Largemouth bass are more abundant in the upper areas of the reservoir, where shallow water cover is more prevalent.
Technique
During the winter months, live baits and slow-moving artificial baits are effective when fished in the right locations. With the onset of spring, largemouth bass with take a variety of shallow-running baits and lures worked methodically near structure close to the shoreline. In summer, largemouths will seek refuge in cooler waters in the 20-ft depth range on points and fallen trees. Fall brings a flurry of activity with largemouth bass feeding near the surface during early morning and evening and then moving into deeper water during the day. Anglers may need to use an arsenal of lures and presentations to zero in on what the bass are willing to bite that day.
Target
The upper end of the Chattahoochee River arm supports the greatest concentration of largemouth bass throughout the year. Anglers will find largemouths in close proximity to fallen trees or other types of structure most anytime. Finding the structure at the right depth will be the key to catching largemouth bass on Lake Lanier. In the winter, largemouths will typically be in deeper water along creek channels or among the branches of fallen trees. During spring, bass will move into shallow water to spawn near tree stumps, rock outcroppings or other visible structure. Warm summer temperatures drive largemouth bass into deeper water in the 20-ft depth range along points and in the tops of standing timber. As fall approaches, largemouths will roam all types of habitats in search of shad and herring, so anglers need to use a run and gun approach to locate feeding fish.
Spotted bass
Prospect
Lake Lanier supports an abundant and healthy spotted bass population. Spots in the two pound range are common, and fish exceeding four pounds often find their way into an angler's livewell.
Technique
A variety of artificial lures are effective throughout the year as are live baits such as nightcrawlers, crayfish and minnows. During the winter months, spotted bass are more likely to take live baits, like blueback herring, and slow-moving artificial lures. During April and May, spotted bass will take a variety of shallow-running lures, jerkbaits, curly-tailed grubs, and plastic lizards when fished near their spawning beds. Finesse and drop shot techniques work best in the summertime when spotted bass hold tight to deepwater brushpiles. During the fall months, topwater plugs can be effective under low light conditions, but anglers should transition to slow-moving, deepwater presentations along points, fallen trees, and brushpiles during the day.
Target
During the winter time, spotted bass will follow schools of baitfish into pockets of warmer water that occur near rocky outcroppings, rip-rap embankments and warmwater discharges. If the wind is blowing onto these types of rocky banks, then hungry spotted bass should be within casting range. April and May is the spawning season for spotted bass and they will seek rocky banks in 5 to 15-ft of water to fan their nests. Cast shallow running baits along rocky banks, around boat docks, reef marker points and fallen trees. Spotted bass will often explode onto a surface plug during the spawning season. Summer can be difficult for spotted bass anglers to find biting fish. Consider casting to surface feeding fish over open water during early morning and evening on the lower lake. During the day, use a high resolution electronic fish finder to locate brushpiles in 20 to 50-ft of water on the lower half of the lake. Patiently working every fishable inch of a brushpile can produce a big stringer of spots. During the fall transition, look for surface feeding fish early and late in the day followed by deepwater presentations on points and fallen trees during the day.
Striped Bass
Prospect
Striped bass anglers can expect another productive year on Lake Lanier, and larger fish will be slightly more abundant than usual. Lanier supports an abundance of stripers in the 4-10 pound range, a good supply of fish from 15-20 pounds, and occasional catches of fish in the 25 to 40 pound weight class. The winter months are the prime time to catch big fish using a variety of methods, including shallow water techniques, whereas the summer provides the highest numbers of fish.
Technique
Live bait (herring, shiners, bluegill, shad and small trout) is preferred by most of Lanier striper anglers and guides, but flukes and bucktail jigs will also produce good results. Bait type is often not as critical as its location and presentation.
