August 29, 2025 – Georgia Wildlife Blog

In Georgia, fishing is more than a pastime, it’s part of our way of life. That’s why the Georgia Department of Natural Resources is working hard to keep our waters healthy and our fisheries thriving, for anglers like you. From planting tens of thousands of native aquatic plants to restoring shorelines and improving fish habitat, their work ensures that today’s anglers, and tomorrow’s, can enjoy the same abundant lakes and rivers we’ve grown up with. It’s about protecting the places we love, supporting local communities, and making sure Georgia’s outdoors remain second to none. Learn more in the Tomorrow’s Catch series.

NEWS TO KNOW:

• Fishing Tackle Loaner Program: Want to fish at a Georgia State Park but don’t have a fishing pole? No worries! 18 State Parks have fishing tackle ready to loan to you for free! Interested visitors can inquire at the park office and check out the equipment for the day.  Find out which parks participate at GAStateParks.org/ParkFishing#fishing
• Ocmulgee PFA: Construction crews completed the installation of a French drainage system and repaving several areas of the parking lot and entrance road at Ocmulgee PFA. The drainage system should prevent water from getting under the pavement, which can result in a weakened base and eventual pavement degradation.
• Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW): Interested in learning outdoor skills in a fun, supportive environment? The next BOW workshop is coming up, and registration opens Sept. 2! Don’t miss your chance to take part in hands-on classes covering fishing, shooting, outdoor survival, and more. Learn more at georgiawildlife.com/BOW.
• Go Fish Education Center – Fall Homeschool Program: The September class is already full, but new opportunities open up at the start of each month—so sign up quickly as spots go fast! Be sure to follow the Go Fish Education Center Facebook page for updates on October registration, or email gofisheducationcenter@gmail.com for more information.

This week, we have fishing reports from Central, Southeast, Southwest, and North Georgia. From mountain streams to coastal rivers, Georgia is keeping its waters thriving for generations to enjoy. Grab your gear, cast a line, and be part of the story. Go Fish Georgia!

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

This Central Georgia fishing report is made possible through information from Ken Sturdivant’s Southern Fishing Report, and contributions from Region 3 WRD Fisheries staff, local guides, and anglers.

RESERVOIR REPORT

LAKE RUSSELL IS FULL, 80’S

Bass (courtesy of Ken Sturdivant’s Southern Fishing Report): Bass fishing is slow. The crank bait bite is off but should return soon with a cool down. Try a drop shot rig and find the fish on the Lowrance CHIRP Sonar as they are holding to stumps or brush piles in twenty to thirty feet of water and slowly fish them with a drop shot rig with eight to ten pound test line. The Carolina rig is excellent and downsize the line to no more than ten pound test. A 1/2 ounce sinker is more than plenty to use, but try to go even smaller if possible. The Rapallo DT10 will hit the mark while using 10 pound test line. A one ounce Storm Wart will also catch bass and get the baits down to cooler waters. There are plenty of stumps in 25 to 50 foot of water all over this lake. Use the Lawrence Structure Scan technology and scan the creeks up lake for the stumps holding in the fish. This is a typical summer time pattern. A slow presentation along with patience is also needed. Four inch worms and small flukes seem to be the favorite baits to use.

Bass 2 (courtesy of SC DNR Fishing Reports): Guide Jerry Kotal (706-988-0860) reports that bass should be in fairly tight, deep schools in August. Fishing with deep-running crankbaits or drop shot rigs around deep structure will be the best pattern, and of course live bait will catch fish. You can also find some shallower largemouth in the creeks. At the end of July the bite was still strong, and they hope it stays that way in August.

Striped Bass (courtesy of SC DNR Fishing Reports): Guide Wendell Wilson (706-283-3336) reports that in August they expect to continue to find a good bite for striped bass on the lower end of the lake with down-lines. Another group of fish will be found in shallower water below the Hartwell dam where cool water temperatures on the upper end of the lake can draw in striper.

Crappie (courtesy of SC DNR Fishing Reports): Guide Wendell Wilson reports that fish should still be caught on deeper brush in August, but at the end of July the creeks were pretty dead and you had to fish the main lake. With some cooling this could change in August, but to start off the month expect fish to be in coves off the main body of water. They will be caught on jigs and minnows.

