Lake Sinclair combines with Lake Oconee to make up "Georgia's Lake Country" located southeast of Atlanta. Lake Sinclair supports water recreational opportunities of all kinds with multiple marinas along the lake's shoreline, which stretches more than 400 miles. The lake's largest draw is fishing, where close to 5,000 eager anglers come to the lake each year to compete in bass tournaments such as the American Bass Anglers Tournament.
Identification
Spread through parts of Baldwin, Hancock and Putnam counties, Lake Sinclair covers over 15,000 acres, providing recreational access to the hundreds of thousands of people in the surrounding area. Parts of the lake are within a 90-minute drive east-southeast of the eastern side of Atlanta. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources regulates fishing at Lake Sinclair, but the Georgia Power Company owns and maintains the lake.
Available species
The lake features a variety of bass, including largemouth, striped and hybrid. Because of his variety, the lake draws bass fisherman from across the nation for tournaments. Other available species include channel, blue, white and bullhead catfish, which are often an angler's best shot at landing a 20- to 30-pound trophy fish. Crappie, bluegill, redbreast sunfish and shellcrackers also can be found.
License Information
Fishermen over the age of 16 must purchase a Georgia Fishing License before fishing at Lake Sinclair or other Georgia waterways. As of 2010, an annual resident fishing license costs $9; nonresidents pay $45. Residents between the ages of 16 and 60 can purchase a two-year license for $16 or a lifetime license for $500. Disabled, senior and junior residents enjoy significant discounts on fishing licenses. All anglers have the option of purchasing the license online through the Georgia Department of Natural Resources website or one of 1,800 local retailers that carry fishing licenses.
Limits
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources imposes a total daily limit of 50 fish per licensed fisherman, but individual species limits supercede that limit. For example, an angler is limited to 10 largemouth bass within length requirements and 15 striped or hybrid bass daily. Anglers may retain up to 30 crappie per day, but face no limits on the abundant catfish population in Lake Sinclair.
Tournaments
Lake Sinclair hosts many national and local fishing tournaments. Local tournaments welcome anglers of all experience levels. Professional anglers compete in tournaments such as the: the American Bass Anglers Tournament, Southern B.A.I.T.S. Tournament, Valley Sportsmen Tournament and the Guys and Dolls Couples Tournament. Many of the tournaments are scheduled for the spring, during which bass show increased activity.
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