The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) operates this 3,290 acre reservoir
on the Toccoa River in Fannin County near Blue Ridge, Georgia. Walleye,
small mouth bass, white bass, and bluegill are the most sought after
species.
Walleye numbers have remained steady and fishing should be similar
to that experienced in the last few years. Walleye fishing is the
best in the spring
and fall. Concentrate your fishing efforts at night and along rocky points
and shorelines. Surface plugs fished close to shore, crankbaits, vertical
jigging with spoons, and using nightcrawlers under lanterns are
successful methods
for catching walleye.
Each spring, starting in February, white bass provide
fast action. Most anglers fish in the shoal area of the Toccoa
River at the head of the reservoir.
Rocky
points in the upper reaches of the reservoir are also popular. Doll flies
or plastic grubs are popular lures for catching white bass , which can
weigh up
to 3 LBS. The number of white bass has increased compared to previous
years. The use of a heavy anchor or a strong trolling motor is recommended
to
more efficiently fish the shoals. White bass are often caught by anglers
fishing
for walleye.
Small mouth bass in Blue Ridge offer a challenge for fly
and ultralight enthusiasts. Plugs and spinners are most commonly
used to catch small
mouth bass. Catch
rates of small mouth will probably be down from previous years as the
number of fish from the strong 1989 year class continue to decrease,
however average
size should increase slightly. Fish for small mouth in areas similar
to walleye.
Although their numbers are down from previous years, bluegill
continue to be the most plentiful species. Anglers should concentrate
on fishing
worms and
crickets in 15 to 20 feet of water in and around fish attractors
placed by the TVA. Maps showing the locations of these fish attractors
are
available from Blue Ridge Marina, U.S. Forest Service and the WRD-Fisheries
office
in
Calhoun.
Yellow perch, channel catfish and flathead catfish provide
additional fishing opportunities on Blue Ridge. Channel catfish
are usually
caught along the
rip-rap of the dam. Flathead catfish can be caught along channel
drop offs adjacent
to shallow flats or coves.
In the winter (November-February), water
level draw downs of 30 feet or more occur. During this period,
ramps at the U.S. Forest
Service's
Morganton
Point
Recreation Area and the Blue Ridge Marina are the only boat access
points that are usable. At extreme low water conditions, only
the ramp at Blue
Ridge Marina
is usable.