Fishing at Upper Yarbrough Lake, Washington County, Georgia

• Overview

  Upper Yarbrough Lake is one of the Washington County waters in Georgia. Land around it is dry hill. About 14 acres of surface, which puts the far bank inside easy sight. The nearest town is Sandersville, 1.9 miles away. It is 76 miles to Athens, the nearest city. No boundary runs near, so the county rules hold throughout.

• Where to Fish on Upper Yarbrough Lake

  Nothing we hold settles how deep this runs. The old creek line under the surface is the feature worth finding. Inflow corners move water, and moving water gathers fish. Fish reported in the area, according to open records, include redbreast sunfish, redfin pickerel and spotted sunfish. The list reflects reported sightings and surveys rather than what is stocked. On Upper Yarbrough Lake the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Typical July readings run about 81°F; by January the average is down near 45°F. The awkward stretch is midsummer, not midwinter. Heat pushes fish deep from June onwards, so start early. The hot months push the fishing to dawn and dusk. Upper Yarbrough Lake runs to that rhythm year in and year out.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing on record says whether the bank is open or closed. Recorded parking is half a mile off, far enough to travel light. For the pike, wire up and throw larger lures along the weed edges. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Close seasons apply to some species and not others. Gilmore Lake Number Three, 1.9 miles away, makes the obvious fallback. Signs at Upper Yarbrough Lake carry more weight than any list.