July 18, 2025 – Georgia Wildlife Blog

It’s no news that it is HOT out there. Plan your fishing days accordingly, especially if taking the kids along. Early in the morning, late afternoon and evening trips are potentially best. And bring plenty of water (maybe add some electrolytes) in the cooler. 

One way to beat the heat is to go night fishing. Ten of Georgia’s 11 public fishing areas are open 24/7, making them available for your night fishing adventures! 

NEWS TO KNOW

• Hunting & Fishing Night + Braves Game! On Saturday, August 23, baseball meets the great outdoors at Hunting & Fishing Night at Truist Park. Join Georgia DNR in The Battery Atlanta for a night with the Braves! Get tickets at gofevo.com/event/Huntingfishing25.
• Fisheries Biologist as Movie Stars? Not quite yet, but several members of our Fisheries team were filmed this week as part of a special project by the American Fisheries Society. We can’t wait to see how it turns out!

This week, we have fishing reports from Southwest, North, Central,  and Southeast Georgia. Fish early or fish late, but whenever you go, be sure that you Go Fish Georgia!

(Fishing report courtesy of Caroline Cox, Fisheries Biologist with the Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division, with help from Region Staff and Local Experts) 

LAKE SEMINOLE 

Bass: According to Ken Sturdivant at southernfishing.com, the bass fishing top-water action should continue to be great in the mornings/evenings and on cloudy days. Buzz baits and frogs worked over the grass lines should continue to get results. When fishing a frog, use a high-speed reel and 50 to 65-pound braided line. For buzz baits on sunny days, a silver blade and white skirt will work, but on cloudy days, stick with all black. Cortland Master Braid is a favorite for any cover. It has great cast ability and is strong enough to get the big bass out of the heaviest cover. Flipping is a great all-day tactic with the heavy braided lines and Zoom Ol Monster grape worm and a large jig and trailer. Many anglers will use an 8-foot rod with a lot of backbone and 65-pound Cortland Master Braid because of its low stretch, strength and durability.

Bream: Captain Paul Tyre reports that for the panfish enthusiasts, the mayflies have been hatching, and the bream/bluegill are feeding on them heavily. Crickets are producing the best. Bream are still bedding and can be found on the shallow sandbars in 3 to 5 feet of water.

Catfish: If someone asks if you are coming to the local fish fry – your answers is always “yes.” Especially when that fish fry is serving up catfish. Want to contribute to the meal? Catfishing provides great opportunities for new and experienced anglers.

“Angling for catfish is an activity that requires relatively simple gear and is a great way to introduce someone new to fishing, especially kids, so it’s a perfect opportunity to get everyone outside during the summer,” says Scott Robinson, WRD Fisheries Management Chief. 

Georgia’s public waterways are home to several species of catfish, including channel, white, blue, flathead, and bullheads (yellow, brown, snail, spotted, and flat). Larger species, like blue and flathead catfish, can even exceed 50 pounds! 

What to Use: 

• Use 8- to 14-pound test line and medium-sized hooks (size 2 to 1/0) under a bobber or fished on the bottom when targeting channel and white catfish. Best baits include worms, liver, live minnows, shrimp, cut bait, and stink bait.
• For large blue or flathead catfish, heavy tackle is a must — large spinning or casting gear with 20- to 50-pound test braid or monofilament line, large hooks (3/0 to 8/0), and heavy weights (1–5 oz) to keep bait on the bottom. Flatheads prefer live or freshly killed fish, while freshly caught gizzard shad is ideal for blue catfish.
• Other effective catfishing methods include trotlines, limb lines, and jug-lines. Regulation details on these methods are available in the Georgia Sportfishing Regulations Book at georgiawildlife.com/regulations.

Where to Look: 

• Target rocky shorelines, rip-rap areas, points, and outside bends of rivers or submerged river channels. Catfish often stay in deeper “holes” during the day and move into shallow areas at night to feed. When fishing rivers, look for deep holes with rocky or woody cover during the day and focus on shallow sandbars, flats, and shoals near these holes at dawn, dusk, and nighttime. Flatheads especially favor downed trees and structure on outside bends.
• Georgia’s Public Fishing Areas (com/allpfas) are great places to target catfish, especially as most of them are open 24 hours a day year-round. 

When to Go: 

• Although catfish can be caught throughout the day, the best summer fishing is typically at dusk and into the night. Catfish bite year-round, but the peak action occurs from early spring through summer. Be prepared to move if you don’t get a bite within 30 minutes.

LAKE BLACKSHEAR Photo Credit: Flint River Outdoors, LLC

The heat index this week has been over 100F, so please be careful of heat related injuries if you spend a long time outside. Bring lots of water to stay hydrated and if you start feeling too hot find shade or move inside. If you brave the heat to fish, you can find the crappies have some good bites in the morning from 7-10am if you can locate them. The main catch is going to be bream and catfish during this time of year though. You can catch both of those using crickets and worms. Also, you can have a good time by using a fly rod if you see the mayflies out over the lake. If you need any of this bait, stop by Flint River Outdoors.

