Boating At Lake Lanier In Georgia

Free Public Boating & Watersport Activities

Lake Lanier, located in the northern part of Georgia, is a sprawling reservoir that offers a wealth of recreational opportunities for visitors. Situated just a short drive from Atlanta, it serves as a popular escape for city dwellers and tourists alike. The lake's proximity to major cities makes it easily accessible for those seeking a quick weekend getaway or a day of outdoor fun.

Surrounding Lake Lanier are numerous attractions that cater to a variety of interests. Just a stone's throw away is the vibrant city of Gainesville, which boasts a rich history, cultural events, and charming downtown shops and restaurants. For those seeking more outdoor adventures, the nearby Chattahoochee National Forest provides hiking trails, camping sites, and scenic views of the Appalachian Mountains.

Boating is the heart of Lake Lanier's allure, and the lake doesn't disappoint boating enthusiasts. The lake features multiple marinas that offer a range of services and amenities, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable boating experience for visitors. Whether you prefer leisurely pontoon rides, thrilling jet skiing, or wakeboarding, there's something for everyone on the lake's vast expanse of water.

To get out on the water, Lake Lanier provides many well-maintained boat launch ramps at various points around the lake. These ramps make it easy for boat owners to access the lake and launch their vessels for a day of exploration or fishing. Lake Lanier is renowned for its excellent fishing opportunities, attracting anglers from far and wide. Bass, crappie, and catfish are among the popular catches that can be found in the lake's waters.

For those who don't own a boat, Lake Lanier offers boat rental options to ensure everyone can enjoy the pleasures of boating. Whether visitors want to rent a boat by the hour or the day, the lake's rental services cater to different preferences, making it convenient and accessible for everyone to experience the thrill of cruising on the water.

Lake Lanier's boating season typically spans from early spring to late fall, providing ample time for boaters and water sports enthusiasts to indulge in their favorite activities. As the weather warms up, the lake becomes a hub for outdoor fun, drawing families, friends, and solo adventurers seeking memorable experiences on the water.

Camping is another activity that can be enjoyed near Lake Lanier, with various campgrounds providing opportunities for a night under the stars. Camping enthusiasts can choose from lakeside spots or opt for more secluded areas within the nearby national forest, making for a unique and immersive outdoor experience.

Lake Lanier stands as a premier destination in Georgia for boating, water sports, fishing, and outdoor adventures. With its convenient location near major cities, nearby attractions, and diverse recreational offerings, the lake continues to captivate visitors of all ages and interests, making it a must-visit destination in the region.

Boating, camping and fishing.

Notorious for great boating and striped bass fishing, Lake Lanier AKA Lake Sidney Lanier is a great boating destination. Dozens of boat launch ramps handle pleasure boats, ski boats, jet skis, fishing boats and pontoon boats with plenty of parking. In addition to being a great striper fishery, the lake has healthy populations of catfish, bass, crappie, sunfish, walleye, perch, and gar. It is also stocked with rainbow trout. This 37,000-acre reservoir located in the upper-central portion of the state has almost 700 miles of shoreline and a bunch of islands to fish around. There are areas with public access for fishing from the bank, but the lake is ideal for fishing from a boat.

Marina: YES
Boat Rental: YES
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: YES
Convenience Store: YES
Bait & Tackle: YES
Restaurant: YES

Camping

Old Federal Campground - 770 967-6757

Van Pugh North Park Campground - 770 945-9531

Van Pugh South Campground - 770 967-6315

Don Carter State Park Campground - 678 450-7726

River Forks Park Campground - 770 531-3952

Shoal Creek Campground - 678 482-0332

Sawnee Campground - 770 887-0592

Bald Ridge Creek Campground - 770 889-1591

Shady Cove Campground - 770 205-6850

Shady Grove RV Park Campground - 770 887-8906

Bolding Mill Campground - 770 534-6960

Lake Lanier Map

Fishing

Fish species found in Lake Lanier include largemouth bass, spotted bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, black crappie, walleye, rainbow trout, bluegill, green sunfish, redbreast sunfish, redear sunfish, warmouth, white bass, yellow perch, striped bass and longnose gar.

Largemouth bass Spotted bass Channel catfish Flathead catfish Black crappie Walleye Rainbow trout Bluegill Green Sunfish Redbreast Sunfish Redear Sunfish Warmouth Sunfish White Bass Yellow Perch Striped bass Longnose gar