Bass fishing Georgia is probably the most popular fishing in the entire state, despite it having a decent coastline and the overall volume of freshwater throughout the state. The fact is most lakes in Georgia are positively overflowing with bass, which might explain the level of popularity.
That’s not even counting the rivers, which are full of bass as well. Georgia is not one of the greatest states in the country for bass fishing, but it is a state that has an abundance of bass, anywhere you choose to go. Largemouth and striped bass are the dominant bass in Georgia and the state is often touted as the Black Bass Capital of the World.
In fact, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources created the Georgia Bass Slam with an eye for Black Bass. It’s hard to put a “best bass lake” label down anywhere in Georgia since bass fishing is good just about anywhere in the state but we’ll give it a try.
11 Best Lakes for Bass Fishing in Georgia
Whether you’re participating in the Georgia Bass Slam, are looking for the next state record, or just want to find a place where the bass are plentiful, these 11 lakes are home to some of the best bass fishing in the state, in no particular order.
1. Lake Thurmond
It’s called Lake Thurmond, and that’s exactly what you will see on a map or your GPS. However, the locals call it Clark’s Hill Lake, if that helps you avoid a bit of confusion down the road.
It’s the largest lake in Georgia and it’s rife with spotted bass and largemouth bass. Not only are they fairly populous in the lake, but their numbers are growing year after year, at least according to those who track these sorts of things.
Located north of Augusta, Lake Thurmond is a popular place for anglers, even those not actively trying to hook bass. According to the locals, jighead worms are the year-round bait of choice if you want to catch bass whenever and wherever in the lake.
2. Rocky Mountain Public Fishing Area
You get two for the price of one here because the Rocky Mountain Public Fishing Area is home to not one but two lakes. Fortunately, for the bass angler in you, there are plenty of bass to hook in either lake.
Antioch Lake and Heath Lake are the two in question, and you will have to fork over five bucks if you want to park and spend the day on either one. The park also offers an annual pass option for a measly $30—a good deal if you plan on returning often.
Antioch Lake is the better bet, since it’s open all the time, while Heath lake is only open for the first third of every month. The large bass is managed in Heath Lake, and you can only keep the ones larger than 20”.
In other words, it’s all bass all the time on Antioch (with a 5-per-day limit) or big bass 10 days out of every month. Small topwater baits are very productive on Lake Antioch while large topwater baits are more attractive on Heath.
3. Lake Blackshear
Located in Georgia Veterans State Park in south Georgia, Lake Blackshear is fairly popular for bass angling enthusiasts, especially in March, April, and June. These three months are spawning time in Lake Blackshear, and you will have the best luck in the morning hours.
Once again, topwater lures tend to do the trick at Blackshear but only in the morning hours. As the sun makes its way towards its zenith and after, crankbaits and regular old worms should be your rig of choice.
4. High Falls Lake
This is probably one of the lowest visibility lakes on the list. High Falls Lake looks like it exists in a perpetual zone of mud swirling just beneath the surface of the water. It’s a 660-acre lake, and it has some large bass.
In fact, High Falls Lake produces more bass that are over 15” than any other lake in the United States. Anywhere near wood is a good place to fish with topwater lures in the morning hours. You won’t have problems finding wood either. The lake is covered in docks.
The clearest areas of the lake are where Buck Creek and Towaliga River flow in.
5. Lake Jackson
If you’re looking for some good bass fishing in the winter months, you’ll find it on Lake Jackson. But you’ll catch bass here all year round just the same. Thanks to the power plant located nearby, the water stays warm all year long, like a natural spring.
It’s a relatively clear lake as well, which opens the door for a lot of ingenuity when it comes to your choice of rigs. In the cooler or colder months, crankbaits seem to be fairly popular with the local bass population.
In warmer months, however, topwater lures are supreme, and the fishing is often much better from the shorelines or one of the many docks that dot the 4,750-acre lake.
6. Lake Eufaula
This massive lake of 45,000 acres is an Army Corps of Engineers project. Thanks to them, it’s also a good spot for hooking very large bass and in good numbers too. The locals advise newbies in the area to stick with crankbaits in the Fall months and spinnerbaits from late Spring through the Summer.
There are plenty of areas with large grass beds, and in some areas, you will find a lot of surface vegetation. For the big bass, river ledges are where most are caught, regardless of the time of year, so it’s worth keeping in mind.
7. Lake Seminole
Lake Seminole rests at the juncture of Florida, Alabama, and Georgia and is fed by two rivers. It’s one of the more popular bass fishing lakes in the south of the state. There is a lot of surface vegetation here, and topwater frogs are very popular.
But don’t leave your crankbaits at home. They’re very effective where the rivers come into the lake, especially the drops.
Tournaments are often held here, and the lake is known for producing big, largemouth bass. If you’re looking for a wall mount, Lake Seminole might just deliver it.
8. Lake Allatoona
If spotted bass is your thing, Lake Allatoona has plenty to offer. It’s not known for producing huge bass, just huge bass numbers. It’s the place you want to go when you just want to feed the family, not break records.
Smaller baits are the name of the game, including jig head worms, which seem to have the most luck. Fishing close to the bank or directly from the shoreline is where most of the action is. If you’re in a boat, work your baits from shallow to deep.
9. West Point Lake
Another Army Corps of Engineers product, the 26,000-acre West Point Lake is full of brush piles, natural spots for catching loads of bass. When you find them in the winter spoon lures are fantastic.
The rest of the year is pretty wide open, with crankbaits, worms, and spinnerbaits. Spinnerbaits are outstanding in the coves, and everything else works well in deeper water, so long as there’s a current.
10. Lake Hartwell
Yet another Army Corps of Engineers lake, Hartwell is 56,000 acres strong and is a fantastic location for bass anglers all year long. A good topwater lure will serve you well in the mid to late spring.
Later in the year, when the Fall season arrives, crankbaits take over, along with spoons. You should mostly stick to the lower part of the lake, closer to the shoreline as it gets colder outside.
11. Lake Oconee
Last but not least, Lake Oconee rounds out the top 11 bass fishing lakes in the state of Georgia. Lake Oconee is another Georgia Power Lake, and it has two currents flowing in either direction, all year long.
Spinnerbaits are great in the coves whenever Spring time rolls around, and larger crankbaits work well in deeper water throughout the Summer months. There’s plenty of fishing to be had from the shorelines as well and you won’t be too constrained by docks.
Bottom Line
The state of Georgia is everything a bass lover could want. It’s teeming with lakes, most of which are teeming with bass. Georgia is supposed to be the Black Bass Capital of the U.S., and most of the evidence supports that claim.
Nearly any lake you visit in Georgia will either have a high population of bass or a moderate population of huge bass. Some lakes have a little bit of both. The locals are friendly and easy to talk to as well.
If you ever need to know what the best rig is on a certain lake, simply visit the local mom-and-pop bait shop, and you’ll walk out with directions and all the baits you can carry.
Visit the OutdoorWorld Reviews homepage for more expert information and advice.
