Barnett Lake in Oconee County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Barnett Lake sits in Oconee County, out in Georgia. The surface lies 758 feet up. At 3 acres it is the sort of place you fish for an evening rather than a day. Our Oconee County list holds plenty of bigger water. The nearest place of any size is Watkinsville, 3.6 miles away. The nearest city of size is Athens, an 11 miles drive. It sits near the edge of the county, so check which rules apply.

• Where to Fish on Barnett Lake

  Nothing we hold settles how deep this runs. The arms fish better than the open middle whenever the water is up. Draw-down through summer strips the margins, so follow the water out. Records collected within a few miles name bluegill, eastern blackbanded darter, redbreast sunfish, yellowfin shiner and bluehead chub. The list reflects reported sightings and surveys rather than what is stocked. The shape of Barnett Lake rewards a slow walk along one bank.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 79°F, the coldest about 42°F. Warm months push fish deep; cool months bring them back. March through May is the strongest run, with autumn a second stretch. April and May are the settled weeks, with October close behind. The season on Barnett Lake rarely departs from it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether you may fish here is not something records settle. The nearest car park we can see is half a mile out, so expect a walk with your gear. Bluegill and other panfish take small jigs or worms under a float near any cover. Bank access can be seasonal on ground like this. Where tickets apply, they are sold in the nearest town rather than on the bank. Lake Rossie, 2.2 miles away, makes the obvious fallback. Where Barnett Lake is concerned, a local answer beats a written one.