Catfish (courtesy of SC DNR Fishing Reports): Guide Jerry Kotal reports that fish will be caught this month in 10-35 feet of water on cut herring and more.

CLARKS HILL IS FULL, 80’S

Bass (courtesy of Ken Sturdivant’s Southern Fishing Report): Bass fishing is fair. First thing in the morning hit the rip rap bank. Use are spinnerbaits, buzz baits, Whopper Ploppers, Chug bugs and square billed crankbaits. Fish the lay downs with top water, spinnerbaits, crank baits and trick worms. Try the deeper docks as they can hold the bigger bass. Long points and roadbeds with Carolina rigs are also a good choice. Mid-day go to the Zoom Super Flukes on the rip rap and seawalls. The do the same thing on the docks. The best docks will be near the main lake points and on first and secondary points. Carolina rigs and crankbaits on main lake points will also work on the summer pattern. Early and late the bass ease up to the shadows to look for bream and crawfish. Use the baits with the colors of these bass favorite meals. Use the Lowrance Structure Scan technology and scan the points and pockets for the old stump rows. The bass will be dots close this the cover. Isolated structure like stumps and rocks are excellent places.

Bass 2 (courtesy of SC DNR Fishing Reports): Guide Josh Rockefeller (706-513-6152) reports that August is usually a tough month for bass fishing on Clarks Hill, but at times July fished better than expected in deep water and August could too. One group of fish is shallow-feeding on bream and will take topwater lures and buzzbaits, while another group of fish is offshore. They will take soft plastics on the bottom around humps and brush – but the best bite is when they come up to take topwater lures or flukes.

Striper and hybrids (courtesy of SC DNR Fishing Reports): Little River Guide Service (706-210-3474) reports that in August catchable fish should be concentrated in a small area in the lower lake where they will be caught on down-lined herring in deep water. Earlier in the day they can be shallower, and as the day goes on they will move deeper. A lot of fish will be in the vicinity of the oxygen lines.

Crappie (courtesy of SC DNR Fishing Reports): Little River Guide Service reports that there is traditionally very little fishing activity for crappie in the heat of August, but fish are usually around deep brush where they can be caught on minnows. At the end of July the bite was better than expected in the backs of creeks and it could stay the same this month.

Catfish (courtesy of SC DNR Fishing Reports): Captain Chris Simpson reports that in August fish will continue to move shallower early and late and deeper during the heat of the day. Fan-casting baits at a variety of depths is the best pattern. Exercise caution, but night-time is often the right time to fish for catfish in the summer on Lake Thurmond. This week, Fisheries Biologist Aaron Gray submitted these photos from the Bragg family, who enjoyed a very successful Sunday fishing trip on Clarks Hill, with several impressive blue catfish to show for their efforts.

LAKE OCONEE IS FULL, 80’S

Bass (courtesy of Ken Sturdivant’s Southern Fishing Report): Bass fishing is fair. Richland Creek and the main lake are clear, up the river is stained. On the south end there is a good frog bite in the grass early in the mornings. Soft plastics fished under docks and on wood structure in the rivers above I20 will also produce. When all else fails get out a spinning reel with 8 pound Suffix Siege clear line and carry several colors of #5 and #7 Rapallo Shad Raps and change colors every 20 minutes. There is still a buzz bait bite on the main lake on deep banks with sea walls and deep water nearby. This is an early morning or late evening bite. On the late evening bite move to the bridges and work the rip rap with the buzz bait when Georgia Power is pulling water.

Linesides (courtesy of Doug Nelms & Big Fish Heads Guide Service): I caught up with Doug this week and he said lineside fishing on Oconee has resumed. Fishing Richland and lower lake coves where the water is stained to clear will give you the best chance for finding schooling fish. Recent reports suggest the bite can actually slow when the water is moving north or south, while still periods can be rewarding if you can locate bait along with schooling hybrids and the occasional striper in pursuit. Downlining live bait, freelining, and trolling are all effective summer tactics.

Fly Anglers on Oconee: According to Captain Moore with Oconee on the Fly, fly anglers should target shallow hybrids in the early mornings using intermediate line that sinks just below the surface or sink tip to go a bit deeper.  On these reels, use a piece of 15-lb fluorocarbon (about 6 feet long) as a leader. For flies, it’s hard to beat a white and chartreuse Clouser on a #2 hook.  Of course, Henry Cowen’s “Somethin Else” fly is amazing as well.  Small game changers in white are in his arsenal as well.

