US FWS photo.
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.
Getting There . . .
US FWS photo.
Banks Lake NWR is located in Lanier County, one mile west of Lakeland, GA, along GA Hwy 122.
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.
