The holiday season in Georgia isn’t just about lights and presents, it’s also a time to slow down, breathe in the crisp air, and maybe sneak in a little fishing between celebrations. Whether you’re casting for bass on a quiet lake or taking the kids out for a few afternoon bites, time spent outdoors is one of the best gifts you can give to yourself and others. Fishing offers the peace, reflection, and joy that define this season, reminding us that some of the greatest moments aren’t found under the tree, but out on the water.

NEWS TO KNOW:

• Whitewater Bucket Brigade – Let’s Stock Some Trout! There is still time to sign up! Come help stock some trout in the delayed harvest section of the Chattahoochee River on Dec. 22. You must register to participate! To register, visit https://gooutdoorsgeorgia.com/ and select “Events and Opportunities” and search the event calendar for Dec. 22. 
• Go Fish Education Center – Improvements: The outdoor aquariums at the Go Fish Education Center will be temporarily closed Oct. 31, 2025 – Jan. 8, 2026, to allow for exciting improvements. But, don’t worry, the rest of the Center and casting pond will remain open on weekends, with education programs continuing during the week. 
• NW GA: Support Fish Habitat with a Tree Donation: Your Christmas tree can have a second life, as fish habitat! Participate in the “Bring one for the Chipper” event on Sat. Jan. 3 (9am-12pm) by bringing your live, undecorated tree to the Home Depot at 103 Hicks Drive, Rome GA. This year, Keep Rome-Floyd Beautiful is partnering with Georgia DNR Fisheries to place recycled trees in nearby ponds and lakes, supporting fish and wildlife right here at home. Recycle your tree, support local ecosystems, and take home something new to grow!

This week, we have fishing reports from Southeast, North and Central Georgia (Southwest will be back with a report after the holidays). We wish you the very best Merry “Fishmas” and Go Fish Georgia!

SOUTHEAST GEORGIA

(Fishing report courtesy of Don Harrison and Tim Bonvechio, Fisheries Biologists, with help from Region Staff and Local Experts)

The rain we received last weekend gave the rivers a much-needed pulse and some are still rising, and most are now steady or slightly changing.  We got a few fishing reports earlier in the week but once the cold front pushed through on Sunday the 13^th, it has been slow.

River gages on December 17th were:

• Clyo on the Savannah River – 4.00 feet and falling
• Abbeville on the Ocmulgee – 2.31 feet and rising
• Doctortown on the Altamaha – 5.11 feet and falling
• Waycross on the Satilla – 7.23 feet and steady
• Atkinson on the Satilla – 4.02 feet and steady
• Statenville on the Alapaha – 2.51 feet and rising
• Macclenny on the St Marys – 2.11 feet and steady
• Fargo on the Suwannee – 2.40 feet and falling
• Pinnetta on the Withlacoochee –6.21 and steady
• Quitman on the Withlacoochee –1.77 and steady

ST. MARY’S RIVER

On Saturday the 13^th, Brentz McGhin fished the lower St. Mary’s River targeting structure and caught and released 12 striped bass up to 20 inches.  None of which were legal to keep.  The limit for striped bass, white bass, and hybrid white-striped bass on the St. Mary’s River is two fish which must be 22 inches or longer. 

LOCAL PONDS

A Pierce County angler threw senkos worms in a private pond before dark on Friday the 12^th and caught 3 bass up to 14 inches. 

ALTAMAHA/OCMULGEE/OCONEE RIVERS

The 3 Rivers Bass Tournament Trail announced their 2026 schedule. (See inserted image).

Anyone interested in the cost of fishing can contact Ashley Boggan at 912-292-3072 or you can email him at Boggan75@gmail.com

SALTWATER

Don Harrison and Billy Williams fished in the Crooked River area and had a slow day with artificial lures but managed to put a couple keeper redfish in the boat. Scott and Will Smith fished in the Brunswick area with shrimp on the bottom and caught a decent mixed bag. They had 10-20 redfish and black drum, a couple flounder and sheepshead, and some undersized trout. 

PARADISE PUBLIC FISHING AREA (NEAR TIFTON)

• Paradise PFA Info
• Paradise PFA Fishing Guide

The winter black crappie bite has begun at Paradise PFA.  One angler reported catching 19 from the bank while using straight jigs this past weekend. Paradise PFA has great bank access on most of it’s lakes and has fishing piers in lakes Patrick, Horseshoe 2, and Horseshoe 3. Don’t be afraid to try multiple lakes in attempt to find actively feeding fish. 

DODGE COUNTY PUBLIC FISHING AREA (NEAR EASTMAN)

• Dodge County PFA Information  
• Dodge County Fishing Guide

Paul Moore had a decent day on Tuesday fishing the pier at Dodge PFA and landed 8 black crappie on jigs tipped with minnows.

