Hard Labor Creek Reservoir Fishing
A 1,370-acre Georgia lake in Walton County.
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Meet Hard Labor Creek Reservoir
Hard Labor Creek Reservoir spreads across 1,370 acres, all of it inside Walton County. A base in Rutledge keeps you about 5 miles from the shoreline.
WRD names largemouth bass, channel catfish, black crappie, bluegill and redear sunfish among its fish. You can choose from 1 public boat ramp.
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Fish below are the ones Georgia sources tie to Hard Labor Creek Reservoir.
WRD Water Access Points species flags, WRD fishing forecast and WRD record lists; checked October 2026.
Picking a ramp to start a Hard Labor Creek Reservoir day
- Hard Labor Creek Regional Reservoir Boat Ramp2 lanes, dock, restroom, fee, Walton/Oconee Conties
Backup launches for Hard Labor Creek Reservoir
- Hard Labor Creek State Park, Lake BrantleyLake Brantley, 2 miles southeast
- Hard Labor Creek State ParkLake Rutledge, 4 miles southeast
- Lake Varner Boat RampLake Varner, 10 miles west
WRD Water Access Points layer and CRD coastal ramps, checked October 2026.
Daily creel and length rules for Hard Labor Creek Reservoir
| 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 |
For Hard Labor Creek Reservoir the statewide numbers stand, since no exception is printed.
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.
Sizing up Hard Labor Creek Reservoir against close-by lakes
Nearest neighbor: Lake Brantley at 2 miles. Largest neighbor: Lake Varner.
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Ramps | Type | Species listed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hard Labor Creek Reservoir | 1,370 | 1 | lake | 5 | |
| Lake Brantley | 2 miles southeast | 45 | 1 | lake | 6 |
| Lake Rutledge | 4 miles southeast | 229 | 1 | lake | 8 |
| Lake Varner | 10 miles west | 850 | 1 | reservoir | 8 |
| Turner Lake | 15 miles southwest | 20 | 0 | lake | 6 |
| Crossroads Pond | 16 miles south | 2 | 1 | Public Fishing Area lake | 3 |
WRD waterbodies, reservoirs and Water Access Points layers.
Beside Hard Labor Creek Reservoir
More Georgia lakes close to Hard Labor Creek Reservoir
- Lake Brantley2 miles southeast
- Lake Rutledge4 miles southeast
- Lake Varner10 miles west
- Turner Lake15 miles southwest
- Crossroads Pond16 miles south
Streams a short drive from Hard Labor Creek Reservoir
- Little River, Putnam County10 miles
- Apalachee River13 miles
- Murder Creek19 miles
Tackle counters serving Hard Labor Creek Reservoir
- Timbuktu Outdoorsbait and tackle shop, Madison, 12 miles
- Classic City Marinas, 1150 Julian Drmarina, Watkinsville, 18 miles
- Sinclair Marina, 1150 Julian Drmarina, Watkinsville, 18 miles
- J J's Magicbait and tackle shop, Covington, 18 miles
- Sinclair Marina Classic City Marinas, 1229 Richmond Rdgmarina, Loganville, 18 miles
- Zoom Bait Co Incbait and tackle shop, Watkinsville, 19 miles
Towns that make a base for Hard Labor Creek Reservoir
- Rutledge5 miles
- Social Circle5 miles
- Good Hope7 miles
Counties around Hard Labor Creek Reservoir
- Walton Countyseat: Monroe
What to pack from Piscifun for Hard Labor Creek Reservoir
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Pictures from Georgia water near Hard Labor Creek Reservoir
Photo: Ashleylouisewilliams3408, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: StephenGA, CC0 1.0
Photo: Scott Long, CC BY 3.0
Photo: John Phelan, CC BY 4.0
Hard Labor Creek Reservoir, answered before you load the boat
Where in Georgia will I find Hard Labor Creek Reservoir?
It belongs to Walton County, about 5 miles from Rutledge.
What acreage does the state map give Hard Labor Creek Reservoir?
Roughly 1,370 acres.
Does Hard Labor Creek Reservoir have a public launch?
1 public ramp, among them Hard Labor Creek Regional Reservoir Boat Ramp.
What bites at Hard Labor Creek Reservoir?
WRD sources name largemouth bass, channel catfish, black crappie, bluegill and redear sunfish.
How many bass can I keep from Hard Labor Creek Reservoir?
Only statewide limits apply, for example 50 bream and 30 crappie a day.
Can a nonresident fish Hard Labor Creek Reservoir?
Georgia asks anglers 16 and older for a fishing license: $15 for residents and $50 for nonresidents, each good for 365 days from purchase.
Which listed tackle counter sits closest to Hard Labor Creek Reservoir?
Timbuktu Outdoors is around 12 miles from the water.
Which lake page lies nearest to Hard Labor Creek Reservoir?
The nearest is Lake Brantley, 2 miles off.
Put Hard Labor Creek Reservoir on the fishing calendar
Check the creel rules, then pick a ramp from the map.