Chatuge Lake near Young Harris: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Chatuge Lake is listed under Towns County, Georgia. The surface lies 1,923 feet up. At 9.9 sq miles you are fishing a fraction of it whatever you do. You have roughly 69 miles of edge to choose from, which rewards a scouting trip. It is the biggest water on our Towns County list. Nearest town is Young Harris, 5.7 miles off. The nearest city of size is Knoxville, 68 miles away. Local rules may differ a few miles either side of here.

• Where to Fish on Chatuge Lake

  We hold no depth figure for this one. Levels move with the draw rather than the rain on water like this. Draw-down through summer strips the margins, so follow the water out. Public occurrence data for Towns County names spotted bass, bluegill and largemouth bass. What holds for the county may not hold for this water. Anyone new to Chatuge Lake should walk it once before setting up.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about 37°F and July at about 73°F, the water has a wide range to work through. Winter here means light layers, not lost months. Late winter and spring fish steadiest here. The hot months push the fishing to dawn and dusk. It holds true on Chatuge Lake more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. We find no slipway, car park or made path within a short radius, so treat access as rough. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Some banks are open only from a marked point. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. Should this one be busy, Eagle Mountain Reservoir is 3.7 miles off. Check the position at Chatuge Lake before loading the car.