If you want to get out on the water to kayak or fish, there are plenty of lakes and rivers around Duluth, Georgia, that fit the bill. Many areas also have tubing, boating, paddleboarding, canoeing, and swimming available. Our Crème de la Crème team invites you to explore these waterways around Duluth.

Get Your Georgia Fishing License 

One thing you should know before you head out to fish around Duluth is that you must have a fishing permit issued by the state for fishing privileges in fresh and saltwater. Here’s where you can purchase a fishing license online. An annual fishing license is good for 365 days from its purchase and costs $15 for Georgia state residents. They also offer short-term permits for one to 10 days for residents and nonresidents. If you’re a nonresident only in town for a one-day fishing trip, you can get a basic day fishing license for only $10.

The Chattahoochee River National Water Trail

Chattahoochee River by Jack Kennard is licensed with CC BY 2.0

The Chattahoochee River National Water Trail is suitable for rafting, canoeing, kayaking, and motorboat use, with numerous points where you can access the river. One of the main starting points is at 1978 Island Ford Parkway in Sandy Springs. There’s also cold-water trout fishing with class I/II shoals. The river stays cool throughout the year, rarely above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. If you want to take an inner tube for a relaxing float down the Chattahoochee river, you can rent one from Chattahoochee River Tubing. Their season opens in late May every year at 4349 Abbotts Bridge Road in Duluth.

Whitehead Lake

Whitehead Lake is a great place to fish. Anglers have been known to catch largemouth bass, common carp, crappie, catfish, perch, and bream/bluegill here.

Upper Cardinal Lake

Upper Cardinal Lake is about 12 square acres and provides a good location for fishing. The most commonly caught species here include largemouth bass, blue catfish, rainbow trout, black crappie, white crappie, channel catfish, and bluegill.

Hog Wallow Creek

Hog Wallow Creek is another local fishing stream. Anglers have reported catching the following fish: shoal bass, bluegill, rainbow trout, redbreast sunfish, white crappie, black crappie, and spotted bass.

Jones Bridge Park

For a park on the river, go to Jones Bridge Park, located at 4901 E. Jones Bridge Road in Peachtree Corners. The park has individually sectioned river bays and overlooks so you can enjoy the river views with some personal space.

Jones Bridge Park provides spots to fish, and you can go into the water if you want to fish with waders on to catch bigger fish. The park is open from sunrise to sunset daily and also has picnic spots with grills to let you cook your catch. You’ll find a boardwalk that leads to Madeira Beach and a playground if you wish to bring the kids along.

Shorty Howell Park

Shorty Howell Park, located at 2750 Pleasant Hill Road in Duluth, has a lake where you can see geese, ducks, and turtles. Hungry fish are also in the lake, so bring your fishing rod. The lake is located within the park grounds, spanning 67 acres, and includes community areas for play, fitness, and youth sports, as well as a 1.25-mile paved trail for walking, hiking, or running.

River Through Atlanta

If you’re looking for an expert fishing guide to make the most of your next fishing trip, you can hire River Through Atlanta to up your game. They offer guided trips, regular fishing and fly-fishing instruction, and drift boat and wading trips along the Chattahoochee River. They’ve helped anglers catch rainbow fish, brown trout, largemouth bass, shoal bass, striped bass, and carp. You can take a journey with them whether you’re a beginner, intermediate, or advanced angler. You’ll surely enjoy a day on the lake with River Through Atlanta.

Garrard Landing Park

Garrard Landing Park, located at 8000 Holcomb Bridge Road in Alpharetta, has a river and creek access with a launch for kayaks and canoes. Fishing is also allowed in the river. The park is peaceful and rarely gets too crowded, featuring on-site restrooms, picnic areas, playgrounds, and walking or hiking trails.

Providence Park

Head to Providence Park, 13440 Providence Park Drive in Alpharetta, for a nature lover’s paradise featuring 42 acres of woods with cleared sections overlooking Providence Lake. The lake also has a public fishing pier that you can enjoy for free, as well as trails, including a half-mile loop that’s paved and ADA accessible.

Copeland Lake

Copeland Lake is a local spot for fishing on Providence Road in Milton. Anglers have reported catching largemouth bass, spotted bass, smallmouth bass, bluegill, black crappie, and catfish in its waters.

High Country Paddle Shack

The High Country Paddle Shack is located at Morgan Falls Overlook Park, 200 Morgan Falls Road in Sandy Springs. It’s a full-service rental for stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, and canoeing that’s open from May to September. High County Paddle Shack also offers private instruction, weekly stand-up paddleboard demos, and stand-up paddleboarding yoga classes. Hourly equipment rentals are offered Saturday and Sunday. The park spans 30 acres of riverside and includes a boat dock, restrooms, picnic pavilions, a fire pit, porch swings, a playground, a hiking trail, and scenic views. It’s also a great spot to catch a beautiful sunset.

Blaze Fishing 

Choose Blaze Fishing in the Alpharetta area near Duluth for a knowledgeable guide service to the best local fishing spots. Fishing conditions vary depending on the weather and conditions of the lake or river, so they adapt the location for your trip based on those factors. They offer group packages, guided tours, and private lessons for anglers ages 8 and up to fish with them. Your first lesson is free, and they welcome beginner and experienced anglers alike.

Our Crème de la Crème of Duluth team invites you to enjoy these tremendous local waterways. Due to Georgia’s weather, you can enjoy time at a river, creek, or lake during spring, summer, and fall. Whether you want to kayak, boat, paddleboard, go tubing, fish, or stick your toes in the water, there’s a waterway for you near Duluth.