Carters Lake

Located between Calhoun and Ellijay on the Coosawattee River, Carters Lake is about a two-hour drive from Atlanta. This 3,220-acre reservoir is Georgia's deepest, with steep bluff banks and an undeveloped shoreline.

Fish Attractors

The Carters Lake Fish Attractor Program was initiated in 1999 as a joint project between the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (GADNR), the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Carters Lake Project, local businesses and anglers.

Locate Carters Lake fish attractors here by viewing available maps and heeding biologists helpful tips.

Contact Information

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers:  ph. 706-334-2248

Prospects and Fishing Tips

Best Bets

SPOTTED BASS & WALLEYE

Largemouth bass
Prospect	About 10 percent of the black bass population in Carters is made up of largemouth bass. Despite the low numbers, the largemouth present tend to be of quality size. Most will be just over a pound, but 7-8+ pound fish are certainly not out of the question at Carters.
Technique	Spring largemouth can be enticed with naturally colored jig head finesse worms and later in the year by larger u-tail or ribbon tail plastic worms. The classic pig-n-jig is also a successful largemouth technique in this impoundment. Live crayfish and minnows are also effective.
Target	The lake's steep, rocky banks generally provide limited habitat for largemouth. Focus your efforts in the backs of coves, which typically provide the only shallow largemouth habitat in the lake. Fishing coves containing submerged timber or fallen trees will increase your odds of catching a Carters' "bucketmouth".

Spotted bass
Prospect	Spotted bass are the dominant black bass species in Carters. Recent genetic analysis of the population confirmed these are Alabama "spotted" bass, which tend to grow to larger adult size than the Kentucky spotted bass. This certainly supports the lake's "magnum spot" reputation among anglers. DNR sample data shows that spot abundance remains good, but there will be fewer mid-sized spots in the population this year - likely because of naturally weak reproduction in spring 2008 and 2009. While fewer numbers of 12-15 inch fish are expected this year, the number of spots over 18 inches in the population will be WELL above average. Anglers can expect plenty of thick-sided, 2-3 pound spots to stretch lines in 2012. But make no mistake, there are still plenty of 4-5 pound (and better!) jumbo spots in Carters' deep waters.
Technique	In spring, spots move shallow to spawn. Throw green-pumpkin or other naturally colored jig head finesse worms to catch these actively feeding fish. With the heat of summer, shallow running baits like Pop-R's, Sammy 100's and Scrounger jigs, fished on main lake points are all good early morning techniques. During the daytime heat, slower presentations on deeper (20-40 feet) points and humps are preferred. Try Texas or Carolina rigged plastic worms, or football jigs. Summer nighttime action can be had using diving crankbaits, spinnerbaits and jigs fished parallel to steep banks and points. In fall, cooling water temperatures have spots relating to deep woody debris and schooling shad. Probe these areas with drop-shot rigs tipped with 3-4 inch plastic flukes or 1/2-3/4 ounce jigging spoons. Winter anglers should target schooling spots on steep bluff banks using jigs or float and fly presentations. Find deep (50-60 feet) water holding shad, and spots will be close by. Use your electronics to find shad schools and present jigs, spoons or drop-shot baits to these waiting spots. For the live bait angler, suspending large minnows or small trout above deep structure is a proven "spot-busting" technique in cold weather.
Target	In early spring, fish the deeper, rocky, main lake points. As spring progresses, spots move off the main lake points back into cove areas to spawn. At this time, target gradual sloping banks and coves with pea-gravel substrate. In summer, look for spots holding on deeper (20-40 feet) structure, like brush piles or the 45+ fish attractors created by the Corps of Engineers and DNR. Spots will again feed aggressively on main lake points and around woody cover with cooling fall temperatures. Winter-time anglers should again target deeper (50-60 ft.) structure and areas with steep rocky banks. Finding schools of shad is key to locating hungry winter time spotted bass.

Hybrid Bass
Prospect	Despite continuous stockings of hybrids since 2003, the population has not yet reached its full potential. Hybrid numbers remain modest, but a relatively strong year class of 2 year-old fish in the 2-3 pound range have bolstered population numbers. However, what the hybrid population lacks in numbers it more than makes up for in fish size quality. Undoubtedly, a few 10+ pound trophy class hybrids will stretch lines again this year. In fact, several 12+ pound hybrids were pulled from Carters' waters in 2012.
Technique	Trolling artificial baits like u-rigs or crankbaits can be effective, but live trout or shad are typically more consistent producers. Wintertime hybrids may also hit cut fish or chicken livers fished on the bottom at near-shore locations. Nighttime fishing during the summer can also be productive. Surface or shallow diving stick baits like Rapalas or Redfins are good nighttime lure choices.
Target	Find the bait! Hybrids are most often found close to schools of shad, which travel throughout the lake. Use your boat's electronics to locate concentrations of baitfish because hybrids will likely be nearby. In the spring time, hybrids will concentrate near Carters' Dam to gorge on spawning shad. In summer, slow trolling down-lines in 20-30 feet of water should produce hybrids. There are also several mid-lake humps located in the lake where hybrids are known to frequent year-round.

