If you’re looking to add a little adrenaline to your fishing adventures, it doesn’t get much wilder than noodling. Known as hand fishing, this bold Southern tradition trades rods and reels for grit and a steady grip, as anglers reach into underwater hideouts in search of massive catfish. Equal parts thrilling and time-honored, noodling offers a hands-on connection to Georgia’s rivers and a story you’ll be telling for years. With the Georgia DNR’s designated season running from March through mid-July, summer is the perfect time for brave anglers to test their courage—and maybe wrestle a whiskered giant from the depths.

NEWS TO KNOW:

• • The Blue Ridge Trout Festival is April 26, 2026 in downtown Blue Ridge, Georgia. Meet World Fly Casting champion, Rene Hesse. Details and vendor information can be found at blueridgetroutfest.com.
  • Kids Fish Art Competition: Georgia’s talented young artists showcased their creativity and passion for aquatic conservation in the State Fish Art Contest—view the winning artwork live beginning in June at the Go Fish Education Center; read more at: https://georgiawildlife.com/o-fish-al-winners-state-fish-art-contest.
  • New Black Bass Conservation License Plate Available: Georgia anglers can now purchase a specialty license plate featuring a largemouth bass, with proceeds supporting fisheries conservation, habitat improvements, research, stocking programs, and education efforts across the state. Learn more: GeorgiaWildlife.com/licenseplates.

This week, we have fishing reports from North and Central Georgia, Southeast and Southwest Reports will be back next week! It’s noodling season so give the rod and reel a rest and get out and Go Noodle Georgia!

SOUTHEAST & SOUTHWEST GEORGIA

Sorry y’all, our fisheries folks are out doing fisheries stuff. The Southeast & Southwest Report will return next week!

NORTH GEORGIA

(Fishing report courtesy of Chris French, fisheries biologist with Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division, with help from Region Staff and Local Experts)

RESERVOIR REPORT 

LAKE ALLATOONA 

Lake Allatoona Bass (Courtesy of Ken Sturdivant, The Southern Fishing Report) — LAKE ALLATOONA IS DOWN 5.1 FEET, 70’S – Bass fishing is great. This month angles can catch fish on just about any bait in the box. Fish are and spawning and they have moves made their way shallow. Pockets and secondary points are best to target for better size right now. Scroungers, jerk baits and ChatterBaits are working great. Windy and sunny days have been the most productive. There has been a good jig head bite too. There is a good bite on 6 and 8 inch finesse worms fished on rocky outcrops leading into spawning pockets. Largemouth will spawn first and spotted bass will follow shortly after. April is known for awesome schooling activity also. Have the Spro Dog, a Spy Bait or a soft plastic jerk bait if the bass surface.

Lake Allatoona Crappie (Courtesy of Red Rooster Custom Baits redroosterbaits.com) — 

• Air Temp: High: 82 – Low: 28
• Wind: 10-15 (Up to 30 mph gusts) mph
• Lake Level: 834′ (Click Here For Current Water Level)
• Water Surface Temp: 64 – 66
• Water Clarity: Light Stain to Clear
• Area Fished: Clark, Tanyard, Kellogg/Owl Creek & Little River Area
• Jigs Used: UV Shad – Dagger, Watermelon Red – Dagger, Motor Oil Red – Dagger, UV Smoke – Dagger and Watermelon Ghost – Dagger
• Technique: Bobber & Jigs/Minnows

It is hard to believe that we are in the first week of April 2026 but here we are! Long line trolling for crappie is in the rear view for this year and we are moving into spawning time for Crappie, Bluegill and Shellcracker. Crappie will be moving shallow and will be hanging tight in and around structure. If you see wood such as laydowns, stumps, logs…etc. target that area with a cork and a jig or minnow and you are bound to find some active crappie. April is a great month on Lake Allatoona as the water is warming and the crappie are very active and aggressive. The bluegill will be bedding soon and then the shellcracker will follow closely behind them. A bobber and a small subtle jig like the Red Rooster Dagger is our go to set up for this time of year. We use a small weighted bobber for casting distance, with a 1/32nd oz. jig head and a Dagger set about 12″ to 18″ below the bobber. Our favorite colors this time of year are UV Shad, UV Smoke, Watermelon Red, Motor Oil Red, Watermelon Ghost and Mayfly. We like those colors as they are natural, translucent colors in the light stain to clear Allatoona waters. Another sure fire way to catch active crappie is with a paddle tail jig like the Red Rooster Kic’n Chic’n or Kic’n Chic’n XL with a slow to medium retrieve. Target banks, cuts and wood using a 1/32nd oz. or 1/24th oz. jig head and work it back to the boat (or bank) in 2′ to 10′ of water.

