Combovers Things To Do Before You're Bald

The Great Lakes… of Georgia?

A geographically rich state, Georgia has long been known for its abundance of forests, minerals and, of course, water. It is permeated by rivers, including the Savannah as well as other major and countless lesser instances, and is replete with a healthy stock of freshwater lakes to boot, many of which are perfect for fishing. But how do these lakes compare to their more famous, more northern cousins?

Lanier, technically a reservoir, is the largest of the lakes in Georgia and has a whopping surface area of approximately 150 square kilometres. Named for the famous Georgian musician-poet Sidney Lanier, it is something of a watersports haven, with all kinds of activities from jetskiing to canoeing taking place among the 7.5 million annual visitors. Besides all there is to do, the lake also offers truly breathtaking vistas, all year round.

Lanier is followed in terms of surface area by Oconee at c. 77 square kilometres, a lake with a disputed etymology – some claim it means ‘great waters’... and others, ‘people of the skunk’. Whatever the case, since its creation in 1979, this reservoir has been a hotspot, again for boaters, but also for birdwatchers due to its rich wildlife. Along with Lanier, it also serves as one of the primary bass fishing locations in the whole state.

However, those interested in such activities should definitely have a think about visiting Clark’s Hill (J. Strom Thurmond) lake on the border to South Carolina, an absolute paradise for fishermen of most persuasions – in the spring it is second to none for variety and quality of the catch.

Overall, there is certainly no comparison as far as size goes – the famed Great Lakes are on a completely different scale. But for many Georgians, there’s little reason to travel to Superior and co. other than for pure novelty value; fishing and watersports and beauty are all easily combined in the Peach State.