Oconee Sampling: WRD Fisheries Biologist Chad Kaiser and Technician Mark Rigglesford sampled the Oconee River above Lake Oconee last week and found a few congregations of hybrids near woody structure in small pockets in the river. As water temperatures fall moving into the month of September, fish will move back downstream and onto the main lake where the bait is more concentrated.

LAKE SINCLAIR IS DOWN 1.3 FEET, 80’S

Bass (courtesy of Ken Sturdivant’s Southern Fishing Report): Bass fishing is fair. Fish continue to hit top water baits at first light on some mornings. Try baits like a Pop R, Chug Bug, and Tiny Torpedo along Main River and creek banks that drop quickly into deep water. A few more fish are beginning to feed around docks and boat houses, especially those with good depth and brush present. Soft plastics continue to be the best chance for success along with an occasional bite using small to medium crank baits and jigs. If a normal presentation is not producing, try dead sticking the bait, allowing it to sit motionless for 10 to 30 seconds before moving slightly. A Zoom U tale worm works great rigged Texas style with a 1/8 to ¼ ounce weight. Also try a Finesse worm rigged on a 1/16 to 3/16 ounce jig head like a Spotsticker. For either of these worm rigs, use the lightest weight possible, with wind or current dictating the size. These same rigs are also producing a few fish along rip rap and bridge supports. On bridge supports cast right beside each support and allow the bait to fall vertically on a slack line to 20 feet deep or more as fishing is slow. A few fish continue to hit top water baits at first light. Use a Pop R, Chug Bug, and Tiny Torpedo along main river and creek banks that drop quickly into deep water. A few more fish are beginning to feed around docks and boat houses especially those with good depth and brush present. Watch the Fish and Game Forecaster and fish the major feeding period during the day for better success. Soft plastics continue to be the best chance for success along with an occasional bite using small to medium crank baits and jigs. If a normal presentation isn’t producing, try “dead sticking” the bait, allowing it to sit motionless for 10 to 30 seconds before moving slightly. Open water structure fishing has gotten tougher, but bass can still be caught around some points and ledges, especially up both rivers. Depths are mostly 6 to 15 feet deep up the lake. Carolina rigs and crank baits are proven choices, but lightweight Texas rigs and jig head and worm rigs are better on some days. Watch the Fish and Game Forecaster and fish the major feeding period during the day for better success. A Zoom u tail worm works great rigged Texas style with a 1/8 to ¼ ounce weight. Also try a Finesse worm rigged on a 1/16 to 3/16 ounce jig head like a Spotsticker. For either of these worm rigs, use the lightest weight possible, with wind or current dictating the size. These same rigs are also producing a few fish along rip rap.

LAKE JACKSON IS DOWN 1 FOOT, 80’S

Bass (courtesy of Ken Sturdivant’s Southern Fishing Report): Bass fishing is fair. Try up the Alcovy River and Yellow River. Spinnerbaits along with buzz baits seem to be the baits most of them are throwing. Work the small flats and especially the sandy points in the bends up Yellow River. The black 6 inch worm on a Texas Rig is working as well especially when the water turns that pretty red clay color. Look for isolated stumps and single lay downs for best results. When all else fails get out a spinning reel with 8 pound Suffix Siege clear line and carry several colors of #5 and #7 Shad raps and change colors every 20 minutes. At the dam fish the first good cove right around the corner from the marina with white spinnerbaits and Super Flukes. The bass are scattered from one end of the lake to the other and are coming in on everything from cranks to top water baits to plastics.

LAKE JULIETTE

Linesides (courtesy of Jeff Mooney with All Seasons Guide Service): Jeff reports the bite can be both challenging but rewarding on Juliette in August. There’s a quality over quantity theme right now, suggesting an off year for numbers, but that may improve as we move into fall and the fish start congregating in large schools. Currently, covering lots of water with electronics will help you find scattered schools, and using a combination of live bait (blueback herring, threadfin, or gizzard shad), bucktail jigs, and spoons are all effective on different days. The fish aren’t keyed into any specific depths or features quite yet and seem to be roaming the reservoir in pursuit of bait.

