What You'll Find at Carters Lake
Carters Lake is a 3,400-acre reservoir in Gilmer County that holds smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, striped bass, and catfish. The lake sits at roughly 1,000 feet elevation in the foothills north of Ellijay, so the water stays cooler than lower-elevation Georgia reservoirs—a real advantage if you're fishing summer afternoons. The Army Corps of Engineers manages the lake, and unlike some mountain reservoirs, Carters has good public access with multiple boat ramps and a developed shoreline.
The lake's character changes with the seasons. Spring brings spawning smallmouth into shallow coves and rocky banks. Summer pushes stripers and smallmouth deeper, into the main channel and around the dam. Fall is when the stripers bite hardest, often in the upper lake where creeks feed in. Winter slows everything down, but the smallmouth stay active on deep structure if you fish slowly.
Key Takeaways
- Carters Lake holds smallmouth bass year-round, with spring spawning runs in shallow coves and summer fish moving to the main channel and deeper structure.
- Striped bass are present and bite hardest in fall and early winter when they school in the upper lake near creek mouths.
- The lake has four public boat ramps managed by the Army Corps of Engineers, with the main ramp at Carters Lake Dam and secondary access at Woodring Branch and Doll Mountain.
- Water temperature stays cooler than lower Georgia reservoirs because of elevation, making summer fishing more productive than on lakes closer to Atlanta.
- Catfish are abundant and underutilized; night fishing with chicken liver or cut shad produces good numbers year-round.
Where to Fish: Coves, Structure, and the Main Channel
The upper lake, above the old river channel, holds the most consistent smallmouth population. Fish the rocky banks and shallow coves in spring—aim for water two to six feet deep with visible rock or wood. Woodring Branch and Doll Mountain coves are reliable, especially early morning. The smallmouth here run 12 to 16 inches on average, with occasional fish pushing 18 inches.
The main channel, which runs down the middle of the lake toward the dam, is where stripers congregate in summer and fall. Fish the channel ledges and drop-offs with live shad or large swimbaits. Stripers often suspend 20 to 40 feet down, so a fish finder is nearly essential if you're targeting them. The dam itself attracts stripers in fall when water is being released; fish the tailrace below the dam for aggressive strikes.
The creek arms—particularly the Coosawattee River arm on the east side—funnel baitfish and hold both smallmouth and stripers. Fish these arms during low-light periods: dawn, dusk, and overcast days. Catfish are everywhere but concentrate around deeper holes and old submerged timber. Night fishing with stationary rods is the standard approach.
Seasonal Patterns and What Works When
Spring (March through May) is prime smallmouth time. Water temperatures climb from the 50s into the 60s, and fish move shallow to spawn. Throw crankbaits, soft plastics, and topwater in the coves. The bite is fastest in mid-morning once the sun warms the shallows. By late May, fish retreat to deeper structure as water hits 70 degrees.
Summer (June through August) slows the bite but doesn't kill it. Smallmouth move to the channel and deeper banks; fish early and late, or go deep during midday. Stripers bite better in summer here than on lower reservoirs because the water stays cooler. Live shad and swimbaits work best. Catfish bite all day and all night—this is your best bet for consistent action in July and August.
Fall (September through November) is when stripers turn on. Water cools, and stripers school in the upper lake and creek arms. Live shad, large swimbaits, and topwater plugs all work. Smallmouth also bite well as water cools back into the 60s. This is the most reliable season for both species.
Winter (December through February) is slow but not dead. Smallmouth bite on deep structure with small soft plastics fished slowly. Catfish remain active. Expect fewer fish but less competition from other anglers.
Boat Ramps and Access Points
The main boat ramp is at Carters Lake Dam, on the south end of the lake. It's a concrete two-lane ramp with a large parking area, restrooms, and a picnic area. This is the most developed access point and the busiest on weekends.
Woodring Branch Recreation Area, on the west side of the lake, has a single-lane concrete ramp and a smaller parking area. It's less crowded than the dam and puts you closer to the upper lake coves.
Doll Mountain Recreation Area, also on the west side, has a concrete ramp and parking. It's another good option if the main ramp is full.
A fourth ramp exists at the Coosawattee River arm on the east side, though it's smaller and less developed. All ramps are free to use. The lake has no day-use fee, though overnight camping is available at several Corps-managed campgrounds around the shoreline.
Tackle and Techniques That Work
For smallmouth, bring crankbaits (especially shad-pattern plugs in the 2- to 3-inch range), soft plastics (4- to 6-inch worms and crawfish imitations), and topwater plugs for early morning. A 6- to 7-foot medium-action rod with 8- to 10-pound monofilament or braided line is standard. Fish rocky banks and wood slowly, and don't overlook the shallows in spring.
For stripers, live shad is the most reliable bait. If you don't have live shad, large swimbaits (4 to 6 inches) or topwater plugs work in fall. Use a 7- to 8-foot medium-heavy rod with 12- to 15-pound line. A fish finder is nearly essential for locating suspended stripers in summer.
For catfish, chicken liver, cut shad, or stink baits work well. Fish at night with stationary rods in deeper holes. A 6- to 7-foot medium-heavy rod with 15- to 20-pound line is adequate. Catfish here run 5 to 20 pounds, with occasional larger fish.
What to Know Before You Go
Georgia fishing licenses are required for anyone 16 and older. A freshwater license covers Carters Lake. You can purchase a license online through the Georgia Department of Natural Resources or at most tackle shops in Ellijay.
The lake is open year-round, but weather can close access in winter. Call ahead to confirm ramp conditions if you're visiting December through February. The upper lake can get rough on windy days because of the elevation and surrounding ridges—stay alert if you're in a small boat.
Carters Lake is about 20 minutes north of Ellijay on Highway 52. There's no fuel dock on the lake, so fill up in town. The nearest tackle shops are in Ellijay and Blue Ridge, both about 20 to 30 minutes away depending on which ramp you use.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the best time of year to fish Carters Lake?
Fall (September through November) is most reliable for both smallmouth and stripers. Spring is excellent for smallmouth spawning activity. Summer is slower but still productive if you fish early, late, or deep. Winter is slowest but offers solitude and occasional deep-structure smallmouth.
Do I need a boat to fish Carters Lake?
A boat gives you access to the best structure and deeper water, but shore fishing is possible at the recreation areas and around the dam. You'll catch mostly smaller fish from shore, but catfish bite well at night from the bank.
Are stripers stocked here, or do they reproduce naturally?
Stripers are stocked by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. The lake receives regular stockings to maintain the population. Natural reproduction is limited because stripers need flowing water to spawn, which Carters Lake doesn't provide consistently.
What size smallmouth can I expect?
Average smallmouth run 12 to 16 inches. Fish over 18 inches are possible but not common. The lake produces more consistent numbers of keeper-size fish than trophy-size fish, making it good for quantity rather than size.
Is there a minimum or maximum size limit for bass?
Georgia's statewide bass regulations apply: 12-inch minimum for both largemouth and smallmouth. Check the current Georgia fishing regulations before you go, as rules can change. The DNR website has the most current information.