| General Lake Info |
| Sport fishing is popular at Chatuge, both in the reservoir and in the Hiwassee River below the dam. Wade fishing for trout is popular here since fish are attracted to the weirs, where food is abundant. Angling prospects are compiled by fisheries biologists and are based on sampling efforts of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), knowledge of past fishing trends, angling experience and information provided by anglers and marina owners. For more information, contact the Wildlife Resources Division, Gainesville Fisheries office: ph. 770-535-5498. |
| Parks and Recreation |
| Chatuge Dam Reservation - Boat Ramps, Picnic Tables, Fishing Pier and Visitor Center - Phone: 423-876-6706 |
Chatuge Woods Campground - Camping, Boat Ramps, Showers and Picnic Pavilion
Phone: 706-896-4012 |
| Clay County Park - Camping, Showers, Picnic Tables and Pavilion, Playgound, Swimming Area and Nature Walking Trails - Phone: 828-389-3532 |
| Gibson Cove Recreation Area - Camping, Boat Ramps, Showers, Swimming Area, and Nature Walking Trails - Phone: 828-389-3532 |
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| Jackrabbit Mountain Recreation Area - Boat Ramps, Showers, Picnic Tables and Pavilion, Swimming Area, and Nature Walking Trails - Phone: 828-837-5152 |
| Lake Chatuge Recreation Area - Boat Ramps, and Nature Walking & Hiking Trails Phone: 706-745-6928 |
| Ledford Chapel Recreation Area - Boat Ramps and Fishing Pier - Phone: 828-837-8909 |
| Lower Bell RV Park - Camping, Boat Ramps and Marina - Phone: 707-896-6082 |
| Penland Point Campground - Camping, Boat Ramps, Marina, Picnic Tables, Playgound, and Swimming Area - Phone: 828-389-9967 |
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| Boat Ramps |
| WRD operates one boat ramp on Lake Chatuge. |
| Best Fishing Bets |
| Largemouth Bass, Spotted Bass, Bluegill and White Bass |
Largemouth Bass - Though present, largemouths will account for less than 20 percent of the black bass catch.
Technique - Artificial lures that imitate shad or herring are excellent springtime bass baits. For fall and winter, try live night crawlers, crayfish and bait minnows.
Target - Coves with structure such as logs, brush piles and fallen trees are best to target. |
Spotted Bass - Abundant. Expect high catch rates of 1-2 pound spots.
Technique - Artificial lures that imitate shad or herring are excellent springtime bass baits. Try jigging spoon and drop shot rigs during fall and winter.
Target the main river channel banks composed of gravel-to-boulder-size rocks with cover (stumps, brush and logs) at mid and lower lake sections. |
Bream - One of the more abundant sunfish varieties. Expect larger fish from June - August.
Technique - Crickets and night crawlers fished under a float are productive.
Target - Adult fish spawn in relatively shallow water on sandy bottoms from June - August. |
White Bass - According to annual sampling, white bass abundance is increasing. Lake Chatuge is one of the best reservoirs to target white bass in north Georgia.
Technique - Jigging with hair jigs, plastic grubs and spoons, and fishing topwater lures from May through July are effective methods.
Target main lake points in summer months and creeks during the spring spawn. |
Crappie - Low numbers of crappie are available. Most fish caught will average 1/2 pound.
Technique - Minnows and minnow-tipped jigs are most productive.
Target downed trees and cove pockets containing woody debris or brush. |
| Other Fish Species - Chatuge supports a good population of channel catfish that readily take cut baits and commercial catfish baits. Carp also are abundant and readily take prepared catfish baits, corn and dough baits from May - August. |
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| Additional Info |
| During 2009, several partners plan to help set a number of PVC fish attractors at selected cove sites throughout the lake. For information concerning attractor locations call the Wildlife Resources Division office at 770-535-5498 |
| Contact Info & Website Link |
| Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) - 423-751-2264 - TVA Lake Chatuge Website |
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Georgia Lakes
