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Callaway Gardens has some of the best fishing in Georgia and the United States. Here's a sampling of what you'll catch:

Bream and Shellcrackers

In many parts of the country it is rare to catch a bluegill or shellcracker (also known as a red-ear sunfish) bigger than the size of your hand. At Callaway we are proud to have some of the best bream fishing to be found anywhere in the country. Bluegills in the pound-size range and shellcrackers up to three pounds are caught regularly on both fly and spin fishing equipment.

Some of the more popular methods include fishing with crickets and mealworms as well as plastic minnow bodied 1/32-ounce jigs. Fly fishermen can score with woolly buggers and various nymphs as well as some of our own local patterns.

Fishermen can expect the best fishing during the months of March, April and May, with the fish going on the beds during late April and May.

Bass

Bass fishing at Callaway can be spectacular. Two of our smaller lakes, reserved for guided fishing only, are managed specifically to produce larger bass. Mountain Creek Lake, which is available for fishing to all Callaway guests, produces catches of eight to 13-pound bass every year; the largest bass caught weighed just over 16 pounds! The best opportunity to catch these trophy-size bass is from Mid-February through early May.

New! Previously reserved only for guided fly fishing, our smaller lakes are now open for guided spinning and casting rod fishing. Guided trips are available on both Mountain Creek Lake and the smaller lakes throughout The Gardens at Callaway. Fishing will be done with artificial lures from boats or float tubes and will be available on a very limited basis this year. Reservations are required. No bank fishing is permitted on any lakes at Callaway. All guided fishing trips are catch-and-release only.

Trout

Winter at Callaway is trout time! To keep the Winter months lively, we stock several of our smaller lakes with beautiful rainbow, brown & brook trout, which range in size from 14" to 27". These trout are accessible through guided trips only, and are catch-and-release only. However, if you come at the very end of the season, you might get to take a few home with you for your supper.

Check out our guided fishing trips page for more information on our schedule and rates.