Gateway to Fishing
Atlanta's Top Fishing Holes
The Gateway to Fishing Program
The Gateway to Fishing Program is dedicated to enhancing fishing in easily accessible and close-to-home public waters, like metro and suburban park lakes, and educating the public about "why, where, and how to Go Fish Georgia!"
To accomplish these goals, the Gateway to Fishing Program:
- Partners with local communities and Georgia State Parks to identify and promote optimal locations.
- Advises community partners and volunteers on hosting Kids Fishing Events, fishing classes, and how to improve access.
- Works with partners to promote upcoming fishing events and opportunities.
- Provides fish for stocking and technical assistance.
- Provides free use of the Mobile Catch Center to community partners, an enclosed trailer that contains fishing equipment and supplies needed to host a fishing event or class.
Family and friends fishing together builds positive relationships and increases environmental awareness of participants. Finding nearby and accessible locations can be critical to potential new anglers. Everyone wins when we Go Fish Georgia!
The Gateway to Fishing Program is a program of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division .
Atlanta's Top Fishing Holes Map
Atlanta's Top Fishing Holes
Jump to a Specific Lake:
Lenora Park
Lenora Park, located in the southwest corner of Gwinnett County, offers a quick getaway from the busy city.
The park has a small lake with good fishing and plenty of bank access. While the lake itself is not very deep, it offers excellent habitat for fish meaning when the bite is “on” anglers are in for some really fun fishing!
In addition to fishing, visitors will find amenities such as playgrounds, picnic tables, and bathrooms.
- Gwinnett County
- 4515 Lenora Church Road, Snellville, GA 30039
- Park Hours: Sunrise until 11:00PM unless posted otherwise.
- Species: Bream, largemouth bass, and channel catfish
- What bait to use: Crickets and worms
For more information, visit their website:
Rhodes Jordan Park
Rhodes Jordan Park is in the heart of Lawrenceville and is a hidden fishing jewel within a bustling, active city.
The park offers an 22-acre lake with excellent fishing and plenty of bank access. Thanks to fish stockings, angler success should be good. While spring and fall offer the best seasonal times to fish the lake, anytime is a great time to fish!
In addition to fishing, the park offers picnic tables, walking trails, a playground and more.
- Gwinnett County
- 100 East Crogan Street, Lawrenceville, GA 30046
- Park Hours: Sunrise until 11:00PM unless posted otherwise.
- Species: Bluegill, largemouth bass, channel catfish, and black crappie
- What bait to use: Crickets, worms, and livers are your best bets when visiting. However, big fish are there for the more advanced angler, so don’t keep those artificial baits hidden in the tackle box.
For more information, visit their website:
Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill Park, located just minutes from I-20 in DeKalb County, has a small 6-acre lake with plenty of bank fishing areas for anglers.
The lake is surrounded by a wooded walking trail providing an easy way to get to different locations. The wooded trail also helps provide some shade on those warmer days.
In addition to the fishing, visitors will find amenities such as a covered gazebo, playground, picnic area and bathrooms.
- DeKalb County
- 3985 LeHigh Blvd, Decatur, GA 30030
- Park Hours: Open at 7:00AM, and shall close at sunset, except that parks containing lighting for night use shall close at 11:00PM.
- Species: Largemouth bass, channel catfish, and bluegill
- What bait to use: Crickets and worms
For more information, visit their website:
Adams Park
Adams Park, listed in 2013 on the National Register of Historic Places, offers a small 2-acre lake with great fishing in South Fulton County.
Access to fishing areas on the lake are plentiful by bank and a small boardwalk.
Visitors are sure to feel connected with nature when immersed in the park’s rolling terrain and forested landscape.
- Fulton County
- 1620 Delowe Drive SW, Atlanta, GA 30311
- Park Hours: 6:00AM to 11:00PM
- Species: Bream, largemouth bass, and channel catfish
- What bait to use: Crickets, worms, and livers
For more information, visit their website:
Piedmont Park
Piedmont Park is a perfect example of an urban fishing opportunity as it gives anglers a getaway from busy city life all while viewing the impressive city skyline.
