One of Georgia’s Oldest Reservoirs
Formed with the completion of Lloyd Shoals Dam in 1910, Jackson Lake is one of the oldest reservoirs in Georgia. The lake sits on around 4,750 acres and 135 miles of shoreline in parts of Butts, Jasper, and Newton Counties.
Essentials Near Jackson Lake
About 30 minutes from the center of Jackson Lake, the city of Jackson can provide you with essentials such as groceries, pharmacies, etc. Jackson also has Wellstar Sylvan Grove Hospital for medical needs. The Atlanta International Airport is just 52 miles away if you need to fly.
A Lake Over 100 Years Old
Plans for the Lloyd Shoals Dam, which created Jackson Lake, began in 1907 when Jordan Masse established the Central Georgia Power Company. The company acquired the land the dam would be on from Captain William Smith, and the basin began to be cleared. The project required several farmers in the area to abandon their fertile land, as they were forced to relocate. Additionally, the region’s rural nature lacked a place for the workers to stay, so they slept in tents.
Eventually, Masse convinced several companies and banks to invest in the project, which enabled him to build cabins for his crew to stay in. The dam required two shifts of hundreds of men working day and night until the completion of the dam in 1911. Four generators were installed in the dam, and with additional transmission lines brought electricity to rural Bibb County and Jackson. Initially, the new lake wasn’t of much use outside of hydroelectricity, as the waters were muddied from clay erosion. However, it eventually cleared up, and Jackson Lake, now controlled by Georgia Power, became a popular recreation destination.
Plenty of Fun on Jackson Lake
Fishing is one of the most popular activities on Jackson Lake, with excellent largemouth and spotted bass fishing. Additionally, the water has been known to yield massive catfish, including a record 63-pound flathead catfish. Other fish that can be found in the lake include crappie, bluegill, and sunfish. To help anglers out, there are 21 fish attractors made out of wood and PVC pipe near the fishing pier. The structures have buoys, so anglers can easily spot them to know where to cast their lines. In addition to fishing from the bank and pier, fishing from a boat is another popular way to fish.
Jackson Lake’s size gives boaters plenty of room to glide across the water, whether from a pontoon or a kayak. Plenty of boat rentals surround the shoreline, making getting out on the water a breeze. The boat rentals offer pontoon boats, as well as tubes, wakeboards, and skis for watersport lovers. Additionally, the lake has several boat ramp locations and marinas to launch from if you bring your own boat. In addition to watersports and fishing, lake-goers love jumping into the lake for a swim. Besides swimming, while boating, a few public swimming areas dot the lake’s shoreline.
Uninterrupted Fun
Jackson Lake makes the perfect home for those looking for a big lake that offers plenty of fun opportunities and isn’t too crowded or too far from the city.