2008 Georgia reservoir fishing prospects

2008 Georgia Reservoir Fishing Prospects
Largemouth bass A member of the black bass family. Seven species of black bass are native to North America, with
six of those native to Georgia making it the only state where an angler can catch six species of black bass. Find out the best places to hook a largemouth and a multitude of other species in this guidebook.
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

Reservoir Listing
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 2008. 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 website www.gofishgeorgia.com For a complete publication, visit the EPD website at www.gaepd.org/Documents/fish_guide.html . To obtain lake conditions online: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: www.sam.usace.army.mil/op/rec ; Georgia Power: www.georgiapower.com/lakes/home.asp and TVA: www.tva.com .
Visit the WRD website 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

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Best Bets in 2008

Office

Allatoona ........................ 2 ............. Spotted bass, hybrid bass, bluegill, gar ......................................................................... Calhoun Andrews.......................... 3 ............. Hybrid bass, largemouth bass, bream, catfish ............................................................... Albany Bartlett's Ferry................ 3 ............. Largemouth bass, spotted bass, striped bass, crappie, catfish ....................................... West Point Blackshear ...................... 4 ............. Largemouth bass, crappie, white bass, catfish, hybrids & stripers ............................... Albany Blue Ridge ...................... 4 ............. Smallmouth & spotted bass, bluegill, channel & flathead catfish ................................. Calhoun Burton ............................. 5 ............. Spotted bass, brown trout ............................................................................................. Burton Carters............................. 6 ............. Walleye, hybrid bass, spotted bass ............................................................................... Calhoun Chatuge........................... 7 ............. Spotted bass, bluegill, carp ........................................................................................... Gainesville Chehaw ........................... 7 ............. Shoal bass, catfish, striped bass .................................................................................... Albany Clarks Hill ..................... 8 ............. Largemouth bass, redear sunfish, crappie, white perch ................................................ Thomson Goat Rock....................... 8 ............. Largemouth bass, spotted bass, bream, catfish ............................................................. West Point Hamburg ......................... 9 ............. Crappie, largemouth bass, redear sunfish ..................................................................... Thomson Hartwell .......................... 9 ............. Largemouth, spotted & redeye bass, black crappie, hybrid & striped bass .................. Burton High Falls ..................... 10 ............. Crappie, bream, largemouth bass .................................................................................. CEWC Jackson ......................... 11 ............. Bream, catfish, crappie ................................................................................................. CEWC Juliette........................... 11 ............. Striped bass, redear sunfish .......................................................................................... CEWC Lanier............................ 12 ............. Spotted bass, striped bass, crappie, catfish ................................................................... Gainesville Nottely .......................... 12 ............. Largemouth bass, spotted bass, crappie, striped bass ................................................... Gainesville Oconee.......................... 13 ............. Crappie, white bass, hybrid bass, catfish ...................................................................... Social Circle Oliver............................ 14 ............. Bream, crappie, largemouth bass .................................................................................. West Point Rabun............................ 14 ............. Largemouth bass, spotted bass, bream, yellow perch, walleye ..................................... Burton Randy Poynter .............. 15 ............. Largemouth bass, bream, crappie, channel catfish, hybrid bass ................................... Social Circle Richard B. Russell ........ 15 ............. Spotted bass, largemouth bass, black crappie ............................................................... Thomson Seminole ....................... 15 ............. Largemouth bass, redear sunfish, channel catfish ......................................................... Albany Sinclair.......................... 16 ............. Largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, hybrid & striped bass ............................................. Fort Valley Tobesofkee ................... 17 ............. Crappie, catfish, hybrid bass ......................................................................................... Fort Valley Tugalo........................... 18 ............. Walleye, white catfish, largemouth bass, redbreast sunfish, white bass ....................... Burton Varner ........................... 19 ............. Largemouth bass, bream, crappie, channel catfish, hybrid bass ................................... Social Circle Walter F. George .......... 19 ............. Largemouth bass, hybrid bass ....................................................................................... Albany Weiss ............................ 20 ............. crappie, striped bass, largemouth bass, catfish, drum, smallmouth buffalo ................... Calhoun West Point .................... 21 ............. Largemouth bass, spotted bass, crappie, hybrid bass, 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 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (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 given 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 from JulySeptember 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 continue to be better than most Georgia reservoirs, yet average bass size tends to be smaller. One reason is that spotted bass, which attain smaller adult size than largemouth bass, dominate the black bass fishery, making-up approximately 80-90 percent of the black bass population. The average spot will be 10-12 inches in 2008, while older fish will measure out in the high teens and low twenties. The less abundant largemouth bass will typically weigh in at around 1.25 lbs, but a few more over 5 pounds may be caught in 2008. Target largemouth in the Little River and Etowah arms of the reservoir, as this is where the best largemouth habitat exists. You also may find largemouth in the 400+shoreline trees toppled into the lake last year for fish habitat - a program that will continue in 2008. Spotted bass tend to remain in deeper habitats than largemouth. Drop shot and spooning are both good ways to target these fish. Anglers should try both techniques in and around the 36+ deepwater locations that WRD and COE has placed in the reservoir. 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 at www.gofishgeorgia.com . In April 2007, WRD tagged spotted bass to gather information on their abundance, survival and angler harvest rates in Allatoona. Anglers catching a tagged fish in 2008 should snip the tag off close to where it enters the fish and call the number on the tag. Callers will be asked for their 1) name, address and phone number; 2) date of catch and general location of catch, and 3) whether the tagged fish was released or taken home. Anglers also can mail or bring tag and information to the WRD Calhoun (706-624-1161) Fisheries Management Office. Anglers can expect crappie fishing to be consistent with years past. The average crappie should be around 10 inches and weigh about 0.5 lb., though larger crappie tipping the scales over 1 pound will be caught. Most crappie anglers focus their efforts during the spring spawn, when the fish concentrate 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 the Kellogg, Illinois, and Stamp Creek areas of the lake. During the summer months, crappie will concentrate in deeper water, 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 angler's best chance at consistently boating finicky summer crappie. As summer gives way to cooler fall and winter temperatures, crappie will begin feeding more actively. Target these fish near old river channel edges found in many of Allatoona's coves.

WRD annually stocks striped bass in Allatoona at a rate of 2.5 fish per surface acre. Severe drought conditions last summer may have reduced the number of large stripers that will be caught in Allatoona this year. On the plus side, additional striper fingerling stocking last year has created an abundance of young stripers in the reservoir for 2008. Overall 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 lbs.) will be found in the main lake, but larger linesides will likely migrate far up the Etowah River seeking coolwater 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 during this time of year. 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 stocking rates of hybrid striped bass by WRD in recent years continues to be successful! Based on sample data, hybrid abundance in Allatoona continue to remain high, rivaling some of Georgia's best-known hybrid lakes. The average hybrid will be in the 2 lbs. range this year but plenty of 5-8 lbs. fish also will be caught. Hybrids can be caught year-round, but summer is best for boating large numbers. Regardless of season, anglers seeking these hard fighters must locate their primary food source, shad. Using depth finders, locate schools of shad while keeping a sharp eye open for schooling hybrids "boiling" the water's surface as they feed on shad in the morning and early evening. White spinners, spoons and crankbaits will produce summer fish, but serious hybrid fisherman will slow troll with 4-6 inch live shad on simple free-line or down-line rigs. In the winter months live shad will continue to be effective, but anglers wishing to use artificials can try trolling umbrella rigs or vertical jigging with spoons. In terms of location, the mile of lake above and below the popular Galt's Ferry boat ramp is a year-round hotspot for Allatoona hybrids.
Bluegill, redbreast sunfish and redear sunfish are all present in Allatoona. Bluegill are the dominant sunfish species. However, they typically average 5 inches in length and few individuals over 7 inches are present. Anglers are encouraged to harvest bluegill to increase growth rates of those remaining. Redear are less abundant than bluegills, but tend to be larger. Redear will speckle the bottom of shallow coves with their nests from early to mid-summer. These nests can be fiercely defended by hand size males that don't think twice about jumping on a lure or bait passing close by.
Channel and flathead catfish are available. While channel catfish are more abundant, flatheads tend to grow to a much larger size. Pursue channels and flatheads on the rocky bedrock banks in the Etowah River arm using chicken livers and live bait fished on the bottom. The numerous rip-rapped shoreline banks are also good areas to hunt big Allatoona catfish.
Carp are numerous, widely distributed and grow to moderately large sizes. They are typically found cruising shallow flats and in the backs of coves, especially around submerged timber. Carp are strong fighters and will give a worthwhile battle to those pursuing them. Gar 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 just below a bobber to sight fishing with hook-less minnow type lures made from frayed rope sections. Such lures rely on the gar's numerous pointed teeth to become entangled in the frayed strands of rope during the strike.

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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. As a result, the fish populations and fishery are riverine in nature. 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 2008, with the average hybrid weighing about 3 lbs, but some fish weighing 5 lbs. or better. 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 land few of these hard fighting fish. However the chance to catch the occasional fish up to 20 lbs. may be worth the effort. Georgia fisheries biologists observed larger stripers last year than normal, with fish averaging 5-10 lbs.. The use of heavy tackle (20 lbs. line) will increase your chances of landing the rare trophy striped bass. At Andrews Lock and Dam, bank anglers can gain access to the tailrace on the Alabama side and boats can be launched at the Corps of Engineers 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 opportunities for catching 4-6 lbs. 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 is typically only fair. However, anglers who are patient, and are willing to learn the lake, can be rewarded with some good fishing. Catfish anglers may be surprised at the quality of fish in Lake Andrews. A recent survey on the lake revealed good numbers of flathead catfish over 10 lbs. throughout the lake. Fishing at night in the summer can provide an excellent opportunity to catch large, 4-6 lbs. 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 40 lbs. have been caught in the area below the Walter F. George and Andrews dams, and large flathead catfish can be found below both dams. The state record blue catfish, 67 lbs. 8 oz., was caught below Andrews Lock and Dam in 2006.
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 Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) facility at Idle Hour Park has a boat ramp, paved parking, a restroom facility, and is open year-round. 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). Chambley's (334-768-2662) also is a good source for current fishing information. Generating schedules and lake level information is available by calling 706-317-6000. Anglers also can note that the recent drought conditions have had little

