Highly Rated USCG Licensed fishing charter and fishing guide located in the heart of the North Georgia mountains

Welcome to Welch’s Guide Service located in the heart of the North Georgia mountains and located roughly 85 miles north of Atlanta, GA and 81 miles south of Chattanooga, TN. I am a USCG Licensed Guide and CPR/First Aid Certified with access to seven different lakes in three different states (North Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia). The most common fish found in these lakes are smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, and spotted bass, which are all native to the lakes we guide on. In fact two of the lakes in which we serve, Lake Chickamauga and Lake Burton, are national-ranked big bass fisheries! Our trips start at just $300 for a 4-hour trip. Take a gander around the site and select the “booking” feature when you’re ready to hit the water!

Lakes for fishing in North Georgia

Access to seven different lakes

Not sure which lake you want to sink your hook into? We have access to several different lakes in multiple states nearby. Our guide service will get you hooked on smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, spotted bass, which are all native to the North Georgia area. In fact two of the lakes in which we serve, Lake Chickamauga and Lake Burton, are national-ranked big bass fisheries! Check out the rest of the lakes we access below.

Compare Lakes

Fishing charter rates for guided fishing tours in North Georgia

Trips starting at just $300

Fishing guides aren’t as expensive as you think! Our half day trips start at just $300 and vary depending on how many people are in your group (our trips max out at 3 people per group). We the most affordable fishing charters in the area with a USCG licensed captain and over 30 years of lake knowledge. There’s nothing like hitting the lake with an expert that knows all the hot spots!

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Booking a guided fishing tour in North Georgia

Take a peek behind the scenes

Haven’t made your mind up just yet? Take a peek behind the scenes and read about some of my most recent trips, as well as check out a few of the fish hooked, smiles cracked, and moments captured along the way.

Sneak Peek

See what our clients are saying about us

David Nash
David Nash
January 24, 2023.
I’ve fished with Eric on three occasions over the past four years and enjoyed them all. Nice to connect with someone who knows you and knows the area. Eric is great at sharing his knowledge and techniques, as well as some great stories. I always look forward to seeing him again.
Samuel Steinbach
Samuel Steinbach
January 20, 2023.
I had a fantastic guiding with Eric ! I am form Germany and i never fished on Black Bass before. Eric explained me perfect how I should fish on them and we catched many great Bass ! I will never forgot this fishing trip and will definitely come back to fish with Eric agian ! Thank you again so much for this amazing trip Eric !
Michael Homiak
Michael Homiak
December 27, 2022.
I’ve been fishing with Eric for more than 10 years now. He’s a good guide, and doesn’t hesitate to move on if a spot isn’t producing. I’ve taken my kids out with him too, and he’s very helpful with those less experienced, but let’s old timers do their thing. He’s a good guy, good with communication, and is very reliable. And most importantly, he can get you on the fish.
Marcos Flores
Marcos Flores
November 19, 2022.
Eric is a top notch guide!
David A Brown
David A Brown
November 19, 2022.
I recently moved to north Georgia from Ohio. Before my wife and I moved here, we made a few trips to the area. I was fortunate enough to find Eric on the North Georgia Fishing Guide web page. We went out on lake Hawassee. I was pretty new to bass fishing, and Eric was super helpful all day. Eric got us on several schools of fish. It was a great time. Since then, I have gone out with Eric several other times on different area lakes (Nottely, Chatuge, and Hiwassee). Each trip was a great experience, and Eric always got us on fish. I plan on going out with Eric again a couple times in 2023. I highly recommend Eric to anyone looking to go out on any of the area lakes any time of the year. As a lifelong north Georgia native, he knows the lakes and the area.
Rob Simmons
Rob Simmons
November 18, 2022.
I have used Welch's Guide Service for years. We have never had a day where we didn't catch fish. Eric knows the area lakes and he puts us on the right spots year after year. I have learned a lot about fishing from him. Basically, I am a better fisherman because of him.
Charles Walker
Charles Walker
November 18, 2022.
Go fishing with Eric! Knowledgeable, friendly and a lot of fun. We've fished with Eric on Lake Chickamauga and Lake Burton multiple times. The fact that we are repeat customers should tell you all you need to know.
Clay Constant
Clay Constant
November 18, 2022.
I’ve fished with Eric a number of times, and he knows how to find the fish anytime of year. I usually let him pick the lake that is currently yielding the most fish, and we always catch some. Good guide, good guy. I will engage him again!
Remington Tranbarger
Remington Tranbarger
November 18, 2022.
Eric took my wife and I out on the Chick. He was very knowledgeable about the lake. Super great guy! Fishing was tough but we had a great time! Highly recommend
kenneth sellberg
kenneth sellberg
July 11, 2020.
Had an awesome morning of fishing with Eric. Very knowledgable of the lake and fishing techniques. Will definitely fish with Eric again when we return.

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