Guide to fishing Evans County public fishing area

Guide to Fishing Evans County Public Fishing Area

Located on a gently rolling 372-acre tract in Evans County, this PFA offers three lakes which vary in size from 8 to 84 acres for your fishing enjoyment. All lakes can be fished from the bank or by boat. Two of the lakes are fertilized and intensively managed to maximize fishing success. Crappie, largemouth bass and catfish are available to anglers. Public fishing areas are "perfect family areas," so visit Evans County PFA for a peaceful fishing or picnicking experience with friends and family.

Facilities

Concrete boat ramps

Fishing piers

Restrooms

Picnic tables

Some facilities accessible Primitive camping

to persons with disabilities

Boardwalk nature trail

Trip Check List Check the current boating regulations about life jackets at http://www.boated.com/assets/pdf/handbook/ga_handbook_entire.pdf Boats with enclosed areas that may trap gas or vapors are required to be equipped with a USCG approved fire extinguisher.
Carry your current license and boat registration with you.
Check your boat's trailer and navigation lights, and fuel before leaving home.
Carry a first aid kit, insect repellent, sunscreen, extra clothing, food and drinking water.
Be aware of and abide by all fishing regulations.
Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return.

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

Crappie

Bluegill

Redear sunfish (shellcracker)

Channel catfish

Hybrid bass

Bidd Sands Lake, the largest lake (84 acres), is over 12 ft. deep near the dam and has extensive shallow water areas for spawning fishes. The upper end of the lake is shallow and heavily vegetated, offering great opportunities for bass in the warmer months. Flooded timber offers plentiful structure in the shallows. The shoreline opposite the fishing pier has blown down trees and piled up limbs that hold fish year-round. Presentations along the shoreline vegetation and trees can produce bites. In warmer months, lily pads will cover this area and other edges of the lake offering different fishing tactics. Remember, use heavier gear to pitch weedless baits. Bass will move out to the edge of these pads after spawning, and working flukes, rattletraps, crank and spinner baits along these edges will produce bites. Rattletraps offer reaction strikes when the lake blooms due to limited site distance underwater. Fish deeper water and ledges slowly for bass in the winter and move to the shallows as weather warms. Hybrid bass exist in the 84-acre lake and are occasionally landed using minnows. Deep diving crankbaits and rattletraps over deep water ledges can produce hybrid strikes.
Crappie fishing is popular on the area. Fishing is best midNovember through March. Lake Longleaf (8 acres) produces large numbers of crappie, but Bidd Sands Lake offers chances of catching slabs over two pounds. Live minnows are allowed and are the preferred bait for most anglers targeting crappie. Minnows and jigs suspended under floats and drifted behind the boat in open water land many crappie. Slowly pulling jigs through shallows is effective when crappie are on the banks.
Bluegill and shellcracker (bream) fishing on the area can be outstanding in both lakes. In Bidd Sands, work lily pad fields and shallows until beds are located. Red wigglers and pink worms suspended under floats generate many shellcracker, while crickets and small beetlespins produce numerous bluegill. Mid-spring through June are the best times to target bream.
Hours: Open Wednesday through Sunday, sunrise to sunset .
Regulations Public fishing areas have special regulations that are 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 number listed at the bottom of the page.
Directions From Claxton: Heading East of Claxton on U.S. Hwy. 280, travel 8.5 miles before turning south on Sunbury Rd. Travel for one (1) mile on Sunbury Rd. then left on Area Line Road (dirt). The area is located 0.3 miles on the right (marked by a Wildlife Resources Division sign).

For more fishing information, visit the Georgia Wildlife Resources Division Web site at www.gofishgeorgia.com or call (912) 285-6094. 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
Hybrid Bass

Biology
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
Hybrid bass grow rapidly and will aggressively attack bait in spring and early fall. When biting they are easy to catch and can be caught in large numbers. Hybrids are hard fighters and typically found in open water habitats. Bait: Minnows, deep diving crank baits and rattletraps

Best Fishing Times

D

N

J

O

F

S

M

A J
N O

A
JM
D J
F

S

M

A J
N O

A
JM D
J
F

S

M

A J

A JM

D

N

J

O

F

S

M

A J
N O

A
JM D
J
F

S A J

M
A JM

Fish Species
Flier
Black Crappie

Biology
Flier fishing is best in colder months when other bream species tend to drop off. Congregate in flooded timber. Typically smaller than bluegill but still fun to catch. Bait: Crickets, Red Wigglers, & small top water lures
Has a preference of clear water, and associated with vegetation during spawns. Young prefer insects, switching to fish as it matures. Maximum life span is approximately 8 years. An extremely popular game fish in Georgia. Bait: Jigs, Red Wigglers, & minnows

Best Fishing Times

D

N

J

O

F

S

M

A J
N O

A
JM
D J
F

S

M

A J

A JM

Best Fishing Times Key:

Fair:

Fish Images: Duane Raver/USFWS

Good:

Excellent:

Evans County PFA Fish by Lake

Lake
Bidd Sands Woody Longleaf

Acres

Largemouth Bass

Bluegill

Redear Sunfish

Black Crappie

Channel Catfish

Hybrid

Flier

84

X

X

X

X

X

X

30

X

X

X

X

X

X

8

X

X

X

X

X

County Route 77 County Route 77

Fish Attractor Coordinates

ID

X

Y

1 -81.80480 32.12255 2 -81.80412 32.12217 3 -81.79738 32.12823 4 -81.79590 32.12883 5 -81.79382 32.12922

Coordinates in decimal degree format, WGS84 Datum

to Daisy

Old Reidsville Savannah Road

to Pembroke

Bidd Sands
5 4 3

Woody
1 2
Longleaf

Evans County Public Fishing Area

Information Restrooms Office Parking Picnic Area Campground Boat Ramp Pier Waterfowl Area

Ampitheater Birm/Bank Fishing Area Fish Attractor Paved Road Dirt Road Access Road Boundary Hiking Trail