Banks Lake Fishing
A 1,000-acre Georgia lake in Lanier County.
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First things to know about Banks Lake
Banks Lake is a Georgia lake of 1,000 acres located in Lanier County. For fuel and food, Lakeland sits about 2 miles off.
Species flagged for it by WRD include largemouth bass, brown bullhead, black crappie, bluegill, warmouth and chain pickerel. There are 1 public boat ramp on it. Land-based anglers can use 1 pier or bank fishing site.
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Every fish here is named for Banks Lake by a WRD source.
WRD Water Access Points species flags, WRD fishing forecast and WRD record lists; checked October 2026.
Ramps that put trailers into Banks Lake
- Banks Lake Boat Ramp2 lanes, restroom, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Walk-up fishing spots at Banks Lake
- Banks Lakefishing pier, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
More public ramps around Banks Lake
- Lake Irma Boat RampLake Irma, 2 miles northeast
- Lakeland Boat RampAlapaha River, 4 miles east
- Grand Bay WMA Boat Ramp on Wetland near Valdosta 2Wetland, 8 miles southwest
- Grand Bay WMA Boat Ramp on Wetland near Valdosta 1Wetland, 8 miles southwest
- Berrien BeachAlapaha River, 10 miles north
WRD Water Access Points layer and CRD coastal ramps, checked October 2026.
Harvest rules for Banks Lake
| Species | Daily limit and size | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Black bass (all species combined) | 10 in total, only 5 of which may be Altamaha, Bartrams, Chattahoochee, Coosa, Shoal, Smallmouth, Suwannee, Tallapoosa | Open all year |
| Largemouth bass | Counts toward 10 black bass total; minimum length 12 inches statewide (exceptions on listed lakes and PFAs) | Open all year |
| Spotted bass | Counts toward 10 black bass total; no statewide minimum length (14 inches on Lake Lanier) | Open all year |
| Shoal bass | Counts toward 10 black bass total (only 5 may be shoal and other listed bass); minimum length 15 inches statewide (Flint River below Warwick Dam slot) | Open all year |
| Smallmouth bass | Counts toward 10 black bass total; only 5 of the 10 may be smallmouth and other listed bass; no minimum length | Open all year |
| Striped, white and hybrid bass | 15 in total, only two of which can be 22 inches or longer | Open all year |
| Crappie | 30 | Open all year |
| Bream (sunfish) | 50 in total | Open all year |
| Catfish | No limit | Open all year |
| Walleye | 8 | Open all year |
| Pickerel | 15 | Open all year |
| American and hickory shad | 8 | Open all year |
Nothing in the exceptions list mentions Banks Lake, so use the statewide limits.
Georgia asks anglers 16 and older for a fishing license: $15 for residents and $50 for nonresidents, each good for 365 days from purchase.
2026-2027 Georgia Hunting and Fishing Regulations, effective July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027; checked October 2026.
Lakes near Banks Lake side by side
Of the lakes around Banks Lake, Lake Irma is nearest (2 miles) and Reed Bingham Park Lake is largest.
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Ramps | Type | Species listed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Banks Lake | 1,000 | 1 | lake | 8 | |
| Lake Irma | 2 miles northeast | 12 | 1 | lake | 8 |
| Reed Bingham Park Lake | 28 miles west | 375 | 2 | lake | 13 |
| Lake Charles | 29 miles northwest | 5 | 0 | Public Fishing Area lake | 0 |
| Lake Russell, Berrien County | 29 miles northwest | 28 | 1 | Public Fishing Area lake | 7 |
| Lake Beaver | 29 miles northwest | 15 | 1 | Public Fishing Area lake | 7 |
WRD waterbodies, reservoirs and Water Access Points layers.
Within reach of Banks Lake
Neighboring lakes to Banks Lake
- Lake Irma2 miles northeast
- Reed Bingham Park Lake28 miles west
- Lake Charles29 miles northwest
- Lake Russell, Berrien County29 miles northwest
- Lake Beaver29 miles northwest
Creeks and rivers around Banks Lake
- Alapaha River18 miles
- Little River, Cook County20 miles
- Willacoochee River25 miles
Bait and tackle stops near Banks Lake
- Sirmans Hardwarebait and tackle shop, Lakeland, 2 miles
- Meme's Wormsbait and tackle shop, Valdosta, 11 miles
- Fisherman's Paradisebait and tackle shop, Valdosta, 16 miles
- Shans Bait and Tacklebait and tackle shop, Valdosta, 17 miles
- Academy Sports + Outdoors, 455 Norman Drsporting goods store, Valdosta, 19 miles
- Gander Mountain, 278 Norman Drbait and tackle shop, Valdosta, 19 miles
Georgia towns handy to Banks Lake
- Lakeland2 miles
- Ray City6 miles
- Moody AFB7 miles
Which counties share Banks Lake
- Lanier Countyseat: Lakeland
Piscifun reels to rig up for Banks Lake
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Scenes from the water around Banks Lake
Photo: Ebyabe, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Ebyabe, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Michael Rivera, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Michael Rivera, CC BY-SA 4.0
Banks Lake in a few quick answers
Which Georgia town makes a handy base for Banks Lake?
Head for Lanier County, about 2 miles from Lakeland.
What size is Banks Lake on the state map?
Georgia data give 1,000 acres.
Where do I launch a boat on Banks Lake?
Try Banks Lake Boat Ramp, one of 1 public ramp.
Which fish do Georgia sources tie to Banks Lake?
Expect largemouth bass, brown bullhead, black crappie, bluegill, warmouth, chain pickerel and longnose gar.
Are there exceptions to statewide limits on Banks Lake?
It follows the statewide rows, including 10 black bass and 30 crappie a day.
Is a trout license needed at Banks Lake?
Georgia asks anglers 16 and older for a fishing license: $15 for residents and $50 for nonresidents, each good for 365 days from purchase.
Is there a bait store close to Banks Lake?
Sirmans Hardware is the nearest at 2 miles.
Is there another lake near Banks Lake?
Lake Irma sits 2 miles from it.
Circle a Saturday for Banks Lake
Read the posted rules and keep your license on you.