Getting Yourself Prepared for a Georgia Fishing Trip

Yet, before you load up the fishing boat and make way for the great state of Georgia for a fishing trip, there are some things you might want to consider before you go.  First, although it is certainly a perk in many ways, are you truly ready for the climate of Georgia?  If you’re from the Georgia area, the climate is not a problem.  If you’re from a less humid climate, on the other hand, you may find Georgia a bit difficult to handle.  Be prepared with the appropriate clothing and don’t forget your sunscreen and beverages.

Also, if you’re unfamiliar with the roads of Georgia, you might want to spend some time looking over maps so you can locate the preferred boat ramps and avoid getting lost.  Finally, do some research on the types of forage food plentiful in the particular Georgia lake you plan to visit.  This way you can choose lures that imitate the forage food available to the species you’re targeting.  After all, you might be used to flipping jigs over grass beds on your favorite lake at home, but the lake you’ve picked in Georgia might have very little floating vegetation available to fish.  It really pays off to find out what types of cover and structure the lake offers for the fisherman beforehand.  Lastly, go out and purchase a quality map of the lake you’ll be traveling to.  This way you can familiarize yourself with the lake and locate fishing areas that you’ll want to fish when you arrive.    

Enjoying the Georgia Fishing Tradition

Bass fishing in Georgia is more than just your typical bass fishing state.  The people of Georgia have a long history and a proud tradition of bass fishing, and it should be of no surprise since Georgia supplies its residents with thirteen publicly accessible reservoirs and countless ponds and watersheds to fish. This immense amount of fishable bass water is the reason so many bass fisherman visit the state.  So, when you go to Georgia on a fishing trip, you might want to take the time to plan for full days on the lake as you stretch your line in the warm waters of a fine Georgia lake.  Some of the outstanding lakes you can visit for your Georgia fishing trip include:

Lake Allatoona

Allatoona Lake is a heavily used boating and angling lake located 30 miles north of Atlanta. The area offers fishermen numerous opportunities in terms of locations to fish and fish species.  Convenient boat ramps, day use areas and campgrounds are situated around Allatoona (Lake Map).

Allatoona Lake is approximately 11 miles long with 12,010 acres and 270 miles of shoreline. Shoreline fishing locations are numerous with many areas offering fishing jetties. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources annually restocks the lake through their fish stocking program. Along with native fish found in the lake, this provides a wide variety for anglers.  Fish species include bass (largemouth, hybrid, stripped, spotted, and white), crappie, bream (bluegill, redbreast and redear sunfish), gar and catfish. 

In 2002, the Fish Habitat Improvement Program was created through a joint effort between the Corps of Engineers, Georgia DNR, local businesses, volunteers and anglers. The fruits of these efforts have been obvious around the lake since that time. Expanded projects in 2007 and others planned for 2008 will further expand the fishing opportunities at Allatoona Lake.

Lake Blue Ridge

The deep clear waters of Lake Blue Ridge and its thriving population of Smallmouth Bass make it Reel Job Fishing’s primary choice for guided lake trips.  The 3,290-acre Lake and surrounding area boast over 90 national forest campsites, several boat ramps, a full-service marina and public swimming and picnic areas. 80 percent of the shoreline on Lake Blue Ridge is in the Chattahoochee National Forest, managed by the USDA Forest Service.

Lake Blue Ridge is the southern most lake in the United States that maintains a healthy Smallmouth Bass and Walleye population.  It is not uncommon to catch Smallmouth Bass up to 4 pounds while 5 pound fish have been landed.  Other species targeted are Largemouth Bass, Spotted Bass, White Bass, and Bream.

Reel Job Fishing offers guided fly fishing & conventional fishing trips.  Although our primary tackle used is conventional gear we welcome fly fisherman especially during the spring.  However, clients need to understand that their casting level will significantly determine their success rate.  If you know how to double haul and you consider yourself an advanced caster you’ll be fine.  Our trolling motor is equipped with a wireless foot pad so you can have the bow to yourself.  (Lake Map )

Carters Lake

Carters lake offers fishermen diverse opportunities in terms of locations to fish and fish species.  In addition to Carters Lake, anglers can fish the re-regulation pool or Coosawattee River.

Carters Lake is approximately 11 miles long with 3200 acres and 62 miles of shoreline. Shoreline fishing locations are limited due to steep shoreline terrain. Boaters can access the lake via six boat ramps. Deep clear water and a rocky shoreline characterize Carters Lake.

The re-regulation pool or lower lake is located below Carters Lake and can be accessed from a boat ramp near the Carters Powerhouse off Old Hwy 411.  Re-regulation pool conditions (water depth and surface acres) fluctuate based on powerhouse discharge.  Fishing on the lower lake is peaceful and few PWC's or pleasure boats operate on the shallow waters.  Limited shoreline fishing opportunities also exist on the lower lake. 

