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 laws. .
The number of largemouth bass in Lake Chatuge may seem sparse to the average angler, but their population density is typical for a North Georgia mountain reservoir. Bass in the 12-inch and one pound size class account for about 20% of the population whereas fish over 20-inches and 4 lb typically account for less than 10% of the population. The remainder of the catchable population averages about 2 lb and their numbers will be similar to previous years.
Technique
During the winter months, slow moving live baits and artificial baits that imitate crayfish or dying shad are effective during cold weather. As surface temperatures rise during the spring months, jerk baits and spinner baits fished around visible structure in coves and creek channels are your best bets. 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. Bass will retreat to deeper water during the day where slower presentations with plastic worms are more effective. To hook up with hungry bass in the fall months, anglers need to explore a lot of water with crankbaits and swimbaits. Also be on the lookout for surface feeding fish at dawn and dusk.
Target
During the winter months, largemouths are bunched up in creek channels, along points and around fallen trees. Feeding activity is 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 along the main channel upstream from Towns County Park. The warm summer temperatures will drive largemouth bass to deeper water in the 20 to 30-ft depth range. Search for summer bass on points. As water temperatures cool down with the arrival of fall, largemouth bass go on the prowl in search of food to build up their winter fat reserves. Looking for schooling fish near the surface as well as on points this time of year.
Spotted bass
Prospect
The spotted population bass population in Lake Chatuge has skyrocketed in recent years. Since 2006, the population has expanded more than five fold, which makes spotted bass the most dominant predator species in the lake. Although spotted bass are overabundant, the majority of fish are relatively small. In fact, spots in the 8-10 inch and half pound size range accounted for 60% of DNR samples. Anglers can help create a more desirable size structure by harvesting small fish thus freeing up more groceries for the remainder of the population.
Technique
During the winter months, spotted bass prefer live baits, like blueback herring, fished in open water, especially near the dam. With warming spring temperatures, spotted bass will take jerk baits, floating worms, and spinner baits when fished along rocky shorelines, near boat docks, and fallen trees. During the summer at dawn and dusk, target surface feeding fish with topwater baits on the lower lake. During the daytime, switch to slow moving deepwater presentations on nearby points and along the dam. Fishing activity peaks again during the fall months when spotted bass feed aggressively throughout the day on a variety of artificial lures. Anglers need to use a variety of lures to cover a lot of water at different depth zones to zero in on feeding fish.
Target
During the winter months, spotted bass are searching for bait fish that are holding in pockets of warmer water. Rocky banks radiate heat into the water during the winter and provide the ideal site for anglers to find the wintertime bite. Anglers should target banks along the main river channel that contain gravel-to-boulder-size rocks with cover (stumps, brush and logs). The rip-rap lined face of the dam is also an excellent place to target during the winter months. Spawning occurs in April and May and spotted bass can be found 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, target points in 20 to 30-ft of water, gradually moving into deeper water as summer progresses. In fall, spotted bass can be just about anywhere looking for an easy meal. Look for surface feeding fish over open water at dawn and dusk. During the day, explore deeper water with crankbaits on points and around fallen trees. There are a number of small artificial reefs that have been placed into the lake by DNR. These sites are marked by buoys and hold good numbers of fish throughout most of the year.
Hybrid Bass
Prospect
Lake Chatuge once held the world record hybrid bass with a 25 lb, 8 oz trophy caught in 1997. In 1996, however, resource managers detected a dramatic decline in the forage abundance and decided not to stock hybrid bass. Hybrid bass were not stocked in Lake Chatuge from 1996 to 2009. Since the hybrid bass population does not reproduce and must be maintained by stocking, the population disappeared a few years after stocking ceased in 1996 .
In spring 2010 and 2011, hybrid bass were stocked again into Lake Chatuge by GA-DNR. Stocked hybrids had high survival and rapid growth. Both state natural resources agencies support stocking low numbers of hybrid bass into the lake annually in hopes of restoring Lake Chatuge's reputation as a world-class hybrid bass fishery. For now, anglers can catch high numbers of small hybrid bass from 1 to 2 pounds.