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 HARTWELL

Lake Hartwell Bass (Courtesy of Ken Sturdivant, The Southern Fishing Report ) — LAKE HARTWELL IS DOWN 6.4 FEET, 70’S – Bass fishing is good. Look for them to move back up shallow fast they are ready to be warm again. As DD move in towards the spawning areas pay attention to where the bait is it is still key to finding these fish. This paid off for us as we caught several fish at a time when we found the bait. If there is wind we have been using a Chatterbait and jerk bait both of them in a white or pearl color to mimic the shad. We have also started off in the same areas using ether a Rapala DT6, #5 or #7 Shad Rap focusing on rock and clay or just rock. Look for the banks that the sun is hitting first as this water will warm up first thing. If there are high bright blue sky days use one of the crank baits mentioned above and when the active fish show slow down and start using a jig or Shakey head around brush and docks to catch some fish. Start looking for the first wave of fish to be shallow and cruising the banks looking for their spawning areas. Use a wacky rigged Senko style bait. Continue to move throughout the day.

LAKE LANIER

Lake Lanier Bass: (Via Phil Johnson, Pjohnson15@hotmail.com (770) 366 8845 via The Southern Fishing Report) — LAKE LANIER IS DOWN 5 FEET, 60’S- Bass fishing on Lake Lanier is very good. The lake is currently five feet below full pool with the water temperature running around sixty degrees. Overall, the lake is clear. Right now the bass are very active in the twenty foot or less range on a number of target areas with both moving and crawling baits being effective. The key areas have been mostly secondary on docks, rocky points and banks, reef poles and sandy flats. To start with the moving baits. A quarter ounce Spot Choker finesse underspin with a two eight Keitech worked slowly along the bottom has produced in all of these areas. The Alabama rig has also been working along the shady sides of the shallower docks and the long points. We’ve taken some bass along the marina walls and around the bridge pilings with a spinnerbait, Spot Choker, jerk bait or A Rig so watch for this pattern to pick up over the next week or so with the shad spawn coming. For the slower baits, the wacky rig worm or Neko rig with worms in the green pumpkin color patterns have been producing a lot of bass on the points and docks back in the pockets on either the banks or the docks. Any structure in the pockets is likely to hold bass right now. The Shakey head setup is also working in these areas with either a Tamale green worm or a light colored worm, It’s a special time on Lanier right now and it’s not real complicated to catch the bass with some really nice ones mixed in with any pattern you choose, Stay in the twenty feet or less of water range and cover all the targets in the coves and flats. Watch for the heavy bedding pattern for both spots and Largemouth’s to pick up as the full moon approaches with the very backs of shallow pockets being best for largemouth and the reef poles and sandy areas in twenty feet or less for the Spots. It’s one of the best times to be on Lanier so pick the bait you’re comfortable with and Go Catch ‘Em!

Stripers (report courtesy of Buck Cannon)-  Lake Lanier Stripers are in the back of the coves from mid lake to upper lake in both rivers. Watch for any top water activity then put your spread out using blue backs on planer boards and flat lines. Put your baits 40 feet behind the boards and 60 to 80 feet back on the flat lines. Now there are need for weights just use a medium swivel and #4 circle hook with a 12 pound leader 6 feet long. Temperature are rising and lots of pollen and check your bait often to ensure they are lively. Remember to wear your life jacket.

Stripers (report courtesy of Captain Ron Mullins via https://thestriperexperience.com/)- Lake level: 1066.04 (4.96 feet below full pool)

• Water temps: Mid to high 60’s, right where it should be
• Water clarity: light stain in the rivers, light stain in most creeks, and mostly clear on the main lake below GA 369, since we have had no rain.

April is one of the best months of the year for Lake Lanier striper fishing. Fish are moving shallow, spreading out, and feeding aggressively. The spring bite really starts to fire up this month, and this is when Capt. Mack’s Perfect Planer Boards and flat lines can absolutely shine. If you like covering water with live bait and having a shot at an early topwater bite, April is your month.