effect on Bartlett's Ferry lake levels. Largemouth bass abundance is steady with spotted bass
increasing in abundance. About half of the largemouth bass population is greater than 12 inches, and about 25 percent are greater than 15 inches. The largemouth anglers' catch should weigh 1-1 lbs. Boat docks and fishing piers are favorite areas, 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 GPC's Blanton Creek 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 a minimum size restriction on Bartlett's Ferry. Look for the average-sized spot to be about 7 - 8 inches and weigh about 3/4lb. These spots tend to bite during the same time as largemouth, if not a little earlier in the spring. 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 7 inches or under and weigh 2-4 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 is good, as it has been for several years, even though this species has not been stocked since 1995. Most hybrids probably traveled downstream from West Point Lake where stockings still occur. A few notable catches include trophy-sized hybrids up to 14 lbs. Most catches will average 1-2 1/4 lbs., with a few larger 7-10 lbs. fish available. Hybrids generally can be found below the Riverview dam area, also referred to as Crow Hop, and should provide good fishing action during normal flows. The few white bass that may be caught will average 1 lb. or better.
Striped bass have been stocked annually since 1992 to support the Gulf-race recovery in the Apalachicola River System. WRD observations indicate that most striped bass are exceeding lengths measured for hybrids and are more abundant. Experienced anglers are currently taking a few striped bass weighing up to 25 lbs. or larger. Look for the abundance of trophy-sized fish to increase in a few years as striped bass continue to 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 spring spawning runs. During summer and fall, hybrids and stripers can be taken lakewide as they school after young-of-the-year shad near the surface. Favorite baits are spoons and popping corks with trailing jigs. Fishing for stripers and hybrids is also good immediately below Riverview and Crow Hop Dams during periods of power generation at West Point. Bucktail jigs are particularly effective lures for these footballs.
Crappie enthusiasts will not be disappointed at Bartlett's Ferry. Crappie are abundant and at least 50 percent or more are 10-14 inches. In most years, the average-sized crappie will vary from to almost a pound. However, larger slabs are abundant. The best chance for a heavy stringer of crappie is usually early February through April. Try your luck at the six WRD fish attractors. Maps showing attractor locations are available at WRD offices. In addition, WRD and GPC personnel recently planted hundreds of cypress and Tupelo (Black Gum) trees around the lower end of the lake. Look for these trees to grow in the next few years and provide fish habitat as well as marking shallow water areas for boaters.
Fishing for catfish on Bartlett's Ferry is good to excellent during any time of the year. Channel catfish are the favorite species, but white catfish are also abundant. Channel catfish up to 8-12 lbs. are possible, but individuals averaging 1-2 1/2 lbs. are most common.

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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. Fish ranging from 12-16 inches dominate Blackshear's bass population. Overall bass numbers were up from 2006, with the second highest number of fish 15-20 inches that have been sampled since 1991. In fact, 2006 produced the Blackshear lake record largemouth, weighing almost 11 pounds 8 ounces! Although overall catch rates can be fairly low, only Lake Seminole ranked better than Blackshear in 2005 for the amount of time it took tournament anglers to catch a 5pound bass and in the average size of largest bass weighed in. Anglers should keep in mind that Lake Blackshear has a 14inch 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 cypress 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. Numbers of crappie greater than 8 inches may be lower in Blackshear this year; however, the 2007 gill net sample revealed good numbers of fish over 10 inches. Anglers can expect to catch good numbers of to 1-pound fish, with occasional fish exceeding 1 lbs. The winter of 07-08 produced one black crappie just upstream of Blackshear that was 17 5/8 inches long and weighed a whopping 3.47 pounds! 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. Spring anglers who concentrate on the numerous boat docks can find some good crappie fishing. 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 to go crappie fishing. Blackshear's hybrid bass population has improved substantially with the stocking of hybrids the past six years. The 2007 gill net sample, however, showed poor numbers of hybrids and fishing success may be slightly less than in 06. Anglers can expect some hybrids weighing over 3 pounds, but most will be in the 1-3 pound range; the average length of sampled hybrid bass was 13 inches in 2007. Gill net sampling results also indicated a good white bass population for the second year in a row. Fishing for these tasty fish should be good. The average white bass in Blackshear is slightly over 10 inches and weighs less than 1 lb, but can be easily caught by a variety of lures, especially when they school up in the late summer and fall while feeding on young gizzard and threadfin shad. They can often be found breaking the surface on a calm day. Few striped bass were sampled during 2007 and the fishing for them can be difficult in the reservoir. However, good fishing opportunities exist in Blackshear's tailrace. For reservoir fishing, 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 (May through October). Please help us in this recovery effort by not disturbing the fish while they occupy these springs. For more information on these restrictions, please see the current Sport Fishing Regulations.
The bream population remains fairly stable in Blackshear. Although bluegill fishing can be good, most fish will be 7 inches or less. Angler who can locate spawning redear sunfish 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 lbs., while the flatheads will average around 10 lbs. Channel catfish can be caught with a variety of baits, including worms or blood and cheese baits, while live baits such as small bream, shad, and suckers for flatheads. Channel catfish can be found lake wide, but anglers have had excellent success on shallow (< 10 feet) flats adjacent to creek channels. Flatheads can often be found where river and creek channels meet, and they will roam shallow areas feeding at night.
Blue Ridge The TVA operates this 3,290-acre reservoir on the Toccoa River near Blue Ridge, Georgia. 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 and even the occasional rainbow trout or yellow perch. Trout anglers can find out more about fishing the Blue Ridge Tailrace in the "2008 Georgia River Fishing Prospects". Walleye fishing is best from spring to fall on Blue Ridge. Because of the very clear water, successful walleye anglers usually fish at night. Throwing jigs and crankbaits along rocky banks, jigging spoons over deep structure, and live nightcrawlers are all good techniques. Until recently, the average Blue Ridge walleye was typically less than a pound in size, but with the illegal introduction of blueback herring sometime around the turn of the century, average walleye size has increased dramatically. In fact, this may be the year a new lake record walleye is pulled from Blue Ridge. Walleye growth has significantly increased, presumably on the wave of growing blueback herring numbers in the lake. A two-pound "glass-eye" used to be a good fish at Blue Ridge, but now it is only slightly better than average. Despite the initial benefit of the illegal blueback herring introduction, there is serious concern on what impact herring may have on the future reproductive success of the Blue Ridge walleye population. Bluebacks have been known to negatively effect walleye abundance in a number of Tennessee and North Carolina reservoirs in which they were introduced. Unlike common forage fish such as shad, blueback herring have been known to eat game fish fry and eggs. Young walleye numbers are down for a third straight year. This means that as older larger walleye die off, there are fewer young ones to replace them. Herring may therefore be a double-edged sword, offering adults a plentiful food source, but at the cost of devastating reproductive success and future walleye abundance in this reservoir. Rocky points and shoals in the upper end of the lake are typically good places to find white bass bunched up in the spring. Small jigs like "doll flies," and plastic grubs in light colors along with small, herring-imitating crankbaits fished on light spinning gear should

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be all the angler needs to get in on the spring white bass action. However, like walleye, white bass reproduction has been down since herring arrived in the lake. Therefore, these "mini-linesides" will likely be fewer in number in 2008.
Blue Ridge offers anglers one of the last remaining reservoir smallmouth bass populations in the Peach State. Smallmouth numbers have remained fair over the last few years, and these acrobatic, hard fighting fish should provide for some exciting fishing. Like walleye, "smallies" appear to have taken advantage of the new item on the menu - blueback herring. As a result, smallmouth are packing on the weight. While the typical smallmouth is around lb., a number of "bronzebacks" over 5 lbs. should be caught in 2008, and there is potential for a fish rivaling the current lake record of near 7 lbs. to be caught. Like the Blue Ridge walleye population, there is serious concern over what effect the illegal introduction of blueback herring and the competitive spotted bass may have on Georgia's last remaining smallmouth lake fishery. Outside of April and May, when smallmouth can be found on rocky points spawning, an angler's best bet for consistent smallmouth hook-ups will be locating schools of herring.
Unfortunately, spotted bass are now in Blue Ridge, probably the result of illegal stockings. Since their introduction sometime in the early 90s, anglers have steadily been catching more and more spots. Spotted bass numbers especially seem to be increasing strongly in recent years following the recent introduction of herring. This becomes a problem for smallmouth bass because spotted bass compete with, and can hybridize with, smallmouth bass, resulting in the collapse of the smallmouth fishery, as has occurred in other Georgia reservoirs. Remember, there is no size limit on spotted bass, and anglers are encouraged to harvest their limit (10) whenever possible in 2008. 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 up-river 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 1 lb., though fish over 10 lbs. are available. "Bucketmouths" appear to also be feeding on the illegally introduced blueback herring. Growth is anticipated to increase as a result and anglers may have larger than normal fish bending poles this year at Blue Ridge. However, longterm largemouth abundance may be negatively influenced by the illegal blueback herring introduction, as has occurred in other north Georgia reservoirs.
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 blow downs. The Toccoa arm of the reservoir is a favored location for these large "gills," which become concentrated during the May-July spawning period.
Cat fishing is often 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.
Beginning in 2006, WRD and TVA have placed several artificial fish attractors in the lake. Each is marked with a surface buoy and their locations can be found at www.gofishgeorgia.com . Preliminary underwater video (movie clips available at above address) assessment of these sites clearly show these structures are concentrating bait and game fish in large numbers at certain times of the year. Look for new fish attractor sites to be created in 2008.
In winter (Nov-Feb), water level drawdowns of 25 feet or more occur. While these drawdowns often lead to excellent fishing,

boat access during these periods is limited to ramps at the U.S. Forest Service's (USFS) Lakewood, Morgantown Point Recreation Areas and the Blue Ridge Marina. During extreme drawdowns, anglers should contact the USFS for information about boat ramp access.
Burton Lake Burton is a 2,775-acre reservoir that is located in the northeast Georgia mountains near Clayton, Georgia. Its scenic mountain beauty and fabulous lakeside homes are very impressive to all who visit the lake. Even more impressive to anglers is the quality spotted bass fishing. Lake Burton is home to the state record spotted bass a whopper caught in February 2005 that tipped the scales at 8 lbs. 2 oz. Last year, a handful of spotted bass were caught that came close to the record. Many of Lake Burton's experienced anglers believe there are even bigger spots in the lake and that the record will be broken in 2008. For trophy bass, February is the prime month, but getting a big fish to take a bait when the water temperature is 45oF can be a challenge that requires patience, finesse and lots of luck. During the winter months, big fish seek shelter in blown down trees. Because of the high density of shoreline homes, the water's edge is kept relatively clean of woody debris, but the area around the Highway 76 bridge is a good place to start. Pig-and-jig combinations, tube jigs, plastic worms, nightcrawlers and even minnows worked slowly through the woody debris have been effective artificial lures in the past; however, fish can be finicky this time of year so don't hesitate to experiment with different color combinations on your artificial lures. For anglers who like to catch high numbers of bass, especially on topwater, April and May are the prime months. On average, anglers can expect about one in every four spotted bass to weigh over 2 lbs., and the number of spots over 4 lbs. is at a record high level. In early spring, spots will concentrate around the outside corners of boathouses in search of suitable spawning habitat. Fishing with pearl-colored Super Flukes, Ratlin' Rogues or spinner baits around boathouses located on rocky shorelines will increase your chances of success. By June, spots will move offshore where fishing topwater lures like a Sammy, Pointer 100 or Zara Spook at dusk and dawn along points and humps are your best bets. When the sun rises well above the horizon, switch to slow, deepwater presentations in the 20 to 30-foot depth range. During the fall, spotted bass are on the prowl for blueback herring. Live baits such as crayfish, nightcrawlers and minnows work great this time of year. A wide variety of artificial lures like Super Flukes, Rattle Traps, Pointer 100s and deep-diving crankbaits worked on points can also be effective. If those baits are not working, switch to vertical jigging with spoons or fish slow-moving crayfish imitations along the bottom. Lake Burton has a second claim to fame as Georgia's only reservoir brown trout fishery. This fishery is maintained by stocking nearly 20,000 fish each fall. Brown trout grow rapidly through the winter and spring on a diet of blueback herring. In most years, trout in the 16 to 20-inch size range, weighing 1 - 3 lbs., dominate the catch. Our fisheries survey data also indicated more 6 - 8 lbs. fish in the population going into 2008. There seems to be three peaks in the fishery. First, when fish are released in November, anglers catch high number of 10-inch fish using small in-line spinners and flies around Murray Cove, Moccasin Cove and around the dam. The second peak occurs from January to March, when trout concentrate near the face of Burton Dam. Down-lining live herring or minnows are the best way to catch these fish. Trolling Pointer 100s or flat-lining herring near the mouth of the major tributary streams are also effective techniques on sunny, winter afternoons. During the winter, a number of anglers report schooling trout in the vicinity of the Highway 76 Bridge. The third and most popular peak in the trout fishery occurs from July to

