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For the largemouth bass herePiscifun AlinoX 300 low profile baitcaster34% OFFSale $104.99 $159.99
Flint River 151 mi
Photo: Michael Rivera, CC BY-SA 3.0 
Fulton County 24 mi
Photo: Scott Long, CC BY 3.0 
High Falls Lake 25 mi
Photo: StephenGA, CC0 1.0 
Stone Mountain Lake 31 mi
Photo: Thomson200, CC0 1.0
Georgia lakes
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J. W. Smith Reservoir Fishing
A 250-acre Georgia lake in Clayton County.
Pick for largemouth bassPiscifun Chaos Pro CNC baitcasting reel25% OFFSale $97.99 Photo of Flint River: Michael Rivera, CC BY-SA 4.0
Clayton County
First things to know about J. W. Smith Reservoir
J. W. Smith Reservoir is a Georgia lake of 250 acres located in Clayton County. For fuel and food, Woolsey sits about 4 miles off.
Species flagged for it by WRD include largemouth bass, channel catfish, black crappie, bluegill, redbreast sunfish and redear sunfish. There are 1 public boat ramp on it.
250acres
1public ramps
6species listed
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The J. W. Smith Reservoir species list
Every fish here is named for J. W. Smith Reservoir by a WRD source.
WRD Water Access Points species flags, WRD fishing forecast and WRD record lists; checked October 2026.
Access
Ramps that put trailers into J. W. Smith Reservoir
- J. W. Smith Reservoir Boat Ramp1 lane, fee, Clayton County Water Authority
More public ramps around J. W. Smith Reservoir
- Lake Horton ParkLake Horton Reservoir, 6 miles south
- Shamrock Reservoir Boat RampShamrock Reservoir, 6 miles northeast
- Blalock Reservoir Boat RampBlalock Reservoir, 8 miles northeast
- Heads Creek Reservoir Boat RampHeads Creek Reservoir, 9 miles south
- Lake Kedron Boat RampLake Kedron, 11 miles west
WRD Water Access Points layer and CRD coastal ramps, checked October 2026.
Regulations
Harvest rules for J. W. Smith 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 |
Nothing in the exceptions list mentions J. W. Smith Reservoir, 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.
Compare
Lakes near J. W. Smith Reservoir side by side
Of the lakes around J. W. Smith Reservoir, Lake Horton Reservoir is nearest (6 miles) and Lake Horton Reservoir is largest.
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Ramps | Type | Species listed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| J. W. Smith Reservoir | 250 | 1 | lake | 6 | |
| Lake Horton Reservoir | 6 miles south | 780 | 1 | lake | 6 |
| Shamrock Lake | 6 miles northeast | 68 | 1 | lake | 6 |
| Harbins Lake | 8 miles northeast | 260 | 1 | lake | 6 |
| Indian Lake | 9 miles northeast | 12 | 0 | lake | 3 |
| Heads Creek Reservoir | 9 miles south | 375 | 1 | lake | 5 |
WRD waterbodies, reservoirs and Water Access Points layers.
Nearby
Within reach of J. W. Smith Reservoir
Neighboring lakes to J. W. Smith Reservoir
- Lake Horton Reservoir6 miles south
- Shamrock Lake6 miles northeast
- Harbins Lake8 miles northeast
- Indian Lake9 miles northeast
- Heads Creek Reservoir9 miles south
Creeks and rivers around J. W. Smith Reservoir
- Towaliga River18 miles
- South River20 miles
- White Oak Creek22 miles
Bait and tackle stops near J. W. Smith Reservoir
- Bait Tacklebait and tackle shop, Jonesboro, 4 miles
- Academy Sports + Outdoors, 128-A Pavilion Pkwysporting goods store, Fayetteville, 6 miles
- Lucky's katfish Pondbait and tackle shop, jonesboro, 7 miles
- Blue Collarbait and tackle shop, Griffin, 7 miles
- Swints Feed Garden Supplybait and tackle shop, Jonesboro, 8 miles
- Lane's Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Jonesboro, 9 miles
Georgia towns handy to J. W. Smith Reservoir
- Woolsey4 miles
- Bonanza4 miles
- Lovejoy4 miles
Which counties share J. W. Smith Reservoir
- Clayton Countyseat: Jonesboro
Piscifun
Piscifun reels to rig up for J. W. Smith Reservoir
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In pictures
Scenes from the water around J. W. Smith Reservoir
Photo: Michael Rivera, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Scott Long, CC BY 3.0
Photo: StephenGA, CC0 1.0
Photo: Thomson200, CC0 1.0
Answers
J. W. Smith Reservoir in a few quick answers
Which Georgia town makes a handy base for J. W. Smith Reservoir?
Head for Clayton County, about 4 miles from Woolsey.
What size is J. W. Smith Reservoir on the state map?
Georgia data give 250 acres.
Where do I launch a boat on J. W. Smith Reservoir?
Try J. W. Smith Reservoir Boat Ramp, one of 1 public ramp.
Which fish do Georgia sources tie to J. W. Smith Reservoir?
Expect largemouth bass, channel catfish, black crappie, bluegill, redbreast sunfish and redear sunfish.
Are there exceptions to statewide limits on J. W. Smith Reservoir?
It follows the statewide rows, including 10 black bass and 30 crappie a day.
Is a trout license needed at J. W. Smith 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.
Is there a bait store close to J. W. Smith Reservoir?
Bait Tackle is the nearest at 4 miles.
Is there another lake near J. W. Smith Reservoir?
Lake Horton Reservoir sits 6 miles from it.
Circle a Saturday for J. W. Smith Reservoir
Read the posted rules and keep your license on you.