Where the Fish Are

Fish should be spread throughout both river arms and many of the major creeks this month, but they’ll still follow the same spring rules: bait, water temperature, and clarity.

Early April Pattern

At the first of the month, there will still be fish roaming over deeper water in the middle sections of creeks and river systems. These fish are often suspended and moving with bait as they transition into shallower spring areas.

As April Progresses

As water temps warm into the high 60s, fish will move shallower and begin setting up around:

• 15–30 foot points
• underwater humps
• flats near creek mouths
• secondary points throughout the lake

Best Areas to Look

There should be fish throughout both river arms, but some of the better places to look this month include:

• Northern Creeks
• Thompson
• Taylor
• Wahoo
• Ada
• Gainesville
• Little River

Rainfall will continue to matter in April. Heavy runoff can stain the upper river systems and push fish around, while more stable water will let fish settle into those classic spring feeding areas faster.

Depth & Seasonal Movement

April is a transition month from suspended roaming fish to more aggressive shallow fish.

• Early month: fish may still be roaming over deeper water in creeks and river channels
• Mid to late month: fish should increasingly move into 15–30 foot water around structure
• Late month: expect more fish to position around points, humps, and shallow feeding zones

This is one of the reasons April can be so productive — you can often intercept fish as they move and feed instead of having to force a deep vertical bite.

What’s Working Best (April Bite)

• Flat Lines & Perfect Planer Boards

This should be one of the strongest patterns all month.

Your best bait choices will be:

• Blueback herring
• Small shad
• Medium gizzard shad

Hook size matters more than most people realize this time of year.

• Herring: #2 or #1 Gamakatsu Octopus Circle Hook
• Small shad: #1 or 1/0 circle hook
• Medium gizzards: 4/0 or 5/0 circle hook

Using a smaller hook will help your herring and small shad stay lively longer and swim more naturally.

Spread Setup

A solid April spread should include both planer boards and flat lines.

• Place your bait 50–100 feet behind the boat
• Clip on your Perfect Planer Board
• Run your first (outside) set about 60 feet from the boat
• Run your inside set about 30 feet from the boat
• Pull flat lines straight behind the boat 50–100 feet

Don’t be afraid to experiment with your lead lengths and even add a #3 split shot if needed to figure out where the fish want to eat that day.

Topwater Starting Up

April is also when we begin to see the start of the topwater striper bite on Lake Lanier.

As fish move shallow and start using points and humps more consistently, it’s a great time to keep a rod ready with:

• Zara Spook
• Chug Bug
• Gunfish

As you ease around these areas pulling your live bait spread behind the boat, you can make long casts from the front deck and often pick up a few extra fish on artificial.

It may not be a full-blown all-day topwater bite yet, but April is absolutely when that pattern begins to show itself.

Final Word

April is an awesome month on Lake Lanier. Fish are moving, feeding, and setting up in all the right spring places. Keep your spread mixed, pay attention to where fish are positioning, and don’t be afraid to adjust your lead lengths, bait size, or depth until they tell you what they want.

This is one of the best months of the year to catch stripers shallow, cover water, and enjoy some of the most exciting fishing of the spring.

Crappie (report is by Captain Josh Thornton 770-530-6493)- Lake Lanier crappie fishing is good. Crappie have moved to the back of creeks. Most of the fish we are catching are in 6 to 8 feet deep or less of water and they want to chase the bait vertical jigs is still not productive for me. Look for small groups or individual fish for your best chance of landing a trophy fish the large schools have not been paying off and what does bite tend to be smaller fish. The jig color of choice has been chartreuse and purple or dark blueFor 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 770-530-6493.

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.

ADA CREEK

(Report courtesy of Jack Becker, aquadog45@gmail.com)

Warm weather and low winds found me fishing Ada creek this week. Blueback herring & on free lines, 100 feet behind the boat and only 10′ behind planner boards produced 3 Stripers, all schoolies and a few spotted bass. I was surprised the water temperature was already 69.2. I wasn’t getting any bites until I increased my speed to .8 to 1 mph. I was trolling in an area around Chattahoochee golf course when I got my biggest fish of the day. I thought I had a Big Striper until it came out of the water like a tarpon and I saw it was a longnose gar.  Alot of fun on a spinning rod with 12 lb leader.  I was lucky the circle hook was in the corner of its mouth and the leader never wrapped around its teeth. It was 43 inches long. 1 inch short to get the Georgia Angler Award.