Target
Striped bass range far and wide in Lake Lanier both longitudinally (up and down the length of the lake) and vertically (up and down in the water column). During winter, look for feeding fish underneath sea gulls that are hovering tightly over the water. Troll these areas with blueback herring at various depths until fish are located. Downline live herring or vertically jig bucktails into stationary schools of striped bass. From February through April, striped bass will also frequent shallow water and can be caught easily on artificial lures. Look for fish in the mouth of creeks, windblown points, and reef marker points during this time of year. Stripers will prefer a stained water color over clear water during this season. For an extra challenge during April, try the deep holes and shoals in the upper reaches of the Chattahoochee River upstream of Lula Bridge. As June progresses into September, striped bass move downstream toward the dam. High resolution electronic fish finders are almost essential during the summer for locating schools of striped bass near the river channel or above submerged timber. Downlining or drifting live herring in the reservoir's thermocline is the best way to catch striped bass during the summer months. When the surface temperature drops below 75 F, striped bass will begin feeding at the surface once again during low light conditions. During full sunlight, they will retreat to their summertime hiding places.
Crappie
Prospect
Expect an average year for crappie numbers. Fish in the ½ to ¾-pound range should be common with a few larger fish weighing close to 1 ½ pounds. Late February through April is the best time to catch the heaviest stringers.
Technique
Minnows and minnow-tipped jigs are most productive.
Target
Target the upper Chattahoochee arm (Clarks Bridge to Lula Bridge), Thompson Creek and Taylor Creek. Concentrate in areas with downed trees, and use a depth finder to locate submerged structure.
Walleye
Prospect
Walleye have been stocked into Lake Lanier for the past few years for the purpose of restoring the spring headwaters fishery in the lake following the demise of the white bass population. Stocked walleye are growing well and are rapidly reaching a quality size in Lake Lanier. Even with very low stocking rates, fisheries staff have documented walleye in the upper reaches of the Chattahoochee River from February through April and anglers have reported incidental catches of walleye while fishing for stripers and bass. Fisheries staff are encouraged by these initial results and plan to continue this effort.
Technique
Successful anglers are targeting the spring migration of walleye up the Chattahoochee River. From February through April, walleye can be caught upstream of Lula Bridge using a variety of lures and baits. Traditional walleye anglers prefer to slow troll live nightcrawlers through deep holes during the day and in the shallows during low light and nighttime conditions. For anglers who prefer artificial lures, troll Shad Raps through the deeper holes and floating Rapalas through the shallows. During the remainder of the year, walleye redistribute into the lower lake and will be found close to the bottom between 20 to 50-ft deep near structures such as fallen trees and rock piles. Nightcrawlers and jigs tipped with minnows are preferred baits in this situation.
Target
The upper reaches of the Chattahoochee River is the prime location to fish for walleye in Lake Lanier between February and April. For the remainder of the year, walleye will primarily be caught incidentally while fishing for bass or stripers.
Other Species
Prospect
Channel catfish, bluegill and carp also are available. Channel cats average about 1 pound and can be caught using night crawlers or chicken livers. Bluegill weighing between 1/4 to 1/3 pound can regularly be caught using crickets or red wigglers fished May - August near boathouses and sandy bottoms. Carp are fun to hook in shallow water and readily take prepared catfish baits, corn, and dough balls (from May - August).
Additional Information
Anglers can expect another good year on Lake Lanier. An abundance of vegetation was established around the shoreline of Lake Lanier following severe drought conditions. With the return to more normal lake levels, this vegetation was covered with water and provides ideal spawning conditions for bass, crappie, and bluegill. The abundance of shallow water cover should produce strong year-classes of fish for the coming years and will also help anglers catch more fish this year. Low inflows over the past few years also contributed to better water quality for open water fish like striped bass and walleye, which translates to higher summer survival and ultimately to bigger fish on the stringer.
A large fishing tournament facility was constructed by Hall County and GA-DNR at Laurel Park. To book this facility, please contact Hall County Parks and Recreation Department at 770/535-8280.
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