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October. During the summer, coolwater habitat shrinks in Lake Burton to a relatively narrow band of water that typically spans the 30 to 60-foot depth zone. By late summer, trout will be concentrated in the lower section of the main lake from the safety marker at the mouth of Moccasin Cove to the dam. Trolling with live bait (herring or minnows), trolling spoons (Krocodile or Doctor Spoons), or shadimitating crank baits (Pointer 100s, Shad Raps, Rattle Traps) in this depth zone are successfully proven methods this time of year. However, depth and speed control are more critical than lure selection. An angler's guide to the Lake Burton trout fishery contains more detailed information about seasonal patterns and techniques of this unique fishing opportunity. It is available at no cost on the WRD website at www.gofishgeorgia.com .
Lake Burton provides fishing opportunities for other species like yellow perch, bluegill and chain pickerel. Yellow perch are fun to catch and great to eat. They can be caught during the warm months by fishing with nightcrawlers or small shiners along the bottom near weed beds at depths ranging from 15 to 25-feet. Ultralight fishing rods, light line, small hooks and a box of crickets are the items needed to catch a stringer of 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 and spinner baits. The key to catching one of these acrobatic fighters is to fish the shallow flats and visible structure thoroughly with flashy lures.
Bank fishing opportunities for the public are available at Lake Burton Fish Hatchery and Moccasin Creek State Park located on Highway 197 North. Several fishing piers provide good fishing for bluegill and redear sunfish during the summer months. Lake Burton State Fish 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 office and ask for a loaner pole. For more information about Lake Burton, visit the Georgia Power Company website at www.georgiapower.com/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). Over one-quarter million walleye fingerlings have been stocked into Carters since 2003. Persistent walleye anglers can expect the average fish to be around 2 lbs. in 2008. Among these moderately sized "glass-eyes" will be some older walleye measuring out in the mid-20's and weighing 5-8 lbs. or in some cases larger. WRD has captured and released several walleye from Carters in recent years that if caught on rod-and-reel, would have easily broke the current lake record of 8 lbs. 11oz.! 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. After the spawning run, target walleye in areas of standing main lake timber. As temperatures warm, look for walleye on deeper structure where bait fish are concentrated during summer and fall. From late fall through winter, walleye anglers should again focus their efforts on rocky points in the Coosawattee arm of the lake. Throughout the year, 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 or trout amongst schooling stripers. One of the better locations for striper activity is found in the waters immediately adjacent to the Doll Mountain boat ramp. Expect better stripers at Carters to weigh in at the 20-30 lbs. range.
Hybrid striped bass were first stocked in Carters in 2003, so this fishery is still developing. Hybrid growth over the first few years of stocking was excellent and anglers can expect some fish to be 10+ lbs. in size this year. Anglers will catch these "mini-freight trains" on artificial baits, but live trout or shad in the 3-5 inch range will likely be the ticket for consistency. Hybrids can be caught year-round, but summer fishing will likely be best. Slow trolling summer down-lines in 20-30 ft. of water should regularly put hybrids in the boat for Carters anglers.
Hybrids, like stripers, perform a double duty for Carters anglers. Directly, they offer fishermen another angling opportunity. More importantly though, Carter's striped and hybrid striped bass keep the shad population in check. By eating the larger shad most other game fish cannot get their mouth around, a "healthy" shad population is maintained. A "healthy" shad population is one with few big 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 and have better survival, providing anglers with a higher quality fishery overall.
Yellow bass are present in high number at Carters, but the species tends to be small in size. Anglers are encouraged to harvest yellow bass, as this illegal introduction directly competes with more desirable game fish.
Spotted bass abundance in Carters persists at all time highs. Anglers should expect to boat good numbers of nice spots in 2008 as growth continues to be excellent and survival of large spots remains good. Ramp closures due to drought conditions kept fishing pressure down at Carters last year. Therefore, a few larger fish than normal should be available to anglers this year. The average spot will be 12 inches and weigh around lbs., but don't let this fool you, there will be plenty of 2 lbs. spots caught in 2008, as well as some of Carters famous "magnum" spots. Five and six pound plus lunkers will certainly come to the scales this year.
In addition to spotted bass, which account for 90 percent of the black bass population, there are largemouth bass in the 7-8 lbs. range or better. These fish are typically found in the backs of coves in the tributary arms of the reservoir. Bass fishing on Carters can be a challenge for the inexperienced due to the deep water, steep banks and lack of visible cover. 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 45+ 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 downloading them at www.gofishgeorgia.com .
Though often overlooked, crappie are found in Carters. The average crappie will be about 8 inches. Anglers should focus their effort around standing timber, visible in a number of areas throughout the lake, and cover under boat docks. Crappie will suspend in these areas year round, but typically spring is best for numbers.

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Other offerings include channel catfish, flathead catfish and bluegill. Channel catfish will average around lb., and the less abundant flatheads will average a bit over 7 lbs. Rocky banks and points upriver are good locations to fish. Bluegill are abundant, although most fish will be less than 6 inches. A bucket of worms or crickets is all one should need to sample the bluegill action.
Though boat access is limited to small jon boats, the lower (re-regulation) pool at Carters offers anglers a change of scenery. Species found in this 1,030-acre 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 Carters 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 "2008 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. Fishing and boating regulations and laws of each state are not applicable lake wide but are restricted to the waters governed by each state, which means that all anglers fishing in Georgia waters must abide by Georgia's fishing regulations. 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. In 2008, anglers will have the opportunity to catch high numbers of 1 to 2 lbs. spots. As the spotted bass population increased, the abundance of larger bass over 3 lbs. has declined from record numbers observed in recent years. Spotted bass prefer the main river channel banks composed of gravel-to bouldersize rocks with cover (stumps, brush and logs) at mid and lower lake sections. Largemouth bass will account for less than 20 percent of the black bass catch this year. Best areas for largemouths are coves with structure, such as logs, brush piles and fallen trees throughout the reservoir. Artificial lures that imitate shad or herring are excellent springtime bass baits and live night crawlers, crayfish, and bait minnows are popular during fall and winter. Many other fish species are available to Chatuge anglers. White bass numbers are increasing, and anglers can expect to see an improvement in their catch of this species in 2008. Jigging with hair jigs, plastic grubs and spoons and fishing topwater lures from May through July are effective methods for white bass. Bluegill will be a consistent contributor to the sunfish catch this year. The peak time to fish for larger bream is when adult fish are spawning in relatively shallow water on sandy bottoms from June through August. Crappie occur in low numbers in Lake Chatuge, but most fish caught will average lb. this year. Minnows and minnow-tipped jigs are the most productive baits for catching crappie. The best places to fish for crappie are downed trees and in cove pockets that contain woody debris or brush. The lake also supports a good population of channel catfish that readily take cut baits and commercial catfish baits. Carp are abundant and readily take prepared catfish baits, corn and dough

balls from May through August. In 2008, WRD, U.S. Forest Service, TVA personnel and
anglers will continue to place artificial fish attractors into the lakebed. The PVC pipe and commercially constructed units, funded by TVA, will be permanent fishing spots and do not need refurbishing like Christmas trees. Information concerning the locations of these fish habitat sites, camping facilities and boat access sites can be obtained from the WRD Gainesville office (770-535-5498) and U.S. Forest Service Blairsville office (706-745-6928).
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 (GPC). Three boat ramps provide public access to the reservoir. This lake provides good fishing opportunities for anglers in the Albany area. The lake will produce fair numbers of 1-3 lbs. bass during 2008. Best areas for bass will be in the Kinchafoonee and Muckalee Creeks and the backwater sloughs off the Flint River during the spring and fall. Shoal bass, a lesser know member of the bass family, can be found in the fast-water shoal areas of the Flint River. These hard fighting fish will average 1-3 lbs. However, fish up to 6 lbs. are occasionally caught in this particular stretch of the river. A shoal bass caught in the river between Lakes Blackshear and Chehaw during the summer of 2006 was ounce less than the current state record (8 lbs., 3 oz.). Lures that imitate crayfish, a favorite food for shoal bass, and topwater lures can produce good catches of shoal bass, with mid-day a great time to target these fish. WRD personnel conducting a shoal bass tagging study within Lake Chehaw and the Flint River are encouraging anglers to return information from any tagged fish. Rewards are provided for tag returns in the fall of 2008. Fishing for catfish on Lake Chehaw should provide plenty of action this year. The average channel catfish should weigh around 2 lbs., while flathead catfish should average 5-8 lbs. 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. Channel catfish can be caught using a variety of baits, such as large worms, chicken livers and shad or mullet guts. Crappie, bluegill and redear sunfish (shellcracker) fishing will be average in 2008. 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 submerged tree stumps and standing timber can be found in the main reservoir basin. Most bluegill will be small, with an average size of less than 6 inches. However, anglers that can locate shallow water spawning beds will be rewarded with some nice catches of redear sunfish. The average redear will be around 6-8 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. Hybrid striped bass, white bass, shoal bass, largemouth bass and channel catfish are a few of the sportfish that congregate below the dam at different times during the year. Additionally, Alabama shad, a sportfish similar to the American shad have been found to congregate below Albany dam indicating recent success in passage through Lake Seminole's dam and migration up the Flint River. Flathead catfish and striped bass will provide the best chance at catching a trophy fish. Flatheads weighing 5-7 lbs. are fairly common during summer, with the occasional fish weighing over 20 lbs. These

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monster catfish are usually caught below the dam using live bluegill or shad as bait. Stripers up to 20 lbs. can be caught using live bait (shad, shiners) and artificials (bucktails, plastic jigs and crankbaits) during winter and early spring. Anglers should note that fishing for striped bass in the Flint River below Albany is closed from May 1 - October 31.
Clarks Hill Clarks Hill (J. Strom Thurmond) is Georgia's largest reservoir at 71,535 acres. This Corps of Engineers (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 great action for big fish. Clarks Hill consistently ranks near the top in Georgia for crappie fishing. Although hydrilla and blueback herring that are present in the lake impact largemouth bass behavior, there are plenty of bass to fill your cooler once you are on the right pattern. Shellcracker in the spring is a local favorite. A 2008 creel survey will focus on the impact of pumpback operations at upstream Russell Dam on fishing in Clarks Hill Lake. Crappie fishing was excellent last year and looks the same for 2008. Crappie will average lbs. with the bigger slabs going 1 to 2 lbs. 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. 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. The COE resumed reverse-flow generation at Russell Dam in September 2002. Fishing success for striped and hybrid bass below this dam, located in the uppermost section of Clarks Hill Lake, is expected to decrease, particularly at night due to increased flow and water temperature from reverse-flow generation. A wet 2005 resulted in little pumping and minimal impact on fish behavior and fishing. A dryer 2006 and 2007 resulted in substantially more pumping. Strong year classes in recent years are producing good numbers of fish. Average weights should range from 3 lbs. for hybrids to 7 lbs. 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 roostertails 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.