WEISS LAKE

Bass (Courtesy of Ken Sturdivant, The Southern Fishing Report) — WEISS LAKE DOWN 1.5 FEET, CLEAR, 70’S- Bass fishing fair. It is a little tough with the spawning. The fish are in several stages of the spawn right now. The baitfish are starting to make their way shallow to spawn. Early in the mornings key on the shad spawn to try and get a quick limit and catch a couple of big fish feeding up on the shallow bait. Zoom Super Flukes, top water lures and spinnerbaits are the best lures to use for this early bite and some days can be good all day. If this bite slows down catch some respawn and spawning bass in secondary points and pockets using soft plastics.

WEST POINT LAKE

West Point Hybrid Bass Report: (This report courtesy of Ken Sturdivant, www.southernfishing.com): WEST POINT LAKE IS DOWN 2.1 FEET, CLEAR, 70’S- Bass fishing is good. Bass can be caught on several different patterns. Top water baits such as a Pop R, Zara Spook and buzz baits can be extremely effective for shallow and aggressive pre spawn and spawning bass on West Point. The second pattern that works really well is to look for spawning shad first thing in the mornings. Try fishing rip rap around bridges with spinnerbaits, small crankbaits and Zoom Super Flukes. Additionally, some big tournament sacks of largemouth are weighed in each April by guys who sight fish, targeting bass that are locked on bed. This can be an aggravating way to fish but can pay off in a tournament win. Lots of spotted bass spawn in April and are caught by just dragging a Carolina rigged Zoom Finesse worm or mini lizard around sloping gravel banks. This tactic normally works very well for numbers.

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.

RIVERS AND STREAMS REPORT 

Stocked Trout: Delayed Harvest waterbodies are getting their last stockings of the season in April with Morgan Falls tailwater, Smith Creek, Toccoa River, and Amicalola Creek all receiving healthy doses of Rainbow Trout last week. Regular trout season stockings continue to be heavy at numerous locations across North Georgia.

Stay up to date on the latest trout stockings and locations by visiting the Georgia DNR Trout Fishing page at GeorgiaWildlife.com/fishing/trout.

General: (report courtesy of Jeff Durniak, Angler Management; report via Unicoi Outfitters 4.3.26)

Happy Easter to all.  Our region’s streams and lakes remain low and clear, but with perfect water temps for most of our preferred fish species. Dry fly action remains good whenever some trout stream bugs decide to hatch. Between those hatches, soft hackles and small euronymphs are producing very well.  Stocker streams are getting their weekly redosings and are great spots for kids and new anglers.

We’re hoping for some Easter rain to wash the pollen away, boost streamflows slightly, and muddy some lake arms to enhance the shallow bass and striper action. Many stripers should still be up the rivers on their annual spawning attempts. River bass to the south of us are awakening, too, with warming waters.

April may be the very best month for fishing our region.  Get out there this month and enjoy great weather, abundant trout bugs, awakening river bass, and shad and stripers in the shallows.  Don’t miss our specific intel in each weekly report, here:

http://blog.angler.management/

Have a great holiday weekend with your family and friends. Let’s all welcome any raindrops heading our way to restore our waters and reduce our wildfire threat.  Stop in either UO shop for your hot April trout flies (Sautee) and latest bassin’ hardware (Clarkesville).  Good luck everyone!

Wes’ Hot Fly List:

• Dries: Gray and tan elk hair caddis, BWO, Parachute Adams,  para light cahill, emerger caddis, Drymerger, stimulator, micro chubby.
• Nymphs & Wets: Squirmies, Mops, Lightning bug, soft hackle hares ear and pheasant tail, frenchie, pink tag jig, micro girdle bugs.
• Mountain streams: Pheasant tail, killer may, prince nymph, soft hackle partridge.
• Streamers:UV polar jig, jiggy fry, sparkle minnow, bank robber sculpin.
• Reservoir Bass & Stripers: Cowen’s somethin else, low fat minnow.
• River bass: Dead Ned, crittermite, polarchanger, clouser, sparkle yummy.

Headwaters:

They remain very, very low, so last week’s advice still holds true. This is like summer drought fishing. Stick to your classic dries (caddis, Adams) and cover a lot of water to find decent depths. Stalk quietly and cast lightly to hungry wild fish piled into those few pools.

