2005 Georgia reservoir fishing prospects

2005 Georgia Reservoir Fishing Prospects
A publication of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Wildlife Resources Division Fisheries Management Section

Nottely

Chatuge

Blue Ridge Carters

Burton Rabun
Tugaloo

Weiss

Allatoona

Lanier

West Point Bartlett's Ferry
Goat Rock Oliver

Randy Poynter Varner Jackson
High Falls Juliette
Tobesofkee

Hartwell

Richard B. Russell

Oconee

Clarks Hill

Sinclair Hamburg

Walter F. George
Andrews

Blackshear Chehaw

Seminole
1. Allatoona 2. Andrews 3. Bartlett's Ferry 4. Blackshear 5. Blue Ridge 6. Burton 7. Carters 8. Chatuge 9. Chehaw 10. Clarks Hill

Location of Reservoirs
11. Goat Rock 12. Hamburg 13. Hartwell 14. High Falls 15. Jackson 16. Juliette 17. Lanier 18. Nottely 19. Oconee 20. Oliver 21. Rabun

22. Randy Poynter 23. Richard B. Russell 24. Seminole 25. Sinclair 26. Tobesofkee 27. Tugalo 28. Varner 29. Walter F. George 30. Weiss 31. West Point

Georgia offers some of the best, and most diverse, fishing opportunities in the Southeast with more than 500,000 acres of reservoirs
available to anglers. The following is a description of the prospects for fishing on Georgia's reservoirs in 2005. The outlook for each reservoir was compiled by fisheries biologists and is based on sampling efforts by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Wildlife Resources Division (WRD), Fisheries Management Section, knowledge of past fishing trends, WRD staff's own fishing experiences and discussions with anglers and marina owners. We hope this information is valuable to you when planning your fishing trips. The collection and compilation of this information was made possible by funding through Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration.
DNR routinely tests the tissue of fish collected from rivers and reservoirs across the state. Based on the best scientific information and procedures available, "Guidelines for Eating Fish from Georgia Waters" are developed to help Georgia anglers and their families evaluate the health risks of eating fish from wild populations. To learn more about these guidelines consult the current Sport Fishing Regulations or visit the WRD web site www.gofishgeorgia.com For a complete publication, visit the EPD web site at www.dnr.state.ga.us/dnr/environ and scroll down to "fish consumption guidelines." To obtain lake conditions online: US Army Corps of Engineers: www.sam.usace.army.mil/op/rec ; Georgia Power: www.southerncompany.com/gapower/lakes and TVA: www.tva.com .
Visit the Georgia Department of Natural Resources web site at www.gofishgeorgia.com for fishing regulations, to purchase a fishing license, to register a boat, to find a place to fish, for weekly fishing conditions in reservoirs, and more!

Albany ........ 229-430-4256 Burton ......... 706-947-3112 Calhoun....... 706-629-1259 Calhoun....... 770-387-4821

Fisheries Management Section Offices: Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center ........... 770-784-3059 Dawson .............................................. 229-995-4486 Fort Valley ......................................... 478-825-6151 Gainesville ......................................... 770-535-5498

West Point ............706-845-4290 Social Circle .........770-918-6418 Summerville.......... 706-857-3394 Thomson ...............706-595-1619

Reservoir

Page

Best Bets in 2005

Office

Allatoona ........................2 ............. crappie, hybrid & striped bass, spotted bass, carp .........................................................Calhoun Andrews..........................2 ............. hybrid & striped bass, channel catfish, bream, largemouth bass ...................................Albany Bartlett's Ferry................3 ............. spotted & largemouth bass, hybrid & striped bass, crappie, catfish ..............................West Point Blackshear ......................3 ............. largemouth bass, white bass, crappie, hybrid & striped bass, catfish ............................Albany Blue Ridge ......................4 ............. largemouth, white & smallmouth bass, bluegill, walleye, catfish, yellow perch ...........Calhoun Burton .............................4 ............. brown & rainbow trout, spotted bass, yellow perch, walleye, bluegill, pickerel ...........Burton Carters.............................5 ............. walleye, hybrid bass, spotted bass, white bass...............................................................Calhoun Chatuge...........................6 ............. spotted bass, walleye, bluegill, white bass, carp............................................................Gainesville Chehaw ...........................6 ............. channel & flathead catfish, largemouth bass, striped bass.............................................Albany Clarks Hill ......................7 ............. crappie, striped & hybrid bass, largemouth bass, redear sunfish, white perch...............Thomson Goat Rock .......................7 ............. largemouth & spotted bass, bream, hybrid bass, catfish, crappie ..................................West Point Hamburg .........................8 ............. crappie, largemouth bass, redear sunfish, chain pickerel ..............................................Thomson Hartwell ..........................8 ............. hybrid bass, largemouth bass, crappie, striped bass.......................................................Burton High Falls .......................9 ............. crappie, bream, largemouth bass, catfish, hybrid & white bass .....................................CEWC Jackson............................9 ............. bream, crappie, largemouth & spotted bass, hybrid bass, catfish ..................................CEWC Juliette...........................10 ............. striped bass, redear sunfish, largemouth bass ................................................................CEWC Lanier............................10 ............. spotted bass, crappie, striped bass .................................................................................Gainesville Nottely ..........................11 ............. spotted bass, crappie, striped bass, hybrid bass, carp ....................................................Gainesville Oconee ..........................12 ............. crappie, white bass, hybrid bass, largemouth bass, catfish ............................................Social Circle Oliver ............................12 ............. bluegill, redear sunfish, crappie, largemouth bass .........................................................West Point Rabun............................13 ............. spotted bass, bream, crappie, walleye............................................................................Burton Randy Poynter ..............13 ............. largemouth bass, bream, crappie, channel catfish..........................................................Social Circle Richard B. Russell ........14 ............. largemouth bass, crappie, spotted bass ..........................................................................Thomson Seminole .......................14 ............. bream, channel catfish, largemouth bass, crappie, hybrid bass......................................Albany Sinclair..........................15 ............. catfish, crappie, largemouth bass, hybrid bass...............................................................Fort Valley Tobesofkee....................16 ............. hybrid bass, largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, chain pickerel.......................................Fort Valley Tugalo...........................16 ............. white catfish, largemouth bass, crappie, white bass, bream...........................................Burton Varner ...........................17 ............. largemouth bass, crappie, bream, channel catfish, hybrid bass......................................Social Circle Walter F. George ..........17 ............. largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, hybrid bass...............................................................Albany Weiss ............................18 ............. crappie, white bass, striped bass, largemouth bass, catfish, drum .................................Calhoun West Point.....................19 ............. largemouth & spotted bass, hybrid & striped bass, crappie, channel catfish .................Fort Valley

Abbreviations : DNR - Georgia Department of Natural Resources; WRD - Georgia Wildlife Resources Division COE - U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; TVA - Tennessee Valley Authority; USFS - U.S. Forest Service

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Allatoona This 11,860-acre COE impoundment of the Etowah River is 30 miles north of Atlanta on I-75. Numerous COE facilities and a Georgia State Park located around the lake provide anglers convenient boat ramp access and parking, as well as camping opportunities. The lake receives heavy use by boaters, skiers and anglers due to its close proximity to Atlanta. Fishing early and late daylight hours, and at night, are effective ways to avoid the crowds and catch wary fish. Anglers fishing Allatoona in the summer should concentrate their efforts in water no deeper than 30 feet, as dissolved oxygen is rarely satisfactory for fish at greater depths that time of year. When it comes to black bass, angler catch rates in Allatoona are better than most Georgia reservoirs, yet fish size tends to be smaller than average. One reason is that spotted bass, which attain smaller adult size than largemouth bass, dominate the black bass fishery. A strong 2002 year-class of spotted bass is moving through the ranks. These fish will be in the - lb. range in 2005, while older fish will tip scales in the 4-5 lb. range. The less abundant largemouth bass will typically weigh in at around 1 lb. and few largemouth bass over 5 lb. will be caught in 2005. During the warmer months largemouth will spend the days in deeper water on points and ledges, but will move shallow at night and early morning to feed. Target largemouth at this time in the area at or above Little River, as this is where the best largemouth habitat exists in the reservoir. Spotted bass tend to hold a little deeper than largemouth and can be finicky in their willingness to bite. Experienced anglers rely on light line and smaller lures to trick spots into biting. Steep rocky banks and brush piles in 10-25 feet of water are favored places for spotted bass throughout the year. Anglers also should target the 36+ locations that WRD and COE placed PVC fish attractors. These locations are typically in 25-30 feet of water at full pool and best fished from fall through spring. Updated fish attractor location maps can be downloaded and printed from the WRD website: http://georgiawildlife.dnr.state.ga.us/content/displaycontent.asp?txtDoc ument=117&txtPage=3. Anglers can expect crappie fishing to be consistent with years past. The average crappie should be a little better than eight inches and weigh about lb., though many larger crappie tipping the scales over 1 lb. will be caught. Most crappie anglers focus their efforts during the spring spawn, when the fish move up the creeks and rivers becoming concentrated in shallow water. Early spring is an excellent time to catch a trophy "slab" as the females will be laden with eggs and in excellent condition prior to the spawn. Besides jigging or live bait fishing over structure, anglers should try slow trolling small artificials in these same areas. Trolling is a good way to cover a lot of water and locate schools of feeding fish. Popular areas to catch spring spawn crappie include Kellogg, Illinois, and Stamp Creek areas of the lake. During the summer months, crappie will concentrate in deeper waters, where anglers can catch them by targeting brush piles and other fish attractors located on humps and channel ledges. Night fishing with the use of lights and light tackle around docks and bridges will likely be an anglers' best chance at consistently boating finicky summer crappie. WRD continues to stock striped bass in Allatoona. Striper fishing is best from October-June and trolling live shad is an angler's best approach to consistent catches. Stripers will be found in the main body of the lake in winter, but migrate to upper reaches of the lake on their spring spawning run. As summer heats up smaller stripers (<10 lb.) will be found in the main lake, but most larger linesides migrate far up the Etowah River seeking cool water in which to beat the summer heat. Enticing a summer bite from these large fish can be extremely difficult as they slow their feeding rates. However, with the onset of fall and cooling lake waters, these large stripers migrate back into the main lake

body and feed voraciously as they pack on pounds lost during the hot summer months.
Increased stockings of hybrid striped bass by WRD in recent years is beginning to bear fruit . . . and lots of it! Based on sample data, hybrid abundance in Allatoona is at an all-time high, rivaling some of Georgia's best-known hybrid lakes. The average hybrid will be in the 2-3 lb. range but plenty of 5-8 lb. fish will be caught. Hybrids can be caught year-round, but summer is best for boating large numbers. Regardless of the season, anglers seeking these hard fighters must locate their primary food source - shad. Locate schools of shad using depth finders, while keeping a sharp eye open for schooling hybrids "boiling" the water's surface as they feed on shad. White spinners, bucktails and crankbaits will produce fish, but serious hybrid fisherman will slow troll with 3-5 inch live shad on free-line or down-line rigs.
Spawning runs of white bass will be up somewhat from recent years, as the population begins recovering from several years of drought believed to have weakened the population. Target these spawn-run fish from March-April in the riverine areas of the lake.
Bluegill, redbreast sunfish and redear sunfish are present in Allatoona. Bluegill are the dominant sunfish species. They typically average five inches in length, with a few individuals over seven inches. Anglers are encouraged to harvest bream to increase the growth rates of remaining fish.
Channel and flathead catfish also are available. While channel catfish are more abundant, flatheads tend to grow to a much larger size. Pursue channels and flatheads on the rocky banks in the Etowah River arm using chicken livers and live bait fished on the bottom. The numerous rip-rapped shoreline banks also are good areas to locate big Allatoona catfish.
Carp are numerous, widely distributed and grow to moderately large sizes. Most carp fishing is concentrated in the Acworth Dam area. Carp are strong fighters and will give a worthwhile battle to those who pursue them. Gar also are numerous in Allatoona. Though not generally considered good eating, these toothy fish are strong fighters and can be great fun to catch. Gar can be caught using a number of techniques ranging from live shad or minnows fished below a bobber to sight fishing with minnow type lures made from frayed rope. Such lures are designed to catch onto one of the gar's numerous teeth during the strike.
Andrews The COE operates this 1,540-acre mainstream reservoir located on the Chattahoochee River in southwest Georgia. Lake Andrews begins at the Walter F. George Lock and Dam near Fort Gaines, and stretches for 29 miles downstream to the George W. Andrews Lock and Dam near Blakely. This reservoir acts more like a large river than a lake, resulting in fish populations acting the same. Typically, excellent fishing can be found in the tailrace areas immediately below each dam. Hybrids, white bass and stripers are attracted to these areas, especially during late winter and early spring (mid-February to late March). Hybrid bass fishing below Andrews Lock and Dam should be good during 2005, with the average hybrid weighing around 3 lb. Although hybrids can be taken on a variety of baits, live shad consistently produce the best catches. Striped bass numbers below Andrews Lock and Dam are low, and as a result, anglers can expect to see few of these hard-fighting fish. Currently, the majority of stripers in the population are small, 2-3 lbs, but several stripers over 20 lb. have been landed. Many more of these hard pulling fish are hooked by hybrid anglers each year, but are never landed. Using heavy tackle (20 lb. line) will increase your chances of landing one of these trophies. At Andrews Lock and Dam, bank anglers can get access to the tailrace on the

