Most North Georgia lakes are ringed with docks and houses. Carters Lake is not. The shoreline is federal land managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, so the 62 miles of shore around the lake are almost entirely wooded. It sits between Ellijay and Chatsworth on the Coosawattee River, the same river that forms in downtown Ellijay where the Cartecay and Ellijay rivers meet.

The numbers

According to the Corps of Engineers:

  • Surface area: about 3,200 acres
  • Shoreline: 62 miles
  • Average depth: about 200 feet, with parts deeper than 450 feet
  • Distinction: the deepest of Georgia’s reservoir lakes

The New Georgia Encyclopedia goes further and calls it the deepest reservoir east of the Mississippi. Either way, that depth keeps the water clear and cool, which shapes the fishing.

Carters Dam

Carters Dam was completed in 1977, and the Corps calls it the tallest earthen dam east of the Mississippi River. It controls flooding downstream and generates hydroelectric power. The area around the dam offers broad views of the lake and the surrounding ridges; the Corps map shows overlook and day-use locations.

Fishing

Carters Lake is best known for open-water species:

  • Walleye, supported by annual stocking by the Georgia Wildlife Resources Division, with some natural reproduction
  • Striped bass and hybrid striped bass, also stocked
  • Spotted (Alabama) bass and largemouth bass

The Wildlife Resources Division publishes seasonal fishing forecasts for the lake, and its walleye guide covers techniques. Because the lake is so deep, fish often hold much deeper than anglers expect, and electronics help.

Anyone 16 or older needs a Georgia fishing license.

Boating and paddling

The Corps runs boat ramps and day-use areas around the lake. With little development on the shore, it is a good lake for paddlers who want quiet coves and wooded banks. Wind can pick up on the open water, so stay near shore in a kayak or canoe and wear a life jacket.

Water levels move with dam operations, so check conditions with the Carters Lake Project Office before launching.

Camping and picnicking

The Corps operates campgrounds and picnic areas on the lake. Some are seasonal. Check the Corps’ Carters Lake page and its map for locations, then reserve campsites through the federal reservation system. Our Ellijay camping guide compares Doll Mountain and Woodring Branch with the state park and private RV parks.

Know before you go

  • Contact: Carters Lake Project Office, 975 Powerhouse Road, Chatsworth, GA 30705, (706) 334-2248.
  • Day-use fees may apply at some Corps recreation areas.
  • Cell service is spotty around parts of the lake.
  • Hiking: The short Big Acorn and Tumbling Waters trails are covered in our Ellijay hiking trails guide.

Nearby

Fort Mountain State Park is a short drive away, with an ancient stone wall, a fire tower and a swimming lake. For other ideas, see our outdoor activities around Ellijay.

For two bigger mountain lakes with public beaches, see Lake Chatuge and Lake Nottely.

Sources and further reading

Facts in this article were checked against these sources on October 30, 2026. Hours, fees and seasons change, so confirm before you go.