Delayed Harvest:

Low, clear water and some hatching bugs are providing great conditions for dry/dropper and double dry rigs.

UO guide Sydney: “Smith DH has been awesome. I caught it right after they stocked on Thursday and had a 20+ fish afternoon on a dry fly, as they were rising consistently.  Light tippet and small (#16-18) dries worked best for me.”

Two Rabunites hit the Chattooga DH on Wednesday and had a decent day, with each catching a handful of fish on dries. They said the best action was from 10AM to 1PM.

UO buddy Lumis: “I showed up to the Nantahala DH around 11:30 on Tuesday with a challenge in mind, and that was to fish the lower end. Was originally going to stick to Euro nymphing but from the moment I got there there were some insane gusts of wind, so I threw on an indicator. Proceeded to catch a lot of fish, over two dozen. And what was more surprising was that a very good percentage of them were wild rainbows and even one wild Brown. Also caught two big Stocker browns. I honestly think I would have probably caught around 40 fish if the wind wasn’t so bad. Quilldigon (perdigon variant) and a thread Frenchie with a fluorescent purple collar. Around size 14. I would love to tell you I was matching some hatch but I generally just pull out my favorite nymphs and start fishing. I haven’t dove into dry fly fishing yet.”

Stockers:

Stocker season is in full swing. GAWRD has another long weekly list for us. Get your kids and trouting rookies out there soon. Whether it’s a worm on a spincast rig or a woolly bugger on a fly rod, get them on a few fish.

https://georgiawildlife.com/sites/default/files/wrd/pdf/trout/Weekly_Stocking_Report.pdf

UO guide Sydney: “I had some friends come up before my guide trips and we had fun on the upper Hooch.  My hot combo has been a micro girdle bug with a soft hackle dropper.  Found a lot of cool stream bugs and critters Sunday.”

UO buddy RSquared: “All the streams in Northwest Georgia have received the first traditional trout stocking of 2026. I was able to catch a baker’s dozen of fresh Rainbow Trout from a beautiful stream that runs through a small town 5.5 miles from my farm in AA (Almost Alabama) I started with a pink squirmy-worm stuck with it for the two hours that I fished. It’s a great time to take your kids fishing!”

Tailwaters:

No recent reports. Fresh stocker bows are suckers for stripped buggers and drifted squirmies and eggs.

Warm Rivers:

UO buddy Jay: “A friend invited me to float a Piedmont river with him in search of bass. Water was low and fairly clear but we had success throwing weighted, articulated streamers tied on jig hooks.”

Ponds:

They should still be a best bet for shallow spring bass, bream, and crappie. If the surface action is still a bit slow, try some streamers for bass and crappie and a small rubberleg stone or sunken ant on a dropper under your bream popper.

Here’s a late report from RSquared:

https://www.instagram.com/p/DWq-7xTlWnR/?igsh=anhtZWU5cGZ4MTRk

Lakes:

Reservoir stripers should still be up the tributary rivers on their spring spawning runs. Try the upper ends of lakes for any fish still down low. If we get some decent runoff from Sunday’s rains, then try the stained lake water in the creek arms.

UO buddy Jay: “Last week we went in search of golden bonefish on the Piedmont flats. We found a few but it was not easy to get them to eat. I did have a big surprise when I cast to a carp and the fly was intercepted by a big crappie!”

Events:

April 8: Dredger takes his “Spring Dries and Droppers” program on the road for one more stop this spring:  the Atlanta Flyfishing Club on April 8.  AFFC welcomes all guests,so metro ATL folks, mark your calendars to net some fine Rabunite intel at an Atlanta Classic, Manuel’s Tavern.

https://atlantaflyfishingclub.org/

April 11: Folks interested in flyfishing can try “Rabunite 101, a morning introduction to the sport at the Rabun County Recreation Center gym. It’s a real bargain at $25. Details:

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CyqVTpMY6/?mibextid=wwXIfr

https://tu.myeventscenter.com/event/Rabunite-101-Fly-Fishing-Seminar-122568

April 11: It’s the Hoot on the Hooch in Helen, the annual fundraiser by the GA Foothills  TU chapter. C’mon up for good food, good tunes, and y’all fish tales. You ight even hear your name called as a winner of one of the GATU Dream Trip prizes, assuming you’ve bought a few raffle tix.

