Description: Lake Juliette, also known as Rum Creek, is a 3,600 acre Georgia Power Company (GPC) reservoir located 15 miles north of Macon. Impounded in 1980, the lake provides cooling water for the coal fired Plant Scherer electric generating facility. Two boat ramps owned and maintained by GPC are available for public use. The use of outboard motors greater than 25 horsepower is prohibited. Boats with larger outboards may be used, but the outboard must not be operated.
Lake Juliette is characterized by a small watershed, clear water, and extensive aquatic plant beds. The combined result is a relatively infertile reservoir with somewhat smaller sport fish populations than are found on other middle Georgia reservoirs. However, standing timber that remains in coves and main lake areas contribute to the diverse array of habitats that provide varied fishing opportunities. Low fishing pressure and the liberal, no-minimum length limit on largemouth bass offset, to some extent, the lake's slightly lower productivity. Smaller crowds, an undeveloped shoreline, beautiful scenery, and abundant wildlife should also attract anyone interested in a quality fishing experience.
Striped bass have been annually stocked at relatively low rates due to the limited food supply. An abundance of cool water during the summer has resulted in excellent survival and growth and a strong fishery has developed for Juliette stripers. Many striped bass anglers concentrate their efforts near the pump discharge located just above the dam. This is an excellent place to catch stripers when water is being pumped in from the Ocmulgee River. Other successful methods include trolling creek channels during the cooler months, then moving to the cooler depths located in the main lake during summer. Drifting or fishing on the bottom with live or cut shad has produced some of the largest catches in recent years. Several striped bass around 35 lbs have been caught over the past three years and Juliette's reputation as a trophy striper lake continues to grow. The new lake record (40 lbs) was caught in 2000. The average weight for striped bass is just less than 5 lbs. The striper stocking rate was back to the desired rate in 2000 and should be continued into 2001. The occasional shoal bass has been caught near the rocky areas in the vicinity of the pumped water discharge.
Blueback herring, a bait that are preferred by striper and hybrid anglers, were first detected in Lake Juliette in 1999. WRD believes that anglers have released them into the lake in recent years. It is not known to what degree they have successfully spawned, but they are becoming more common and are being caught in cast nets by anglers with increasing frequency. Negative impacts of blue backs include their ability to out-compete other fish for food and their predation on larval fish, including bass less than 1 inch in length. Like in other reservoirs where this fish has been introduced, WRD will be monitoring the impact of blueback herring on the lake's fish populations. It is now legal to fish with or possess live blueback herring on Lake Juliette.
Largemouth bass abundance remains below that found in other middle Georgia reservoirs. Average bass size has increased gradually in recent years and now stands at about l lb. Twenty-five percent of the largemouth bass are 15 inches and greater. The average harvested bass weighs a respectable 1 1/2 lbs, and a number of trophy bass from 12-16 lbs have been caught in the past. Bass can usually be found concentrated along the edges of aquatic plant beds, but remember to use light line in the clear water. Good catches are made off points, creek channels, and other deep water structure in the middle portions of the lake during summer and winter. Deep diving crankbaits and Carolina rigged plastic worms are two of the most effective baits for largemouth bass.
The low abundance of food produces only fair crappie populations, but the average size is often fairly good. In 2000, 30% of fish were over 9 inches in length. Light-colored jigs fished in the upper end of the lake are most effective in spring and early summer. The area around the Holly Grove boat ramp is one of the best places to target crappie.
Lake Juliette is one of the best shellcracker holes in the area for numbers. Fish will average about 6 inches, but large numbers are found every spring on beds in shallow, weedy areas. Find one of these and expect a fish almost every cast. Bluegill, however, suffer from overpopulation and stunting and only the occasional hand-size fish is caught.
The small catfish population is composed almost entirely of bullheads and fishing for these bottom dwellers is poor. Channel catfish juveniles were stocked this winter to help bolster the population and to potentially improve fishing for this species. Flathead catfish have entered the reservoir through pumping operations and may add diversity and trophy potential. More information on Lake Juliette facilities can be obtained from the Georgia Power Land office at 770-775-4753.
