Lake Yonah is a 325-acre reservoir on the Tugaloo River, straddling the South Carolina–Georgia line between Oconee County, SC and Stephens County, GA. Created by Georgia Power’s Yonah Dam, it is the last in the long string of Georgia Power lakes on the Tugaloo before the river flows into Lake Hartwell — a deep, steep, scenic lake that stays refreshingly quiet.
Lake Yonah at a glance
| Surface area | ≈ 325 acres · 9+ mi shoreline |
| Elevation | ≈ 744 ft above sea level |
| River / states | Tugaloo · SC (Oconee) & GA (Stephens) |
| Dam | Yonah Dam (Georgia Power, 22 MW) · 25 hp limit |
The last lake in the Tugaloo chain
Yonah sits directly below Lake Tugalo and just above Lake Hartwell, the final step in a staircase of hydroelectric lakes Georgia Power built along the Tugaloo and Tallulah rivers. Like its upstream neighbor it is a deep, gorge-walled lake ringed by forest, and the 25-horsepower motor limit keeps it calm — a paddler’s and small-boat angler’s lake more than a ski lake.
Walleye and bass fishing
Yonah’s claim to fame is unusual for the Deep South: walleye, which are stocked and thrive in the cool, deep water alongside a strong largemouth bass population. Spotted and white bass, yellow perch, bream, crappie and catfish round out the catch. The clear depths reward trolling and downrigging for the bigger fish, and the lack of crowds is a big part of the appeal.
Access and camping
Public access is through Tugalo Park, run by Georgia Power and the City of Toccoa, Georgia. The park has two boat ramps — one below the Tugalo Dam beside a small campground, and one at the south end near the Yonah Dam off Yonah Dam Road — plus a primitive campground of about ten graveled tent-and-truck sites with restrooms and picnic tables. It is a low-key, get-away-from-it-all kind of place.
Nearby lakes
- Lake Tugalo — the gorge lake just upstream
- Lake Hartwell — the big lake just downstream
Lake Yonah FAQ
How big is Lake Yonah?
About 325 acres with more than nine miles of shoreline, on the Tugaloo River along the SC/GA line.
What fish are in Lake Yonah?
Walleye and largemouth bass are the featured species, with spotted and white bass, yellow perch, bream, crappie and catfish also present.
Is there camping at Lake Yonah?
Yes — Tugalo Park, run by Georgia Power and the City of Toccoa, has a primitive campground and two boat ramps.
Is there a horsepower limit on Lake Yonah?
Yes, motors are limited to 25 horsepower, keeping the lake quiet for paddlers and anglers.
