Photo: Light-jet pilot, public domain (CC0), via Wikimedia Commons
Lake Tobesofkee is a 1,750-acre lake just west of Macon, owned and run by Macon-Bibb County. Homes line the lower lake, but above the Lower Thomaston Road bridge it is still fairly wild. It is an easy family outing with beaches and parks, and the fishing is better than many expect: largemouth numbers are above their 12-year average.
- Size1,750 acres
- OperatorMacon-Bibb County
- Best betsLargemouth, crappie, catfish, hybrids
- ContactTobesofkee Recreation Area, 478-474-8770
Getting on the Water
The county’s recreation areas have ramps, beaches and picnic areas, and a large bank-fishing area on the upper lake called “the Fingers.” DNR fish attractors are marked with white buoys. Fees and hours are set by Macon-Bibb County; call 478-474-8770.
2026 Fishing Outlook
Summarized from Georgia DNR fisheries biologists’ 2026 forecast for Lake Tobesofkee, based on their sampling.
| Species | Outlook | Where and how |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth bass | Thriving and above the 12-year average; up to half the catch 12 to 20 inches, with fair numbers of 20- to 25-inch fish. | Brushy docks, lighted docks at night, and steep banks and points near deep water below the Lower Thomaston Road bridge; water willow beds in pockets above and below the bridge. Cranks (shad or perch in clear water, firetiger in stained), topwater, finesse worms Texas-rigged. |
| Crappie | Catch rates should be up, mostly 8- to 12-inch fish. | Upper coves and shallow flats in spring; deep treetops and brushy docks, lighted docks and bridges at night, and the buoy-marked fish attractors. Minnows, trolled jigs, jigs under docks. |
| Catfish | Steady: most half to 1.5 pounds, good numbers of 3- to 8-pounders. | Cover by old creek channels by day, flats at night, brushy docks; the Fingers in spring and the Tobesofkee Creek area in summer. Live or cut fish, worms, dough balls. |
| Hybrid bass | DNR stocks hybrids only (stripers never took hold); 2022 and 2023 fish are 15 to 20 inches. | Deep water near creek channels and the dam; surface schools; lots caught off the swimming beaches on summer evenings. Live or cut bait, spoons, spinners, lipless and small cranks. |
| Bream | Bluegill and redbreast 4 to 7 inches; redear 6 to 10. | Weed beds, brush and brushy docks; beds in spring and summer. Worms, crickets, small spinners, flies. |
| Chain pickerel | More common lately; a bonus while bass fishing. | Water willow pockets and thick cover around the Lower Thomaston Road bridge. Minnows, streamers, weedless worms. |
Lake Tobesofkee
Lake TobesofkeeContact: Tobesofkee Recreation Area, 478-474-8770. Georgia DNR fisheries, 478-825-6151.
More nearby: High Falls Lake, Lake Juliette, Historic Heartland fishing lakes and all Georgia lakes.
Sources we checked
Facts in this guide were checked in October 2026 against the agencies and operators that run these places:
Spot something out of date? Email Contact@n-georgia.com and we’ll check it against the official source. Read how we research our guides.