LAKE WALTER F. GEORGE

According to Ken Sturdivant at southernfishing.com, bass fishing is good. Anglers can enjoy an early top water bite and then they can move out to deep structure to get bites. There have been good catches of Eufaula bass on frogs and buzz baits. The best part of the action is early, but some will hang with the shallow bite throughout the day around lily pads. This lake’s summer bite has evolved with more bass staying in thick pads and grass. Deep-water anglers are finding and targeting schools of bass on the ledges. Anglers are using jigs, swimbaits, and plastics of all varieties and of course big deep diving crankbaits especially when there is current. Rat L Trap has a new MR6 crank bait that’s already making waves. New colors are attracting anglers and bass. If you like to fish deep the lake will pretty much stay the same for the next couple weeks. The morning frog bite has been really good. Fishing crank baits on the drops near any cover, is also catching nice bass. Slow is the answer to a good stringer of bass. For deep fishing use the deeper crankbaits to stay in the strike zone longer. Also use the Carolina rig and dredge it as slow as you can. Pumpkinseed Zoom lizards are the best color. 

USACE Safety Tips – Water Skiing Hand Signals: Getting somebody new up on the water!? Be sure the person(s) being towed, and all those watching them, know these communication hand signals. It’s the watcher’s responsibility to convey messages to the boat operator so they know what to do. And, as always, wear a life jacket! 

BIG LAZER PUBLIC FISHING AREA

*We are looking for a certified lake record Largemouth Bass.  Check out the information we have available at the sign-in kiosk.  The fish should be either 26” long or over 10 lb to qualify, good luck!  

Bass fishing has been slowed by high summer temperatures.  Try locating bass in 3 to 8 feet of water.  During the middle (hottest) part of the day, fish for bass in and around heavy cover, like the standing timber near the island. It is common for bream to be close-in to the banks during spawning season.  Crickets, as well as pink and red worms are excellent live bait for bream.

(Fishing Report courtesy of John Damer, Fisheries Biologist with the Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division, with help from regional biologists and local experts) 

RESERVOIR REPORT

Carters Lake Striper Report: (This report courtesy of Eric Crowley, Lake and Stream Guide Service) — Temp 87. Level full. Clarity 10ft. Cool mornings and afternoon thunderstorms every day are a surefire sign we are deep into summer. This holds true for the fish as well. Fish deep or go home has been the motor for about 2 weeks. 50 ft is where the life starts. There will always be some exceptions, but the majority of your bigger fish are going to be 50 ft or deeper. The stripers are working the creek mouths and the open water where this year’s fry bait is schooled up swimming for its life. Get to the lake early, get the Hydroglow in the water and catch some Fresh alewives. The bigger the better. The big baits staggered from 35 to 55 ft has been our standard set up. With the fish being a bit skiddish at times long leaders of 12lb flouro and small circle hooks are the way to get bit right now. Worley Creek, Fisher Creek, and the area around the dam are all holding catchable fish. After the bait slows throw the trolling gear out and cover water. Capt Macks Urigs, buck tails, diving lures, anything you can get deep really will draw the attention of hungry striped bass.

Carters Lake Walleye Report: (This report courtesy of Eric Crowley, Lake and Stream Guide Service) — The walleye are definitely deep, depending on where you’re fishing. 50, 60, 70 ft and beyond at times. Live bait or jigs or a combination of both is a great way to present offerings at these depths. Boat control and good electronics are key here as the fish are not going to go far after a bait. Main lake humps, big points, and the lower stretch of the main river are the target zones right now. “Hit em in the face” holds true this month as well. We have been seeing some really nice walleye in the past couple weeks in the 24 to 26″ range fishing deep and the deep pattern will continue until turnover. 

Blue Ridge Lake Walleye Report: (This report courtesy of Eric Crowley, Lake and Stream Guide Service) — Temp 85. Level full. Clarity 18ft. Despite parking problems and boat traffic the lake is fishing really good. This popular recreation lake can be crowded and frustrating on the weekends during summer, but if you start early or can fish during the week it’s a lot of fun. The walleye are on structure from point 6 to the dam. Points 1, 2, and 10 have been the best. The fish are spread out, some deep, some shallow, some suspended as usual, but they are definitely there and definitely feeding. Trolling crank baits, jigging spoons, or live bait are all great options right now and usually all 3 come into play at some point during the day. The fish are in smaller schools of 3 to 10 fish cruising the structure. Try to identify them on the sonar then decide what presentation to go with. We have seen some of the best-looking walleyes ever this year. Thick and heavy like we typically see at Carters Lake. The bait population is rebounding, and the ever-hungry walleye population is taking advantage of it.

