Lake Varner Fishing
A 850-acre Georgia reservoir in Newton County and Walton County.
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Lake Varner: what to expect
Georgia mapping puts Lake Varner at 850 acres of water in Newton County and Walton County. Search for Lower Williams Lake and Varner Lake too; it is the same water. Measured in a straight line, Jersey lies about 3 miles from the lake. It appears in WRD Gateway to Fishing as Varner Lake.
Newton County Parks and Recreation is listed as the lake operator. Fish named for it include largemouth bass, hybrid striped bass, bluegill, black crappie, channel catfish and redbreast sunfish. Launching works from 1 public boat ramp. There are 1 pier or bank fishing site for fishing from land.
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Quoted below: the Georgia WRD forecast entry for Lake Varner.
“This 850-acre reservoir is about two miles northeast of Covington on Alcovy Road (Exit 92 off Interstate 20). The Newton County Parks and Recreation Department manages Lake Varner. Gasoline motors are not allowed on the lake.”
For Lake Varner the forecast picks Largemouth Bass, Crappie, and Hybrid Bass.
| Species | WRD prospect (quoted) |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Abundance and quality of largemouth bass have remained in the good to excellent range for the past few years. The most recent electrofishing survey indicates that about 1/4 of the fish are 16 inches or larger. In the spring and fall, Varner offers a great opportunity to catch a 5-plus-pound bass. |
| Hybrid Bass | Hybrid bass continue to be stocked annually to provide anglers with additional opportunities. Anglers can expect good numbers of fish in the 14 to 16-inch range, however, catches over 20 inches (6-8 pounds) are possible. |
| Bream | Bluegill and redear sunfish populations are in good condition. Expect good numbers of sunfish in the 5-8 inch range, with some catches around 10 inches (1/2 to 3/4 lbs). |
| Crappie | The black crappie population is in good condition. Anglers can expect the average size fish to be in the 7 to 9-inch range, however some larger (10-inch plus) fish are available. The best time to fish for crappie is in late fall and early spring, especially in the months of March and April. |
Georgia WRD fishing forecast for Lake Varner, updated February 19, 2026. Read the full forecast.
The fishery at Lake Varner
For Lake Varner, WRD access points, the forecast and record lists supply the fish below.
WRD Water Access Points species flags, WRD fishing forecast and WRD record lists; checked October 2026.
Boat ramps on Lake Varner
- Lake Varner Boat Ramp2 lanes, restroom, fee, Newton County
Casting from land around Lake Varner
- Lake Varnerfishing pier, Newton County
Ramps within a few miles of Lake Varner
- Hard Labor Creek Regional Reservoir Boat RampHard Labor Creek Reservoir, 10 miles east
- Randy Poynter Boat RampRandy Poynter, 10 miles northwest
- Hard Labor Creek State Park, Lake BrantleyLake Brantley, 11 miles east
- Hard Labor Creek State ParkLake Rutledge, 12 miles east
- Marben PFA, Greenhouse Boat RampGreenhouse, 15 miles south
- Marben PFA, Crossroads Boat RampCrossroads, 15 miles south
WRD Water Access Points layer and CRD coastal ramps, checked October 2026.
Keeper rules Georgia sets for Lake Varner
| 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 |
Statewide freshwater limits cover Lake Varner, which has no listed exception.
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.
Nearby lakes beside Lake Varner
Turner Lake sits 7 miles from Lake Varner; Hard Labor Creek Reservoir is the largest of the neighbors.
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Ramps | Type | Species listed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Varner | 850 | 1 | reservoir | 8 | |
| Turner Lake | 7 miles southwest | 20 | 0 | lake | 6 |
| Randy Poynter Lake | 9 miles northwest | 650 | 1 | reservoir | 7 |
| Hard Labor Creek Reservoir | 10 miles east | 1,370 | 1 | lake | 5 |
| Lake Brantley | 11 miles east | 45 | 1 | lake | 6 |
| Lake Rutledge | 12 miles east | 229 | 1 | lake | 8 |
WRD waterbodies, reservoirs and Water Access Points layers.
Short drives from Lake Varner
Georgia lakes in the same area as Lake Varner
- Turner Lake7 miles southwest
- Randy Poynter Lake9 miles northwest
- Hard Labor Creek Reservoir10 miles east
- Lake Brantley11 miles east
- Lake Rutledge12 miles east
Moving water near Lake Varner
- Little River, Putnam County12 miles
- Yellow River17 miles
- Apalachee River19 miles
Crickets, shiners and line near Lake Varner
- J J's Magicbait and tackle shop, Covington, 8 miles
- Academy Sports + Outdoors, 1448 Old Salem Rd.sporting goods store, Conyers, 12 miles
- Sinclair Marina, 1040 Turner St NEmarina, Conyers, 12 miles
- Sinclair Marina Classic City Marinas, 403 Rockingham Ctmarina, Loganville, 14 miles
- Sinclair Marina Classic City Marinas, 1229 Richmond Rdgmarina, Loganville, 15 miles
- Bear Creek Marinamarina, Mansfield, 17 miles
Places to stay close to Lake Varner
- Jersey3 miles
- Oxford5 miles
- Covington5 miles
County pages that include Lake Varner
- Newton Countyseat: Covington
- Walton Countyseat: Monroe
Piscifun tackle chosen with Lake Varner in mind
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Pictures of the fish at Lake Varner
Photo: Brian Gratwicke, CC BY 2.0
Photo: USFWS Mountain Prairie, Public domain
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Photo: Hellion102792, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, CC BY 2.0
Lake Varner: questions Georgia anglers send in
Which Georgia county is Lake Varner in?
Georgia county lines put it in Newton County and Walton County, about 3 miles from Jersey.
What acreage does Georgia list for Lake Varner?
850 acres.
Can a trailered boat get onto Lake Varner from a public ramp?
1 public ramp; Lake Varner Boat Ramp has the most lanes.
Is Lake Varner good for bass?
Look for largemouth bass, hybrid striped bass, bluegill, black crappie, channel catfish, redbreast sunfish and redear sunfish.
What size limits apply at Lake Varner?
Use the statewide table: 10 black bass, a 12-inch largemouth minimum and 30 crappie.
What would a Georgia license for Lake Varner run me?
Georgia asks anglers 16 and older for a fishing license: $15 for residents and $50 for nonresidents, each good for 365 days from purchase.
Where do I pick up bait on the road to Lake Varner?
Closest on our list: J J's Magic at 8 miles.
What is the nearest lake page to Lake Varner?
Turner Lake at roughly 7 miles.
What do biologists recommend on Lake Varner?
The WRD forecast lists Largemouth Bass, Crappie, and Hybrid Bass.
Hook up the trailer and head for Lake Varner
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