Bender V Loc: Northwestern Georgia

We just bought property in north Georgia and plan to spend the better part of spring, summer and fall enjoying the scenery and recreation there. I'm pretty new to lake fishing in that area and plan to fish both Chatuge and Nottley lakes for stripers and walleye.
Since most of my fishing days were spent on the Gulf, both inshore and off I do not have much experience in lake fishing but I understand those two lakes are pretty productive in both species plus a variety of others like bass, crappie and bluegilles, etc.
I have my own boat to use there and I'm looking for someone with knowledge of the use of bait and tackle to use there especially on lake Nottley which is the closest lake to me.
Any help along this line would be appreciated and I would be happy to pay for someone to come aboard and get me started off in the right direction.

ripogenu Loc: norfolk, MA

nice looking grouper!

Gordon Loc: Charleston South Carolina

Nice fish. You ain't going to catch one of those in that lake. HA HA. Welcome Bender and good luck over there

Bender V Loc: Northwestern Georgia

Fried, baked or blackened. Can’t beat this species for a great meal. Used to eat a lot of bluegill, perch and catfish as a kid (never met a fish I didn’t love)

Travis john Loc: Palmer, iowa

I live in nw iowa. Have family in winder ga. Love fishing walleye. Find structure and use electronics to locate fish. In the spring find shallow sandy rocky bottom. I use jigs tiped with a minnow or crawler alot or a slip bobber with minnow, crawler or leach is a great tactic. If there is a big flat you can troll. I use night crawler harness on a bottom bouncer or troll with crank baits as well.
As far as rods for trolling I use medium heavy with 15 lbs mono. I use the same polls river fishing too. Braid line is stronger and lets crank baits dive deeper. Walleye can be very finicky and a tough bite sometimes. Just be patient and try different things. It will pay off in the long run. Best of luck.

Travis john Loc: Palmer, iowa

When my family visits my wife's family would be interested in fishing up there if things ever work out. I love fishing and meeting new people.

Bender V Loc: Northwestern Georgia

Thanks Travis John. Appreciate your tips.

Travis john Loc: Palmer, iowa

Bender v. Wondering if you have the fish figured out up there. We are visiting Georgia this week. Wondering how the fishing is.

Ron620DVS Loc: Guntersville Alabama

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Fishing Forecast - Lake Chatuge;

Lake Chatuge is a 7,050-acre Tennessee Valley Authority reservoir located on the North Carolina border.

Fishing and boating regulations are restricted to the waters governed by each state, so anglers must pay careful attention to which side of the lake they are fishing in order to abide by the appropriate laws.



Contact Information: Tennessee Valley Authority: 423-751-2264



DNR Office: 770-535-5498



State records and fishing reports;



Fish attractor data for this reservoir is available for you to upload into your fishfinder or other GPS devices, or view in free online mapping applications.

The data is compatible with many brands including Lowrance, Humminbird, Garmin and Magellan to name a few.

Instructions are here on how to use the data.

Download the zipped data.



Best Bets: SPOTTED BASS, LARGEMOUTH BASS, HYBRID BASS, BLUEGILL, CATFISH, WALLEYE & CARP:


Please click on link for additional information, Thank You.


https://www.arcgis.com/apps/MapJournal/index.html?appid=32b56d2b401d4bd894cb1af9a10ad3c9


Ron620DVS🎣🐠🐟🐸🦞


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Ron620DVS Loc: Guntersville Alabama

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Prospect: The abundance of Largemouth bass in Lake Chatuge is similar to other mountain lakes in North Georgia. Anglers can improve their chances of success by targeting main lake points, and shallow woody structures that are preferred by Largemouth Bass. Like most lakes, anglers can expect to catch Largemouth in the 10 to 14-inch size range, but there is excellent trophy potential on Lake Chatuge at certain times of the year. Roughly 34% of Chatuge's Largemouth Bass population ranges between 14 and 17 inches, and the average Largemouth is Lake Chatuge is 13.5" and 1.5 lbs. Anglers with a valid Georgia fishing license may fish the North Carolina waters of Lake Chatuge. The reciprocal agreement with North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission dictates that Georgia anglers can fish in North Carolina water of Lake Chatuge by boat, but your boat can not be anchored to shore, or a pier or dock connected to shore while you are fishing. Otherwise, Georgia's statewide regulations applying to black bass (Largemouth, Spotted, and Smallmouth Bass; 12 inch minimum size limit for Largemouth Bass and 10 fish daily limit) are the same while fishing the North Carolina waters of Lake Chatuge.



Technique: Underwater structure is relatively sparse in Lake Chatuge, therefore, Largemouth Bass strongly orient to hard structures with vertical relief such as downed trees, large rocks, creek channel ledges, points, rocky banks and boat docks. During the winter months, live baits such as night crawlers, shiners, and crayfish are effective for both boat and bank anglers. Slow moving artificial baits that imitate crayfish or dying shad also work well. A heavy pig’n jig combo with crayfish profile is a popular wintertime bait. Vertical jigging with spoons over deep channels and near the face of the dam gives the appearance of a dying herring that Largemouth Bass find hard to resist.

