Whitley Lake near Social Circle: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Whitley Lake is set in Walton County, Georgia. The setting is open plain. It covers about 8 acres, so this is small water you can walk round in under an hour. For supplies, Social Circle is 3.3 miles out. For a city, Athens is 29 miles off. What else is close: Arnold Lake 1.7 miles away, 2.2 miles out stands McGarity Lake, Shephard Lake 3.1 miles away, 3.1 miles out stands Lower Williams Lake and Hodges Lake 3.9 miles away. The boundary is close enough to be worth checking before you fish.

• Where to Fish on Whitley Lake

  Open data we checked carries no depth for this water. Rip-rap along the wall holds fish that the open bank never does. Levels move with the draw rather than the rain on water like this. Nearby survey and observation records mention largemouth bass, redear sunfish, bluegill and black crappie. Reported species tell you what lives around here, nothing more. Whitley Lake gives up more to patience than to distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July near 79°F and January near 42°F on the long-run figures. Cooler months are the productive ones on most of this water. Late winter and spring fish steadiest here. Late winter often fishes better here than midsummer does. Anyone fishing Whitley Lake regularly works to that calendar.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public data does not answer the access question here. Access points are not mapped for this water, which suits people who like quiet. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Ask in the nearest town if you are unsure. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. Arnold Lake at 1.7 miles is the sensible second choice. Treat access at Whitley Lake as something to verify.