Public Fishing Available at the HCWA Tussahaw and Upper Towaliga Reservoirs Fishing season runs from March thru November

 (McDonough, GA – March 4, 2026) With Daylight Saving Time beginning Sunday (March 8) and the first day of Spring on the horizon, now is the time for Henry County anglers to enjoy public fishing on two select Henry County Water Authority (HCWA) reservoirs this year.
   
The public fishing season at the HCWA is underway, as the Tussahaw and Lower Towaliga Reservoirs are open for business on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. (during Daylight Saving Time), now thru the end of November. These reservoirs offer fishing, boating (with electric/trolling motors), canoeing, or kayaking, in addition to other amenities available at the Tusshaw public use area.
    
According to Authority officials, there are 1,415 active HCWA permit holders currently. The Authority’s reservoirs are a popular destination for local anglers because they adhere to stricter regulations than recreational lakes, as raw water sources for drinking water production.
    
To fish these two reservoirs, anglers must have an active HCWA reservoir use permit, which are available to Authority customers, Henry County residents or property owners. Permits can be purchased at the customer service counter or drive thru windows, which are open until 6:00 p.m. thru the end of May, during business hours at the Authority’s headquarters, located at 1695 Highway 20 W. in McDonough. Permits also can be purchased online via the Authority’s website at https://henrycountywaterauthority.rja.revize.com/forms/10313.
    
A one-year HCWA reservoir use permit costs $50, or a two-year permit is available for $85. Permits also are offered at a discount ($25 for one year or $45 for two years) to seniors, veterans, and citizens with disabilities. All HCWA reservoir use permits are valid for the entire calendar year(s) from the date of purchase, and permit holders can bring a guest for free.
    
Permit holders must sign a waiver and adhere to all rules of the HCWA and Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) governing the use of the Authority’s reservoirs, which are public waters of the state. Anglers also must have an active Georgia Fishing License.
    
The HCWA owns and manages five reservoirs to supply safe drinking water for approximately 70,000 metered accounts.
   
Anglers and guests can access the Tussahaw Reservoir at the public use area referred to as “Tussahaw Island,” which is located at the end of Collins Way, off Peeksville Road. (Note: there is no public access to the Tussahaw Reservoir at the Tussahaw Water Treatment Plant.) Tussahaw Island features a dock accessible for citizens with disabilities, a walking trail, outdoor pavilion and restrooms, as well as a life jacket (free rental) station.
    
Public access to the Upper Towaliga Reservoir boat ramp is at 350 Hunter Road, off Weems Road, from Hampton-Locust Grove Road.
    
The HCWA Cubihatcha Outdoor Education Center and Land Management staff oversees the operation of public fishing on HCWA reservoirs. The Authority staff reserves the right to close the reservoirs on a particular fishing day due to maintenance, severe weather, or other extenuating circumstances.

Cubihatcha Outdoor Education Center to open on Saturdays this Spring
    
In addition to offering the public access to the Tussahaw and Upper Towaliga Reservoirs, the HCWA is extending its operating hours at the Cubihatcha Center to include Saturdays this Spring. Beginning on March 7, and continuing thru May 30, the Cubihatcha Center, located at 100 Collins Road in Locust Grove, will be open to the public on Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Guests can enjoy free access to three walking/hiking trails, bird watching, a picnic in one of 10 outdoor pavilions, and more.
Cubihatcha Kids Fishing Day is Saturday May 2
    
The public also is invited to this year’s Cubihatcha Kids Fishing Day, which will be held on Saturday May 2. Kids from 3 to 17 years old will compete for prizes given to the biggest catches of the day. This fifth annual event is free and offers a unique opportunity to fish a stocked HCWA Long Branch Reservoir, which is adjacent to the Cubihatcha Center.
    
For more information on public fishing and access to these reservoirs, please visit the HCWA website at https://www.hcwa.com/community_outreach/fishing_information.php.



This year’s HCWA public fishing season at the Tussahaw and Upper Towaliga Reservoirs runs from now thru the end of November. The fifth annual Cubihatcha Kids Fishing Day, scheduled for Saturday May 2, is a highlight of this year’s fishing season.






The HCWA Cubihatcha Center in Locust Grove will be open on Saturdays (March 7 – May 30) this Spring, from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., when the public can access walking/hiking trails (pictured) and more.