Technique
Hybrid bass are aggressive feeders that will take a variety of artificial baits that imitate live shad or herring. Live baits, curly-tailed grubs, bucktail jigs, and Super Flukes are all effective at various times of the year.
Target
Hybrid bass are schooling fish, so if you catch one there are sure to be many more close by. In the winter months, hybrid bass can be found on windblown points. During the spring, they will roam the shallows along rocky banks in search of spawning shad and herring. By summer, hybrid bass will migrate to deeper water on the lower lake but water quality conditions will keep them at depths less than 40-feet deep for most of the summer. Good electronics will help an angler zero in actively feeding hybrid bass lying in wait underneath schools of blueback herring. During the fall, hybrid bass will feed aggressively at the surface during the early morning and evening.
Bream
Prospect
Bluegill are one of the more abundant sunfish varieties in Lake Chatuge. Expect larger fish from May to August.
Technique
Crickets and night crawlers 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 toward overhanging tree limbs in coves and small pockets.
Target
Adult fish spawn in relatively shallow water on sandy bottoms from May - August during the full moon. Search for their circular nests in 4 to 10-ft of water near boat docks and fallen trees. For the remainder of the summer, look for schools of bluegill underneath overhanging tree limbs. In the fall months, sunfish retreat to deeper water near fallen trees. The fish attractor sites marked by buoys are also good places to bream fish.
Crappie
Prospect
Black crappie are present in Lake Chatuge but in low abundance. Anglers wanting to catch a crappie should fish for them in the spring months when crappie are concentrated in shallow water around visible structure. For the coming year, crappie will be running a bit larger than average with most fish in the 10-inch and 1/2 lb size range.
Technique
Minnows and minnow-tipped jigs are most productive. Small curly-tailed jigs or hair jigs are a suitable alternative for the die-hard angler who prefers artificial presentations.
Target
The upper lake from Towns County Park to the Highway 76 Bridge seems to hold the greatest concentration of black crappie. During March and April, anglers will find crappie near downed trees and other visible debris or vegetation. During summer, fall and winter, crappie can be found around deep water structures.
Other Species
Prospect
Chatuge supports a good population of channel catfish that readily take cut baits and commercial catfish baits. Carp are also plentiful and great fun to catch. Carp readily take prepared catfish baits, corn and dough baits from May - August. To increase your chances of catching carp, anglers should consider baiting a hole with a gallon or two of whole kernel corn a day or two before you want to fish.
Target
Once again, the shoreline upstream of Towns County Park seems to also hold the highest numbers of catfish.
Additional Information
Since 2006, PVC fish attractors have been submerged at selected cove sites throughout the lake. For information concerning attractor locations, call the Wildlife Resources Division office at: 706-947-1507.
The upper half of Lake Chatuge is located in the state of Georgia and the lower half of the lake is located in the state of North Carolina. Anglers must abide by the specific state boating and fishing regulations for whichever side of the lake they are fishing. Anglers who possess a valid fishing license from either state are permitted to fish the entire lake by boat; however, to harvest fish requires a valid fishing license from the respective state. For Georgia waters, the bass regulation includes a 10 fish creel limit for all combined bass species and a 12-inch minimum size limit only for largemouth bass. There is no size limit for spotted bass in Georgia waters of Lake Chatuge. For North Carolina waters, the bass regulation includes a 5 fish creel limit and 12-inch minimum size limit for all combined bass species; however, 2 fish may be kept that are less than 12-inches. On August 1, 2012, the black bass regulation for the North Carolina portion of Lake Chatuge will change to a 14-inch minimum size limit for all bass species; however, 2 fish may be kept that are less than the size limit. The creel limit in North Carolina water will remain at 5 bass. Please be an ethical angler and abide by these regulations.
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