Lake Spivey in Clayton County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Lake Spivey sits in Clayton County, out in Georgia. Around the bank it is oak and grass. At some 551 acres it is far too large to cover on foot in a day. The edge covers about 8.8 miles, enough to hold several distinct areas. By surface area it heads our Clayton County listings. The town to know is Jonesboro, 3.4 miles out. For a city, Atlanta is 17 miles off. The county line runs close by, so rules can change within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Lake Spivey

  Without a survey to go on, judge depth from how the bank falls away. Built water gives depth close in, which suits a bank angler. Look for where the old bank line still shows under the surface. Biodiversity records within roughly six miles include bluegill, longnose gar and yellow bullhead. Reported species tell you what lives around here, nothing more. Fish Lake Spivey to its features, not to its size.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The year swings from about 43°F in January to roughly 80°F in July. Fishing runs all year, with summer the awkward season. October and November give a second good stretch as it cools. The cooler months are the comfortable ones to fish here. Lake Spivey fishes to that pattern most years.

• Tackle & Baits

  Who may fish here is not settled in anything we hold. No made access appears within a short radius, so plan to park on a verge and walk. For the catfish, fish bottom baits into the deeper holes and let them sit. Gates get locked out of season on water like this. Close seasons apply to some species and not others. Indian Lake sits 1.3 miles off and takes the overflow. Treat access at Lake Spivey as something to verify.