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Reservoir

Lake Hartwell

Lake Hartwell is a Georgia reservoir fishing destination with public access for boaters, shoreline anglers, and day-use trips, plus opportunities for bass, crappie, catfish, bream, and seasonal open-water fishing.

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Lake Hartwell fishing destination
Reservoir~56,000 acresCOE Largemouth bassspotted basshybrid bassstriped bass

About Lake Hartwell

Lake Hartwell is a Georgia reservoir fishing destination with public access for boaters, shoreline anglers, and day-use trips, plus opportunities for bass, crappie, catfish, bream, and seasonal open-water fishing.

Lake Hartwell is one of the Southeast's largest and most heavily used public recreation reservoirs, spreading across nearly 56,000 acres along the Georgia-South Carolina border. Its long arms follow the Savannah, Tugaloo, and Seneca river valleys, creating 962 miles of shoreline with broad open water, quiet coves, wooded public land, marinas, campgrounds, beaches, fishing areas, and boat ramps. On the Georgia side, visitors can build a trip around boating, fishing, swimming, lakeside camping, day-use parks, and views from Hartwell Dam. The lake's scale means every visit can feel different, from an early fishing launch or quiet picnic to a full weekend based at a shoreline campground.

Common Fish Species

Largemouth bassspotted basshybrid bassstriped basscrappie

Fishing Amenities

Boat rampsstate parksmarinastournament fishingbank access

Access Points

Review ramps, fishing piers, bank access, marinas, and other lake access before choosing where to begin your trip.

Boat Ramp

Big Oaks Boat Ramp

Georgia-side Lake Hartwell boat ramp area listed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ramp-status page.

  • OperatorU.S. Army Corps of Engineers Savannah District
  • Location5625 Anderson Hwy
Boat Ramp

Directions: Big Oaks Recreation Area is beside the Hartwell Lake Project Office on US Highway 29 near Hartwell Dam.

Official Info
Boat Ramp

Carters Ferry Boat Ramp

Georgia-side Lake Hartwell boat ramp area listed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ramp-status page.

  • OperatorU.S. Army Corps of Engineers Savannah District
  • LocationEnd of Carters Ferry Rd
Boat Ramp

Directions: From the Hartwell area, follow local signs to Carters Ferry Road and continue to the public ramp at the end of the road.

Official Info
Boat Ramp

Cleveland Boat Ramp

Georgia-side Lake Hartwell boat ramp area listed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ramp-status page.

  • OperatorU.S. Army Corps of Engineers Savannah District
  • Location1188 Old Beacon Light Rd
Boat Ramp

Directions: Cleveland Boat Ramp is reached from Old Beacon Light Road on Lake Hartwell.

Official Info
Boat Ramp

Crawfords Ferry Boat Ramp

Georgia-side Lake Hartwell boat ramp area listed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ramp-status page.

  • OperatorU.S. Army Corps of Engineers Savannah District
  • LocationEnd of Crawfords Ferry Rd
Boat Ramp

Directions: Follow Crawfords Ferry Road to its eastern end at the public Lake Hartwell boat ramp.

Official Info
Boat Ramp

Duncan Branch Boat Ramp

Georgia-side Lake Hartwell boat ramp area listed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ramp-status page.

  • OperatorU.S. Army Corps of Engineers Savannah District
  • Location1511 Lewis Dr
Boat Ramp

Directions: Duncan Branch Boat Ramp is reached from Lewis Drive in Hart County, south of Hartwell.

Official Info
Boat Ramp

Elrod Ferry Boat Ramp

Georgia-side Lake Hartwell boat ramp area listed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ramp-status page.

  • OperatorU.S. Army Corps of Engineers Savannah District
  • Location1387 Elrod Ferry Rd
Boat Ramp

Directions: From Hartwell, travel north on US Highway 29, turn onto Elrod Ferry Road, and follow recreation-area signs to the ramp.

Official Info
Boat Ramp

Jenkins Ferry Boat Ramp

Georgia-side Lake Hartwell boat ramp area listed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ramp-status page.

  • OperatorU.S. Army Corps of Engineers Savannah District
  • LocationJenkins Ferry Rd
Boat Ramp

Directions: Follow Jenkins Ferry Road in Stephens County to the public Lake Hartwell ramp at the end of the road.

Official Info
Boat Ramp

Mary Ann Branch Boat Ramp

Georgia-side Lake Hartwell boat ramp area listed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ramp-status page.

  • OperatorU.S. Army Corps of Engineers Savannah District
  • Location2200 Hatton Ford Rd
Boat Ramp

Directions: From Hartwell, take GA 51/Reed Creek Highway approximately 8 miles and follow signs to Mary Ann Branch on Hatton Ford Road.

Official Info
Boat Ramp

New Prospect Boat Ramp

Georgia-side Lake Hartwell boat ramp area listed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ramp-status page.

  • OperatorU.S. Army Corps of Engineers Savannah District
  • LocationPineywoods Rd
Boat Ramp

Directions: Follow Pineywoods Road to the New Prospect public boat ramp on Lake Hartwell.

Official Info
Boat Ramp

Poplar Springs Boat Ramp

Georgia-side Lake Hartwell boat ramp area listed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ramp-status page.

  • OperatorU.S. Army Corps of Engineers Savannah District
  • LocationPoplar Springs Rd
Boat Ramp

Directions: From Lavonia near I-85, travel north on GA 328 approximately 3.5 miles and follow the brown signs to Poplar Springs Recreation Area.

Official Info
Boat Ramp

Powderbag Creek Boat Ramp

Georgia-side Lake Hartwell boat ramp area listed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ramp-status page.

  • OperatorU.S. Army Corps of Engineers Savannah District
  • Location63 Powder Ramp Rd
Boat Ramp

Directions: From Hartwell, follow local roads to Powder Ramp Road and continue to the public Lake Hartwell boat ramp.

Official Info
Boat Ramp

Rock Springs Boat Ramp

Georgia-side Lake Hartwell boat ramp area listed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ramp-status page.

  • OperatorU.S. Army Corps of Engineers Savannah District
  • LocationRock Springs Rd
Boat Ramp

Directions: Follow Rock Springs Road to the public Lake Hartwell boat ramp.

Official Info
Boat Ramp

Spring Branch Boat Ramp

Georgia-side Lake Hartwell boat ramp area listed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ramp-status page.

  • OperatorU.S. Army Corps of Engineers Savannah District
  • LocationSpring Branch Rd
Boat Ramp

Directions: From the Avalon community, take GA 328 to GA 326 North; the Spring Branch access is on the right.

Official Info
Boat Ramp

Watsadler Campground Boat Ramp

Georgia-side Lake Hartwell boat ramp area listed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ramp-status page.

  • OperatorU.S. Army Corps of Engineers Savannah District
  • Location286 Watsadler Rd
Boat Ramp

Directions: From Hartwell, take US Highway 29 north toward South Carolina, turn onto Watsadler Road, and follow the campground road to the boat ramp.

Official Info

Regulations & License Notes

Fishing Regulations

Follow Georgia regulations in Georgia waters; check South Carolina rules if crossing state line.

License and Permit Notes

Georgia fishing license required for Georgia waters; vessel registration required for motorized boats.

Georgia Fishing Regulations Licenses & Permits