Results from a recent largemouth bass tagging project indicate a high release rate (63 percent) of caught bass. The high release rate combined with strong year classes 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 more 3 lbs.+ bass in the future. Bass in Clarks Hill tend to orient away from the banks more 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, Murray and Fishing creeks in the main Savannah River arm. Jigging spoons in creek channels, or where bait fish "bunch 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 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 to lb. range) and easy to catch. Try crickets, worms, grubs, spinners, flies or wasp larvae. The best areas are 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 the Broad River. Several 40 lbs.+ flathead catfish have been caught in recent years.
WRD 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.
A 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, which has been able to maintain water levels despite the recent drought. The lake has limited access with one public ramp on the Georgia side near the dam. Georgia Power is in the process of making major improvements at this site, which should be complete early in 2008. Plans include paved parking, restroom facilities and a new courtesy dock. A public ramp owned by Georgia Power is located on the Alabama side at the upper end of the lake. Information on generating schedules and lake levels are available by calling 706-3176000. The shoreline is primarily undeveloped and has little shoreline structure. The shoreline is also steep-sided and rocky and provides little woody structure. WRD maintains fish attractors to concentrate crappie and other fish. Fish attractors are marked with white buoys and their 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 2-3 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

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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 than largemouth. There are no minimum size limits for spotted bass in Goat Rock. The best months are April through June. Shoal bass are occasionally caught below Bartlett's Ferry Dam and up Mulberry Creek.
Bream fishing has historically been good on Goat Rock Lake. The most productive places are in backs of coves and sloughs. Live worms and crickets are effective for catching bluegills and shellcracker (redear) sunfish. Catches of bluegills weighing - lb. and redear from -1 lbs. are abundant. The best months are usually from April to June.
Gulf-race striped bass will be stocked into Goat Rock Lake, which already is home to a few larger striped bass including one weighing 32.6 lbs. caught in May 2001. These fish probably traveled downstream from Bartlett's Ferry where they were stocked. Indications are good that a striped bass fishery is developing and the experienced angler targeting stripers could make similar catches.
Hybrid bass stocking has been discontinued in favor of the Gulf-race striped bass stocking program in Goat Rock. However, past stockings mean there are still a few good hybrids remaining. The best time to pursue this quarry is in spring and summer during power generations. White bass are sometimes found with hybrids. The average hybrid catch will be 2-4 lbs., while the few white bass will be around 1 lb. WRD recommends fishing the tailwaters below Bartlett's Ferry Dam during power generations for success in catching both striped bass and hybrids.
Goat Rock is an excellent choice for the catfish enthusiast. Many large channel catfish up to 10 lbs. or better and white catfish up to 2 1/4 lbs. are caught throughout the year. Catches of channel catfish averaging 1-4 lbs. will be common, and white catfish will weigh in at 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 Hamburg is a 225-acre state park lake located 15 miles north of Sandersville on the Little Ogeechee River at Hamburg State Park. This little known old millpond is home to some of the finest crappie slabs in the state. The bass, jackfish and shellcracker fishing opportunities make it well worth the trip and the quiet atmosphere in Washington County makes for a fishermen's paradise. Hamburg State Park has 30 campsites, many on the banks of the lake. No jet skis are allowed, as the lake is rather stumpy. However, boats may be powered with trolling motors or outboards up to 10hp. Jon 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 or anglers may "check-out" rod and reel combos and tackle boxes at no charge (part of the states' fishing loaner tackle program). Worms are available for purchase at the park from March through October and local vendors in Sandersville and other outlying areas carry minnows and crickets. Crappie fishing is good throughout the year. Crappie will average lb. with the bigger slabs weighing in at 2 lbs. 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 state fisheries and park personnel revealed numerous quality-sized largemouth bass in the lake. A good number of 2-3 lbs. bass should be caught with several over 5 lbs. 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 they are easy to catch. The best time of the year to catch them is April through early May. Recommended baits are crickets, worms, grubs and spinners. 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 you can 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. Army Corps of Engineers (COE). Lake Hartwell's 56,000 acres are formed by the Tugaloo 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 Tugaloo River arm to shallow cove pockets and sandy flats in the middle and lower sections of the lake. Long, gradually sloping points and humps are located on most inside bends along the main channel. These points attract striped bass and hybrid bass during the cool weather months. Large expanses of submerged timber are located at the mouth of many coves and along the main river channel. Boat access is available at many locations around the shoreline at boat ramps operated by the US Army Corps of Engineers and State Parks. On the Georgia side of the lake, Tugalo and Hart State Parks also offer lodging, camping, picnicking and other recreational activities. Lake Hartwell will be the host site to the 2008 Bass Masters Classic. This superbowl of bass fishing tournaments will bring considerable attention to the reservoir during mid-February. Since its impoundment, largemouth bass dominate the black bass population, but the spotted bass population is showing signs of expansion. Spots weighing up to 3 lbs. were seen by WRD personnel during the fall. Redeye bass remain abundant on the lower half of the lake, especially on rocky shorelines such as those near the Crawfords Ferry Landing and main lake points near Long Point. Redeyes up to 2 lbs. were common in the fall. Redeyes are aggressive feeders and will readily take most artificial lures that imitate small fish or crayfish. Largemouth bass are the most sought after species by anglers fishing Lake Hartwell, and the abundance of bass is near record high levels. The strong 2003 year-class continues to exert considerable influence on the bass population. In 2008, these fish will range from 2 - 3 lbs. in weight. On the Georgia side of the lake, Lightwood Log Creek, Shoal Creek, Gum Log Creek and Eastanollee Creek typically yield the highest catch rates of bass. During the spring months, shallow water bait presentations around cover located in coves and pockets is the preferred technique. In early summer, bass key in on shad and herring on main lake humps and points. A favorite summer pattern is fishing early mornings and late afternoons with topwater baits like the Sammy, Zara Spook or Super Fluke, in clear water around 25 feet deep

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near the reef marker points on the lower half of the lake. Fishing guides often comment how bass explode to the surface from their deep-water hideouts to take these topwater baits.
Black crappie is a favorite target of Lake Hartwell anglers. The crappie population was very abundant over the last two years, but the forecast for 2008 is low numbers. WRD biologists observed similar declines in the crappie population during past drought cycles. On the positive side, the bulk of the crappie will be in the 10 to 12inch size range due to the reduced number of small fish. The areas with the largest numbers of crappie on the Georgia side of the lake include Eastanollee Creek, Gum Log Creek, Shoal Creek and Lightwood Log Creek. As the water starts to warm in late February to early March, anglers will find fish in these areas around submerged trees, bridge abutments, and old road beds in 10 to 15-feet of water. When the water temperature reaches 65oF by early April, crappie will move into 2 to 3-feet of water in the back of the cove around submerged cover. Fishing around structure and cover is critical to your success. During the fall, large numbers of crappie congregate in the submerged timber in Eastanollee Creek.
Hybrid bass and striped bass are stocked annually into Lake Hartwell and support popular fisheries. Over the last few years, WRD has strived to stock equal numbers of hybrid and striped bass in order to improve the trophy striper potential of Lake Hartwell. As a result of this effort, the abundance of striped bass in the 10 - 12 lbs. weight class is at a record high level. In WRD samples, this weight class accounted for 26 percent of the population compared to only 6 percent from the previous year. Over the next two to three years, the abundance of 20 lbs. stripers should increase dramatically. The forecast for hybrid bass indicates an influx of small fish into the population as a result of excellent stocking success last spring. Because of successful stockings over the past three years, anglers will also enjoy catching a few more hybrids in the 3 - 5 lbs. class as well.
When water temperatures range from 55 to 65o, small hybrids congregate on secondary points located in major cove arms. These small fish are easy to target during the spring and great fun for the novice angler to catch on light tackle. When water temperatures are less than 70o, anglers can usually find stripers and hybrids in or near shallow water. Anglers should take advantage of certain environmental conditions that will favor their chances of hooking into a striper or hybrid. These conditions include: Topography - fish the points and adjacent banks in major cove arms; Time the bite is best at dusk and dawn; Turbidity - stained/ muddy water attracts fish; and Wind fish will congregate along the wind blown shorelines. During the warm weather months, stripers and hybrids move downstream toward the dam to find suitable water at the right temperature and with sufficient oxygen. Down lining herring at night is the best way to catch hybrids and stripers during the heat of summer. The Striper Kings and Appalachian Striper Club are two fishing clubs that provide up to date fishing reports for Lake Hartwell on their respective websites (www.striperkings.com and www.asc.com).
For those who enjoy fishing from shore, numerous opportunities are available at the state parks and boat ramp facilities around the lake, but three or four sites are seasonal standouts. For stripers and hybrids during the summer, anglers should fish live herring or cut bait at night 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, also offers good seasonal fishing opportunities for walleye, hybrid bass, and striped bass from March through May. These same species can also be caught from the shore a little further upstream at the base of Yonah Dam. Stephens County Park, adjacent to the Highway 123 Bridge, and the face of Hartwell Dam provide good bass fishing along the rip-rap in April and

May. More information about Lake Hartwell is available at the COE website at www.sas.usace.mil/srl/recreation.htm.
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, with 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. 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 lbs. are out there. Trolling jigs above the dam, around drop-offs, points and creek channels is effective in winter and early spring for anglers seeking crappie "hot spots." Minnows and jigs fished in shallow water near brush, stumps or blow-downs 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 sate. 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 during early to midmorning. Relatively low bass fishing pressure and high numbers of large fish should yield good results. Channel catfish and bullheads are common, along with fewer numbers of flathead catfish. The average size channel catfish is 1-2 lbs., but fish exceeding 5 lbs. are abundant. Trophy-size flathead catfish of 20 lbs. or greater also are available in this lake. The former state record flathead (53 lbs.) was caught on High Falls in 1993. Try fishing deep holes and channel bends in the lower end of the lake for flatheads and channel cats. A recommended technique is drift fishing with live or cut shad. High Falls is a "sleeper" for hybrid, white and now striped bass. The untapped fishery has the potential to yield some excellent catches in both number and size of all of these species. Striped bass, now available for anglers, will average 2-4 lbs. and reach a quality size of up to 26 inches. Even though stockings of hybrids ceased in 2006, there is still good catches of this species, with 5-10 lbs. fish common and with half of them over 16 inches. White bass, usually associated with hybrids, will likely be about 2-3 lbs. If targeting white bass and hybrids, WRD recommends fishing 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. Using these same methods, anglers seeking hybrids or stripers should target Watkins Bottom. Drift fishing with live or cut shad is also a good method for big hybrids. Anglers should note that the use of blueback herring is illegal in High Falls Lake. For more information, contact High Falls State Park at 478-993-3050.

