Fishing at Crystal Lake, Clayton County, Georgia

• Overview

  In Georgia, Crystal Lake falls inside Clayton County. Country round the bank runs to pine and hardwood. At 5 acres it is the sort of place you fish for an evening rather than a day. It is one of the smaller waters we list in Clayton County. Riverdale lies 2.7 miles from the water. College Park follows at 3.3 miles, then Forest Park at 3.3 miles. The county edge is within a short distance of the bank.

• Where to Fish on Crystal Lake

  We hold no depth figure for this one. A reservoir gives you a hard edge, a shelf, and not much else. Held water runs deepest at the wall and shallows back to the inflow. Public wildlife records from this area list redbreast sunfish, shoal bass and yellowfin shiner. Local agencies keep the authoritative list for each water. The shape of Crystal Lake rewards a slow walk along one bank.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The year swings from about 42°F in January to roughly 79°F in July. It fishes twelve months of the year. Heat pushes fish deep from June onwards, so start early. March through May is the strongest run, with October and November a second stretch. It holds true on Crystal Lake more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. Parking is close: a car park sits half a mile from the bank. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Gates get locked out of season on water like this. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. For a change of water, Ballard Pond is 3 miles distant. Check the current arrangement for Crystal Lake.