SMALL POND REPORT

Small Ponds (courtesy of WRD Fisheries Biologist Aaron Gray): Toby Faircloth was all smiles after a recent afternoon fishing a private pond. He fishes the family pond whenever he can and loves to throw a jerkbait in pursuit of big bass and bluegill!

PUBLIC FISHING AREA REPORT

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

August was a great month for anglers at McDuffie and hopefully that trend will carry over into September! Fishing early morning or early evening periods will be the best bet for avoiding the heat and aligning with the best bite windows for bass, bream, and other species on the PFA.

Bass: Bass anglers are successful when targeting deep structures and features.  Use a Wacky or Carolina rig in deep water around logs or stumps.  Swim baits that mimic golden shiners will also be effective when fished deliberately around riprap on dam faces.

Striped and Hybrid Bass:  Few striped or hybrid striped bass have been caught on the PFA recently.  Anglers should use chicken livers on Bridge or Clubhouse lake to have a chance at landing a lineside.

Channel Catfish: Catfish are the best bet species option during the month of August.  Anglers seem to have better luck in the mornings while using either chicken livers or an artificial bait. Regulars Shaq and Chenille having been stocking up for a fish fry. Tonight I pulled up and both had fish on the line. They’re happy to say they’re ready to heat the oil and dip some fish.

Bream: Quality bream catches have challenged some anglers recently, but the numbers are always there. Target bream using traditional summer terrestrials like live worms or even better, crickets, in and around shallow habitat and brush.

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

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

Bass: Anglers are reporting success from a wide variety of lures. Topwater frogs, buzzbaits, and rubber worms in red, green, and blue have been producing catches  between 2 and 6 lbs.

Bream: The bream bite has slowed slightly, but fishing during cooler hours should continue to produce catches. Red Wigglers continue to produce.

Crappie: Use live minnows and jigs while targeting deeper, cooler water overnight and early in the morning since Crappie are hugging tight to structure.

Catfish: Anglers fishing at night and early in the morning are reporting 5-6lb catfish while daytime anglers are reporting 1-3lb 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” – 24”
• Surface temperature: Upper 80s+
• Marben PFA Fishing Guide

Bass: Early morning and late afternoon have been the most productive for bass.  Several nice hybrid bass have been caught at Bennett Lake.  There are large schools of small shad on the surface most every afternoon late.  Smaller largemouth have been observed feeding on schooling threadfin on Fox Lake in the open water.

Crappie: A few crappie are being caught this time of year.  If you fish for crappie in August, your best bet is to fish deep (> 10 ft. depths) and cover a lot of water.  Look for suspended fish over large brush piles.

Bream: Most of the larger bream are being caught on the bottom in deeper water near dams and creek channels, unless they are on the bed around the full moon.  Waxworms, crickets and pink worms continue to be good bait.

Channel Catfish: Several nice channel catfish have been harvested at Fox Lake.  Anglers are fishing with night crawlers and cut bait on the bottom on flats adjacent to deep water. 

(Fishing report courtesy of Capt. Bert Deener, Retired Georgia WRD Fisheries Supervisor, with help from Region Staff and Local Experts)

Not many folks reported this week, but the bite was good for the folks who went. This week’s cold front was awesome, as the mornings gave us a hint of fall. Ponds were where the best reports came from this week. Smaller tides over the holiday weekend should have the inshore fish biting better, and ponds should produce some great catches, as well.

River gages on August 28th were:

• Clyo on the Savannah River – 11.7 feet and falling
• Abbeville on the Ocmulgee – 7.2 feet and rising
• Doctortown on the Altamaha – 9.3 feet and falling
• Waycross on the Satilla – 8.0 feet and steady
• Atkinson on the Satilla – 8.9 feet and steady
• Statenville on the Alapaha – 6.9 feet and falling
• Macclenny on the St Marys – 5.5 feet and falling
• Fargo on the Suwannee – 9.2 feet and rising

First quarter moon is August 31st. To monitor all the Georgia river levels, visit the USGS website. For the latest marine forecast, check out weather.gov/jax/.

OKEFENOKEE SWAMP

The best bite this week was for bowfin on the east side. You can catch some catfish on the west side by putting shrimp on the bottom, also. The most recent water level on the Folkston side was 121.18 feet. The level has been hovering around 121.20 feet for the last few weeks.

