Atlanta's fishing scene could soar to epic new heights - and become legal in public parks - with new proposal

• Joeff Davis/CL File
• Piedmont Park's Lake Clara Meer.

Get your reels and tackle boxes ready, Atlanta anglers. A brand new era of luring fish onto hooks for fun in the city's parks may soon be upon us.

The Atlanta City Council is looking at a new ordinance that would allow recreational fishing in its parks. You're the probably wondering right now: Wait, wasn't that already legal? Residents have been casting their reels in Piedmont Park's Lake Clara Meer and other ponds for a long time. But, no, current city laws prevent fishermen and women from throwing their lines into Atlanta's bodies of waters.

That law was rarely enforced for years until the Atlanta Police Department's Path Force, the new unit that consists of more than a dozen officers responsible for patrolling the Atlanta Beltline and adjoining parks, ruined all the fun by doing their jobs and trying to give people tickets. Since then, APD has only doled out warnings at the request of the city's parks and recreation department.

"This proposal will allow us to stop writing tickets to people fishing in Piedmont Park," Department of Parks and Recreation Commissioner George Dusenbury says.

Dusenbury says that fishing in public parks is a common practice in many other cities across the country. This proposal, he says, would allow anglers to sadly watch their bobbers float in waters at Piedmont Park, Adams Park, and several smaller ponds throughout Atlanta. Fishing would still be illegal at Historic Fourth Ward Park and Dean Rusk Park because they're technically storm water retention ponds.

Councilman Andre Dickens, who chairs the Community Development and Human Resources committee, where the ordinance heads next week, thinks the proposal could bring more people "in touch with nature."

"It could be something cool." Dickens says. "If done right, it could be a great place for family outings, hanging out, or spending time outdoors."

But several questions must be answered before Atlanta's golden age of fishing begins: Do people need licenses? Will more people try to keep fish caught in city ponds instead of releasing them? Are there any additional financial costs or environment concerns?

Fishing enthusiasts, Dusenbury says, would be required to obtain a fishing license, follow state laws outlined by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, and release their catches. DPR would also actively monitor the waters for any potential environmental concerns that could arise. Ultimately, he thinks the legalization of recreation fishing could attract more people to the city's parks.

If the ordinance passes through committee next week, it'll head before the entire Council for approval.