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Alabama side and boats can be launched at the COE boat ramp located on the Georgia side of the river.
Fishing in areas downstream from the dams is your best bet if you are interested in catching bream and largemouth bass. Although not noted for producing large numbers of bass, Lake Andrews does provide a good chance at catching 4-6 lb. fish. Largemouth bass and bream fishing should be best in the spring, during the pre-spawn and spawning seasons, but bass anglers often do well for bass during the summer months. Crappie fishing typically is only fair. However, anglers who are patient, and are willing to learn the lake, can be rewarded with some good fishing.
Fishing at night in the summer can provide an excellent opportunity to catch large, 4-6 lb. channel catfish. Smaller catfish, and an occasional larger fish, can be caught year-round in the tailrace areas below both dams. Channel catfish can be caught using a variety of baits, such as large worms, chicken liver and shad or mullet guts. Blue catfish over 30 lb. have been caught in the area below the Walter F. George dam in the past few years, and large flathead catfish can be found below both dams.
Bartlett's Ferry Constructed in 1926, the Georgia Power Company (GPC) operates this 5,850-acre reservoir (a.k.a. Lake Harding) on the Chattahoochee River just above Goat Rock Lake. The lake has many boat docks and piers that provide good structure for concentrating fish. There are two boat ramps on the Georgia side. The WRD facility at Idle Hour Park has four lanes, paved parking, restroom facilities and is open yearround. GPC's Blanton Creek Park also provides boating access, but is open only from about March 31 until Labor Day. For additional information on Blanton Park and public use-areas around the lake, contact the GPC Land Department (706-322-0228). Mr. George Chambley (334-749-5417) owns and operates a marina, boat ramp and store on the Halawakee Creek Arm (Alabama side) and is a good source for current fishing conditions. Information on power generating schedules and lake levels is available (706-317-6000). Largemouth bass abundance has been steady while spotted bass have been increasing in abundance. About one-half of the largemouth are greater than 12 inches and over 20 percent are greater than 15 inches. The largemouth you catch should average 1-1 lb. Boat docks and fishing piers are favorite areas for bass anglers, but do not overlook rocky points and underwater humps. Early March through May, when water temperatures are in the mid-to-high 60's, is probably the peak fishing time for largemouth bass. In the fall, try fishing further up the lake above Blanton Park. The increase in spotted bass is good news, as more black bass are available for anglers. The spotted bass fishery is under-utilized and anglers are encouraged to take spotted bass home for a meal because of the lack of minimum size restrictions on spotted bass in Bartlett's Ferry. Look for the average-sized spot to be about seven inches and weigh about lb. Spots tend to bite during the same time as largemouth. However, spots are more commonly found on rocky points and in deeper water. Bartlett's Ferry is not known for bream fishing. Most bluegill catches will be six inches and under and weigh 2-3 oz. However, redear sunfish grow larger and provide anglers with catches averaging better than 1/3 lb. Both bluegill and shellcrackers are caught around docks and piers, most during the summer. Fishing for hybrid bass has been good for several years. Hybrids are still found in Bartlett's Ferry in good numbers, even though they have not been stocked since 1995. Most hybrids probably traveled downstream from West Point Lake where they are stocked. A few trophy-sized hybrids up to 14 lb. have been caught. Catches will average 1-3 lb., but a few larger 8-10 lb. fish are available. The few

white bass found on this lake should average 1 lb. or better. Striped bass have annually been stocked since 1992 to support the
Gulf-race recovery in the Apalachicola River System. WRD observations indicate that many striped bass are exceeding lengths measured for hybrids and are more abundant. Experienced anglers currently are taking a few striped bass weighing up to 25 lb. or heavier. Look for the abundance of trophy-sized fish to increase in a few years as striped bass grow. The best bet for "hooking up" with striped bass is near the dam during winter and upstream to Riverview Dam in early spring during spawning runs. During summer and fall, hybrids and stripers can be taken lakewide as they school chasing young-of-the year shad near the surface. Favorite baits are spoons and popping corks with trailing jigs. Fishing for stripers and hybrids also is good immediately below Riverview and Crow Hop Dams during periods of power generation at West Point. Bucktail jigs are particularly effective lures for these lunkers.
Crappies are abundant and about 50 percent or more are 9-14 inches. In most years, the average sized crappie will vary from - lb. However, slabs are abundant. The best chances for a heavy stringer of crappie are early February through April. Try fishing at the six WRD fish attractors available on this lake - maps showing their locations are available at WRD offices.
Typically, fishing for catfish is good to excellent at anytime of the year on this lake. Channel catfish are the favorite species, but white catfish also are plentiful. Channel catfish up to 8-12 lb. are possible, but individuals averaging 1-3 lb. will be the norm. White catfish should average -1 lb.
Blackshear Crisp County Power Company operates this 8,500-acre reservoir located on the Flint River in southwest Georgia. The waters of this shallow reservoir support good populations of bass, crappie, white bass, hybrid bass, stripers and catfish. Bass fishing should be fair during 2005. Presently, the bass population is dominated by fish ranging from 12-16 inches. Anglers should keep in mind that Lake Blackshear has a 14-inch minimum size limit for largemouth bass. During the spring and early summer, bass are attracted to the many cypress trees found in the shallow waters. Good bass fishing can be found around these trees in Limestone Creek, Gum Creek, Collins Branch, the upper end of Swift Creek and the Gum Pond area located in the upper reaches of the reservoir. Anglers who enjoy fishing boat docks will find Blackshear to their liking. There are approximately 1,200 houses on this lake, and almost every house has a dock or pier where bass can be caught. Early morning top water or spinner baits, and late afternoon Texas rigged worms, are preferred. The most productive months are March through May. The lake has a fair population of both black and white crappie. The crappie population will be dominated by fish less than 10 inches long. However, anglers can expect to catch an occasional fish weighing up to 1 lb. During most times of the year, crappie can be caught in deep water near structure such as river and creek channels, brush piles and bridge abutments using jigs and minnows. However, in the spring, anglers who concentrate on the numerous boat docks also can find some good crappie fishing. Another great place to start fishing is around the 10 fish attractors, which are conveniently marked with buoys. New brush was added to most of these sites in January 2005. Maps showing location and GPS readings of these attractors are available at the Dawson WRD Fisheries Management Office (229-995-4486). Many anglers prefer to fish around cypress trees where many of Blackshear's crappie spawn. Other favorite spots include the mouth of Collins Branch, Spring Creek, Gum Creek, Boy Scout Slough and under Smoak Bridge on the Swift Creek arm. February and March are the best times

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to go crappie fishing. White and striped bass populations are fair. However, the hybrid
bass population has improved substantially with the stocking of hybrids the past three years. Excellent survival and growth will provide good fishing for 1-3 lb. hybrids this year. White bass numbers will be good, with the average fish weighing less than 1 lb.
As a result of several years worth of stockings, the number of striped bass will be up. The striped bass population will be dominated by fish less than 20 inches, with a few fish up to 6 lb. Good areas to try are around Smoak Bridge and in Gum Creek and Boy Scout Slough. Due to ongoing efforts to rebuild the striped bass population, fishing for all species is closed in three springs located in Lake Blackshear, from May through October. Please help in this recovery effort by not disturbing the fish while they occupy these springs. For more information on these restrictions, please see the Sport Fishing Regulations.
The bream populations have been steadily improving over the past few years, and as a result Blackshear is once again becoming a popular destination for anglers interested in catching bream. Bluegill numbers are good and will average 6-7 inches, with an occasional 8 inch fish. Redear sunfish numbers are also up and anglers who can locate spawning fish should be rewarded with good numbers of 8-10 inch fish. Favorite bream fishing spots tend to be above the Hwy 280 bridge. The better bluegill fishing can be found in the Smokehouse Slough area. Redear hot spots are Spring Creek, Limestone Creek, Pecan Slough and Wheatley's Slough. Anglers can expect their best catches on crickets and worms during April, May and June.
Channel and flathead catfish populations are good. Expect most of the channel catfish to be 1-2 lb., while the flatheads will average around 10 lb. Both species are bottom feeders, but channels are scavengers, while flatheads are predators. Therefore, fish for channels with worms or blood and cheese baits, and use live bait such as small bream, shad and suckers for flatheads. While channel catfish can be caught lake wide, flatheads usually inhabit deeper water where river and creek channels meet.
Blue Ridge The TVA operates this 3,290-acre reservoir on the Toccoa River near Blue Ridge in Fannin County. Being one of the cooler reservoirs in Georgia, Blue Ridge offers some unique opportunities for anglers. In addition to Georgia's more common reservoir fish such as bluegill, largemouth bass and white bass, anglers have the opportunity to catch smallmouth bass, walleye, yellow perch and even the occasional rainbow trout. Walleye numbers have remained steady for the last few years. Walleye are not stocked in Blue Ridge because the population is maintained through natural reproduction. The Blue Ridge "glass eye" is typically less than a pound in size. Walleye fishing is best in the spring and fall. Because of very clear water, successful walleye anglers usually fish at night. Throwing jigs and crankbaits along rocky banks, jigging spoons over deep structure and using live nightcrawlers are all good techniques for catching walleye. White bass are perhaps the most common game fish resident and are more abundant than most anglers realize. Rocky points and shoals in the upper end of the lake are good places to find white bass bunched up in the spring. Small hair jigs like "doll flies", and plastic grubs in light colors along with small, shad-imitating crankbaits fished on light spinning gear should be all the angler needs to get in on the spring white bass action. Later in spring and summer, the white bass will disperse throughout the lake where they can provide some fine topwater action at dawn and dusk. Blue Ridge offers anglers one of the last remaining reservoir

smallmouth bass populations in the state. Smallmouth bass numbers have remained fair over the last few years, and these acrobatic, hard fighting fish should provide for some exciting fishing. "Bronzebacks" up to 5 lb. are caught, but the typical fish is around a pound. "Smallies" can usually be found on rocky shorelines and points, and like the walleye angler, many smallmouth anglers favor night fishing, particularly during the warmer months. Dark colored hair and rubber jigs and crankbaits are standard offerings for smallmouth.
Unfortunately, spotted bass are now in Blue Ridge, probably the result of illegal stockings. Since their introduction sometime in the early 90's, anglers have steadily been catching more and more spots. This becomes a problem as spotted bass compete with, and can hybridize with, smallmouth bass, resulting in the collapse of the smallmouth fishery which has occurred in other Georgia reservoirs. Remember, there is no size limit on spotted bass, and anglers are encouraged to harvest their limit (10) when ever possible in 2005. This will help reduce spotted bass competition with smallmouth and help sustain a unique Georgia fishery for years to come.
Largemouth bass are most often found in the upriver locations of the reservoir. Target the backs of coves and tributary mouths around fallen trees and stumps. The average Blue Ridge largemouth will run around 12 inches and weigh around a pound, though fish up to nine pounds are available. A recent diet analysis showed that largemouth feed heavily upon bluegill, as shad are much less abundant in Blue Ridge. Frogs emerging from the lake bottom after winter hibernation were also a major food item. Another unique finding was the high abundance of salamanders in the largemouth's diet in late spring/early summer. Fishing lizard imitations around fallen trees will undoubtedly mimic this natural food source.
Quality and not quantity is the rule when it comes to bream fishing. Blue Ridge is known for producing large bluegills in excess of 10 inches. Anglers should concentrate on fishing worms and crickets in 15-20 feet of water around downed trees. The Toccoa arm of the reservoir is a favored location for these large "gills".
Catfishing often is over-looked, but good populations of channel catfish and the larger flathead catfish are available. Channel cats can be caught on any number of baits ranging from chicken liver to cut shad. Flathead anglers generally prefer using a live bream with a heavy sinker to probe deep holes and river ledges.
In winter (Nov-Feb), water level drawdowns of 30 feet or more occur, leading to excellent fishing, but boat access during these periods is limited to ramps at the USFS's Morgantown Point Recreation Area and the Blue Ridge Marina. During extreme drawdowns, anglers should contact Blue Ridge Marina or the USFS office in Blue Ridge for information about boat ramp access.
Burton Lake Burton is a 2,775-acre, clear water, mountain reservoir located near the headwaters of the Tallulah River Valley near Clayton, Georgia. The mountain streams, which supply water to Lake Burton, are relatively low in nutrients, limiting the lake's ability to support a high abundance of fish. Catch rates, therefore, may not be as high as other reservoirs, but what is lacking in quantity is certainly compensated for by quality. The fish community of Lake Burton includes spotted bass, largemouth bass, chain pickerel, black crappie, bluegill and yellow perch. The lake also is stocked annually with walleye, brown trout and rainbow trout. Spotted bass is the most abundant fish species in Lake Burton and is the favorite species of anglers. Spots readily take artificial baits, especially those that imitate their favorite prey item blueback herring. In 2005, anglers can expect more than half of the individual spots they catch to weigh between - 1 lb., which is typical for most spotted

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bass lakes. However, anglers also can expect about one fish in ten to weigh 2 - 4 lb. A few trophies weighing over 6 lb. also will be landed in 2005. Throughout the year, two patterns remain consistently effective at catching spotted bass. The favorite tactic of most anglers is casting herring imitations, like Super Flukes, Zara Spooks and Sammies over deepwater structure like points and humps. This technique is most effective around dawn and dusk. A second tactic for spotted bass is to work the bottom along points and underwater structure with plastic worms, crayfish and jigs. Anglers should remember to use smaller baits and lighter lines (< 10 lb. test) in the clear water.
Largemouth bass showed a small rebound in 2004 after several years of declining catches. Despite this slight improvement, largemouth bass abundance remains relatively low. For perspective, a recent WRD survey indicated there were about 12 adult largemouth bass per shoreline mile. For anglers, that means you have to cover a lot of water to catch a few fish. For those who target largemouth bass, you can expect to find a significant portion of your catch to be made up of large fish. Last year, largemouths in the 4 - 6 lb. range accounted for 15 percent of the population!
Lake Burton is the only large reservoir in Georgia that supports a trout fishery. Each year, WRD stocks around 15,000 ten-inch long trout, which includes a mixture of browns and rainbows. The brown trout seem to thrive in Lake Burton, as demonstrated by their rapid growth rate, gaining about 2 lb. a year! Although relatively few anglers fished for trout in Lake Burton in 2004, the catch rates of skilled anglers was about one fish per hour, which is outstanding. The number of browns caught last year outnumbered rainbows by a ratio of 3 to 1, and the average weight of brown trout was 3 lb., compared to 2 lb. for rainbows. The lake record for brown trout was broken twice in 2004. The current lake record for brown trout is 11 lb., 2 oz., but this record is certainly in jeopardy in 2005 as the trout population continues to grow. The tactics used by skilled anglers to catch trout in Lake Burton are very similar to the trolling methods used by striper anglers. Because blueback herring are the natural prey for trout in Burton, live herring and herring-like lures draw the most strikes. Because trout are a coolwater species that roams the open waters, trolling locations and depths will vary according to water temperature. During the winter months, trout congregate on the lower end of the lake, especially near the dam, at depths ranging from the surface down to 30-feet. Spring and fall are the hardest times to locate and catch trout because they are scattered throughout the reservoir. Summer is the best time to fish for trout on Lake Burton because the weather is pleasant and fish are concentrated into a narrow band of water on the lower lake at a depth that ranges from 20 to 50-feet. Trolling live herring or shiners or even using artificial lures in this zone at night will likely provide the best catches of the year.
Lake Burton provides fishing opportunities for other species like yellow perch, walleye, bluegill and chain pickerel. Yellow perch and walleye are caught by trolling nightcrawlers or small shiners along the bottom at depths ranging from 15 to 25-feet. Light tackle and a box of crickets is all that is needed to catch bluegill from the bank or boathouse. For real excitement, try fishing for chain pickerel in the shallow flats at the back of every major cove. Pickerel are extremely aggressive and relatively easy to catch on a wide variety of artificial lures such as floating Rapalas, Rattle Traps, and even spinner baits. The key to catching one of these acrobatic fighters is to cover the flats and visible structure thoroughly. Bank fishing opportunities for the general angling public are available at Lake Burton Fish Hatchery and Moccasin Creek State Park. Several fishing piers provide good fishing for bluegill and redear sunfish during the summer months. Burton Hatchery allows children ages 11 and under to fish in a stocked catfish pond. In addition, trout are stocked