Swift water fishing in the Coosawattee River can be found below the re-regulation dam.  Two concrete fishing decks have been constructed along the river accessible from Old Hwy 411.  Picnic tables, a hiking trail and bathrooms are also provided at the downstream fishing areas.   A handicapped accessible ramp is provided on the south side fishing area.    

An active fish stocking program by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources along with native fish found in the lake provide diversity for anglers.  Fish species include bass (largemouth, smallmouth, hybrid, stripped, spotted) crappie, walleye, bream and catfish. (Lake Map )

Clarks Hill Lake

Clarks Hill Lake (J. Strom Thurmond Lake) is the largest U.S. Army Corps of Engineers project east of the Mississippi River and one of the largest inland bodies of water in the South.

Clarks Hill Lake, which is nestled on the Georgia and South Carolina border, stretches 39 miles up the Savannah River, 26 miles up the Little River in Georgia, and 10 miles up Little River in South Carolina.

Mixed stands of hardwoods and pine trees cover the reservoir’s irregular 1200-mile shoreline. More than 250 islands, created when the lake was filled, jut above its surface and provide homes for a diversity of plants and wildlife, including some endangered species. It is a paradise for nature lovers and a fisherman’s dream, filled with stripers and many other varieties of fish and wildlife.

Lake Chatuge

Lake Chatuge was created in 1942 when the Tennessee Valley Authority finished construction on a 2950 foot earth-fill type dam across the Hiawassee River. Originally for the purpose of flood control and to bring affordable electrical power to the area, the unsurpassed beauty of the lake that was created has an allure all its own. Visitors and residents enjoy leisurely strolls along the dam witha spectacular view of the "Jewel of the Mountains," and an abundance of scenic coves along the 133 mile shoreline are great for fishing, swimming, boating, camping and water sports. Lake Chatuge (pronounced Sha Toog) encompasses about 7200 acres, 3700 of which lie in Clay County. The Weir, just north of the dam, offers picnic tables and a launch for canoes and tubes for a trip on the Hiawassee River to a take out area near Fires Creek Wildlife Management Area. There are three public boat ramps on the NC portion of Lake Chatuge: Jackrabbit Mountain Campground, off Hwy 175; Gibson Cove Campground, off Myers Chapel Road; and Ledford Chapel Wildlife Access Ramp, on Hwy 64. There are several commercial marinas located on the lake. Although the state record small mouth bass was taken on Lake Chatuge it no longer has a substantial population left since the illegal introduction of the spotted bass.  Currently, Lake Chatuge is known for its above average largemouth and spotted bass populations.  Other species include white bass, sunfish and crappie, and catfish.

George W. Andrews Lake

Walter Georgia Lake encompasses 45,181 acres and 640 miles of shoreline. The lakes are an angler's paradise. Gamefish include largemouth bass, white bass, hybrids, crappie, channel catfish and bream. Alabama and Georgia have a reciprocal agreement concerning fishing licenses, with each state accepting the use of a current license from either state on the Walter F. George Lake.  Anglers should be aware, that the two states differ in daily limits and size restrictions for some species.

Bank fishing is excellent at many locations, including public fishing decks, along riprap by bridges and at the mouths of creeks flowing into the lakes. Fishing below Walter F. George and George W. Andrews Dams offers good downstream fishing opportunities.

Most of the lake's original submerged vegetation has disappeared over the years, but the Corps of Engineers and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources have maintained a series of fish attractors in Georgia waters for better fishing. Groups of cedar trees have been strategically placed in the lake to create new fish concentration areas, and these attractors are marked with buoys. An on-going program refurbishes the attractors on an annual basis, insuring sportsmen of successful fishing for years to come. Locator maps are available at the Natural Resources Site Office.

Lake Hartwell

Hartwell Lake is a man-made lake bordering Georgia and South Carolina on the Savannah, Tugaloo, and Seneca Rivers. The lake is created by Hartwell Dam located on the Savannah River seven miles below the point at which the Tugaloo and Seneca Rivers join to form the Savannah. Extending 49 miles up the Tugaloo and 45 miles up the Seneca at normal pool elevation, Hartwell Lake comprises nearly 56,000 acres of water with a shoreline of 962 miles. Available fish species include:  Bream, Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Hybrid Bass, Striped Bass

Lake Seminole

Lake Seminole is comprised of 37,500 acres and 376 miles of shoreline.  Lake Seminole is known nationally as one of the best sites for sports fishing in America.  Extensive stump and grass beds provide abundant cover where anglers battle lunker largemouth, scrappy hybrid, striped and white bass. Sizable populations of catfish, crappie and bream are also present. All in all over 79 species of fish have been identified. 