Blue Ridge Lake Trout and Smallmouth Report: (This report courtesy of Eric Crowley, Lake and Stream Guide Service) — The trout bite has been on and off all summer. One day they are eating trolling gear, the next day only bait. Makes it tough to pattern them at times. One thing is for sure they are around the giant schools of baby herring on the surface. Smallmouth report! We’re up to 6 fish so far this year. Not looking great despite DNRs continued effort to restock the native bronzebacks. The (Alabama) spots have won the battle.

Lake Allatoona Bass Report: (This report courtesy of Ken Sturdivant, www.southernfishing.com) — Lake Allatoona is full, and in the 80s. Bass fishing is good. The fish are suspended in 12 to 16 feet of water and are holding in the middle of the creeks and on the main lake river channels. Sixes, Abercrombie and Downing are good places to look for these fish early with a 1/2-ounce spinnerbait like the Strike King Quad Shad with chrome blades and white skirt. This bait looks like a school of shad and should be fished not on the bank but cast and retrieve it in the middle of the creeks. Mid to late morning change up to a #4 or #5 Shad Rap in Tennessee shad or fire tiger colors fished in the same areas. The Creeks from the Etowah Yacht Club north are producing best for the largemouth with the exception of Kellogg Creek, (it is loaded with Stripers). Day time fishing is fair and there are fish on points mid-way back in McKaskey Creek. Cast the small Zoom finesse worms in Limeaide or baby bass on a super light 1/16-ounce weight on the Texas rig and brass and glass.

Lake Allatoona Multi-Species Report: (This report courtesy of Joseph Martinelli, Heron Outdoor Adventures) — They chewing. Let’s go fishing!!  Lake Allatoona is giving up the goods on these summer days. There’s been a great bite for hybrids and stripers early morning off the points and channel edges. Great fish being caught later in the day over the channel once you find the eight balls. And the fish are starting to move into the flats at night!  Everything’s chewing – spotted bass, catfish starting to spawn, and pretty much every species is hungry on most given mornings.  Reservoir is rich with multi-species catches from Little River South to Victoria and Kellogg, from Galts Ferry back to clear Creek and even from the dam in south down into the major creeks of Allatoona, Clark and Tanyard. It’s almost a can’t miss unless you’re not out there.  Get you a can of worms and get out and get some fishing in!

Lake Allatoona Crappie and Bream Report: (This report courtesy of Red Rooster Custom Baits )

• Air Temp: High: 91 – Low: 72
• Wind: Light & Variable
• Lake Level: Approx. 840′
• Water Surface Temp: 88 – 90
• Water Clarity: Clear Green, Murky Green in places
• Area Fished: Kellogg Creek, Victoria Area, S-Turns & Little River Areas
• Jigs Used: Motor Oil Red – Dagger, UV Shad – Dagger, Watermelon Ghost – Dagger
• Technique: Casting & Spider Rigging

The summer heat is setting in and that means the fish are going deeper in search of optimum oxygen levels all over the lake. We are seeing the thermocline setting up around 20′. The thermocline is key this time of year because there won’t be any fish below the thermocline so your target depth should be 20′ and up. There are a lot of great videos on the internet in regard to understanding the thermocline and how to find it. The morning hours between 0600 – 1030 are the best times to be on the lake to avoid boat traffic and for the early morning bite. The crappie will be most active first thing in the morning that’s just the way it is this time of year. You can still catch fish in the evening and at night but if you want the best chance you have to do it early.

Crappie: As stated in previous reports, the summer report will be very repetitive between now and September/October…it’s summer and the crappie will be in their deep water hangouts. Keep an eye on your side scan and down scan when you are riding around the lake. We are seeing some roaming crappie in large schools. If you happen to find a school you need to mark it and fish that area as crappie are roaming around looking for prime water that has the best oxygen. Hint: The best oxygen in the lake will be in and around the river channel and creek channels. The crappie will also be found on structure anywhere from 16′ to 22′ deep and they are typically suspended above the structure in 10′ – 16′ (Just above the Thermocline). You can also find crappie on deep water docks, when we say deep water docks, we are talking about docks that sit in at least 20′ of water. If you are shooting docks, we recommend a 1/32nd oz. jig head for a slow fall. Let it sink for about 10 – 15 seconds and then slowly start reeling to the boat. If you are casting to structure you want to use a 1/16th or 3/32nd oz. jig head and let them fall down in and around the structure, count down to 10 and slowly reel your jig back to the boat. Counting to 10 using a 1/16th oz. jig head should put your jig in the 10′ – 12′ range. When the bite slows down, switch to spider rigging minnows in and around structure to finish out the trip. If you are throwing jigs make sure to use natural color jigs like a Red Rooster Dagger in UV Shad, Gray Ghost, Watermelon Ghost or Motor Oil Red. These are great colors and sizes to start with first thing in the morning. This time of year, we start downsizing our jigs to the 1.5″ Red Rooster Dagger. The crappie start getting real finicky if the jigs are larger. The small profile matches the smaller baitfish perfectly and are our number one jigs of choice for the summertime. If you are Spider Rigging, set the minnow at different depths until they start biting. We usually have 2 rods set at 8′, 2 rods at 10′ and 2 rods at 12′.

