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
Santeetlah Lake
Graham County, North Carolina · 2,880 acres (4.5 sq mi)
54°F water, calm this morning.
About Santeetlah Lake
Santeetlah Lake spreads over 2,880 acres in Graham County, North Carolina. It was made by Santeetlah Dam on the Cheoah River. A deep reservoir in the Nantahala National Forest near Robbinsville.
It stretches about 4.9 miles end to end and its shoreline adds up to about 39 miles. Its surface is about 1,940 ft above sea level. The nearest town, Robbinsville, is about 1.4 miles southeast. The closest city is Knoxville, about 40 miles away.
- Size
- 2,880 acres (4.5 sq mi)
- Shoreline
- About 39 miles
- End to end
- About 4.9 miles
- Elevation
- About 1,940 ft
- Type
- Reservoir
- Dam
- Santeetlah Dam, Cheoah River
- County
- Graham County
The lake from above
Best fishing times
Saturday Good
- 6:30 am – 8:45 amsunrise · wind 3 mph
- 3:45 pm – 6:00 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 6 mph
Sunday Good
- 6:30 am – 8:45 amsunrise · wind 1 mph
- 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 3 mph
Based on sun and moon times and the wind forecast. A guide, not a promise. The app shows the whole week.
Fish to expect
Lakes like Santeetlah Lake in North Carolina usually hold largemouth bass, crappie, catfish and bluegill and sunfish. The state fish and wildlife agency lists what is stocked and the rules for this lake. With the surface at 54°F, the notes below say which of them should be biting.
- FairLargemouth bass
Cooling down. Try slow baits on points and deeper channel edges.
- FairCrappie
Schooled on deeper brush piles. Fish small jigs slowly.
- FairCatfish
Waking up. Channels and creek mouths, especially after rain.
- SlowBluegill and sunfish
Cold. Deep and hard to tempt. Use tiny baits.
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 7:08 am · sunset 5:30 pm · waxing crescent moon (lake time).
Towns and places to stay near Santeetlah Lake
- Robbinsvilleabout 1.4 mi southeast
- Andrewsabout 8.5 mi south
- Murphyabout 19 mi southwest
- Hayesvilleabout 19 mi south
- Knoxvillenearest city, about 40 mi north
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Questions about Santeetlah Lake
What fish are in Santeetlah Lake?
Lakes like Santeetlah Lake usually hold largemouth bass, crappie, catfish and bluegill and sunfish. Check the state fish and wildlife agency for stocking and limits.
How deep is Santeetlah Lake?
We have no published depth for this lake. The 3-D view gives an estimated shape of the bed: where the deep basin and the drop-offs are. Not for navigation.
How big is Santeetlah Lake?
2,880 acres, with about 39 miles of shoreline.
What town is near Santeetlah Lake?
Robbinsville is about 1.4 miles southeast; Andrews is about 8.5 miles south.
What is the water temperature at Santeetlah Lake today?
The surface was about 54°F on the latest clear reading. The page updates every day.
Santeetlah Lake on your phone
The whole week of bite times, lake alerts and the 3-D view, every morning.