The states of Georgia and Florida manage the fisheries and licenses from both are valid in a shared portion of the lake. Wildlife Officers and Park Rangers are available to explain the reciprocal agreement. Fishing and Hunting regulation booklets are available free of charge at the Resource Management Office and area stores.

Bank fishing is excellent at many locations, including public fishing decks, along riprap by bridges and at the mouths of creeks flowing into the lakes. The fishing deck located below Jim Woodruff Dam offers good downstream fishing opportunities.

Lake Sidney Lanier

Lake Lanier is well known as a productive fishing lake.  The lake has approximately 39,000 surface acres of water at its full level.  Although there is little natural cover in the top 1/3 of the lake due to tree clearing during construction, there are trees left standing in the lower portions of the lake as well as brush piles, drop-offs, submerged humps, and rock outcroppings in shallower areas.  A navigation map will be helpful for finding these spots and is available in the map room.

The lake species include:  Largemouth Bass, Spotted Bass, Striped Bass, White Bass, Crappie, Bream, Catfish, and Carp.

The Corps of Engineers, in conjunction with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources actively manages fish habitat on Lake Lanier.  Each year volunteers help build and maintain fish attractors around the lake.  Information about fish attractor structures may be obtained the map room.     

Nottely Lake

Nottely Reservoir lies in the state of Georgia on the southeastern edge of the Georgia River watershed, nestled in the mountains and valleys of the Chattahoochee National Forest. Nottely Lake is 20 miles long and has 4,180 surface acres at normal summer pool elevations.

Construction of Nottely Dam began in 1941 and was completed in 1942. The dam is 184 feet high and stretches 2,300 feet across the Nottely River. Nottely has a flood-storage capacity of 100,000 acre-feet. Full pool is at 1,779 feet above M.S.L. Nottely Lake is totally in Union County, and is a 4,180-acre TVA lake with 106 miles of shoreline nestled in the mountains just northwest of Blairsville.

Nottely Reservoir is 4,180 acre TVA reservoir. The water level in Nottely Reservoir varies about 32 feet in a normal year. Hundreds of residential home sites are located along the shoreline. It is a small mountain lake with clear deep water and an abundant striper population.

The Chattahoochee National Forest, which borders a substantial portion of the lake, adds to the scenic quality of the area. Nottely is noted for its black and striped bass, walleye, rainbow trout, and bass which the state of Georgia has stocked to enhance fishing opportunities.

West Point Lake

West Point Lake has over 29,000 acres of water and 525 miles of shoreline.  Fishing is probably the most popular activity on West Point Lake. A dozen creeks and more than 40 square miles of lake provide plenty of good fishing spots for the thousands of anglers who fish here regularly. The lake abounds with bass, catfish, crappie and bream. Bank fishing is excellent at many locations, including public fishing piers at Hardley Creek Park, Rocky Point Park, and McGee Bridge Park. All of the piers provide access for persons with disabilities. Preteens and visitors with disabilities can also fish in a pond at Hardley Creek Park.

Lake Tugalo

Lake Tugalo is a 600-acre lake with spectacular natural beauty and unique geologic formations. The reservoir is formed by the Tallulah and Chattooga Rivers and is situated on the Georgia- South Carolina border near the city of Clayton. The lakes canyon-like walls are an extension of Tallulah Gorge and rise nearly 1,000-feet above the surface of the water in places. The shoreline is rugged and undeveloped, with the exception of two small boat ramps. A few primitive camping sites are scattered around the lake, which are only accessible by boat. The lakes small size and light boating traffic make it an ideal place for canoes and jon boats. Outboard motors are restricted to a 25 horsepower limit. Lake Tugalo provides excellent fishing for largemouth bass, walleye, redbreast sunfish and white catfish. A spawning run of white bass also occurs in the headwaters each spring.

Largemouth bass are very abundant in Lake Tugalo. Small fish are abundant, but the number of bass in the 2 lbs. weight class is on the rise this year. Anglers are encouraged to keep a few fish of legal size (12-inches) in order to reduce the number of smaller fish and provide better growth for the remainder. When fishing for bass on Lake Tugalo, anglers should remember the seasonal distribution patterns of largemouths to achieve the greatest success. During April and May, surface baits are very effective when fished near woody debris located in the numerous small pockets that indent the shoreline. During the heat of summer, surprisingly high numbers of bass move into the cooler headwaters of both river arms. Anglers should try fishing the headwaters with artificial crayfish and blueback herring lures, or with live crayfish, nightcrawlers or minnows. The fall months are a time when largemouth bass gorge on blueback herring. Anglers should focus their efforts on the upper reaches of each river arm and fish around the deep water edges of blown down trees. Anglers should also keep a watchful eye for surface feeding fish in the upper reaches of the lake and cast toward breaking fish with crank baits and surface plugs.