When the surface temperature starts to rise from March through May, Largemouth Bass move into shallow water. Pre-spawn fish will congregate at the mouths of creeks. Mid-diving crankbaits, jigs, and Texas-rigged soft plastics can be deadly methods for catching large fish. After the spawn, soft-bodied jerk baits like a Super Fluke, spinner baits, and topwater plugs should be fished around visible structure in the backs of coves. If you are catching a lot of small fish, then cast fast moving spinner baits and crankbaits into slightly deeper water for bigger bass.

During summer, Largemouth Bass will feed on small Blueback Herring at the surface during the early morning hours. Cast into surface feeding fish with fast moving topwater baits like a Spook or Sammy. During the heat of the day, bass will retreat to deeper water where slower presentations using plastic worms are more effective. In the fall months, bass will feed more aggressively. Look for surface feeding fish at dawn and dusk. During the day, target main lake points with crankbaits and Carolina-rigged worms. Drop shot rigs are also a good method to catch these schooled fish



Target: Largemouth Bass are typically more abundant in upper reaches of Lake Chatuge, especially upstream of the Highway 76 Bridge. Largemouth are also more concentrated in the back of coves and in cove pockets throughout the lake. In the winter months, Largemouth may bunch up in creek channels, around fallen trees, and near any available rip-rap that is in the water. The cold-water bite is usually best during mid-afternoon when the daily water temperature reaches its peak. In the spring months, look for Largemouth Bass around shallow water structure near the backs of coves or in cove pockets along the main channel upstream from Towns County Park. Also be sure to target the rip-rapped banks along the dam and at various places adjacent to Highway 76. Warm summer temperatures drive Largemouth Bass into deeper water in the 20 to 30-ft depth range. Search for summer bass on points and humps or around the artificial structures placed by DNR and the US Forest Service. When water temperatures cool down in the fall months, Largemouth Bass go on the prowl in search of food to build up their winter fat reserves. Look for schooling fish near the surface in the twilight hours and overcast days. During the daytime, fish deep with crankbaits or slow-moving soft plastics near any type of structure.

Lake Chatuge - Spotted Bass
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Spotted Bass

Fish Identification Page



Prospect: Spotted bass are abundant in Lake Chatuge and anglers will have no problem putting fish in the boat. Though not native to Lake Chatuge, Spotted Bass are a popular target and constitute roughly 30% of this fishery's predatory sunfish biomass. Based on recent bass surveys by GA-DNR, the bulk of this year's catch will range from 12 to 15-inches, and a few kicker fish will be landed that tip the scales at the 4 lb mark.

Spotted bass are abundant in Lake Chatuge, and anglers are encouraged to harvest the legal limit of Spotted Bass in hopes of reducing the population and improving their growth rate. In the Georgia waters of Lake Chatuge, there is no minimum size restriction on spotted bass, but anglers may only keep a combined total of 10 bass. Anglers with a valid Georgia fishing license may fish the North Carolina waters of Lake Chatuge. The reciprocal agreement with North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission dictates that Georgia anglers can fish in North Carolina water of Lake Chatuge by boat, but your boat can not be anchored to shore, or a pier or dock connected to shore while you are fishing. Otherwise, Georgia's statewide regulations applying to black bass (Largemouth, Spotted, and Smallmouth Bass; 12 inch minimum size limit for Largemouth Bass and 10 fish daily limit) are the same while fishing the North Carolina waters of Lake Chatuge.



Technique: During the winter months, Spotted Bass prey on Blueback Herring in open water. Trolling live herring or their artificial counterparts behind planer boards is your best bait option in the wintertime. Spotted Bass will also take live bait and slow-moving pig’n jig combos when fished around downed timber or near rip-rap. Good live baits to use are shad and shiners. Live crayfish are also a proven tactic. Rig your crayfish by slipping a rubber band or O-ring over the tail of the crayfish like you would a whacky rigged worm. This will keep your crayfish alive longer. Also try trolling or vertical lining live bait, and vertically jigging spoons over schools of fish for early season success.

During the spring months, Spotted Bass are very active and will attack a variety of artificial lures such as soft-bodied flukes, grubs, tube worms, and finesse worms as well as spinnerbaits. Lipless and mid-diving crankbaits can be effective as well. Anglers should target rocky shorelines and fallen trees during the spring months. In the summer, anglers will have their highest success at dawn and dusk. During these low light hours, cast topwater plugs to surface feeding fish in the vicinity of the dam. During the daytime, switch to slow moving drop shot presentations on brushpiles and artificial reefs. Also consider casting to long points and along the face of the dam with finesse worms and crankbaits. Fishing activity peaks again during the fall months when Spotted Bass are feeding in shallow water on small blueback herring. Cast into surface-feeding fish with small poppers and flukes. Also consider using casting spoons and underspins. Allow the spoon to flutter into slightly deeper water where the bigger fish are often lurking. During the sunny part of the day, switch to bottom tactics that imitate a slow moving crayfish.



