Fishing Rules

Rules & Regulations for Management of the Lake at Blythe Island Regional Park 
Purpose
To establish rules and procedures governing recreational fishing in the fresh-water lake located at Blythe Island Regional Park.

Background
Effective fisheries management requires measures to prevent over-harvest of limited fish resources and costs involved in development of the Park necessitates charging recreational fisherman reasonable fees for use of this facility.

Information
Rules and regulations contained in the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Fresh-water Sportfishing Regulations, “Public Fishing Areas,” are applicable to the fresh-water lake at Blythe Island Regional Park with exceptions presented herein.

Rules and Regulations 
Period Lake is Open For Public Fishing: 
The lake will open for public fishing from 8:00 a.m. daily, Sunday through Saturday. The lake closes to activities one hour before the park gates close.  Gate closing times vary at different times of year, typically 8pm in the Summer and 6pm in the Winter.  Email park personnel for current gate closing times:  blytheisland@glynncounty-ga.gov. 

Fishing and Boating:
There is no fee to fish the lake.   However, park staff encourages catch and release.  Watercraft are not permitted in the swimming area.  

Prohibited in Lake Area:

Boats with gasoline engines
Fires
Alcoholic beverages
Swimming (except in designated swimming area)
Littering
Cleaning of fish (fish cleaning facilities available at the marina)
Unauthorized vehicles
Goldfish
Cast nets

Fishing is not permitted in the back area or in the swimming area.

Use of Boats

The fee shall be $5.00 for use of personal boats in the lake.

ALL PERSONAL BOATS MUST ADHERE TO U.S. COAST GUARD AND DNR REGULATIONS.DAILY CREEL AND POSSESSION LIMITS PER-PERMITTED PERSON DAILY

Jon Boat Rental Fees:  $10 half day; $15 all day

Kayak Rental Fees:  $15 half day; $20 all day

Lifejackets are required.  Customers must provide their own lifejackets.

Number of Fish
Bass: Limit five (5). Minimum 14 inches in length. (Bass smaller than 14” inches to be handled by mouth and released unharmed).

Bream: Limit ten (10). Minimum 5 inches in length.

Catfish: Limit five (5). Minimum 17 inches in length. (Catfish smaller those 17 inches to be released unharmed).

Crappie: Limit ten (10). Minimum 9 inches in length.

It shall be UNLAWFUL for any person fishing in the lake to refuse to allow Park Staff Personnel to count, measure, and/or weigh his catch.

Bait: The use of live fish for bait purposes is prohibited. Minnows are allowed. 

Check In/Out
All lake boaters are required to check in and out with the Campground Office and will enter and leave the lake area only through the Campground Road. It shall be unlawful for any person to launch a boat in the lake unless he has checked in at the Campground Office.

Restricted Areas

Access in the lake area is limited to that completed portion of the lake. Fenced, posted, or otherwise restricted areas are off limits to fishermen.

Updated November 14, 2022