Bluegill: The bluegill should be in the shallows in the early morning and then moving a little deeper to 4′ to 8′ in the afternoon/evening. We are catching bluegill using nightcrawlers, red wigglers or crickets. Use a #4 – #6 gold Aberdeen hook with 4 – 6 lb. test fishing line and a bobber set about 8″ – 12″ above your cricket or worm in the morning and then changing the bobber depth as it gets later in the day to pick up some deeper bluegill.

Shellcracker (Redear sunfish): The Shellcracker bite has slowed down quite a bit as the water temps have risen. We are not finding as many as we did a few weeks back. Also, the catfish are real aggressive right now and are eating up our worms! The shellcracker in 10′ – 12′ of water around points and rocky humps but so are the catfish so if you like shellcracker and catfish it is your lucky time of the year! The rig we use for shellcracker is a #2 hook on 4 – 6 lb. test fishing line and a #5 clam shell split shot pinched on the line about 12″ – 18″ above the hook. The bait of choice is either a red wiggler or nightcrawler…they will eat either one!

Lake Lanier Bass Report: (This report courtesy of Phil Johnson, 770-366-8845 via www.southernfishing.com) — Lake Lanier is full and in the 80s. Bass fishing is good. The lake is currently about one foot over full pool and the water temperature is running in the upper eighties. Overall, the lake is clear. There are good bass to be caught right now but you will need to work and be versatile with your approach to catch them. Topwater is working early in the day and on days with wind. The Chug Bug, I Prop and Gunfish are all good choices for the topwater approach. Target structure in the twenty-five-to-thirty-five-foot range humps long points and ledges. The Fluke is another good choice for these areas, but you may need to put a stinger hook on your setup as there are a lot of short strikes happening. If the topwater bite isn’t happening approach the brush with a dropshot and work the area around the brush as well as in the brush using either a Blue Lily, Morning Dawn or Sweet Rosy dropshot worm. There are a good number of bass suspended right now so another option is the Spy Bait. Work this bait on fifteen-pound braid and an eight-pound leader to get casting ability as well as good action. Count it down to the depth of the bass and slowly retrieve it. If you want to throw a worm, target the shady areas of docks in at least fifteen feet of water with a three sixteenths Shakey head setup. The heat has pushed them to the summer locations, but they are still eating. Be careful in the heat and Go Catch ‘Em!

Lake Lanier Striper Report: (This report courtesy of Buck Cannon, Buck Tails Guide Service 404-510-1778 via www.southernfishing.com) — Stripers can be found from Flat Creek to the dam. They have started schooling near the river channel. They are currently being targeted by using the leadcore and umbrella rigs. We are using 27# leadcore with a 2-ounce jig tipped with live herring or white trailer. So, using your big motor trolling at 2.5-3.5 miles per hour and eight colors of lead core approximately 240 feet behind the boat. Umbrella rigs 130 back at the same speed and using your electronics is critical. Once you mark a group of fish put out your spread. Once you get them fired up you can go over the same area numerous times. One method to catch and release them is using the Seaqlizer that can reduce the amount of dead fish. Remember to wear your life jacket, BuckTales 404 510 1778.

Lake Lanier Crappie Report: (This report courtesy of Captain Josh Thornton, 770-530-6493 via www.southernfishing.com) — Crappie fishing is good, the water temperature is 84. The fish are on stickups and open water brush also in large groups under docks in the shade. The deep fish are biting better than the shallow fish on docks Crappie have been at depths of 20 to 35 feet above a 25-to-40-foot bottom. The jig color combo that worked the best for me this week was the green and chartreuse single tail 1.5-inch jig. Minnows have been working well over deep brush. For your best fishing experience consider using the following equipment: a one-piece ACC Crappie Stix rod and reel paired with 4- or 6-pound test K9 line with a Atx lure company jig. Further optimizing your efforts, a Garmin LiveScope, protected by a sonar shield cover, and a Power Pole are highly recommended.

West Point Lake Bass Report: (From Fisheries Biologist Brent Hess) — One of our angler contacts had good success this week on the upper end of West Point Lake.  They caught several decent largemouth while fishing the weedy areas with a Texas-rigged worm.