OCMULGEE PUBLIC FISHING AREA (NEAR HAWKINSVILLE)

• Ocmulgee PFA Info
• Ocmulgee PFA Fishing Guide

Erik Sandal ran into an angler this afternoon that caught 3 nice bass (an 8 lber, a 7 lber, and a 5 lber). Unfortunately, he didn’t give me a name or any other details.

HUGH M. GILLIS PUBLIC FISHING AREA (NEAR DUBLIN)

• Hugh Gillis PFA Information
• Hugh Gillis PFA Fishing Guide

NORTH GEORGIA

(Fishing report courtesy of Kyle Rempe, Fisheries Biologist, with help from Region Staff and Local Experts)

RESERVOIR REPORT

Want to Land More Fish? In need of some pointers to help you land more fish? Captain Joseph Martinelli with Heron Outdoor Adventures has you covered with this quick read that offers some general angling tips for more catches.

Community Fishing Event Ponds: Channel Catfish (courtesy of GADNR Fisheries Biologist Kyle Rempe): Can you tell what two species these fish are? Is this actually a trick question? Maybe? If you guessed that they are both Channel Catfish with different pigmentations, then you would be correct.

Multiple lakes and small ponds within North Georgia were stocked over the past few weeks with this year’s annual batch of intermediate (~ 8”) Channel Catfish, with a handful of albino catfish also showing up amongst their numbers. These stocking are made possible by the hard work done by the various warmwater fish hatcheries found around the state of Georgia. The stocked catfish help to provide angling opportunities for folks who participate in the various events that can be found on the GADNR Events Calendar link. Housed on that same page are other outdoors opportunities that also include hunting, shooting sports, and more.

While temperatures are a bit cool right now for fishing events to be going on in December, be sure to bookmark that webpage and check back during the spring / summer for more angling focused events!

Lake Allatoona Bass (courtesy of Ken Sturdivant, Southern Fishing): Bass fishing is fair. The Allatoona arm is clear. If you don’t like fishing in the cold and wait to mid-day and find the warmest water in the lake. The bass tend to feed better if the water is a little warmer. Bass suspend on cloudy days when barometric pressure is dropping or on sunny, windy days. The fish cling to rocky bottoms during calm, sunny weather. In clear water bass hang close to brush piles. Suspended bass can take a lure offered at the right depth and with the right action. The McStick is a suspending stick bait. It looks like the bait fish they are after. It can quiver like a dying shad making an easy meal. A few fish will take a bright small crank bait like a Deep We R in bone and parrot colors and a few fish are on spoons. The best pattern is to arrive early and leave late. There is no pattern. The deep cold water is setting in.

Lake Hartwell Bass (courtesy of Ken Sturdivant, Southern Fishing): Bass fishing is fair. The fish are still holding to lay downs along the bank and most of them are being caught out in the tops of the trees in the heavy branches on jigs. Use a 1/4-to-1/2-ounce jig in brown and green colors with a twin tail or frog trailer. Out on the main lake points, fish are still breaking the surface and on occasion are hitting top water baits. As the lake turns over, bass tend to suspend and Ito 110 jerk baits are excellent. Bass suspend on cloudy days when barometric pressure is dropping or on sunny, windy days. The fish cling to rocky bottoms during calm, sunny weather. In clear water bass hang close to brush piles. Suspended bass can take a lure offered at the right depth and with the right action. The McStick is a suspending stick bait. It looks like the bait fish they are after. It can quiver like a dying shad making an easy meal. Try the Deep Husky Jerk on the deeper channel ledges. Stay on the main lake or in the rivers this week and out of the coves. Spinner baits are catching a few bass that are roaming the banks and most of these fish are small spots. Use the six inch worms, the Rapala #5 RS Shad Raps and trick worms with a very light Texas rig. Fish every point and piece of structure and it may be necessary to fish several baits in one locations to trigger a strike.

