lavonia) — Situated on a wooded peninsula, Tugaloo’s cottages, yurts and most campsites offer spectacular views of 55,590-acre Lake Hartwell. During summer, the lake is a popular destination for swimming, water skiing, sailing and boating. Tugaloo State Park boasts a six-lane mega ramp used for large fishing tournaments and easy lake access. Fishing is excellent year-round, and large-mouth bass are plentiful.
http://gastateparks.org/
High Falls State Park (Jackson) — Located northwest of Macon, High Falls State Park is named for tumbling cascades on the Towaliga River. Boat rental, ramps and fishing docks provide easy access to the park’s lake, known as one of Georgia’s top fishing spots for hybrid and white bass. Overnight visitors can choose from a spacious campground or lakeside yurts, which are like canvas and wood tents.
http://gastateparks.org/
Fort Yargo State Park (Winder) — Located between Atlanta and Athens, this popular park features a 1792 log fort built by settlers for protection against Creek and Cherokee Indians. Today, visitors come to Fort Yargo for its wide variety of outdoor recreation and scenery. Mountain bikers and hikers can test their endurance on 18 miles of trails. A 260-acre lake offers a large swimming beach, fishing and boat ramps.
http://gastateparks.org/
Georgia Veterans State Park (Cordele) — Established as a memorial to U.S. veterans, this park features a museum with aircraft (including a Boeing B-29A), armored vehicles, uniforms, weapons, medals and other items from the Revolutionary War through the Gulf War. An 18-hole golf course, along with 8,700-acre Lake Blackshear and proximity to I-75, make this one of Georgia’s most popular state parks. A sandy swimming beach is the perfect place to cool off during Georgia summers.
http://gastateparks.org/
Other ways to celebrate National Fishing and Boating Week include:
- Free Fishing Days: Perfect for those who are new to the sport or who want to mentor others, most states offer Free Fishing Days that allow the public to fish without having to purchase a fishing license. June 6, June 13 and September 26 are free days in Georgia.
- Conservation through Participation: Buying a fishing license and registering a boat helps fund efforts to conserve our natural waterways through projects such as fisheries research, habitat improvement, fish stocking, aquatic education and fishing and boating access facilities such as docks and boat ramps.
- Special Events: Sites all over the country will host events, such as fishing derbies, regattas, boating demonstrations, festivals and more.
- #FirstCatch: Capture moments fishing and share them with others online using #FirstCatch.
Contact Information for Fishing in Georgia
- Click Here for TakeMeFishing.org
- For Georgia fishing information, visit GeorgiaWildlife.org.
- Georgia’s State Parks: GeorgiaStateParks.org or call 1-800-864-7275.
