Fort Yargo Camp n Paddle – 2026
Spend a weekend chasing lake bass and panfish at Fort Yargo State Park, home to a 260‑acre lake near Winder, Georgia that offers ample room for paddling, fishing, and exploring from your kayak. This Camp n Paddle is a relaxed, non‑competitive gathering focused on camping, kayak fishing, and skills sharing, making it a great fit for both newer paddlers and experienced anglers looking for a fun, social weekend on the water.
Fort Yargo’s Marbury Creek Reservoir holds largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and other bream, channel catfish, and carp, giving anglers plenty of options whether they prefer power fishing, finesse tactics, or steady action on light tackle. Productive areas include the old creek channel, rocky points, wood cover in coves, and the deeper water around bridges and fishing piers where crappie, catfish, and carp often stack up. With a 10‑horsepower limit and good paddling access from multiple ramps, the lake is especially friendly to kayaks and small craft.
Throughout the weekend, participants can focus on patterning bass along structure, dialing in crappie around deeper channels and bridge pilings, and working shoreline cover for bluegill and other panfish. As with all Georgia Kayak Fishing events, safety comes first: life jackets are required at all times on the water, and paddlers are expected to follow Georgia boating regulations and park rules while enjoying the lake. Event leaders and experienced members will be available to talk tackle, electronics, and lake strategy, and to help newer kayak anglers get comfortable launching, landing, and fishing from their boats.
The Fort Yargo Camp n Paddle runs Friday through Sunday, giving you time to set up camp, fish morning and evening sessions, and still enjoy the park’s trails and lakeside amenities between bites. Saturday night features a shared group meal and time around camp to swap stories, compare patterns, and plan future trips with fellow GKF members. Because Fort Yargo is a popular state park with cabins, yurts, and camping that often book in advance, participants are encouraged to secure their sites early and review current park fishing and boating guidelines before arrival.
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