Navigation Home - AA-Fishing Lakes Fish

Fishing Carters Lake

AKA: Carters Reservoir

Pick A LakePick A SpeciesPick A State

By AA-Fishing Staff Writers

Carters Lake, GA

Popular Fish Species Carters Lake, GA


Carters Lake Popular Fish - Striped Bass

Striped Bass Fishing

Due to their large size, striped bass are a favorite of many locals and fishing guides at Carters Lake. The lake is considered by many as a trophy striper destination, thanks to fertile water, excellent food sources and fishery management by the Georgia Wildlife Resources Division. They are plentiful, run in schools and can grow to bragging size. Hybrid stripers also flourish here in Carters Lake. In Spring and Fall work the upper end of the lake where water is flowing into the lake. Look for deeper water in the river channel, as a holding place for stripers. In Summer and Winter, stripers hang out in deeper water during the day Morning often draws the stripers to much shallower water, look for them from the surface down to around the 20-foot range as they feed on shallow-running schools of bait. The lake is filled with plenty of baitfish and sunfish to to keep the fishery thriving. Being successful at fishing for stripers is a matter of locating schools of bait, and the wolf packs of stripers which are likely to be nearby. Fish finders, and forward facing sonar, are a big help in locating these roaming schools. Live bait is very effective here, and stripers can be caught year round.


Carters Lake Popular Fish - Spotted Bass

Spotted Bass Fishing

Spotted bass are often found in small schools on steep banks, around rocky or sandy shorelines, points and ledges. They often prefer hanging out in slightly deeper water than largemouths. Nationally known as an excellent spotted bass lake, Carters Lake draws anglers and bass tournaments here, year round. Fishing for spotted bass can be good anytime you can locate them. Their diet consists mainly of crayfish and insects, but they also eat small baitfish, small sunfish and small bluegill. Most of the time, spots prefer to stage on steep rocky or gravel banks, and may move up and down the water column throughout the day. When shallow, use topwater or shallow crankbaits around rip rap. When they are deep, use drop-shot worms and jigs. Throughout winter, spend your time on deeper structure with small worms, jigs and spoons. Smallmouth bass and largemouth bass also reside here in decent numbers.


Carters Lake Popular Fish - Crappie

Crappie Fishing

Carters Lake has long been a good crappie fishing lake. The lake has good populations of both black crappie and white crappie, and they seem to get bigger each year. These two species generally school with their own, but once located around cover, you may find that you catch both species, due to the fact they often share the same cover. Crappie fishing can be found in varying size schools, hanging around brush, vegetation, wood or other cover. Using a fish finder any time of year can help locate these crappie schools, which tend to stack vertically around cover. Live bait and small jigs are the most common method for crappie here. In spring and fall focus on the 8 to 12 foot range. The best time to catch crappie tends to be at dawn and dusk. As the crappie move deep in summer and winter, follow points out deep, as well as find ledges near channels, especially areas with brush or timber in deeper water.


Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, spotted bass, flathead catfish, blue catfish, black crappie, white crappie, walleye, rainbow trout, bluegill, green sunfish, redbreast sunfish, redear sunfish, rock bass, spotted sunfish, warmouth, striped bass and hybrid stripers at Carters Lake in Georgia.

Carters Lake Fishing Video

Camping is quite popular at Carters Lake, a 3,200-acre reservoir located in the northwest corner of the state, 5 miles west of Ellijay. Boating and fishing however, are the main draw. Monster striped bass play second fiddle to the well-known, excellent spotted bass fishing here.

Nestled amidst the picturesque North Georgia mountains, Carters Lake is a premier fishing destination known for its pristine waters and diverse fish populations. Anglers flock to this scenic reservoir throughout the year to pursue a wide variety of popular fish species.

Bass fishing is a major draw at Carters Lake, with largemouth and spotted bass being the primary targets for anglers. The lake's deep, clear waters provide excellent habitat for these predatory fish. Anglers can employ a range of techniques, including casting lures, flipping jigs, or fishing with live bait, to entice the bass. Spring and fall are typically the best seasons to fish for bass, as the fish become more active and aggressive.

Catfish are also abundant in Carters Lake, providing anglers with exciting opportunities to catch these bottom-dwelling species. Blue catfish and flathead catfish can be found throughout the lake, and anglers often target them using cut bait, live bait, or stink baits. Catfish are most active during the warmer months, with summer evenings being particularly productive.

