Anglers all over the country associate Georgia with world-class freshwater fishing. This is in spite of the fact it has no large natural lakes. That problem was fixed with the help of the US Army Corps of Engineers, responsible for creating a number of reservoirs. Carters Lake is the largest of these man-made lakes, boasting a 3,220-acres of water. With that in mind, it’s small wonder that Carters Lake fishing draws in anglers from all over the north of Georgia and beyond.
Known For
Of course, the size of a lake isn’t the most important thing, it’s what you do with it that matters most. Nested between the towns of Calhoun and Ellijay, Carters Lake is diverse enough to offer plenty of challenges to the curious angler.
The dominant species in these deep and clear waters is the Spotted Bass. They’re not only abundant but a lot of them grow over 6 lb in size. These “Magnum” Spots are known to stay near rocky points in early spring and move into coves when it’s time to spawn. As the weather becomes colder later in the year, they’ll be found at deeper structures up to 60’ down.
Striped Bass are the just behind their Spotted cousins when it comes to the sheer amount found in the lake. Most of them will be in the 5-10 lb range, with big ones reaching an impressive 20 lb. The current lake record stands at an astounding 33 lb 5 oz, and you’re welcome to try and break it. October through June is the best time to enjoy Striper fishing in Carters Lake.
The rarest member of the Bass family in these waters is Largemouth Bass. They make about a tenth of the lake’s Bass but will make their presence known regardless. They are usually found in the coves on the north and south stretches of the lake, as it’s the only habitat they are comfortable with here. If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to find 7-8 lb fish but most of them don’t go over 2 lb.
There’s more to Carters Lake than just Bass, though. Walleye were introduced here two decades ago and have since developed a sparse but stable population. Their spawning run lasts from February through March, when you should search for them close to Ridgeway boat ramp. This area has a rocky shoreline nearby that is a great starting point. When it comes to Walleye, expect an average catch to be around 3 lb.
Other than Walleye, you can also find a sizeable amount of Catfish in the lake. These come in both the Flathead and Channel variety, with Channel Catfish making up most of the numbers. They love hiding in bunches of logs and trees that fall in the water every now and then.
Fishing Techniques
You should be sure to use the right tools for the fish you’re looking to catch. Largemouth and Spotted Bass are partial to plastic worms, while Stripers will go nuts over free-lined shad. Shad also works very well for Catfish, you just need to put it on a weighted bottom rig and you’re ready to catch some dinner. If you’re out after Walleye, best make use of bait like minnows and night crawlers on lead jigs.
Many anglers would say that it’s not a real Georgian experience without fly fishing. Your weapon of choice in these parts should be a 5-7 wt medium action outfit along with a 8-9 lb tippet. You’ll want your flies to resemble the likes of blueback herring, shad, and minnows, and we’d advise settling for topwater poppers. Note that this doesn’t apply to Bass that go deep. For that purpose, you’ll need weighed streamers with long leaders.
Need to Know
Regulations
Every angler over the age of 16 will need a freshwater fishing license. Buy them either online or in person from local tackle shops and other approved vendors. The minimum size for Largemouth Bass is 12”. Please be sure to check the latest regulations prior to the trip or fish with a guide to maximise your catch and stay within the rules.
Getting There
You can reach Carters Lake in less than two hours when driving from Atlanta. The two State Routes that pass next to the river are SR 382 and 136.
If you’ve been around Georgia and fished all the Trout you possibly could and then some, Carters Lake will be a welcome change of pace. If you’re new to the local freshwater fishing scene, all the more reason to see what this lake has to offer for professionals and novices alike.