Fishing at Payne-Smith Lake, Cherokee County, Georgia

• Overview

  Look for Payne-Smith Lake in Cherokee County, Georgia. The country here is dry hill. The water measures roughly 4 acres, so nothing here is far from anything else. Most waters listed here for Cherokee County are larger. For a base, Ball Ground sits 5.5 miles out. Nelson is 6.6 miles away, with Canton at 7.1 miles. A county boundary sits nearby, which can matter for local access rules.

• Where to Fish on Payne-Smith Lake

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. Points where the flooded channel swings in are the reliable ones. The old creek line under the surface is the feature worth finding. Documented catches and surveys in the area cover blackbanded darter, bluegill and redeye bass. Treat it as evidence of what swims in the area. Payne-Smith Lake responds to conditions more than to tactics.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July to average close to 76°F, with January the cold end at about 39°F. Winter here means light layers, not lost months. The first and last hours carry the summer; the middle is slow. February into May fishes hardest as the water warms. Time your trip to Payne-Smith Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. The map shows no ramp or car park nearby, so this is a walk-in water. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Rules differ from one water to the next round here. Some ground is open by custom rather than by right, so tread carefully. Should this one be busy, Ford Lake is 0.9 miles off. Check the position at Payne-Smith Lake before loading the car.