Crappie fishing is another popular pursuit on Carters Lake. Black crappie and white crappie can be found in the lake's submerged structure, such as brush piles and fallen trees. Anglers often use jigs or live minnows to entice crappie to bite. The spring and fall seasons are prime times to target crappie, as they move into shallower waters for spawning.

Walleye and trout are highly sought-after gamefish in Carters Lake. Walleye fishing is particularly productive during the cooler months, and anglers often employ trolling or casting techniques near rocky points and ledges. Trout, including rainbow trout, are stocked in nearby rivers and streams, offering anglers the chance to experience both lake and river fishing.

Yellow perch, sunfish, white bass, and striped bass are other popular species found in Carters Lake. These panfish and gamefish provide additional angling opportunities, particularly for those seeking a variety of fishing experiences. They can be caught using simple tackle and a range of baits, including live worms, crickets, or small jigs.

Largemouth, walleye, catfish, crappie and sunfish also populate these waters and are regularly caught in good numbers. Anglers and boaters alike will enjoy cruising the 62 miles of shoreline. Rental boats, a marina, bait, fishing tackle, sundries, restaurants and lodging are all close at hand. There are more than a half dozen boat ramps to choose from.

Fishing Boats For Rent In Georgia

Primary fish species residing in Carters Lake

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Largemouth bass Spotted bass Flathead catfish Blue catfish Black crappie White Crappie Walleye Rainbow Trout Bluegill Green Sunfish Redbreast Sunfish Redear Sunfish Rock Bass Soptted Sunfish Warmouth Striped bass Hybrid Striped Bass

Carters Lake Amenities

Marina: YES
Boat Rental: YES
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: YES
Convenience Store: YES
Bait & Tackle: YES
Restaurant: NEARBY

Today's Weather & Forecast

Carters Lake offers ample opportunities for boating and camping as well. Anglers can explore the lake's vast expanse by boat, searching for their favorite fishing spots. Public boat ramps provide convenient access for boaters. Camping facilities are available nearby as well.

Fishing Boat Rentals

Carters Lake Marina & Resort
Rentals: Pontoon boats
706 276-4891

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Carters Lake Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southwest section of the lake, off Cove Road, this is a three-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Carters Lake Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southeast section of the lake, off Cove Road, this is a three-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Carters Lake Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, on the north side of the lake, at the Woodring Campground, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Doll Mountain Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southeast corner of the lake, off Carters Landing Way, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Ridgeway Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northeast section of the lake, north side, off Ridgeway Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Marinas

Carters Lake Marina & Resort
575 Marina Rd
Chatsworth, GA 30705
706 276-4891

Fishing Guides On Carters Lake

Carters Lake Fishing Charters - striped bass, hybrid stripers

If you offer fishing guide services on this lake, please contact us for a free listing, to be posted here.

Fishing License

Click here for a Georgia Fishing License.

Campgrounds & RV Parks Nearby

Woodring Campground - 706 276-6050

Doll Mountain Campground - 706 276-4413

Harris Branch Beach & Campground - 706 276-4545

Carters Lake GA Map - Fishing & Camping Areas

Contact Information

Carters Lake
Carters Lake Marina & Resort
575 Marina Rd
Chatsworth, GA 30705
706 276-4891

 

Fishing lakes in each state.

AL Fishing Lakes AR Fishing Lakes AZ Fishing Lakes CA Fishing Lakes CO Fishing Lakes CT Fishing Lakes DC Fishing Lakes DE Fishing Lakes FL Fishing Lakes GA Fishing Lakes HI Fishing Lakes IA Fishing Lakes ID Fishing Lakes
IL Fishing Lakes IN Fishing Lakes KS Fishing Lakes KY Fishing Lakes LA Fishing Lakes MA Fishing Lakes MD Fishing Lakes ME Fishing Lakes MI Fishing Lakes MN Fishing Lakes MO Fishing Lakes MS Fishing Lakes MT Fishing Lakes
NC Fishing Lakes ND Fishing Lakes NE Fishing Lakes NH Fishing Lakes NJ Fishing Lakes NM Fishing Lakes NV Fishing Lakes NY Fishing Lakes OH Fishing Lakes OK Fishing Lakes OR Fishing Lakes PA Fishing Lakes
RI Fishing Lakes SC Fishing Lakes SD Fishing Lakes TN Fishing Lakes TX Fishing Lakes UT Fishing Lakes VA Fishing Lakes VT Fishing Lakes WA Fishing Lakes WI Fishing Lakes WV Fishing Lakes WY Fishing Lakes

070424