Region
North Georgia High Country
Carters Lake Recreation Guide
Make Memories at Carters Lake
Carters Lake 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.
Why Carters Lake Belongs on Your Georgia Outdoors List
Carters Lake gives anglers a reservoir-style fishing trip with public ramps, shoreline areas, parks, marinas, or nearby day-use access depending on the site. Use GeorgiaOutdoors to compare where to launch, where to fish from shore, and how the lake fits with nearby camping, parks, and outdoor recreation. Before visiting, check current Georgia fishing regulations, local access rules, water levels, ramp conditions, and any managing-agency notices that may affect boating, parking, or seasonal fishing patterns.
Quick Facts for Planning Your Visit
Use these at-a-glance details to understand the setting, then build the trip around how your family or group wants to enjoy the water.
Lake Size
3,200 acres
Shoreline
62 miles
Best For
Boating, fishing, swimming, camping
What You Can Do at Carters Lake
These lake-specific notes highlight the recreation that is genuinely available here, along with the limits and practical details that shape a visit.
Deep-Water Boating and Paddling
Carters Lake combines deep clear water, rugged shoreline, and several public ramps. Powerboats, sailboats, fishing boats, canoes, and kayaks all use the lake, but the steep terrain and undeveloped shoreline give it a more remote character than many large reservoirs.
Fish Deep Water and the Reregulation Pool
Fishing at Carters Lake centers on more than 3,200 acres of deep reservoir water, with additional opportunities in the reregulation pool and Coosawattee River. Shoreline fishing is limited by steep terrain, so ramps and designated fishing areas are especially important.
Seasonal Swimming at Harris Branch
Public swimming is available seasonally at the designated beach at Harris Branch Park. Carters Lake’s steep and variable shoreline makes established swim areas the appropriate choice for water entry.
Developed and Primitive Camping
Carters Lake offers developed camping at Woodring Branch and Doll Mountain, primitive sites at Woodring Branch, and boat-in or hike-in camping for a more secluded stay. The range of options makes the lake suitable for both RV trips and simple backcountry-style overnights.
Launch Points & Shoreline Access
Lake Access & Boat Ramps at Carters Lake
5 published access points can help you choose where to launch, fish, picnic, swim, or begin a day on the water. Confirm current hours, fees, water levels, and ramp conditions before traveling.
Boat Ramp
Public access
Damsite Boat Ramp
Operated by: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Mobile District
Location:
73 Cove Road
GA 30705
Available: Boat launch, Fishing access
Boat Ramp
Public access
Doll Mountain Boat Ramp
Operated by: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Mobile District
Location:
575 Carters Landing Way
GA 30540
Available: Boat launch, Fishing access
Boat Ramp
Public access
Reregulation Pool Boat Ramp
Operated by: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Mobile District
Location:
Old Highway 411 near Carters Lake Powerhouse
GA 30705
Available: Boat launch, Fishing access
Boat Ramp
Public access
Ridgeway Boat Ramp
Operated by: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Mobile District
Location:
Ridgeway Recreation Area
GA 30540
Available: Boat launch, Fishing access
Boat Ramp
Public access
Woodring Branch Boat Ramp
Operated by: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Mobile District
Location:
Woodring Branch Road
GA 30540
Available: Boat launch, Fishing access
Photo: Robert Earhart / U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile District
Marinas, Rentals & Lake Services
For many visitors, lake weekends start with practical services: fuel, ramps, rentals, dock access, supplies, and a good launching point for the day.
Marina
Carters Lake Marina and Resort
Full-service Carters Lake marina and resort with boat rentals, wet slips, fuel, cabins, storage, ship store, seasonal dining, and marine service.
Carters Lake Marina and Resort is the lake's primary private marina destination. The family-friendly operation offers covered and uncovered wet slips, boat rentals, lakeside and lake-view cabins, ethanol-free fuel, a ship store, dry and yard storage, pump-out facilities, boat-lift service, seasonal marine repair and maintenance, and seasonal on-site dining.
Services: marina, boat rentals, pontoon rentals, tritoon rentals, fishing pontoon rentals, wet slips, covered slips, uncovered slips, ethanol-free fuel, ship store, dry storage, yard storage, pump-out, boat repair, boat maintenance, cabin rentals, seasonal restaurant
Hours: Summer marina hours are generally daily; spring, fall and winter hours vary. Confirm current hours before visiting.
Address:
575 Marina Rd
Chatsworth, GA 30705
Phone: 706-276-4891
Guide Service
Carters Lake Guide Service
Year-round Carters Lake fishing guide service specializing in spotted bass, striped bass, hybrids, walleye and other North Georgia species.
Carters Lake Guide Service operates full-time, year-round guided fishing trips on Carters Lake. Trips are tailored for families, first-time anglers, experienced fishermen and corporate groups, with fishing opportunities for spotted bass, striped bass, hybrids, walleye, catfish and panfish. The guide's official site identifies Damsite Ramp as its most-used Carters Lake launch.
Services: guided fishing trips, family fishing trips, spotted bass fishing, striper fishing, hybrid bass fishing, walleye fishing, sonar instruction, corporate fishing trips
Hours: Trips are scheduled by reservation; contact the guide directly for current availability and meeting instructions.
Address:
73 Cove Road
Chatsworth, GA 30705
Phone: 706-218-6609
Boat Rental
Young Harris Watersports - Carters Lake
Boat and jet-ski rental service delivering watercraft to Carters Lake; this listing represents the Carters Lake service area rather than a local storefront.
Young Harris Watersports serves Carters Lake through its watercraft delivery operation. The company offers pontoons, tritoons, ski and surf boats, wake boats and personal watercraft for Carters Lake rentals. The company has physical operations in the Young Harris and Hiawassee area, but this Carters-specific GeorgiaOutdoors record is modeled as a lake service-area listing so the planner does not place a misleading storefront pin far from Carters Lake.
Services: Carters Lake boat delivery, pontoon rentals, tritoon rentals, ski boat rentals, surf boat rentals, wake boat rentals, jet ski rentals
Address:
GA
Phone: 706-896-0834
Build a Weekend Around Carters Lake
Use the lake as the anchor, then add campgrounds, parks, restaurants, marinas, and nearby outdoor stops to shape a trip that feels distinctly Georgia.
Start with the Water
Plan a day of fishing with information on fish species, access points, and places to cast from shore or launch a boat.
Add the Basecamp
Choose a campground, RV site, cabin, hotel, or nearby town that gives everyone more time together.
Explore Nearby
Look for parks, restaurants, events, trails, and small-town stops that turn the lake visit into a more memorable Georgia getaway.
Plan Your Lake Trip
Explore More Around Carters Lake
Find campgrounds, explore the map, and use the lake as the beginning of your next Georgia outdoor memory.