SOCIAL CIRCLE, Ga. (July 15, 2011) – Visiting one of Georgia’s Public
Fishing Areas (PFAs) with the family is a great in-state way to
entertain both the kids and adults this summer.
Beginning on August 1, 2011, nine PFAs will have new days of operation,
according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife
Resources Division.

All PFAs will be open to the public five days each week (Wednesdays
through Sundays), sunrise to sunset.  The areas will be closed on
Mondays and Tuesdays.  Rocky Mountain PFA will remain open seven days a
week as this facility is operated under contract with Oglethorpe Power.

“Our goal has always been to provide our visitors with a quality
angling experience in a family-friendly atmosphere.  These changes will
allow us to continue to offer the same level of experience while dealing
with current staff reductions,” says WRD Fisheries Management Chief
John Biagi.

With hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, PFAs offer a variety
of fishing opportunities, from lakes several hundred acres in size to
ponds less than one acre.  Some are designated as kids-only fishing
ponds while others are managed for trophy bass. Anglers can fish from a
boat, along the shoreline or from a pier at most locations. Many areas
have picnic tables, nature and wildlife observation trails, fish
cleaning stations and restroom facilities. Some offer primitive
campsites for those wishing to stay overnight on the area, and many
facilities are accessible to persons with disabilities.

Make plans to visit one of the following PFAs today:

●       McDuffie County PFA:  Located eight miles east of Thomson on 570
acres in Georgia’s upper coastal plain. Includes 13 ponds ranging from
one to 30 acres, a fish hatchery and an education center. Species:
largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish and channel catfish.

●       Big Lazer Creek PFA:  Located ten miles east of Talbotton in
west central Georgia. Includes a 195-acre lake. Species:  bluegill,
channel catfish, crappie and largemouth bass.

●       Marben Farms PFA:  Offers 6,400 acres in central Georgia, three
miles south of Mansfield in Jasper and Newton counties. Includes 22
ponds ranging from one to 95 acres, a wildlife management area and an
education center. Species:  largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish,
crappie and channel catfish.

●       Dodge County PFA:  Located on 444 acres in Georgia’s middle
coastal plain, four miles southeast of Eastman. Includes a 104-acre
lake. Species:  largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, channel
catfish and crappie.

●       Evans County PFA:  Located on 372 acres, nine miles east of
Claxton. Includes three lakes ranging from eight to 84 acres. Species:
crappie, largemouth bass, bluegill and catfish.

●       Flat Creek PFA:  Located in Perry, this 108-acre lake includes a
concrete boat ramp. Species:  largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish
and channel catfish.

●       Hugh M. Gillis PFA:  Located on 640 acres in Laurens County, 12
miles east of Dublin. Includes a 109-acre lake. Species:  largemouth
bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, channel catfish and crappie.

●       Paradise PFA:  Located in south central Georgia, eight miles
east of Tifton on 1,250 acres. Includes 60 lakes totaling 525 acres.
Species:  largemouth bass, sunfish, crappie and channel catfish.

●       Ocmulgee PFA:  Nestled within the boundaries of the Ocmulgee
wildlife management area, eight miles north of Cochran in Bleckley
County. Offers a 106-acre lake. Species:  trophy largemouth bass,
crappie, bluegill, redear sunfish and channel catfish.

●       Rocky Mountain PFA:  Located 16 miles north of Rome on 5,000
acres in Floyd County. Offers two lakes totaling 559 acres. Species:
largemouth bass, walleye, bluegill and redear sunfish, channel catfish,
crappie and hybrid striped bass.

Anglers between the ages of 16 and 65 must possess a Georgia
recreational fishing license and wildlife management area (WMA) license
to fish on PFAs. A three-day hunting and fishing combo license, annual
sportsman’s license or a lifetime license will serve in lieu of a WMA
license on a PFA.  Anglers at Rocky Mountain PFA are not required to
have a WMA license.

For more information on PFAs in Georgia or for detailed PFA guides and
maps, visit www.gofishgeorgia.com .