regularly into the special regulation section of Moccasin Creek. If you are in the area but forgot your fishing pole, stop by the hatchery or park and ask for a loaner pole. For more information about Lake Burton, visit the Georgia Power Company website at www.southerncompany.com/gapower/lakes .
Carters Located between Calhoun and Ellijay on the Coosawattee River, this 3,220-acre reservoir is about a two-hour drive from Atlanta. Carters Lake is Georgia's deepest reservoir, with many steep bluff banks and a completely undeveloped shoreline. A map showing contours and other features of the reservoir, as well as access information, is available from the COE Resource Manager's office (706-334-2248). WRD has stocked over 50,000 walleye fingerlings into Carters since 2003. Persistent walleye anglers can expect these fish to be - 2 lb. in 2005. Among these moderately sized "glass-eyes" will be some older walleye measuring out in the mid-20's and weighing 3-5 lb. or possibly larger. In spring 2004, WRD captured and released several walleye from Carters that if caught by rod-and-reel, would have shattered the current lake record of 7 lb. 10oz. by almost 2 lb.! As walleye prepare to spawn in February and March, anglers should try to locate them staging along rocky shorelines and points in the upper Coosawattee River arm of the lake. Jigging spoons, deep diving crankbaits and live bait fished on leadhead jigs are all popular walleye lures. Look for walleye on deeper structure where baitfish concentrate during summer and fall. Evening and night fishing will be a walleye angler's best bet at consistently landing these toothy predators. Research by WRD biologists suggests the Carters striper fishery has suffered as a result of high summer water temperatures and low dissolved oxygen levels in the lake. Particularly affected are the larger stripers that are less tolerant of these conditions. Consequently, coaxing a summer striper bite can be difficult at Carters. The best lineside fishing is in the cooler months from October-June when striper anglers should troll live shad and trout among schooling stripers. Hybrid striped bass were first stocked in Carters in 2003. Based on sample data collected by WRD, this fledgling effort is beginning to develop into what is anticipated to be a superb fishery. Anglers should begin to reap the benefits in 2005. Hybrid growth over the first two years of stocking was excellent and anglers can expect fingerlings stocked in 2003 to be in the 2-4 lb. size. Anglers will catch these "minifreight trains" on artificial baits, but live shad or trout in the 3-5 inch range will likely be the ticket for consistency. Hybrids can be caught year-round, but summer fishing will likely shine brightest. Try slow trolling summer down-lines in 20-30 feet of water for best success. Hybrids, like stripers, perform a double duty for Carters anglers. Directly, they offer fishermen another angling opportunity in the lake. More importantly though, Carter's striped and hybrid striped bass keep the shad population in check. By consuming the larger shad that most other game fish cannot, a "healthy" shad population is maintained. A "healthy" shad population is one with few large individuals and large numbers of smaller shad that are more readily eaten by other species like black bass, walleye and crappie. Consequently, these species grow faster, bigger and have better survival, providing anglers with a higher quality fishery overall. Based on sample data, spotted bass abundance in Carters is at an all time high. Anglers should expect to boat good numbers of nice spots in 2005 as growth continues to be excellent and survival of large spots remains high. The average spot will be better than 10 inches and weigh around lb., but don't let this fool you - there are plenty of Carters famous "magnum" spots lurking the depths. Five and six pound plus lunkers will stretch the lines this year, as they did in 2004. In addition to spotted bass, which account for 90 percent of the black bass

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population, there are largemouth bass up to 9 lb. Bass fishing can be difficult for the inexperienced due to the deep water, steep banks and lack of visible cover. Finesse and subtle presentation are the rule at Carters. However, this is a trophy bass lake and persistence has its rewards. A fish finder or word-of-mouth should put new anglers in areas of submerged brush found throughout the lake. More reliably, anglers should find fish holding on the 25+ fish attractors WRD and COE personnel have placed within the lake. Attractor location maps can be obtained at the COE Resource Mangers' office or by contacting staff at the Summerville WRD office (706-857-3394).
Though often overlooked, crappie also are found in Carters Lake. The average crappie will be about eight inches. Anglers should focus their effort around standing timber visible in a number of areas throughout the lake and under boat docks. Crappie will suspend in these areas year round.
White bass and yellow bass populations will be up from recent years, as the population begins recovering from several years of drought believed to have weakened the population. Vertically jigging spoons or small jigs in areas where shad are present can take these game fish. Some of the best fishing for both species will be in March-April when they make their annual spawning run up the Coosawattee River. Anglers are encouraged to harvest yellow bass, as this illegal introduction attains smaller average size and directly competes with the more desirable white bass in Carters.
Other offerings include channel catfish, flathead catfish and bluegill. Channel catfish will average around 1 lb., and the less abundant flatheads will average a bit over 7 lb. Rocky banks and points upriver are likely spots to find these cats. Bluegill are abundant, although most fish will be less than six inches. A bucket of worms or crickets is all one should need to sample the bluegill action.
The lower (re-regulation) pool at Carters offers anglers a change of scenery, but because of the significant water fluctuation, boat access is limited to small jon boats or other vessels that easily may be dragged or navigated through sometimes shallow water.Species found in this 1,030acre impoundment include largemouth bass, bream, white bass, striped bass, suckers and catfish. There are many areas around the lower pool where bank anglers can gain access. Those who do venture out in a boat are reminded to use extreme caution since the water level in this pool can change rapidly and there are numerous shallow stumps and rocks.
Fishing opportunities in the tailwaters below the dam include spotted bass, walleye, white bass, sunfish, crappie and a number of summer stripers. Fishing jetties are located on both banks downstream of the lower pool dam with picnic, restroom, and playground facilities nearby. Anglers can find out more about fishing the Coosawattee Tailrace and beyond in the "2005 Georgia River Fishing Prospects."
Chatuge Lake Chatuge is a 7,050-acre TVA reservoir located in Towns County, Georgia and Macon County, North Carolina. About half of the lake lies in each state. Georgia licensed anglers may fish from boats in the North Carolina portion of the lake as long as the boats are not anchored to the shore or a dock. Bank fishermen must be licensed by the state in which they are fishing. Regulations of the appropriate state apply. Under TVA's new reservoir operations plan initiated in 2004, winter lake levels are expected to be 2 - 5 feet higher beginning in 2005. Lake level information can be obtained from the TVA Chattanooga office at 423-751-2264 or http://lakeinfo.tva.gov. Black bass fishing should be good this year because of the abundance of spotted bass, which have dominated the Lake Chatuge fishery since 1990. In 2005, anglers will have the opportunity to catch large numbers of 1-2 lb. spots. The abundance of bass over 3 lb. has declined from record numbers observed in recent years. Spotted bass

prefer the main river channel banks composed of gravel-to boulder-size rocks with cover (stumps, brush and logs) at mid and lower lake sections. Shad and herring imitation lures are excellent springtime bass baits. Largemouth bass will account for less than 20 percent of the black bass catch. Best areas for largemouths are coves with structure, such as logs, brush piles and fallen trees throughout the reservoir. Spotted and largemouth bass can be caught on live night crawlers, crayfish and bait minnows throughout the year.
Many other species are available to Chatuge anglers. White bass numbers are increasing following the last two years of higher lake levels during the spring spawning. Anglers can expect to see an improvement in their catch of this species in 2005. Whites will average around one pound this year. Jigging hair jigs, plastic grubs and spoons and fishing topwater lures from May through July are effective methods for whites. A limited reproducing walleye population exists in the lake. Two pounders will be the most common size walleye caught, with a number of 3-5 lb. fish showing up this year. Bluegill will be a consistent contributor to the sunfish catch again this year. Fishing for larger bream is best when adult fish are on spawning beds from June through August. Crappie will average lb. this year. Best panfish spots are the numerous downed trees (a positive effect of the September 2004 hurricanes). The lake also supports a good population of channel catfish. Carp are abundant and readily take prepared catfish baits, corn and dough balls from May through August. Some key bank fishing spots include the Towns County Park at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds, the second county park at the U.S. 76 Bridge east of Hiawassee, GA and USFS Lake Chatuge Recreation Area on Hwy. 288.
Significant spawns of blueback herring since 1997 have increased the food supply for spotted bass and other predator species. Negative impacts of bluebacks include their ability to out compete young native fish for available food and that they prey on larval fish, including bass less than one-inch long. It is legal to fish with or possess live blueback herring on Lake Chatuge. WRD and North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission biologists will continue to monitor the impact of blueback herring on sport fish populations.
Chehaw Lake Chehaw (formerly named Lake Worth) is a 1,400-acre impoundment of the Flint River and Muckalee and Kinchafoonee creeks, located partly within the Albany city limits. The reservoir is owned and operated by the Georgia Power Company. Three boat ramps provide public access to the reservoir. Although not generally considered an excellent fishing lake, it does provide good fishing opportunities for anglers in the Albany area. While usually not noted for producing good largemouth bass fishing, the lake should produce fair numbers of 1-3 lb. bass during 2005. Best areas will be in Kinchafoonee and Muckalee Creeks and the backwater sloughs off the Flint River in spring and fall. Many anglers who bass fish on Lake Chehaw go up the Flint River several miles above the reservoir to fish for shoal bass. Shoal bass, a lesser know member of the bass family, can be found in the fast-water shoal areas in the Flint River. These hard fighting fish will average 1-3 lb. but fish up to 6 lb. occasionally are caught. Lures that imitate crayfish, a favorite food for shoal bass, and topwater lures can produce good catches. Fishing for catfish on Lake Chehaw should provide plenty of action this year. The average channel catfish should weigh around 2 lb., while flathead catfish should average 8 lb. Use live bait (bluegill or shad) along old creek and river channel drop-offs for flatheads. Fish shallow water coves and flats near deeper water during spring and fall for channel catfish. Concentrate your efforts in areas along the main river and creek channels in summer. These cats can be caught using a variety of baits, such as large worms, chicken livers, and shad or mullet guts.

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Crappie, bluegill and redear sunfish (shellcracker) fishing will be fair in 2005. For crappie, try using a jig and minnow around creek mouths and around any visible cover, such as old stumps or fallen trees in the upper part of the reservoir. A lot of submersed tree stumps and standing timber can be found in the main reservoir basin. Most bluegill will be small, averaging less than six inches. However, anglers that locate shallow water spawning beds will be rewarded with some nice catches of redear sunfish. The average redear should be around 8-10 inches. Worms and crickets work best, and areas in the creeks and around the islands are the most productive.
Additional angling opportunities exist in the tailrace below the dam. Flathead catfish and striped bass will provide the best chance at catching a trophy fish. Flatheads weighing 5-7 lb. are fairly common during summer, with the occasional fish weighing over 20 lb. These monsters usually are caught below the dam using live bluegill or shad as bait. Stripers up to 20 lb. can be caught using live bait (shad, shiners and eels) and bucktail jigs during winter and early spring. Be aware that fishing for striped bass in the Flint River below Albany is closed from May 1 - October 31.
Clarks Hill Clarks Hill Lake (J. Strom Thurmond) is Georgia's largest reservoir at 71,535 acres. This COE reservoir is located 30 miles northeast of Augusta on the Savannah River. The numerous creeks feeding the lake, over 1,200 miles of shoreline, and large areas of open water provide a wide range of fishing opportunities. Navigation charts can be obtained from the Clarks Hill COE office (800-533-3478). Striped and hybrid bass are stocked each year to help control forage fish populations and provide some great action for big fish. Clarks Hill consistently ranks near the top in Georgia for crappie fishing, and shellcracker in the spring are a favorite with the locals. A creel survey will be conducted on the lake in 2005, with a major focus of the survey to determine the impact of pumpback operations at upstream Russell Dam on the fishing in Clarks Hill Lake. Crappie fishing was superb last year and should be again in 2005. Crappie will average lb. with the bigger slabs going 1 - 2 lb. Fishing, Soap, Grays and Newford creeks and Little River near Raysville are great spots for spring crappie. There are several fish attractors in the lake and they will come into full play when the spring spawning frenzy ends. Fish attractors are a great place to take kids fishing because in addition to crappie, they hold good numbers of shellcrackers, bluegill, largemouth bass and catfish. Late summer and fall are a great time to fish under the bridges for feisty papermouths. Try the backs of creeks such as Big, Hart, Dry Fork, Knoblick and Cherokee for winter and pre-spawn action. Striped and hybrid bass fishing continues to be good in Clarks Hill Lake. Strong year classes in recent years are producing good numbers of fish. Average weights should range from 3 lb. for hybrids to 7 lb. for stripers. Winter and early spring angling areas include Big Creek, the Little River near Germany Creek upstream to Holiday Park, Soap Creek from the confluence with the Savannah River to U.S. Highway 378, the north bank of the reservoir above the dam, and major creeks near Bussey Point. Drifting live blueback herring usually provides the best results. A light to moderate breeze makes for good drift fishing. Otherwise, use your trolling motor to control speed and direction. Planer boards work great to get several baits away from the boat while trolling. Other techniques that work well are slowly trolling redfins, Norman lures or inline spinners 80-100 feet behind the boat, and jigging spoons near drop offs, ledges or humps in 20 - 30 feet of water. By summer and into the fall the hot spots for linesides will be in the mouths of major feeder creeks and rivers. Again, blueback herring is the best bait. You can catch your own herring with a cast net or buy

them at local bait shops. Dead or cut bluebacks, shad and large minnows on the bottom work great. Surface action for schooling fish occurs predominately during late summer and fall. Bucktails, Gotcha shad, and pencil-poppers work well on schooling fish.
The COE resumed reverse-flow generation at Russell Dam in September 2002. Fishing success for striped and hybrid bass below this dam, the uppermost section of Clarks Hill Lake, is expected to decrease, particularly at night, due to this generation.
Results from a 2001 largemouth bass tagging project indicate anglers release over sixty percent of the bass they catch. The high release rate combined with strong reproduction has resulted in numerous small bass. Anglers are encouraged to take some of their catch home, particularly bass in the 12-15 inch size range. Harvesting these fish will allow their "brothers and sisters" to grow faster, providing for bigger (3 lb.+) bass in the future. Bass in Clarks Hill tend to orient away from the banks more so than in many other Georgia lakes due to the presence of hydrilla and blueback herring. Best bets in the fall and winter are Grays, Lloyds, and Rousseau creeks in the Little River arm and Soap, Murry, and Fishing creeks in the main Savannah River arm. Jigging spoons in creek channels or wherever baitfish are bunched up is a great mid-winter tactic. During spring and summer concentrate your efforts near Bussey Point, and in Cliatt, Cherokee, and Big Creeks. The flats around the confluence of the Savannah and Broad Rivers are usually productive all year. Be sure to fish over hydrilla beds, particularly in the spring and fall, for some great surface action. Look around Bussey Point, Cherokee Creek, and Ft. Gordon for the best concentration of hydrilla.
Shellcrackers are big (many in the - lb. range) and easy to catch. Try crickets, worms, grubs, spinners, flies or wasp larvae. The best areas are usually Keg, Lloyd, Grays, Cliatt, Soap, Big and Fishing Creeks. Hot spots for catfish are Little River near Holiday Park; Germany, Big and Hart creeks; and Broad River. Several 40 lb. flathead catfish have been caught in recent years.
Sampling efforts indicate there will be plenty of white perch in the lake for the next couple of years. White perch, a relative of the white bass and striped bass, are tons of fun on lightweight tackle and make an excellent meal. Look for white perch in 20-60 feet of water near ledges, drop-offs, and standing timber with small jigs, spoons, or minnows working best.
The population of chain pickerel (known as jackfish) has been steadily increasing since the arrival of hydrilla in 1995. These weed loving fish are concentrated around Bussey Point, and in creeks on the lower end of the lake including Cherokee, Grays, Cliatt, Keg, Mosley and Shriver. A variety of weedless lures and surface plugs work best. A wobbling spoon with trailing pork rind, plastic lizards, and hollowfaced chugger type surface plugs are some good bets for jackfish.
Goat Rock Constructed in 1912, this 940-acre reservoir is located on the Chattahoochee River 10 miles above Columbus between Lakes Oliver and Bartlett's Ferry. The Georgia Power Company (706-322-0228) operates this lake principally for "peaking" hydropower generation. The lake has limited access with one private ramp owned and operated by Reuben Britton on the Georgia side near the dam. A public ramp owned by Georgia Power is located on the Alabama side at the upper end of the lake. WRD suggests that you contact Mr. Britton (706-322-6076) for current fishing conditions. Information on generating schedules and lake levels is available by calling 706-317-6000. The shoreline is primarily undeveloped and has little shoreline structure. It also is steep-sided and rocky and provides little woody structure. WRD maintains fish attractors to concentrate crappie and other fish. The fish attractors are marked with white buoys and their