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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 this lake. 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 (770-7754753). 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) are also numerous and often much larger. Live bait such as redworms, mealworms or crickets fished just off the bottom will often result in catches of redear from 710 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 and channel catfish and bullheads are available for harvest 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 lbs. The crappie population has remained stable with most fish around 6-8 inches. Recent 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 60o F. Trolling small jigs around drop-offs, points and creek channels is effective for crappie anglers. Largemouth bass abundance and quality has changed little in recent years. The black bass populations consist of around 70 percent largemouth and 30 percent spotted bass. The average-sized largemouth bass has remained 1-1 lbs. Anglers seeking large bass (5 lbs. or better) have 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 not often targeted is the Yellow River arm. This section offers a variety of habitat for anglers seeking large bass. Early morning and night are the best times to fish during the summer. The spotted bass population is stabilizing since spots were first sampled by WRD in 1998. Spotted bass tend to be located deeper than largemouth bass. Anglers commonly catch them at depths of 2540 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 for spotted bass in Lake Jackson. Striped bass and hybrids are also available for anglers to target. Try casting bucktails or jigging spoons for hybrids and trolling creek channels for striped bass. Anglers should also target cooler water habitats around the dam or look for schools feeding on top in the spring and summer for these two species. Anglers should remember that the use of blueback herring is still illegal in Lake Jackson.
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. DNR 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 offset, to some extent, the lakes slightly lowered productivity. Smaller crowds, an undeveloped shoreline, beautiful scenery and abundant wildlife should also attract anyone interested in a quality fishing experience.
Striped bass are stocked annually at relatively low rates due to the limited food supply. 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 lbs. 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 lbs.
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 1 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 has increased gradually in recent years and now stands at about 1 lbs. However, lunker largemouth bass are often caught. The average harvested bass weighs a respectable 1 lbs. and anglers caught a number of trophy bass from 12-16 lbs. in the past. Bass usually concentrate along the edges of aquatic plant beds, but anglers should use light line in the clear water. Good catches will be made 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 largemouth baits.
The abundance of food produces only fair crappie populations, but the average size is often good. 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 6 inches, but anglers find large numbers every spring on beds in shallow, weedy areas. Fish one of these and expect to reel one in at almost every cast. Bluegill suffer from stunting and only the occasional hand-sized fish is caught. Yellow perch exist in significant numbers and offer anglers a unique opportunity for

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catching these species. Deep, clear water located near the dam offer the best habitat for this fish.
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 (770775-4753).
Lanier Lake Lanier is a 38,000-acre reservoir operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE) and located about 50 miles northeast of Atlanta. Lanier receives heavy fishing pressure due to its proximity to the large population centers around Atlanta. Spotted bass, crappie, striped bass and catfish are favorite targets of Lake Lanier anglers. Record low rainfall in 2007 drastically reduced the surface area of the lake and brought predator and prey species closer together. These "close quarters" will allow spotted bass, largemouth bass and stripers to be more effective at locating and feeding on blueback herring and threadfin shad in early 2008. These improved foraging conditions will allow predator species to improve their body condition and put on weight for the upcoming spawning season. Black bass fishing should be very good in 2008. Spotted bass are very abundant, in excellent condition, and are putting on weight from the ample supply of threadfins and bluebacks. Therefore, anglers should experience another good year catching numerous 1 - 4 lbs. spotted bass. Based on WRD sampling from 2007, the abundance of 1 to 2 lbs. largemouth bass has also improved slightly. Largemouths exceeding 5 lbs. are present, but limited in numbers. Spotted and largemouth bass can be caught on a variety of artificial lures throughout the year as well as live baits such as night crawlers, crayfish and minnows. Many Lanier anglers and fishing guides post fishing reports on the Bass Fishing Home Page (www.wmi.org/bassfish/reports/georgia/index.htm/). Consider checking internet bulletin boards like this for hot tips before coming to Lanier. Anglers fishing for crappie should experience an average year when it comes to numbers. Fish in the - lb. range will be common with a few larger fish weighing in near 1 lbs. The heaviest stringers will be produced from late February through April, when larger spawning fish are shallow. The best areas to find crappie are the upper Chattahoochee arm (Clarks Bridge to Lula Bridge), Thompson Creek and Taylor Creek. Look for downed trees in the water and use a depth finder to locate submerged structure, when fishing for Lanier slabs. Lanier anglers can expect another excellent year for striped bass. The lake supports an abundance of small stripers weighing from 2 to 10 lbs. A good supply of 10 to15 lbs. stripers will also provide plenty of action and an average number of trophy stripers (20 to 30 lbs.) are still present. Both winter (November-March) and summer (July-August) offer excellent conditions for striper fishing. Live bait (herring, shiners, bluegill, shad, and small trout), super flukes and bucktail jigs will produce the best results. Angler success during the summer months will depend on oxygen conditions at cooler depths (greater than 25 ft.), which provide the striper's habitat from July through September. An abundant supply of blueback herring, which is the preferred forage of stripers, plays a key role in maintaining a healthy population in Lanier. WRD stocked 142,000 walleye fingerlings in 2007 to boost the fishery by enhancing spawning runs up the rivers. Wahoo Creek and the upper Chattahoochee River arm of the lake are good areas to begin the hunt for Lanier walleye. Most fish caught in 2008 will be in

the 1 to 2 lbs. range, with a few fish over 2 lbs. Adult walleye are increasing in abundance, and a few larger fish can be caught in the Chattahoochee River near Belton Bridge in February and early March during spawning runs. After spawning, walleye move to the lower reservoir seeking the cool, oxygenated waters (25 to 40 ft. depths). Trolling the shoreline (spinners, crankbaits and crawler harnesses) and still fishing nightcrawlers on the bottom at depths of 15 to 40 feet is an effective method for taking walleye year-round. Check out www.walleyehunter.com for general tips on walleye fishing or the "Walleye Fishing in Georgia" guidebook that is posted on the WRD website at www.gofishgeorgia.com .
Channel catfish are numerous and average about 1 lb. Bluegill weighing - lb. can be caught on a regular basis using crickets or red wigglers fished near boathouses and around sandy bottoms from May through August. Carp are terrific fighters and fun to catch in shallow water. They readily take prepared catfish baits, corn and dough balls from May through August.
In 2007, WRD, State Parks, and COE personnel cut and anchored shoreline trees where permitted at two cove locations at the Don Carter State Park property, just below Lula Bridge. These downed shoreline trees will attract crappie, bass and other species for anglers to catch this year (if the lake returns to normal pool). Maps showing the locations of attractor sites can be obtained from the COE office at Lake Lanier (770-945-9531) and the Gainesville WRD Fisheries Management office (770-535-5498). A guide to bank fishing opportunities is also available. Some key bank fishing spots include Lanier Point Park, Thompson Creek Park, Little Hall Park and Little River Landing. Buford Dam Park and River Forks Park are two good sites that also are accessible.
Lake Lanier was nearly 20 ft. below normal pool at the beginning of 2008. The COE, with assistance from local groups, will be extending some boat ramps around Lake Lanier. For information regarding lake levels, boat ramp openings and donations to ramp extension projects, contact the COE Buford office (770-945-9531) or visit their website: http://lanier.sam.usace.army.mil/ .
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. Lake level information can be obtained from the TVA Chattanooga office at (423) 751-2264 or http://lakeinfo.tva.gov. Similar to 2007, anglers can again expect to catch fairly low numbers of largemouth bass in 2008. Your odds of catching largemouths can be increased by fishing in Ivy Log Creek, Young Cane Creek and cove pockets in the mid and upper lake sections. Spotted bass are very abundant in Lake Nottely and will average about 1 lb. in weight. 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 a variety of artificial lures that imitate blueback herring as well as on live night crawlers, crayfish and bait minnows. WRD stocked 84,000 striped bass fingerlings in Lake Nottely in 2007 in an effort to reduce blueback herring numbers. Based on population samples, striped bass weighing over 5 lbs. will make up most of the 2008 harvest. The number of fish over 20 lbs. remains low, but these trophy-size specimens, including a few fish exceeding 40 lbs., 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

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shorelines will also produce strikes. Anglers can expect to catch fewer hybrids this year due to the
low numbers of small (less than 2 lbs.) fish in the population. On a positive note, five-year-old fish stocked in 2003 are still in the population and weigh 6-9 lbs.. Surface fishing with topwater baits, bucktail jigs and small minnow-like lures is productive from May through August. Live bait fishing with 3-5 inch minnows, shad and herring in 10-20 ft. of water is effective in catching hybrids throughout the year.
Crappie fishermen should expect an average year for filling their livewells with fish weighing lb. Older, larger slabs will make up less than 10 percent of all the crappie caught this spring. March and April are the favorite months for crappie fishing, but WRD sampling showed numerous fish in fallen shoreline trees during November and December. Look for late winter and spring concentrations of fish around brush and fallen trees in 5-10 feet of water in the upper end of the reservoir.
Lake Nottely has some other offerings for the angler in 2008. Fishing for larger bream, - lb. in size is best when adult fish are on spawning beds from May through August. Try live earthworms, crickets, or small jigs. The best fishing for catfish 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 2008, WRD, U.S. Forest Service, Union County, TVA personnel and members of the Lake Nottely Association will set fish PVC fish attractors, similar to those used in 2007, at selected sites. The PVC/plastic pipe and commercially constructed units, funded by TVA, will be permanent and not need to be refurbished, like Christmas trees. Information concerning the locations of these fish habitat sites, camping facilities, and boating accesses can be obtained from the WRD Fisheries Management office in Gainesville (770-535-5498) and the U.S. Forest Service Blairsville office (706-745-6928).
Oconee Lake Oconee is located mainly in Greene County, near the towns of Madison and Greensboro. The 19,050-acre reservoir is operated by Georgia Power Company with Lake Sinclair as a pumpstorage (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 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. 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 harvest of larger bass is optional. Spinnerbaits and crankbaits fished around riprap 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 the summer. Drop shots and jighead worms on points and offshore humps has produced good catches as well.
Good numbers of harvestable-size crappie should be available again this year. For large numbers and large fish, anglers should be on the water 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 60s.
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, rooster tails, small crankbaits and curly tail grubs are the best lures for white bass on the spawning runs. Hybrids can also be caught in April and May in the middle and upper end of the reservoir around bridges and other rip rap feeding on spawning threadfin shad. Hybrid fishing was excellent in 2007 for numbers of fish, and quite a few hybrids in the 5 10 lbs. range were caught. Hybrids will often 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.
Anglers may begin to see more striped bass this year. The young stripers will likely be mixed in with hybrids and white bass. In addition to hybrids, WRD has been stocking striped bass over the last few years and some of these fish should enter angler's creels this year. If striped bass perform well in Lake Oconee, the long-range goal is to phase hybrids out of the Altamaha River basin reservoirs, which includes Lake Oconee, Lake Sinclair, Lake Jackson and several other smaller impoundments. WRD will stock a mix of stripers and hybrids again this spring.
Catfish angling is excellent on 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, 6 - 10 inch fish has declined slightly and the overall size and quality of catfish has improved. Blues and flatheads continue to expand their population, and numerous flatheads over twenty pounds have been caught in the recent past. 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 best options for this species.
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, located near the dam, has the only boat ramp on the Georgia side of the lake. This area also offers a fishing pier for public use. The area adjacent to the marina has recently been dredged providing much-needed depth to improve lake access. There is another public boat launch access area at the upper end on the Alabama side of the lake. GPC is in the process of improving access at this site. Recreational boating is heavy during the summer, but

