Georgia Fishing Lakes
Lake-by-lake species, seasonal bite, boat access, and regulations for the biggest fishing lakes in Georgia.
J. Strom Thurmond Lake (Clarks Hill Lake)
Lake Oconee
Richard B. Russell Lake
Lake Seminole
Lake Sidney Lanier
Lake Sinclair
Walter F. George Lake (Lake Eufaula)
West Point Lake
More Georgia lakes
Tap a lake to open its guide: species, boat launches, bait shops, and size and creel limits.
Lake OconeeGreene, Morgan & Putnam Counties · 19,050 acres
Lake Oconee
A Georgia Power lake on the Oconee River between Greensboro, Madison and Eatonton, formed by Wallace Dam. It is known for spring crappie, hybrid and striped bass, tournament largemouth bass, and big blue catfish.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Largemouth Bass
Docks with deep water nearby, then creeks and coves in fall. Find the shad and the bass are close.
Crappie
Spring is best. Fish standing timber and brush piles with minnows or jigs.
Hybrid Striped Bass
Stocked by Georgia DNR along with some stripers. Feed hardest when water is moving through the dam.
Blue Catfish
Some blues top 40 pounds. Cut bait on channel edges year-round; channel and flathead catfish too.
Boat launches
8 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- Lawrence Shoals ParkPublicGeorgia Power park. Ramp, campground, beach, restroomsDirections ↗
- Old Salem ParkPublicGeorgia Power park. Ramp, campground, beach, restroomsDirections ↗
- Parks Ferry ParkPublicGeorgia Power park. Ramp, campground, beach, restroomsDirections ↗
- Long Shoals Boat RampRampGeorgia Power ramp with picnic area and fishingDirections ↗
- Armour Bridge Boat RampRampGeorgia Power ramp with picnic area and restroomsDirections ↗
- Sugar Creek Boat RampRampGeorgia Power ramp with picnic area and restroomsDirections ↗
- Redlands Boat RampRampUS Forest Service ramp with picnic area and restroomsDirections ↗
- Swords Boat RampRampUS Forest Service ramp with restroomsDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Special rules for this lake, confirmed from official state regulations. Minimum size and daily limit.
| Species | Min size | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass Lake Oconee length limit | 14 in | 10 / day (black bass, statewide) |
Other species in this lake: look up the limits at Georgia Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division (official eRegulations) ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
No shops listed yet for this lake. Use the search link below.
Search more bait shops near Lake Oconee ↗Local tips
- Wallace Dam generation and pump-back create current; fish usually feed better when water is moving.
- Lake Oconee has a 14-inch minimum on largemouth bass, higher than the statewide 12 inches.
- Spring is the prime crappie season; target standing timber and brush piles.
Lake SeminoleSeminole & Decatur Counties (shared with FL) · 37,500 acres
Lake Seminole
Lake Seminole sits in the southwest corner of Georgia where the Chattahoochee and Flint rivers meet at Jim Woodruff Dam. It is a shallow, grassy lake known for largemouth bass, with good redear, crappie, and striped bass.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Largemouth Bass
Fish the flats early and late, such as the Cornfield and Fishpond Drain.
Redear Sunfish
Shellcracker. Beds in spring and deep shell bars in summer. Red worms on the bottom.
Crappie
Brush piles, docks and standing timber. Minnows or small jigs.
Striped Bass
Big stripers move to cool springs and creek mouths in summer.
Channel Catfish
Cut bait and nightcrawlers on flats and creek mouths in the evening.
Boat launches
6 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- Seminole State ParkFeeGeorgia state park ramp in Seminole County; feeDirections ↗
- Hales LandingFeeCorps park ramp in Decatur County; feeDirections ↗
- Chattahoochee ParkFeeCorps park ramp near the dam in Decatur County; feeDirections ↗
- Earle May Boat BasinFreeRamp on the Flint River arm at Bainbridge, freeDirections ↗
- Ralph King Landing (SR 253)FreePublic ramp off SR 253 in Decatur County, freeDirections ↗
- More public accessPublicSee Georgia DNR or the lake manager's website for all ramps and feesDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Statewide limits for species in this lake, confirmed from the official state regulations. The state lists no special rule for this lake. Minimum size and daily limit.
| Species | Min size | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass Black bass combined; 14 in at Lanier, Oconee, Blackshear, W.F. George, West Point, PFA lakes | 12 in | 10 / day combined |
| Striped Bass Striped/white/hybrid combined; only 2 may be 22 in or longer; special limits on some waters | See Georgia rules book ↗ | 15 / day combined |
| Crappie Black and/or white combined | See Georgia rules book ↗ | 30 / day |
| Redear Sunfish Sunfish/bream combined | See Georgia rules book ↗ | 50 / day combined |
| Channel Catfish Channel and flathead | See Georgia rules book ↗ | No limit |
Bait & tackle nearby
Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.