West Point Lake Bass Report: (This report courtesy of Ken Sturdivant, www.southernfishing.com) — West Point Lake is full and in the 80s. Bass fishing is fair. But it’s an early and later day bite. As they are starting to settle down in their summertime pattern some are suspended in 17 to 20 feet of water and are moving and chasing shad. Old roadbeds, such as the one at McGee Access, are great locations to fish with Carolina rigged worms in any color. Cranking main lake and river points with a deep diving crank baits is still productive for early morning fishermen. Check out the mouth of Whitewater Creek and fish deep for those bass that have gone to the bottom for the summer. Up in New River, go past the bridge and use Riverside lures dark jig and a Hales Craw worm on the heavy bank cover can get a strike. Stay close to the river current on points. Buzz baits can be good all day in the pockets right off the river. Go past the 219 bridge and hit every pocket no matter how small. Cast right on the edges of the pockets points and work the bait to 13 feet.

Lake Weiss Bass Report: (This report courtesy of Ken Sturdivant, www.southernfishing.com) — Weiss Lake is full and in the 80s. Bass fishing has been fair. These fish are up early feeding on the banks and shallow cover will be the best locations. Stay in the shadows as long as possible and then move to docks and then offshore structure. All-white, small, Fat Free shad crank baits are working especially upriver. The bass are feeding early, and they will cover a lot of banks to look for food. Small lures in natural colors has been by fair. Zara Spooks in bright colors as small Shad Raps will work and use light line and cover a lot of water. After the early feeding period the fish move to deeper man made and natural cover. The fish will take all white Zoom Trick worms and small spinner baits. The Bass Pro Shops Stick O in bright colors on a Texas rig or a Carolina rig is fair.

Lake Weiss Crappie Report: (This report courtesy of Ken Sturdivant, www.southernfishing.com) — Crappie fishing is fair, and the fish are on the main Coosa River and other creek channel ledges. Night fishing on these ledges with minnows and Jiffy Jigs is always a good bet to catch crappie and beat the heat of summer. Fishing brush piles in 10 18 feet of water with minnows and Jiffy Jigs is producing some good fishing. Shooting docks with a 1/24-ounce Jiffy Jig in Color JJ13 and JJ17 and JJ20 and JJ25 is producing some good catches.

Lake Hartwell Bass Report: (This report courtesy of Ken Sturdivant, www.southernfishing.com) — Lake Hartwell is down 1 foot and in the 80s. Bass fishing is still slow. The rain has stopped for now and the daytime temperatures are rising into the low 90’s every day. The Rapala #5 and #7 Shad Raps are catching small spotted bass and largemouth bass in the smaller cuts and coves. Fish both the Balsa Wood and RS Models early in the morning and then again late in the day. The Shad color seems to be working the best with the clear green water. After the sun comes up, Rattle Tubes around boat docks and Rattle Finesse Worms rigged Texas style are working on a few bass as well. A lot of anglers are using Carolina Rigs in deep water during the late morning until afternoon on the drop offs and channel ledges. Submerged structure in 18 to 25 feet of water seems to be the key. Remember summer is the time for downsizing. This will include your line, baits and the action of your rods. Fishing is tough, so be patient and take along plenty of fluids.

RIVER AND POND REPORT

Small Ponds Report: (From Fisheries Biologist Josh Stafford) — Small ponds are a great option right now.  Worms, crickets, or small poppin’ flies can catch a mess of fish, especially if you avoid the hottest part of the day.  Angler Jeff Culverhouse sent us this pic of a monster bream he caught from a local pond.  Looks like it might have been a hybrid with at least some green sunfish genes in it.  Jeff said it was around 2 pounds.  What a chunk!

River Striper Report: (This report courtesy of Cohutta Fishing Company) — Striper season has been running strong! These fish have wrapped up their spawn and are now hanging out in the rivers for the cooler, more oxygenated water. Shoals are great places to stop and work thoroughly. Since we’re getting into the peak of summer, early mornings and late afternoons are going to be your best bite. If you’re not out there at the crack of dawn, try to be on the water as the sun sets. You can still have some chances midday, but those windows are less reliable.

River Bass Report: (This report courtesy of Cohutta Fishing Company) — Bass bugging is starting to ramp up. With plenty of annual cicadas, hoppers, and frogs around, these fish will look up in clear, low water. Besides stripers, this is one of our favorite bites through the summer. It can also result in some good quality fish — with the bonus of a visual eat.

