Georgia’s Evans County PFA to Re-open to Public June 1
The long wait is over for local anglers! The Evans County Public Fishing Area will re-open on June 1, 2013, after completion of a year’s long project.
“All of the needed work at Bidd Sands Lake, the 84-acre impoundment, at Evans County is complete,” says John Biagi, fisheries chief of the Wildlife Resources Division, Georgia Department of Natural Resources. “We are excited to re-open this area to the public and make a favorite local fishing spot available once again.”
After nearly 50 years, the impoundment’s dam was being compromised by tree growth and wave erosion. Bond funding supported tree and stump removal, slope rebuilding and grading for structural integrity and improved maintenance, and rip-rap installation to prevent further wave damage.
The fish population in Bidd Sands Lake continues to show good signs of re-establishment as opening day draws near. Largemouth bass, both fingerling and 1-year-old fish, were re-stocked and many of these have grown to 12-14 inches in length. Adult and juvenile sunfish, such as bluegill and redear, were re-stocked in the impoundment and are successfully spawning. These sunfish will not only provide available fish for anglers, but also will provide food for the largemouth bass population further expanding that fishery.
Evans County PFA, located east of Claxton, Georgia, is a 372-acre area that includes three separate impoundments. Lakes Longleaf, Woody and Bidd Sands attract more than 5,000 anglers each year with an additional almost 4,000 guests visiting the area. The area boasts concrete boat ramps with courtesy docks, fishing piers, primitive camp sites, boardwalk nature trail, restrooms and picnic tables. This PFA also is home to alligator and waterfowl hunts.
For more information on public fishing areas in Georgia, visit www.georgiawildlife.com/fishing/public-fishing-areas.
