Mason Lake near Madison: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Mason Lake stands in Morgan County, Georgia. It sits at 643 feet above sea level. This is a pocket water of some 18 acres, and every part of it is reachable from the bank. For a base, Madison sits 1 mile out. For a city, Athens is 25 miles off. Also worth knowing: 1.6 miles out stands Pennington Lake, Chambers Lake (3 miles), 3.2 miles out stands Lewis Lake, Robins Lake (3.6 miles) and 4 miles out stands Strange Lake. It lies deep inside the county rather than near an edge.

• Where to Fish on Mason Lake

  We hold no depth figure for this one. The arms fish better than the open middle whenever the water is up. Draw-down through summer strips the margins, so follow the water out. Documented catches and surveys in the area cover bandfin shiner. Presence in the area does not guarantee a fish on the day. At Mason Lake the first feature you find is worth twenty minutes.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Average temperature peaks around 80°F in July and bottoms out near 43°F in January. Fishing runs all year, with summer the awkward season. Late winter and spring fish steadiest here. March through May is the strongest run, with October and November a second stretch. That is the shape of the year on Mason Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Who may fish here is not settled in anything we hold. The car has to stay half a mile away, which shapes how much tackle you bring. A light spinning outfit with a small box of lures and some bait covers most of what swims here. Sort the permit out before you load the car. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. If the gate is shut, Pennington Lake at 1.6 miles is the nearest alternative. Ask locally about Mason Lake if anything is unclear.