Lake Lanier’s water level is 1,070.10. The main lake is slightly stained down lake and stained up lake. The surface is thick with pollen in the pockets. The creeks and rivers are slightly stained in the mouths and stained in the backs.
Lake surface temperatures are right around the low 60’s. The creeks are in the low to mid 60’s. The Chattahoochee River below Buford Dam is clear. Check generation schedules before heading out to the river at 770-945-1466.
Bass fishing has been good and they are feeding heavily for the spawning season. Not much has changed from last week except that the fish have become easier to entice with your lures or live bait. It pays to find and fish the warmest water you can find.
We caught bass on just about every types of lures in the tackle box. The dock fishing pattern has been very good and we are starting to see some very large schools of spotted bass moving up into the docks in shallow pockets. These fish will get up under the dock floats and suspend.
The most effective lures for catching these fish has been a jerk bait on sunny days, spinner baits on cloudy days and shallow running crank baits all day long. The pattern has been to pick a lure that runs just even with the bottom of the dock floats. Cast your lures and retrieve them at a medium speed next to the side or right out in front of docks. Impart an occasional stop and go or a jerk and stop retrieve.
If bass seem to be finicky, then try throwing shaky heads and jigs around any clay banks that lead into the shallow coves. Skip these same lures around docks. If the fish seem to be more active, try cranking a Scrounger with a Big Bites Cane Thumper.
We have continued to have some awesome fishing by going out right at sundown and fishing until midnight. A SPRO McStick, Rattle Trap or a RkCrawler are all great choice for catching these nocturnal bass.
Striper fishing has been good and, just like the bass, several patterns have been producing well. Use your electronics and find the large bait school and spaghetti lines that indicate stripers below the boat.
The exciting news is that we have seen some top water activity this past week. When the stripers are near the surface you can coax a bite with a wake bait like a Redfin. They will also hit walking lures like a bone-colored Spook or Vixen. One lure that I have had great success with schooling fish is a SPRO McStick 115 or other types of lures that looks like a blueback herring.
The stripers are also being caught on the same patterns as in past weeks. Flat lines, planner board, down lines and trolling umbrella rigs will all work well right now when you find the fish. Always keep a casting lure handy in case the stripers appear on the surface.
The night bite is still happening but it has been a little more hit and miss than in past weeks. Cast Bomber Long A’s, McSticks or swimbaits for these nocturnal feeders.
Crappie fishing remains very good.
Shooting docks or fishing minnows below a float are both productive methods right now.
Trout Fishing: As mentioned last week the DNR is stocking trout in the rivers and streams. These newly released fish are suckers for just about any small lure or bait. Just make sure that the waters you are fishing allow live bait as many places are artificial only.
Bank Fishing: Now is a great time to take the family to the lake to do some shore line crappie fishing. Target areas towards the backs of the coves that have sunken brush or lay downs. Bridges that run over the creeks are also great places to try.