Lake Allatoona

Thirty miles north of Atlanta, the Allatoona Lake Project is a popular boating and fishing destination. Allatoona connects a network of boat ramps, day-use areas, and camps. Anglers have many options regarding fishing spots and fish species in the region.

Allatoona Lake covers 12,010 acres and has 270 kilometers of shoreline. Several spots have fishing jetties, making shore fishing easy.

Lake Allatoona Fish Species and Fishing Spots

The Department of Natural Resources has a regular fish-stocking program that replenishes the fish population in Lake Allatoona. Anglers have a vast selection to choose from, in addition to the lake’s natural species. Among the fish found in the area are largemouth and hybrid bass, stripers, spotted and white bass, crappie, bream, and redear sunfish.

This program began in 2002 with the Army Corps of Engineers, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, local businesses, and volunteers. Visit the Georgia DNR’s fishing forecast website for more information on Lake Allatoona fishing.

Etowah River (Lower)

The Lower Etowah River’s tributary of Lake Allatoona travels west to Rome, where it joins the Oostanaula. There are 48 miles of river that powerboats can’t readily navigate. Because of the many shoals, it is best to canoe or kayak this river.

Because of another dam immediately downstream, boats cannot be launched from the nearby ramp just below Allatoona Dam. At least not on this creek segment, where you’ll find the only public boat ramp.

The sportfishing laws include consumption standards for fish, which anglers should follow if they want to eat their catch. Smallmouth buffalo, blue catfish, channel catfish, alligator gar, striped bass, and redhorse suckers are common in the river. We also have bluegill, redeye bass, and freshwater drum in the lower Etowah River area.

Etowah River (Upper)

The Etowah River is a stunning gem that flows into Lake Allatoona from the highlands of North Georgia. Both the fishing and the landscape are top-notch in this region. The spring crappie and the white bass spawning cycle is the earliest sign of life in the upper Etowah.

During February and March, anglers may use a variety of live and artificial bait to catch waves of fish. Striped bass and hybrid striped bass will be making their way north from Lake Allatoona into the lovely upper Etowah River when the Full Moon of March comes to pass. That is the time of year when anglers capture many of the year’s largest striped bass.

Top Targeted Fish Species

Crappie

Spotted Bass

Hybrid Striped Bass

Rainbow Trout

See all fish species >>>

Can you fish in Lake Allatoona?

Allatoona Lake has 11 public watersheds, including trout tributaries from Bartow County. To fish here, you’ll need to go to any permitted area. Anglers of all age groups can enjoy this lake.

While regular skiing is available on the mountainsides during winter, the lake is ideal for jet skiing in spring or summer.

Considering its massive appeal and the variety of activities one can engage in, Lake Nottely figures among the best places to visit in Georgia.

Are There Trout in Lake Nottely?

Another of Lake Nottely’s most popular fish species, found right in the middle of the water’s depths, is the rainbow trout.

Just visit any of the local public boat ramps to get informed about the rarity and availability of trout at the particular time of the year, and you’ll be able to go boating through the reservoir and try your luck at getting one of these unique fish inside your boat.

What Fish are Biting on Allatoona?

Allatoona is noted as the best lake to catching numerous bass species, including spotted bass and hybrid bass, as its population is high. Allatoona is a high-traffic place where recreational boaters use the summer nighttime pond and other fishing spots.

How to Catch Fish in Lake Allatoona?

The best bait for the worm depends on the time of year. For example, you may use spinnerbait and crab bait in the winter. Identify the craters and shorelines of the Etowah River and its riversides. There are more excellent largemouth habitats in this place than any other.

Do you require a license to Angle at Lake Allatoona?

Anyone over 16 must have a Georgia fishing license to fish there. When verifying fishing permits, rangers may also demand identification.

Lake Allatoona Charter Captains

To see a complete list of excellent Ga Fishing Guides, please click here!

Best Fishing Bets at Lake Allatoona

At this lake, you’ll find a wide variety of fish, including largemouth bass, spotty bass, hybrid bass, striped bass, and crappie.

Largemouth Bass

While spotted bass is more common, largemouth tends to be heavier than its counterpart. In 2009, the average fish weighed around 1.25 pounds, with a few exceeding 5 pounds. Because largemouth bass populations in Allatoona are very stable year to year, you may anticipate the same amount of fish as in previous years.

Spotted Bass

Allatoona’s predominant black bass species is the spotted bass, which comprises 80 to 90 percent of the total population. Most spots will stay under 12 inches long, but some can grow to more than 20 inches long and weigh up to 4-5 pounds.

Striped Bass

The yearly stocking at Allatoona of striped bass fingerlings is between 30 and 60 thousand fish. In 2009, anglers saw members of this class between 17 and 20 inches long. Many juvenile stripers began swimming in 2007 due to increased stocking rates.

Crappie

There should be a similar amount of crappie fishing as previously. The average crappie should be about 10 inches long and weigh about half a pound. However, you may also find bigger slab crappie.

Catfish

Allatoona is home to both channel and flathead catfish. There are many more channel catfish than flatheads, but flatheads grow considerably bigger. As a rule, channel cats are around 13 inches long and weigh around a half-pound.

It’s not uncommon for a channel to be five pounds or more. There are fewer flatheads, but those that do are usually enormous, weighing 5 to 10 pounds or more.

Bream

There are bluegill, redbreast sunfish, and redear sunfish in the waters of this lake. Among the three, bluegills are the most frequent in the seas. Fewer than 5% of them are longer than seven inches. Redear sunfish are larger than bluegills and redbreast sunfish despite their rarity. A large redear may reach nine inches.

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