Lake Hartwell Mixed Bag (courtesy of Captain Cefus McRae (404-402-8329); report via Southern Fishing): This is more of a multi-species report because the water temperature is making everything frisky. So if you bundle up for the cold weather, the fishing can be really hot right now. Right now, the surface water temperature is 56 degrees. And what’s equally interesting is the water temperature down deep. We dropped the Scotty Seeker temperature probe down and verified the temperature at 50 feet deep is also 56 degrees. That means two things. The lake has completed its winter inversion, leaving clean, clear cold water throughout the water column and there’s good oxygen saturation down deep so fish can roam freely from super shallow to super deep. As also happens this time of year, small minnows are prolific. So, if you’re using live bait, you’ll want to get the smallest herring you can find or large crappie minnows. Virtually all the fish caught recently have been coughing up 2-to-3-inch minnows. Big herring will get you some bites from larger predator fish, but even the big fish have had their bellies full of the smaller baits. And when stripers focus on little baits, it can be hard to get them to eat a larger bait. Size down your hooks to match the size of the bait. You can still catch a big fish on a small hook. If you want to have some fun stretching a string, the white bass and perch bite is on fire right now. They will eat small live baits, and they will attack a Capt. Mack’s Super Spoon. White, white/blue, or white/chartreuse are all good choices. Use a 3/8 ounce or ½ ounce, drop it to the bottom, crank it up 2 cranks, and jig it up and down a few inches. Be ready to set the hook because spotted bass, largemouth, catfish, hybrids and stripers will eat these too. For stripers and hybrids, get out early; or launch the boat a couple hours before sunset. If it’s a cloudy day, the bite can last all day. Start your search pattern in the back of major creeks in about 15 feet of water, working out to 35 feet. A slow trolled X Rig outfitted with ¼ ounce Olive WhoopAss Bucktail’s will get hammered. Also put a big live herring or gizzard shad free lined about 15 feet behind a partially inflated balloon. Planer boards are starting to come in handy too. The gulls have shown up in good numbers. Whirling and diving gulls are a sure sign there’s bait in the area, and where there’s bait, there will be gamefish. So put on your fleece and go catching!

Lake Lanier Bass (courtesy of Phil Johnson (pjohnson15@hotmail.com or 770-366-8845); report via Southern Fishing): Bass fishing on Lake Lanier is good. The lake is currently six and a half feet below full pool and the water temperature is running around fifty-three degrees. The lower end of the lake still has some turnover going on with off color water and foam while the upper part of the lake much clearer. On the lake right now you can see fish schooling, chasing shad in five feet of water and find fish in the ditches at forty foot of water so several baits are working. For the first hour in the morning head to the backs of the pockets in fifteen feet or less of water with either a quarter ounce Spot Choker or a Jerkbait that runs less than six feet deep. The bass will begin to move out of the pocket as the sun rises, so move out with them to the first structure in the ditches. If you locate bait balls in the ditches that is a bonus but there are likely to be bass scattered anywhere in them. For the bass that you are able to get directly over use a half ounce silver spoon to drop straight down on them and vertically bounce it about a foot at a time. To cover a ditch or ledge area well begin with the boat in fifty feet of water and make long cast with a three eights Spot Choker down the middle of the ditch or drop off of the ledge. Load either a three-inch Keitech Easy Swimmer in either Electric Shad or Clear Silver Glow colors on the Spot Choker. Work this bait slowly along the bottom on a steady retrieve. Once you feel the strike or it feels heavy, don’t set the hook hard but rather give an easy pull and speed up your retrieve. On the windy days there is still a spinnerbait or crankbait bite on the windy rocky areas of the lake with the bass being in less than fifteen feet of water. A DT10 or a white spinnerbait with silver Colorado blades will draw the strikes If you prefer to drag a bait, work a three eight’s brown and chartreuse jig with a cinnamon pepper twin tail trailer around and under the docks in fifteen feet or less of water. Be sure to work all the way back on the walkways to draw extra strikes. The winter patterns are setting in and it’s a great time to be on Lanier for some big Spots so Go Catch ‘Em!

Lake Lanier Crappie (courtesy of Captain Josh Thornton (770-530-6493); report via Southern Fishing): Lake Lanier crappie fishing is good the water temperatures are in the 50s The Crappie are suspended in open water at 5 to 8 feet deep in open water and on deep water docks. Minnows are working well and the jig color of choice is d2d by ATX lures its 1.25-inch flat tail green color. 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 with a Garmin LiveScope. To schedule your guided Lake Lanier crappie fishing trip, please contact Captain Josh Thornton at 770-530-6493. Additional information and helpful fishing tips can be found on our websites: http://www.crappieonlanier.com and http://www.fishingwitheverydayheroes.org

Lake Lanier Linesides (courtesy of Buck Cannon, Buck Tales Guide Service (404-510-1778); report via Southern Fishing): Lake Lanier Stripers are enjoying the cold weather and they are finally starting their top water bite so be prepared for the birds hovering over the bait. Having your favorite lure tied on is a plus. I have seen them from 369 bridge up to Laurel Park so you might want to check your gas level in your boat, its cold out there and you don’t want to be stranded. Downlines are still catching fish and the smaller baits have been the preferred ones. Gainesville creek has been loaded with bait and the umbrella rigs is a great searching method. We are pulling the 9 rig unit 100 to 130 feet behind the boat at 2.5 to 3.5 mph. Keep your eyes open for change in depth and always have your retriever handy. Wear enough clothes to keep warm and always wear your life jacket. BuckTales 404-510-1778.