Despite the nearby hustle and bustle, anglers get the small lake experience with plenty of bank access and a small pier to take advantage of fishing opportunities.
In addition to fishing, visitors can take advantage of walking trails and picnic areas.
- Fulton County
- 521 Park Drive NE, Atlanta, GA 30306
- Park Hours: 6:00AM to 11:00PM
- Species: Bream, largemouth bass, channel catfish, and hybrid bass
- What bait to use: Crickets, worms, and small spinners are excellent baits when targeting these species.
For more information, visit their website:
Nash Farms
Nash Farm Park is located just a few miles from Atlanta and a short distance from I-75 in Henry County. The area offers a true getaway from city living with a historic background and a secluded fishing experience.
Nash Farm Park offers anglers a quiet, peaceful fishing experience with the chance of hooking a variety of species. The lake has plenty of bank fishing access.
In addition, a small, covered shed offers a break from the sun in mid-afternoon, and visitors will find picnic tables, a playground, walking trails and more.
- Henry County
- 4361 Jonesboro Road, Hampton, GA 30228
- Park Hours: Sunrise to sunset
- Species: Bream, largemouth bass, crappie, and channel catfish
- What bait to use: Crickets, worms, and livers
For more information, visit their website:
Hunter Memorial Park
Hunter Memorial Park, located in Douglasville and just a short drive from Atlanta, offers anglers the opportunity for high fishing success at a 3-acre lake.
A walking trail encompasses the annually stocked lake, allowing for easy access to plenty of bank fishing spots, and two fishing piers give anglers the opportunity to cast a line in a little deeper water.
In addition to fishing, visitors will find a walking trail, picnic tables, and a playground.
- Douglas County
- 8830 Gurley Road, Douglasville, GA 30134
- Park Hours: 8:00AM to 8:00PM
- Species: Bluegill and channel catfish
- What bait to use: Crickets, worms, and livers
For more information, visit their website:
Turner Lake Park
Turner Lake Park, located in Newton County, offers a beautiful 26-acre lake for fishing enthusiasts.
The lake at this park is surrounded by a wooded walking trail and provides great bank access all around. Anglers can also use the generously sized fishing pier or the small fishing platform at the dam.
In addition to fishing, the park offers picnic tables, a gazebo, trails, a playground, bathrooms and more.
- Newton County
- 6185 Turner Lake Road NW, Covington, GA 30014
- Park Hours: 8:00AM to 8:00PM
- Species: Bream, largemouth bass, hybrid bass, and channel catfish
- What bait to use: Crickets, worms, and livers
For more information, visit their website:
Hyde Farm Park
Hyde Park was named “one of the great treasures of Cobb County” by Cobb County Commissioner Bob Ott and even though it is nestled behind a small residential area just off Roswell Road, it is a great example of being a true outdoor getaway in a bustling urban area.
Bank fishing access and plenty of shade is abundant at the park, so anglers can take their time throwing out a line and making lots of quality catches.
In addition to fishing, the area offers trails and the opportunity to go “back in time” to see a historical farm from the 1830’s.
- Cobb County
- 721 Hyde Road, Marietta, GA 30068
- Park Hours: Sunrise to sunset
- Species: Bluegill, largemouth bass, and channel catfish
- What bait to use: Crickets, worms, and livers
For more information, visit their website:
Lost Mountain Park
Lost Mountain Lake Park is in Cobb County and is a hidden fishing gem in the metro-Atlanta area.
The park offers a 5-acre lake with ample bank fishing opportunities. If you are willing to walk, there is a nice trail around the lake providing anglers access to multiple areas.
In addition to the fishing opportunities, visitors will find walking trails, playground, a picnic area and restrooms.
- Cobb County
- 4845 Dallas Highway, Powder Springs, GA 30127
- Park Hours: Sunrise to sunset
- Species: Bluegill, largemouth bass, crappie, and channel catfish
- What bait to use: Crickets, livers, and worms
For more information, visit their website:
Buy a License
Fishing Videos
Fish Identification
Take Me Fishing
For more content, visit the Wildlife Resources Division social media pages below.
