Meeks Lake in Morgan County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  You will find Meeks Lake in Morgan County, Georgia. It stands 725 feet above sea level. Small at around 10 acres: two anglers spread out cover most of it. The closest town, Watkinsville, is 6.7 miles away. It is 12 miles to Athens, the nearest city. Also within reach: Lake Oconee at 4.2 miles, Barnett Lake 4.3 miles off, Lake Rossie at 4.7 miles, Lake Wildwood 5.2 miles off and Christian Lake at 5.9 miles. Two sets of local rules meet not far from this water.

• Where to Fish on Meeks Lake

  There is no recorded depth, so work from what you can see. Built water gives depth close in, which suits a bank angler. The arms fish better than the open middle whenever the water is up. Records collected within a few miles name turquoise darter, eastern blackbanded darter, redbreast sunfish, margined madtom and blackbanded darter. Local agencies keep the authoritative list for each water. Treat Meeks Lake as a water to read rather than to cover.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The year swings from about 42°F in January to roughly 79°F in July. The hard part of the year is the heat, not the cold. Spring and autumn carry the fishing; summer squeezes it into the edges of the day. Spring and autumn carry the year; summer squeezes it into the ends of the day. That is the shape of the year on Meeks Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether you may fish here is not something records settle. Mapping shows an empty shoreline: no ramp, no jetty, no marked entry. Catfish want bait on the bottom: cut bait or worms, a simple running rig, and patience after dark. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Some ground is open by custom rather than by right, so tread carefully. Should this one be busy, Lake Oconee is 4.2 miles off. Check the current arrangement for Meeks Lake.