The lake bed in 3-D: deep basin, drop-offs and shoreline. Shape estimated, not for navigation. Spot 1 (back of a cove) is open for everyone; the other 6 come with LakeScope PRO. Full screen
Chatuge Lake
Clay County, North Carolina · 7,000 acres (10.9 sq mi)
55°F water, calm this morning.
About Chatuge Lake
Chatuge Lake spreads over 7,000 acres in Clay County, North Carolina. It was made by Chatuge Dam on the Hiwassee River. Straddles the North Carolina-Georgia border at Georgia's highest major-lake elevation.
It stretches about 7.9 miles end to end with roughly 68 miles of shoreline. Its surface is about 1,920 ft above sea level. The deepest water is about 144 ft. Hiawassee sits right on the water.
- Size
- 7,000 acres (10.9 sq mi)
- Deepest
- About 144 ft
- Shoreline
- About 68 miles
- End to end
- About 7.9 miles
- Elevation
- About 1,920 ft
- Type
- Reservoir
- Dam
- Chatuge Dam, Hiwassee River
- County
- Clay County
The lake from above
Best fishing times
Friday Good
- 6:30 am – 8:45 amsunrise
- 4:00 pm – 5:15 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 10 mph
Saturday Good
- 6:30 am – 8:45 amsunrise · wind 5 mph
- 3:45 pm – 6:00 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 5 mph
Based on sun and moon times and the wind forecast. A guide, not a promise. The app shows the whole week.
Fish in Chatuge Lake
Anglers come to Chatuge Lake for trout, catfish, crappie, walleye and bluegill and sunfish. With the surface at 55°F, the notes below say which of them should be biting.
- GoodTrout
Good range. Near the surface and along shorelines.
- FairCatfish
Waking up. Channels and creek mouths, especially after rain.
- FairCrappie
Schooled on deeper brush piles. Fish small jigs slowly.
- GoodWalleye
Prime range. Low light is best, on reefs and weed edges.
- FairBluegill and sunfish
Warming. Shallow, sunny pockets in the afternoon.
From today's water temperature and the season. A guide, not a promise.
Fishing spots
- 1Back of a cove
Sheltered, shallower water where baitfish gather.
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
6 more spots with LakeScope PRO: fish, depth band, water temperature, best time and bait for each.
Picked from the shape of the lake bed. A guide, not a promise.
Water temperature
At the surface, seen .
Water level
No daily level reading for this lake.
Weather and wind
Sunrise 7:07 am · sunset 5:30 pm · waxing crescent moon (lake time).
Towns and places to stay near Chatuge Lake
- Hiawasseeon the shore
- Hayesvilleabout 2.5 mi northwest
- Young Harrisabout 3.1 mi southwest
- Blairsvilleabout 10 mi southwest
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Questions about Chatuge Lake
What fish are in Chatuge Lake?
Chatuge Lake holds trout, catfish, crappie, walleye and bluegill and sunfish. Check the state fish and wildlife agency for stocking and limits.
How deep is Chatuge Lake?
About 144 ft at the deepest point. The 3-D view shows where the deep water is.
How big is Chatuge Lake?
7,000 acres, with about 68 miles of shoreline.
What town is near Chatuge Lake?
Hiawassee is on the shore; Hayesville is about 2.5 miles northwest.
What is the water temperature at Chatuge Lake today?
The surface was about 55°F on the latest clear reading. The page updates every day.
Chatuge Lake on your phone
The whole week of bite times, lake alerts and the 3-D view, every morning.
