Guide to fishing Hugh Gillis public fishing area

Guide to Fishing Hugh Gillis Public Fishing Area

Hugh M. Gillis is one of Georgia's newest public fishing areas. Located in Laurens County just east of Dublin, the property contains a large 109-acre lake surrounded by 640 acres of gently rolling terrain with a mixture of longleaf pine/wiregrass communities, planted pines and scattered hardwoods. The lake is intensively managed to provide excellent fishing for both boat and bank anglers and has numerous coves, points, submerged humps and standing timber to attract fish. Visit Hugh Gillis PFA for an excellent setting for picnicking and enjoying the outdoors with family and friends.

Facilities

Concrete boat ramp

Fishing piers

Restrooms

Picnic tables

Most facilities accessible Fish cleaning station

to persons with disabilities

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

Flier

Spring and fall bass tactics include working top water plugs, rattletraps, crank baits and spinner baits around shoreline structure. During lake blooms, rattletraps can produce reaction strikes due to limited site distance. As weather warms, plastic worms, jigs, and flukes will lure fish off 4-6 ft. ledges surrounding the lake and flooded timber left during construction of the lake. As weather cools, bass will move to deeper water. Try using medium diving crank baits around points and humps. Main drop-offs are located between the two fingers of the lake descending down towards the left of the dam and in front of the dam on the west side. An old construction road leads to the mouth of a borrow pit on both sides. The borrow pit (right of the dam) holds fish around artificial fish attractors. Anglers should target the sandy ridge that runs along the east side across from the main boat ramp. Other good areas to fish are near the rock outcroppings, railroad culverts, earthened berms, fishing piers and fallen timber.

Crappie fishing is strong in early spring and fall. As the lake cools, trolling jigs in deeper channels on the lower half of the lake is productive Fishing live minnows around flooded timber and fish attractors is also productive. As the water warms, crappie will move into more shallow water. Trolling jigs at 4-6 ft. and fishing minnows around the shoreline structure can put a limit of crappie in your boat.

Suspend crickets or worms at 5-6 ft. around ledges and drop-offs from April to October when targeting bluegill. November to March produce nice bluegill fishing in depths of 7-10 ft.. Shellcrackers are caught using worms at 5-7 ft. near drop-offs. From April to May, present worms to bedding fish on sandy points and humps along shoreline. The "trophy" flier bite is strong from November to February. Catfish are caught from May to October by suspending cut bait or worms at 6-9 ft. From November to April, cut bait or worms will land more catfish on the bottom in the deeper areas of the lake.

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 East Dublin: Travel 10 miles East on U.S. Highway 80. Left (NW) on Keens Crossing Road for 1.4 miles, entrance is on the right.

From Adrian: Travel 7.4 miles West on U.S. Hwy 80. Right (NW) on Keens Crossing Road for 1.4 miles, entrance is on the right.

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
Flier

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
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

Best Fishing Times

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Best Fishing Times Key:

Fair

Fish Images: Duane Raver/USFWS

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Lake Hugh M. Gillis
KFE Pond 1

Hugh M. Gillis Public Fishing Area

Information Restrooms Office Parking Picnic Area Campground Boat Ramp Pier

Group Shelter Birm/Bank Fishing Area Fish Attractor Flooded Timber Paved Road Dirt Road Access Road Boundary Hiking Trail

KFE Pond 2

1

2

35

4 6

Keens Crossing Road

to East Dublin

Highway 80

Fish Attractor Coordinates

ID

X

Y

1 -82.71862 32.56678 2 -82.71718 32.56700 3 -82.71715 32.56615 4 -82.71668 32.56528 5 -82.71622 32.56598 6 -82.71392 32.56505
Coordinates in decimal degree format, WGS84 Datum

to Adrian