Lake Sinclair, Georgia, USA

Also known as:  Sinclair Lake

With 15,330 acres of sparkling water against the backdrop of the Oconee National Forest, Lake Sinclair in Georgia is an outdoor enthusiast’s premier destination. Located in both the Historic Heartland and Classic South tourist areas of Georgia, Putnam County, Baldwin County, and Hancock County all share the shores of this vacation paradise for visitors and a weekend respite for residents of nearby metro Atlanta and Macon. This…
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    • All About Lake Sinclair, GA

    Lake Locations: USA - US South Region - Georgia - Classic South Region, GA - Historic Heartland Region, GA -

    With 15,330 acres of sparkling water against the backdrop of the Oconee National Forest, Lake Sinclair in Georgia is an outdoor enthusiast’s premier destination. Located in both the Historic Heartland and Classic South tourist areas of Georgia, Putnam County, Baldwin County, and Hancock County all share the shores of this vacation paradise for visitors and a weekend respite for residents of nearby metro Atlanta and Macon. This popular water playground was formed in 1953 when Georgia Power constructed the Sinclair Dam on the Oconee River for hydropower generation. Georgia Power also created Lake Oconee, upstream of Lake Sinclair. The Wallace Dam separates the two lakes.

    Eatonton in Putnam County is a historic area with beautiful tree-lined streets waiting to welcome you to their side of Lake Sinclair. Located in the middle of the Antebellum Trail, some of the finest homes in the south are located here. Native son, Joel Chandler Harris, author of “The Uncle Remus Tales”, is memorialized by the local Uncle Remus Museum and a Brer Rabbit Statue standing on the courthouse square.

    Baldwin County’s Milledgeville is the only surviving example of a complete “Federal Period” city according to the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Here you can enjoy a guided tour of the area aboard a trolley highlighting points of interest. Retrace the steps of General Sherman as he marched through the area, including the Old Governor’s Mansion and the Old Capital Museum, the building where Georgia legislators voted to secede from the Union. The Candlelight Tour of Homes takes place in December. Each July, Milledgeville is home to water skiing competitions on Lake Sinclair.

    Hancock County, the “Hidden Jewel of Georgia”, is named for the first signer of the Declaration of Independence, John Hancock. The county is home to many historical sites, including the Millmore Gristmill, location of the 1786 peace treaty between Georgia and the Creek Indian Nation. The Hancock County Courthouse in Sparta, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is a prime example of Victorian architecture.

    Lakefront real estate is in high demand, and many waterfront homes are weekend properties used for escape from the hustle and bustle of big city life. Some of these homes are offered as vacation rentals. Bed and Breakfasts, bountiful in southern hospitality, are located in towns, on country farms, or on the shores Lake Sinclair. Cabins and campgrounds are plentiful in the area if you prefer a more rustic setting.

    No matter where you choose to unpack your bags, the Lake Sinclair area will keep you busy from morning till the wee hours of night. You can golf at internationally famous golf resorts, shoot sporting clays, play polo, go horseback riding, hike along the many trails by the lake and into the Oconee National Forest, go antique shopping, visit museums and historic sites, have a romantic dinner with scenic views of the lake, or you can just lazily relax on one of the beaches and watch as others swim, canoe, kayak, or jet ski.

    Lake Sinclair was designed with fishermen in mind. Home to several fishing tournaments, both local and national, anglers of all fishing skills have enjoyed pulling in catfish, crappie, largemouth bass, striped bass and bream. Numerous boat launches and marinas are available for putting in your fishing boat as well as fishing piers and spots for shoreline fishing.

    Imagine sitting in a rocking chair, on a wrap-around porch, sipping southern sweet tea and you are almost there. Come visit the area with southern hospitality and a great lake – Lake Sinclair in Georgia.

    Things to Do at Lake Sinclair

    These are some activities in the Lake Sinclair, GA area visitors can enjoy:

    • Vacation Rentals
    • Fishing
    • Fishing Tournaments
    • Boating
    • Swimming
    • Beach
    • Canoeing
    • Kayaking
    • Jet Skiing
    • Water Skiing
    • Golf
    • Camping
    • Campground
    • Cabin Rentals
    • Hiking
    • Horseback Riding
    • National Forest
    • Museum
    • Playground
    • Antiquing
    • Shopping

    What Kind of Fish Are in Lake Sinclair?

    Lake Sinclair has been known to have the following fish species:

    • Bass
    • Black Bass
    • Catfish
    • Crappie
    • Largemouth Bass
    • Striped Bass
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    Find Places to Stay at Lake Sinclair

    If you’re considering a Lake Sinclair lake house rental or hotel, we’ve made it super easy to find the best rates and compare vacation accommodations at a glance. Save time using this interactive map below.

    Note: These are affiliate links and we may earn a small commission if you click and make a purchase. Read our full disclosure policy here.

    More Sites to Book a Lake Sinclair Vacation

    Our interactive Lake Sinclair lodging map above is an easy tool for comparing VRBO rental homes and nearby hotels with Booking.com, but there could be times when you need to expand your search for different types of accommodations. Here are some other lake lodging partners we recommend:

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    Lake Sinclair Statistics & Helpful Links

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    Lake Type: Artificial Reservoir, Dammed

    Water Level Control: Georgia Pacific

    Surface Area: 15,330 acres

    Shoreline Length: 417 miles

    Normal Elevation (Full Pond): 318 feet

    Average Depth: 22 feet

    Maximum Depth: 90 feet

    Water Volume: 330,000 acre-feet

    Completion Year: 1953

    Drainage Area: 2,910 sq. miles

    Trophic State: Eutrophic

    Lake Sinclair Map
    Local Weather Forecast

    More local lakes to explore in this area:

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    Lake Oconee, GA

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    Lake Tchukolako, GA

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