TROUT REPORT

Toccoa Tailwater Report: (This report courtesy of Cohutta Fishing Company) — Early morning fishing on the tailwater has been great. A lot of good dry fly action can be found early. Tan and Olive Caddis dries behind a small hopper or a beetle have been finding fish. Dry dropper rigs have been working just as well with a variety of nymphs. Jigged PT’s and Jigged HE’s have been finding a lot of those fish reluctant to come to the surface. Fishing has been starting to slow down as the sun gets higher. Closer to the dam, where the water temp stays cooler, the bite window lasts a bit longer — until the high water comes in. Lower down the river you can expect fishing to start slowing down around 9 or 10am. After that, try targeting faster current, shady bubble lines, or spots that have both. This has been the most productive water when it starts getting hot. TVA has been generating twice a day. The first generation comes in around 9–11am and shuts off at noon. The later generation has been turning on around 4pm. These late afternoon flows can make for some good streamer fishing when the sun gets lower. After the water cuts off around 7, expect to see an afternoon hatch or some good terrestrial fishing. This can be a great option for those who can’t fish in the mornings — just be aware of how long the water takes to fall out at each access point.

Tallulah River Trout Report: (This report courtesy of angler Jack Becker, a.k.a. Georgia Aquadog, aquadog45@gmail.com) — Last week my 2 grandchildren visited from out of state. I took them on their first fishing trip in the North Georgia Mountains. We headed to the Tallulah River Campgrounds and to my surprise the trout stocking truck from the Burton Trout Hatchery came by shortly after we arrived. I knew we would definitely catch some trout for fish tacos. Using power bait on a small hook with a large split shot about 12” above the hook and 4 lb. Test line, we soon began catching them. Thx. to Georgia DNR & their trout stocking program for making this a trip they will remember for a long time.

Small Streams Report: (This report courtesy of Cohutta Fishing Company) — Small, high-elevation streams can be great places to spend a summer day fishing. With loads of bug life, plenty of shade, and opportunistic wild fish, you can catch fish on a single dry all day. These fish are not going to be too picky on your fly pattern, but they will be picky on your presentation. Flows are starting to get low again in these creeks. Even with afternoon showers, a day of no rain will drop the creek back down to low flows. So, downsize your tippet and try to cast from further away. Stealth can be key this time of year. Smaller terrestrials like ants and beetles are a great option. As far as hatches, expect Tan Caddis, Yellow Sallies, and Sulphurs. A yellow Stimulator is a killer fly all summer long. Dry droppers will definitely work, but with a single dry, you can fish shallower water and tighter spots. Think of these creeks like miniature rivers. Since these small wild fish will sit in inches of water, you can run a dry fly through each little pocket.

The Dredger’s Weekly Report: (This report courtesy Jeff “Dredger” Durniak at Unicoi Outfitters) — Unicoi Outfitters puts out a full fishing report every Friday.  Although this week’s report was not yet posted as of this writing, you should be able to find it at blog.angler.management later today.

Soque River Article: (This report courtesy of Jimmy Jacobs from On the Fly South) — Visit ontheflysouth.com/georgias-magnum-trout-mecca to read about this gem of a stream in Habersham County with some leviathan trout.

Parting Trout Note: Want to do more to support trout fishing in Georgia?  Consider upgrading to a Trout Unlimited license plate this year. See more info at GeorgiaWildlife.com/licenseplates.  Aside from being a great looking tag, each purchase or renewal of a Trout Unlimited license plate directly supports Georgia’s trout conservation and management programs. Hatcheries and wild trout efforts both benefit from the trout tag.

(Fishing report courtesy of Hunter Roop, Fisheries Biologist and Region Supervisor, along wtih Ken Sturdivant’s Southern Fishing Report, and contributions from Region 3 WRD Fisheries staff, local guides, and anglers.) 

This Central Georgia fishing report, brought to you as always by Ken Sturdivant’s Southern Fishing Report, and contributions from Region 3 WRD Fisheries staff, local guides, and anglers. 

RESERVOIR REPORT

LAKE RUSSELL DOWN 1 FOOT, 80’S

Bass (courtesy of Ken Sturdivant’s Southern Fishing Report): Bass fishing is slow but good fish can still be caught with a little patience. Use a Storm Rattle Tube on a 7- or 8-foot heavy action graphite rod and use 10- or 12-pound test Rapala Tough line. Rig the tube Texas style so the bullet weight can move up and down the line freely. The heavier the cover the better. Way up in the Savannah River and in Beaverdam Creek are favorites of mine during the summer. Flip or pitch the Rattletube into the cover and watch the line as it falls. The lighter the weight the better the results will be. Spotted Bass along with Largemouth are holding tight to cover during the day. Down below the 72 Bridge, use a Rapala #5 Shad Rap and the Rapala DT6 to crank the waters just off the rocky points. Bass are using these areas to stage and keep in cooler water. Try using long casts and slow retrieves. This is all it will take to trigger a strike. Early in the mornings and then again from around 7:00 p.m. until dark are the best times for using those crank baits. Carolina and Texas rigs that are fished very slowly along the bottom are the best choice during the mid-day periods.

