Boat Rentals in Blairsville, GA

Rental fleets in Blairsville include Jet skis, Pontoon boats, Ski boats and Waverunners. What is available on the day depends on the company and the season, so it is worth checking a few listings.

The best all-around time to boat on Lake Nottely is May through September, with July offering especially warm water. A Georgia Wildlife report recorded Lake Nottely water temperatures in the low-to-mid 80s in July, while Poteete Creek Campground’s seasonal facilities are open from April 1 through October 15.

Lake level is the main off-season consideration. TVA says Nottely Reservoir normally varies about 20 feet between summer and winter to provide flood storage, so winter boating may involve substantially lower water than summer boating.

Source: Tennessee Valley Authority (tva.com)

Boating from Blairsville centers on Nottely Reservoir, including its broad main lake, Poteete Branch, Jack Creek and the winding upper Nottely River near Canal Lake. All are connected parts of the same reservoir, so you can leave a creek arm for more open water without trailering.

Poteete Creek Recreation Area has a boat ramp beside its campground and swimming beach. Jack’s Creek and Canal Lake also provide public ramp access. From these launch areas, cruise the central reservoir or continue toward Nottely Dam, while treating the narrow creek and river arms as more confined water than the main basin.

Source: Tennessee Valley Authority (unioncountyga.gov)

From Blairsville, boaters make Lake Nottely day trips to Poteete Creek Park, the Nottely Dam shoreline and the stretch between Canal Lake Boat Ramp and Coldwell Cove. Poteete Creek is the family stop, with a boat ramp, swimming beach, picnic tables and pavilion. The dam end provides a scenic cruise along wooded shoreline, while the Nottely Dam Trail follows the reservoir’s edge. Anglers favor the Canal Lake–Coldwell Cove stretch because Georgia DNR reports the lake’s highest largemouth bass catch rates there.

Source: Union County (unioncountyga.gov)

Georgia does not require a boating license, but people born on or after January 1, 1998, must complete Georgia Department of Natural Resources approved boater education and carry the card when operating a motorized vessel, including a personal watercraft. Children under 12 cannot operate a PWC or boat 16 feet or longer; those 12 to 15 may operate boats under 16 feet, including PWCs, with approved education or a competent adult.

Rentals of 10 horsepower or more require operators to be at least 16. The rental’s approved course issues a certificate valid statewide for six months. Rental course exemptions include Coast Guard masters, valid DNR approved cardholders, and qualifying nonresidents with NASBLA approved proof; the general rule also exempts private lake or pond operation.

Source: Georgia Department of Natural Resources (georgiawildlife.com)

Georgia boaters should follow five core rules enforced by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Carry a U.S. Coast Guard approved wearable life jacket for each person; children under 13 must wear one on a moving vessel unless inside a fully enclosed cabin, and everyone on a personal watercraft must wear one. Do not operate at a blood alcohol level of 0.08 or higher, or 0.02 if under 21. Register mechanically propelled boats and sailboats 12 feet or longer. Personal watercraft cannot operate between sunset and sunrise. Keep to idle speed within 100 feet of docks, swimmers, anchored boats and specified public use shorelines.

Source: Georgia Department of Natural Resources, georgiawildlife.com and gadnrle.org (georgiawildlife.com)

Georgia Code Section 52-7-8.3 sets 16 as the minimum age to rent a vessel of 10 horsepower or more; the PWC rental minimum is 16. Unsupervised operation starts at 12, only on vessels under 16 feet, including PWCs, after passing a DNR-approved boating education course.

Under 12, a person may operate only a vessel under 16 feet that is nonmotorized or powered by 30 horsepower or less, with a competent adult age 18 or older who is not under the influence and carries proper identification; PWC operation is prohibited. Operators 16 or older born after January 1, 1998, must pass an approved course to operate any vessel and carry the card. Rental operators set their own minimum; confirm when booking.

Source: Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division (georgiawildlife.com)

Alongside the boat rentals on this page, Blairsville has 1 boat club, 2 marinas and 2 boat dealers.