- Lake Seminole OutdoorsNearby7726 County Road 374, Donalsonville, GA(229) 861-3206Directions ↗
- Barfield Bait & TackleNearby6032 GA Highway 39, Donalsonville, GA(229) 524-5141Directions ↗
- Big Boys Bait & TackleNearby1921 Spring Creek Rd, Bainbridge, GA(229) 246-9405Directions ↗
Local tips
- In summer, check cool spring holes and creeks, including Spring Creek, for stripers and hybrids.
- Vertical jig spoons along the deeper river channels when fish leave the flats.
- Florida licenses only cover the southwest part of the lake, so check the boundary line.
View on interactive map
Zoom and pan on a street, satellite or terrain map. Red pins are boat launches; blue pins are bait shops nearby.
Lake Sidney LanierHall, Forsyth, Dawson, Gwinnett & Lumpkin Counties · 37,000 acres
Lake Sidney Lanier
Lake Lanier is a large Chattahoochee River reservoir northeast of Atlanta. It is known for spotted bass and striped bass, and it produced a Georgia record spotted bass.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Spotted Bass
Spots, now called Alabama bass here, hold on rocky banks and drop-offs in the lower lake.
Striped Bass
Follow the baitfish, since stripers track shad and herring.
Largemouth Bass
Largemouth favor the upper creek arms with more cover.
Crappie
Brush piles, docks and standing timber. Minnows or small jigs.
Walleye
February through April, walleye run upstream of Lula Bridge and Lumpkin County Park.
Boat launches
6 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- Don Carter State ParkPublicState park ramps on the north end near GainesvilleDirections ↗
- Bolding Mill ParkPublicPublic ramp on the Chestatee sideDirections ↗
- Bald Ridge CreekPublicPublic ramp near CummingDirections ↗
- Thompson Bridge ParkPublicPublic ramp near GainesvilleDirections ↗
- Lanier Point ParkPublicPublic ramp near GainesvilleDirections ↗
- More public accessPublicSee Georgia DNR or the lake manager's website for all ramps and feesDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Special rules for this lake, confirmed from official state regulations. Minimum size and daily limit.
| Species | Min size | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass Black bass combined | 14 in | 10 / day combined |
| Spotted Bass Black bass combined | 14 in | 10 / day combined |
Other species in this lake: look up the limits at Georgia Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division (official eRegulations) ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.
- Hammond's Fishing CenterNearby4235 Browns Bridge Rd, Cumming, GA(770) 888-6898Directions ↗
- Sherry's Bait and BarbecueNearby2807 Dawsonville Hwy, Gainesville, GA(678) 971-5607Directions ↗
- Shack BaitNearby1435 Ventura Dr, Cumming, GA(770) 889-3910Directions ↗
Local tips
- For spots, fish rocky points and drop-offs on the lower lake.
- Use topwaters, bucktails, and big spinners for stripers when they chase bait.
- In late winter, head up the Chattahoochee and Chestatee arms for walleye.
View on interactive map
Zoom and pan on a street, satellite or terrain map. Red pins are boat launches; blue pins are bait shops nearby.
Lake SinclairBaldwin, Hancock & Putnam Counties · 15,330 acres
Lake Sinclair
A Georgia Power reservoir on the Oconee River just north of Milledgeville, created in 1953. It is a popular bass tournament lake and also offers good crappie, catfish and bream fishing.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Largemouth Bass
Docks, riprap and creek mouths. Spawning fish shallow in spring, then points and brush in summer.
Crappie
Brush piles and lighted docks. Night fishing under lights at Dennis Station works well.
Catfish
Cut or live bait along channel edges and in the upper lake below Wallace Dam.
Bluegill
Shallow beds in late spring and early summer. Crickets and worms around docks.
Boat launches
7 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- Dennis StationPublicGA DNR site with two ramps, large lot and fishing docks with night lightsDirections ↗
- Cosby's LandingPublicRamp on the Island Creek arm near Sparta with fishing pierDirections ↗
- Little River ParkMarinaCampground and marina on Hwy 441. Day-use parking feeDirections ↗
- Anchors MarinaMarinaTwo ramps, launch fee, 24-hour parking and restroomsDirections ↗
- Haslam's MarinaMarinaTwo self-serve ramps, launch fee. Closed MondaysDirections ↗
- Twin Bridges LandingFeeTwo ramps, launch feeDirections ↗
- Sinclair MarinaMarinaRamp with launch fee and boat rentalsDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Minimum size and daily limit for each species in Lake Sinclair are published by the state. Look up the current size and creel limits for this lake directly: Georgia Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division (official eRegulations) ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
No shops listed yet for this lake. Use the search link below.
