Damn Good Lake Nottely Fishing Guides

Tucked into the folds of the North Georgia mountains, Lake Nottely feels like the kind of place that’s kept a few secrets just for those willing to wake up early and listen. It’s quiet here—the kind of quiet that only comes when the fog hangs low over the water and the only sound is the whisper of your line slicing the air. This lake doesn’t scream for attention. It just sits, steady and beautiful, holding tight to some of the best fishing in the region.

Spotted Bass are the local bruisers, and they’re not shy about showing up around submerged structure and rocky points. You’ll want to finesse them with soft plastics or fire up the action with a crankbait near the banks when the light’s right. But Lake Nottely’s real wildcard is the Striper. These powerhouses roam the deeper water like wolves, and when they hit, you know it. Live bait rigs and deep trolling setups are the go-to, especially around the dam when the sun’s low and the bait’s balled up.

There’s also a quiet charm in chasing Crappie in the back coves or Bluegill with the kids on a warm summer afternoon. This lake has a way of meeting you where you are—whether you’re chasing records or just looking for a good excuse to stay on the water until sunset. At the end of the day, fishing Lake Nottely isn’t about filling a cooler. It’s about filling your cup. About trading screen time for lake time, and letting the mountain air do what it does best—clear the head, and steady the soul.

Fishing seasons on Lake Nottely feel less like a schedule and more like a rhythm—a quiet, natural pulse that guides the bite. Spring is when things really kick into gear. The water warms, baitfish scatter near the surface, and both Spotted Bass and Stripers start feeding like they’ve got something to prove. It’s a time of movement—schools shifting, fish staging, and anglers chasing shadows across rocky points and brushy drop-offs. Early mornings are gold, especially when the fog curls low and the lake feels like it belongs only to you.

By summer, the pace changes. The heat sets in, the lake gets deeper, and so does the fishing. Stripers chase cooler temps and oxygen-rich water down in the depths, making downlines and trolling runs the name of the game. Crappie tuck into shaded cover, and the bass? They’re still there—you just have to work a little harder for them. Think finesse. Think patience. Think long, lazy days where the fishing feels less like a race and more like a long conversation with the lake.

Fall is when Lake Nottely whispers its best secrets. The crowds thin out, the air turns crisp, and the fish start feeding again like winter’s coming—which, of course, it is. Stripers push shallow early and late, ambushing bait near shore, while bass feed aggressively around structure. It’s the season of flannel, thermoses, and some of the most rewarding casts of the year. When the leaves blaze red and orange and the lake glasses over at sunset, it’s hard not to feel like you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be.

Lake Nottely is a choose-your-weapon kind of fishery—where the right tool, the right technique, and a little local know-how can turn an average morning into a legendary day. For the Spotted Bass crowd, this is finesse territory. Drop shots, shaky heads, and ned rigs worked slowly along submerged rock and brush piles will get the job done, especially in the cooler months. But don’t be afraid to tie on a walking bait or jerkbait when the surface starts to ripple at sunrise. That first topwater blow-up? It’ll wake you up better than any coffee ever could.

If you’re in it for power, the Stripers are where it’s at. These fish don’t nibble—they hit like a truck and pull like a freight train. You’ll want to bring the big gear and lean into live bait—blueback herring if you can find it, shad if you can’t. Downlining in the summer months and pulling planer boards in the spring and fall is the ticket. Watch your electronics, find the thermocline, and don’t be surprised if that subtle twitch turns into a full-on rod bender before you’ve even had time to react.

For those chasing a little slower-paced satisfaction, there’s always Crappie and Bluegill. Toss some minnows near the brush or drop a jig under a float and just let the afternoon drift. It’s a great way to fill a cooler, but also a solid excuse to slow down, breathe deep, and just enjoy being outside. Because at Lake Nottely, it’s not just about what you catch—it’s about how you catch it. And who you become along the way.

Lake Nottely might not make the cover of glossy fishing magazines, but don’t let that fool you—it’s a hidden gem stacked with species that punch above their weight. At the top of the list are Spotted Bass, lean and mean and built for battle. These fish thrive in Nottely’s rocky, clear water, and they’re as aggressive as they are plentiful. Hook one on light tackle and you’ll understand why anglers come back with sore wrists and stories worth retelling.

But if you’re here for the big game, it’s the Striped Bass that’ll keep your drag screaming. These lake monsters cruise the deeper waters and aren’t shy about hammering live bait when you find them stacked on your graph. Whether you’re trolling with planer boards at sunrise or working downlines near the dam, there’s nothing quite like the adrenaline spike that hits when a 20-pound striper decides your bait looks like lunch. And don’t sleep on the hybrids—they fight hard and run fast, offering a slightly more manageable challenge with just as much fun.

For those chasing classic Southern comfort, Nottely serves up healthy populations of Crappie and Bluegill, especially around submerged brush and docks. Walleye lurk here too, especially during the cooler months, making for a prized (and tasty) bonus catch if you know where to look. Whether you’re a trophy hunter, a panfish purist, or just someone looking for a peaceful day on the water, Lake Nottely’s got something for every kind of angler—wrapped in mountain quiet and backed by the kind of beauty you can’t buy in a tackle shop.

Lake Nottely isn’t the loudest name in Southern fishing circles—but that’s exactly the point. Tucked into the North Georgia mountains, it’s the kind of place that quietly delivers for those who know where to look and are willing to slow down long enough to feel the rhythm of the water. With over 4,000 acres of deep, clear lake surrounded by forested hills, it’s a setting that whispers instead of shouts. And for the angler who values solitude as much as strikes, that makes all the difference.

This lake’s got the goods—Spotted Bass that fight like they’ve got something to prove, Stripers that’ll leave your reel smoking, and enough Crappie to keep things interesting when you want to bring dinner home. What makes Nottely special isn’t just the species—it’s the feeling you get fishing here. Less pressure, less boat traffic, and more time to focus on the subtle things: a swirl on the surface, a quiet tug on the line, a moment where everything slows down and you remember why you came in the first place.

So, is Lake Nottely good for fishing? Absolutely—but not just because of the fish. It’s good because it delivers the full package: wild water, honest effort, and the kind of calm you don’t get scrolling a screen. It’s not a place for instant gratification. It’s a place to reconnect—with the lake, with the line, and maybe with a part of yourself that’s been off the water for too long.