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Fishing on Javors Lucas Lake

Hours of Operation

The Macon Water Authority (MWA) continues to provide opportunities for public education and recreation at its facilities, including public fishing on Javors Lucas Lake. The 2010 public fishing season will follow a schedule very similar to the one implemented the previous year, which better accommodates area residents, according to their preferences and the ideal times for fishing on Georgia waters.

The schedule for the 2010 MWA fishing season at Javors Lucas Lake is as follows:

  • Beginning Thursday March 4 and extending through Sunday July 4, Javors Lucas Lake will be open for fishing four days per week, on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. (Fishing on Thursdays during these months is an addition to the 2010 schedule.)
  • Fishing also will be available on Monday, May 31, 2010 for the Memorial Day holiday, as well as during the entire weekend of the July 4, Independence Day holiday.
  • Javors Lucas Lake then will be closed for public fishing during the months of July and August, but will re-open the first weekend in September.
  • From Thursday Sept. 2 through the last weekend in October, fishing will be allowed four days per week on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (The Authority Board of Directors has added Thursdays during the months of September and October to the 2010 fishing schedule.)
  • Fishing will be open on Monday, Sept. 6, for the Labor Day holiday as well. Sunday, Oct. 31, will be the last day of the 2010 fishing season at Javors Lucas Lake.
  • The lake will be closed for fishing during the months of November and December, as well as during the months of January and February, 2011.

Javors Lucas Lake, dedicated in November of 2006 for long-time MWA Board Member and Vice-Chairman Javors J. Lucas, holds an estimated 6.5 billion gallons of water at normal full pool, providing the ideal habitat for a variety of fish.

MWA Fishing Rates and Rules

Security is present at the site during all hours of operation, and to offset this and other operational costs, the MWA charges a nominal fee for parking and access to Lucas Lake for local anglers. The parking fee for fishing on the lake is $5 per vehicle for those fishing on the shore, and $10 for vehicles with a boat.

While fishing on Lucas Lake, the number of guests per boat is limited to its rated capacity. No more than two (2) poles per person, but landing nets may be used to land fish legally caught.

The MWA reserves the right to close Lucas Lake on an allotted fishing day in the event of an emergency or for maintenance or operations.

Lakeside Fishing

Boat Fishing Rules

The MWA is governed by the guidelines laid out by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Division Provisions and can be accessed at the link below. Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division.

In addition, the following MWA rules apply:

  • Operation of boats is limited to fishing boats propelled by paddles, oars, or electric motors.
  • No boat equipped with or containing a diesel or gasoline motor shall be allowed on Javors Lucas Lake.
  • Life preservers must be available for each boat occupant. No exceptions.
  • All boats will return to the launch area upon sounding of an air horn.

Visitors are not allowed to:

  • Swim in the reservoir.
  • Possess or consume alcoholic beverages while on Authority property at Lucas Lake.
  • Fish with any gear other than pole and line, or fish with more than two poles and lines per person.
  • Use or possess live game fish for bait.
  • Park a vehicle at any place other than designated areas.
  • Drive or otherwise operate a vehicle on any road posted "closed" to vehicular access, drive around a closed gate or cable blocking a road, or drive on any road that is receiving maintenance for the purpose of vehicular access.
  • Fish within 100 feet of concrete structures in Lucas Lake.
  • Possess firearms, pets or glass containers.
  • Clean or cook fish while on Authority property at Lucas Lake.
  • No littering or swimming.

Daily Possession Limits

Possession limits for fish caught on Georgia waters, including Javors Lucas Lake, are set by the state Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Wildlife Resources Division. Check out their web site (georgiawildlife.dnr.state.ga.us) for more details on daily possession limits for fish habitat.

NOTE: Persons under 18 years of age may not enter or remain on MWA property unless supervised and accompanied by an adult (person of 18 years of age or older).

Georgia Sport Fishing Regulations

For more information, the Wildlife Resources Division publishes the GEORGIA SPORT FISHING REGULATIONS guide to help you quickly find and understand regulations for fishing in Georgia. The Game and Fish Code and Department of Natural Resources rules are the final authority on questions of law.

Driving Directions

  1. Lucas Lake is located adjacent to the Authority's Frank C. Amerson, Jr. Water Treatment Plant, off of Upper River Road in Jones County.
  2. From I-16 E, take the US-23/SPRING ST/US-129/GA-49 (EXIT 1A) toward MILLEDGEVILLE.
  3. Turn LEFT onto NORTH AVE/US-129, go 1.1 miles.
  4. Turn LEFT onto SHURLING DRIVE (towards Walgreen's), go 0.1 mile.
  5. Turn RIGHT onto CLINTON ROAD (changes name to UPPER RIVER RD.), go 4.5 miles.
  6. Fishing entrance will be on the left at 150 BROACH LANE.
  7. The entrance will be marked.

For more information on public fishing at the MWA's Lucas Lake, contact the Authority at 478-464-5600. For more detailed directions from your location, click this link: View Map

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