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locations are available from WRD offices. Because of the frequent power generation events at Bartlett's Ferry Dam at the upper end of the lake, water level fluctuations of 3-4 feet are common. Warmer water temperatures in Goat Rock can lag behind other area reservoirs by as much as 2-3 weeks. Therefore, this lake may be the place to go after fishing has peaked on other waters. The lake is quiet and anglers will encounter little recreational boating activity.
Goat Rock might be the best choice for bass anglers among the middle Chattahoochee River reservoirs judging by the abundance of large bass. Look for catches of lunker largemouth and spots to be common for the experienced bass angler. Larger spots, averaging about 1 lb., can be found off rocky points and in deeper water. There are no minimum size limits for spotted bass in Goat Rock. The best months are April through June. Shoal bass occasionally are caught below Bartlett's Ferry Dam and up Mulberry Creek.
Bream fishing historically has been good on Goat Rock. The most productive places are in backs of coves and sloughs. Live worms and crickets are effective for catching bluegills and redear sunfish. Catches of bluegills weighing - lb. Are common and redear from -1 lb. are abundant. The best months are usually from April to June.
Annual stockings of hybrid bass by WRD have been paying off. The best time to pursue this quarry is in the spring and summer during power generations. White bass are sometimes found with hybrids. The average hybrid catch will be 2-5 lb., while white bass will be 1 lb.
Though not stocked into Goat Rock, a few striped bass are present. These fish probably traveled downstream from Bartlett's Ferry where they were stocked. A striped bass weighing 32.6 lb. was caught in Goat Rock in May 2001. Indications are that a striped bass fishery is developing and experienced angler targeting stripers could make similar catches. During power generation, fish for both striped and hybrid bass in the tailwaters below Bartlett's Ferry Dam.
If you are a catfish enthusiast, Goat Rock is an excellent choice. Many large channel catfish up to 10 lb. or better and white catfish up to 2 lb. are caught throughout the year. Catches of channel catfish averaging 1-4 lb. will be common with white catfish weighing about 1 lb.
Crappie fishing is generally good in most years, with catches averaging over lb. Catches of "slabs" will be common for the dedicated crappie angler. Best sites are the WRD fish attractors.
Hamburg Lake Hamburg is a 225-acre Georgia State Park lake located 15 miles north of Sandersville on the Little Ogeechee River. This little known old millpond is home to some of the finest crappie slabs in the state. The bass, jackfish, and shellcracker fishing opportunities also are well worth the trip to the secluded Hamburg State Park. The quiet atmosphere at Hamburg in Washington County makes for a fishermen's paradise. Hamburg State Park has 30 campsites, many of which are on the banks of the lake. No jet skis are allowed on the stumpy lake. Boats may be powered with trolling motors or outboards up to 10hp. John boats with life jackets, seat cushions, paddles and trolling motors with batteries are available for rent by the half-day and full day. Fishing licenses and fishing tackle can be purchased at the park. Worms are also available at the park from March through October. Vendors in Sandersville and other nearby areas carry minnows and crickets. Hamburg State Park also has a fishing rod loaner program. Anglers visiting the park may "check out" rod and reel combos and tackle boxes free of charge. Crappie fishing is good throughout the year. Crappie will average lb. with the bigger slabs weighing in at 2 lb. Cast to the banks with jigs and minnows in the spring for the best action. Slowly troll or drift along the old riverbed and cast to standing timber the remainder of the

year. Fall sampling by WRD and Park personnel revealed numerous
quality-sized largemouth bass in the lake. A good number of 2-3 lb. bass should be caught with several over 5 lb. Try spinner baits and plastic worms on points and next to standing timber. Surface plugs do well on calm days in the spring and fall. Jerking spoons along the riverbed will land some chunky bass in the winter.
Shellcrackers are big with many around lb. and easy to catch. Try crickets, worms, grubs and spinners. The best time of year is April through early May. For some bonus panfish on your trip to Hamburg go below the dam and fish the Little Ogeechee River for redbreast sunfish.
Chain pickerel, known as jackfish to the locals, are in Hamburg Lake as well. These weed loving fish are not sought after by many of the park visitors, but be sure they will get your attention when they strike. A variety of weedless lures and surface plugs work best. A wobbling spoon with trailing pork rind, plastic lizards, and hollow-faced chugger type surface plugs are some good bets for jackfish. The locals say jackfish will aggressively attack anything red.
Hartwell Lake Hartwell is one of three large reservoirs on the Savannah River operated by the U.S. COE. Lake Hartwell's 56,000 acres are formed by the Tugalo and Seneca Rivers, which merge to form the Savannah River. Lake Hartwell provides a wide variety of fish habitats that range from rocky bluffs on the upper Tugalo arm, which are preferred by redeye bass, to shallow cove pockets and sandy flats that are frequented by largemouth bass. Long, gradually sloping points and humps are located on most bends along the main channel, which attract striped bass and hybrid bass. Black and white crappie are drawn to the large expanses of submerged timber in many coves and along the main channel. Boat access is available at many locations around the shoreline at ramps operated by COE and the Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites Division. In addition, Tugalo and Hart State Parks offer lodging, camping, picnicking and other recreational activities. During the extended drought, sapling pine trees and other woody plants and grasses naturally revegetated the shoreline around Lake Hartwell. The lake returned to full pool in 2003 and inundated the newly established vegetation. This flooded vegetation has provided a safe haven for young bass over the past two years. As a result, small bass (8 10 inches) that have benefited from the abundance of protective shelter will dominate the largemouth bass population in 2005. Besides high numbers of small bass this year, persistent anglers also should be able to hook into more largemouths in the 2 - 3 lb. range. WRD biologists estimated the density of adult bass to be 24 fish per shoreline mile and about one bass in five caught this year will weigh over 2 lb. Lake Hartwell's ability to consistently support good numbers of bass over 2 lb. makes it a favorite location on the bass tournament circuit. Anglers fishing for crappie should enjoy one of their best years on Lake Hartwell. The abundance of black crappie is up, and fish from 10 12 inches ( lb.) will be very common this spring. In addition, crappie ranging from 12 - 15 inches (1 lb.) also are more plentiful and will account for about 20 percent of the catch. When the water starts to warm in March, anglers should fish for crappie around submerged trees and old road beds in 10 15 feet of water. As the water warms into April, crappie will move into more shallow water. The major cove arms in the upper reservoir, especially Eastanollee Creek, support more crappie than the deeper and clearer waters on the lower lake. Over the last few years, WRD stocked more striped bass and less hybrid bass into Lake Hartwell in order to create more balance between the two species and increase the trophy potential of the reservoir. In 2005, the results of these efforts will be noticeable in the angler catch.

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First, anglers can expect to catch nearly equal numbers of stripers and hybrids. Fish ranging from 2 - 4 lb. will be the most common for both species. In addition, the abundance of bigger fish of both species will be higher in 2005, so anglers can expect to catch a few more hybrids in the 4 - 6 lb. range and a few more stripers in the 10 - 12 lb. weight class. Over time, the numbers of hybrids will decline slightly, but the catch ratio of small to big fish should remain about the same. The expanding striped bass population should more than compensate for losses in the hybrid bass population, in terms of numbers and trophy fish.
Numerous bank fishing opportunities are available at the state parks and boat ramp facilities around the lake, but three or four sites are seasonal stand outs. For stripers and hybrids at night during the summer, anglers should fish live herring or cut bait on the bottom at Long Point, located in Hartwell at the COE Long Point Boat Ramp. Walker Creek, which is the most upstream ramp on the Georgia side, offers good seasonal fishing opportunities for white bass, walleye, hybrid bass and striped bass from March through May. These same species also can be caught from the shore a little further upstream at the base of Yonah Dam. Stephens County Park, adjacent to the Highway 123 Bridge, provides good bass fishing along the rip-rap in April. Crappie frequently are caught around the bridge pilings and around the culvert on the upstream side of the bridge during the spring. For more information about Lake Hartwell, visit the COE website at www.sam.usace.army.mil/op/rec.
High Falls DNR operates the 650-acre state park lake located north of Forsyth and just east of I-75 (exit #198). Two boat ramps provide public access, one at the park office near the dam and one in Buck Creek. The lake is open to fishing during daylight hours only and the operation of outboard motors greater than 10 hp is prohibited. Boats with outboard motors greater than 10 hp may be used if the outboard motor is not operated. Crappie and bream are the species targeted by most anglers and account for over 80 percent of the total harvest. Typically, crappie are abundant in High Falls. The average size tends to run smaller than on other area lakes but anglers seeking large numbers should not be disappointed. The average size this year, as compared with previous years, should be around 6-8 inches. However, nice crappies weighing 1-2 lb. are out there. Trolling jigs above the dam, around drop-offs, points and creek channels is very effective in winter and early spring for anglers seeking crappie "hot spots." Minnows and jigs fished in shallow water near brush, stumps or blowdowns will be more effective once water temperatures reach 60oF in spring. Bream populations often provide ample catches of bluegill and redear sunfish (shellcracker). The typical size range for harvested bluegill is 5-7 inches. Shellcracker of 7-9 inches are the most common size, with occasional fish exceeding 10-12 inches. Largemouth bass numbers have been increasing over the last several years. Approximately half of the harvestable fish will exceed 15 inches. In fact, the relative abundance of larger bass (15-25 inches) ranks near the top among major reservoirs within the state. Try crank baits and jigs in Buck Creek and Watkin's Bottom during spring and fall for big fish. Point bars and downed trees in the water are good spots to key. Anglers seeking lunker bass should try "pitching" spinner baits around docks and downed trees in early to mid-morning. Relatively low bass fishing pressure and high numbers of large fish should result in some very good bass fishing. Channel catfish and bullheads are common, along with fewer numbers of flathead catfish. The average size channel catfish is 1-2 lb., but fish exceeding 5 lb. are abundant. Trophy-size flathead catfish of 20 lb. or greater are available. The former state record flathead (53 lb.)

was caught in High Falls in 1993. Try fishing deep holes and channel bends in the lower end of the lake for flatheads and channel cats.
High Falls is a "sleeper" for hybrid and white bass. The untapped fishery has the potential to yield some excellent catches in both number and size. WRD successfully stocked hybrid bass for several years. Catches of fish averaging 2-3 lb. will reward anglers targeting these fish. Hybrids of 5-10 lb. are relatively common. Approximately 46 percent of the hybrids will be over 16 inches. White bass are usually associated with hybrids with catches of 2-3 lb. fish likely. One suggestion for hooking up with white bass and hybrids is to fish the upper reaches of the lake and into the Towaliga River during the March and April spawning runs. Another proven method is working spoons and grub baits just above the dam during winter and early spring. Drift fishing with live or cut shad can produce big hybrids and catfish. For more information regarding fishing opportunities and park facilities, contact High Falls State Park (478-993-3050).
Jackson Lake Jackson is a 4,750-acre impoundment located in Jasper, Butts, and Newton counties in central Georgia and is owned and operated by Georgia Power Company (GPC). The Alcovy, South, and Yellow Rivers and Tussahaw Creek form Lake Jackson. Several boat ramps provide public access. GPC owns and operates one ramp at Lloyd Shoals Park and the others are at privately operated marinas. There is also a GPC boat ramp and fishing pier just below the dam that provides fishing access to the upper Ocmulgee River. The shoreline is heavily developed and the lake is very popular with recreational boaters and skiers during the summer months. Annual lake drawdowns occur between December and March. For information on the location of the boat ramps, bank fishing opportunities, and lake drawdown schedules, contact the GPC Land Department (770-775-4753). Lake Jackson is one of the better bream lakes in middle Georgia. Bluegill and redbreast sunfish typically reach 5-7 inches. However, redear sunfish (shellcracker) also are numerous and often much larger. Live bait such as redworms, mealworms, and crickets fished just off the bottom often will result in catches of redear from 7-10 inches, and individuals weighing 1 lb. or more are common. April, May and June are the best months for big bluegill and redear. Catfish are the second most-harvested fish. White catfish, channel catfish and bullheads are available and should average 3/4-1 lb. Lake Jackson has a greater proportion of "memorable-sized" (greater than 30 inches) channel catfish than most other central Georgia reservoirs, but expect the average to be about 2-3 lb. The crappie population has remained stable with most fish around 6-8 inches. Good spawning seasons will result in better than average crappie fishing. The bridge crossing at Highway 212 has proven to be a crappie "hotspot" in early spring when temperatures reach 60oF. Trolling small jigs around drop-offs, points and creek channels is very effective for those anglers seeking crappie. Largemouth bass abundance and quality has changed little in recent years. The black bass populations consist of around 66 percent largemouth and 34 percent spotted bass. The average-sized largemouth bass has remained 1-1 lb. Approximately 41 percent of the largemouth bass caught in 2005 will be greater than 15 inches. Anglers seeking large bass (5 lb. or better) have the most success during fall, winter and early spring (October thru February). Crank baits and Carolina-rigged worms fished in or near deep water are most effective for larger bass. Anglers should also be successful targeting flooded timber in the upper reaches of Tussahaw Creek in the fall. A section of the lake that is not often targeted is the Yellow River arm. This section also offers a variety of habitat for anglers seeking large bass. Early morning and night are the best times to fish during the summer.

