This Georgia Power reservoir is the largest and highest in elevation among the five Georgia Power lakes in north Georgia. Lake Burton, with Tallulah River as a primary inflow, covers 2,775 surface acres and has 62 miles of shoreline. Located in Rabun County, Lake Burton is the northernmost lake in a chain of reservoirs along the Georgia-South Carolina border built to generate hydroelectric power.

Although the lake lies entirely within the Chattahoochee National Forest, some private properties surround the lake. In April, 2011, an EF3 tornado struck the lake, demolishing homes and causing one fatality. Most of the damage occurred on at Moccasin Cove, near the Moccasin Creek State Park and Burton Trout Hatchery.

Today, Moccasin Creek State Park and the Burton Trout Hatchery -- both located at Moccasin Cove -- are open for business, providing great access to all the tourist features located around the Tallulah River Watershed.

Fishing

Anglers fishing at Lake Burton can find bluegill, rainbow and brown trout, hybrid striped white bass as well as largemouth and spotted bass, redear sunfish, walleye, catfish, and yellow perch. Streams that feed into this lake are stocked with trout. The spotted bass fishery is top drawer -- Lake Burton is home to a state record for this fish in February 2005. That monster rocked the scales at eight pounds, two ounces. Lake Burton also holds a lake record for yellow perch at two pounds, eight ounces, and a walleye at eleven pounds. The current lake record for brown trout is eleven pounds, three ounces.

  Search Lake Burton Resources
     Coordinates:
34.8269N -83.5551W
Map It:
Lake Type:
Reservoir
Surface Area:
2,775 acres
Maximum Depth:
60+ ft
Elevation:
1,866 ft
Normal Water Clarity:
3 ft
Major City:
Atlanta
Airport:
Atlanta

LaPrade's Marina is the only marina on Lake Burton where you can store your boat. This is a full-service marina that offers boat service, sales, rentals, and a 10,000-square-foot venue for events. Boaters also have winter public boat access to the lake at a ramp at Murray Cove, and another ramp is located at Moccasin Creek State Park. Moccasin Creek State Park also provides a fishing pier and canoe rentals. Georgia Power provides a boat ramp and parking just north of Lake Burton on the Tallulah River for paddlers.

• Georgia Fishing Licenses (includes online licenses)
• Georgia Sport Fishing Regulations (includes saltwater)
• Georgia Outdoor Recreational Pass (GORP)
• Georgia Freshwater Game Fish Daily Limits
• Georgia Fish Consumption Advisories
• Moccasin Creek State Park
• Georgia Department of Natural Resources