Lake Lanier Linesides (courtesy of The Striper Experience): Early in the mornings, fish are showing up on top, especially when smaller bait gets pushed into the surface layer. As the sun rises, we continue marking plenty of fish holding deeper as the water cools. Right now, the pattern is all about small baits — medium and large shiners are working well, and even the smallest herring you can find are getting eaten. With bait really beginning to stack up, make sure your Humminbird Solix or Apex is dialed in so you don’t miss what’s happening under the boat. We’re currently seeing two distinct groups of fish:

River Channel Fish (Above Highway 53)

• There are packs of fish running up and down the river channels north of the Highway 53 bridges, feeding heavily on tiny bait right on the surface.
• These fish are responding best to planer boards, flat lines, and very small baits.
• Stay mobile—these schools are moving fast, and the birds will often help pinpoint the activity.

Creek Fish in the Northern Arms:

• In the backs of the northern creeks, bait is beginning to migrate deeper, and we’re finding fish staged in the 30–50 foot range.
• These fish have been more consistent on downlines.
• With the bait stacking in these pockets, this pattern should only strengthen as December progresses.
• Loons and gulls will start showing out, making it easier to locate roaming schools of stripers.

December is a beautiful month on the lake, and it’s also a season of reflection. As we enjoy this incredible fishery, let’s remember that Christmas is the celebration of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, who came into this world to save us and later gave the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. May we celebrate His birth with gratitude this month. Get out there and Catch em Up! Call us today at 678-300-4865 or book your Striper Experience online. And don’t forget Gift Certificates are great for the holidays!

Lake Lanier Mixed Bag (courtesy of GADNR Fisheries Biologist Josh Stafford): GA DNR recently deployed 10 new fish attractors near Balus Creek boat ramp on Lanier. As reservoirs age, fish habitat like woody debris and aquatic vegetation decomposes or is eroded away. Fisheries biologists at GA DNR work with other agencies and local angler clubs to deploy fish attractors or plant vegetation to enhance fish habitat. You can find and download fish attractor locations for many of Georgia’s reservoirs on GA DNR’s Fishing Forecast website. This website also gives an overview of the species of sport fish and the status of the fisheries in reservoirs and rivers throughout Georgia.  

Lake Weiss Bass (courtesy of Ken Sturdivant, Southern Fishing): Bass fishing is good. The bass have moved to a deep winter pattern, on the creek and river channel ledges. Spinner Baits and Crank Baits working well, jigs and Carolina rigs are catching fish also.

Lake Weiss Crappie (courtesy of Ken Sturdivant, Southern Fishing): Crappie fishing is good. They are on deeper cover 18 to 22 feet deep. Look on the main Coosa river channel ledges from Cedar Bluff to Leesburg. Spider rigging, over brush, and the river channel ledges with live minnows and jigs is catching fish. Long line trolling with jigs is starting to turn on, as some fish are starting to suspend in the river and creek channels.

West Point Lake Bass (courtesy of Ken Sturdivant, Southern Fishing): Bass fishing is slow. There are a few fish biting spoons and jigs but there is no consistent bite yet. Pick a creek around marker 54 and work the points and the river bends with a 1/2-ounce Sidewinder spoon. Work the bait right on the bottom and hop it only a few inches at a time. This bait need to look like a dying shad so use shot lifts at depths of 15 to 30 feet deep. All black or all brown in the 3/8-ounce Stanley jig and be sure to use real pork trailers. The Uncle Josh #11 is the all-time cold-water favorite. In the coves up lake with any wood, run a #5 Shad Rap in bright colors right through the middle and stop the bait as it strikes any structure. Be sure to use fresh line and drag the bait on, in and over and wood. Spoons are also good additions to the early spring tactics and work them in the same areas. Bass suspend on cloudy days when barometric pressure is dropping or on sunny, windy days. The fish cling to rocky bottoms during calm, sunny weather. In clear water bass hang close to brush piles. Suspended bass can take a lure offered at the right depth and with the right action. The McStick is a suspending stick bait. It looks like the bait fish they are after. It can quiver like a dying shad making an easy meal. The fish all over the lake can be expected to feed only on major feeding periods. Larger docks that are totally enclosed up the lake will warm the surrounding waters all day with the sunlight. Afternoons the water may warm some but only on the surface. Bump the deep wood and bump this bait off rocky points as well. Pitch and flip or even skip baits under these larger docks.

