Lake Oconee
Lake Oconee is located mainly in Greene County, near Madison and Greensboro. The 19,050-acre reservoir is operated by the Georgia Power Company with Lake Sinclair as a pump-storage (pump back) hydropower generation facility. This unique operation in combination with the lake's long, narrow shape produces noticeable water current throughout the lake during power generation and pump back. Fish tend to be more active and feed more agressively when water is moving through the dam.
Contact Information
Georgia Power: ph. 706-485-8704
Prospects and Fishing Tips
| Largemouth bass |
| Prospect | An 11 to 14-inch slot limit regulation is currently in effect on largemouth bass. Bass caught between 11 and 14 inches must be released, while bass less than 11 inches and greater than 14 inches may be kept. The slot limit is intended to improve bass growth by encouraging selective harvest of smaller bass. Angler cooperation is imperative to improve bass growth and angling opportunities. |  |
| Technique | Popular year-round baits include spinnerbaits, crankbaits, jerkbaits, jig-head worms, jigs and other plastic baits. These baits can be fished around riprap and rocky areas, main lake points, offshore humps, around lay-down trees and boat docks. |
| Target | During winter months fish crankbaits, jighead worms and jigs. Concentrate on deeper rocky banks and points and deeper boat docks; a slower presentation may be needed. During spring, fish spinnerbaits, jerkbaits and shallower plastics. Concentrate more on shallow cover such as lay-down trees, stumps and boat docks. In the summer, focus on deep-diving crankbaits and deeper plastics along main lake points, river channels and deep bridges or try the Oconee and Apalachee rivers above Interstate 20. In the fall, fish spinnerbaits and shallow running crankbaits, keying-in on the backs of creek arms. |
| Hybrid Bass |
| Prospect | Expect hybrid bass fishing to be consistent with last year's catch. Similar numbers and sizes were seen in the 2012 fall gill net survey and a number of 5-10-pounders are available. Results from a recent angler input meeting disclosed that most lineside anglers at Lake Oconee prefer to target and catch hybrid bass more often than striped bass, so a transition to more hybrid bass is anticipated. |  |
| Technique | Live bait, jigging spoons, and artificial baits that imitate shad are recommended. |
| Target | In the winter months, concentrate on the Oconee River arm from Lick Creek down to the dam. Hybrid striped bass should be found close to deep schools of bait. In the spring, target hybrid striped bass in the middle and upper end of the reservoir as they make runs up the Oconee and Apalachee rivers. |
| White bass |
| Prospect | Expect fishing to be consistent with last year's catch. Similar numbers and sizes were seen in the 2012 spring electrofishing and fall gill net surveys. |  |
| Technique | Little George's, rooster tails, small crankbaits, crappie jigs and curly tail grubs are recommended. |
| Target | March and April are the best months to target white bass, as they make spawning runs up the Oconee and Apalachee rivers. |
| Striped Bass |
| Prospect | Striped bass will be stocked again this spring, however at reduced rates compared to previous years. Results from a recent angler input meeting disclosed that most lineside anglers at Lake Oconee preferred to target and catch hybrid bass more often than striped bass, so a transition to more hybrid bass is anticipated. Striped bass numbers and sizes were comparable during 2012 to previous years., and an average striped bass continues to measure around 16 inches in length, however fish weighing in the 8-10 pound range have been caught. |  |
| Technique | Live bait, bucktail jigs, jigging spoons, umbrella rigs and trolling hard baits. |
| Target | In winter, concentrate on the Oconee River arm from Lick Creek down to the dam. Striped bass should be found close to deep schools of bait fish. In spring, target the middle and upper end of the reservoir around bridges and other riprap areas feeding on spawning threadfin shad. |
| Catfish |
| Prospect | Expect plenty of smaller to medium size channel catfish throughout, but the catfish populations continue to shift towards the introduced blue catfish. Blue catfish numbers and size continue to expand and 10 to 20 pound fish are common. During the summer of 2011, at least four blue catfish were caught that were in the 40 pound range. Flathead catfish populations continue to expand and numbers of 10 to 15 pound fish are common with some over 40 pounds. |  |
| Technique | Live shad or bluegill and cut bait are best bets for blue and flathead catfish. Summer months may be the best time to cast a line. Also try night crawlers or cut bait fished on the bottom. |
| Target | The summer months, especially early morning and night time fishing, are particularly good for all catfish. Their consistent bite makes them an ideal species. |
| Crappie |
| Prospect | Numbers and size of fish are comparable to past years. The average crappie sampled in the fall of 2012 was 10 inches. Crappie should weigh around 1/2 to 3/4 pound this spring, with good numbers of fish up to 1 1/2 pound. Fish from February to May for larger numbers and larger fish. |  |
| Technique | Minnows and jigs are best bets. |
| Target | In early February, concentrate toward the mouths of the creeks - near the main lake and gradually move toward shallow water as temperatures rise in spring. In the spring, target standing timber and man-made brush piles in Sugar Creek and the upper end of the lake, as well as the upper ends of other major creek arms, such as Richland, Sandy and Lick creeks. When water temperatures reach the low 60s, target bedding crappie around shallow shoreline cover. During the fall, concentrate on the mouths of the creeks and river channels. |
| Best Fishing Times Key |
Excellent:  Good:  Fair:  |