CLARKS HILL IS DOWN 1 FOOT, 80’S

Bass (courtesy of Ken Sturdivant’s Southern Fishing Report): Bass fishing is still slow to fair this week. Early in the mornings, head up into the rivers and bigger creeks. Remember downsizing will be the key during the hot summer months. Small Storm Finesse worms on a drop shot rig and light Carolina rigs along the channel ledges are a sure bet on getting a strike. Number 5 Jointed Shad Raps are working along the banks from day break until around 9:30 a.m. Fish in shallow water and use a slow retrieve. For the most part, anglers are relying on Rattle Tube, worms and jigs to catch the majority of the Bass. Most of the Bass are small in size with an occasional 3 to 4 pounders showing up at the scales during the weekend tournaments. Fish deep water structure during the heat and fish slow. Strikes will be nothing more than added weight. Line movement from side to side may also indicate a strike.

Crappie: July crappie fishing on Clarks Hill means targeting deeper water as black crappie move off the banks and suspend over brush, timber, and channel drops. Focus on creek arms like Fishing Creek, Lloyd Creek, and Soap Creek, where submerged cover in 15–25 feet of water holds good numbers of fish. Early morning and late evening are best, but anglers using electronics to locate schools can find success throughout the day. Try vertical jigging with small jigs or minnows tight to structure, or slow-troll over brush with spider rigs. With stable summer patterns and clear water, July is a dependable month for putting slabs in the boat on Clarks Hill.

LAKE OCONEE IS FULL, 80’S

Bass (courtesy of Ken Sturdivant’s Southern Fishing Report): Bass fishing is still slow to fair this week. Early in the mornings, head up into the rivers and bigger creeks. Remember downsizing will be the key during the hot summer months. Zoom finesse worms on a drop shot rig and light Carolina rigs along the channel ledges are a sure bet on getting a strike. Rapala #5 Jointed Shad Raps are working along the banks from daybreak until around 9:30 a.m. Cast in shallow water and use a slow retrieve. For the most part anglers are relying on Rattle Tube, worms and jigs to catch the majority of the fish. Most of the Bass are small in size with occasional 3 to 4 pounders showing up at the scales during the weekend tournaments. Fish deep water structure during the heat and fish slow. Strikes will be nothing more than added weight. Line movement from side to side may also indicate a strike.

Catfish: July is a great month for catfishing on Lake Oconee, with both channel and blue catfish feeding aggressively in the warm water. Focus on the main river channels, deep flats, and the mouths of creeks like Sugar Creek, Lick Creek, and the Apalachee River arm. Anchor or drift baited rigs in 10–25 feet of water using cut shad, bream, or chicken liver. Night fishing is especially productive this time of year when catfish move up to shallower flats to feed. For numbers, target channel cats near riprap banks and bridge pilings, while bigger blues tend to hang near ledges and submerged timber. Action is steady, and Oconee offers great opportunity for filling the cooler.

LAKE JACKSON IS DOWN 2.8 FEET, 80’S

Bass (courtesy of Ken Sturdivant’s Southern Fishing Report): Bass fishing is fair. Anglers are catching fish on a good jig bite first thing in the morning just inside the mouth of Tussahaw Creek. These bass were caught while using 1/2-ounce jigs on a rocky bottom in ten to fifteen feet of water. Have the Zoom finesse worms in green pumpkin on a Weedless Wonder lead head all day. Fish the main lake points early and late. The south end of the lake anglers are on the docks on the main lake. Rocky are still producing fish and if there is a sea wall there run a small Whopper Plopper along these areas. Zoom Trick worms in all white early and late and stay in the shady areas as the fish are up early. Mid-day an occasional top water bite is not out of the question. As the sun comes up, this will be in the shade longer and hold more bass. Buzz baits can be good mid-day in the pockets right off the river.

New Blue Lake Record: Anglers on Lake Jackson have a new benchmark to chase: a 71-lb., 9.6-oz. blue catfish caught on June 28, 2025, has officially shattered the lake’s previous record by over 25 pounds. The new record was landed at night on a productive flat by angler Walter Dorough of Hillsboro. With catfish activity heating up and the Middle Georgia Catfish Anglers tournament set for July 26, now is a great time to explore Lake Jackson’s deep flats and channel edges. Big blues are clearly in the mix!

LAKE SINCLAIR IS DOWN 1.1 FEET, 80’S

Bass (courtesy of Ken Sturdivant’s Southern Fishing Report):  Bass fishing is fair. Go to the Potato Creek Bridge (off Cedar Creek on the left) and fish the rocks of the bridge on BOTH sides with top water, crank baits and spinner baits. Go under this same bridge and fish the entire left-hand bank all the way to the very back. In the center of the back bay there are lots of stumps under the water and bass love this area. Use a Rapala #5 Shad Rap and the Rapala DT6 to crank the waters just off the rocky points. Bass are using these areas as current biting them food and cooler water. Try using long casts and slow retrieves. Go back under the bridge and down Cedar Creek about one mile until the creek makes a right hand bend. STOP and fish this left side and the little coves close by. This is where the current carries food down the river. Fish the old railroad trestle down lake on the river. Use top water and crank baits. Sinclair has lots of docks and they almost all have man-made brush piles.

