I’m Kayla Sox. I live up in that northwest corner of Georgia—Lookout Mountain, Cloudland Canyon, Pigeon Mountain country. Folks ask me about the big lakes here. Here’s the thing: we don’t have many big lakes sitting right on the plateau. Water rolls off the edges and settles in the valleys. So we fish and paddle a mix of small local spots and a few big lakes just a short drive away. I spend most weekends on the water. These are my real notes—mud, sunburn, and all. If you’re skimming and just want the punch-line, you can read my quick take on the major lakes we use over on Prairie Bluff.
Quick plan
- The truth about “major” lakes on the plateau
- Small local waters I use a lot
- Big lakes we drive to (still part of our weekend loop)
- What I liked, what bugged me, and little tips
The Local Spots (Small but loved)
Lake LaFayette (Queen City Lake) — LaFayette, GA
This is our hometown pond-on-steroids. I take my kayak at sunrise. The water is calm, and the geese act like they own the place. I paddle laps while my kid throws a tiny grub for bluegill from the bank. I’ve pulled small largemouth near the weeds right after a summer rain. Nothing huge for me yet, but steady action is nice.
Curious about regulations or seasonal events? The city keeps a handy information hub on City Lake at their official recreation page.
- What I like: Quiet mornings, short drive, no rude wakes. Easy launch for paddle craft. Good place to teach kids.
- What bugs me: Rules can be strict. Check the city’s signs on boats and motors. Trash shows up after busy weekends. I bring a bag.
- Tip: I do better with smaller tackle here—4” worms, light line, slow retrieves.
Blue Hole at Pigeon Mountain — Crockford–Pigeon Mountain WMA
Okay, not a “lake,” but locals treat it like one. It’s a cold, blue spring in the woods. The water is so clear it feels unreal. I wear water shoes because the rocks bite. In July, it’s crowded, and the water stings your skin at first. But on a weekday morning? Peace.
- What I like: That teal color. The short walk in. Picnic-level simple fun.
- What bugs me: Parking fills fast. Also, you need the right pass or license for WMA access. Don’t skip it.
- Tip: Bring a small net for kids to scoop minnows. And a towel—your teeth will chatter.
James H. “Sloppy” Floyd State Park Lakes — Summerville, GA
There are two small lakes here, and they’re friendly. I’ve rented a kayak at the park office and paddled up to the lily pads. A little chartreuse spinnerbait gave me two bass before lunch. There’s a shaded picnic area where we ate cold watermelon. The Marble Mine Trail is close by for a leg stretch.
- What I like: $5 parking and clean restrooms. Docks for easy bank fishing. Rentals when you forget your boat.
- What bugs me: It gets busy on sunny Saturdays. The fish get picky after noon.
- Tip: Go early, use quiet colors, and keep your drag a little loose. Bluegill love a cricket under a bobber near the reeds.
If you’re the type who sneaks in a hike after the bite slows, you might appreciate this candid rundown of what a real Appalachian Trail thru-hiker actually carried and used; I’ve stolen packing tricks from it for day loops here.
The Bigger Water (Close enough for a day trip)
Carters Lake — Ellijay/Murray area (about an hour from LaFayette)
Carters is the deep one. It’s the deepest lake in Georgia. The shores are steep, like the water just ate the hills. No private docks, which I love. Fall color here feels like a postcard. I’ve been skunked on bluebird days. I’ve also landed a chunky spotted bass off a point near Doll Mountain when clouds rolled in.
Anglers who like to plan can skim an in-depth breakdown of patterns and landing spots on this dedicated Carters Lake fishing guide before they tow the boat up the mountain.
- What I like: Clean water, quiet coves, serious scenery. Woodring Branch Campground is a solid base. Ridgeway has a swim area.
- What bugs me: Wind can kick up fast. Steep launches can test your legs. Fish move deep and make you think.
- Tip: Early spring jerkbaits, fall topwater, and a finesse worm the rest of the time. Watch your graph and fish the drops.
Lake Weiss — Centre, Alabama (a short hop for us)
Weiss sits right across the line, fed by our rivers. People call it the Crappie Capital, and honestly, I get it. In March, I ran a minnow under a float along a stump field and filled a cooler by noon. I also nailed a nice catfish by accident. Classic me. It’s shallow in spots; stumps will remind you they’re there.
- What I like: Friendly ramps, bait shops that still feel like bait shops, easy smiles from folks at the dock.
- What bugs me: Map or chart is a must. I clipped a stump and scuffed my skeg. Also, watch the wind on open water.
- Tip: Spring means minnows and light line. Summer evenings? Tie on a buzzbait and work the edges.
Nickajack Lake — South of Chattanooga, TN (35–50 minutes from Dade/Walker)
We call this one our “river lake.” Long, open, and honest. I launch at Shellmound Recreation Area. Clean restrooms, picnic tables, and a gentle ramp. I’ve night-fished below the dam and pulled in cats that felt like anchors. At sunset, bats pour out near Nickajack Cave. It gives you chills in a good way.
- What I like: Big water feel without big drama. Good stripers when they push bait. Easy parking during the week.
- What bugs me: Afternoon wind stacks waves in the main channel. Bring a light for the ramp at night; it gets dark fast.
- Tip: A white fluke or small swimbait near feeding birds works like magic. If birds are quiet, slow-roll a spinnerbait along riprap.
Lake Allatoona — Cartersville area (worth the run)
Allatoona is busy, but it’s close enough for a full day if I leave at dawn. Red clay banks, lots of points, and boat traffic that’ll test your balance. I fish weekdays and slip into creeks. Spotted bass slam a shaky head on rocky points. Red Top Mountain is handy for snacks and breaks.
- What I like: Plenty of ramps, lots of fish, and a strong fall bite. Good for a quick fix.
- What bugs me: Weekend wakes. Loud music. Lines at the ramp after lunch.
- Tip: Get there early, fish points on the first light, then hide in a cove when jet skis wake up.
A Few Real-World Notes
- Safety and passes: For places like Pigeon Mountain WMA, bring a Georgia fishing/hunting license or a lands pass. State parks need the day-use fee. It’s posted, but I still keep cash handy.
- Gear I actually bring: Two rods (finesse and moving bait), a small box of hooks and weights, sunscreen, a soft cooler, and a trash bag. Simple wins.
- Seasons: Spring is my favorite—crappie at Weiss, spots waking up at Carters. Summer, I chase shade and go early. Fall? I chase bait and watch leaves. Winter, I dress like an onion and fish slow.
- When I’m scouting new water in other states, I skim travel guides like Prairie Bluff for boat-ramp intel and campground notes before I load the truck.
- Want some reading for rainy evenings? I keep going back to Prairie Bluff’s write-up on Appalachian Trail books I actually used and loved (or didn’t) when I’m dreaming up the next shoulder-season trip.
- For the most up-to-the-minute dock chatter—things like surprise ramp closures, baitfish pushes, or which creek arm is mudded out—I’ll sometimes lurk on the local TNA Board where everyday anglers post real-time conditions and quick tips that can save you a wasted drive or point you toward the hot bite.
On longer road swings—say we trailer the boat clear out to California’s Central Valley for a striped-bass detour—some buddies like a different kind of directory to unwind after dark, and the listings at [