Striped Bass
Prospect	Carters striped bass abundance will be well below average this year. DNR sample data show a shrinking population increasingly dominated by older individuals. Young fish abundance remains low despite increased fingerling stocking rates in two of the last four years. As a result, anglers should expect to catch fewer striped bass this year. However, those caught will tend to be larger, trophy-sized linesides.
Technique	Live trout, bluegill, gizzard and threadfin shad are all common baits used in the pursuit of stripers at Carters. When water temperatures are below 65 F, balloon rigging or free-lining these live offerings are good techniques to employ. When water temperatures rise above 65 F, live offerings fished on downlines in 20-25 feet of water are recommended.
Target	Striper fishing at Carters is best from October through June. Stripers can be found just about anywhere in the lake, but the area immediately adjacent to the Doll Mountain boat ramp and near the largest island in the Coosawatte River arm of the lake are both perennial hot spots. During the summer months, stripers may be found holding around main lake humps closer to the dam.

Catfish
Prospect	Channel catfish far outnumber flathead catfish at Carters. Recent DNR sample data shows below average numbers of "dinner-sized" channel cats present in the lake this year. Those present are typically around 3/4 pound, while the average flathead is usually 5-8 pounds.
Technique	Live or cut shad fished on weighted bottom rigs will produce better sized catfish. Chicken livers, worms or catalpa worms are other common options for tapping into Carters' "whiskered" resources.
Target	Target the cracks and pockets along rocky banks and points found throughout the lake. Often, catfish will hold in deeper (20-30ft.) water just off the sides of main lake points during the summer months. Tangles of fallen logs and trees in the backs of coves are also likely hideouts for Carters' catfish.

Crappie
Prospect	Though never overly abundant at Carters, 1/2 to 3/4 pound crappie are typical. Larger individuals will top 1- 1 1/2 pounds in size.
Technique	Small minnows (1-2 inches) fished several feet below a bobber or small plastic jigs reeled in slowly past submerged trees are two recommended techniques for the spring angler. Live minnows or jigs are also used to target crappie on deeper structure during the rest of the year.
Target	Focus spring fishing efforts around standing timber, visible in a number of areas around the lake, as well as the cover offered under the few boat docks found in the lake. Fish deeper brush piles or other deep lake structure throughout the remainder of the year.

Walleye
Prospect	Some limited natural reproduction of walleye does occur at Carters. However, this fishery is primarily driven by the yearly stocking of walleye fingerlings by the DNR. Walleye stocking rates were ramped-up in 2007. This, in combination with the lake's excellent forage base, has resulted in the creation of a robust walleye population. Fall 2012 sampling conducted by DNR personnel again found walleye in high abundance. Anglers can expect the average walleye to be an impressive 19 inches long and weighing nearly three pounds! Nine-plus pound walleye have been collected from Carters in the very recent past. Given the excellent forage base in Carters, walleye in the 10+ pound range are certainly present in this reservoir.
Technique	Jigging spoons, deep diving crankbaits and live bait such as minnows or night crawlers fished on 3/8 ounce lead jigs, are popular walleye techniques year-round. During the spring spawning run, walleye move shallow and can be caught with shallow running shad or minnow-colored crankbaits. Walleye move deeper (30-50 ft.) in summer. Try slow trolling Lindy rigs baited with night crawlers or minnows, keeping in close contact with the lake bottom. In late summer, walleye will suspend in standing timber and can be targeted with spoon or blade baits. With cooling fall water temperatures, walleye become more active, making crankbaits, jerkbaits or jigs good fall walleye options. In winter, the cold water requires slower more persistent techniques be used to catch walleye. Vertically jigging spoons or live minnows fished close to the bottom, may tempt sluggish walleye to strike.
Target	During the walleye spawning run (Feb-Mar), target rocky shorelines and points in the upper Coosawattee River arm of the lake above Ridgeway boat ramp. After spawning, fish areas with standing main lake timber or long, rocky main lake points. As temperatures warm, concentrate on deeper structure, to include deep standing timber where baitfish congregate during summer and fall. In late fall through winter, focus efforts again on rocky points from mid-lake upstream in to the Coosawattee arm of the lake. Regardless of season, night fishing can be a productive approach to catching walleye.

Other Species
Prospect	Yellow bass are present, but abundance of this introduced species is down from their recent all-time highs. The species tends to weigh less than half a pound, but at Carters 1/2 to 1 pound yellows are not uncommon. Anglers are encouraged to harvest yellow bass because this illegal introduction competes with larger, more desirable game fish species. Bluegill are also abundant, though most will be less than 6 inches long.
Technique	Yellow bass can be caught with a host of small lure selections. Jigs and spinners are especially effective in April and May. Jigging 1/4-1/2 ounce spoons in and around structure is also an effective approach for catching yellow bass outside the spring months. For bluegill action, a bucket of worms or crickets is all an angler needs.
Target	Outside of spring, fish for yellow bass near deepwater structure anywhere in the lake. In April and May, spawn-run yellow bass will concentrate in the uppermost reaches of the Coosawattee River Arm of the lake where the river enters. This is a great time to get into some fast and furious yellow bass action on light tackle. For bluegill, the shallows found in the backs of most coves are typical places to find this species throughout the year.

Additional Information

DNR, the Corps of Engineers, and their volunteers work to improve fish habitat at Carters Lake each year. Anglers can find information about the program, as well as current maps with coordinates for the lake's 45-plus fish attractor sites, on the WRD Website. Carters Lake is a COE impoundment on the Coosawattee River in northwest Georgia. Lake level, boating, and camping information may be obtained from the COE website at: http://www.sam.usace.army.mil/Missions/CivilWorks/Recreation/CartersLake.aspx or by calling the Carters Lake project office (ph. 706-334-2248). The only marina on the lake is Carters Lake Marina & Resort. Information about this privately owned facility may be obtained at: http://www.carterslake.com/ or by calling 706-276-4891.

Best Fishing Times Key

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