HUGH M. GILLIS  PUBLIC FISHING AREA (near Dublin)

DODGE COUNTY PUBLIC FISHING AREA (near Eastman)

OCMULGEE PUBLIC FISHING AREA (near Hawkinsville)

The area has some fresh asphalt and is back open to the public. Ken Burke fished the area on Thursday and caught 2 bass in just under 4 hours of fishing. Not many bites, but they were nice ones. One was 2 1/2 pounds and the other was 7 1/2 pounds. He fooled them both with squarebill crankbaits. He talked with 3 other anglers who had caught bass weighing 3, 4, 5 and 7 pounds, so they fed well that morning.  Remember, the area is catch-and-release for bass.

ST. MARYS RIVER

Curtis Hazel fished the middle river on Friday and caught 7 panfish (2 rooster redbreasts and 5 small bluegills) on topwater poppers. They bit the whole 2 hours that he was fishing that morning. Orange was the best color. He returned 2 more times to the middle river and caught 5 fish (mix of redbreasts and bluegills) each trip. Orange poppers were best on both of those trips.

LOCAL PONDS

The topwater bass bite has turned on in area ponds. Jimmy Zinker caught a giant bass (7-lb., 10-oz.) right after I sent last week’s fishing report. He fooled it with a Gurgler version of a Trophy Bass Buzzbait. He also went to a Worth County pond Tuesday morning and caught 4 nice bass up to 6 pounds on Musky Jitterbugs and Wobbler version Trophy Bass Buzzbaits. Dust off your topwaters for the holiday weekend. Cody Jones fished with me at a Brunswick area pond on Tuesday evening while his dad Paul and friend Seth went gator hunting. Cody caught his personal best bass – a 2-pounder that inhaled an electric shad Keitech 2.8” Fat Swing Impact Swimbait rigged on a NED head. After dark, we caught 11 channel catfish up to 2 pounds using cut gizzard shad. The first one bit a shrimp, but the rest ate the cut shad. We fished the bait on a 3/16-oz. Catfish Catcher Jighead (2/0 Gamakatsu hook) and tight-lined it. Seth and Paul harvested a 7-ft., 5-in. alligator while we were fishing. That afternoon before Cody got there I fished the same pond for about an hour and caught a 2-pound bass on a threadfin shad Bladed Fly with a fly rod and a couple bass on a prototype spinnerbait.

 

SALTWATER (GEORGIA COAST)

Capt. Tim Cutting (fishthegeorgiacoast.com) said that the water is still pretty dirty from the rains and big tides, but the bite has been decent. There are a ton of ladyfish out there inshore,

but if you can work your plastics through them they had some redfish of all sizes, decent trout and flounder, and some jack crevalle of all sizes this week. It looks like it’s going to be another good year-class of redfish based on the number of undersized fish being caught lately. Aras Medzevicius fished with Capt. Tim this week and caught a tarpon that inhaled a live menhaden (pogy) under a float. The fish stayed in the air more than in the water….  After your next trip to the Georgia coast, drop off your fish carcasses in the freezer at the Waycross Fisheries Office at 108 Darling Avenue. The Coastal Resources Division collects most inshore saltwater species so that they can determine age and growth for each species. All the supplies and information cards are in the freezer. Filet your fish then drop off the carcasses in the freezer. Wat-a-melon Bait and Tackle in Brunswick is open Friday through Tuesday each week (closed Wednesday and Thursday). They have plenty of lively shrimp and also have live worms and crickets for freshwater. For the latest information and their hours, contact them at 912-223-1379.

Blog Contributor Capt. Bert Deener guides fishing trips in southeast Georgia and makes a variety of both fresh and saltwater fishing lures. Check his lures out at Bert’s Jigs and Things on Facebook. For a copy of his latest catalog, call or text him at 912-288-3022 or e-mail him (bertdeener@yahoo.com).

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

FLINT AND CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVERS

Water is still high on the rivers with the continued rains so fishing may be difficult. Try to find some deeper slower moving water and try a Texas rig to drop down in an eddy or off a ledge. Remember to use darker colored lures like red or brown shad to mimic the colors of the environment when fishing in muddy waters.

