Banks Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Southeast Region
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Welcome to Banks Lake NWR

Credit: USFWS

Bird image. Credit: USFWS

Banks Lake National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) is located in Lanier County, near Lakeland, GA, as part of a much larger blackwater system. The refuge was established in 1985 for the protection and conservation of this unique environment as well as migratory and resident wildlife. Banks Lake is natural pocosin or sink of ancient geologic origin.

The refuge contains a variety of habitat types including 1,500 acres of marsh, 1,549 acres of cypress swamp, and 1,000 acres of open water.

Facilities at Banks Lake NWR include restrooms, boat ramp, short walking trail, boardwalk and platform, and accessible fishing dock.

 

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has issued a prospectus for proposals for the Banks Lake Concession Contract. The current contract expires October 31, 2012. For more information see the Public Notice.

 

Getting There . . .

Credit: USFWS

Credit: USFWS

Banks Lake NWR is located in Lanier County, one mile west of Lakeland, GA, along GA Hwy 122.

Get Google map and directions to this refuge/WMD from a specified address: Your full starting address AND town and state OR zip code

Get Google map and directions to this refuge/WMD from a specified address:

Your full starting address AND town and state OR zip code


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NOTE: When using this feature, you will be leaving the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service domain. We do not control the content or policies of the site you are about to visit. You should always check site policies before providing personal information or reusing content.

These driving directions are provided as a general guide only. No representation is made or warranty given as to their content, road conditions or route usability or expeditiousness. User assumes all risk of use.

 

Management Activities

Management of the lake focuses on working cooperatively with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to promote and maintain a healthy fishery and providing opportunities for appropriate recreational uses by maintaining a boat ramp, dock, boardwalk and other facilities. A cooperative partnership involving the FWS, GA DNR, The Nature Conservancy, and Moody Airforce base has focused on developing a Management Plan that benefit the entire Grand Bay - Banks Lake Ecosystem.

Banks Lake NWR is neither funded nor staffed as a refuge. All work is done by staff and volunteers from Okefenokee NWR, 125 miles away.

 

Hours of Operation

Banks Lake NWR -- Open 24 hours daily
Banks Lake Outpost -- call 229-482-3453 for current times.

 
Last updated: August 9, 2012