.sf-ga{–ink:#231C18;–deep:#7A3322;–teal:#94371C;–mist:#F5EFE8;–foam:#FCFAF7;–lure:#D3DEE2;–lure-ink:#2D4B5A;–line:#E6DBD0;–muted:#5A4D45}.sf-ga .sf-hero{background-color:#7A3322;background-image:radial-gradient(880px 520px at 96% 0%,rgba(196,214,222,.30),rgba(196,214,222,0) 62%),radial-gradient(800px 520px at 2% 100%,rgba(214,128,120,.24),rgba(214,128,120,0) 60%),linear-gradient(160deg,#8E3D27,#7A3322 46%,#2F1D16);border-bottom-right-radius:180px 96px}.sf-ga .sf-hero::before{background:linear-gradient(100deg,rgba(35,28,24,.86) 0%,rgba(35,28,24,.55) 52%,rgba(35,28,24,.20) 100%)}.sf-ga .sf-eyebrow{border-radius:4px 14px 4px 14px;background:rgba(35,28,24,.58);color:#F4F7F8;border:2px solid #D3DEE2;padding:5px 15px 4px;letter-spacing:.06em}.sf-ga .sf-hero .sf-sub{color:#F7EEE8}.sf-ga .sf-hero[style*=”background-image”]::before{background:linear-gradient(100deg,rgba(35,28,24,.90) 0%,rgba(35,28,24,.68) 44%,rgba(122,51,34,.34) 78%,rgba(122,51,34,.22) 100%),linear-gradient(0deg,rgba(28,20,16,.72),rgba(28,20,16,0) 48%)}.sf-ga .sf-bar{background-color:#231C18;background-image:radial-gradient(560px 230px at 96% 0,rgba(196,214,222,.22),rgba(196,214,222,0)),linear-gradient(100deg,#7A3322,#231C18 66%)}.sf-ga .sf-bar p{color:#EDE2DA}.sf-ga .sf-band–white,.sf-ga .sf-band–white:nth-of-type(even){background-color:#fff;background-image:radial-gradient(900px 520px at 94% 4%,rgba(122,51,34,.17),rgba(122,51,34,0) 64%),radial-gradient(780px 470px at 4% 96%,rgba(196,214,222,.46),rgba(196,214,222,0) 62%),radial-gradient(640px 400px at 50% 50%,rgba(214,128,120,.07),rgba(214,128,120,0) 62%),linear-gradient(135deg,#FFFFFF,#FAF5EF,#F2E8DE)}.sf-ga .sf-band–white:nth-of-type(even){background-image:radial-gradient(900px 520px at 6% 4%,rgba(122,51,34,.17),rgba(122,51,34,0) 64%),radial-gradient(780px 470px at 96% 96%,rgba(196,214,222,.46),rgba(196,214,222,0) 62%),linear-gradient(225deg,#FFFFFF,#FAF5EF,#F2E8DE)}.sf-ga .sf-band–mist{background-color:#F5EFE8;background-image:radial-gradient(860px 520px at 10% 8%,rgba(196,214,222,.44),rgba(196,214,222,0) 64%),radial-gradient(720px 460px at 92% 94%,rgba(122,51,34,.15),rgba(122,51,34,0) 62%),linear-gradient(200deg,#F9F4EE,#F5EFE8,#EBDFD3)}.sf-ga .sf-band–deep,.sf-ga .sf-band–ink{color:#F6ECE5}.sf-ga .sf-band–deep{background-color:#7A3322;background-image:radial-gradient(900px 540px at 92% 6%,rgba(196,214,222,.18),rgba(196,214,222,0) 62%),radial-gradient(800px 500px at 8% 94%,rgba(214,128,120,.20),rgba(214,128,120,0) 62%),linear-gradient(150deg,#8A3B26,#7A3322,#5A2517)}.sf-ga .sf-band–ink{background-color:#231C18;background-image:radial-gradient(900px 540px at 10% 6%,rgba(122,51,34,.62),rgba(122,51,34,0) 62%),radial-gradient(760px 480px at 94% 96%,rgba(196,214,222,.12),rgba(196,214,222,0) 62%),linear-gradient(150deg,#33271F,#231C18,#16110E)}.sf-ga .sf-band–deep .sf-src,.sf-ga .sf-band–ink .sf-src{color:#DDCBBF}.sf-ga .sf-band–deep .sf-head p,.sf-ga .sf-band–ink .sf-head p,.sf-ga .sf-cta p{color:#F0E2D8}.sf-ga .sf-band–deep .sf-card p,.sf-ga .sf-band–ink .sf-card p,.sf-ga .sf-band–deep .sf-fact span,.sf-ga .sf-band–ink .sf-fact span{color:#ECDBD0}body.sfs .sf-ga .sf-band–deep .sf-list li span,body.sfs .sf-ga .sf-band–ink .sf-list li span{color:#F0E2D8}body.sfs .sf-ga .sf-band–mist .sf-list a:not(.sf-btn),body.sfs .sf-ga .sf-band–white .sf-list a:not(.sf-btn){color:#94371C}body.sfs .sf-ga .sf-band–mist .sf-list li>span,body.sfs .sf-ga .sf-band–white .sf-list li>span{color:#54473F}.sf-ga .sf-barrow .t{background:linear-gradient(90deg,#94371C,#C8674A)}.sf-ga .sf-band–deep .sf-barrow .t,.sf-ga .sf-band–ink .sf-barrow .t{background:linear-gradient(90deg,#9FB7C1,#D3DEE2)}.sf-ga .sf-pill{background:#F1E5DA;color:#7A3322}.sf-ga .sf-btn:hover{background:#E6EEF1}.sf-ga .sf-card-img,.sf-ga .sf-tile{background-color:#7A3322}.sf-ga .sf-q p{color:#3D302A}.sf-ga .sf-band–deep .sf-kicker,.sf-ga .sf-band–ink .sf-kicker,.sf-ga .sf-band–deep .sf-fact b,.sf-ga .sf-band–ink .sf-fact b{color:#DCE6EA}.sf-ga .sf-kicker{color:#2D4B5A}.sf-ga .sf-pf-card h3{color:#0C1F2C!important}.sf-ga .sf-band–deep .sf-btn–ghost,.sf-ga .sf-band–ink .sf-btn–ghost{border-color:rgba(255,255,255,.45);background:rgba(22,17,14,.35)}body.sfs .sf-ga .sf-band–deep a:not(.sf-card):not(.sf-tile):not(.sf-btn),body.sfs .sf-ga .sf-band–ink a:not(.sf-card):not(.sf-tile):not(.sf-btn){color:#DCE6EA}.sf-ga .sf-tablewrap{color:#231C18;border-color:#E6DBD0}.sf-ga .sf-table td{color:#231C18}.sf-ga .sf-table th{background:#7A3322;color:#fff}.sf-ga .sf-table tr:nth-child(even) td{background:#FAF4EE}body.sfs .sf-ga .sf-tablewrap a,body.sfs .sf-ga .sf-band–deep .sf-tablewrap a:not(.sf-card):not(.sf-tile):not(.sf-btn),body.sfs .sf-ga .sf-band–ink .sf-tablewrap a:not(.sf-card):not(.sf-tile):not(.sf-btn){color:#94371C}.sf-ga .sf-band–deep .sf-q,.sf-ga .sf-band–ink .sf-q{background:rgba(255,255,255,.07);border-color:rgba(255,255,255,.18)}.sf-ga .sf-band–deep .sf-q p,.sf-ga .sf-band–ink .sf-q p{color:#F2E6DE}body.sfs .sf-ga .sf-band–deep .sf-pill a:not(.sf-card):not(.sf-tile):not(.sf-btn),body.sfs .sf-ga .sf-band–ink .sf-pill a:not(.sf-card):not(.sf-tile):not(.sf-btn),body.sfs .sf-ga .sf-pill a{color:#94371C}.sf-ga .sf-band–deep .sf-card .sf-more,.sf-ga .sf-band–ink .sf-card .sf-more{color:#E6EEF1}.sf-ga .sf-bar .sf-crumbs,.sf-ga .sf-bar .sf-crumbs span,body.sfs .sf-ga .sf-bar .sf-crumbs a{color:#FFFFFF}.sf-ga .sf-note{color:#231C18}body.sfs .sf-ga .sf-note a{color:#94371C}@media (max-width:760px){.sf-ga .sf-hero{border-bottom-right-radius:90px 48px}}
For the largemouth bass herePiscifun AlinoX 300 low profile baitcaster34% OFFSale $104.99 $159.99
Redbreast Sunfish
Photo: Brian Gratwicke, CC BY 2.0 
Redear Sunfish
Photo: Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, CC BY 2.0 
Warmouth
Photo: Fredlyfish4, CC BY-SA 3.0 
American Shad
Photo: Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, CC BY 2.0
Georgia lakes
Pick for largemouth bassPiscifun Chaos Pro CNC baitcasting reel25% OFFSale $97.99 $129.99
Cherokee Lake Fishing
A 25-acre Georgia lake in Thomas County.
