Also check the "Hot Tips and PFA Fishing Reports" page for current information about fishing DNR-operated Public Fishing Areas

Updated 6/25/2007

From Southwest Georgia

Walter F. George Reservoir - Want to know more about this reservoir and what the results of sampling efforts by fisheries staff reveal? The " 2006 Walter F. George Fisheries Survey Summary" (217 kb PDF document) prepared by DNR provides details about what to expect in 2007.

Lake Blackshear and Lake Seminole - The "2006 Lake Blackshear Fisheries Summary" (137 kb PDF document) and the "2006 Lake Seminole Fisheries Summary" (83 kb PDF document) are also available.

From Northeast Georgia

Chattooga River Sampling Report (June 20, 2007) - A small army of interagency staffs and volunteers engaged the Chattooga River about two miles upstream from the Hwy 28 bridge on Tuesday, June 19.  The goals were to:  1) assess the abundance of holdover trout in the Delayed Harvest (DH) section of river and 2) assess the species composition and relative abundance of other game and nongame fish in this section.

This area of the river is usually too large and deep to sample effectively during normal flows, but crews took advantage of drought conditions. They survived a tough 430-yard wade up the river,  through bedrock ledges and some chest-deep pools, slightly muddy from the previous night's shower.  It was excellent trout habitat that had provided fine catches during cooler months.

In summary, trout abundance was very low. Overall fish diversity was high, as they caught redeye bass, bullheads, chubs, darters, and many species of suckers and minnows.  Water temp ranged from 70 to 74F, which shows that this section becomes marginal coldwater habitat during these very hot and dry summers. Bottom line: there are a few trout left in the DH section, including at least one real nice brown of 18 inches or so, but your better bet will be to fish for redeye bass and redbreast sunfish in the river downstream from Hwy 28 until the water cools.  The H part of DH seemed to work well, as most trout have apparently been harvested before these waters likely get too warm for their survival during this summer.

This cooperative fisheries coalition (US Forest Service, SC DNR, and GA DNR staffs), led by USFS biologist (emeritus) Monte Seehorn, has combined forces to sample and manage the river fishery since 1986,  Hopefully some of you have had better angling as a result of the coalition's partnership efforts. The three agencies would like to thank the large group of Trout Unlimited volunteers from GA and SC who helped with fish netting, bucket toting, and other support duties that allowed this sample to happen.  

Fish Habitat and Fishing Report (June 11, 2007) - Approximately 250 fish attractor units were installed into lakes Blue Ridge, Chatuge, and Nottely on June 5-7 by WRD, USFS personnel and members of the Lake Nottely Improvement Association.  Sixty fish habitat structures were constructed of PVC/plastic drain pipe.  These three-foot cubed units were placed at 11 sites on the three Tennessee Valley Authority lakes. One hundred and eighty-five "Porcupine Fish Attractors", a commercially designed habitat unit, were dropped into 15-20 feet of water at nine existing cove attractor sites on lakes Chatuge and Nottely.

 

Photo of cube attractor

Photo of "porcupine" attractor

Habitat work crews reported seeing significant topwater activity on all three lakes during the morning hours.  Spotted bass, striped bass, and other predator species were surface feeding on schools of shad and blueback herring.   The topwater action should continue throughout the month of June.  Zara Spooks, Pop-R's, and other surface lures that imitate shad and herring are recommended for the early summer action.

Lake Marbury (Fort Yargo State Park) Fishing Report (May 31, 2007) - A WRD electrofishing crew sampled Lake Marbury on Friday, May 25.  Lake water temperature was 72 degrees F.   Largemouth bass from one- to 5-pounds were plentiful along the shoreline in water less than 10 feet deep.  The majority of bass were collected around submerged treetops and brush piles.   Catfish were plentiful along the shoreline, especially around rocks, logs, and undercut banks.  Channel catfish and bullhead species are now searching for hidden spawning sites under logs and rocks.  Right now, Fort Yargo anglers have the opportunity to catch bass on a variety of shallow water lures that imitate shad.  Excellent choices are soft and hard jerk baits, plastic worms, topwaters, night crawlers, minnows, and plastic jigs.   Worms, livers, live minnows or cut bait and prepared stink baits that can be purchased at local bait and tackle shops are recommended for catfish.  Catfish are caught with these natural baits on medium size hooks (6 or 8) under a bobber or on the bottom. 

