Georgia Reservoir Fishing Information

Lake Yonah

Lake Yonah is a 330 acre run-of-the-river type lake near Toccoa that is operated for hydropower by Georgia Power Company.  Steep canyon walls of solid granite and limited shoreline development provide a scenic backdrop for any fishing experience to this reservoir.  Walleye and largemouth bass are the featured species in Lake Yonah but crappie and catfish also occur in moderate numbers.  Summer stratification does not occur in this lake because water flows through the impoundment at a rapid rate.  Coolwater fish, like walleye, will often be found within a few feet of the bottom all year long.

    Anglers Guide to Walleye Fishing in Georgia [1]  (847 kb). This guide discusses tactics and offers expert tips for catching Walleye in Georgia.

Contact Information

Georgia Power: 1-888-GPC-LAKE (1-888-472-5253)

Prospects and Fishing Tips

Walleye
Prospect	Lake Yonah supports an abundant walleye population that is maintained by WRD's annual stocking program. Anglers typically catch walleye in the 2 to 4 lb size range, but small walleye weighing about 1 lb will be plentiful this year. In addition, walleye weighing up to 8 lb have been collected in WRD samples.
Technique	During March, cast floating stickbaits, diving crankbaits or nightcrawlers threaded onto a jig-head into the flowing waters below Tugalo Dam for about 1/4-mile downstream. Allow the bait to make regular contact with the rocky bottom. Use a slow but steady retrieve to entice a walleye's gentle strike. Throughout the remainder of the year, walleye reside in the main lake. Slowly troll baits like herring or nightcrawlers about a foot or two above the bottom along the 45 ft contour from the mid-section of the lake downstream to the dam. Vertical jigging with spoons is an alternative approach. Walleye prefer to stay close to structure, so good electronics will help you find the occasional downed tree that has fallen into the lake. Work these structures methodically.
Target	During the March spawning season, walleye will be found in the upper river section adjacent to the Georgia Power campground. In fact, walleye can be caught from the shoreline or by boat in this area, especially at night, using slow moving baits that maintain contact with the bottom. During daylight hours, anglers should fish on the bottom around downed trees using nightcrawlers worked slowly back to the boat. For the remainder of the year, walleye will be found near the bottom in about 45 ft of water from the mid-section of the lake to the dam. Walleye will often bite better at night than during the day. In the fall months, walleye seem to stack up in 30 to 40 ft of water along the steep bank near the dam on the South Carolina side of the lake.

Best Fishing Times Key

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