Carters Lake Fishing
A 3,220-acre Georgia reservoir in Gilmer County and Murray County.
Pick for largemouth bassPiscifun Chaos Pro CNC baitcasting reel25% OFFSale $97.99 Photo: Thomson M, CC BY 3.0
Meet Carters Lake
Carters Lake spreads across 3,220 acres, all of it inside Gilmer County and Murray County. A base in East Ellijay keeps you about 8 miles from the shoreline.
When full the surface stands at 1,074 feet (NGVD29). WRD names largemouth bass, alabama bass, hybrid striped bass, striped bass, channel catfish and walleye among its fish. You can choose from 7 public boat ramps.
For the largemouth bass herePiscifun AlinoX 300 low profile baitcaster34% OFFSale $104.99 What WRD biologists expect at Carters Lake
These lines on Carters Lake come straight from the WRD forecast.
“An impoundment of the Coosawattee River between Calhoun and Ellijay, Carters Lake is about a two-hour drive from Atlanta. This 3,220-acre reservoir is Georgia's deepest, with steep bluff banks and an undeveloped shoreline.”
The top targets WRD lists on Carters Lake are Alabama Bass, Striped Bass, & Walleye.
| Species | WRD prospect (quoted) |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Largemouth bass typically comprise about 5% of the black bass population at Carters in any given year. DNR survey data show little fluctuation in largemouth numbers from year-to-year in this steep-sided, deep reservoir. Despite their low numbers, the largemouth present tend to be of quality size. |
| Alabama Bass | Alabama bass are the dominant black bass species in Carters, far outnumbering largemouth bass. Genetic analysis of the population confirmed these are the native Alabama bass, which tend to grow to larger adult sizes than the "Kentucky" spotted bass. |
| Hybrid Bass | The DNR stocks hybrid striped bass every year at Carters. Survival of these stocked fingerlings varies from year to year, but overall hybrid numbers remain modest and stable. Anglers can expect most of the fish they catch to be young hybrids 22-24 inches in length and weighing 4-6 pounds. |
| Striped Bass | Carters' striped bass abundance continues to remain modest, but plenty of trophy linesides are still caught in this deep reservoir. DNR stocks this lake with stripers annually to maintain this trophy fishery but survival of these stocked fingerlings is variable. |
| Catfish | Channel catfish far outnumber flathead and blue catfish at Carters. Recent DNR sample data shows average numbers of "dinner-sized" channel cats will be present in the lake this year. Channel cats are typically around 1 pound, while the average flathead is usually 3-5 pounds. |
| Walleye | Some limited natural reproduction of walleye does occur at Carters. However, this fishery is primarily supported by DNR's annual spring stocking of walleye fingerlings. DNR survey data show that walleye numbers this year remain above the long-term average. |
| Other Species | Though never overly abundant at Carters, black crappie do call this reservoir home. The crappie present typically run 1/2 to 3/4 pounds in size. Larger individuals may top the 1 1/2 pound mark. |
Georgia WRD fishing forecast for Carters Lake, updated June 18, 2026. Read the full forecast.
What bites at Carters Lake
Fish below are the ones Georgia sources tie to Carters Lake.
WRD Water Access Points species flags, WRD fishing forecast and WRD record lists; checked October 2026.
Picking a ramp to start a Carters Lake day
- Dam Site Boat Ramp3 lanes, dock, restroom, fee, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
- Doll Mountain Camping Area Boat Ramp2 lanes, dock, restroom, fee, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
- Doll Mountain Day Use Area Boat Ramp2 lanes, dock, restroom, fee, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
- Ridgeway Boat Ramp2 lanes, dock, fee, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
- Woodring Branch Day Use Area Boat Ramp2 lanes, dock, restroom, fee, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
- Woodring Branch Camping Area Boat Ramp1 lane, dock, restroom, fee, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
- Carters Lake Marina and Resortcarry-in launch, dock, restroom, fee, a private operator
Backup launches for Carters Lake
- Coosawattee-Carters Lake WMA Boat RampCarters Reregulation Reservoir, 3 miles west
- Coosawattee River AccessCoosawattee River, 4 miles west
- Peeples Lake Boat RampPeeples Lake, 9 miles northwest
- Cartecay River Boat RampCartecay River, 10 miles east
- Salacoa Creek ParkDefoor Walters Lake, 10 miles southwest
- Owltown Creek Boat RampOwltown Creek, 11 miles east
WRD Water Access Points layer and CRD coastal ramps, checked October 2026.
Carters Lake level and pool
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Carters Lake Near Carters, Ga | 1,071.13 ft lake elevation | Oct 22 5:15 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Oct 22, 2026 5:32 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
US Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile District (CWMS) reading for Carters Dam and Lake (NGVD29), recorded October 22, 2026; retrieved October 22, 2026. Values are provisional.
