Lake Lanier Info

Hall County Parks and Leisure Services officials are very close to securing funds for a large fishing tournament at Laurel Park in North Hall. Plans are underway to built a "megaramp facility" that could launch 400 boats.

Deborah Mockus, director of the agency, said an expansion of Laurel Park on Old Cleveland Highway could allow the staging of a Bassmaster-style tournament with competition prizes reaching $1 million.

Current Status of Fishing Tournaments in Hall County

The county played host to a preliminary Bassmaster tournament last year, but wasn't considered for larger events because it lacked a facility that could send off 400 or more anglers in a short period of time.

"Currently, we have to turn away tournaments because we don't have enough capacity to launch all the boats simultaneously," she said.

Approval Likely

Commissioners said the request likely will be approved at their meeting on Thursday.

"This is what it's going to take to attract a big tournament," North Hall Commissioner Steve Gailey said of additional funding for Laurel Park. "Some of the best fishing is on that end of the lake."

The state will provide up to $400,000 per site as part of the governor's initiative to boost boating and fishing tourism in Georgia, Mockus said.

Expansion Across North Georgia

Up to 15 large boating access sites across the state are being planned and may include Lake Lanier.

Lanier is being considered in the northeastern region of the state, along with Lake Hartwell, for a 400-plus boat tournament facility, Mockus said.

Why Laurel Park?

Laurel Park was chosen as a potential site by county parks and leisure staff because it currently has a large ramp used during the 1996 Olympics and is the site of several large fishing competitions.

"The parking lot can accommodate 208 vehicles and trailers and there's plenty of room to add another double boat ramp along with another parking lot for 100-plus vehicles and trailers," Mockus said.

Park land also is available to build a large pavilion that could hold 300 to 400 spectators for fish weigh-ins, she said.

Park sites in Forsyth County also are being considered, Dickson said.

How Much Will it Cost?

Mockus said preliminary estimate for construction of restrooms, boat ramps, parking lots and additional docks falls between $725,000 to $800,000.

Local funding could come from the park and leisure department's fund balance and other infrastructure funds, she said.

Lake Lanier Islands Tournament

Perdue, who last week announced plans for a multiday tournament at Lake Lanier Islands resort, said anglers in Georgia spend $570 million annually and have an economic impact of $1.5 billion.

The Go Fish Georgia Professional Anglers Association Championship at the resort is expected to draw the top bass anglers in the country.

As part of the championship, Lanier will be the host of the Governor's Go Fish Georgia Pro/Am Tournament.

The tournament is tentatively scheduled for Nov. 1-4, but officials with the association may move it to later in 2007 or early 2008.

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