Fishing Smith Lake in Jones County, Georgia

• Overview

  Smith Lake is set in Jones County, Georgia. The water sits 436 feet up. At roughly 7 acres, the whole thing is within casting reach of a single walk. Macon sits 4.9 miles from the bank. Gray follows at 8.1 miles, then West Point at 15 miles. Nearby alternatives: Lake Tonowanda some 0.3 miles off, Nelsons Lake 0.9 miles off, Coulters Lake some 2.4 miles off, Howell Lake 2.5 miles off and Lake Arrowhead some 3.1 miles off. The county line runs close by, so rules can change within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Smith Lake

  Nothing we hold settles how deep this runs. A reservoir gives you a hard edge, a shelf, and not much else. The old creek line under the surface is the feature worth finding. Records collected within a few miles name redbreast sunfish, striped jumprock, bluegill, christmas darter and goldstripe darter. That is what has been logged nearby, not a stocking list, so check local rules before you plan around any one species. At Smith Lake the water rewards a slow, careful approach.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages move between 46°F in January and 81°F in July. Fish stay active all year, but they move with the heat. 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. Smith Lake runs to its own calendar within the local pattern.

• Tackle & Baits

  Who may fish here is not settled in anything we hold. Nothing is listed nearby for parking or launching a boat. A wire trace and a big bright lure handle the pike; deep water asks for a heavier spoon. Bank access can be seasonal on ground like this. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. For a change of water, Lake Tonowanda is 0.3 miles distant. Nothing on Smith Lake should be assumed from this page alone.