Fishing at Allatoona Lake, Bartow County, Georgia

• Overview

  Allatoona Lake belongs to Bartow County, Georgia. It stands 846 feet above sea level. Surface area runs to some 17.6 sq miles, so a boat and a plan are both worth having. The perimeter is close to 117 miles, and wind can be flat in one arm and rough in the next. It is the biggest water on our Bartow County list. Nearest town is Emerson, 4 miles off. Cartersville is 5.4 miles and Acworth 7.4 miles. The boundary is close enough to be worth checking before you fish.

• Where to Fish on Allatoona Lake

  Depth on file is 145 ft. Inflow corners move water, and moving water gathers fish. Standing timber shows when the level drops, and fish sit against it. Documented catches and surveys in the area cover spotted bass, gizzard shad and bluegill. Local agencies keep the authoritative list for each water. On Allatoona Lake the first feature you find is usually worth a session.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The seasonal spread runs 40°F to 78°F. Winter is a mild inconvenience here, nothing more. The cooler months are the comfortable ones to be out. Late winter often fishes better here than midsummer does. On Allatoona Lake that shapes the whole year. Water colour tells you more than the air temperature does.

• Tackle & Baits

  This sits on public land, so access is generally straightforward. A made slipway is half a mile from here, which settles the boat question. A marina sits half a mile off, so fuel and a proper ramp are close. Recorded parking is half a mile off, far enough to travel light. Public data records a pier about half a mile out. Toilets show in mapping about half a mile away. Where access is informal, keep it that way by behaving. Where the way in crosses private ground, ask first. Nothing on Allatoona Lake should be assumed from this page alone.