Lake Chatuge Fishing
A 7,050-acre Georgia reservoir in Towns County.
Pick for largemouth bassPiscifun Chaos Pro CNC baitcasting reel25% OFFSale $97.99 Photo: Warren LeMay, CC0 1.0
Meet Lake Chatuge
Lake Chatuge spreads across 7,050 acres, all of it inside Towns County. Locals and older maps also call it Chatuge Lake. A base in Hiawassee keeps you about 1 mile from the shoreline.
Operation of the impoundment falls to Tennessee Valley Authority. The state line splits it, with about 45% in Georgia, the rest in North Carolina. WRD names largemouth bass, alabama bass, hybrid striped bass, bluegill, black crappie and walleye among its fish. You can choose from 4 public boat ramps. WRD maps 1 pier or bank fishing site for walk-up anglers.
For the largemouth bass herePiscifun AlinoX 300 low profile baitcaster34% OFFSale $104.99 What WRD biologists expect at Lake Chatuge
These lines on Lake Chatuge come straight from the WRD forecast.
“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. www.tva.gov/sites/chatuge; DNR Office: 770-535-5498”
The top targets WRD lists on Lake Chatuge are Alabama Bass, Largemouth Bass, Hybrid Bass, Bluegill, Catfish, Walleye & Carp.
| Species | WRD prospect (quoted) |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | 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, pockets and coves on the southern half of the reservoir, and shallow woody structures that are preferred by Largemouth… |
| Alabama Bass | Alabama bass are abundant in Lake Chatuge and anglers will have no problem putting fish in the boat. Though not native to Lake Chatuge, Alabama Bass are a popular target and constitute roughly half of the fishery's predatory sunfish in terms of numbers based on spring survey results. |
| Hybrid Bass | 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. |
| Bream | 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. |
| Crappie | 2025 will be another good year for crappie fishing on Lake Chatuge as Black Crappie number have been on the upswing over the last several years. |
| Walleye | Walleye were recently re-established in Lake Chatuge by North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. Although Walleye stocking was successful, the population remained at a relatively low density for harvestable-sized fish. |
Georgia WRD fishing forecast for Lake Chatuge, updated June 18, 2026. Read the full forecast.
What bites at Lake Chatuge
Fish below are the ones Georgia sources tie to Lake Chatuge.
WRD Water Access Points species flags, WRD fishing forecast and WRD record lists; checked October 2026.
Picking a ramp to start a Lake Chatuge day
- Chatuge Cove Marina2 lanes, dock, restroom, fee, a private operator
- Boundary Waters Resort & Marina1 lane, dock, restroom, fee, a private operator
- Mayor's Park1 lane, dock, Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division
- The Ridges Resort & Marina1 lane, dock, restroom, fee, a private operator
Piers and bank areas at Lake Chatuge
- The Ridges Resort & Marinafishing pier, a private operator
Backup launches for Lake Chatuge
- Moccasin Creek Boat RampLake Burton, 13 miles southeast
- Meeks ParkNottely River, 13 miles southwest
- Tallulah River Boat RampLake Burton, 14 miles east
- Canal Lake Boat RampNottely Lake, 14 miles west
- Nottely MarinaLake Nottely, 14 miles west
WRD Water Access Points layer and CRD coastal ramps, checked October 2026.
Daily creel and length rules for Lake Chatuge
The 2026-2027 Georgia Hunting and Fishing Regulations lists rules written for Lake Chatuge; they replace the statewide numbers where they differ.
| Water as printed | Rule |
|---|---|
| Lake Chatuge | Georgia-North Carolina agreement: holders of a valid Georgia or North Carolina fishing license may fish with hook and line only from boats; boats may not be anchored to the shore or to a pier or dock connected to the shore. Live blueback herring may be used for bait. |
| 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 |
Reciprocal agreements let a Georgia license ($15 resident, $50 nonresident) cover the shared border water as the guide lists it.
2026-2027 Georgia Hunting and Fishing Regulations, effective July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027; checked October 2026.
