Lake Nichols - Pavo, GA - Brooks County

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Contact:  Lamar Nichols

229-859-2423

Lake Nichols is located about 23-24 miles northeast of Thomasville, GA. off GA 122.  From Thomasville take GA 122 through Pavo.  Continue 5-6 miles and turn south on CR 274 (Tallokas Rd).  From I-75 one would take Exit 29 (GA 122) at Hahira and drive west 16 to 17 miles to CR 274 (Tallokas Rd).  Driving south on CR 274 about a mile or so you'll find  Nichols Lake on your right.  Easily seen from the road it's hard to miss. 



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The dam to form the lake was completed in the 1800's.  It was first called Adams's Mill Pond and later owned by someone named Melton. Since 1944 the lake has been owned by the Nichols family. 

In the 1950's the dam broke.  While the water was down it was cleared out, refilled and used for water skiing.  Later, they created some catfish ponds and raised catfish.  This continued for a few years until the plant buying the catfish flopped.  It finally ending up in its present state as a lake for fishing and duck hunting.  No longer used for raising catfish the old catfish ponds are great for bank fishing and are accessible by boat from the main lake, too.

STUFF YOU NEED TO KNOW:

DATES

- Lake March 1st through October 31st.  Otherwise, closed for duck hunting.

- Old catfish ponds April 15 through October 31st (protected for bass spawning)

HOURS

- 6 AM - 9 PM (no fishing after dark which means these hours change as the days get shorter)

FEES

- Fishing from the bank is $4
- Kayak $4 if not fishing (bring a newbie let him learn how easy navigating a kayak is while you fish and show how easy is it to fish from one)
- To fish from a boat or kayak $6 per person.

- Renting one of their boats is $5 (includes paddle and PDF)

OTHER

- Outboard motors at idle speed only.

Mr. Nichols has a nice little shed at the lake where he can take your cash.  There are drinks and snacks available but no bathroom facilities.

The Shack

You may find that launching a kayak will be easiest at the south end of the lake.  Just get back on the paved road and drive south about a quarter mile to the south boat ramp.  There is a gently sloping bank on both sides of the ramp that's ideal.

South boat ramp

No longer used to raise catfish the old catfish ponds are small enough to fish both sides from a boat if you prefer.  The picture below shows three of the ponds at their convergence.

Old catfish ponds

Another view of one of the ponds

More views of the main lake

 South ramp looking north toward the shack

Looking toward the west edge of the lake

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LINKS:

Current Georgia river levels: Real Time Georgia Streamflow

Solunar Tables for your zip code: HERE

Rigging your kayak: Captain Dick

Interactive map by Angling Technologies: HERE

FORUMS

Georgia Kayak Fishing

Georgia River Fishing

Jax Kayak Fishing

Gulf Coast Kayak Fishing (you might need to be registered to view this one)

FLY FISHING RESOURCES

DP Poppers

Fly Fishing West Georgia

Books and DVD by George Roberts:

Master the Cast

Fly Fisherman's Guide to Saltwater Naturals and Their Imitation

Saltwater Casting - 10 Steps to Distance and Power (DVD)

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If you are a resident of Georgia and like to fish from a kayak I recommend becoming a supporting member of the Georgia Kayak Fishing Association located at GeorgiaKayakFishing.com.

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Little River launch at GA 122 Lowndes/Brooks County line

This launch site is located approximately 5 miles west of Hahira (Exit 29 on I-75).  The Little River flows south from Reed Bingham State Park near Adel providing the boundary  between Lowndes and Brooks Counties.  It eventually loses its name as it  joins the Withlacoochee River just west of I-75 at Exit 18.

A very easy launch site at this water level.  Although I had to drag the kayak about 30-40 yards due to some deep sand near water's edge.

The state maintains a water level gage at this bridge which can be seen HERE.  On this day the water level was just above 4 feet.  North of the bridge the river is very shallow and the river much wider.

In fact, at times I found it easier to just get out and pull the kayak.  Glad i had my waders on.

Here's a video of the flow.

North and south of the bridge the river has many sand bars which can be used as stopping/fishing points.

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LINKS:

Current Georgia river levels: Real Time Georgia Streamflow

Solunar Tables for your zip code: HERE

Rigging your kayak: Captain Dick
Interactive map by Angling Technologies: HERE

FORUMS
Georgia Kayak Fishing
Georgia River Fishing
Jax Kayak Fishing
Gulf Coast Kayak Fishing (you might need to be registered to view this one)

FLY FISHING RESOURCES

DP Poppers
Fly Fishing West Georgia
Books and DVD by George Roberts:
Master the Cast
Fly Fisherman's Guide to Saltwater Naturals and Their Imitation

Saltwater Casting - 10 Steps to Distance and Power (DVD)

**********
If you are a resident of Georgia and like to fish from a kayak I recommend becoming a supporting member of the Georgia Kayak Fishing Association located at GeorgiaKayakFishing.com.
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HUTCHINSON POND - Adel - Hahira

Hutchinson Pond

250 Acres

Owner: Jim Kent
Phone 229-896-3161
Yearly Fee: $400 for family
Location: Between Adel and Hahira east of I-75. Get off at the Cecil Exit around the 32-33 mile marker. Go east straight through Cecil to Hutchinson Pond/Caulie Harris Rd and turn north (left) at Friendship Church. You'll see the pond on your left after a couple of miles. For a map enter "Cecil, GA" in the search window at Google Maps. Hutchinson Pond is not labeled but you will find it as a somewhat triangular shaped body of water ENE of Cecil. It lies along a road with two names: Hutchinson Pond Rd. and Caulie Harris Rd.
Jim has been developing this pond for several years. He'll be glad to give you a free tour if you like. He has stocked the pond with Georgia Giants and there have been some really big bream caught here.
The eastern half of the pond is mostly clear with the western half thick with cypress. The deepest I've found with my sonar is 9-10'. I've had good luck with live minnows and artificials that resemble baby shad. Others have used crickets with success.

Be aware that there are alligators. I know that there was once a ten footer and my friend says he has seen another at least that large.
There is a boat launch along side a low dock on the southeastern corner of the pond that is excellent for launching a kayak. I don't think I could ask for better. You can back right up to the launch site so you won't need wheels to tote your yak.











A windy day on the Hutch. Winds were around 15 mph this day. You'll find a need for an anchor or stake out pole on days like this if you're in an exposed area. Back among the trees it is not near the problem.











It's thicker in the back and provides cover from the wind. No, this was not a windy day but it can be remarkably calm in these areas.















Dad caught these four kitties totaling 11 lbs caught off Jim's dock with liver.



















Some miscellaneous pix from Hutchinson Pond














































































Google Map

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Current Georgia river levels: Real Time Georgia Streamflow

Solunar Tables for your zip code: HERE

Rigging your kayak: Captain Dick
Interactive map by Angling Technologies: HERE
FORUMS
Georgia Kayak Fishing
Georgia River Fishing
Jax Kayak Fishing
Gulf Coast Kayak Fishing (you might need to be registered to view this one)
FLY FISHING RESOURCES
Fly Fishing West Georgia
Books and DVD by George Roberts:Master the Cast
Fly Fisherman's Guide to Saltwater Naturals and Their ImitationSaltwater Casting - 10 Steps to Distance and Power (DVD)

**********
If you are a resident of Georgia and like to fish from a kayak I recommend becoming a supporting member of the Georgia Kayak Fishing Association located at GeorgiaKayakFishing.com.