LakeBrowser
Lakes-Waterways



 
Send To A Friend

 
Boating Links














 
Walter F. George Lake

The Walter F. George Lake, also known as Walter F. George Reservoir, Lake George or -- in Alabama -- Lake Eufaula, was formed when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers impounded the Chattahoochee River with the Walter F. George Dam at Fort Gaines, Georgia, in 1962. This is the largest dam in the Chattahoochee River basin and the second most visited reservoir in this river basin in Georgia. The reservoir shares borders with both Georgia and Alabama. The lock, with a lift of 88 feet, is one of the highest lock systems in the nation.

The lake is controlled mostly by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, but Alabama and Georgia also maintain areas such as the Eufaula National Wildlife Refuge and the Lakepoint State Park -- both in Alabama -- and the George T. Bagby and Florence Marina state parks in Georgia. Visitors also can enjoy a number of restaurants, hotels, and shopping areas in the area and along this lake's 640 miles of shoreline.

Fishing

This lake enjoyed a heyday of largemouth trophy fishing in the 1960s and 1970s, and it still is considered the "Bass Fishing Capital of the World." Crappie also are abundant in this lake, and most samplings were over ten inches long. Other species in this lake include bream, catfish, striped bass, and spotted bass. Ernest Timpson caught the Georgia record blue catfish at 80 pounds and four ounces from this lake in February, 2010.

In most cases, creel and possession limits are the same both states along the river and its reservoirs.

       

  Search Walter F. George Lake Resources
    Walter F. George Lake Georgia Coordinates:
31.8892N -85.1536W
Map It:
Lake Type:
Reservoir
Surface Area:
45,100 acres
Maximum Depth:
20 ft
Elevation:
190 ft
Normal Water Clarity:
3 ft
Major City:
Columbus
Airport:
Columbus
Boating

Boaters can find several Corps access points along the lake shores in addition to boat access offered by marinas. The only recreation area that doesn't maintain a boat ramp is Damsite Lower Pool in Georgia. See the first link listed in our resources below to find all recreation areas along Walter F. George Lake in both Alabama and in Georgia.

       
Lodging

Campers can find plenty of sites to park a tent or an RV at Walter F. George Lake. On the Georgia side of the lake, campers have access to Florence Marina State Park at the north end of the lake and to George T. Bagby State Park and Lodge just north of Fort Gaines at the dam site. Both parks have cabins and tent and RV camp sites. The Corps of Engineers also maintain thirteen day-use parks and four campgrounds around the lake, and other private interests also maintain places to camp and relax.

If you'd prefer a hotel or vacation rental, you can find lodging along the lake and also in Fort Gaines, Cuthbert, and in Columbus.

Review the Lake Resource Guide for additional lodging.



Communities

Walter F. George Lake, or Lake Eufaula, is located in Barbour and Henry Counties in Alabama and in Clay and Quitman Counties in Georgia. Eufaula is the largest town on the lake on the Alabama shores, and Cuthbert and Fort Gaines are the largest towns on the Georgia side of this lake. Visitors to either side of the lake can use Columbus, Georgia to the north for lodging and for the airport. That airport is the fourth busiest airport in Georgia.

Fun times at Walter F. George Lake  Walter F. George Lake

Walter F. George Lake  Walter F. George Lake



 
Average Temperatures Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Avg. High  58 Avg. High  62 Avg. High  69 Avg. High  76 Avg. High  83 Avg. High  89 Avg. High  91 Avg. High  90 Avg. High  85 Avg. High  77 Avg. High  68 Avg. High  59
Avg. Low  34 Avg. Low  37 Avg. Low  42 Avg. Low  50 Avg. Low  59 Avg. Low  66 Avg. Low  69 Avg. Low  69 Avg. Low  64 Avg. Low  53 Avg. Low  43 Avg. Low  36