News
February 16, 2009
Convenient, quality fishing available to the public thanks to the HCWSA
Regular season, scheduled from March – November, to include access to new Tussahaw Reservoir
Collin Wallace, 10, enjoys fishing with his father Dustin, a member of the Georgia Outdoor Network, at last year's Kids Fishing Day. This year, they will join other local anglers in having access to the Tussahaw Reservoir for the first time.
Fishing is a passion for many Henry County residents, who often travel several hours or more for ideal lake conditions. Imagine having quality fishing just minutes from your doorstep.
Thanks to the Henry County Water & Sewerage Authority (HCWSA), local anglers can have access to a rotating network of drinking water reservoirs right here at home.
The Authority’s 2009 regular season for public fishing will be open once again from March through the end of November. (The first day of the season is actually Feb. 25, as anglers will have access to the reservoirs during this last weekend in February that runs through Sunday, March 1.) Prior to the opening of the 2009 season, the Authority had already surpassed the number of permits sold last year.
Last year was the first in which the Authority expanded its season by opening a month earlier and closing a month later than normal. The public response was favorable, as approximately 1,000 fishing permits were sold in 2008. As a result, that same schedule is being implemented for this year.
The exciting feature of this season’s public fishing at the HCWSA is anglers being able to access the new Tussahaw Reservoir for the first time since the lake began filling nearly four years ago. The Tussahaw reached full pool for the first time last May, and it has had ample time for its fish population to mature.
The Tussahaw is 1,466 acres, with approximately 9.78 billion gallons of raw water storage for drinking water production in the Tussahaw Water Treatment Plant. The new reservoir is nearly as big as the Authority’s other four reservoirs combined, so anglers should be mindful of fishing without a gas powered boat on a lake this size.
In addition to the Tussahaw, the Gardner (Indian Creek) Reservoir also will be open this year from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, as well as the Monday holidays of Memorial Day and Labor Day (July 4 falls on a Saturday).
In order to fish Authority reservoirs, anglers must have a permit, available for $40 at the HCWSA headquarters (located at 1695 Highway 20 West in McDonough) during normal business hours from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
A fishing permit from the HCWSA is good for one year from the date of purchase. Guests also must sign a release form and adhere to all rules and regulations governing the use of public reservoirs.
For more information about public fishing on HCWSA reservoirs, contact the Authority at 770-957-6659, or log onto www.hcwsa.com.
Media Contact:
Chris Wood, Ph.D.
770-757-1681 (cell)
jcwood@uga.edu (email)
