Please note: Bear Creek Marina’s own restaurant & bar is temporarily closed — call (770) 787-9621 to confirm before visiting. The rest of the marina (campground & RV hookups, boat storage, kayak & canoe rentals, and the boat launch) remains open.
If you are launching your own boat, it helps to brush up on the Georgia boating laws for Jackson Lake covering registration, safety gear, and speed rules.
What Does the Jackson Lake Map Look Like and Where Are the Main Access Points?
Jackson Lake is a 4,750-acre reservoir in central Georgia with 135 miles of shoreline, six public boat ramps, multiple marinas, and several recreation areas spread across Butts, Jasper, and Newton counties. If you are planning a trip to the lake, a reliable Jackson Lake map is the single most useful tool you can have. It shows you exactly where to launch a boat, where to find shoreline access, and where the best fishing spots and recreation areas are located around the water.
Located roughly one hour southeast of Atlanta and about 20 minutes south of Covington, Jackson Lake was created in 1910 when Georgia Power dammed the Ocmulgee River at Lloyd Shoals. The result is one of the oldest and most popular reservoirs in the state, drawing anglers, campers, boaters, and families looking for a weekend on the water. Bear Creek Marina, located at 60 Bear Creek Marina Road in Mansfield, GA, sits on the Jasper County side of the lake and serves as a central hub for launching, dining, camping, and exploring.
How Many Boat Ramps Are on Jackson Lake and Where Are They?
A good Jackson Lake map will show six primary public boat ramps scattered around the shoreline. Each ramp serves a different section of the lake, so choosing the right one depends on where you want to fish, explore, or set up camp for the day.
Bear Creek Marina Boat Ramp is one of the most popular launch points on the lake. It features a two-lane concrete ramp with a courtesy dock, and it is the only ramp on Jackson Lake that puts you within walking distance of a full-service lakeside restaurant and bar, RV campground with hookups, kayak rentals, and dry boat storage. The ramp is located at 60 Bear Creek Marina Road, Mansfield, GA 30055. Call (770) 787-9621 for current launch fees and hours.
Lloyd Shoals Park Boat Ramp sits near the Lloyd Shoals Dam on the southern end of the lake. Managed by Georgia Power, this two-lane ramp includes restrooms, a small beach area, and picnic tables. It is a solid choice if you want to fish the deeper water near the dam, where the lake reaches its maximum depth of approximately 94 feet.
Factory Shoals Recreation Park is located at 450 Newton Factory Bridge Road in Covington, GA 30014, on the Newton County side of the lake. This park offers a boat ramp along with picnic areas and restroom facilities, making it a good option for families who want to split time between boating and shoreline relaxation.
Reasor’s Landing is a year-round, 24-hour boat ramp on the western side of the lake. In addition to the ramp, the landing provides fuel for boats on the water, a convenience store, and a restaurant. It is a practical choice for early-morning anglers who want to launch before sunrise.
Two additional ramps round out the Jackson Lake map: Berry’s Marina Boat Ramp, accessible off Highway 212 on Waters Bridge Circle, and Walker Marina Boat Ramp, which offers parking and a courtesy dock. Both serve the northern and eastern sections of the lake and provide reliable access for bass boats and mid-size vessels.
What Fish Can You Catch on Jackson Lake?
Jackson Lake is one of Georgia’s best bass lakes, and a detailed Jackson Lake map can help you pinpoint the structure, creek channels, and flats where the fish concentrate. Largemouth bass account for nearly 60 percent of the lake’s fish population, and the lake regularly produces fish in the 5- to 8-pound range. Spotted bass are also present and tend to hold on rocky points and bluff walls throughout the lake.
Beyond bass, Jackson Lake supports healthy populations of black crappie and white crappie, especially around submerged brush piles and standing timber. Crappie fishing is particularly productive in the spring months when fish move into shallower water to spawn. If you are looking for expert tips on where to find the best fishing spots on Jackson Lake, targeting the creek channel bends and secondary points marked on a depth-contour map is a reliable starting strategy.
Catfish anglers will find channel catfish, flathead catfish, and blue catfish on Jackson Lake. Blue catfish in particular have been running in large sizes in recent years. Cut shad and chicken liver fished on the bottom near the old river channel are the most productive baits. The lake also holds striped bass and hybrid striped bass, which school in open water during the summer and fall months.
Current Georgia DNR regulations allow a daily bag limit of 10 bass (12-inch minimum for largemouth), 30 crappie, and no daily limit on channel or flathead catfish. Always carry a valid Georgia fishing license and check the latest regulations before heading out.
Where Are the Best Recreation Areas Around Jackson Lake?
When you look at a Jackson Lake map, you will notice that recreation areas are distributed around the entire shoreline, giving visitors multiple options depending on which side of the lake they are approaching from.
Lloyd Shoals Park on the southern end is one of the most developed public recreation areas. Operated by Georgia Power, it offers picnic tables, restroom facilities, a small beach area, and direct access to the dam. It is a popular spot for families who want to spend a few hours on the shore without needing a boat.
Factory Shoals Recreation Park on the Newton County side provides similar amenities with its own boat ramp, picnic areas, and restrooms. The park is well-maintained and sees less weekend traffic than the more popular southern access points, making it a quieter option for those who prefer to avoid crowds.