Daily creel and length rules for Carters Lake
| Species | Daily limit and size | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Black bass (all species combined) | 10 in total, only 5 of which may be Altamaha, Bartrams, Chattahoochee, Coosa, Shoal, Smallmouth, Suwannee, Tallapoosa | Open all year |
| Largemouth bass | Counts toward 10 black bass total; minimum length 12 inches statewide (exceptions on listed lakes and PFAs) | Open all year |
| Spotted bass | Counts toward 10 black bass total; no statewide minimum length (14 inches on Lake Lanier) | Open all year |
| Shoal bass | Counts toward 10 black bass total (only 5 may be shoal and other listed bass); minimum length 15 inches statewide (Flint River below Warwick Dam slot) | Open all year |
| Smallmouth bass | Counts toward 10 black bass total; only 5 of the 10 may be smallmouth and other listed bass; no minimum length | Open all year |
| Striped, white and hybrid bass | 15 in total, only two of which can be 22 inches or longer | Open all year |
| Crappie | 30 | Open all year |
| Bream (sunfish) | 50 in total | Open all year |
| Catfish | No limit | Open all year |
| Walleye | 8 | Open all year |
| Pickerel | 15 | Open all year |
| American and hickory shad | 8 | Open all year |
For Carters Lake the statewide numbers stand, since no exception is printed.
Georgia asks anglers 16 and older for a fishing license: $15 for residents and $50 for nonresidents, each good for 365 days from purchase.
2026-2027 Georgia Hunting and Fishing Regulations, effective July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027; checked October 2026.
Sizing up Carters Lake against close-by lakes
Nearest neighbor: Reregulation Reservoir at 4 miles. Largest neighbor: Reregulation Reservoir.
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Ramps | Type | Species listed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carters Lake | 3,220 | 7 | reservoir | 15 | |
| Reregulation Reservoir | 4 miles southwest | 1,030 | 1 | lake | 13 |
| Peeples Lake | 9 miles northwest | 2 | 1 | lake | 3 |
| Salacoa Creek Lake | 10 miles southwest | 126 | 1 | lake | 4 |
| Fort Mountain Lake | 11 miles northwest | 11 | 0 | lake | 4 |
| Conasauga Lake | 17 miles north | 17 | 1 | lake | 4 |
WRD waterbodies, reservoirs and Water Access Points layers.
Beside Carters Lake
More Georgia lakes close to Carters Lake
- Reregulation Reservoir4 miles southwest
- Peeples Lake9 miles northwest
- Salacoa Creek Lake10 miles southwest
- Fort Mountain Lake11 miles northwest
- Conasauga Lake17 miles north
Streams a short drive from Carters Lake
- Harris Creekunder a mile
- Fir Creek4 miles
- Tails Creek4 miles
Tackle counters serving Carters Lake
- Bart's Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Talking Rock, 9 miles
- Discount Sporting Goods & Tackbait and tackle shop, Dalton, 20 miles
- Academy Sports + Outdoors, 865 Shugart Rdsporting goods store, Dalton, 24 miles
- Blue Ridge Mountain Outfittersfly shop, Blue Ridge, 24 miles
- Fine Bamboo Oyster Fly Rodsbait and tackle shop, Blue Ridge, 24 miles
- Blue Ridge Fly Fishingfly shop, Blue Ridge, 24 miles
Towns that make a base for Carters Lake
- East Ellijay8 miles
- Ellijay9 miles
- Ranger10 miles
Counties around Carters Lake
- Gilmer Countyseat: Ellijay
- Murray Countyseat: Chatsworth
What to pack from Piscifun for Carters Lake
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Pictures from Georgia water near Carters Lake
Photo: John Phelan, CC BY 4.0
Photo: JJonahJackalope, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Thomson200, CC0 1.0
Photo: Thomson20192, CC BY 2.0
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Carters Lake, answered before you load the boat
Where in Georgia will I find Carters Lake?
It belongs to Gilmer County and Murray County, about 8 miles from East Ellijay.
What acreage does the state map give Carters Lake?
Roughly 3,220 acres, with full pool at 1,074 feet.
Does Carters Lake have a public launch?
7 public ramps, among them Dam Site Boat Ramp.
What bites at Carters Lake?
WRD sources name largemouth bass, alabama bass, hybrid striped bass, striped bass, channel catfish, walleye and spotted bass.
How many bass can I keep from Carters Lake?
Only statewide limits apply, for example 50 bream and 30 crappie a day.
Can a nonresident fish Carters Lake?
Georgia asks anglers 16 and older for a fishing license: $15 for residents and $50 for nonresidents, each good for 365 days from purchase.
Which listed tackle counter sits closest to Carters Lake?
Bart's Bait & Tackle is around 9 miles from the water.
Which lake page lies nearest to Carters Lake?
The nearest is Reregulation Reservoir, 4 miles off.
Which species should I target on Carters Lake?
Best bets: Alabama Bass, Striped Bass, & Walleye.
Put Carters Lake on the fishing calendar
Check the creel rules, then pick a ramp from the map.