Upper Cardinal Lake Fishing in Gwinnett County, Georgia

• Overview

  Upper Cardinal Lake belongs to Gwinnett County, Georgia. The setting is open plain on every side. The water measures roughly 12 acres, so nothing here is far from anything else. It is high ground by Georgia standards. Duluth at 1.7 miles is the nearest place to stop. It is 14 miles to Sandy Springs, the nearest city. A county line runs close by, so local bylaws can differ within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Upper Cardinal Lake

  Depth is not on record here, so the bank has to tell you. Rip-rap along the wall holds fish that the open bank never does. The old creek line under the surface is the feature worth finding. Biodiversity records within roughly six miles include blackbanded darter, eastern blackbanded darter, green sunfish and redbreast sunfish. Presence in the area does not guarantee a fish on the day. Upper Cardinal Lake gives up more to patience than to distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July near 80°F and January near 42°F on the long-run figures. Cold never closes this one. October and November give a second good stretch as it cools. November and March are the quiet, comfortable months to be out. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Upper Cardinal Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Who may fish here is not settled in anything we hold. There is a car park half a mile from the bank. Facilities include toilets around half a mile from here. Catfish want bait on the bottom: cut bait or worms, a simple running rig, and patience after dark. Look for a notice board at the entrance. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. For a change of water, Whitehead Lake is 0.4 miles distant. Confirm access to Upper Cardinal Lake locally before you travel.