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The spotted bass population is stabilizing since spots were first observed by WRD in 1998. The population has rapidly expanded. Approximately 17 percent of spots will be greater than 15 inches. Spotted bass tend to be located deeper than largemouth bass. Anglers commonly catch spotted bass at depths of 25-40 feet, but surface baits may attract spots when the fish are shallow enough to take notice of these offerings. Unlike largemouth bass, there is no minimum size limit on spotted bass in Lake Jackson.
Hybrids will average 1-3 lb., with some weighing 7-8 lb. Try casting bucktails or jigging spoons around the dam or look for schools feeding on top in the spring and summer.
Juliette Lake Juliette, also known as Rum Creek, is a 3,600-acre Georgia Power Company (GPC) reservoir located 15 miles north of Macon adjacent to Hwy. 23. Impounded in 1980, the lake provides cooling water for Plant Scherer's electric generating facility. Two boat ramps owned and maintained by GPC are available for public use. WRD prohibits the use of outboard motors greater than 25 hp. Boats with larger outboards may be used, but the outboard cannot be operated. A small watershed, clear water and extensive aquatic plant beds characterize the lake. The combined result is a relatively infertile reservoir with somewhat smaller sport fish populations. However, standing timber that remains in coves and main lake areas contribute to the diverse array of habitat that provide varied fishing opportunities. Low fishing pressure and the liberal, no-minimum length limit on largemouth bass offsets, to some extent, the lakes slightly lowered productivity. Smaller crowds, an undeveloped shoreline, beautiful scenery, and abundant wildlife also should attract anyone interested in a quality fishing experience. Due to the limited food supply, WRD annually stocks striped bass at relatively low rates. An abundance of cool water during the summer has resulted in excellent survival and growth and a strong fishery has developed for Juliette stripers. Many striped bass anglers concentrate their efforts near the pump discharge located just above the dam. This is an excellent place to catch stripers when GPC pumps water into the reservoir from the Ocmulgee River. Other successful methods include trolling creek channels during the cooler months, and then moving to the cooler depths located in the main lake during summer. Drifting or fishing on the bottom with live or cut shad has produced some the largest catches in recent years. Anglers caught several striped bass around 35 lb. over the past four years and Juliette's reputation as a trophy striper lake continues to grow. The average weight for striped bass is just less than 5 lb. WRD anticipates increased stocking rates in the coming year in conjunction with an expanding blueback herring population. WRD first detected blueback herring, a preferred striper and hybrid bait, in 1999. WRD believes that anglers have released them into the lake in recent years. Anglers catch bluebacks in cast nets with increasing frequency. Negative impacts of bluebacks include their ability to out-compete other fish for food and their predation on larval fish, including bass less than one inch in length. WRD monitors the impact of introduced fish like blueback herring in reservoirs. It is now legal to fish with or possess live blueback herring on Lake Juliette. Largemouth bass abundance generally remains below that found in other middle Georgia reservoirs. Anglers will find largemouth bass fishing comparable to previous years. Average bass size gradually has increased in recent years and now stands at about 1 lb. Twenty five percent of the largemouth bass are 15 inches or greater. The average harvested bass weighs a respectable 1 lb. and anglers caught a number of trophy bass from 12-16 lb. in the past. Bass can usually be found concentrated along the edges of aquatic plant beds, but remember to use

light line in the clear water. Anglers make good catches off points, creek channels and other deep-water structure in the middle portions of the lake during summer and winter. Deep diving crank baits and Carolina-rigged plastic worms are two of the most effective bait for largemouth bass.
The abundance of food produces only fair crappie populations, but the average size is often good. Approximately 30 percent of the crappie caught in 2005 will be over eight inches in length. Light colored jigs fished in the upper end of the lake are most effective in spring and early summer. The area around the Holly Grove boat ramp is one of the best places to target crappie.
Lake Juliette is one of the best shellcracker lakes in the area. Fish will average about six inches, but anglers find large numbers every spring on beds in shallow, weedy areas. Fish one of these and expect a fish almost every cast. Bluegill, however, suffer from stunting and only the occasional hand-sized fish is caught.
The small catfish population is composed almost entirely of bullheads and fishing for these bottom dwellers is poor. Flathead catfish have entered the reservoir through pumping operations and may add some diversity and trophy potential. Anglers can obtain more information on Lake Juliette facilities from the GPC Land Office at 770775-4753.
Lanier Lake Lanier is a 38,000-acre reservoir operated by the Corps of Engineers (COE) about 50 miles northeast of Atlanta. Lanier receives very heavy fishing pressure due to its proximity to Atlanta. The most popular species are spotted bass, crappie, striped bass and catfish. Lake level information can be obtained from the COE at 770-945-9531 or www.sam.usace.army.mil/op/rec. Black bass fishing should again be excellent in 2005 because of the dominance of spotted bass. Spotted bass are in great condition and putting on weight from the ample supply of blueback herring and threadfin shad, and anglers should expect to catch lots of spots between 1-5 lb. The largemouth bass population is low, due to poor survival of young bass during the recent drought years (1998-2002). On a positive note, the lake has been full for two years and there is an abundance of flooded natural cover (grass, pine saplings, live brush) along the shoreline during summer for young bass to escape predators. Based on fish sampling in 2004, the survival of largemouth bass hatched in 2003 was much improved. It likely will be one more year before these young bass will be large enough to be caught by anglers. Spotted and largemouth bass can be caught on live night crawlers, crayfish and bait minnows throughout the year. Crappie anglers should experience an above average year when it comes to numbers. The population of - lb. fish is high and these eating-size fish will be the rule this year. The heaviest stringers will be produced from late February through April when larger spawning fish are shallow. Top spots are the upper Chattahoochee arm (Clarks Bridge area), Thompson and Taylor Creeks. Also, crappie will concentrate at fish attractors constructed and maintained by COE and WRD staff. Maps showing the locations of recently refurbished attractor sites can be obtained from the COE office at Lake Lanier (770-945-9531) and the Gainesville WRD Fisheries Management Office. A guide to bank fishing opportunities is available. Some key bank fishing spots include Lanier Point Park, Thompson Creek Park, Little Hall Park and Little River Landing. In addition, Buford Dam Park and River Forks Park are two good sites that are accessible. Lanier anglers can expect another excellent year for striped bass. Stripers were exposed to good oxygen conditions last summer and are in great shape. The abundant supply of blueback herring, a preferred summer forage species by stripers, plays a key role in maintaining a

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healthy population in Lanier. Stripers produced from the successful stocking in 2003 will range between 3-6 lb. this year and are expected to be a major contributor to the Lanier fishery. A good supply of 10-15 lb. fish stocked from 1998-2000 will also provide plenty of action. Numbers of trophy (20-30 lb.) stripers are increasing too. Both winter (November-March) and summer (July-August) months offer excellent striper fishing. Live bait (herring, shiners, bluegill and shad), super flukes and trolled bucktail jigs will produce the best results.
No improvement in the white bass fishery is expected in 2005. White bass numbers are down due to poor spawning conditions during the recent drought (1998-2002). It may take 1-2 more years before a significant increase in the white bass population occurs. The best action is found during the white bass spawning runs up the Chattahoochee and Chestatee rivers in March and April. Channel catfish are numerous lakewide and average about 1 lb. One-quarter to 1/3 lb. bluegill can be caught on a regular basis from May through August. Walleye are few in number but can be caught in the Chattahoochee River near Belton Bridge in February. They migrate in summer to the lower section of the reservoir seeking the cool, oxygenated waters (25-40 foot depths) closer to the dam. Shorelines trolling with spinners and crankbaits and still fishing nightcrawlers on the bottom at depths of 5-30 feet are effective methods for taking walleye year around. Carp are abundant and readily take prepared catfish baits, corn and dough balls from May through August.
It is legal to fish with and possess live blueback herring, a preferred baitfish for stripers on Lanier. Spotted bass and striped bass populations have benefited from the increased food supply of herring. Negative impacts of bluebacks include their ability to out compete other young fish for available food impacts of bluebacks include their ability to out compete and that they prey on larval fish, including bass less than oneinch long. WRD will continue to monitor the impact of this species on sport fish populations.
In 2005, a striped bass tagging study will be conducted by the WRD to gather information on fish abundance, survival rates, and the effects of angling on striped bass. Approximately 500 fish will be tagged with orange plastic tags. Information needed from anglers who catch tagged fish includes: 1) angler's name, address and phone number; 2) general location and date of catch, 3) whether tagged fish was released or taken home. Please mail or bring tag and information to the WRD Gainesville Fisheries Management Office at 2150 Dawsonville Hwy. Gainesville, GA 30501 (770) 535-5498.
Nottely Lake Nottely is a 4,180-acre TVA reservoir in Union County and is operated for power generation, navigation and flood control. The lake's relatively fertile water supports a diverse fish community. The most popular species are largemouth bass, spotted bass, crappie and striped bass. Under TVA's new reservoir operations plan initiated in 2004, winter lake levels are expected to be 10 - 15 feet higher beginning in 2005. Lake level information can be obtained from the TVA Chattanooga office at 423-751-2264 or http://lakeinfo.tva.gov. Anglers should expect to catch few largemouth bass in 2005. The drop in bass numbers can be attributed to poor survival of young largemouths. The culprit linked to the survival problem is the blueback herring. This exotic forage species was illegally introduced into Nottely some time in the 1990's. Since then, the herring population has exploded. WRD research shows that during spring, herring cruise the shallows. They compete with newly hatched largemouth bass for food and will even eat the small (less than one-inch) bass hatchlings. WRD believes that this competition and predation has lowered the survival of young bass, which has reduced the number of adult bass for anglers to

catch. WRD already has started on a three-point plan to restore
largemouth bass in Lake Nottely. First, more striped bass and hybrid bass have been stocked to prey on the herring and reduce their abundance. Second, shoreline habitat has been enhanced to provide cover for newly hatched bass. With help from volunteers, TVA and the U.S. Forest Service, more than 2,000 Christmas trees have been placed in the lake during the last five winters. Third, an experimental threeyear largemouth bass stocking program was initiated in 2003. Bass stocking typically is not necessary in most lakes and streams. By keeping spring water levels steady, fishery managers allow for natural reproduction by resident bass. In these instances, stocking more bass is not effective. But Lake Nottely is a special situation. The herring seem to reduce the numbers of small largemouth bass well below the lake's carrying capacity. So in this special case, where restoring the population is the objective, bass stocking may be the right "tool" in WRD's management toolbox. These 1-2 inch bass fingerlings should be too big for herring to eat and may have a better chance to compete for food than smaller, lake-spawned bass. An ongoing research project will determine if this stocking experiment works. Your odds to catch largemouths can be increased by fishing in Ivy Log Creek, Young Cane Creek and cove pockets in the mid and upper lake sections.
The good news is that spotted bass, which spawn deeper than largemouths, have not declined due to the herring, but have become more abundant. Spotted bass will make up about 85 percent of the total black bass catch and will average near one pound. Spotted bass prefer rocky and steeper shoreline areas but frequently move into the shallows during the spring months. Spotted and largemouth bass can be caught on live night crawlers, crayfish and bait minnows throughout the year.
Striped bass weighing 6-15 lb. will make up most of the 2005 harvest. The number of fish over 25 lb. remains low, but these trophysize specimens, including a few exceeding 40 lb., will continue to be caught periodically. Fishing with large surface plugs around points near deep water in the main body of the lake should be productive. Bucktail jigs, super flukes and live bait (bluegill, shad and blueback herring) fished deep off points and steep shorelines also will produce.
Anglers can expect a bonus year for hybrid bass in 2005! The hybrid bass population continues to expand following the excellent survival of fingerlings stocked in 2003. These two-year-old fish are plentiful and weigh between 2-3 lb. Earlier stocked hybrids have grown to 5-8 lb. Hybrids were stocked for the first time in 1999 to give stripers and other Nottely predators an upper hand in reducing the herring population to acceptable levels. Surface fishing with topwater baits, bucktail jigs and small minnow like lures is very productive from May through August. Live bait fishing with 3-5 inch minnows, shad and herring in 10-20 feet of water is effective in catching hybrids throughout the year. Crappie fishermen should expect an average year for filling their livewells, with an average fish weighing 1/2 lb. Numbers of older, larger slabsides - now 1 lb. - will make up less than 10 percent of the catch. March and April are the favorite months for crappie fishing, but WRD sampling showed a lot of big fish in fallen shoreline trees during November. Look for late winter and spring concentrations of fish around brush and fallen trees in 5-10 feet of water. The upper half of the reservoir supports the highest numbers of crappie.
Several other species should provide Nottely anglers with some action in 2005. White bass and walleye numbers are down due to poor spawning conditions during the recent drought period (1998-2002). Fishing success for these species is expected to improve following the return of higher spring lake levels and improved spawning success in the near future. Small curlytail grubs (chartreuse, white) and crankbaits are effective on white bass. Shoreline trolling with spinner/worm combinations and crankbaits and still-fishing nightcrawlers on the

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bottom are effective methods for walleye. Fishing for larger bream, to 1/3 lb. in size is best when adult fish are on spawning beds throughout the lake from May through August. Try live earthworms or crickets. The best fishing for catfish species will be in the upper half of the reservoir. Carp are abundant and readily take prepared catfish baits, corn and dough balls. Some key bank fishing spots include shoreline areas adjacent to the Jacks Creek Boat Ramp, Deavertown Ramp, and Canal Lake Ramp.
In 2005, Christmas trees were installed by WRD and the U.S. Forest Service in Ivy Log Creek and near the Deavertown Boat Ramp as added cover to improve survival of young largemouth bass. Selected shoreline trees around the lake will be cut throughout the year to provide additional cover for young fish and new fishing spots for Nottely anglers. Information concerning the locations of these fish habitat sites, camping facilities, and boat access sites can be obtained from the Gainesville WRD Fisheries Management Office (770-5355498) and U.S. Forest Service Blairsville, office (706-745-6928).
Oconee Lake Oconee, located mainly in Greene County near the towns of Madison and Greensboro, was impounded in 1979 by the construction of Wallace Dam. The 19,050-acre reservoir is operated with Lake Sinclair as a pump-storage (pumpback) 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 aggressively when water is moving through the dam. Fifty plots of timber topped off below water level and 1,250 acres of standing timber were left along creek and river channels to serve as fish attractors and provide fish habitat. Public access is readily available through eight Georgia Power and U.S. Forest Service boat ramps and parks. Several lakeside marinas also offer lodging, food, bait, tackle and other fishing related services. Lake Oconee's slot limit is intended to improve bass growth by encouraging selective harvest of smaller bass. Under this 11 - 14 inch protected slot, largemouth bass less than 11 inches and those over 14 inches may be kept, while bass between 11 and 14 inches must be released. Removing smaller bass will improve bass growth by increasing the food supply for the remaining bass. A tagging study completed in 2001 indicates that angler harvest has increased slightly since 1995. Continued harvest of small bass will be necessary to improve bass growth at Oconee. The removal of small bass is essential for slot limits to work, while the harvest of the larger bass is optional. Spinnerbaits and crankbaits fished around rip rap and rocky areas are popular for bass all year long. During the summer months, most fish are caught on main lake points, around deep bridges and steep banks, or up the Oconee and Apalachee rivers above I-20. Deep diving crank baits fished around main lake points produced many excellent catches of largemouth during summer 2003, and many local anglers say it was one of the best summers for bass fishing on Oconee in several years. The summer crankbait bite was not as good during 2004, but it is still a good way to catch nice bass in the summer. Good numbers of harvestable size crappie should be available again this year. The most and biggest crappie are caught from February through April, with the biggest slabs usually caught on warm afternoons in February. Fishing around standing timber in Sugar Creek and the upper end of the lake is a good bet for crappie in the spring, as are the upper ends of other major creek arms such as Richland, Sandy and Lick creeks. Stay out toward the mouths of the creeks, near the main lake, in early February and gradually move back towards shallow water as the temperature increases in the spring. Bedding crappie can be caught around shallow cover when water temperatures reach the low 60's.

