Recreational and Educational Opportunities
The HCWSA has a number of opportunities for public involvement and education, including light recreation and outdoor activities for all members of the family. Various HCWSA facilities are designed and operated to accommodate such public access. One of the most popular activities at the HCWSA is public fishing on select reservoirs. While HCWSA reservoirs allow for limited public fishing throughout the year, the public must note that they otherwise operate very differently from recreational lakes and larger bodies of public waters, as they must adhere to much more stringent regulatory oversight because of their primary use as public drinking water reservoirs.
Fishing and Boating on the Authority's reservoirs.
Any resident or property owner of Henry County, Georgia may obtain a permit from Henry County Water to fish at select HCWSA reservoirs, which typically rotate in terms of public access each year to protect fish habitat.
The Regular Season for public fishing at HCWSA reservoirs concludes at the end of each November, when the Winter Fishing Season begins with limited access to select reservoirs – typically the same ones that were open during the previous regular season. The Winter Season typically runs from December through the end of February of the following year.
The 2009-10 Winter Fishing Season at Henry County Water includes public access to the Tussahaw and Gardner Reservoirs during select weekends. These two reservoirs, which were open during the 2009 Regular Fishing Season, will be accessible from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (roughly dawn to dusk) on the weekends of: Dec. 11-13, 2009; Jan. 8-10 and Jan. 22-24, as well as Feb. 5-7, and Feb. 19-21, 2010.
The Tussahaw Reservoir was opened to the public for fishing for the first time during 2009. The reservoir began filling in the fall of 2005, and was available for drinking water production at the Tussahaw Water Treatment Plant beginning in 2007. The reservoir needed ample time for the fish population to grow and for that habitat to mature before it could host public fishing. (Maps for the docking areas open on the new Tussahaw Reservoir are available at HCWSA offices.)
Those interested in public fishing at HCWSA reservoirs must obtain a fishing permit for $45 and sign the required release form, in addition to following all Rules and Regulations Concerning Use of the Reservoirs. The fees for fishing permits are collected to offset the expenses incurred by the Authority for the operation and maintenance of the reservoirs for recreational purposes.
A fishing permit may be obtained from the HCWSA Headquarters Building at 1695 Highway 20 West in McDonough, during the Authority's normal business hours from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. All permits are valid for one full calendar year from the date of purchase.
Henry County Water also allows permit holders to take one guest with them for boating and fishing, including children accompanied by an adult, without requiring an additional permit. Discounted permits are available for senior citizens, and the Tussahaw Reservoir is accessible to citizens with disabilities.
The HCWSA reserves the right to close a reservoir and prohibit fishing and boating on an allotted day at management's discretion, for maintenance or operational purposes. Gas powered boats are prohibited on HCWSA reservoirs, unless authorized by HCWSA personnel for maintenance or emergencies. The Authority's reservoirs are not designed to be utilized for boating, water skiing, or other forms of this type of recreation. Boats with electric or trolling motors are allowed upon approval by HCWSA personnel.
More information on fishing permits and rules and regulations for fishing HCWSA reservoirs is available at the customer service department at 678-957-6659. For questions concerning public fishing or other outdoor recreational or educational opportunities, contact the HCWSA reservoirs and land management office at 678-583-3930.
