Fishing Carters Lake in Gilmer County, Georgia

• Overview

  Carters Lake stands in Gilmer County, Georgia. Elevation runs to 1,102 feet. At 4.6 sq miles you are fishing a fraction of it whatever you do. With about 30 miles of shoreline, local advice saves a lot of walking. Nothing else we list in Gilmer County covers more water. The town to know is Ellijay, 10 miles out. Beyond it, Chatsworth at 13 miles and Jasper at 16 miles. Two sets of local rules meet not far from this water.

• Where to Fish on Carters Lake

  Without a survey to go on, judge depth from how the bank falls away. Look for where the old bank line still shows under the surface. Held water runs deepest at the wall and shallows back to the inflow. Survey and observation records for Gilmer County include bluegill, spotted bass, gizzard shad and channel catfish. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. The shape of Carters Lake rewards a slow walk along one bank.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate normals give 76°F for July and 39°F for January. Cold never closes this one. March through May is the strongest run, with autumn a second stretch. March through May is the strongest run, with October and November a second stretch. Expect Carters Lake to follow that timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access is not recorded for this water. A boat ramp sits about half a mile from the water. There is a car park half a mile from the bank. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. A phone call first saves an afternoon. Where parking is tight, arriving early solves most problems. The nearest alternative is Reregulation Reservoir, 2.7 miles out. Check the position on Carters Lake before loading the car.