It’s a great time to try your luck with catfish that hang out in deeper cooler water. Fishing below the tailraces of a dam when power is being generated can be a good option or in the deep outer cut bank of a river bend.  These deeper waters tend to hold that trophy sized fish you have been looking for! The best bait for catfish is something nice and smelly. Anglers like hot dogs, chicken livers, and chicken breast soaked in strawberry Jell-O. Please be careful below the tail races as the heavy rain can make generation more frequent and somewhat unpredictable.

Cooler temperatures are coming so be patient for some really nice black bass fishing on the river when temperatures cool off.

LAKE SEMINOLE

According to Ken Sturdivant at southernfishing.com, bass fishing is fair. Fish the shallow shaded pockets out to the ditches on the flats. Rat L Traps are good search baits to find the sweet spots early and then head to the ledges. In the pockets, try spinnerbaits and jigs. The early morning top-water bite is fair along grass lines close to the river channel. The grass beds up from Jack’s at the lower end of the Flint have been pretty good early and late. Fish a 3.5-inch Big Bite Baits Top Toad over the grass mats. Rig the Top Toad on a 5/0 Gamakatsu Super line Hook. The frog bite is good during the early morning hours. When the Sun comes up over the horizon, there are a couple of options. Flipping grass in Spring Creek is a pretty good way to catch a few more keepers in the heat of the day. The lower end of the creek is about the only place where there is decent matted hydrilla. Flip a Big Bite Baits Fighting Frog in Vegas Sunset on a 1-ounce Tungsten weight. If flipping is not for working fish a small crankbait in these same areas.

LAKE WALTER F. GEORGE

According to Ken Sturdivant at Southernfishing.com, bass fishing is fair. The fish are heading to the usual summer patterns. The frog bite will be good in the shallows on all types of frogs. The smaller fish are shallow early and then go offshore on the ledges. Use crankbaits, worms and jigs. It will always help to fish the ledges when the current is running. Best of luck and tight lines. Bass are settling in on the ledges but not necessarily on cover as they roam the areas for forage. Zoom June bug-colored soft plastics rigged on a Carolina rig are getting bites. When all else fails get out a spinning reel with 8-pound Suffix Siege clear line and carry several colors of #5 and #7 Rapala Shad Raps.

LAKE BLACKSHEAR

The water has cleared up from last week’s rain and is now just a little stained but fairly clear. The water is still warm so you will need to look for structure at depth to have a higher chance of finding the fish. Mayflies have been more consistently seen so you might have a better bite now if you use lures that mimic mayflies.

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

Looking to learn more about Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS)? Check out this ANS webpage at GeorgiaWildlife.com/ans to read into some of the different introductions, the potential negative impacts they have on native species, and even take a short, free online course to further your knowledge on protecting Georgia’s waters.

RESERVOIR REPORT 

LAKE ALLATOONA

Allatoona Bass (Courtesy of Ken Sturdivant, Southern Fishing) — Bass fishing is good. On Altoona fishing continues to be good even though the heat is here and water temperatures are up. School has started back and we should see less pressure on the lakes which makes for even better fishing. Historically, August has been a difficult time for Lake Altoona. But as herring and alewife populations continue to increase the bite stays consistent. The heat, sun and boat traffic has not affected the fish as much as you would think. The top water bite continues to be good along with slow rolling a 4 inch paddletail style swimbait. There are still lots of schools of fish to be found early. Watch for some surface activity. The deep bite has been good. Forward facing sonar with the drop shot and swimbaits in the 15 to 25 foot range have been good lately. Night fishing is still good. Bass continue to associate to boulders and brush piles. We have gone the whole year without a downtime in fish activity.

Allatoona Fish Attractors: Find locations of DNR fish attractors and much more information for a variety of water bodies, including Allatoona, at GeorgiaWildlife.com/fishing-forecasts.

LAKE SEED

Mixed Bag (courtesy of GADNR Fisheries Biologist Kyle Rempe) — Lake Seed received 29 MossBack fish structures last month thanks to generous material donations from Georgia Power, James Syfan, the Seed Lake Association, Ken Kreafle, and the GADNR itself. These included 19 of the 20” conservation cubes with shade tops, 9 of the 40” conservation cubes with shade tops, and 1 trophy tree. The workshop day provided a great way for folks from the different groups to collaborate with one another, both by assembling the structures on shore and then by dropping them at various pre-selected sites throughout the reservoir. The addition of this artificial habitat will be a great benefit to anglers and fishes alike, with the fish attractor locations publicly available to view online via Lake Seed’s Fishing Forecast page.

