Thanks to the wide variety of lakes available in DeKalb County, residents have a wide variety of places to cast their lines in hopes of catching the big one.

Tucker resident Quinnten Griffin travels to Henderson Park in Tucker almost daily with these hopes in mind.

“It’s the cheapest therapy money can buy,” Griffin said.

“The fishing is excellent some days and poor the next,” he joked.

Avondale Lake, Stone Mountain Park, Kelley Cofer Park in Tucker, and Pine Lake in the city of Pine Lake are among the locations available for anglers in DeKalb.

Henderson Park’s lake is filled with bass, bream, channel catfish and crappie and is located one mile north of Tucker on Livsey Road, off Chamblee-Tucker Road.

Griffin said he has been going to the park almost daily since he moved from New Orleans to Tucker six years ago.

“Fishing is in me,” Griffin said. “My grandfather used to take me and my siblings down to the bayou and fish, and that is really where my love for fishing began.

“My son Judah hasn’t really started fishing yet, but when he is old enough I will most definitely be looking to teach him how to do it,” Griffin added.

Like Griffin, DeKalb native John Furlow has been fishing all his life.

Recently, Furlow began fishing at Murphey Candler Park in north DeKalb. He said he believes it is one of the best spots in the county for the sport.

“The first time I casted out, I caught a fish,” Furlow said.

“Fishing takes me to a place in my mind that is sincere and unspoiled. Sometimes, I stay out here all day long.”

Furlow, a graduate of Shamrock High School, said the most fish he has ever caught in a day at the park was 23.

“You really have a lot to think about when you are fishing. You have to be patient and lucky at the same time.”

Brothers and DeKalb residents Kai and Steven Chen decided to try something new and fishing at Murphey Candler Park was the first thing that came to their minds.

“It is a very quiet and relaxing activity,” Kai said.

“This is something I can see myself doing much more, especially with great weather,” he added.

The lake at Murphey Candler Park is filled with everything from bass to channel catfish and is located on West Nancy Creek Road off Ashford Dunwoody Road.