Guide to fishing McDuffie public fishing area

Guide to Fishing McDuffie Public Fishing Area

McDuffie PFA is located in Georgia's upper coastal plain near Dearing. The area includes the public fishing area, a warmwater fish hatchery and the McDuffie Environmental Education Center. Majestic longleaf pines and sandy soil characterize the landscape. Seven ponds ranging in size from 5 to 37 acres are available for public fishing on the 560-acre tract. McDuffie Public Fishing Area is an excellent location for a family outing.

Facilities

Concrete boat ramps

Nature trails

Restrooms

Picnic tables

ADA facilities on area

Tent & RV camping in designated areas (fee applies)

Environmental Education Center

Three covered picnic shelters with restrooms nearby

Trip Check List Check the current boating regulations about life jackets at http://www.boated.com/assets/pdf/handbook/ga_handbook_entire.pdf Registered boats are required to be equipped with a USCG approved fire extinguisher.
Carry your current license and boat registration with you.
Always check your boat's trailer lights.
Carry a first aid kit, insect repellent, sunscreen, extra clothing, food and drinking water.
Be aware of and abide by all fishing regulations.
Anglers must use electric motors or paddles on McDuffie PFA lakes. Gasoline motors may be attached, but may not be used.

BE AN ETHICAL ANGLER!

Ethical anglers fish responsibly, consider the rights of others, portray a positive image, and help to protect and conserve our natural resources. Be an ethical angler, the future depends on it.

Et hical Angl ers:
# Know and obey the fishing regulations.
# Keep only the fish they can use and release all others.
# Pass on the tradition by taking a child fishing.
# Leave a place cleaner than it was found.
# Do not transfer fish or plants between bodies of water.

# Report violations and pollution.
# Do not litter! # Dispose of fishing line
prope rly. # Do not tresspass. # Are courteous of others. # Lend a helping hand.

Major Fish Species and Fishing Tips

Largemouth bass

Bluegill

Redear sunfish (shellcracker)

Channel catfish

Largemouth bass will usually start biting in late January or early February and fishing will steadily improve into spring. Largemouth bass will usually start bedding in late March. The bass can be caught on a variety of lures and can be found in every McDuffie PFA lake. Several lakes have trophy-size populations of largemouth. One lake, 3E, is catch and release only for largemouth bass and is open the first seven days of each month throughout the year.

There is excellent bank access around lakes for anglers who prefer to walk and cast. Fish attractors have been placed near the edges of lakes for bank anglers. Additionally, some lakes have standing trees offering good angling opportunities. Crankbaits or plastic worms fished in these areas produce good catches. Please note that live baits are not permitted for use in any McDuffie PFA lakes.

Bluegill and shellcrackers (bream) like to spawn over sandy areas with firm bottoms. Many of the lakes have excellent spawning habitat. Try fishing crickets or earthworms under floats or tightlined on the bottom in these areas during the early spring through summer months for these spawning fish. Shellcrackers will bite crickets but prefer worms on or near the bottom. When the bluegill aren't bedding, try casting small artificial lures, spinners and topwater poppers around the shallow edges. There are also very good areas suitable for bream flyfishing on the area.

The channel catfish at McDuffie PFA usually bite good most of the year. The catfish bite picks up as the water temperature increases in the early spring. Several PFA lakes have catchable size or larger catfish populations and can be caught on a variety of baits, such as chicken liver, crickets, commercially prepared baits and worms. Catfish can even be caught on largemouth bass tackle.

Hours: Open Wednesday through Sunday, sunrise to sunset. A programmed gate installed at McDuffie PFA will automatically open and close in accordance with sunrise and sunset times throughout the year.

Regulations Public fishing areas have special regulations posted on site as well as published in the Georgia Sport Fishing Regulations.

Anglers 16 years of age and older, except honorary license holders, must possess a current fishing license and a wildlife management area (WMA) license to fish. An angler possessing a 3-day fishing/hunting, sportsman's, or lifetime license is not required to possess a WMA license. For more information, visit www.gofishgeorgia.com or call the phone numbers listed at the bottom of this page.

Directions From Thomson: Drive east on Hwy. 278 for 5.6 miles. At the brown DNR sign, keep right to proceed on Ellington-Airline Rd. for 2.8 miles. Make a sharp right turn onto Fish Hatchery Rd. and continue to the PFA. A check station (log cabin) is located just inside the gate where you can pick up an area map, McDuffie PFA fishing information and Georgia Sportfish Regulations.

For more information, visit the Georgia Wildlife Resources Division Web site at www.georgiawildlife.com or call (706) 595-1684 or (706595-1619. T.I.P (Turn in Poachers): To report game/fish law violations, fish kills or hazardous spills, call (800) 241-4113
GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES / WILDLIFE RESOURCES DIVISION / FISHERIES SECTION 2070 U.S. HIGHWAY 278, SE / SOCIAL CIRCLE, GEORGIA 30025

Fish Species
Largemouth Bass
Redear Sunfish
Bluegill
Channel Catfish

Facts
Bass spawn from February to May. Occupy a variety of habitats in reservoirs and rivers. Feed both day and night motivated by hunger or striking. Females are typically larger and more aggressive than males. Bait: Crankbaits, plastic worms, & jigs
"Shellcracker" feed primarily on aquatic insects including midge larvae to snails. Unlike bluegill, shellcracker typically do not stunt. Fast growth, larger size and good flavor make these a desirable fish. Bait: Crickets, Red Wigglers, & small top water lures Most likely the first fish caught by children. They aggressively guard nest during spawns. Bluegill are hard fighters, hit a variety of baits, and are abundant in most rivers and lakes. Known as a tasty panfish. Bait: Crickets, Red Wigglers, & small top water lures
Channel catfish are a highly adaptable and desirable fish that are easily caught. They can reach sizes up to 20 lbs and use their barbells for taste. Larger individuals are often confused with Blue catfish. Bait: Chicken livers, worms, "stink bait," & crickets

Best Fishing Times

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D J
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A
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Best Fishing Times Key:

Fair:

Fish Images: Duane Raver/USFWS

Good:

Excellent:

McDuffie PFA Fish by Lake

Lake
Rod Bender Willow Jones
Clubhouse Bream Buster
Bridge Beaver Lodge

Acres
5 37 8 12 7 30 10

Largemouth Bass
X X X X X X X

Redear Sunfish
X X X X X X X

Bluegill
X X X X X X X

Channel Catfish
X X X X X X

Rod Bender is open 1st through the 15th of each month; bass are catch and release

Beaver Lodge (4W)
Bridge (3W)

McDuffie Public Fishing Area

Information Restrooms Office Parking Group Shelter Campground Boat Ramp Fishing Platform Archery Range

Education Buildings Hatchery Ponds / No Fishing Paved Road Dirt Road Access Road Boundary Hiking Trail Dove Field
to Thomson

Jones (8E)

Fish Hatchery Road

Bream Buster (2W)
Clubhouse (1W)

Willow (4E)
Rod Bender (3E)
Dove Field

* Amenities shown in blue are ADA accessible.