About | USCG Licensed Fishing Guide in North Georgia

Meet Your USCG Licensed & CPR/First-Aid Certified Fishing Guide

My name is Eric Welch, your expert fishing guide in the North Georgia mountains. Born and raised in this beautiful region, I bring almost 40 years of local lake knowledge to every guided fishing trip, ensuring a successful and memorable experience. As a full-time guide and avid tournament angler, I know all the tips and tricks to make your bass fishing adventure exceptional.

I am a USCG Licensed Guide and CPR/First-Aid Certified, dedicated to providing a safe and enjoyable fishing trip for all my clients. Fishing with a local expert who knows the best spots and techniques makes all the difference.

On a personal note, I have been happily married for nearly 30 years and have a talented daughter who, along with my wife, supports my passion for guiding. I am fortunate to make a living doing what I love most—guiding anglers to success on the beautiful lakes of North Georgia.

Why choose me?

The unique thing about my location is that I have access to several different lakes in three states close by (Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina). The longest travel time from my location is about one hour making it easy for me to guide you on practically any lake in North Georgia you desire.

With my guide service, I welcome all types of anglers from rookies to tournament anglers. I will cater to whatever knowledge you want to concentrate on: finesse techniques, ledge fishing, electronics, and also hooking Smallmouth, Largemouth, and Spotted Bass.

I look at everyday on the lake as a new adventure. I enjoy guiding clients and teaching them new techniques that they can in turn use on their own local waters with success. It can be as simple as teaching clients how to read their electronics correctly to locate bass or showing them how to drop-shot using their electronics. I’m confident I have the experience to improve all each clients bass fishing knowledge.

— Eric Welch

Curious about what you will be fishing in?

Boat: 2023 Phoenix 21 PHX (can accommodate 3 anglers + myself)
Motor: Mercury 250Pro XS 4 Stroke
Trolling Motor: Lowrance Ghost
Technology: Lowrance HDS 12 live with Down Imaging and Structure Scan (at console), Lowrance HDS 12 live Down Imaging + Garmin 126sv Livescope (at bow)

Features/Honors:

I have had the awesome privilege and blessing of being on The Outdoor Channel as a co-host of Reel In The Outdoors with Joe Thomas on Lake Chickamauga and also on Strike Kings Hook n’ Look with Kim Stricker on Lake Burton.

I have also been featured in Georgia Outdoor News Magazine, Georgia Sportsman Magazine, and Simply Fishing Magazine.

What our clients are saying…

    
 
 
        
   David Nash 
 January 24, 2023.
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 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 
 January 20, 2023.
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 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 
 December 27, 2022.
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 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 
 November 19, 2022.
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Eric is a top notch guide!
  
 
       
   David A Brown 
 November 19, 2022.
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 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 
 November 18, 2022.
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 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 
 November 18, 2022.
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 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 
 November 18, 2022.
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 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 
 November 18, 2022.
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 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 
 July 11, 2020.
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 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.
  
 
  
  
 
 
   Google rating score: 4.9 of 5, based on 11 reviews