The drawdown by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile District drawdown at West Point Dam, Georgia continues. The drawdown is now at 10 feet below full pool. Maintenance and repair work is scheduled to occur from October 1, 2026, through January 15, 2026. Once repairs are complete, the lake level will gradually return to normal as conditions allow. For more information, contact the West Point Project Manager’s Office at (706) 645-2937. 

RIVER REPORT

Mixed Bag (courtesy of Jeff Durniak, Angler Management; report via Unicoi Outfitters): Check out

Wes’ Hot Fly List:

Dries: parachute blue wing olive, Drymerger, tan elk hair caddis, tiny tan chubby, RS2, parachute Adams.

Nymphs & Wets:

• DH Stockers: twister egg, ruby midge, diamond midge, lightning bug, Duracell, micro girdle bug.
• Mountain streams: zebra midge, soft hackles, micro mayfly, prince nymph, hares ear.
• Streamers: Black and olive woolly buggers, Sparkle minnow, barely legal, UV polar Jig, mini gulp sculp.
• Reservoir Bass & Stripers: clouser minnow, low fat minnow, Cowen’s somethin else.
• River bass: Dead Ned, sweet baby Cray, crittermite, crawfish jambalaya, Clouser minnow. (Low and slow presentation is key in cool north Georgia bass rivers right now).

Headwaters: Head out at lunchtime, hike to some of the few deep pools left in those bluelines and dredge a small bead head nymph a foot or two below your fluffy dry, which will just serve as your strike indicator. Make sure your dropper runs deep, since the frozen fish likely won’t chase your bugs very far.

Delayed Harvest: Still low, clear, and cold.  Catching has been a bit slow due to slow currents, transparent water, and spooky, sluggish fish. Try Smith early, late, and in any shade that you can find at midday. Shadows and lack of crowds keep fish more comfortable. Light lines and small nymphs are your best bets. Don’t forget to swing a small soft hackle on 6X or 7X, deep through the pools if the fish aren’t impressed with your dead drift.

Stockers: There may still a few stray stockers left in the bigger GA streams, especially the two tailwaters. You can also fish downstream from DH boundaries to catch the DH wash-downs after flood events.

Where to Go for Trout Info: To learn about Georgia’s diverse trout fishing opportunities including the latest stocking information, check out the Georgia DNR Trout Fishing page at GeorgiaWildlife.com/fishing/trout.

Supporting Trout Fishing: 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 which can be found at GeorgiaWildlife.com/fishing/trout. Hatcheries and wild trout efforts both benefit from the trout tag.

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

RESERVOIR REPORT

LAKE RUSSELL IS DOWN 2 FEET, 60’S

Bass (courtesy of Ken Sturdivant’s Southern Fishing Report): Bass fishing is fair. The lake is loaded with spotted bass and they love the cooler water. Expect these fish to be roaming in and out along the shallow rocky areas and a variety of baits will catch them. Largemouth are also found here and they prefer the wood cover over the rock. Bass suspend on cloudy days when barometric pressure is dropping or on sunny, windy days. The fish cling to rocky bottoms during calm, sunny weather. In clear water bass hang close to brush piles. Suspended bass can take a lure offered at the right depth and with the right action. The McStick is a suspending stick bait. It looks like the bait fish they are after. It can quiver like a dying shad making an easy meal. Since this lake is nothing more than a flooded gorge, there is plenty of wood in various forms scattered all over the lake. Don’t rule out that top water bite this week are spinner baits, jigs, Shad Raps and Husky Jerks or Ito Vision 110.

Black Bass 2 (courtesy of SC Fishing Reports): Guide Jerry Kotal (706-988-0860) reports that in December bass will be in deep water in the creeks and also on the main lake. By the end of November, they had already moved out to 50-60 feet and the bite was very good. They will be caught on jigging spoons, drop shots, jigs, and live bait.

Tournament Update (courtesy of ABA News): Ben and Ashley Sutton of Gloverville, SC, earned their third win of the 2026 season at the fourth South Carolina Couples Trail Division 11 tournament on Lake Russell, where all twelve teams weighed in a five-bass limit after a cold start gave way to a beautiful day. The Suttons led the field with 13.90 pounds, anchored by Ben’s 6.08-pound bass that earned Men’s Big Bass honors, first-place recognition, and valuable trail points toward their National Standings lead. They began the day fishing standing timber, landing the big fish on a Berkley jerkbait, with the remainder of their catch coming on a drop shot and one fish off an A-rig near the back of a pocket. Zach Garner and Ashlyn Gordon finished second with 12.78 pounds after starting the morning chasing schooling bass on LiveScope with minnow-style baits and jerkbaits, then moving to dirtier water where their better fish came from jigs worked through brush piles.

