Fishing and boating are year-round activities at the Big Canoe mountain resort blessed with three pristine mountain lakes—Lake Petit, Lake Sconti and Lake Disharoon. The largest of the three, Lake Petit, is 110 acres and reaches down to a depth of over 90 feet, and it is where most of the water activities occur. The Lake was created in the early 1970’s and its contents are contained by the second largest earthen dam in the state of Georgia. The structure and integrity of the dam are checked regularly by the State.
Lake Petit is spring-fed, so the water temperature is quite cool, but is ideal for the mountain trout and bass, and comfortable enough for swimming and paddle-boarding throughout the summer and into late fall. Speaking of fish, Lake Petit is regularly stocked with Rainbow Trout, Bass, Crappie and Bream. The Big Canoe Property Owners Association instituted a long-range program to stimulate food for the fish, resulting in healthier and larger fish for the angler. It is not unusual for “fisher-people” to return to shore with a prize trout or bass weighing two pounds or more! The daily limit is four Rainbow Trout, and catch and release of fish are prohibited. Property owners and their guests, registered rental guests and employees who have obtained the proper fishing permits are allowed to fish in Lake Petit and Lake Sconti. Fishing permits are issued on a daily, weekly or annual basis.
The annual Big Canoe POA’s “Hook a Kid on Fishing” summer event has steadily grown in popularity over the ten years since it was introduced, and the recent Tournament attracted 100 young fishermen and fisherwomen to the banks of Lake Petit, surrounded by Big Canoe mountain homes. The ultimate challenge for contestants is to hook an elusive trout, fondly known as Petit Pete. Thus far, he has managed to avoid being captured, but a good number of Pete’s scaly trout cousins find themselves on the business end of the anglers’ poles.
The fishing tournament has no age limit, it’s up to the parents and grandparents to decide whether their youngsters would enjoy the event. Contestants are divided into groups by age, and the youngest ones are allowed some assistance from mom and dad, but they have to bait the hook themselves. Fishing is permitted only from the shore along the dam, and fishing from boats or kayaks or from the Marina is not allowed for the contest. Anglers who snag a fish of any size will be awarded a medal, and prizes are given in each age category for the largest fish caught and for the most fish pulled in. Last year’s grand prize for the largest fish went to a threesome who worked together as a team to land a 1 pound, 15 ounce bass.
The annual Big Canoe POA’s “Hook a Kid on Fishing” summer event has steadily grown in popularity over the ten years since it was introduced, and the recent Tournament attracted 100 young fishermen and fisherwomen to the banks of Lake Petit, surrounded by Big Canoe mountain homes. The ultimate challenge for contestants is to hook an elusive trout, fondly known as Petit Pete. Thus far, he has managed to avoid being captured, but a good number of Pete’s scaly trout cousins find themselves on the business end of the anglers’ poles.
The fishing tournament has no age limit, it’s up to the parents and grandparents to decide whether their youngsters would enjoy the event. Contestants are divided into groups by age, and the youngest ones are allowed some assistance from mom and dad, but they have to bait the hook themselves. Fishing is permitted only from the shore along the dam, and fishing from boats or kayaks or from the Marina is not allowed for the contest. Anglers who snag a fish of any size will be awarded a medal, and prizes are given in each age category for the largest fish caught and for the most fish pulled in. Last year’s grand prize for the largest fish went to a threesome who worked together as a team to land a 1 pound, 15 ounce bass.
