Lake Tugalo is a beautiful 600-acre lake formed by the Tallulah and Chattooga rivers. Owned and operated by the Georgia Power Company, Tugalo is on the South Carolina border near Clayton. Outboard motors are restricted to 25 horsepower.
Contact Information
Georgia Power: ph. 706-782-4014
Prospects and Fishing Tips
Best Bets
LARGEMOUTH BASS, WALLEYE, REDBREAST SUNFISH, AND CHANNEL CATFISH
Largemouth bass
Prospect
DNR surveys indicated that largemouth bass in the 1 to 2-pound size range are overly abundant in Lake Tugalo. Because of the high population density, bass appear somewhat skinny when compared to other lakes. Anglers should take advantage of the opportunity to fish in this uniquely beautiful reservoir nestled between the steep canyon walls of the Tallulah Gorge and please be sure to take a few fish home to eat in order to thin down the bass population.
Technique
From December through March, largemouth bass wedge themselves among the deeper branches of fallen trees that line most of the shoreline perimeter. Slugo worms, pig and jig combinations, and other soft plastic baits are effective this time of year. During the spawning period (April and May), cast soft plastic baits like flukes, floating worms and soft-bodied lizards around visible structure against the shoreline's edge within the numerous cove pockets and small creek channels. When water temperatures rise in the summer months, look for quality-sized fish in the cooler headwater areas of the lake. Bouncing crayfish imitations along the bottom is an effective approach for bass in these rocky, shallow, swift water areas. Blueback herring lures, live crayfish, nightcrawlers and minnows also are effective in the headwaters. The fall transition pushes bass into the deeper areas of downed trees, especially on the upper end of the lake. Shad-imitating crankbaits, soft plastics and jigs are best bets in the fall. Anglers should also keep a watchful eye for surface feeding fish in the upper reaches of the lake and cast toward breaking fish with crankbaits and surface plugs.
Target
The shoreline is very steep, undeveloped and saturated with fallen trees, which provide a haven for largemouth bass most of the year. Largemouth bass gorge on blueback herring during the early fall months and anglers should focus their efforts on the upper reaches of each river arm and fish around the deep water edges of blown down trees. The Chattooga River arm in the vicinity of South Carolina is one of the best places to fish for bass in both the spring and fall. The upstream headwater areas on both river arms are the best places to target bass in the summer.
Spotted bass
Prospect
Spotted bass are now present in Lake Tugalo in measurable numbers. Anglers will notice the abundance of spotted bass increasing in the near future and they will become more frequent in their catch. Anglers can also expect the numbers of largemouth bass to decline as the more aggressive spotted bass strives to become the dominant black bass species in Lake Tugalo.
Technique
Although the numbers of spotted bass are too low to target, typical largemouth bass baits and techniques are also effective for spotted bass. As the population expands, anglers will be able to refine their methods to target spotted bass.
Target
Spotted bass will be caught incidentally while fishing for largemouth bass.
White bass
Prospect
There are not many fishable white bass populations left in north Georgia, but one can be found in Lake Tugalo. White bass numbers appear to be on the rise. Anglers will have their greatest success in March and early April by targeting fish in the headwaters of the Chattooga River arm.
Technique
From late-winter to early spring, fish for white bass using small, in-line spinner baits, like a Mepps spinner or Rooster trail, or small curly-tailed grubs in white, yellow or chartreuse on a light-weight jig head.
Target
Target white bass in the headwaters of the reservoir within the Chattooga River arm. Start fishing where the river narrows down and river current becomes visible. Continue fishing upstream as far as motor boat access is possible.
Catfish
Prospect
Catfishing is popular among local anglers who fish on Lake Tugalo. The white catfish population was the dominant catfish species until their numbers began to decline several years ago. To compensate for their declining abundance, DNR stocked channel catfish into the lake. These stocked catfish have reached a size where anglers will begin to start catching them.
Technique
Catfishing techniques involve simple baits and simple tackle. Worms, liver, small bream and artificial catfish mixtures are the most popular baits. Place preferred bait on a number six size hook up to a 1/0 size hook. Attach a few split shots onto the line and fish on the bottom along the main channel banks at depths ranging from 20-40 feet.