Over the last two years, several anglers reported good catches of walleye ranging from 1 - 8 lbs. In mid-March, walleye congregate in the flowing waters of the Tallulah River below the Tallulah Falls Power Plant. Nighttime fishing below the Power Plant with nightcrawlers and floating Rapalas are the best bets this time of year. Unfortunately, this area is only accessible by boat. During the summer months, walleye congregate on the lower half of the lake at depths from 40 to 60-feet deep. Your best bet is to fish along the points in the target depth range with nightcrawlers. In the fall months, walleye move into shallow water along points on the lower half of the lake to feed on bluegill, yellow perch and blueback herring. Again, nightcrawlers and shad imitating lures are effective this time of year. Walleye have a very light bite, so anglers new to walleye fishing should remain alert to slight movements in the line, which may indicate a strike.

Of the other fish species in Lake Tugalo, white bass, white catfish and redbreast sunfish are among the favorites of anglers. April should provide another good run of white bass into the upper reaches of both river arms of the lake. For those who enjoy cat-fishing, Lake Tugalo has an abundant white catfish population. Summertime late afternoons, when power is being generated, is the best time to catch this species. The Chattooga River arm near the South Carolina boat ramp seems to hold the greatest numbers of fish. Worms, liver, small bream and artificial catfish mixtures are the most popular baits. In addition to catfish and white bass, Lake Tugalo also supports an abundance of redbreast sunfish. Although redbreast sunfish are usually more common in rivers, redbreast do very well in Lake Tugalo and seem to be more abundant than bluegill and shellcrackers (redear sunfish). Casting crickets, rubber spiders or ants, and small spinners underneath overhanging limbs is the best way to take these colorful fish.

Because of Lake Tugalos rugged terrain, bank fishing opportunities are only available at the two boat ramps. Boating access on the Georgia side of the lake is available through Tallulah Gorge State Park, which is located off Highway 441 in Tallulah Falls, Georgia. Motorists should be aware that four-wheel drive vehicles are strongly encouraged on this steep, rugged access road. Easier access is available a little further north on the South Carolina side of the lake. From Highway 441 in Clayton, Georgia, turn onto Highway 76 East. After crossing the Chattooga River Bridge, travel about three miles to Orchard Road. Due to road construction, Orchard Road may be detoured a couple of miles south to Damascus Church Road. Turn right onto Orchard Road (or Damascus Church Road) and proceed to the stop sign at the end of the road and turn right on to Battle Creek Road. In a couple of miles, the road forks, bear right at this intersection. After passing Damascus Church, turn right onto the gravel road. This road will lead to the boat ramp, which becomes paved and very steep near the boat ramp.

Lake Sinclair

Lake Sinclair is located along the fall line of Middle Georgia's Oconee River.

Lake Sinclair has approximately 15,330 acres of water and over 400 miles of shoreline. It is fed by the waters of the Oconee River, Little River, and many large creeks. Lake Sinclair is a lake of many coves and inlets as well as long stretches of open water.

Lake Sinclair has provided both electricity and recreation since 1953. The 15,330-acre body of water has 417 miles of scenic shoreline with charming coves and inlets as well as long stretches of open water. The maximum depth at the dam is 90 feet. The water level will fluctuate approx. one to two feet each day due to the fact that Georgia power pumps water from Sinclair into Lake Oconee to run the power generators at the Oconee dam.

Sinclair Dam was completed in February 1953 and was named for B. W. Sinclair, a Georgia Power plant construction and operation superintendent. The final cost of the project was more than $14 million. The dam stands 104 feet high and 2,988 feet long. It consists of concrete non-overflow and spillway sections, flanked by reinforced earthen embankments. The spillway has 24 30 foot wide floodgates. Two turbine/generator assemblies can produce 22.5 Megawatts each, at an average head of 90 feet and flow rate of 4,000 cfs, for a total of 45 Megawatts at 8,000 cfs.

Enjoying the Georgia Fishing Tradition

Before you put your boat in the water, take the time to ask the locals for some fishing tips and about which part of the lake has the best bass habitat.  Chances are there will be some local tackle shops in the area that usually are willing to give some helpful information.  There are few places with a stronger fishing tradition, so take time to experience a truly unique place to bass fish.

True, bass live in more places than just Georgia, and there is nothing wrong with fishing in a different state. Still, you will find that fishing elsewhere just won’t be the same as your Georgia.  Georgia is a special place, making its lakes a special place and, yes, making the bass in those lakes all that more special as well.  Whether you’re looking to bring out a huge 8 pound bass or you’re just looking to find a way to spend a pleasant afternoon doing nothing but holding a fishing pool and tilting back a bit of cold drink, there is no place like Georgia.  So, next time you’re looking at a map of the U.S. to plan your next fishing trip, don’t hesitate to look over at Georgia.