Biggest lakes in Georgia: the top 10 by size

The list

Sizes are the published surface area where one exists; the others are our own measure of the water's outline and read "about". Reservoirs shrink and grow with their level, so a dry year shows less water.

1. Lake Thurmond (Clarks Hill)

Lake Thurmond (Clarks Hill) spreads over 71,100 acres. The fish here are striped bass, largemouth bass, crappie and catfish. The deepest water is around 180 ft. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look.

Lake Thurmond (Clarks Hill) today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

2. Lake Lanier

Lake Lanier covers 38,000 acres of water. Striped bass, spotted bass, largemouth bass and crappie are the draw. It goes down to about 160 ft. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look.

Lake Lanier today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

3. Lake Seminole

At 37,500 acres of water, Lake Seminole is a big lake. The fish here are largemouth bass, striped bass, crappie and bluegill. The deepest water is around 30 ft. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and a wind-blown bank worth a first look.

Lake Seminole today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

4. Richard B. Russell Lake

Richard B. Russell Lake is a reservoir of some 26,600 acres. It lies right by Calhoun Falls. Richard B. Russell Dam holds it on the Savannah River. The usual Georgia mix applies: largemouth bass, crappie, striped bass and catfish. The deepest water is around 167 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start. Federal regulations ban private development along its shoreline, keeping it largely undeveloped.

Richard B. Russell Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

5. West Point Lake

West Point Lake spreads over some 25,900 acres. You will find it about 27 miles southwest of Auburn. It is the Chattahoochee River behind West Point Dam. The usual Georgia mix applies: largemouth bass, crappie, striped bass and catfish. At about 85 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer. A major Army Corps flood-control lake on the Chattahoochee River between Georgia and Alabama.

West Point Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

6. Lake Oconee

Lake Oconee covers some 19,100 acres. It lies within an easy drive of Athens (about 22 miles). It is the Oconee River behind Wallace Dam. Like most lakes its size in Georgia, it should hold largemouth bass, crappie, white bass and catfish. It goes down to about 102 ft. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look. Georgia's second-largest reservoir, formed on the Oconee River below Wallace Dam.

Lake Oconee today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

7. Lake Sinclair

Lake Sinclair covers 15,300 acres of water. It lies about 4.3 miles south of Milledgeville. It is the Oconee River behind Sinclair Dam. The usual Georgia mix applies: largemouth bass, crappie, white bass and catfish. At about 86 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start. Lies immediately downstream of Lake Oconee on the Oconee River, near Milledgeville.

Lake Sinclair today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

8. Francis Lake

Francis Lake covers about 13,600 acres. It lies about 4.7 miles northwest of Calhoun Falls. The usual Georgia mix applies: largemouth bass, crappie, white bass and catfish. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start.

Francis Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

9. Lake Allatoona

Lake Allatoona covers 12,000 acres of water. Spotted bass, striped bass, crappie and catfish are the draw. The deepest water is around 145 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start.

Lake Allatoona today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

10. Lake Blackshear

Lake Blackshear covers 8,500 acres of water. The lake is about 22 miles southwest of Albany. It is the Flint River behind Warwick Dam (Crisp County Power Dam). Like most lakes its size in Georgia, it should hold largemouth bass, crappie, white bass and catfish. It goes down to about 47 ft. The first county-owned hydroelectric dam in the United States impounds this lake.

Lake Blackshear today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

Big water, big days

Large lakes make their own weather: a breeze that is nothing on a pond builds real waves over miles of open water. Check the wind on the lake page before you launch and keep to the lee shore when it picks up.