Directions to Refuge

 Regulations - Boating and Fishing

 Reviewers of the Draft Environmental Assessment on Submerged Aquatic Plant Management of Banks Lake

 Environmental Assessment Submerged Aquatic Plant Management of Banks Lake

 Comprehensive Conservation
Planning (CCP)

Refuge Facts

• Established: 1985.
• Size: 3,559 acres (1,459 acres of cypress swamp,1,000 acres of marsh, 900 acres of open water, and scattered hardwood swamp, pine forest and other upland areas).
• Located in Lanier County, GA.
• Location: western half of Lanier Co. in southern Georgia, 2 miles west of Lakeland, GA along State Highway 122.
• Administered under Okefenokee NWR.

Natural History:

• Banks Lake is a natural Pocosin or Mill Pond probably created by tidal action of the ocean and shaped by a more temperate climate thousands of years ago.
• In the mid-1800’s, Joshua Lee built a low-level dam across the drainage creek on his property and utilized the impounded running water to power a grist mill to grind corn, wheat, and rice. The impounded lake and accompanying mill established the area as a trade center along the early stagecoach route between Waycross and Thomasville, GA.
• In the 1920’s, the E.D. Rivers family attempted to develop the area around the lake for electric power and home development.
• In the 1970’s , the E.D. Rivers Estate threatened to drain the lake and harvest the “lightered stumps” and cypress trees.
• The Nature Conservancy purchased the land from the E.D. Rivers Estate on March 14, 1980.
• In April, 1980, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service entered into a lease agreement with The Nature Conservancy for management and operation of Banks Lake.
• On February 22, 1985, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service purchased Banks Lake from The Nature Conservancy.

Financial Impact of Refuge:

• This refuge has no operational budget. Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge supplies all of the manpower and supplies. Any costs incurred are paid out of Okefenokee funds.
• Public use at the refuge is estimated at 20,000 visitors per year.

Refuge Objectives:

• To provide optimum habitat for a wide diversity of native fauna and flora.
• To provide optimum habitat and protection for endangered and threatened species.
• To provide opportunities for fish and wildlife-oriented recreation, interpretation, and environmental education.
• To provide a showcase outdoor recreational opportunity for the physically challenged.
• To provide quality (trophy) fishing opportunities through a naturally sustaining sport fishery.

Management Tools:

• Spraying and periodic lake draw downs to control noxious weed growth.
• Law enforcement.

Public Use Opportunities:

• Trails (hiking and boating).
• Fishing (freshwater).
• Wildlife observation.
• Photography.
• Canoeing and Kayaking

Special Event:

First Saturday in June - Banks Lake NWR Youth Fishing Derby Show off your fishing skills! Have fun in a Fishing Derby for children age 3 – 15 and a CastingKids clinic and competition. Attend a knot tying demonstration and discover which knots are best for different test lines. Find out how folks “grunt worms” for bait. Bring a plain t-shirt and get free fish art to wear home. Take home free fishing information and fun gifts.

Environmental Education:

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are working with Lanier County Community Leaders to develop Environmental Education (EE) initiatives that would bring both Banks Lake NWR and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Grand Bay Wetland Education Center into partnership. The Goals of this EE partnership will be two-fold:

• The development of curriculum bassed EE programs, volunteers and local educators will lead EE fieldtrips to Banks Lake NWR
• The Lanier County School System could utilize Banks Lake NWR as an outdoor classroom, instead of traveling to Lowndes County.

Banks Lake Outpost Concession:

Banks Lake Outpost offers canoe/kayak rentals, a selection of snacks, bait and fishing tackle, and a gift shop. Opening times vary throughout the season. Contact Banks Lake Outpost for more information at 229-482-3453.

Questions and Answers:

What kind of fish can I catch?

Sportfish most caught include largemouth bass, chain pickerel, crappie, bluegill, warmouth perch, flier, and catfish.

During 2005 and 2006, we significantly reduced the dense mats of water hyacinth (an introduced, noxious weed) by treating infected areas with an approved herbicide. Periodic winter draw downs may be required in the future if this approach does prove to be a cost effective method.

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