White bass and hybrids will make spawning runs up the Oconee and Apalachee rivers in March and April, and the fishing can be great on the right day. Little George's, inline spinners, small crankbaits and curly tail grubs are the best lures for white bass on the spawning runs. Hybrids can be caught feeding on spawning threadfin shad in the middle and upper end of the reservoir around bridges and other rip rap in April and May. Hybrid fishing was excellent in 2004 for numbers of fish, and quite a few hybrids in the five to ten pound range were caught. Hybrids often will school in the middle third of the reservoir throughout the summer, and then move to the lower end of the lake throughout the winter. The Oconee River arm from Lick Creek down to the dam is especially good for hybrids in the winter.
Catfishing is excellent in Oconee, but the population is changing with the expansion of the recently introduced blue and flathead catfish populations. While there are still plenty of smaller channel and white catfish that can consistently be caught throughout the lake, the number of small, six to ten inch fish has declined slightly and the overall size and quality of catfish has improved. Blues and flathead populations continue to expand, and numerous flatheads over twenty pounds were caught in 2004. Live shad or bluegill and cut bait are the best baits for flatheads, and hot summer nights are the best time to catch them. Morning and night fishing is particularly good for all species of catfish during the warm summer months, and the consistent bite makes them a great fish to target when introducing kids to fishing. Worms or cut bait fished on the bottom are hard to beat.
Oliver Located on the Chattahoochee River within the city limits of Columbus, Georgia Power Company (GPC) operates this 2,150-acre reservoir. The City Marina, near the dam on the Georgia side, has the only paved boat ramp open to the public. It also has a public fishing pier. One other public access area offering boat launching is located at the upper end (Alabama side). The ramp is gravel and affords launching for small fishing boats. Recreational boating is heavy during the summer, but anglers do not usually encounter heavy boating traffic during early spring and late fall. WRD maintains three fish attractors on the lake. These are marked with buoys. Maps showing fish attractor locations are available at the marina and at WRD offices. WRD suggests that you contact Bobby Barron at the marina (706323-0316) for information on what's biting, where and with what. For additional information on use-areas around the lake, contact the GPC Land Department (706-322-0228). Information on generating schedules and lake levels is available by calling 706-317-6000. Lake Oliver is probably best known for bream fishing. Bluegill fishing is good during April and May, and the average catch is 5-7 inches with weights of about -1/3 lb. Live worms work best, and the backs of coves and sloughs are the most productive sites. Redear sunfish are even larger with some reaching 1 to 1 1/3 lb. Pink worms and crickets may be the best baits. Crappie anglers typically have done well. Crappie enthusiasts prefer various jigs, but minnows are effective on most occasions. Favorite spots are the mouth of Standing Boy Creek and under Standing Boy Creek Bridge. The boat dock at the Green Island Marina is also productive. Try these areas and the WRD fish attractors during late winter and early spring. Look for catches to average 1/3 lb., but a few giants are available to the dedicated angler. Fishing for hybrid bass and white bass is sometimes good, particularly below Goat Rock Dam where large numbers congregate during the spring spawning run. Look for hybrids to average about 1-4 lb., while white bass should average about 1 lb. Three species of black bass, including largemouth bass, spotted bass and shoal bass are present. Largemouth bass is the most abundant

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and sought after species, followed by spotted bass. Catches of largemouth up to 10 lb. occur, but fish will average 1-1 lb. Catches of spotted bass will range from 8-13 inches and average just under 1/2 lb. Boat docks and fishing piers are a favorite area for largemouth and spot anglers, but do not overlook rocky points, small coves and stumpy areas. Shoal bass occasionally are caught in the tail waters below Goat Rock Dam.

Rabun

Lake Rabun is an 834-acre lake located in the northeast Georgia

mountains near Clayton. This mountain reservoir is long and narrow

with a steep, rocky shoreline. Spotted bass, largemouth bass, bluegill

and shellcrackers are the favorite targets of local anglers.

In 2005, spotted bass will dominate the bass fishery. About three

out of four spots caught this year will be less than 12 inches as a big

pulse of small fish moves through the population. The remainder of the

spots will be of quality size, averaging 2 - 4 lb. Spotted bass fishing is

best on the lower end of the reservoir, where the deep rocky habitat is

more favorable. Because blueback herring are the preferred prey of

spotted bass, lures and baits that imitate a herring like Super Flukes,

Zara Spooks and Sammies are the most effective, especially at dawn

and dusk. During the daytime, spots prefer deepwater presentations like

plastic worms and crayfish.

The largemouth bass population has declined dramatically over the

last five years. Recent surveys by WRD indicate that around eight adult

largemouths exist per shoreline mile in Lake Rabun. In 2005, bass less

than 12 inches will account for slightly more than half the catch, and

fish from 2 - 5 lb. will account for the remainder. Largemouth bass

fishing is best in the upper reaches of the reservoir.

For north Georgia anglers who enjoy catching crappie, Lake Rabun

will offer the best crappie fishing among all the lakes in the Tallulah

River Valley. Last fall, WRD samples indicated a higher than normal

abundance of large crappie weighing over 1 lb. These fish should

carryover through the winter and be eager to take a baited hook at the

first signs of warm weather this spring. Anglers should find more

crappie on the lower lake around downed trees and boathouses near

points.

In addition to good crappie fishing this spring, anglers will have the

opportunity to catch walleye as they migrate to the upper end of the lake

to spawn. Beginning in March, groups of small males, averaging 2 lb.,

will move at night into the shallow waters below Seed Dam. Larger

females only will move into the spawning area for brief periods, but the

males will linger there throughout the month. This area is very

accessible to bank anglers. Floating Rapalas or nightcrawlers fished at

night after power generation is the best way to catch walleye this time

of year. The Fisheries Section is working to establish a walleye

population in Lake Rabun by stocking several thousand young walleye

into the lake each spring.

Lake Rabun also is known for good bream fishing. Bluegill and

shellcracker weighing from - 1 lb. are common. Bream are easiest to

catch during the summer when they congregate around boat docks.

Bluegills readily take a cricket whereas the larger shellcrackers prefer

red wigglers in deeper water. Two small public fishing piers are located

at the upper boat ramp. For more information about Lake Rabun, visit

the

Georgia

Power

Company

website

at

www.southerncompany.com/gapower/lakes.

is open six days a week (closed on Wednesday). Park hours are 7 a.m. 9 p.m. during daylight savings time and 7 a.m. 6 p.m. the remainder of the year. Fees are charged to enter the park and to launch a boat. Gasoline motors are prohibited on the lake. For information on directions, hours, fees and other details call Black Shoals Park at 770761-1611. Don't be shy about asking the staff at the gatehouse what the fishing is like and what they are hitting. The staff is proud of their lake and wants you to have a great day of fishing. The fish population supports good fisheries for largemouth bass, bream, crappie, channel catfish and hybrid bass.
Anglers will continue to experience good fishing in 2005 after excellent fishing in recent years. The fish population remains in good shape, with the game fish populations relatively unchanged from last year. Anglers can expect to catch nice largemouth bass again this spring. Numbers may be down slightly, but there are more in the 14-25 inch range! The water is normally very clear at Black Shoals, so a light line, careful presentations, and small, realistic lures will usually result in more strikes from the bass.
The black crappie population continues to be in good shape. Reproduction is strong and good numbers of fish are surviving and growing to catchable size. The lake has approximately 16 acres of standing timber that should concentrate the crappie before and after the spring spawn. Some extremely large crappie have been caught in the past and anglers who start early in the spring should have a good chance to catch some real slabs this year.
Both bluegill and shellcracker numbers and quality are good-toexcellent. Bluegill fishing will be about the same as 2004, with smaller fish being more abundant. Shellcracker numbers are up, especially fish nine inches and larger! Anglers should expect best results during the first spawns this spring. Shellcracker typically spawn once each year, normally mid to late-April. Bluegill are multiple spawners, but the first spawn around mid to late-May is always the best. Channel catfish continue to be abundant as a result of past stockings. A new lake record of 43 lb. was caught in the fall of 2004! Hybrid bass numbers appear to be down from 2004, but large fish are more numerous and are still lurking about.

Randy Poynter Lake (formerly Black Shoals) Randy Poynter Lake (formerly Black Shoals Reservoir) is a 650acre reservoir constructed to meet the water needs of Rockdale County. Public access is through Black Shoals Park located about six miles north of Conyers on Black Shoals Road (off of Ga. Hwy. 20). The park

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Richard B. Russell This 26,650-acre reservoir is nestled between Lakes Hartwell and Clarks Hill on the Savannah River. Shoreline development is not allowed at Richard B. Russell (RBR) making it one of the more pristine reservoirs in the state. There are very few recreational boaters and skiers during the summer months. Since this is a pumped storage facility, water levels are relatively stable throughout the year. The spotted bass population continues to expand. The spots are in excellent condition and are putting on weight thanks to the ample supply of threadfin shad and blueback herring. The number of spotted bass is beginning to make fishing for largemouth bass more difficult in some areas. Spotted bass are more abundant than largemouth bass throughout the Savannah arm of RBR and near the dam. Largemouth bass are more abundant than spotted bass in the Beaverdam Creek arm and in the tributary creeks off the Savannah arm. Largemouth and spotted bass can be targeted in depths ranging from 2-10 feet using lures like jerkbaits, crankbaits, spinnerbaits and soft plastics. Anglers should fish on points, standing timber and rip-rap. From May through September, fish move to offshore habitats like deep points, ledges and humps and can be targeted with deep-diving crankbaits, soft plastics (Carolina or Texas rig), drop shot rigs and jigging spoons. Fish can be found suspended around bridge columns and can be targeted with soft plastics on light jig heads and jerkbaits. Fish also can be found in the shallows early and late in the day using topwater lures. In October and November, both species migrate into creeks following baitfish and can be targeted using small crankbaits, spinnerbaits and soft plastics. In the winter (December and January), bass will move to deep water (20 - 40 feet) and can be caught with jigging spoons and soft plastics. Black crappie will be more numerous in 2005 because of the large numbers of crappie less than eight inches in the population. Most keepers will be in the 8 12 inch class, with relatively few larger than 12 inches. However, the larger the RBR crappie grow, the fatter they get! The upper tributary areas, including Rocky River and Beaverdam Creek are good spring hot spots for crappie limits. Approximately 29,000 striped bass fingerlings (one per acre) were stocked into RBR for the first time in May 2004! This is a one-time experimental stocking to determine if a trophy striped bass fishery can be established in RBR. The stripers stocked in May grew to 8-12 inches by November, indicating excellent growth. Anglers have caught small numbers of striped bass over the years. However, those fish were not stocked into RBR (probably entered from upstream Lake Hartwell). Striped bass in the 6-10 lb. range can be located in the big water from the railroad trestle to the dam and in the headwater areas of the lake. They can be targeted by free-lining or down-lining live blueback herring or shad (threadfin or gizzard) and soft plastic shad bodies on a jig head. Changes in the structure of the oxygen system, which covers about 65 acres in the forebay of the RBR, have caused a change in the fish patterns in summer and early fall. Large stripers, hybrids and largemouth bass are associated with habitat created by this system and offer persistent anglers a chance for some trophy catches.
Seminole Since its impoundment in 1957, this 37,500-acre COE reservoir formed at the junction of the Flint and Chattahoochee Rivers in the southwestern corner of Georgia has earned the reputation for producing fantastic fishing. During 2005, Lake Seminole should provide excellent fishing for largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish (shellcracker) and channel catfish, and good fishing for crappie. Anglers can expect to catch largemouth bass averaging around 2 lb., with good numbers of 5-6 lb. bass available. Seminole has a reputation of producing big bass, and consistently ranks near the top of

large Georgia reservoirs for catches of bass greater than 5 lb. Recent efforts by the COE to reduce the overabundance of hydrilla in the Spring Creek arm of Lake Seminole have improved the bass population in this area of the reservoir. The large reduction in hydrilla has resulted in a population of faster growing and fatter bass in Spring Creek. Because of the abundance of aquatic plants in Seminole, the key to consistently catching bass is learning to fish these abundant plant beds. Your best bet will be to throw a lipless crank bait, plastic worm, spinner bait or top-water lure along the edges of these aquatic plants. February through May are the best months.
Bluegill and redear sunfish fishing was excellent for both numbers and size last year, and all indications are that fishing will be as good in 2005. Bluegill should average around 7 inches with good numbers of larger fish available. The same aquatic vegetation control that has improved bass populations has made Spring Creek a popular choice for Seminole's bream anglers. While the average size redear in Spring Creek is less than 8 inches, fish over 1 lb. are not uncommon. The key to consistently catch bream is to locate shallow water spawning beds during spring and early summer. The numerous backwater areas off the Chattahoochee River arm can produce some good catches of redear. Best baits are red wrigglers and crickets.
Channel catfish numbers continue to be good, and catfish anglers should be rewarded with excellent fishing this season. The average catfish caught will weigh around 1-2 lb., but the chances of catching a 10 lb. or larger catfish will be good. Main lake areas in the Flint and Chattahoochee River arms should provide the best fishing. According to local anglers, prepared blood and cheese baits fished on small artificial worms are a year-round favorite.
Anglers can expect better than average hybrid bass fishing during 2005. Those who put in the time to locate these hybrids can expect to catch good numbers of 2-4 lb. fish. Striped bass are not as abundant as hybrid bass, and striper fishing is expected to be fair with the average fish weighing around 3 lb. The best bets for nice hybrids and stripers will be in the areas near the dam, where the Spring Creek channel enters the Flint River or up the Flint or Chattahoochee rivers in spring and winter. Due to the ongoing efforts to rebuild striped bass populations, fishing for all species will be closed in five springs located in Lake Seminole from May through October. For more information on these restrictions, please see the Sport Fishing Regulations
Although not usually noted for crappie fishing, Seminole can produce some good catches, especially for larger-sized crappie in the winter and spring months. Anglers can expect crappie numbers to be fair, with the average fish weighing lb. and fish over 2 lb. available. The best bet is to use minnows and jigs and concentrate on shallow backwater areas while the fish are spawning, in February and March and target the old Flint and Chattahoochee river channels during the winter and summer.
The infestation of hydrilla, an exotic plant, continues to restrict boating and fishing access in approximately 13,000 acres of the lake. The problem is worse in late summer and fall when hydrilla reaches the surface. The most accessible areas of the lake are along the river channels. The COE currently is using sterile grass carp to help control hydrilla in the Fish Pond Drain and Cypress Pond areas. Grass carp were stocked behind barriers in these two areas. The barriers are designed to contain the grass carp and allow boat passage. Boaters should use caution when navigating through these areas and report any damage to the COE as soon as possible. Call the COE Resource Management Office (229-662-2001) for more information.

