Northeast Georgia Mountains Fishing Lakes

Photo: Thomson200, public domain (CC0), via Wikimedia Commons

Beyond big reservoirs like Lanier, Hartwell and Burton, the Northeast Georgia Mountains travel region has a string of small lakes that are easy to fish from the bank or a small boat: state park lakes with rental boats and beaches, quiet Georgia Power lakes on the Tallulah and Tugaloo rivers, and a Forest Service lake where only electric motors are allowed.

• Lakes on this page9
• Fishing licenseRequired for anglers 16 and older
• State parksDaily ParkPass required per vehicle
• Closed for nowLake Trahlyta at Vogel State Park (drained for dam repairs)

Lakes at a Glance

Fort Yargo State Park Lake

Fish: Largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, redear and channel catfish.

Two boat ramps; private boats allowed with a 10 hp limit. Seasonal fishing jon boat, canoe, kayak and pedal boat rentals, an accessible fishing dock and a sand swimming beach. ParkPass required.

Contact: Fort Yargo State Park, 2019 Fort Yargo Ave., Winder; 770-867-3489.

Unicoi Lake

Fish: Bass, bream and stocked catfish; a few trout drift down from Smith Creek.

Swimming beach, seasonal canoe and kayak rentals and accessible fishing docks inside Unicoi State Park, run by the North Georgia Mountains Authority. ParkPass required.

Contact: Unicoi State Park & Lodge, Ga. 356 northeast of Helen.

Black Rock Lake

Fish: Largemouth bass and sunfish; catfish and trout stocked periodically.

Easy loop trail around the lake at about 2,240 feet elevation, picnic tables and a fishing pier. No swimming. Park open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.; ParkPass required.

Contact: Black Rock Mountain State Park, 3085 Black Rock Mountain Pkwy.; 706-746-2141.

Lake Russell

Fish: Bass, sunfish, catfish and crappie.

Electric trolling motors and paddle craft only; boat ramp and fishing dock. The Forest Service recreation area has a 42-site campground, a grassy swim beach and trails. Day-use pass required for the boat launch and beach.

Contact: U.S. Forest Service, Chattooga River Ranger District; campground reservations on Recreation.gov.

Seed Lake

Fish: Walleye, largemouth and spotted bass, yellow perch, white catfish and big redear.

A Georgia Power run-of-the-river lake just below Lake Burton. Walleye stocked every year; DNR’s 2026 forecast says survival has been unusually good, with many 1- to 4-pound fish. The lake-record largemouth is 14 lb 4 oz. Small ramp off Lake Rabun Road.

Contact: Georgia Power, North Georgia lakes. See our Lake Rabun and Seed Lake guide.

Lake Yonah

Fish: Walleye, yellow perch, largemouth and spotted bass.

Georgia Power lake on the Tugaloo River with wide water-level swings from power generation. The upper-lake road, campground and ramp below Tugalo Dam are closed during a dam upgrade, so the Yonah Dam Road ramp is the only boat access.

Contact: Georgia Power. See our Lake Yonah fishing guide.

Tallulah Falls Lake

Fish: Bass, sunfish, yellow perch and catfish.

Small Georgia Power reservoir at the head of Tallulah Gorge. No ramp; small boats and canoes can be hand-launched. Levels change quickly with generation. Camping and picnicking nearby off U.S. 441.

Contact: Georgia Power; Tallulah Gorge State Park is next door.

Victoria Bryant State Park ponds

Fish: Bass, carp, catfish, bream and crappie.

Bass, carp and catfish are catch-and-release only; bream and crappie have a 5-fish limit. No swimming in the ponds. ParkPass required.

Contact: Victoria Bryant State Park, 1105 Bryant Park Rd., Royston; 706-245-6270.

Crow’s Lake

Fish: Channel catfish, bass and bream.

Private family fishing lake, open roughly late April through September: Wednesday and Thursday 4 to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Also trails, disc golf and events.

Contact: 155 Crow’s Lake Dr., Jefferson; 706-614-0865.

Lake Trahlyta Is Drained (2026)

The 22-acre lake at Vogel State Park near Blairsville was drained in early 2026 for dam repairs, and its loop trail is closed. Call the park at 706-745-2628 for the current status before you plan a fishing trip there.

Mountain LakesSmall and quiet

State Park LakesBank fishing and trails

For the big lakes in this region, see our guides to Lake Burton, Lake Hartwell, Lake Chatuge, Lake Tugalo and Lake Lanier, or browse all Georgia lakes and fishing lakes by region.