Striped Bass (courtesy of SC Fishing Reports): Guide Wendell Wilson (706-283-3336) reports that December is one of the best months of the year to fish Russell for striper, and fish usually group up in the mid-lake. Whether you opt to throw artificial lures at feeding fish or cover water by pulling herring on free-lines and planer boards, following the birds is key.

Crappie and Perch (courtesy of SC Fishing Reports): Guide Wendell Wilson reports that in December he will not usually target crappie, although they are sometimes a by-catch, but yellow and white perch will be caught in excellent numbers. They will be caught on minnows fished around deeper schools of bait.

Catfish (courtesy of SC Fishing Reports): Guide Jerry Kotal reports that December is not a month when very many people will be targeting catfish, but if you concentrate on deep water you can pick up channel catfish or even a big flathead before it gets too cold.

CLARKS HILL IS DOWN 7.2 FEET, 50’S 

Bass (courtesy of Ken Sturdivant’s Southern Fishing Report): Bass fishing is fair. Expect the bass to move back a little to deeper water. The bass are suspended out in 10 to 15 feet of water. This will enable angler to pin point them on the Lowrance graph and use the Down Deep Husky Jerk Baits. Bass suspend on cloudy days when barometric pressure is dropping or on sunny, windy days. The fish cling to rocky bottoms during calm, sunny weather. In clear water bass hang close to brush piles. Suspended bass can take a lure offered at the right depth and with the right action. The McStick is a suspending stick bait. It looks like the bait fish they are after. It can quiver like a dying shad making an easy meal. Expect the bites to be slow and far and few between. Carolina rigs are always a fall favorite with anglers during the fall transition. The lower end of the lake if turning over but this will have little effect on the fishing up in the north Little River or Savannah River. Fish the rivers by picking apart the cover with Chatterbaits and jigs. On the windy days, fish the deeper points with a Rapala DT10 and a DT14 and use shad and hot mustard colors. Plenty of sunshine should dominate the weather for the majority of the week.

Black Bass 2 (courtesy of SC Fishing Reports): Guide Josh Rockefeller (706-513-6152) reports that in December there should be two major groups of fish. Once temperatures get below 55 degrees there will be bass in the creek ditches that can be caught on The Sled and blade baits. At times these fish will get very shallow. There is another group of deeper fish out on the main lake focused on bait schools that can be caught on minnow imitations or underspins fished in open water or over humps and other structure. Birds can help locate the bait schools.

Tournament Update (courtesy of WRD Fisheries Biologist Aaron Gray): Clarks Hill recently hosted a Georgia BASS Nation High School Fishing event, drawing 136 boats. Congratulations to Tripp Parks and Russell Gibson of the Clarks Hill Youth Fishing Team for bringing home the victory on their home waters!

Striper and Hybrids (courtesy of SC Fishing Reports): Little River Guide Service (706-210-3474) reports that during December many fish should move into the backs of the creeks. As the fish get shallower and scatter out in the backs more anglers will switch over to free-lines and planer boards, but there are also always fish that can be caught on down-rods.

Linesides (courtesy of WRD Fisheries Biologist Aaron Gray): Even with dwindling temperatures, Clarks Hill still remains a fishing hotspot in December! Dedicated anglers can still find some strong striper and hybrid action if they know where to look and where to find shad activity. Blake Reeves and his family enjoyed a successful day recently, reinforcing some of the impressive sampling results from WRD-Fisheries staff this month. Clarks Hill remains a great choice for CSRA anglers looking to catch memorable hybrids and stripers.

Crappie (courtesy of SC Fishing Reports): Little River Guide Service reports that in December there should still be some fish ganged up around mid-depth brush piles and submerged timber in creeks. Generally creeks in the middle and upper part of the lake will fish best, and crappie will eat minnows or jigs. As more fish start to roam, however, the bite usually slows down.

Catfish (courtesy of SC Fishing Reports): Captain Chris Simpson (864-992-2352) reports that December is one of the best months of the year to catch a big catfish on Thurmond, and if anything fishing is likely to improve from what has already been an excellent fall bite. Anchoring on deep structure is usually the most consistent way to catch large blue and flathead catfish this month, although drifting has been strong so far this fall. The creeks can be good depending on whether bait has moved into them, and gizzard shad and white perch are hard to beat for the bigger fish. This year all signs point to a continued good bite in the creeks.