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anglers do not usually encounter heavy boating traffic during early spring and late fall. WRD maintains three fish attractors, marked with buoys, on the lake. Maps showing fish attractor locations are available at the marina and at WRD offices. In addition, the lake has many boat docks and piers that provide good structure for concentrating fish.
WRD suggests contacting the City Marina (706-323-0316) for information on what's biting, where and with what. For additional information on lake usage-areas, 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 4-6 inches with weights of about - lbs. Live worms work best, and the backs of coves and sloughs are often the most productive sites. Redear sunfish are even larger with some reaching 1-1 1/3 lbs. Pink worms and crickets may be the best baits for these shellcrackers.
Crappie anglers have typically done well on Lake Oliver. 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 1/2 lb., with a few giants available to the dedicated angler.
Gulf-race striped bass are going to be stocked into Lake Oliver in the future. Indications are that a striped bass fishery will be in development, while a few hybrids remain from past stockings. 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 1-3 lbs., while white bass should average about 1 lb.
Three species of black bass, including largemouth, spotted and shoal bass are present. Largemouth bass is the most abundant and sought after species, followed by spotted bass. Occasionally, catches of largemouth up to 10 lbs. occur, but fish will average 1-1 lbs. Catches of spotted bass will range from 7-12 inches and average just under lb. Boat docks and fishing piers are favorite areas for largemouth and spot anglers, but do not overlook rocky points, small coves and stumpy areas. Typically, spots can be found in deeper water than largemouth. Shoal bass are caught occasionally in the tail waters below Goat Rock Dam. In addition, GPC recently improved walk-in access to the Oliver tailrace area on the North Highland impoundment. Access to the new addition is located just off the Columbus River Walk trailhead next to Oliver dam.
Rabun Lake Rabun is an 834-acre lake located a few miles downstream of Lake Burton in the northeast corner of Georgia near Clayton. This mountain reservoir is long and narrow with miles of steep, rocky shoreline. The upper two miles of the lake is relatively shallow and contains mud flats with weed beds along the river channel and long sections of blown down trees. Spotted bass, largemouth bass, bluegill, and shellcrackers are the favorite targets of local anglers. Yellow perch and walleye are also seasonally abundant. Although the numbers of largemouth bass and spotted bass are nearly equal, largemouth bass are more abundant in the upper half of the lake whereas spotted bass seem to prefer the deeper and rockier shorelines on the lower half of the lake. Anglers will find spotted bass in the 2 lbs. weight class to be fairly common this year. Unfortunately for largemouths, small fish in the 8 to 12-inch size group will be very abundant. Super Flukes are a great lure to use for both species during the spring and fall months. Unlike most clear water mountain reservoirs, many of the points on the lower end of the lake support

dense stands of submerged aquatic vegetation that rise 10-15 feet from the bottom. These areas provide the perfect retreat for bass, crappie and bream during the heat of summer.
The second key feature of Lake Rabun is walleye. WRD has stocked walleye annually into the lake since 2001. Based on fisheries surveys in 2006 and 2007, walleye were one of the most abundant sport fish in the lake. For walleye anglers new to Lake Rabun, there are three distinct seasons when walleye can be caught in good numbers. However, each season requires an entirely different approach. The first peak occurs during the spawning season in midMarch when high numbers of adult walleye migrate at night into the headwaters of Lake Rabun to spawn. Easy shoreline access is available to this area at Georgia Power's Nacoochee Park, which is located at the intersection of Low Gap Road and Seed Lake Road downstream of Nacoochee Dam. Local anglers have the best success catching walleye by casting floating Rapalas in Fire Tiger, Perch or Silver on Black patterns; light-colored twister tail grubs; or nightcrawlers across the river. Be sure to use a slow, steady retrieve. The strike is not aggressive, but it is more like steady resistance on the line. Although walleye are not known as aggressive fighters, they are known for excellence at the dinner table. The creel limit is 8 fish, and there is no size limit. In 2008, WRD biologists expect some lucky angler to catch the state record walleye. Biologists have collected record-class walleye from this area during the spring run, so it is just a matter of time before a record fish is landed.
A second peak occurs from June through September. The heat of summer forces walleye to deeper water in the lower section of the reservoir (Hall's Marina to the dam), where they feed on yellow perch and blueback herring. The key to angling success at this time of year is trolling slowly (< 1.5 mph) through large areas of prime habitat at the critical depth. In warm weather, walleye seek structure and vegetation near the bottom at depths ranging from 30 to 50-feet. WRD has saturated the cove directly across the lake from Hall's Marina with artificial structure specifically placed at the critical depth range to attract walleye. Newcomers to Lake Rabun may want to explore this "Walleye Management Area" first by bouncing nightcrawlers along the bottom in a 100-foot wide radius around the marker buoy. By far the best bait for catching walleye in the summer is nightcrawlers, but trolling herring and deep diving crank baits can also be effective at times. By October, walleye move onto shallow points at night to feed on small bluegill, yellow perch, and blueback herring. Fishing at dusk with nightcrawlers and crank baits (Shad Raps, Rattle Traps, or Pointer 100s) on gently sloping points on the lower lake is one way to catch walleye during the fall months. A walleye fishing guidebook was prepared by DNR biologists and is available at no cost on the WRD website at www.gofishgeorgia.com.
Lake Rabun is also known for good bream fishing. 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. For anglers who enjoy fishing from shore, two small public fishing piers are located at the U.S. Forest Service recreation area and campground located on the upper end of the lake. For more information about Lake Rabun, visit the Georgia Power Company website at www.georgiapower.com/lakes.
Randy Poynter Lake (formerly Black Shoals) Randy Poynter is a 650-acre reservoir constructed to meet the water needs of Rockdale County. The lake level fell due to the drought, but has risen with the rains in December 2007 and January 2008. Public access is through Black Shoals Park located about six miles north of Conyers on Black Shoals Road (off of Ga. Hwy. 20).

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The park is open six days a week, but closed on Wednesday. Hours are 7am 9pm (Daylight savings) and 7am 6pm the remainder of the year. Fees are charged to enter the park and to launch a boat. Gasoline motors are prohibited on the lake. Directions, hours, fees and other details on park operations can be obtained by calling Black Shoals Park (770-761-1611). Don't be shy about asking the staff at the gatehouse about the fishing. They are proud of their lake and want you to have a great day of fishing. The lake supports good fisheries for largemouth bass, bream, crappie, channel catfish and hybrid striped bass. Anglers will continue to experience good fishing in 2008, after excellent fishing in recent years. The fish population remains stable and in good shape.
Anglers can expect to catch nice largemouth bass again this spring. Numbers and condition have remained steady over the past four years, but over 35 percent are longer than 14 inches. The water is normally very clear at Black Shoals, so light line, careful presentations, and small, realistic lures will usually result in more strikes.
The black crappie population is in good shape with strong reproduction. Population numbers are up from 2006, so expect better catches in 2008. 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.
Anglers should expect best results for bream (bluegill and redear sunfish, sometimes called shellcrackers) during the first spawns this spring. Shellcracker normally spawn mid to late-April. Bluegills are multiple spawners, but the first spawn around late-May to earlyJune is always the best. Expect the bluegill to run fairly small. Almost one-half of the shellcrackers are longer than 6 inches with some 12 inches or more. These fish are in excellent condition, so they are fat. Around 3,700 channel catfish fingerlings were stocked by WRD in February 2006. So, look for catfish sizes to increase in 2008 as these fish continue to grow. The lake record of 43 lbs. was caught in November 2005.
WRD stocked hybrid striped bass in the spring of 2007 for the second consecutive year. By December 2007, more than 50 percent of the population was in the 15 16 inch range with some as long as 25 inches! WRD plans to stock again in 2008, so the hybrid fishing prospects look good and are getting better!
Richard B. Russell This 26,650-acre U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE) 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. These fish are in excellent condition and are putting on weight. Threadfin shad and blueback herring populations provide ample food for this expanding bass population. 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 riprap. Following the April and May spawning period (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 can also 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 in 2008 will be more numerous 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, such as Rocky River and Beaverdam Creek, are good spring hot spots for crappie.
Approximately 29,000 striped bass fingerlings (one per acre) were stocked into RBR in May 2004. This one-time experimental stocking was done to determine if a trophy striped bass fishery could be established in RBR. Time will continue to tell how this fishery will develop, but current indications are encouraging! 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 lbs. range can be located in the big water from the railroad trestle to the dam and in the headwater areas of the lake. Target stripers 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 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 2008, Lake Seminole should provide excellent fishing for largemouth bass, redear sunfish (shellcracker) and channel catfish and good fishing for crappie and bluegill. Anglers can expect to catch largemouth bass averaging around 2 lbs., with good numbers of 5-6 lbs. 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 lbs. Because of the abundance of aquatic plants in Seminole, the key to consistently catching bass is learning to fish these 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 plants. February through May are the best months for catching bass. The average size redear in Lake Seminole is less than 8 inches. However, 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 good catches. Best baits are red wrigglers and crickets. Although not as abundant, some bluegill that are up to 7 inches in length, are available in Lake Seminole. Channel catfish numbers continue to be good, and catfish anglers should be rewarded with excellent fishing. The average catfish