Pick for largemouth bassPiscifun Chaos Pro CNC baitcasting reel25% OFFSale $97.99 Photo of Ochlockonee River: Ebyabe, CC BY-SA 4.0
Thomas County
Cherokee Lake by the figures
Inside Thomas County, Cherokee Lake holds about 25 acres of fishable water. The closest Census town is Thomasville, roughly 1 mile from the water.
WRD access points here list largemouth bass, channel catfish, black crappie, bluegill, redbreast sunfish and redear sunfish. The shoreline has 1 public boat ramp.
25acres
1public ramps
8species listed
For the largemouth bass herePiscifun AlinoX 300 low profile baitcaster34% OFFSale $104.99 Fish
Fish of Cherokee Lake
The Cherokee Lake species list joins WRD access flags with forecast and record entries.
Largemouth bass Channel catfish Black crappie Bluegill Redbreast sunfish Redear sunfish Warmouth Bowfin
WRD Water Access Points species flags, WRD fishing forecast and WRD record lists; checked October 2026.
Access
Public launches at Cherokee Lake
- Cherokee Lake Boat Rampboat ramp, restroom, City of Thomasville
Launch sites close to Cherokee Lake
- US Hwy 19 Boat RampOchlockonee River, 6 miles north
- State Highway 93 Boat RampOchlocknee River, 12 miles west
WRD Water Access Points layer and CRD coastal ramps, checked October 2026.
Regulations
Regulations covering Cherokee 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 |
With no listed exception, Cherokee Lake follows the statewide freshwater rows.
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.
Compare
Close-by lakes lined up with Cherokee Lake
Drive 2 miles to reach Cassidy Road Pond, the nearest; Tired Creek Lake is the biggest close by.
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Ramps | Type | Species listed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cherokee Lake | 25 | 1 | lake | 8 | |
| Cassidy Road Pond | 2 miles northwest | 3 | 0 | pond | 3 |
| Scott Lake | 7 miles west | 12 | 0 | lake | 6 |
| Bridge Creek Structure Number Eight Lake | 18 miles northeast | 30 | 0 | lake | 7 |
| Tired Creek Lake | 19 miles west | 960 | 1 | lake | 5 |
| Doerun Lake | 32 miles north | 4 | 1 | lake | 3 |
WRD waterbodies, reservoirs and Water Access Points layers.
Nearby
Spots by Cherokee Lake
Lakes that pair well with Cherokee Lake
- Cassidy Road Pond2 miles northwest
- Scott Lake7 miles west
- Bridge Creek Structure Number Eight Lake18 miles northeast
- Tired Creek Lake19 miles west
- Doerun Lake32 miles north
Rivers to pair with Cherokee Lake
- Aucilla River6 miles
- Ochlockonee River10 miles
- Little Ochlockonee River13 miles
Gear and bait a short hop from Cherokee Lake
- Gone Fishingbait and tackle shop, Thomasville, 2 miles
- Nelms Bait Tackle & Deer Processingbait and tackle shop, Thomasville, 6 miles
- Daryl's Bass Academybait and tackle shop, Ochlocknee, 11 miles
- Hi Way Bait & Tackle 2bait and tackle shop, Cairo, 15 miles
- Hi-Way Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Cairo, 15 miles
- George's Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Quitman, 24 miles
Nearby towns for a Cherokee Lake trip
- Thomasville1 mile
- Boston11 miles
- Ochlocknee11 miles
Cherokee Lake, county by county
- Thomas Countyseat: Thomasville
Piscifun
A Piscifun reel lineup for Cherokee Lake
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
Which fish
Know what you hooked at Cherokee Lake
Photo: Brian Gratwicke, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, CC BY 2.0
_(12658772703).jpg){kind=link}
Photo: Fredlyfish4, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, CC BY 2.0
Answers
Things to know before you fish Cherokee Lake
What part of Georgia holds Cherokee Lake?
Georgia maps place it in Thomas County, about 1 mile from Thomasville.
How big is Cherokee Lake?
Close to 25 acres of water.
Is there a public boat ramp on Cherokee Lake?
WRD maps 1 public ramp; Cherokee Lake Boat Ramp is a good start.
Which species turn up in Cherokee Lake?
largemouth bass, channel catfish, black crappie, bluegill, redbreast sunfish, redear sunfish and warmouth, per WRD records.
Which rules cover Cherokee Lake?
Statewide freshwater limits apply: 10 black bass in total and a 12-inch largemouth minimum, 30 crappie, 50 bream.
Which Georgia license do I carry at Cherokee 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.
Where are crickets and shiners sold near Cherokee Lake?
Drive 2 miles to Gone Fishing.
What other Georgia lakes sit close to Cherokee Lake?
Try Cassidy Road Pond, around 2 miles away.
A weekend at Cherokee Lake starts here
Licenses come from Go Outdoors Georgia; limits are on the next page.