LAKE OCONEE IS FULL, 50’S

Bass (courtesy of Ken Sturdivant’s Southern Fishing Report): Bass fishing is good. The temperature is 56 to 59 degrees. North of the 44 bridge is stained up to I20. The rivers are a heavy stain. The main lake is clear. The spoon bite is still strong in the middle of the coves in Richland Creek. Target the fish off secondary points in the coves all over Richland Creek. The buzz bait bite is on. Sea walls and rip rap early and late. Shad raps fished around docks and rip rap will draw a strike mid-day.

Striper (from Doug Nelms with Big Fish Heads Guide Service): The striper bite is really heating up on Lake Oconee and the fish are starting to put on some winter weight thanks to a combination of cold temperatures and heavy feeding activity. Striper are finally grouping up in deeper water and along main-lake river channels, following schools of bait. Look for fish suspended over 20–40 feet near channel bends, creek mouths, and the dam. Live shad or large bucktails and umbrella rigs worked slowly through the marks are producing best, with the most consistent action coming during the warmer part of the day.

LAKE SINCLAIR IS DOWN 3.0 FEET, STAINED, 60’S

Bass (courtesy of Ken Sturdivant’s Southern Fishing Report): Bass fishing is fair. Top water baits have begun again to draw a few strikes after not producing for a week or more. Spinner baits and crank baits are working as the as the water temperature cools down. Bass are taking the spinner baits. Blow downs, shallow brush, stumps, and grass have been the cover holding these fish. Try a 3/8-ounce model in chartreuse white with double Colorado blades, one nickel and the other gold. Try to bump the cover with each retrieve and use multiple casts from various angles. Also try a ½ to ¾ ounce bait with a large #7 Colorado rear blade. This bait should be bulged just below the surface and retrieved over or very near likely looking cover. Jigs and soft plastics continue to draw a few bites around docks and shallow brush. Bass suspend on cloudy days when barometric pressure is dropping or on sunny, windy days. The fish cling to rocky bottoms during calm, sunny weather. In clear water bass hang close to brush piles. Suspended bass can take a lure offered at the right depth and with the right action. The McStick is a suspending stick bait. It looks like the bait fish they are after. It can quiver like a dying shad making an easy meal. The jig bite has been the most consistent bait on the humps, points and flats. Carolina rigs and crank baits are the primary baits here.

Catfish (from WRD Fisheries): During December, expect most blue catfish to be holding in deeper water — deep holes, channel edges, or old creek-channel depressions, especially near river arms or the dam. Use heavy tackle — a stout rod, 20-50 lb braided or mono line, large circle hooks, and a strong sinker to keep bait on the bottom. Cut shad or large gizzard shad, live bream, or other sizeable natural baits are most effective — blues on Sinclair prey on gizzard shad, threadfin shad, crappie, and other fish species at this time of year when they aren’t gorging on Asian clams (Corbicula). Prior WRD-funded research on blue catfish from this Oconee system shows that fish are an important dietary component for blue catfish in the winter season. Fish slowly — anchor or slowly drift over deep structure, channel bends, submerged humps or holes, or near rip-rap banks where deeper water or slack current meets structure. On cold or calm days, midday may offer the best bite, though the bite can slower overall compared to the warmer months.

LAKE JACKSON IS FULL, CLEAR, 50’S 

Bass (courtesy of Ken Sturdivant’s Southern Fishing Report): Bass fishing has been slow with the ever changing weather and water levels. The few bass biting will take a number five chartreuse and white Shad Rap. While the cold front did have its effect on the bass this past week, crank baits can work. Throw the Shad Raps and the DT6’s on or near the channel ledges for the best results during these harsh conditions. The weather is expected to warm up for the upcoming week and fishing may improve as the water settles. Sunshine beating down on the red clay banks and the rocks is a good place to fish during a warming trend. The bass will move up to the warmer water to feed and the rocks and red clay will warm the water around these areas first. Carolina rigging a Zoom lizard in June bug is another good choice this week for those who like to fish plastics.

Catfish (from WRD Fisheries): At Lake Jackson in December, most catfish — especially larger blues and flatheads — settle into deeper holes and bends near the main lake and dam. Expect fish tight to the bottom, with the best action around deep channel transitions such as the South River arm near the Hwy-36 Bridge or other creek-to-river breaks. Fish with heavy gear because Jackson has some large catfish roaming around! Flatheads have a preference for live bait (bream) while blues seem to be less selective and can be caught with cut bait. Anchor or slowly drift over deep structure and channel edges; bite windows often improve during low light or stable midday weather.