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Sinclair Lake Sinclair is located north of Milledgeville off U.S. Hwy. 441. The reservoir covers more than 14,750 acres and stretches over Baldwin, Hancock and Putnam counties. Georgia Power Company owns and operates the reservoir but the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) manages the fishery resources. This reservoir provides good fishing opportunities for catfish, crappie, largemouth bass and hybrids. Catfish are both abundant and popular on Lake Sinclair and in fact, this lake has some of the highest catfish densities of the Georgia Piedmont reservoirs. The primary catfish species of interest is the channel catfish. However, both white catfish and bullheads also are common. Most channel catfish in the creel will be -1 lb. with fair numbers up to 4 lb. The reservoir has trophy potential with some fish in the 20-30 lb. range. Recent sampling conducted by WRD has detected the presence of blue catfish. Anglers probably introduced the blue catfish illegally, as the fish is not native to this drainage. Blue catfish have the potential to reach large sizes, in excess of 50 lb. Anglers prize this fish in its native range due to its large size and high value as a food fish. Popular bait for blue catfish are shad fished either live or cut. The quality of the crappie catch should be similar to the past several years with some fish over 2 lb. Strong year classes produced in 2002 and 2003 will dominate the catch in 2005. Fish over eight inches in length will be prevalent in the catch for spring of 2005 with over 50 percent of the catch larger than 10 inches. The current lake record for black crappie on Sinclair is a 2 lb. 11 oz. fish caught in 2000. Late-winter trolling in the Beaverdam Creek arm or spring trolling in the upper ends of coves with crappie jigs is usually productive for spring-spawning crappies. Toward late spring when the water begins to warm, try pitching jigs, small crank baits, or minnows in submerged treetops and around docks with brush. When the water really warms up in the summer, try fishing with lights under bridges or around deepwater lighted docks at night. Sinclair is not typically noted as a trophy bass reservoir among bass anglers. However, anglers catch and release many harvestable-sized largemouth bass each year and Sinclair annually hosts many bass tournaments. In fact, according to the most recent Georgia B.A.S.S. data available (2003), Sinclair ranked second only to Clarks Hill in the number of tournaments held on reservoirs across the state. Largemouth fishing will be very good in 2005 with abundances at the highest level observed over the last several years. Quality of the catch should be excellent with over 30 percent of the fish caught over 15 inches in length. The lake record is a 13 lb. 2 oz. fish caught in 1990. Studies show that Sinclair anglers practice catch and release of largemouth bass. In the latest creel survey conducted on Sinclair over 90 percent of bass anglers interviewed indicted that the largemouth bass they caught were released. In the early spring, the best fishing for largemouth bass is on main points in deeper water or on underwater structure (humps). As the water warms, the fish move to shallow water to spawn. Anglers should try fishing drop-offs, deep brush piles and lighted docks at night in the summertime. The edges of weed beds early in the morning or late in the afternoon also can be productive. In the fall, the fish move back into the shallows of the creeks. Many anglers report their best success during the generation or pump-back phase at Wallace Dam, when water movement occurs, especially in the Oconee River arm. Baits to try include spinner baits, crank baits, jig and pig, plastic worms, lizards or buzz-baits. In addition to these other species, hybrid bass have provided Sinclair anglers with an added sport fish dimension. The catch this spring will be dominated by quality fish in the 2-4 lb. range with fair numbers of fish up to 20 inches. The current lake record for hybrid bass

in Sinclair is a 10 lb. 7 oz. fish caught in 1998. WRD plans to further enhance the sport fishery dimension with the re-introduction of striped bass into Lake Sinclair to better utilize larger forage species in the reservoir. Striped bass were last stocked in Sinclair in 1989, and all of those fish have since disappeared. Plans call for a phasing in of stripers and the phasing out of hybrids over the next several years. WRD expects the stocking of stripers to add a trophy potential with fish of 1020 lb. possible after several years. The striper lake record for Sinclair is 42 lb., although WRD does not expect stripers to reach this size because of changed water quality conditions.
White bass populations have leveled off to consistent but low levels since a decline following the construction of Wallace Dam in the early 1980's. Sizes generally will average between 1-2 lb. Look for both hybrids and white bass in the Beaverdam Creek arm during late winter. The action will move up in the major tributaries during the spring spawning run. Good locations include Little River and Murder Creek. Another traditional area for white bass and large hybrids in the spring is directly below Wallace Dam, although this area is not as productive as it once was. Another area worth trying for large hybrids in the spring is the Oconee River below Sinclair dam.
Both bluegill and redear sunfish (shellcrackers) are available for harvest on Sinclair, but like most other middle Georgia reservoirs, sizes are generally on the small side. Average bluegill size will be about 4-5 inches with some individuals up to 6 - 7 inches. Size of shellcrackers will be better with the average size of 6-7 inches with some individuals up to 10 inches.
Public access is readily available through four Georgia Power Company and U.S. Forest Service facilities and ten privately owned lakeside marinas. Many privately owned marinas offer boating access for a fee besides camping, food, bait and tackle. Georgia Power Company owns and operates the Sinclair Dam tailrace area, a popular area for bank anglers. The area is found immediately downstream of Sinclair Dam and is accessible from Sinclair Dam Road on the west side of the river. A fishing platform designed for persons with disabilities improves the tailrace area. A safety railing extends along the west side of the tailrace for a distance of 800 feet. Other popular areas for bank anglers include the areas near and around most bridge and railroad overpasses on Lake Sinclair. Anglers use the bridge overpasses for shoreline fishing along U.S. Highway 441, Crooked Creek, Twin Bridges and Georgia Highway 212. For more information concerning the location of boat ramps, bank fishing opportunities or other facilities, contact Georgia Power Company's Land Department at 706-485-8770.
WRD will begin to implement an aquatic habitat enhancement program at Lake Sinclair over the next few years. High on the list of projects will be the enhancement of fish attractors with the conversion of construction materials used in making fish attractors from natural to artificial materials. WRD's work with construction of fish attractors with natural materials on a number of reservoirs over many years led to a realization that time, effort and cost could be economized with the development of a fish attractor constructed of artificial materials. Brush and trees tended to break down after a couple years and needed to be refurbished on a continual basis. However, fish attractors constructed of artificial materials can last for many years. Initial cost on a per unit basis is somewhat higher for an artificial attractor, but costs over the long term are expected to be less.
Another aspect of the aquatic habitat enhancement program will consist of shoreline enhancement/protection through "bioengineering." Selected erodible shoreline areas will be protected and enhanced with native aquatic vegetation. Vegetation along the shoreline serves many useful purposes for terrestrial and aquatic organisms, such as feeding, reproduction, or cover. Young fish and their food items require abundant aquatic and semi-aquatic vegetation along the shoreline in

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order to thrive and survive. Development has continued on a large, new angler access area in
Putnam County just upriver of the U.S. Hwy. 441 bridge on the Little River arm. The undertaking for this project is a combined effort of DNR, Georgia Power Company and Putnam County. "Dennis Station Access" initially opened for public use in 2001with a double-lane concrete boat ramp, dual service piers, a 100-ft. "L"-shaped fishing pier and ample parking. In 2002, another double-lane concrete boat ramp with dual service piers was added. Parking also has been expanded to accommodate the additional boat lanes. In 2003, the parking area was paved and accessible restroom facilities added. Numerous fish attractors were added around the fishing pier to enhance bank-fishing opportunities. In fact, the entire shoreline of the area is available for bank fishing. There are no charges associated with use of these facilities. Eventually, the site will have six boat lanes for boat launching and parking for up to 300 boaters. The site will have the capacity to hold large tournaments without crowding out other anglers and boaters. The area is accessible off Twin Bridges Road (just follow the signs) and is convenient to boaters and anglers from Macon, Eatonton and Milledgeville.
Tobesofkee Tobesofkee is a 1,750-acre lake owned and operated by Bibb County near Macon, Georgia. An admission fee is required to gain access to the lake. Property owners have developed the shoreline on the lower end but the upper end is still relatively undeveloped above the Lower Thomaston Rd. Bridge. The Bibb County Recreation Department maintains a large area for bank fishing access, called "the fingers", on the upper end of the lake. This area is a good place to catch crappie, catfish and hybrids, particularly in the spring. Another popular bank fishing area in the spring is the area directly below the dam where anglers can catch crappie, white bass and hybrids. On a per acre basis, Tobesofkee probably has the most public bank fishing access of any reservoir in middle Georgia. The lake is very popular with pleasure-boaters in the summer, which can make fishing somewhat difficult. Try your luck early and late in the day to avoid peak boating. At other times of the year, Tobesofkee can be an excellent choice for hybrids, largemouth bass and crappie. Some anglers find the fish difficult to catch on this lake. However, those willing to learn and fish the available underwater "landscape" will be rewarded with hybrid, largemouth and crappie catches. Surveys suggest that fish larger than 15 inches will dominate the Tobesofkee hybrid bass population in 2005. Anglers also can expect to encounter a few "memorable" hybrid bass of up to 25 inches in their catch. WRD plans to begin stocking a mix of hybrids and stripers this spring in Tobesofkee. Stripers are better able to utilize forage fish such as larger gizzard shad that are common in the reservoir. Predation on larger gizzard shad by larger stripers should improve the forage dynamics in the reservoir for other predators, such as crappie or largemouth bass, by reducing the average size of gizzard shad. Tobesofkee should have an excellent largemouth bass population in 2005. Abundance and quality are at some of the highest levels observed on the reservoir in recent years as strong year classes produced in 2000, 2001 and 2002 move through the population. Excellent year classes produced in 2002 and 2003 should ensure good bass fishing for at least several more years to come. Over a third of the largemouth caught should be at least 15 inches with some individuals over 22 inches. Crappie are another popular species in Tobesofkee. Crappie numbers will be down somewhat this year. A strong year class produced in 2003 will dominate the catch in the spring of 2005, with many of the fish around eight inches. The current lake record is a 2 lb.

12 oz. crappie caught in 1995. Do not overlook the fish attractors maintained by WRD for crappie fishing opportunities. White buoys mark fish shelters that serve to attract all species of game fish. In 2003, WRD constructed eight new fish attractor areas, each with approximately eight units. The units are about eight feet tall and are placed in concentric circles around the white buoys.
Channel catfish abundance and quality will be similar to the last several years. Some larger individuals will also be available for anglers to catch. The majority of fish will be in the - 1 lb. range with good numbers of "quality" fish in the 5-10 lb. range.
Generally, Tobesofkee isn't noted as a bream lake by anglers. Bluegill, redbreast sunfish and shellcracker (redear sunfish) are available for harvest. However, sizes are not as good as on some other area lakes. Bluegill sizes will average around 4-5 inches with some individuals up to 8 inches. Redbreast sunfish will average around 4-5 inches with some fish up to 7 inches. Shellcrackers will average around 7-8 inches with some individuals over 10 inches.
Another species that has been increasing in abundance over the last several years is the chain pickerel. You can catch this toothy predator on small spinners or minnows and anglers often catch them while targeting largemouth bass. Look for this ambush predator around the edges of the many water willow (bass grass) beds found in the reservoir. The current lake record is a 2 lb. 1 oz. individual caught in 2004.
Tobesofkee not only provides ample angling opportunities, but also a nice place to take the family for the day. Picnic areas, a marina, camping areas and a large swimming beach are present for your enjoyment. The lake has two excellent boat ramps, Claystone and Arrowhead, with plentiful parking. For more information on the recreational opportunities at Lake Tobesofkee, contact the Tobesofkee Recreation Area at 478-474-8770.
Tugalo Lake Tugalo is a scenic 597-acre lake formed by the Tallulah and Chattooga Rivers. The lake's canyon-like walls are an extension of Tallulah Gorge and tower nearly 1,000-feet above the surface of the water in places. The lake's small size and light boating traffic make it an ideal place for canoes and jon boats. Outboard motors are restricted to a 25 hp limit. Lake Tugalo anglers regularly catch largemouth bass, white catfish, white bass, crappie and bream. A walleye population is developing. The largemouth bass population of Lake Tugalo supports the highest number of bass per mile than any reservoir on the Tallulah River. WRD biologists estimate the density of adult largemouths to be 44 adult bass per mile, meaning the chances of catching fish are pretty good. Although bass abundance has remained fairly consistent over the last few years, anglers can expect to catch fewer fish over 12 inches this year. In 2005, anglers can expect small bass (8 to10 inches) to account for more than half of their catch. About one out of every three bass caught will weigh 1 - 2 lbs, and less than five percent of the bass caught will weigh over 4 lb. During the spring months, when topwater baits are most effective, anglers will find bass in shallow water near cover located in the numerous small pockets that indent the shoreline. During the heat of summer and again during the early days of fall, surprisingly high numbers of quality-sized largemouth bass move into the flowing headwaters of both river arms. Anglers should try fishing the headwaters with artificial crayfish and blueback herring lures. Spotted bass appeared for the first time in WRD samples last fall. It will be interesting to watch their progress over time. Walleye are stocked annually into Lake Tugalo by WRD in an attempt to control blueback herring. In 2005, small fish, averaging around 1 lb., will be the most common size caught, but anglers can expect to catch 2 - 3 lb. fish occasionally. March is the best time to

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catch walleye because adult fish move into the headwaters to spawn. When the water temperature reaches 50oF, large groups of males move at night into the shallow waters below the Tallulah Falls Power Plant on the Tallulah River arm of the lake. This area is only accessible by boat. Larger females will only move into the spawning area for a few hours each night, but the males will linger there throughout the month. Floating Rapalas or nightcrawlers fished at night after power generation is the best way to catch walleye this time of year. October is also a good time to catch walleye. During the evening hours or on cloudy and windy days, anglers should work nightcrawlers or shiners along the bottom on shallow-sloping points. Finding these points are key to your success during the fall. Walleye have a very light bite, so anglers new to walleye fishing should remain alert to slight movement in the line, which may indicate a strike.
Of the other species in Lake Tugalo, white bass, white catfish, and redbreast sunfish are among angler favorites. April should provide another good run of white bass into the upper reaches of both river arms of the lake. This year's white bass run will contain bigger fish, many of which will weigh 2 lb. White bass are fairly easy to catch during their spawning runs up the lake. Simply find flowing water and cast small white grubs and spinners to the bank and reel with a steady retrieve. Some white bass anglers feel that using live shiners is more effective. Either way, white bass will provide some fun-filled days on Lake Tugalo this spring. For those who enjoy catfishing, Lake Tugalo should be on your list of places to fish because white catfish are very abundant.
Summer afternoons during power generation is the best time to fish for white catfish on Lake Tugalo, and the Chattooga River arm near the South Carolina boat ramp seems to hold the greatest numbers of fish. Worms, liver and artificial catfish concoctions are the most popular baits. In addition to catfish and white bass, Lake Tugalo supports an abundance of redbreast sunfish. Although redbreast sunfish are usually more common in rivers, redbreast do very well in Lake Tugalo and seem to be more abundant than bluegill and shellcrackers (redear sunfish). Crickets, rubber spiders or ants, and small spinners worked underneath overhanging limbs is the best way to take these colorful fish.
Because of Lake Tugalo's rugged terrain, bank fishing opportunities are not available. Boats are restricted to 25 hp motors. Access on the Georgia side is available through Tallulah Gorge State Park, which is located off Highway 441 in Tallulah Falls, Georgia. Motorists should be aware that four-wheel drive vehicles are strongly recommended on this steep, rugged access road. Easier access is available a little further north, but on the South Carolina side. From Highway 441 in Clayton, Georgia, turn onto Highway 76 East. After crossing the Chattooga River Bridge, travel about three miles to Orchard Road. Turn right onto Orchard Road and proceed to the stop sign at the end of the road and turn right again. This is Battle Creek Road. After a couple of miles, the road forks slightly, where you should turn onto the right fork. After passing Damascus Church, turn right onto the gravel road. This road will lead to the boat ramp, which becomes paved and very steep near the boat ramp. For more information about Lake Tugalo, visit the Georgia Power Company website at www.southernco.com/gapower/lakes.
Varner This 850-acre drinking water reservoir was constructed by Newton County in 1990-91 and first opened to public fishing in 1992. The lake is located approximately two miles northeast of Covington, Georgia on Alcovy Road (I-20 Exit 92). Lake Varner and its recreational facilities are managed by the Newton County Parks and Recreation Department. Typically the park is open daily from sunrise to sunset. A double lane boat ramp, fishing pier and bank access is available to the public in the park area. Gasoline motors are not allowed on the lake (even if not in