Record fish that came from Lake Chatuge
| Species | Weight | Date | Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hybrid Bass | 25 lb, 8 oz | May 1, 1995 | hook and line |
| Smallmouth Bass | 7 lb, 2 oz | March 28, 1973 | hook and line |
WRD state record freshwater fish list; angler names left out. All Georgia records.
Sizing up Lake Chatuge against close-by lakes
Nearest neighbor: Lake Burton at 14 miles. Largest neighbor: Lake Nottely.
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Ramps | Type | Species listed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Chatuge | 7,050 | 4 | reservoir | 11 | |
| Lake Burton | 14 miles southeast | 2,775 | 3 | reservoir | 11 |
| Lake Trahlyta | 15 miles southwest | 22 | 1 | lake | 4 |
| Unicoi Lake | 16 miles south | 53 | 0 | lake | 6 |
| Lake Nottely | 16 miles west | 4,180 | 5 | reservoir | 9 |
| Lake Winfield Scott | 19 miles southwest | 18 | 1 | lake | 4 |
WRD waterbodies, reservoirs and Water Access Points layers.
Beside Lake Chatuge
More Georgia lakes close to Lake Chatuge
- Lake Burton14 miles southeast
- Lake Trahlyta15 miles southwest
- Unicoi Lake16 miles south
- Lake Nottely16 miles west
- Lake Winfield Scott19 miles southwest
Streams a short drive from Lake Chatuge
- Hiwassee Riverunder a mile
- Hog Creek3 miles
- Bearmeat Creek4 miles
Tackle counters serving Lake Chatuge
- Squiggly Worm Bait & Tackbait and tackle shop, Hiawassee, under a mile
- Squiggly Worm Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Young Harris, 3 miles
- Southern Highroads Outfitters Gift Co.sporting goods store, Blairsville, 12 miles
- Nottely Marine Incbait and tackle shop, Blairsville, 14 miles
- Paradise Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Blairsville, 17 miles
- Carolina Luresbait and tackle shop, Blairsville, 20 miles
Towns that make a base for Lake Chatuge
- Hiawassee1 mile
- Young Harris5 miles
- Blairsville12 miles
Counties around Lake Chatuge
- Towns Countyseat: Hiawassee
What to pack from Piscifun for Lake Chatuge
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Pictures from Georgia water near Lake Chatuge
Photo: pseabolt, CC BY 3.0
Photo: Harrison Keely, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Thomson200, CC0 1.0
Photo: Thomson200, CC0 1.0
Lake Chatuge, answered before you load the boat
Where in Georgia will I find Lake Chatuge?
It belongs to Towns County, about 1 mile from Hiawassee.
What acreage does the state map give Lake Chatuge?
Roughly 7,050 acres.
Does Lake Chatuge have a public launch?
4 public ramps, among them Chatuge Cove Marina.
What bites at Lake Chatuge?
WRD sources name largemouth bass, alabama bass, hybrid striped bass, bluegill, black crappie, walleye and spotted bass.
How many bass can I keep from Lake Chatuge?
Lake Chatuge: Georgia-North Carolina agreement: holders of a valid Georgia or North Carolina fishing license may fish with hook and line only from boats; boats may not be anchored to the shore or to a pier or dock connected to the shore. Live blueback herring may be used for bait
Can a nonresident fish Lake Chatuge?
Reciprocal agreements let a Georgia license ($15 resident, $50 nonresident) cover the shared border water as the guide lists it.
Which listed tackle counter sits closest to Lake Chatuge?
Squiggly Worm Bait & Tack is under a mile from the water.
Which lake page lies nearest to Lake Chatuge?
The nearest is Lake Burton, 14 miles off.
Which species should I target on Lake Chatuge?
Best bets: Alabama Bass, Largemouth Bass, Hybrid Bass, Bluegill, Catfish, Walleye & Carp.
Put Lake Chatuge on the fishing calendar
Check the creel rules, then pick a ramp from the map.