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caught will weigh around 2-3 lbs., but there are good chances of catching a 10 lbs. or larger catfish. 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.
Seminole is not usually noted for good hybrid bass fishing and the reservoir has not been stocked with hybrids since 2003 due to efforts to boost striped bass numbers in the ApalachicolaChattahoochee-Flint system. However, hybrids do escape from Walter F. George and Blackshear reservoirs and can be caught in Seminole. Anglers who put in the time to locate these hybrids can expect to catch fish ranging from 2-4 lbs., with some individuals weighing over 5 lbs. Despite stocking efforts, overall striped bass abundance remains fairly low and the average weight of these fish will be around 3 lbs. The best bet for catching 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 ongoing efforts to rebuild striped bass populations, fishing is closed in five springs located in Lake Seminole from May through October. For more information on these restrictions, please see the current Georgia Sport Fishing Regulations (www.gofishgeorgia.com ).
Although not usually noted for crappie fishing, Seminole can produce some good catches, especially for larger-size crappie in the winter and spring months. Anglers can expect numbers to be fair, with the average fish weighing lb., but with some fish over 2 lbs. available. Best bets are using minnows and jigs and concentrating 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 exotic plant Hydrilla continues to restrict boating and fishing access in Lake Seminole. This is most notable in late summer and fall when Hydrilla reaches the surface. At this time, the most accessible areas of the lake are along the river channels. The COE is currently 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 for 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.
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 (GPC) owns and operates the reservoir but the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) manages the fishery resources. This reservoir provides good fishing opportunities for crappie, catfish, largemouth bass, hybrids and stripers. The quality of the crappie catch in 2008 should be similar to the past several years. There will be abundant fish, but the average size will be somewhat small. Approximately 30 percent of the catch this spring will be over 8 inches in length with a fifth of the catch larger than 10 inches. A few fish will be over two pounds. A strong year class produced in 2006 should enhance the quality of the catch over the next several years. The current lake record for black crappie on Sinclair is a 2 lbs. 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 or Hal-flys is usually productive for spring-spawning crappies. When the water warms in late spring, try pitching jigs, small crank baits or fishing minnows in deeper

submerged treetops and around docks with brush. When the water really warms up in the summer, try fishing with lights under bridges, deep brush in coves or around deepwater lighted-docks at night.
Catfish are both abundant and popular on Lake Sinclair. The primary catfish species of interest is the channel catfish. However, both white catfish and bullheads are also common in the reservoir. Lake Sinclair has some of the highest catfish densities among Georgia piedmont reservoirs. Most channel catfish caught will be -1 lbs. with fair numbers up to 4 lbs. The reservoir has trophy potential with some fish in the 20-30 lbs. range. WRD research on the Sinclair indicates an expanding population of blue catfish. This species initially was detected in the lake during 2004. Anglers probably introduced the blue catfish illegally into Lake Oconee and the fish have since spread downstream into Lake Sinclair. Blue catfish have the potential to reach large sizes, in excess of 50 lbs. Anglers prize this fish in its native range due to the large sizes it can attain and high value as a food fish. Initially, most blue catfish caught in Sinclair will be of good eating size, in the -1 lbs. range. Larger numbers of 5+ lbs. pound fish will start showing up in the catch in 2008. Popular baits for blue catfish are live or cut shad.
While not typically noted as a trophy bass reservoir among bass anglers, Sinclair produces many harvestable-sized largemouth bass that are caught and released each year. This lake also hosts many bass tournaments. In fact, Sinclair ranks third only to Clarks Hill and Oconee in the number of tournaments held in the State (according to the most recent Georgia B.A.S.S. data available-2006). Largemouth fishing will be good in 2008 with the numbers of harvestable size fish similar to the last several years. The most noticeable difference will be in the early part of the year with the increased numbers of stocksize fish (<12 inches) in the catch. Excellent reproduction and recruitment in 2006 and 2007 produced large year classes that will dominate early in the year. Those fish should become harvestable around early to middle summer. Recruitment of these two large year classes to the fishery should produce quality bass fishing over the next several years! The lake record is currently a 13 lbs. 2 oz. fish caught in 1990. Studies show that over 90 percent of the bass caught on Sinclair are typically released, rather than kept.
Best fishing for largemouth bass in the early spring 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 can also 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.
Striped bass, and to a lesser extent hybrid striped bass, should provide Sinclair anglers with an added sport fish dimension. The hybrid catch this spring will be dominated by a few fish in the 2-4 lbs. range that remain from earlier stockings. A few smaller hybrids will also be present and are probably escapees from Lake Oconee. The current lake record for hybrid striped bass is a 10 lbs. 7 oz. fish caught in 1998. WRD plans to continue with the re-introduction of striped bass to better utilize larger forage species in the reservoir. This also adds a trophy potential with fish of 10-20 lbs. possible in the next several years. Striped bass were stocked in Sinclair in 2007 at the rate of 16 stripers/acre, and some of the stripers stocked in 2005 will be over 26 inches in length by the middle of this summer. The lake record for Sinclair stripers is 42 lbs. However, due to changed water

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quality conditions, WRD personnel does not expect stripers to reach this size again.
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 will generally average between 1-2 lbs. Look for hybrids, white bass and striped 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, large hybrids and stripers during 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 and stripers this 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 7 or 8 inches. Sizes of shellcrackers will be better with the average size of 7-8 inches with some individuals up to 10 inches.
Public access is readily available through four GPC and U.S. Forest Service facilities and ten privately operated lakeside marinas. Many privately owned marinas offer boating access for a fee in addition to camping, food, bait and tackle. GPC owns and operates the Sinclair Dam tailrace area, a popular area for bank anglers. This area is found immediately downstream of Sinclair Dam and is accessible from Sinclair Dam Road on the west side of the river. Amenities include a fishing platform designed for physically challenged individuals and a safety railing that extends along the west side of the tailrace for a distance of 800 feet. WRD has constructed a boat ramp (on land leased from GPC) below Sinclair Dam. This ramp will allow access to a mostly untapped fishery, as it will open up motorboat fishing to the dam safety zone and downstream for approximately 1.5 miles to the first major shoal.
Fishing piers for bank fishing opportunities are located at the Oconee tailrace below Wallace Dam, at Cosby's Landing in the Island Creek area in Hancock County, at the east side of Hwy. 441 just north of the Little River bridge and at the Dennis Station Access located off Twin Bridges Road. 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, location and directions to fishing piers, or other facilities, contact the GPC Land Department at 706-4858770.
WRD will continue to implement an aquatic habitat enhancement program at Lake Sinclair over the next several years. High on the list of projects is the installation of artificial material fish attractors. For many years, WRD personnel constructed fish attractors with natural materials. However, personnel realize that time, effort and cost could be better economized with the development of an artificial material fish attractor. Brush and trees tend to break down after a few years and need to be refurbished on a continual basis. However, fish attractors constructed of artificial materials can last much longer. 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. This past year, WRD constructed and installed 117 PVC "tank trap" attractors in 10-ft. lengths at five locations on Sinclair. Locations can be found at www.gofishgeorgia.com .
Another aspect of the aquatic habitat enhancement program consists of shoreline enhancement and protection through "bioengineering." Selected erodible shoreline areas will be enhanced with

native aquatic vegetation. Vegetation along the shoreline serves many useful purposes for terrestrial and aquatic organisms, such as for feeding, reproduction or cover. Young fish and their food items require abundant aquatic and semi-aquatic vegetation along the shoreline in order to thrive and even to survive. In 2007, WRD planted over 1,400 quart-size maidencane plants in suitable habitat areas in Sinclair. Once established, maidencane can grow in dense stands, which will provide spawning habitat and cover for many species of fish. In addition to maidencane, 100 experimental quartsize plantings of switchgrass and 100 gallon-size pickerelweed plants were installed.
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 WRD, GPC and Putnam County. "Dennis Station Access" initially opened for public use in 2001 with 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 has been expanded to accommodate the additional boat lanes. In 2003, the parking area was paved and accessible restroom facilities were 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. It also 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 on the upper end of the lake called the "fingers." This area is a good place to catch crappie, catfish and hybrids, particularly in the springtime. Another popular bank fishing area in the spring is the area directly below the dam where anglers can catch crappie, white bass and stripers. 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. Avoid peak boating times by going out early or late in the day. At other times of the year, Tobesofkee can be an excellent choice for largemouth bass, hybrids and crappie. This lake is a great place for serious striper, largemouth and crappie anglers, if the angler is willing to become familiar with the underwater "landscape" and are willing to fish that structure. WRD research indicates that the largemouth population should continue to be excellent. Abundance from last fall continues to remain well above the past 12-year average. Numbers and quality of harvestable fish will be similar to the previous year, with the most noticeable difference in the greater numbers of larger fish in the catch. Hybrid bass and striped bass in the 1-3 lbs. range will be common with a few "quality" striped bass of over 24 inches in the catch. Stripers initially stocked in 2005 should approach 26 inches by mid-summer. Larger-growing stripers are better able to utilize forage fish such as larger gizzard shad that are common in the reservoir. Predation on large gizzard shad by stripers should improve the forage

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dynamics in the reservoir for other predators, such as crappie or largemouth bass, by reducing the average size of the gizzard shad population.
Crappie is another popular fish species in Tobesofkee. Their numbers will be similar to the past several years with a higher average size. Fish produced in 2004 and 2005 will dominate the catch this spring, with most of the fish over 8 inches in length. Up to half of the catch may exceed 10 inches with some fish as large as 14 inches in length. The current lake record is a 2 lbs. 12 oz. crappie caught in 1995. WRD fish attractor areas constructed in 2003 and marked by white buoys present excellent crappie fishing opportunities. Each marked area contains approximately eight of these artificial material units.
Generally, Tobesofkee isn't noted as a bream lake by anglers. Bluegills, redbreast sunfish and shellcrackers (redear sunfish) are available, but their size is rather small. Bluegill will average around 46 inches with some individuals up to 7 inches. Redbreast sunfish will average around 5-6 inches with some fish up to 7 inches. Shellcrackers will average around 6-8 inches with some individuals up to 9 inches.
Channel catfish abundance and quality will be similar to the last several years. The majority of fish will be in the to 1 lbs. range with good numbers of "quality" fish in the 5-10 lbs. range.
Chain pickerel is a species that has been increasing in abundance on this reservoir. You can catch this toothy fish on small spinners or minnows. 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 lbs. 1 oz. individual caught in 2004.
In addition to the ample angling opportunities, Tobesofkee also provides 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 600-acre lake with spectacular natural beauty and unique geologic formations. The reservoir is formed by the Tallulah and Chattooga Rivers and is situated on the Georgia- South Carolina border near the city of Clayton. The lake's canyon-like walls are an extension of Tallulah Gorge and rise nearly 1,000-feet above the surface of the water in places. The shoreline is rugged and undeveloped, with the exception of two small boat ramps. A few primitive camping sites are scattered around the lake, which are only accessible by boat. 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 horsepower limit. Lake Tugalo provides excellent fishing for largemouth bass, walleye, redbreast sunfish and white catfish. A spawning run of white bass also occurs in the headwaters each spring. Largemouth bass are very abundant in Lake Tugalo. Small fish are abundant, but the number of bass in the 2 lbs. weight class is on the rise this year. Anglers are encouraged to keep a few fish of legal size (12-inches) in order to reduce the number of smaller fish and provide better growth for the remainder. When fishing for bass on Lake Tugalo, anglers should remember the seasonal distribution patterns of largemouths to achieve the greatest success. During April and May, surface baits are very effective when fished near woody debris located in the numerous small pockets that indent the shoreline. During the heat of summer, surprisingly high numbers of bass move