CENTRAL GEORGIA

(Fishing report courtesy of Matthew Gerber, 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 

CLARKS HILL LAKE

CLARKS HILL IS DOWN 6.5 FEET, 70’S – Bass fishing is good. With the water temperature on the rise look for the top water bite to really pick up this month. This is one of the best lakes to be on during the blueback herring spawn, and now is the time to start targeting this early morning feeding frenzy. Start out throwing top water and flukes on flat points, shoals and islands when the blueback herring are up shallow. If top water action begins to slow down, a Carolina rigged worm or lizard and a jig are good on the points to catch the bass as they are roaming in search of baitfish. Bass are spawning so once the sun gets up high, search for beds or cruising fish. This month, most of the bass are shallow to either feed or to spawn and it is a good time to be fishing.

LAKE RUSSELL

LAKE RUSSELL IS DOWN .6 FEET, 70’S – Bass fishing is good. With the water temperature on the rise, look for the top water bite to really pick up this month. This is one of the best lakes to be on during the blueback herring spawn, and now is the time to start targeting this early morning feeding frenzy. It is hard to beat a Zoom Trick worm with no weight on a 2/0 offset Mustad worm hook. Be throwing top water and flukes on flat points, shoals and islands when the blueback herring are up shallow. If top water action begins to slow down, a Carolina rigged worm or lizard and a jig are good on the points to catch the bass as they are roaming in search of baitfish. Bass are spawning, so once the sun gets up high, search for cruising fish. Most of the bass are shallow to either feed or to spawn and it is a good time to be fishing.

LAKE OCONEE

LAKE OCONEE IS FULL, 70’S – Bass fishing is good. The best results have been on the Carolina rig with a Zoom lizard in green or pumpkin. Fish around sea walls in the middle of the big coves and creeks from 44 bridge south to the river bend area. Small crank baits fished along the side of the docks in the middle of the coves out to the main lake will produce. Many are using the Rat L Traps around any deep dock and around rip rap early. Some fish are starting to move into the creeks and coves, so don’t be afraid to move in and out of the coves and pockets, fishing in all depths of water.

If you’ve been waiting on spring to turn on, now’s the time—Lake Oconee is producing, and Week 7 of the Oconee Fishing Derby is proof. Anglers are finding active fish across multiple species, and there’s still plenty of time to make a run at the leaderboard.

Derby Update: Big fish are hitting the scales. Chad Wammock leads the striped bass category with a 12 lb., 15.7 oz. fish, while Robert Rentfrow holds the top crappie at 1 lb., 5.3 oz. That said, crappie over 2 pounds have already been weighed this spring—so the door is still wide open for anglers chasing a spot on the podium.

Crappie: Crappie continue to be one of the most reliable bites on the lake. Fish are holding around brush, docks, and creek channels, and anglers fishing minnows or jigs are seeing consistent success. With fish moving through the spawn, expect good numbers and the chance at a true slab.

Catfish: Lake Oconee reminded everyone what it’s capable of recently. Fourteen-year-old Sophia Bishop landed a 60 lb., 11 oz. blue catfish—an absolute trophy by any standard. Fishing alongside her father, Clay Bishop, the team weighed in 126 lbs., 8 oz. across three fish, including flatheads at 37 and 29 pounds.

Largemouth Bass: Bass are starting to push shallow as temperatures rise. Focus on docks, shoreline cover, and secondary points with soft plastics, spinnerbaits, or crankbaits, especially during the warmest part of the day.

Spring is here, the derby is rolling, and Lake Oconee is fishing well. Whether you’re chasing a big fish or just looking to bend a rod, now’s a great time to be on the water.

LAKE SINCLAIR

LAKE SINCLAIR IS DOWN ONE FOOT, 70’S – Bass fishing is good. The spawn is on so get out the top water baits like the Pop R or buzz bait. There are good fish biting first thing in the morning with the warming water temperatures. A prop bait is also a good way to catch some fish that are guarding fry around the beds, as this mimics a bream or bluegill. As the sun gets up, try fan casting a Texas rigged lizard or a wacky rigged Senko in pockets with good spawning flats in the back of them. Key on docks and blowdowns in these pockets. Use a weightless floating Zoom Trick worm this time of year to trigger more finicky fish into biting that don’t want to commit to other presentations. A spinnerbait around grass and seawalls is a great choice as the bass move in and out of the pockets. This should only get better as the bass begin to target shad spawns during the warmer months. Try throwing a shallow running crankbait like the Strike King KVD 1.5. This is another good shad presentation that allows anglers to cover water and catch some active fish. Pattern around rocks, seawalls and main lake cover.

