Justin, life-long fisherman enjoying his time at Piedmont Park

“It was a fighter, a battler — when it hit my jerk bait, there was a feeling this was a special fish; unforgettable as it jumped out of the water, my biggest catch," said 32-year-old Justin, a lifelong fisherman. “Who could have imagined a 7-pound largemouth bass was lurking in Piedmont Park?”

Standing near the medical supply employee on his lunch hour, with the expansive Midtown skyline in front of us, I laughed, “It’s not that I don’t believe you, but as a reporter: a champion bass here at Lake Clara Meer? Show me?”

“Check it out!” Justin said, clutching a fishing rod in one hand and a cellphone in the other. “It’s always calming here, but this fish was memorable, we took the photo, then released him back into the water."

Bass fish Justin caught at Piedmont Park

Lake Clara Meer is 138 years old, manmade. It was first fed by a spring, then enlarged in 1895 for the Cotton States Exhibition. The lake is surprisingly deep: 38 feet with a mean depth just under 15 feet.

For the first time in 25 years, a renovation looms: The Piedmont Park Conservancy is looking for public input on the future of the beloved greenspace with the expansive lake.

“Here is my advice for the Conservancy,” offered fishermen Justin. “Clean up the water, keep stocking with a variety of fish.”

The lake offers catfish, bluegill, bream and bass.

“A lot people come up to me and say they didn’t know you can fish here. It’s a fantastic place for families to come and fishing could be a big draw, host events, promote the water, let the people know just how great it is here with a rod and reel,” said Justin, casting and reeling in his jerk bait lure.

Justin, long-time fisherman, enjoying some fishing at Piedmont Park

Online, locals write of the fishing pleasure provided by Piedmont Park:

“It’s great, all you need is shade, and be prepared to talk to other fishermen.”

“We fish there all the time! There are plenty bluegill!”

Wide shot of Piedmont Park in Atlanta, Ga.

Piedmont Park has millions of visitors a year; its importance in the city has grown as has Atlanta. So many events, celebrations and activities — but 🎣 fishing?

Who knew?

“I discovered the lake two years ago, and have been using my fishing rods here often, it’s been great to discover, very calming,” Justin told me. “I have to get back to work.”

On this warm winter day, the fish not biting for Justin and the famous line from Ernest Hemingway’s Old Man and the Sea comes to mind, “My big fish must be somewhere.”