LAKE HARTWELL

Hartwell Bass (Courtesy of Ken Sturdivant, Southern Fishing)— Bass fishing is fair. The majority of our fish this week have come from 20 to 30 feet of water. Fish mainly on points and humps with brush for the majority of the fish. The brush in 20 to 30 feet is still holding fish and there has been some limited schooling action this week as well typically in the mornings. Swimbaits have been working as well as a Drop Shot with the Zoom green pumpkin finesse worms. Stay on the move and remain versatile with the lure choices to see what level of the water column the fish are willing to feed. The fish have come shallow at times so keep an eye out for schooling activity. Top water presentations might come into play on some days as well as swimbaits.

LAKE LANIER

Lanier Bass (Report courtesy of Phil Johnson through Ken Sturdivant via www.southernfishing.com, pjohnson15@hotmail.com 770 366 8845) — Bass fishing on Lake Lanier is fair. The lake is currently a little over one foot below full pool and the water temperature is running in the upper eighties. Overall the lake is clear. The bass are still in their late summer patterns and places. The majority of the bass are located around structure in thirty foot or more of water. The ends of long points, humps and ledges have been the most consistent areas to target this week. Many of the fish are suspended around and over the structure so the Spot Choker and the Spybait have been very effective in targeting these fish. Once you have identified the depth of the bass cast these baits past your target fish and let it fall to the right depth. Run the Spot Choker steady by the fish and if one moves to look at the bait speed up your retrieve to imitate a fleeing minnow. For the Spybait, let it drop to the correct depth and reel it just fast enough to maintain the depth of the fish. Don’t overwork the bass on the Spybait since you are dealing with both light line and small hooks. The dropshot with either a Morning dawn or a Blue Lily worm has been producing some fish around the deeper brush. It may take a few minutes to get them to react but once one does it seems others will start biting also. There has been some topwater action, mainly in the morning using a Skimmer or IPop. The wind seems to help both of these baits. A few fish are still being caught on a shakey head with a watermelon green worm around the docks in twenty feet or more of water. You may have to stay moving to find the bass they will bite but they are still there so Go Catch ‘Em!

Lanier Crappie (Courtesy of Captain Josh Thornton (770-530-6493), Crappie on Lanier; report via Southern Fishing) — Lake Lanier crappie fishing is good the water temperature is 84. The fish are active early in the morning before sunrise. Standing timber in 30 to 40 feet of water has been producing but not in big numbers. Get a few and move to the next spot. 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 black with a green paddle tail 1.5 inch jig. 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 an Atx lure company jig. Further optimizing your efforts, a Garmin LiveScope, protected by a sonar shield cover, and a Power Pole are highly recommended.

Linesides (Courtesy of Buck Cannon, Buck Tales Guide Service (404-510-1778); report via Southern Fishing) — Lake Lanier stripers are schooling in deep water, they’re looking for oxygen and food. Most creeks connected with the river channels in deep waters are likely to produce. Downlines to 70 to 90 feet with blue backs seems to work. Jigging spoons and buck tails will also help and keep in mind that shining baits will attract more fish. Trolling can be effective methods too. Lead core 280 feet back with 1.5 ounce jigs will work at 2.5 to 3.5mph or Captain Mack’s umbrella rigs trolled 120 to 150feet behind the bait. Always have a retriever on board because of the tree attraction. Remember to wear your life jacket and stay hydrating with water.

Lake Lanier Fish Attractors: Find locations of DNR fish attractors and much more information for a variety of water bodies, including Lanier, at GeorgiaWildlife.com/fishing-forecasts.

WEST POINT LAKE

West Point Bass (Courtesy of Ken Sturdivant www.southernfishing.com) — Bass fishing is fair. Clear water is lake wide so make sure to use fluorocarbon Line and to use light line. Use a Zoom green finesse worm on a Shaky Head. Fish from 6 to 12 feet deep and keep off the deeper points or brush piles all day. Deep crank baits slowed way down but still are catching fish in the deeper water. The Rat L Trap bite picked back up early each day and use a chrome and black back color. Try fishing it with different speeds until the fish respond. Also use the Rapallo DT10 and use 8 pound test Suffix Elite line and this will get the bait down faster. Zoom pearl Super Flukes can take a few fish but expect this to be an early bite.