Bear Creek Marina on the Jasper County side offers one of the most complete recreation experiences on Jackson Lake. In addition to the boat launch, the marina has a full lakeside restaurant and bar with a gourmet menu featuring fresh catch, handcrafted burgers, and artisan cocktails. Regular live music performances make it a destination in its own right, especially on weekend evenings. The campground provides waterfront RV hookups with 30-amp and 50-amp electric service, water, and sewer connections for both short-term and long-term stays. Kayak rentals are available for those who want to explore the coves and shoreline at a slower pace.
The various privately operated marinas around the lake also contribute to the recreation options. Reasor’s Landing and Berry’s Marina both have on-site services that cater to boaters spending the day on the water.
How Do You Read a Jackson Lake Depth Map?
A Jackson Lake map that includes depth contours is essential for both safe boating and productive fishing. The lake was formed by flooding the Ocmulgee River valley, which means the old river channel runs through the center of the lake as a deeper trench. This channel is where you will find the deepest water, reaching approximately 94 feet near the Lloyd Shoals Dam.
On a contour map, the lines that are closely spaced together indicate steep drop-offs. These are the areas where bass and crappie tend to stage, especially during the transition periods between seasons. The flatter areas with widely spaced contour lines represent the broad, shallow flats that warm up quickly in spring and attract spawning fish.
Jackson Lake also has a significant amount of submerged timber, standing stumps, and old road beds from before the lake was filled. These features do not always appear on every Jackson Lake map, so using a combination of a printed or digital depth map and a quality fish finder or depth sounder on your boat is the safest approach. Stay alert for shallow areas, particularly in the upper portions of the lake where creek arms narrow and depth decreases rapidly.
Water levels on Jackson Lake can fluctuate based on Georgia Power’s management of the Lloyd Shoals Dam. During drawdown periods, ramps that are normally accessible may become too shallow to use, and submerged hazards can sit closer to the surface. Checking current water levels before you launch is always a smart move.
What Should You Know Before Visiting Jackson Lake for the First Time?
If your Jackson Lake map is telling you this lake is worth the trip, here are the practical details you need to plan your visit.
Getting there: Jackson Lake is located in central Georgia according to Explore Georgia, roughly one hour southeast of Atlanta via I-20 East to Highway 36 South or Highway 11 South. From Covington, the lake is about 20 minutes south. The address for Bear Creek Marina is 60 Bear Creek Marina Road, Mansfield, GA 30055.
Camping: If you are planning an overnight or multi-day trip, Bear Creek Marina’s campground offers waterfront RV and camper slips with full hookups including water, electric (30-amp and 50-amp), and sewer. Both short-term weekend stays and long-term seasonal stays are available. The campground is steps from the restaurant, the boat ramp, and kayak rentals, which makes it one of the most convenient camping options on the lake.
Kayaking: For a quieter experience on the water, kayak rentals at Bear Creek Marina let you paddle along the shoreline, explore the coves, and get into shallow areas where larger boats cannot reach. Kayak fishing for bass and crappie along the bank structure is particularly effective in the early morning and late afternoon.
Dining: Rather than packing a cooler for the entire trip, you can dock at Bear Creek Marina and walk up to the restaurant for lakeside dining. The menu includes fresh catch, handcrafted burgers, artisan cocktails, and local brews. Live music on weekends adds to the atmosphere.
Boat storage: If you keep your boat on Jackson Lake regularly, Bear Creek Marina’s dry boat storage accommodates boats of all sizes with both short-term and long-term options. This eliminates the need to tow your boat back and forth for every trip.
Private events: The lakeside setting at Bear Creek Marina is also available for private events, including family reunions, corporate outings, and celebrations.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jackson Lake
How big is Jackson Lake in Georgia?
Jackson Lake covers 4,750 acres with 135 miles of shoreline. It spans parts of Butts, Jasper, and Newton counties in central Georgia, approximately one hour southeast of Atlanta.
How deep is Jackson Lake?
The maximum depth of Jackson Lake is approximately 94 feet, located near the Lloyd Shoals Dam on the southern end. The old Ocmulgee River channel running through the center of the lake provides the deepest water.
Where is the best place to launch a boat on Jackson Lake?
Bear Creek Marina at 60 Bear Creek Marina Road, Mansfield, GA 30055 is one of the most popular launch points. The marina offers a two-lane boat ramp, courtesy dock, lakeside restaurant, RV campground, kayak rentals, and dry boat storage all in one location. Call (770) 787-9621 for current hours and launch fees.
What fish are in Jackson Lake Georgia?
Jackson Lake supports largemouth bass, spotted bass, striped bass, hybrid striped bass, black crappie, white crappie, bluegill, redear sunfish, channel catfish, flathead catfish, and blue catfish. Largemouth bass make up nearly 60 percent of the fish population.
Can you camp on Jackson Lake?
Yes. Bear Creek Marina offers waterfront RV and camper hookup sites with 30-amp and 50-amp electric service, water, and sewer connections. Both short-term and long-term stays are available. The campground is located directly on the lake with access to the boat ramp, restaurant, and kayak rentals.
Whether you are studying a Jackson Lake map to plan your first visit or looking for a new launch point to explore a different section of the shoreline, this lake has enough variety to keep you coming back. From world-class bass fishing and scenic kayak paddling to lakeside dining with live music, Jackson Lake offers a complete outdoor experience within easy reach of Atlanta. Start your next trip at Bear Creek Marina, 60 Bear Creek Marina Road, Mansfield, GA 30055. Call (770) 787-9621 or visit the contact page to plan your visit.
