Durham Lake near Clarkston: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Durham Lake is one of the DeKalb County waters in Georgia. Dry hill runs right down to the water. A pocket of water where every cast reaches cover. Most waters listed here for DeKalb County are larger. The closest town, Clarkston, is 2.8 miles away. It is 9.9 miles to Atlanta, the nearest city. Rules can differ a short way off, since the county line is near.

• Where to Fish on Durham Lake

  The records we hold are silent on depth, so plan to find it yourself. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Fish reported in the area, according to open records, include bluegill, largemouth bass, warmouth and blackbanded darter. Local agencies keep the authoritative list for each water. Read Durham Lake before you fish it and the day goes better.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July to average close to 79°F, with January the cold end at about 42°F. The hard part of the year is the heat, not the cold. The first and last hours carry the summer; the middle is slow. June to September is hot work, so the first and last hours are what count. Anyone fishing Durham Lake regularly works to that calendar.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing in our records says who may fish here. The closest car park is half a mile away, so pack accordingly. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. A landowner's word beats anything printed elsewhere. Barbless rules turn up on managed water more often than not. Should this one be busy, Pine Lake is 1.2 miles off. Check the position on Durham Lake before loading the car.