Home Outdoor Fun Go Fish! An Insider’s Guide to Local Fishing Holes By Shelley MasseyMay 4, 2021 Search more like this state-parkman-madereadingsocial-distancingwaterfront-parksfishingazalealakefishcatfishbeachonlineplaygroundlicense Read next Outdoor Fun The Best Organic Clothes for Babies & Toddlers Outdoor Fun 45 Pumpkin Carving Designs That’ll Wow the Neighborhood Outdoor Fun Target’s Best Holiday Deals Start Sooner Than You Think Outdoor Fun This Larger Than Life Mister Rogers Monument is Exactly What the World Needs Outdoor Fun Want a Free Donut on Halloween? Here’s How to Get One from Krispy Kreme Editor’s note: We’re making every effort to provide you with the most up-to-date information. However, there are widespread closures to help flatten the curve and slow the spread of Covid-19. We’re doing our best to keep all of our stories and calendar up to date. Stay safe! It’s summer! With these local fishing spots, your kids will fall hook, line, and sinker for this easygoing past time that doesn’t break the bank or require tons of planning—but can still allow for responsible social distancing while getting out of the house! For the price of a fishing license (available online) and the time it takes to get there, you’re guaranteed to catch a whopper of a memory or two. Keep reading to find out where to go and don’t forget your fishing pole and tackle box. Not sure you’re ready to cast a line? Check out our guide to Atlanta-area recreational lakes—perfect for dipping your toes— here. photo: FieldsportsChannelTV via flickr The Dugout The Dugout is a bait and tackle shop with a pay-to-fish lake, and it has a devoted following of beginner and advanced fishermen for its product selection, customer service, and friendly employees. No matter how great or small your fishing needs are, this fishing hole comes full-service and is a solid bet.The Dugout1475 Field Park Cir NW.Marietta, Ga770-428-7406Online: facebook.com/dukedog1475 photo: VAStateParks via flickr Big Creek Park Lake Lanier has 45 waterfront parks, and some are only 45 minutes from the heart of Atlanta. We like Big Creek Park for its shady picnic area, public restroom, green space, and proximity to the water that doesn't require a hike down to water level.Big Creek Park4000 Big Creek Rd.Buford, GaOnline: lakelanier.com photo: Gerry Thomasen via flickr Acworth Beach/ Cauble Park Acworth Beach is a busy place in the summer. The beach and other facilities—including restrooms, a playground, and picnic facilities—in Cauble Park attract plenty of visitors, and the nearby fishing dock in the park provides access to the lake's channel catfish, largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, crappie, carp and bullheads.4425 Beach St NWAcworth, GA 30101770-917-1234Online: allatoonalake.org photo: VAStateParks via flickr Bull Sluice Lake While we’ve all been there for the incredible playground, try packing the fishing poles the next time you go and hitting the fishing platform just below dam. Be sure to take your hats since this area is in direct sunlight, but the cool old hydroelectric dam will wow the kiddos if the fishing doesn’t.Morgan Falls Overlook Park200 Morgan Falls Rd.Sandy Springs, Ga770-730-5600Online: sandysprings.gov photo: vicki watkins via flickr Murphy Candler Park This man-made lake is stocked with bass, bluegill, sunfish, and catfish, and has plenty of good, shady shoreline fishing options for novice fishermen with short attention spans. With trails, athletic fields, tennis courts, a public pool, and tennis courts nearby, your fishermen won’t have to leave with a fish to leave happy.Murphy Candler Park1551 West Nancy Creek Dr.Brookhaven, GaOnline: murphycandlerpark.org photo: Randen Pederson via flickr George Sparks Reservoir If you’re looking for a one-stop fishing adventure, head to Sweetwater Creek State Park. You’ll find everything you need (including a license and bait) in the bait shop, and you can opt to fish from the shaded shoreline or rent a boat onsite.Sweetwater Creek State Park1750 Mt. Vernon Rd.Lithia Springs, Ga770-732-5871Online: gastateparks.org/sweetwatercreek photo: Hitchster via flickr Azalea Park Head to Azalea Park in Roswell for its easy shore fishing from the Chattahoochee River, covered picnic areas, and nearby playground, just in case the fish aren’t biting. However, since the Department of Natural Resources stocks the stretch of the ‘Hooch between Buford Dam and Azalea Drive with 150,000 catchable trout each year, you’ve got as good a shot as anyone to land a big one.Azalea Park203 Azalea Dr.Roswell, GaOnline: roswellgov.com —Shelley Massey RELATED STORIES: From Caving to Canoeing: Summer Adventures to Rock Your Summer Camping Gear That Does Everything But Pitch the Tent 10 Ways to Camp Without Actually Camping
