Cantrell Lake, Georgia: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Cantrell Lake stands in Carroll County, Georgia. Elevation runs to 1,155 feet. Surface area runs to about 22 acres — small enough to read in one session. It sits higher than most water we list in Georgia. The nearest place of any size is Bremen, 3.3 miles away. Further out sit Temple (4.5 miles) and Mount Zion (6.8 miles). A county boundary sits nearby, which can matter for local access rules.

• Where to Fish on Cantrell Lake

  No published figure covers depth, so learn it as you fish. Rip-rap along the wall holds fish that the open bank never does. The arms fish better than the open middle whenever the water is up. Fish reported in the area, according to open records, include blackbanded darter, bluegill, redbreast sunfish and black madtom. Treat it as evidence of what swims in the area. Fish Cantrell Lake where the bottom changes rather than where it looks deep.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from 41°F in January up to 77°F in July. Winter here means light layers, not lost months. The first and last hours carry the summer; the middle is slow. Autumn steadies things again once the heat lets go. Cantrell Lake fishes to that pattern most years. Long dry spells drop the level and concentrate them.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. Expect a half a mile walk in from where the car goes. Bluegill and other panfish take small jigs or worms under a float near any cover. State or provincial rules still apply whatever the bank status. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. Spence Lake sits 1.2 miles off and takes the overflow. Where Cantrell Lake is concerned, a local answer beats a written one.