Target
The best time to fish for Tugalo catfish is on a summer afternoon when power is being generated. The gentle current through the reservoir created by power generation seems to trigger a feeding frenzy in the fish. Surveys indicated that the highest concentrations of white catfish are found in the vicinity of the South Carolina boat ramp. Target the points on the Georgia side, especially in the sharp bends upstream of the boat ramp. During the summer, bank anglers catch catfish from the South Carolina boat ramp.
Bream
Prospect
Bluegill, redbreast sunfish, and redear sunfish (shellcrackers) are plentiful in Lake Tugalo. Redbreast and bluegill in the 7-inch and 1/4 pound range are very common around downed trees and in the back of cove pockets. Redear sunfish are less abundant, but some real trophies up to 3 lb are caught each year on rocky banks along the main shoreline. The shoreline across the lake from the South Carolina ramp is frequented by trophy redears.
Technique
Crickets and spinners are effective baits for redbreast and bluegill when worked around visible structure, shallow pockets, and the backs of coves. Redwigglers fished on the bottom are more effective for redear sunfish, especially when fished on rocky banks and points.
Target
Because of the overabundance of fallen trees and small creek channels in Lake Tugalo, bream fishing is pretty good just about anywhere along the shoreline or you want to try.
Walleye
Prospect
Lake Tugalo supports an abundant walleye population that is maintained by GA-DNR's annual stocking program. Anglers typically catch walleye from two to four pounds, but a few walleye up to 10 pounds have been recorded. State record-class fish are available in the lake.
Technique
From mid-March to mid-April, cast floating Rapalas or nightcrawlers on a jig head into the flowing waters below the Tugalo power plant. Use a slow but steady retrieve and be prepared for gentle resistance on the line, which indicates a strike. Use this same technique to fish the Chattooga River arm. Concentrate your efforts in the area where the river cascades into the lake. The heat of summer forces walleye to migrate to the lower end of the lake. Fish on the bottom along the points in 40 to 60-ft of water with nightcrawlers or minnows on a jig-head. In the fall months, walleye move into shallow water in the evenings to feed on bluegill, yellow perch and blueback herring. Nightcrawlers, minnows and shad-imitating lures are effective this time of year. Walleye have a very light bite, so anglers new to walleye fishing should remain alert to slight movements in the line, which may indicate a strike.
Target
From March to mid-April, walleye will congregate in the headwater areas of the Tugalo and Chattooga River arms. These areas are only accessible by boat. The Tugalo arm below the power plant is easiest to fish during non-generation periods that usually occur from mid-morning to mid-afternoon. The Chattooga River arm maintains a steady flow below the cascades during the spring spawning run. Anchoring in the slack water adjacent to the large cascade is your safest way to fish this area, and it is well worth the effort since large concentrations of walleye are within casting distance. Surprisingly, the best catches of walleye occur on the lower end of the lake during the summer months. Several anglers reported large stringers of walleye while fishing the points with nightcrawlers on the lower lake from 40 to 60-feet deep. Walleye will inhabit these same lower lake points into the fall months but can be found in shallow water during low light conditions.
Additional Information
Because of Lake Tugalo's rugged access roads, vehicles with four-wheel drive that trailer small boats are strongly recommended. Boating access on the Georgia side of the lake is available through Tallulah Gorge State Park, which is located off Hwy. 441 in Tallulah Falls, Ga. Easier access to the lake is available at the South Carolina boat ramp. Directions to the South Carolina ramp are as follows: From Hwy. 441 in Clayton, Ga., turn east onto Hwy. 76. After crossing the Chattooga River Bridge into South Carolina, travel about three miles and turn right onto Orchard Road. At the stop sign, turn right onto Battlecreek Road. At the fork in the road, bear right. After passing Damascus Church, turn right onto the gravel road. This long, winding gravel road will lead to the boat ramp, which becomes paved and very steep as you approach the parking area.
A walleye fishing guidebook prepared by DNR is available at no cost on the Wildlife Resources Division's web site, here.
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