RIVER REPORT 

Ocmulgee Shoalies: July is a prime month for targeting shoal bass on the Ocmulgee River, as low summer flows concentrate fish in deeper runs, around boulders, and along current seams. Focus your efforts near shoals, rocky points, and undercut banks, especially early and late in the day when water temps are cooler and bass are most active. Topwater lures like poppers and buzzbaits can draw explosive strikes at dawn and dusk, while soft plastics, ned rigs, and small crankbaits work well in deeper pockets during midday. Wade fishing or using a kayak provides excellent access, and the clear summer water makes for exciting sight-fishing opportunities. The Ocmulgee continues to be a stronghold for Georgia’s native shoal bass, and July is a great time to enjoy the action.

PUBLIC FISHING AREA REPORT

McDUFFIE PUBLIC FISHING AREA (courtesy of Fisheries Technician Nick Brewer) —

Water temperatures are in the high 70’s to low 80’s and continue to rise in the month of July.  Some anglers struggle to find success during summer’s peak, but fear not, as we have some timely intel below that can help increase your chances of success.

Bass: Anglers are still having success with topwater lures; one angler reported catching a three-pounder with a frog, but with rising temperatures they may have better luck with lures that go deeper into the water.  Try fishing areas with structure but be prepared to move to deeper areas on the lakes.  Anglers will have better luck hitting these spots with lures mimicking bait fish, or plastic worms and creature baits may produce at these lower depths.

Striped and Hybrid Bass: Anglers should use chicken livers in areas with lots of bird activity for the best chance of success producing success.  Many of the hybrids and striped bass are in the deeper portions of Clubhouse and Bridge Lakes.

Channel Catfish: Catfish on the PFA are still being caught, though less frequently.  Anglers using chicken livers or worms on the bottoms of the lakes seem to be producing the most catches.

Bream:  Bream on the PFA are being caught less frequently, anglers targeting bream should use live worms or crickets in and around structures in the lakes during peak hours of sunlight.

Reminder: live fish/minnows are not allowed on our PFA.

FLAT CREEK PUBLIC FISHING AREA (courtesy of Area Manager Amory Cook) —

Bass:  According to the most recent reports, Black top water buzzbaits and Yum Dinger green pumpkin chartreuse rubber worms are producing catches. Using green and yellow baits during the green algae bloom will help catch a Largemouth’s eye.

Bream: Red Wigglers continue to produce bream. Submerged treetops are sure to be holding bream.

Crappie: Use live minnows and jigs while targeting deeper, cooler water early in the morning.

Catfish: Anglers fishing at night and early in the morning report 5-6 lb catfish while daytime anglers are reporting 1-3 lb catfish. Catfish are being caught on chicken livers, live baitfish, and cut baitfish. Also, if you are lucky enough to land a catfish that you believe to be over 10 pounds (about 30 inches long), please notify DNR staff, we are looking to fill the PFA catfish record, which currently is wide open.

MARBEN PFA FISHING REPORT (Courtesy of Fisheries Technician Jacob Landry) —

• Marben Public Fishing Area
• Water level: All ponds are full or nearly full.
• Pond Closures: Margery, Hillside, and Clubhouse ponds remain closed while under renovation.
• Water clarity: 16” – 40”
• Surface temperature: mid-to-upper 80s
• Marben PFA Fishing Guide

Bass: During the early morning, the water will be at its coolest.  Most bass are being caught on plastic worms, and lizards adjacent to creek channels and deeper structure.  If you are a bank angler, try locations that are not fished as heavily.  For example, the North side of Bennett has a nice access trail.

Crappie: Deeper water suspended over brush with jigs or minnows is your best bet for crappie.  If you don’t have a boat, try fishing in deeper water near the dam.

Bream:  Bluegill are spawning every full moon throughout the summer.  Crickets and wax worms are great baits.  Right off the bottom or on the bottom near bedding sites is your best bet.  Look for beds in 2 – 4’ of water.

Hybrid bass: Bennett Lake hosts a nice hybrid population.  These fish can be seen feeding on shad early morning and late afternoon.   A lure that you can cast a decent distance and mimics a shad is a good bet.

No regular fishing report for Southeast Georgia this week as Capt. Bert Deener, Retired Georgia WRD Fisheries Supervisor, is attending ICAST, the fishing industry trade show held in Orlando, Florida. Want to see his updates from the trade show? Check him out at Bert’s Jigs and Things – YouTube.

Related