Ford Lake in Fayette County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  This water sits in Fayette County, Georgia. The ground round it is pine and hardwood. This is a pocket water of some 6 acres, and every part of it is reachable from the bank. Most waters listed here for Fayette County are larger. The town to know is Shannon, 1.1 miles out. The nearest city of size is South Fulton, an 18 miles drive. The boundary is near enough that local access rules are worth double-checking.

• Where to Fish on Ford Lake

  Our records hold no depth for this water. Levels move with the draw rather than the rain on water like this. 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, brown bullhead and redbreast sunfish. It is a record of sightings and surveys, so use it as a guide. Ford Lake gives up its fish to patience rather than distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The seasonal spread runs 42°F to 79°F. The year never really closes; it just gets uncomfortable in summer. March through May is the strongest run, with autumn a second stretch. November and March are the quiet, comfortable months to be out. It sets the rhythm of the year at Ford Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Who may fish here is not settled in anything we hold. A carry of half a mile from the nearest parking is the price of fishing here. Catfish want bait on the bottom: cut bait or worms, a simple running rig, and patience after dark. Read any posted signs at the access point rather than assuming. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. Stinchcomb Lake at 0.9 miles is the sensible second choice. Signs at Ford Lake carry more weight than any list.