LAKE JACKSON

LAKE JACKSON IS FULL, 70 DEGREES – Bass fishing is good. The fish are in several stages of the spawn, and the baitfish are starting to make their way shallow to spawn. Early in the mornings, bait fish are spawning so use the shallow baits like Pop R and Sammies to get a quick limit and catch a couple of big fish feeding up on the shallow bait. Zoom Super Flukes, top water lures and spinnerbaits are the best lures to use for this early bite, and some days can be good all day. Once this bite slows down, spawning bass on secondary points and pockets using soft plastics and Texas rig or a Ned rig is the ticket.

PUBLIC FISHING AREA REPORT

MARBEN PUBLIC FISHING AREA (courtesy of PFA Manager Jamie Dowd)–

• Marben PFA Information
• Water Level: Most ponds remain slightly below full pool; recent rains have improved conditions.
• Water Clarity: Clear to lightly stained
• Surface Temperature: Warming into the 60s
• Marben PFA Fishing Guide

Marben PFA is a great place to shake off cabin fever and enjoy spring fishing. As always, anglers are encouraged to adjust tactics based on daily conditions and water temperatures.

Spring conditions are here at Marben PFA, and warming water temperatures have anglers back on the water. As daylight increases and temperatures rise, fish activity should steadily improve across all ponds. 

Anglers are seeing the results of warmer spring weather. The bass have moved in the shallows and some have completed the spawn. The crappie are still up shallow as well. Bluegill and shellcracker are beginning to bite. Most bream species are being caught on or near the bottom.

Bass: Bass fishing is expected to improve as water temperatures continue to warm. Fish will begin moving shallower during stable, warming trends. Anglers should focus on soft plastics, spinnerbaits, and shallow-running crankbaits around shoreline cover, woody structure, and pond points during the afternoon hours when water temperatures peak. 

Crappie: Crappie will transition from deeper winter holding areas toward shallow structure as spawning approaches. Target brush, submerged timber, and pond edges with minnows or small jigs. Fishing success should improve significantly with consecutive days of warm weather. 

Bream: Spring is an excellent time to target bream at Marben. Recent bluegill stockings will provide additional opportunities for anglers, and fish will become more active as water temperatures rise. Red wigglers and crickets fished near the bottom around shoreline cover and shallow structure should produce steady action. As spawning activity increases later in the season, anglers can expect even better catch rates. 

Channel Catfish: Catfish activity will increase with warming water temperatures. Anglers fishing cut bait, worms, or prepared baits on the bottom should begin to see improving success, particularly during the evening hours.

MCDUFFIE PUBLIC FISHING AREA (courtesy of Area Manager Chalisa Fabillar)–

• McDuffie PFA Information
• McDuffie PFA Fishing Guide

Anglers at McDuffie are seeing the results of warmer spring weather as well. The bass have moved in the shallows and some have completed the spawn. Folks are pulling smaller bass pretty easily. Though larger bass are moving in the shallows as well, they are pickier about their prey. Bream are hitting on worms and crickets in 4-8 ft of water, especially shellcrackers.

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

• Flat Creek PFA Information
• Water Level: 47” below full pool

• Water Temperature: Low 70’s
• Water Clarity: 37.5″
• Flat Creek PFA Fishing Guide

Bass: Anglers are having success using plum colored ‘Ol Monster worms by Zoom, white buzz baits, and minnows. Most bass are being caught from boats.

Bream: Red Wigglers continue to produce Bream. Target the treetops next to the boat ramp.

Crappie: Minnows have been the go-to bait, while jigs (John Deere or yellow and white colored Triple Ripple, or June Bug colored Teaser Tail) fished with light tackle to feel the slightest bite and trolled have been working very great! If you are bank fishing, try fishing near the pier. If on a boat, try cover (treetops).

Catfish: Most catfish caught has been bycatch while fishing for Bream or Bass. The last angler interviewed that was catching catfish had great success with worms fished on the bottom.  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.

If you are having difficulty catching fish at FCPFA, try talking to other anglers. Flat Creek PFA receives high pressure, and it can take some time to narrow down techniques and locations where fish are biting.