BY THE NUMBERS
8 Public campgrounds operated by Georgia Power
17,934 Acres of Georgia Power land open to public hunting in the WMA system
78,747 Acres of water in Georgia Power reservoirs open to public fishing
Most Georgians think their only interactions with the Georgia Power Company are paying a monthly bill or reporting an electrical outage. Anyone fishing or hunting in the state, however, likely will have taken advantage of lands and waters owned by that corporation.
Surveys of outdoor enthusiasts often point to lack of access to hunting lands and fishing waters as major deterrents to participation in the sports. Georgia Power helps alleviate that problem by allowing access to fishing on 15 large and small reservoirs it operates in the state.
These impoundments offer fishing for hybrid, largemouth, spotted and striped bass, as well as bream, catfish, crappie and trout. Amenities found on the shores of the lakes are picnic areas, campgrounds and boat ramps.
Georgia Power also provides no-fee leases to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources on three tracts of corporate forest lands. The Blanton Creek, Oconee and Rum Creek properties are open to public hunting as part of the state’s wildlife management area system.
Hunters can pursue white-tailed deer, turkeys, wild hogs and a variety of small game and waterfowl on these tracts. Additionally, special managed hunts are provided for ladies-only, handicapped sportsmen and adult/child events.
Georgia Power has been a participant in the state’s Forestry for Wildlife Partnership since 1999. This public/private partnership program provides opportunities to enhance wildlife-conservation practices on corporate lands, while benefiting companies with public recognition for wildlife-conservation achievements.
The program is considered important because corporate landowners control 12 percent of the Georgia’s 24 million acres of forest land. Improving wildlife habitat on those large tracts can ensure the future health of the state’s wildlife resources.
More information on Georgia Power’s lakes can be found at georgiapower.com. Click the link at the bottom of the page for Lakes & Recreation. Details of the Forestry for Wildlife Partnership program are available at georgiawildlife.com/node/1283.
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