Description: Lake Lanier is a 38,000 acre reservoir operated by the COE about 50 miles northeast of Atlanta. Lanier receives very heavy fishing pressure due to its proximity to Atlanta. Spotted bass, crappie, striped bass, and catfish are the species most sought after.
Results of the 1997 bass tagging study predicted the 14-inch minimum length limit would improve spotted bass by anglers by as much as 50%. Therefore, anglers should see an improvement in their 'catch of 1-3 lbs spotted bass in 2001, the third year of regulation change. Largemouth bass abundance has remained stable. Good numbers of 2-3 lbs fish are present. Abundance of largemouth bass over 5 lbs appears average, with more big bass upstream of the confluence of the Chestatee and Chattahoochee rivers.
Crappie anglers should have an average year when it comes to numbers. One-half pound fish will be the rule this year. The heaviest stringers will be produced from late February through April when larger spawning fish are shallow. Top spots for these panfish are the upper Chattahoochee arm (Clarks Bridge area) and Thompson and Taylor creeks. Also, crappie will concentrate at fish attractors constructed and maintained by COE and WRD staff. Maps showing the locations of recently refurbished attractor sites can be obtained from the COE office at Lake Lanier (770-945-9531) and the Gainesville WRD office (page 1). A guide to bank fishing opportunities is also available. Some key bank fishing spots include Lanier Point Park, Sardis Creek Ramp, Little River Landing, and Charleston Park. Buford Dam Park and River Forks Park are two good sites that are accessible to persons with disabilities.
This will be an average year for white bass. Anglers should fill their creels with 3/41b fish and larger whites (21bs). The key to early success is to fish the spawning runs up the Chattahoochee and Chestatee rivers in March and April.
Lanier anglers can expect fishing for striped bass to be similar to last year, but with an increase in fish size. The apparent improved weight gains by striped bass in recent years are likely due to good dissolved oxygen levels in deep water during summer and to an abundant supply of blueback herring, a preferred forage species. Young stripers produced from the successful stocking in 1998 will range between 4- lbs and are expected to be a major contributor to the Lanier fishery for the next 2-3 years. One out of every five stripers should weigh between 15-20 lbs due to good survival offish stocked in 1991,1993, and 1996. Numbers of older, larger (25-30 lbs) stripers will be rare. The colder months of the year (November - March) offer the best striper fishing. Live bait (trout, shiners, bluegill and shad) and bucktail jigs will produce the best results.
Several other species should offer good fishing opportunities. Channel catfish are numerous lakewide and average about 1 lb. Bluegill in the 1/4-1/3 lb category can be caught on a regular basis from May through August. In recent years, walleye abundance and catches increased due to better spawning success. Walleye concentrate in the upper reaches of the reservoir in late winter, but migrate in summer to the lower section of the reservoir seeking the cool, oxygenated waters (25-40 feet) closer to the dam. Shoreline trolling with spinners and crankbaits and still fishing nightcrawlers on the bottom at depths of 5-30 feet are effective methods for taking walleye year around.
Live blueback herring, a preferred baitfish for stripers and hybrids, became legal to possess and fish with on Lake Lanier in November 2000. Since this exotic species has become well established, there is no longer the need to prohibit their use as live bait. Negative impacts of bluebacks include their ability to out compete other fish for available food and preying on larval fish, including bass less than I-inch long. WRD will be monitoring the impact of this species on the fish populations.
Species: Striped Bass
Troll the main lake near the dam with white bucktails on an umbrella rig. Live shad fished deep over any humps also produce.
Spotted Bass
Lanier is another great night-fishing lake in August. With spotted bass making up 80 percent of the population, they should be easy to target. Fish school over humps in the main lake at night. They congregate to chase shad schools over these humps. Many humps are located near the Lake Lanier Islands, and almost all of them are on or near the river channel edge and a marker of some sort. Check the lake map and outline a path to fish. Try Carolina-rigged lizards and worms or a black spinnerbait fished across the top of the humps from multiple directions.