use). Visitors, other than Newton and Walton County residents, are charged a fee of $5 per vehicle for parking and an additional $5 per boat. The fish population supports good fisheries for largemouth bass, bream, crappie, channel catfish and hybrid striped bass.
Largemouth bass abundance and quality have remained in a good to excellent range for the last several years. Sampling conducted during November 2004 indicated that about fifty percent of the bass are 14 inches or longer in length. Varner offers a great opportunity to catch a largemouth bass over five lbs, particularly in the spring and fall when bass are most likely to be in shallow water and are more easily caught. Crankbaits and suspending jerk baits fished around cover or structure such as creek channels and points produce great results in the late winter and early spring, as do jig-and-pig combinations fished around submerged stumps and brushpiles. Later in the spring, topwater lures, floating worms and soft plastic shad imitations like flukes or bass assassins work great. Try plastic worms and deep diving crankbaits in the summer, and spinnerbaits in the fall to round out the year. Varner is a productive lake with fast growth rates for largemouth bass. Anglers can help the lake continue to produce quality largemouth by practicing selective harvest; in other words, harvest smaller, legal fish (bass must be at least 12 inches) and release larger bass (over 18 inches) so they can continue to grow and possibly reach trophy size. A bass that already weighs four or five lbs has a much better chance of reaching ten lbs than a one or two lb. bass. Varner has the potential to produce many ten-lb. plus bass if the quality fish are not over harvested.
Varner has a reputation for producing good panfish. Crappie, redear sunfish (shell-cracker), and bluegill populations are in good condition. Winter and early spring crappie fishing using minnows in deep water near the creek channels is usually productive. Crappie will gradually move to shallower water as water temperatures approach 60F, and the upper end of the two major tributaries are the best places for spawning crappie. The crappie fishing normally peaks sometime in April depending on water temperatures. Bluegill and shellcracker should provide the best opportunities in May, during the first spawn of the season. Bluegill should spawn at least two more times during the summer months. Unfortunately, gizzard shad (an undesirable species) have become established in the lake recently, and they will probably have a negative effect on the sport fishery over the next few years, particularly on the bluegill fishery. This is yet another example of how illegal and unauthorized stockings of fish in public waters can harm sport fishing.
Hybrid bass have been stocked several times since 1998 in an effort to control the gizzard shad population. The largest of the hybrids will be over 22 inches long (6 - 8 lbs) in 2005, and good numbers will be present in the 15 - 18 inch size. Hybrids were caught schooling and chasing shad on the surface quite often in the past year and provide some exciting topwater action.
Walter F. George Operated by the COE, this 45,180-acre Chattahoochee River reservoir encompasses 640 miles of Georgia and Alabama shoreline and 85 river miles between Columbus and Ft. Gaines. Power generation schedules and lake elevations can be obtained by calling the COE powerhouse, 24 hours/day (229-768-2424). There are 23 boat ramps on this lake and the COE charges a $3 daily launch fee. They also charge $3 per car or $1 per person daily beach use fees. Users can pay an annual fee of $30, which covers all daily use of boat ramps and beaches. Fuel is available at George T. Bagby State Park and Florence Marina on the Georgia side and at Lake Point Resort and Chewalla Marina on the Alabama side. Largemouth bass fishing should be good on this legendary bass lake in 2005. The bass population will have good numbers of fish from 14-18 inches, while the numbers of bass larger than 5 lb. will be about

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average. With a 14-inch minimum size limit for largemouth bass, the catch rates for keeper sized bass should be excellent. During the spring local anglers prefer plastic worms, spinner baits, and shallow running crankbaits. The most productive spring fishing sites are near Lake Point Resort, Hwy. 82 causeway, and the back end of creeks and coves. The most productive time period is mid-March through May, but the warmer summer months can also be productive when fishing deep water structure along creek and river channels.
Bream fishing (bluegill and redear sunfish) changes little from year to year on this reservoir. Bluegill will be relatively small, averaging 4-6 inches, and the average redear will be 7-9 inches. Favorite fishing spots for bluegill are the shallow ends of coves, creeks and sloughs, especially above the Hwy. 82 causeway. The shallow flats from East Bank boat ramp, north to Sandy Creek, is often a productive site for redear fishing. Favorite baits are crickets and worms, and the best time is April through June.
This should be a good year for crappie fishing. Crappie will average 10 inches and weigh around lb. this spring, and there will be good numbers of fish up to 1 lb. Crappie are usually the first fish to start biting each year, and anglers should start looking for them during the winter, but the best fishing will be during February through April. Favorite spots are at creek mouths and under bridges. Other hotspots include Moccasin Slough, Pataula Creek, White Oak Creek, Rood Creek and Grass Creek. Most successful anglers fish with minnows or jigs at 12-16 foot depths. A good place to start is at any of the 24 fish attractors located on the Georgia side of the reservoir. The sites are marked with buoys, and a map of their locations, with G.P.S. readings, can be obtained by calling the COE office (229-768-2516). Bank anglers should try the fishing piers at Hardridge Creek and Florence Marina, or the marked fishing areas at East Bank and River Bluff boat ramps. These fishing piers are accessible to anglers with disabilities.
Hybrid bass fishing will be good this year. While the number of fish less than 2 lb. will be low, there will be good numbers of larger 3-4 lb. fish. Shiny artificial lures that imitate shad work well. Local anglers use spoons, in-line spinners, lipless crankbaits and deep diving crankbaits. Some anglers have good luck bottom fishing at night with chicken liver or dead shrimp, but the most popular fishing technique is trolling over sand flats in 10-15 feet of water. Good areas to try are found from Sandy Creek to Pataula Creek, near Cool Branch landing, and just above the Hwy. 82 causeway.
The catfish population is dominated by channel catfish, but there are an increasing number of blue catfish in the reservoir. Blue catfish, a relative to channel catfish, have a narrower head and longer, straight edged anal fin. Both channel and blue catfish will generally be small, averaging 1-2 lb., but larger fish are present. Worms and blood bait fished in 15-20 feet will produce good results for both species. Large blue catfish, up to 30 lb., have been caught in the upper end of the reservoir the past few years.
Several new infestations of hydrilla, an exotic aquatic plant, were found in this reservoir last year. Anglers can help prevent the spread of these, and other nuisance aquatic plants, by inspecting their tackle, boat motor, and trailer and removing all plant fragments before entering or leaving boat ramps. Please help keep all nuisance weeds out of Lake W.F. George and other Georgia reservoirs.
Weiss The lower Coosa River from Mayo's Lock and Dam near Rome to the Georgia-Alabama state line is the Georgia portion of Weiss Reservoir, an Alabama Power project. This portion encompasses approximately 2,000 acres of river and shallow backwater habitats. Boaters unfamiliar with the area should use caution when traveling outside of the main river channel.

Lake Weiss has earned the title "crappie capital of the world" for good reason. Despite heavy fishing pressure for crappie, an excellent forage base supports the population resulting in quality fishing year after year. Slabs over two pounds routinely are caught every year from these waters. Trolling small jigs or live minnows on multiple rods is a favored method for locating crappie schools especially from mid-to-late winter. Anglers should key in on downed shoreline trees, as crappie will congregate in these areas especially in the post-spawn period. Popular access points include Lock and Dam Park operated by the Rome-Floyd County Recreation Department and the Brushy Branch boat access. Both facilities have paved ramps, courtesy docks and ample parking. The Lock and Dam Park also has a bait shop, nature center, camping, picnic and restroom facilities.
In late February through early April, white bass can be caught as they make their annual spawning run up the Coosa River. The area from the River Road boat ramp upstream to the Lock and Dam Park is "prime A" territory for catching spawn-run white bass. Key in on creek mouths and fallen trees with good water flow around them in the main river. Hungry white bass congregate in these areas waiting on food to pass by on the current. Anglers targeting white bass should try casting small jigs and crankbaits in shad patterns or use live bait. Most likely, anglers will catch a mixed bag of white bass and crappie using these techniques.
Striped bass fishing in the Coosa should be excellent as the population continues to remain strong. Stripers exceeding 30 pounds often are caught during spring from the Lock and Dam upriver to Rome, but the average striper caught in the area will weigh about five lbs. Live or cut shad is the most popular bait, but a few stripers are fooled using artificial lures such as bucktail jigs, shad colored crankbaits and large jerkbaits fished in swift water near fallen trees. After the spawn, stripers disperse all over the Coosa River basin in search of cool waters to beat the summer heat. These fish can be found hiding wherever there is cool water in the rivers above Weiss and the smaller tributaries to the lake. Find one of these spots and striped bass could be on the menu all summer. When cooler fall temperatures arrive, stripers will begin moving back toward the main lake where anglers can find them chasing shad on the main river. From mid-late winter the area between Brushy Branch and the main body of Lake Weiss are good places to find some striper action.
Largemouth bass numbers and quality continue to be good in the upper portion of the lake. The average fish will weigh 1-2 lb., with larger individuals topping the 7-8 lb. range. Most bass fishing in this part of the lake is done in the Brushy Branch area, but largemouth will be found in any of the backwater tributaries off the main Coosa River channel. Stump laden areas like Kings Creek and Mt. Hope Creeks hold plenty of largemouth, but must be boated with care. Spotted bass occur in fair numbers in the upper sections of Weiss. Spotted bass tend to stay in the main river channel and generally are a little smaller than largemouth. Spots up to four lbs are available to anglers fishing bluff banks and creek mouths along the Coosa River.
Blue, channel and flathead catfish of all sizes are abundant. The larger blue catfish can top the 50 lb. range in the riverine portion of the lake. Fish for these whiskered behemoths in and around the log jams common in this area. Cats can be taken with a number of unsavory baits, but anglers should keep in mind most "pole breaker cats" are after live prey such as shad or bream.
Freshwater drum, smallmouth buffalo, and suckers are extremely abundant in this portion of the lake. The average drum is slightly over 12 inches, but be prepared to hook into some bull drum over 20 inches in length. Bluegill, redbreast sunfish, redear sunfish, and an occasional walleye round out the fishing opportunity in the Georgia portion of Lake Weiss.

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A few anglers may encounter an odd-looking fish they have never seen before in Lake Weiss or its surrounding waters. The lake sturgeon, once a resident of the Coosa River system, disappeared in the 1960s. Pollution and over-fishing are believed to have eliminated these archaic fishes from the river system. Thankfully since then, water conditions have improved in the river and WRD has begun to re-stock lake sturgeon in an effort to reestablish this native fish. Since their first stocking in 2002 more than 28,000 sturgeon fingerlings have been released in the Coosa basin. This long-term reintroduction project will require annual stockings over the next 15 to 20 years to re-establish this native fish. The species grows slowly and does not mature for 12-15 years so it is important to protect them from harvest until they can reproduce and once again support some limited harvest. As their name implies, they do have a tendency to inhabit slow waters, which will likely include Lake Weiss. Anglers accidentally catching a lake sturgeon should immediately release the fish unharmed. Fish hooked deep will often survive if anglers cut the line near the hook and release the fish with the hook. If you catch or otherwise see a sturgeon, please contact one of the following Georgia WRD offices to report the location from which the sturgeon was caught {(706) 624-1161 or (706) 8573394). Such "sightings" are very helpful to biologists trying to assess the survival and dispersal of these magnificent fish. Those wondering what impact sturgeon will have on their favorite game species can rest easy. Because of its low reproductive potential, the fish does not establish itself as a prominent species making its impacts negligible. In fact, the specie's poor reproductive potential has caused the species to be listed as rare or endangered throughout most of its original range.
West Point West Point is a 25,900-acre reservoir operated by the Corps of Engineers (COE) on the Chattahoochee River at the Georgia-Alabama border. Excellent facilities, close proximity to Atlanta and a special regulation on largemouth bass contribute to the reservoir's popularity. The 14-inch minimum size limit on largemouth bass and an abundant spotted bass population combine to consistently produce quality bass angling on West Point. Total black bass abundance typically is higher than bass numbers found in other middle Georgia reservoirs. The population continues to maintain a healthy overall condition. Over 30 percent of the largemouth bass population is within the preferred 15-20 inch category and the average largemouth bass weighs about 1 lb. Concentrate on warmer areas, like protected coves, using shallow-running crank baits and spinner baits for early spring action. Fish deeper main creek and river channel structure with deep-running crank baits and worms during late spring and summer. Also, try fishing under the tree canopy near the upper ends of major creeks. Winter action is found deep, near main channel structure, and preferred lures are deep-diving crank baits, jigs and worms. Good spawning success in the last several years has resulted in a substantial increase in spotted bass numbers and they now comprise about 50-60 percent of the total black bass population. However, the two species seemed to have reached equilibrium in the last couple of years. Most spotted bass are presently between 6-11 inches. Remember that there is no size limit on spotted bass on West Point and with the recent increase in abundance anglers are encouraged to remove spotted bass from West Point. The abundance and average size of crappie continue to indicate a healthy and stable population and 2005 should be no exception. About 20 percent of the population is between 10-12 inches and over 20 percent are in the 8-10 inch range. Average weight will be just less than 1/3 lb. The best crappie action is usually found by trolling jigs in the traditional spring hot spots in the upper portions of Beech, Whitewater, Wehadkee and Stroud creeks. They also are found around bridges.

Over the years, West Point has maintained an excellent reputation for hybrid fishing because of a combination of high stocking rates and lake characteristics that produce good survival and growth. Total hybrid numbers will be good in 2005 and the typical fish will weigh in at about 1 lb. Hybrids are found in abundance below the shoals in Franklin in the spring and scattered along the main river and tributary channels throughout much of the year.
Limited experimental striped bass stockings were made in 1990 and 1992 and substantial numbers have been caught, a few in the 20 lb. class in past years. Total striped bass numbers have declined in recent years, but a small population is maintained through natural reproduction. The white bass population also has declined slightly due to the relatively weak year classes produced in the last several years. Approximately 25 percent of the population currently is in the preferred 12-15 inch range and exceptional fishing can be found during the spring in the upper reaches of the Chattahoochee River arm in Franklin.
West Point is probably the best channel catfish lake in middle Georgia with many 16-24 inch quality-sized fish. However, as on many large reservoirs, bream are overpopulated and few reach catchable size. The average length for bluegill is about four inches and the less abundant redear (shellcracker) average 7-9 inches.
Visitors to West Point should be aware of ongoing efforts to improve fish and wildlife habitat as well as general aesthetics. The COE, WRD and West Point Lake Coalition have planted maidencane grass and cypress trees at several locations. Since late the late 1980s, larger cypress trees have been planted on shoals and other high points to serve as markers as well as provide fish habitat. A limited number of larger cypress trees have also been recently planted in coves and additional plantings are planned for the future. These plants should provide benefits to the lake in the years to come.
Anglers will also notice that the COE continues to replace the triangular wooden shoal markers with six-inch PVC shell markers to improve visibility and safety. It should be noted that a permit no longer will be required to construct fish shelters on West Point using Christmas trees, but the COE Project Manager Office (706-645-2937) should still be notified if more than 10-20 trees are used. Finally, fishing has been improved at the Rocky Point and McGee Bridge piers with the addition of PVC fish shelters.
WRD has a major habitat enhancement project with the construction of 10 large fish attractors. Each of the attractors is constructed of numerous plastic peach crates anchored to the bottom and they are distributed widely over the entire lake below Highland Marina as well as in Yellow Jacket Creek. These fish attractors can easily be identified by the large orange and white buoy markers. Precise locations of all the attractor sites can be obtained by contacting the WRD Fisheries Management office in LaGrange (706-845-4180). In an effort to create additional largemouth bass and crappie habitat, WRD and the COE will continue to improve shoreline fish habitat by cutting trees at suitable locations and anglers can expect exceptional fishing for many years to come.

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