Where do you like to fish?
The Echo wants to know the best fishing spots in and around Oglethorpe County. Send an email to editor@oglethorpeecho.com, comment through our social media or call 706-743-3111 with your tips.
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Oglethorpe County native Brandon Colquitt shows off the crappie he caught at Clarks Hill Lake. He said most of the fishing spots in the county are on private property. (Submitted Photo)
Fishing in Oglethorpe County is popular, but it isn’t always the easiest task — unless you know private pond owners.
“There’s not a lot of public opportunity (to fish) in Oglethorpe County,” said local guide Brandon Colquitt, who grew up in Lexington and now lives in Sandy Cross. “You pretty much have to know someone to be able to fish in their pond.”
Since there aren’t any major lakes with public access in the county, anglers have to either travel to nearby creeks or ponds, lakes outside of the county or get permission from landowners.
Colquitt said those looking to fish on private land often need verbal permission from landowners, but if a game warden was to ask for fishing licenses, there would need to be a written agreement between anglers and the landowner.
Colquitt said private ponds can be naturally occurring, but many are manmade and start from an already-existing creek on the property.
“Most ponds are older, and you’ll still see people building ponds now from time to time,” he said, “but most ponds in Oglethorpe County have been there and established for a long time.”
Chris Nelson, a fisheries biologist with the Department of Natural Resources, said the most popular fish to catch in this area include: largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill sunfish, redear sunfish (also called brim or bream) and channel catfish.
Nelson said certain area rivers provide angling opportunities, but with restrictions.
“The Broad, South Fork of (the) Broad and Oconee rivers (before they reach the reservoir) provide excellent fishing opportunities for anglers,” Nelson said. “However, public access to these areas for anglers may be limited and need to be considered.”
Nelson recommends anyone over 16 who wants to fish in public areas to buy a Georgia fishing license: georgiawildlife.com/licenses-permits-passes
Oglethorpe County fishing options
- Lake Oglethorpe (no public access)
- Watson Mill Pond Dam
Outside of Oglethorpe County fishing options:
- Benny Meyers Lake (Winterville)
- Clarks Hill Lake (Lincolnton)
- Richard B. Russell Lake (Elberton)
- Lake Hartwell
- Lake Chapman (Athens)
- McDuffie Public Fishing Area (Dearing)