into the cooler headwaters of both river arms. Anglers should try fishing the headwaters with artificial crayfish and blueback herring lures, or with live crayfish, nightcrawlers or minnows. The fall months are a time when largemouth bass gorge on blueback herring. Anglers should focus their efforts on the upper reaches of each river arm and fish around the deep water edges of blown down trees. Anglers should also keep a watchful eye for surface feeding fish in the upper reaches of the lake and cast toward breaking fish with crank baits and surface plugs.
Over the last two years, several anglers reported good catches of walleye ranging from 1 - 8 lbs. In mid-March, walleye congregate in the flowing waters of the Tallulah River below the Tallulah Falls Power Plant. Nighttime fishing below the Power Plant with nightcrawlers and floating Rapalas are the best bets this time of year. Unfortunately, this area is only accessible by boat. During the summer months, walleye congregate on the lower half of the lake at depths from 40 to 60-feet deep. Your best bet is to fish along the points in the target depth range with nightcrawlers. In the fall months, walleye move into shallow water along points on the lower half of the lake to feed on bluegill, yellow perch and blueback herring. Again, nightcrawlers and shad imitating lures are effective this time of year. Walleye have a very light bite, so anglers new to walleye fishing should remain alert to slight movements in the line, which may indicate a strike. A walleye fishing guidebook was prepared by WRD biologists and is available at no cost on the WRD website at www.gofishgeorgia.com .
Of the other fish species in Lake Tugalo, white bass, white catfish and redbreast sunfish are among the favorites of anglers. April should provide another good run of white bass into the upper reaches of both river arms of the lake. For those who enjoy cat-fishing, Lake Tugalo has an abundant white catfish population. Summertime late afternoons, when power is being generated, is the best time to catch this species. The Chattooga River arm near the South Carolina boat ramp seems to hold the greatest numbers of fish. Worms, liver, small bream and artificial catfish mixtures are the most popular baits. In addition to catfish and white bass, Lake Tugalo also 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). Casting crickets, rubber spiders or ants, and small spinners underneath overhanging limbs is the best way to take these colorful fish.
Because of Lake Tugalo's rugged terrain, bank fishing opportunities are only available at the two boat ramps. Boating access on the Georgia side of the lake 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 encouraged on this steep, rugged access road. Easier access is available a little further north on the South Carolina side of the lake. From Highway 441 in Clayton, Georgia, turn onto Highway 76 East. After crossing the Chattooga River Bridge, travel about three miles to Orchard Road. Due to road construction, Orchard Road may be detoured a couple of miles south to Damascus Church Road. Turn right onto Orchard Road (or Damascus Church Road) and proceed to the stop sign at the end of the road and turn right on to Battle Creek Road. In a couple of miles, the road forks, bear right at this intersection. 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. Don't forget to bring a camera to capture the unique natural beauty of this scenic area. For more information about Lake Tugalo, visit the Georgia Power Company website at www.georgiapower.com/lakes.

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Varner This 850-acre drinking water supply reservoir is located approximately two miles northeast of Covington, Georgia on Alcovy Road (Exit 92 off I-20). The Newton County Parks and Recreation Department manage Lake Varner and its recreational facilities. Typically the park is open daily from sunrise to sunset. A double lane boat ramp, fishing pier and bank access are 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. Fall sampling indicated that about fifty percent of the bass are fourteen inches or longer in length. Varner offers a great opportunity to catch a largemouth bass over five pounds, 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 brush piles. 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 pounds has a much better chance of reaching ten pounds than a one or two pound bass. Varner has the potential to produce many ten-pound plus bass if the quality fish are not over harvested. Varner has a reputation for producing good panfish. Crappie, redear sunfish (shellcracker), 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 during the first spawn of the season (May). Bluegill should spawn at least two more times during the summer months. Unfortunately, gizzard shad (an undesirable species) have recently become established in the lake, 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 2008, 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 at 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.
WRD research in 2007 showed good numbers of largemouth bass, which indicates good fishing for 2008. There is a 14-inch minimum size limit for largemouth bass on this lake. 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 for bass is from mid-March through May, but the warmer summer months can be productive if anglers target deeper structure along creek and river channels.
Bream fishing on Walter F. George includes bluegill and redear sunfish. Bluegill will be relatively small, averaging 4-7 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.
Overall crappie numbers were down during the 2007 gill net survey, but there were good numbers of fish 12 inches and larger. The average crappie sampled in the fall of 2007 was 10 inches, up about one-half inch from last year. Crappie should weigh around lb. this spring, with good numbers of fish up to 1 lbs. 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 from 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 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 also are accessible to anglers with physical disabilities.
Hybrid bass fishing will be good this year, with excellent numbers of larger 3-4 lbs. fish and with fish up to 8 lbs available. Shiny artificial lures that imitate shad work well. Local anglers use spoons, rooster tails, rattle traps 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 lbs., but larger fish are present. Worms and blood bait fished in 15-20 feet will produce good results for both species. While both species can be found throughout the reservoir, blues are more common in the upper end of the reservoir and large blues (up to 30 lbs.) have been caught in recent years.
Several new infestations of Hydrilla, an exotic aquatic plant, were again found in this reservoir last year despite efforts to treat it.

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Anglers can help prevent the spread of this, 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 this and other Georgia reservoirs. To

combat the increasing spread of hydrilla, the COE released 13,440

vegetation consuming grass carp into Walter F. George. More

information

can

be

found

at:

http://www.sam.usace.army.mil/op/rec/wfg/News_Releases/FONSI

-signed.pdf .

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. A "Guide to Fishing the Coosa River" in PDF format (645 kB) contains access and fishing tip information and a color map with river-mile designations. The map can be obtained at www.gofishgeorgia.com . Boaters unfamiliar with the area should use caution when navigating outside of the main river channel. Popular access points include Lock and Dam Park and the Brushy Branch boat access both operated by the Rome-Floyd County Recreation Department. Both facilities have paved ramps, courtesy docks and ample parking. The Lock and Dam Park also has bank fishing access, a bait shop, nature center, camping, picnic and restroom facilities. Lake Weiss carries the title of "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 2 lbs. are routinely caught from these waters. Trolling small jigs or live minnows on multiple rods is a favored method for locating crappie schools especially from mid-late winter. Anglers should also key in on downed shoreline trees and logjams, as crappie will congregate in these areas especially in the postspawn period. Anglers can download and print out a map of brush piles placed in the Brushy Branch area of the lake by Georgia and Alabama Power and WRD at www.gofishgeorgia.com . In late February through early April, white bass can be caught as they make their annual spawning run up the Coosa River. A better than average run of mature white bass should make for good spring fishing in 2008. The River Road boat ramp upstream to Lock and Dam Park is a prime river stretch 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 will be good in 2008, but the severe drought last summer may limit the number of larger striped bass caught this year. Spring run stripers are caught from the Lock and Dam upriver to the city of Rome. 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 Lake 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 Coosa River. From mid-to-late winter the area between Brushy Branch and

the main body of Lake Weiss are good places to find some winter 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 lbs., with larger individuals topping the 7-8 lbs. 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. Such stump-laden areas like Kings Creek and Mt. Hope Creek 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 are generally a little smaller on the average than largemouth. Spots over 4 lbs. are available to anglers fishing bluff banks and creek mouths along the Coosa River above Brushy Branch.
Blue, channel and flathead catfish of all sizes are abundant. The larger blue catfish can top the 50 lbs. range in the riverine portion of the lake. Fish for these whiskered behemoths in and around log jams and undercut banks 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 and redear sunfish round out the fishing opportunity in the Georgia portion of Lake Weiss.
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 restock lake sturgeon in an effort to re-establish this native fish. Since their first stocking in 2002 more than 67,000 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 reestablish 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 includes 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 the Calhoun WRD office (706-624-1161) to report the location from which the sturgeon was caught. 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 sturgeon'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. The recent drought has reduced water levels well below average making some boat ramps inaccessible. Anglers should contact the COE office at 706-645-2937 with any questions on current open ramps. Excellent facilities, close proximity to Atlanta and a special

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regulation on largemouth bass contribute to the popularity of this reservoir. The 14-inch minimum size limit on largemouth bass and an abundant spotted bass population combine to consistently produce quality bass angling. Total black bass abundance is typically somewhat higher than that of other middle Georgia reservoirs. The population continues to maintain a healthy overall condition. Over 35 percent of the largemouth bass population is within the preferred 15-20 inch category with an average weight of about 1 lbs. 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. Blowdowns are another popular largemouth hiding spot in the warmer months. 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 around 50 - 60 percent of the total black bass population. However, the two species seem to have reached equilibrium in the last couple of years. Most spotted bass are presently in the 6 - 12 inch range. Remember that there is no size limit on spotted bass on this lake 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 2008 should be no exception. About 20 percent of the population is between 9-12 inches and over 20 percent are in the 8-9 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. Crappies are also 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 2008, and the typical fish will weigh 1 lbs. 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.
Gulf-race striped bass were last stocked into West Point Lake in 2004. A few larger striped bass in the 20 lbs. range have been caught in the past years. Because of the limited natural reproduction, total striped bass numbers have declined in recent years. These numbers should increase greatly with the revitalization of the striperstocking program. Many 12-inch+ stripers are being caught and sizes should only increase as the smaller fish grow. The white bass population has declined slightly due to the relatively weak classes produced in the last several years. Over 25 percent of the population is currently 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 15-24 inch quality-sized fish. As on most large reservoirs, bream are overpopulated and few reach catchable size. Average length for bluegill is about 4 to 6 inches and the less abundant redear (shellcracker) average 7-8 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 and cypress trees at several locations. Since the late 1980s, larger cypress trees have been planted on shoals and other high points to serve as markers and provide fish habitat. A limited number of larger

cypress trees were planted in coves with additional plantings planned for the future. These plants should provide benefits to the lake in the years to come. In addition, night fisherman will be pleased to know, the COE has installed flashing lights on the main channel buoys.
The COE continues to replace the triangular wooden shoal markers with 6-inch PVC shell markers to improve visibility and safety. It should be noted that a permit is no longer required to construct fish shelters on West Point using Christmas trees, but the COE Project Manager Office (706-645-2937) should 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 undertook 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. The 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 in these areas for years to come.

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