Today is National Go Fishing Day. That’s right! A day to take time to bait your hook, cast a line and catch a fish or two. Columbia County is home to the largest lake in Georgia, Clarks Hill Lake, and we just so happen to offer some of the best fishing in the country. There is no better place to celebrate than right here in Columbia County! So, we’ve created a handy, dandy, guide to help you catch the big one.

About Clarks Hill Lake

Clarks Hill Lake (known to our South Carolina neighbors as Lake Strom Thurmond) is one of the largest reservoirs in the Southeast, boasting over 71,000 acres of pristine freshwater shoreline. Clarks Hill was created in 1951 when the Army Corp of Engineers completed a dam across the Savannah River as a flood-control project.

Species

While Clarks Hill Lake is known for its excellent Large Mouth and Striped Bass fishing, other excellent game fish include Bluegill, Crappie, White Bass, Channel Catfish, Redbreast sunfish and Flathead Catfish.

Where to Fish

Fishing can be enjoyed by boat, kayak, canoe and from the shore at any of the numerous campgrounds or day use facilities.

Facilities with Boat Ramps

  • Wildwood Park (mega boat ramps)
  • Mistletoe State Park
  • Petersburg Campground
  • Ridge Road Campground
  • Winfield Campground
  • Pointes West Army Resort
  • Lake Springs Recreation Area

Facilities with a Fishing Dock or Pier

  • Lake Springs Recreation Area
  • Clarks Hill Marina
  • Petersburg Campground

Fishing License info

To Fish Clarks Hill Lake, anyone over the age of 15 must obtain a Georgia Fishing License. The 2020 pricing is as follows:

  • Georgia Resident: $15 annual | $5 for one-day & $1 for additional days
  • Nonresident: $50 annual | $10 for one-day & $3.50 for additional days

You can purchase a license online from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources or one of the following locations:

  • Academy Sports (4210 Washington Rd, Evans, GA 30809)
  • Ace Hardware (5127 Wrightsboro Rd, Grovetown, GA 30813)
  • Gander Outdoors (145 Mason McKnight Jr Pkwy, Augusta, GA 30907)
  • Mistletoe State Park (3725 Mistletoe Rd, Appling, GA 30802)
  • Pair of Jacks (6600 Washington Rd, Appling, GA 30802)
  • Pollards Corner (6007 Clarks Hill Rd, Appling, GA 30802)
  • Walmart (4469 Washington Rd, Evans, GA 30809)
  • Walmart (510 Steiner Way, Grovetown, GA 30813)
  • Walmart (260 Bobby Jones Exwy, Martinez, GA 30907)

If you need to gas up your boat, rent a boat or would like to go out with a guide, we have listed other helpful information:

Marinas

Rentals

Guides

Where to Stay