Target: During the winter months, Spotted Bass are searching for Blueback Herring that are seeking relief from the cold in pockets of warmer water. Rocky banks and muddy water radiate heat into the water on sunny days during the cold weather months. Winter bass anglers should consider these areas as the primary target for the wintertime bite. The rip-rap along the dam is an obvious choice but anglers should also look for areas that contain large boulders and other cover (stumps, brush and logs).

During April and May, Spotted Bass are spawning in 5 to 15-ft of water near fallen trees, boat docks and along rocky banks. Main channel banks along the mid-section of the reservoir seem to hold the highest numbers of Spotted Bass in the spring. During summer, long, rocky points and artificial structures on the lower half of the lake in 20 to 30-ft of water provide the best sites to fish with slow-moving soft plastics. In fall, Spotted Bass will frequently be found at the surface over open water near the dam feeding on small Blueback Herring. During the heat of the day, Spotted Bass will usually move to deeper water on points and around fallen trees. Rip fast-moving crankbaits through the mid-depths or work slow-moving plastic baits over rocky bottoms along the main lake.

Lake Chatuge - Hybrid Bass
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Hybrid Bass

Fish Identification Page



Prospect: Lake Chatuge is famous in the fishing world for producing a world record hybrid Striped Bass in 1995 that weighed 25 lb, 8 oz. Although that record was eventually broken, Lake Chatuge still supports an excellent hybrid bass fishery that is maintained by GA-DNR’s annual stocking efforts. There are two prominent year classes of hybrids in Lake Chatuge currently: fish from the 2018 year class ranges in size from 15" to 20" and weigh 2-4 lbs, and fish from the 2017 year class that are +20" to 22" and weigh between 4 to 6 lbs. Recent fish populations surveys also revealed that there are some larger hybrids roaming around in the Lake Chatuge that will tip the scales around the 8 lb mark.



Technique: Hybrid Bass feed primarily on Blueback Herring. In the spring, hybrids will chase adult herring at the surface, especially near rocky shorelines on the lower half of the lake. In the summer months, hybrids prefer to track down larger herring (6-inches and above) in 30 to 50-feet of water on the lower end of the lake. When the surface temperature drops below 75 degrees F in October, hybrid bass return to the surface, but this time to feed on the abundance of smaller 3-inch herring that are schooling over open water near the dam and along the main river channel. Casting bucktail jigs or flukes to surface-feeding fish or trolling umbrella rigs in deep water are the most popular artificial tactics used by Chatuge’s Hybrid Bass anglers.



Target: Hybrid Bass are schooling fish, so if you catch one then you can be confident that other hybrids are nearby. In the winter months, Hybrid Bass can be found on windblown points feeding on blueback herring. Pulling live herring behind a planer board or live line near the shoreline is the best approach for catching hybrids in the winter.

During the spring, hybrids will roam the shallows in search of adult herring that are spawning on rocky banks. By summer, hybrid bass will migrate to the lower lake but water quality conditions will force them near the bottom at depths around 35 feet deep for most of the summer. By late-summer, hybrids may be as deep as 60 to 80-feet. Good electronics will help an angler locate a large school of fish hovering near the bottom. During the fall, Hybrid Bass will feed aggressively at the surface in shallow water during the early morning and evening. Look for schooling activity near the dam and along the main river channel on the lower half of the lake.

Lake Chatuge - Bream
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Bluegill Sunfish

Fish Identification Page



Prospect: Bluegill are one of the more abundant sunfish varieties in Lake Chatuge and the lake supports good numbers of quality-sized fish. Success is highest during the spawning period, which spans from May to August. Redear sunfish, although not as numerous as bluegill, provide trophy sunfish opportunities in Lake Chatuge and are best targeted when spawning in shallow water in the spring.



Technique: Crickets and live worms fished with or without a float are productive all year. An alternative summer strategy is to cast rubber spiders, small popping bugs or rubber ants with a fly rod underneath overhanging tree limbs that are located in coves and small pockets.



Target: Adult bream spawn in relatively shallow water on sandy bottoms from May to August during the full moon. Search for their circular nests in 4 to 10 feet of water near creek mouths and their adjacent flats. For the remainder of the summer, look for schools of bluegill underneath overhanging tree limbs and around boat docks. In the fall months, sunfish retreat to deeper water near fallen trees.

Lake Chatuge - Crappie
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Black Crappie

Fish Identification Page



Prospect: 2021 will be another great year for crappie fishing on Lake Chatuge, as relative abundance of Black Crappie remains higher than average. The size of the crappie you will catch this year will run about average (10") for Lake Chatuge, with most fish ranging in weighing from 1/2 to 1 lb, but there will be a few slabs tossed into the mix that tip the scales around 1.5 to 2 pounds. Anglers will have their best success during the spring months when crappie are concentrated in shallow water around visible structure located in the backs of coves.

Ron620DVS🎣🐠🐟🐸🦞

Please click on link for additional information, Thank You.


https://www.arcgis.com/apps/MapJournal/index.html?appid=32b56d2b401d4bd894cb1af9a10ad3c9


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