LAKE TOBESOFKEE

Shellcracker (from WRD Fisheries): WRD Fisheries staff from Perry recently conducted fall gillnet samples from Lake Tobesofkee, an 1,750-acre City of Macon-Bibb County-operated recreational reservoir just west of Macon. This lesser-known reservoir contains excellent fisheries for bass, crappie, and hybrids stocked by WRD Fisheries. It also contains a good population of hearty shellcracker that are popular among bank anglers. Recent surveys revealed great numbers of shellcracker in the 8” – 10” size range that make for fun, easy fishing off the dock or bank, and they’re also great to eat! Use live bait such as nightcrawlers, red wigglers, or crickets fished directly on the bottom, especially in 6–12 feet of water near submerged vegetation or dock pilings. A light Carolina or split-shot rig fished slowly and kept in contact with the bottom is effective, with bites often subtle so a slip bobber can help. Focus efforts during the morning and late afternoon when fish are most active. A handful of the fish we caught were processed as samples to update the Environmental Protection Division’s Fish Consumption Guidelines for Lake Tobesofkee. 

PUBLIC FISHING AREA REPORT

MCDUFFIE PUBLIC FISHING AREA (courtesy of Fisheries Technician Chalisa Fabillar) — 

• McDuffie PFA Information
• Water Level: Water Levels are fluctuating with rainfall, currently all fishing lakes water levels are down.
• Water Clarity: 24 inches in Rodbender, 36+ inches in other lakes
• McDuffie PFA Fishing Guide

Waters are cool and clear, with lower lake levels. Thanks to recent stockings, the catfish bite has remained strong with many full stringers leaving the area.

Bass: As temperatures cool, bass should be feeding more to prepare for winter.  Anglers should use lures that mimic bait fish, especially in golds, silvers, and white in shallows and deeper water. Best chance of catching a bite is still just as morning light hits the water.

Striped and Hybrid Bass: Anglers are seeing the increased cooler weather feeding activity for striped bass and hybrids. Striped bass are in Bridge and Clubhouse Lakes, while hybrids are in Bream Buster and Bridge Lakes.  Anglers should use chicken livers, worms, and shiner-like lures in white, gold, and silvers in deep water for stripers.  Fishing in Clubhouse from the dock, near all the outflow siphons, and in the deeper waters of Bridge lake this time of year consistently yields good stripers.

Channel Catfish: Catfish bite is consistently good right now. Anglers are catching creel limits using chicken liver and worms off the bottom of the lakes.  Other good options are artificial baits and stink baits also fished off the bottom of the lakes.

Bream:  Bream on the PFA are being frequently with worms in and around structure on the lakes. Nice sunfish are being caught around stumps in Willow Lake and near the dock of Bream Buster Lake.

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

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

• Flat Creek PFA
• Water Level: 56” below full pool 
• Water Temperature: Mid 50’s 
• Water Clarity: 20.5″  
• Flat Creek PFA Fishing Guide

Bass: Anglers are having continued success with shallow running jointed square-bill crankbait lures. Also try using chatterbait bladed jigs for an attention-grabber.

Bream: Red Wigglers continue to produce Bream. Drop bait right next to the fishing pier instead of casting out. 

Crappie: An increase has been noted on the crappie bite. Target submerged treetops and use live minnows and jigs.  

Catfish: Catfish are being caught on nightcrawlers. Remember the PFA lake record for catfish is still open and the minimum requirement to qualify is 12lbs or 32in long. You must have the catch weighed on a certified scale and properly documented.  Should you land a catfish that you believe to be at least 12 pounds (about 30 inches long), please notify DNR staff.

MARBEN PFA FISHING REPORT (courtesy of PFA Manager Jamie Dowd) –

• Marben Public Fishing Area
• Water level: All the ponds are full or nearly full.
• Water clarity:  Visibility in all of the ponds is over 36”.
• Surface temperature: 52-60 degrees and falling.
• Marben PFA Fishing Guide

Bass: The warmer fall has kept the bass in shallower than typical years.  The first part of the month bass should be targeted in 6-10’ depth of water and moving deeper as temperatures cool throughout the month.  Plastic worms, swim baits, and crank baits should work well.  The trick this time of the year is determining what depth of water the bass prefer to be.  As water temperatures cool, the fish will move deeper; however, bass will feed on top water when shad school on the surface.  

Crappie: Crappie fishing should begin to pick up with the water temperatures finally dropping.  Fishing jigs, minnows, and even jigs tipped with minnows are the best bet for crappie.  Balsa style floats that attach on one end allow the bait to be “jigged” under the float as well as offering the angler the ability to easily adjust the depth of the bait.  

Bream: The shellcrackers and bluegill bite has slowed but a few are being caught on the bottom in deep water with worms.  

Hybrids: Bennett Lake offers a good opportunity to harvest a 5-lb hybrid.   Look for schooling shad during late afternoon.  Lures that mimic a shad are your best bet.  Crank baits and spinner baits are a good choice.