Lakes Burton and Rabun (May 2006) - Here's the latest angler report for Lake Burton and Rabun based on our recent sampling efforts:
 
The recent cool snap has delayed bass spawning activity on Lake Burton and Lake Rabun.  Currently, morning temperatures hover around 60 degrees F and reach about 65 by mid-afternoon.  Most of the female bass we are collecting in our samples still are full of eggs, which means the shallow water and topwater bite should last through May.  The blueback herring will likely spawn around the first of June, which is a great time to cast Sammies and Zara Spooks at rock walls and rip rap for the most exciting fishing of the year.

In addition, we are seeing the shellcrackers and bluegills moving into the shallows in preparation of spawning.  I anticipate them spawning on the "blue moon" that will occur later this month. 

 

Photo of  Ben Fitzgerald, a North Georgia Technical College student who assisted us with sampling, with a nice largemouth bass

Lake Burton is noted for trophy fish and currently holds the state record for spotted bass and yellow perch.  For those interested in an overlooked species, Lake Burton is an untapped resource for trophy-sized carp.  Yes, CARP!  The 32 lb carp in the picture was one of many big carp that we observed while electrofishing along the shoreline upstream of the Lake Burton Bridge (Hwy 76).  The area around the YMCA Camp is loaded with trophy-sized carp that are cruising the shoreline in preparation of spawning.  I imagine that fly fishers armed with a 9-weight rod could have a blast that matches the excitement of a coastal bone fishing trip.
 

Chattooga River  (May 2006) - From Fisheries staff  describing a recent trip they took with a skilled group of anglers,  "they dredged fish during the afternoon with a variety of favorite nymphs and emergers.  Then they had a ball on dries near dark.  There was a buffet of 14 light cahills, 16 yellow and brown stoneflies, and 18 tan caddis hatching and laying eggs, with the trout gorging themselves in the shallow, cobble-bottomed pool where we ended our adventure.

How many did they catch? A quote from one of the anglers, " I don't know.  Enough to quit and go home!"

Now that's a good day!

Best evening dries- combo of 14 yellow stimulator with a 14 cahill off the back.  It can change daily, based on the bugs, so be versatile.  Best fish landed were 15- and 17-inch rainbows, but one big brown came up to look and decided not to play".

Good luck.  Last call!  Home stretch of Delayed Harvest for this season.  Go hit your favorite DH stream this week and take a newbie with you for the magic hour.

(PS - the rain and cold nights have improved the river and the energy of the fish. Water temp 60 at midday, which was better than the 68 that I measured one night last week).

Lake Nottely Fishing Report   (May 9, 2006) - a WRD electrofishing crew sampled Lake and in Flat Creek on Tuesday, May 8.  Lake water temperature was 64 degrees F.   Spotted bass and crappie were plentiful along the shoreline in water less than 10 feet deep.   The fish samples included an abundance of ½- to ¾-pound largemouths.  These bass indicated good survival and recruitment of stocked and natural reproduction in 2005.  About 50% of adult bass collected had already spawned. Fish were concentrated in brush piles and downed trees.  Large schools of blueback herring were observed spawning along the shoreline. 

Right now, Nottely anglers have the opportunity to catch lots of fish on a variety of shallow water lures and live baits.  Excellent choices for bass are soft and hard jerk baits, plastic worms, topwaters, night crawlers, minnows, and plastic jigs.  Small curly tailed grubs, jigs, and minnows fished under a float or slow trolled are proven crappie techniques.