The U.S. Army Corp of Engineers will begin the drawdown of the lake starting August 1, 2025 to begin work on the concrete pier between spillway gates #5 and #6. The lake will gradually fall to 625 feet depending on weather conditions until October 1, 2025. This work will continue through January 15, 2026. Once repairs are complete the lake level will gradually rise to normal as conditions allow. Questions call 706 645 2937.

West Point Fish Attractors: Find locations of DNR fish attractors and much more information for a variety of water bodies, including West Point, at GeorgiaWildlife.com/fishing-forecasts.

WEISS LAKE

Lake Weiss Bass (Courtesy of Ken Sturdivant www.southernfishing.com) — Bass fishing is good. Our fish have moved to the creek and river channel ledges. The Carolina rigs and crank baits are catching fish. A Zoom U tale worm works great rigged Texas style with a 1/8 to ¼ ounce weight. Also, try a Finesse worm rigged on a 1/16 to 3/16 ounce jig head like a Spotsticker. For either of these worm rigs use the lightest weight possible and the wind or current will be dictating the size.

Lake Weiss Crappie (Courtesy of Ken Sturdivant www.southernfishing.com) —  Crappie fishing is fair. They are on the creek and river channel ledges and deeper brush, they can be caught Spider rigging with live minnows over deep brush. Shooting docks with jigs is also producing some fish.

RIVER REPORT

Mixed Bag (courtesy of Jeff Durniak, Angler Management; report via Unicoi Outfitters) — Cooler weather is here, so take advantage of it. Headwater trouting is good, as are the tailwaters.  Stocker fishing is hanging in there and should benefit from reduced temps and higher streamflows. Lake bassing is still good, while river bassing has been limited by consistent storms and muddy water. Distant trip reports were promising, too. Get up here soon before the holiday crowds beat you.

• Headwaters: Despite consistent afternoon storms, our headwaters drain off and clear up very quickly. They’ve been warm, but will now cool off with the better weather knocking on north GA’s door. Mornings will still fish better for a while longer, but more streams should now be available to blueline fans with the coming cooler water temps.
• Hints: fish in the low, clear water are in FFM: full fright mode. Hit the cover, in the form of wood, deep pools, and deeper riffles with lots of broken water. Try lighter tippet (6X) and be patient while fish inspect your offering before deciding to eat. Bring plenty of dessicant to dry your fly between eats.
• Private Waters: “Broken record:” We remain shut down for summer. Feel free to call our shop ASAP to reserve those prime fall weekend dates after October 15, when we reopen those cooled-off streams for business.
• Reminder: We are still offering flyfishing-only striper trips at Nacoochee Bend.  Call the Helen shop at 706-878-3083 for details and to make your reservation. Aim for stained water after a storm, so watch that weather forecast.
• Tailwaters: They’re still a really good bet. Catch the Lanier Tailwater soon before fall lake stratification starts to stain it badly up near the dam.

TROUT REPORT 

Trout Info and Trout Stocking: To learn about Georgia’s diverse trout fishing opportunities, including the latest stocking information, visit GeorgiaWildlife.com/Fishing/Trout.

Trout Fishing Opportunities for Those With Disabilities: Check out these sites that are open to the public and offer specific amenities for anglers with disabilities. Find the list at GeorgiaWildlife.com/Fishing/Trout.

Wes’ Hot Fly List:

Dries:  purple haze, tan elk hair caddis, parachute ant, foam ant, micro chubby Chernobyl, royal humpy, Drymerger.

Stockers: red squirmy worm, peach egg, micro girdle bug, black woolly bugger, tan and olive mops, pink tag jig.

Mountain streams: hares ear, drowned ant, pheasant tail nymph and soft hackle, UV green weenie, prince nymph.

Streamers:

• Small black and olive buggers, bank robber sculpin, micro dungeon.
• (Bass & stripers) two tone stealth bomber (the olive/tan color has been deadly lately for river bass) Supernatural peanut, sparkle minnow, stealth jig.
• (Panfish) mini stealth bomber, Boogle popper #8, brim reaper, girdle bug.
• (Carp) squirmy hybrid, carp bitters, identity crisis.

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.

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