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Jackson Lake

Boat Ramps
1
Access Points
3
Species
29

Jackson Lake spans 4,750 acres across Butts, Jasper, and Newton Counties in central Georgia, approximately 44 miles southeast of Atlanta. Built in 1910 by the Central Georgia Power Company with the construction of the Lloyd Shoals Dam, it ranks among Georgia's oldest reservoirs. The dam originally generated electricity for the city of Macon and continues to operate today. The lake is formed by the confluence of the Alcovy, Yellow, and South Rivers, with the Ocmulgee River serving as the outlet below Lloyd Shoals Dam. With 135 miles of shoreline and a maximum depth of 94 feet, Jackson Lake offers diverse fishing opportunities in a heavily developed setting that attracts anglers year-round. The reservoir features numerous coves, inlets, and boat dock-lined shorelines that provide excellent structure for fish habitat.

Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities

Learn how to get on Jackson Lake. Uncover great fishing access points, boat ramps, and all the facilities you need for an unforgettable day on the water. Some locations shown may border or include private property. Always check property boundaries and applicable regulations before visiting. onWater's Public & Private Land layer can help you plan your access with confidence.

Lloyd Shoals Park Access

Lloyd Shoals Park Access

Access Point

Know where you can legally fish on Jackson Lake

See public and private land boundaries along the water, turn on private parcels with owner details to know where permission is required, and find land-trust parcels that offer permitted fishing access.

Georgia licenses and regulations

Georgia Boating Regulations

When using any type of watercraft to access a body of water, it is important to follow all federal, state, and local rules and regulations. These rules and regulations include boat permitting and licensing, invasive species inspections and stamps, life jacket and PFD rules, motor size and horsepower restrictions, noise limitations, restrictions on personal watercraft, and many more. Visit the web link below for the most current rules and regulations for this body of water.

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Georgia Delayed Harvest Streams

Anglers fishing delayed harvest streams must release all trout immediately and use and possess only artificial lures with one single hook per lure from Nov. 1–May 14 annually. The use of additional “dropper” lures on one line is permitted as long as each lure contains one single hook. These restrictions do not apply from May 15–Oct. 31 of each year.

Georgia Fishing License

Anglers age 16 and older must have a current Georgia fishing license in their possession while fishing in fresh or salt water in Georgia. Additionally, a free SIP is required to fish in saltwater. A temporary authorization number obtained by telephone or internet sale may be used for seven days until the paper copy is received or printed. Game Wardens may require photo identification when checking fishing licenses. Exception: A fishing license is not required to fish in private ponds (does not include ponds owned by governments—city, county, state, or federal) nor by a resident and their immediate family when fishing on their land.

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Georgia Fishing Regulations

When using any type of watercraft to access a body of water, it is important to follow all federal, state, and local rules and regulations. These rules and regulations include boat permitting and licensing, invasive species inspections and stamps, life jacket and PFD rules, motor size and horsepower restrictions, noise limitations, restrictions on personal watercraft, and many more. Visit the web link below for the most current rules and regulations for this body of water.

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Georgia Stream Access Laws

Navigable waters are those capable of regular barge traffic. The public may boat and fish to the low water mark only where the streambed is owned by the state. If the streambeds are private, you need permission to wade and fish.

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Take Jackson Lake with you

The onWater Fish app keeps this water's access points, species and conditions in your pocket, with the tools you use once you're there.

  • Use the map without signal

    Download the map around Jackson Lake to use it offline when coverage drops.

  • Log your catches here

    Keep a private fishing journal for Jackson Lake to find where and when fish are biting for you.

  • HD depth charts from Garmin

    Find drop offs, ledges, channels, points and shallow flats with Garmin depth charts in the app.

Get the onWater Fish app

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Water and weather conditions (10 day forecast)

See the best times to fish Jackson Lake and check the forecast before you go.

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