Guide to fishing Flat Creek public fishing area

Guide to Fishing Flat Creek Public Fishing Area

This 102-acre public fishing lake is located in Houston County south of Perry, Georgia. Flat Creek Public Fishing Area (PFA) offers excellent fishing for bluegill, redear sunfish, channel catfish, and largemouth bass. The lake can be accessed by bank or by boat and is intensively managed to maximize fishing success. Due to its close proximity to I-75 and its location in central Georgia, the lake is easily accessible to many outdoor enthusiasts. Visit Flat Creek PFA for an exceptional fishing or outdoors experience with friends and family.

Facilities Concrete boat ramp Restrooms Some facilities accessible
to persons with disabilities

Fish cleaning station Picnic tables

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

Channel catfish

Bluegill

Redear sunfish (shellcracker)

Flat Creek PFA is intensively managed for quality bluegill and shellcrackers (bream). Bream like to spawn over sandy areas with good hard bottoms. Bream typically bite best from March through June. Redear will bite better in the early spring, as they spawn before bluegill. The submerged roads that cross the lake are excellent spawning areas. On the west side of the lake near the dam, there is a sandy flat covered with Cyprus trees that is another exceptional bedding site. Try fishing worms or crickets at or just off the bottom during spring and summer to target these spawning fish. Small spinners and jigs fished in shallow water or near weeds will also produce lots of bream. As water temperatures increase in the summer, try targeting shady areas such as weeds, and woody habitat. The deep woody habitat to the northwest side of the lake is a good place to look for deep bream on warm summer days.
Largemouth bass are numerous in Flat Creek PFA. Rock piles and drop offs will hold bass in most conditions. When the bass are bedding from March through April, try fishing jigs and worms in shallow water. During summer months, bass can be found in deeper water around standing timber. Flat Creek PFA is intensively fertilized to increase productivity. This typically reduces visibility to between 18 - 28 inches and the lake appears very green. During times of low visibility, anglers should try fishing spinner baits or crank baits with a rattle or good "wobble" to entice a hit.
Channel catfish bite best from May through July. Try fishing on or near the bottom in deep water using night crawlers or liver. Catfish will also be found in the woody debris or near drop offs where they can easily ambush prey.
*Live fish cannot be used for bait at Flat Creek PFA to prevent the introduction of competitive species.
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 us at www.gofishgeorgia.com or call the phone number listed at the bottom of the page.
Directions From Interstate 75: Take Exit # 134 (South Perry Parkway) and turn West. Travel approximately 0.25 miles and turn left (South) on U.S. Highway 41. Go about 3.5 miles and turn left into Flat Creek Public Fishing Area.

For more fishing information visit the Georgia Wildlife Resources Division Web site at www.gofishgeorgia.com or call (478) 825-6151 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

Best Fishing Times

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

D

N

J

O

F

S

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and more aggressive than males.

Bait: Crankbaits, plastic worms, & jigs

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A

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JM

"Shellcracker" feed primarily on aquatic insects including midge larvae

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N

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to snails. Unlike bluegill,

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F

shellcracker typically do not stunt.

Fast growth, larger size and good

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M

flavor make these a desirable fish.

Bait: Crickets, Red Wigglers, & small top

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water lures

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JM

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 pinfish. Bait: Crickets, Red Wigglers, & small top water lures

N O S A
J

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M
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Channel catfish are a highly adaptable and desirable fish that are easily

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caught. They can reach sizes up to

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20 lbs and use their barbells for taste.

Larger individuals are often confused S

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with Blue catfish. Bait: Chicken livers, worms, "stink bait," & crickets

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Best Fishing Times Key: Fair
Fish Images: Duane Raver/USFWS

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Excellent

to Perry

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Parking

Kids Fishing Lake

Waypoint Coordinates

ID LRP1A LRP1B LRP2A LRP2B LRP3A LRP3B LRP4A LRP4B RP5 FA1

Latitute 32.41068 32.41060 32.40968 32.40932 32.40897 32.40868 32.40867 32.40832 32.40760 32.41062

Longitude -83.77538 -83.77505 -83.77480 -83.77473 -83.77490 -83.77500 -83.77508 -83.77527 -83.77600 -83.77293

Depth Chart

Shallow

Deep

Bathymetric contours (isobaths) and spot depths are based on a full pool elevation of 337 feet above mean sea level. For display only!

to Hend erson

Locator

Flat Creek Public Fishing Area

! Rock Pile (RP)

! ] Information Kiosk



" Fish Attractor (FA)

Linear Rock Pile (LRP)

Creek Bed

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Feature Waypoint

! _ Restrooms ! i Parking
! y Boat Ramp ! k Fish Cleaning

E2.3 Spot Depth (feet)

Isobath (5-foot)

Feet

0

500

1,000