Search more bait shops near Lake Sinclair ↗Local tips
- Water moving from Wallace Dam generation at the upper end often turns on the bite.
- Most ramps charge a small parking or launch fee. Rocky Creek Park is open only from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
- Summer days bring heavy boat traffic. Fish early, late or at night under lights.
Richard B. Russell LakeElbert County, GA & Abbeville and Anderson Counties, SC · 26,650 acres
Richard B. Russell Lake
An Army Corps reservoir on the Savannah River between Lake Hartwell and Lake Thurmond, on the Georgia-South Carolina line. Private docks are not allowed, so the shoreline is almost entirely wooded and the lake is known for spotted bass, stripers and crappie.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Spotted Bass
Deep points and humps. Shaky-head worms early and flukes around bait schools during the day.
Largemouth Bass
Carolina rigs and finesse worms on points. Crankbaits in the creeks once the water cools in fall.
Striped Bass
Down-line live blueback herring 20 to 40 ft deep. Stripers and hybrids roam the main lake.
Crappie
Brush piles and bridge pilings. Minnows suspended 10 to 20 ft deep.
White Perch
Drop-shot minnows or small jigs around schools of bait.
Boat launches
7 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- Richard B. Russell State ParkFeeGeorgia State Park near Elberton. Ramps, courtesy docks, campground, cottages. Parking feeDirections ↗
- Beaverdam MarinaMarinaMarina and ramp, 1155 Marina Dr, ElbertonDirections ↗
- Coldwater Creek RampRampPublic ramp with courtesy dock and fishing dockDirections ↗
- Dry Fork Creek RampRampPublic ramp with courtesy dockDirections ↗
- Shuck Pen Eddy RampRampPublic ramp with courtesy dockDirections ↗
- Elbert RampRampPublic ramp with courtesy dock and trailsDirections ↗
- Calhoun Falls State ParkMarinaSouth Carolina State Park across the lake. Ramp, marina, store, campgroundDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Minimum size and daily limit for each species in Richard B. Russell Lake are published by the state. Look up the current size and creel limits for this lake directly: Georgia Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division (official eRegulations) ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
No shops listed yet for this lake. Use the search link below.
Search more bait shops near Richard B. Russell Lake ↗Local tips
- Russell is kept within about 5 ft of full pool, so ramps rarely go dry like on Hartwell or Thurmond.
- Much of the lake was flooded with standing timber left in place; watch for submerged trees off the main channel.
- Georgia and South Carolina licenses are honored on the lake under a reciprocal agreement; check both states' rules for the details.
West Point LakeTroup & Heard Counties · 25,900 acres
West Point Lake
A Chattahoochee River reservoir on the Georgia-Alabama line near LaGrange and West Point, Georgia. It is known for bass, crappie and catfish, with dozens of Corps parks and ramps around the lake.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Largemouth Bass
Work creek arms, points and shoreline cover in spring. Move to main-lake points and humps in summer.
Spotted Bass
Rocky points and channel edges in the lower lake. Shaky heads and small crankbaits work.
Crappie
Brush piles, bridge pilings and creek channels. Shallow cover in late winter and spring.
Hybrid Striped Bass
Roam open water chasing shad. Watch for surface schools and fish the river channel.
Channel Catfish
Cut bait or worms on channel edges and flats, especially in the upper lake.
Boat launches
8 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- Horace King ParkFeeUSACE park with boat ramp. Fee areaDirections ↗
- Long Cane ParkFeeUSACE park with boat ramp. Fee areaDirections ↗
- Glass Bridge ParkFeeUSACE park with boat ramp. Fee areaDirections ↗
- McGee Bridge ParkFeeUSACE ramp plus accessible public fishing pier. Fee areaDirections ↗
- Clark ParkPublicUSACE boat rampDirections ↗
- Georgia ParkPublicUSACE boat rampDirections ↗
- Highland MarinaMarinaPrivately run marina with boat rampDirections ↗
- Southern HarborMarinaPrivately run marina with boat rampDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Minimum size and daily limit for each species in West Point Lake are published by the state. Look up the current size and creel limits for this lake directly: Georgia Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division (official eRegulations) ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
No shops listed yet for this lake. Use the search link below.
Search more bait shops near West Point Lake ↗Local tips
- The Corps lists over two dozen parks; some campground ramps close seasonally, so check status before you go.
- Public fishing piers at McGee Bridge, Rocky Point and Hardley Creek parks are good options without a boat.
- The lake is on the state line; know which state's license covers the water you fish.