As a Lake Oconee real estate agent, Karen’s job is to learn and inform her clients of all the benefits of living at Lake Oconee. Beautiful homes, legendary golf courses, boating and fishing all top the list.
Fishing at Lake Oconee is amazing! If you’re not already in love with fishing, chances are that once you learn just how plentiful the fishing is at Lake Oconee, you will be soon!
Make no mistake. There’s lots of great fishing in Georgia, including in the Atlanta area. But there may be none better than in Lake Oconee southeast of Atlanta. The 19,050-acre lake’s unique long and narrow shape produces noticeable water current throughout the lake during power generation and pump back. Fish tend to be more active and feed more aggressively when water is moving through the dam. We can thank Georgia Power, which manages Lake Oconee, for such excellent fishing. The lake was created in 1979 when Georgia Power completed the construction of the Wallace Dam on the Oconee River, and it runs through Georgia’s Morgan, Greene, and Putnam counties.
It is separated from its sister lake, Sinclair, by Wallace Dam. Lake Oconee is home to several world class golf communities, including Reynolds Plantation, Cuscowilla, and Harbor Club.
But then, you’re probably not here about the birdies and eagles that proliferate on Lake Oconee (for good golfers). Rather, it’s the bass (largemouth, striped, white), crappie, catfish, and others available in the waters of the lake that have you cranking, spinning, jigging, and reading.
Below, some timely suggestions for catching your fair share on Lake Oconee…
Largemouth Bass – Popular year-round baits include spinnerbaits, crankbaits, jerkbaits, jig-head worms, jigs and other plastic baits. These baits can be fished around riprap and rocky areas, around main lake points and offshore humps and around lay-down trees and boat docks.
Target – During winter months fish crankbaits, jig head worms and jigs. Concentrate on deeper rocky banks and points and deeper boat docks; a slower presentation may be needed. During spring, fish spinnerbaits, jerk baits and shallower plastics. Concentrate on more shallow cover such as lay-down trees, stumps and boat docks. In the summer, focus on deep-diving crankbaits and deeper plastics along main lake points, river channels and deep bridges or try the Oconee and Apalachee rivers above I-20. In the fall, fish spinner-baits and shallow running crank baits, keying-in on the backs of creek arms.
White Bass – Expect fishing to be consistent with last year’s catch. Little George’s, rooster tails, small crankbaits, crappie jigs and curly tail grubs are recommended.
Target – March and April are the best months to target white bass, as they make spawning runs up the Oconee and Apalachee rivers.
Striped Bass – Stripers and hybrids will both be stocked again this spring, so expect to see more striped bass this year.
Target – In winter, concentrate in the Oconee River arm from Lick Creek down to the dam. Striped bass should be found close to deep schools of bait fish. In spring, target the middle and upper end of the reservoir around bridges and other riprap structure where stripers spawn and feed on threadfin shad.
Hybrid Striped Bass – Expect fishing to be consistent with last year's catch. A good number of 5-10-pounders are available. Live bait, jigging spoons, and artificial baits that imitate shad are recommended.
Target – In the winter months, concentrate in the Oconee River arm from Lick Creek down to the dam. Hybrid striped bass should be found close to deep schools of bait. In the spring, target hybrid striped bass in the middle and upper end of the reservoir as they make spawning runs up the Oconee and Apalachee rivers.
Crappie – Crappie should weigh around 1/2 to 3/4 pound this spring, with good numbers of fish up to 1½ pound. Fish from February to May for larger numbers and larger fish. Minnows and jigs are best bets.
Target – In early February, concentrate toward the mouths of the creeks – near the main lake and gradually move toward shallow water as temperatures rise in spring. In the spring, target standing timber and man-made brush piles in Sugar Creek and the upper end of the lake, as well as the upper ends of other major creek arms, such as Richland, Sandy and Lick creeks. When water temperatures reach the low 60s, target bedding crappie around shallow shoreline cover. During the fall, concentrate on the mouths of the creeks and river channels.
Catfish – Expect plenty of smaller channel and white catfish throughout, but the population is shifting due to the recently introduced blue and flathead populations. Blues and flatheads continue to expand their population and numerous 20-plus pound flatheads have been caught in recent years. Live shad or bluegill and cut bait are best bets for flatheads, and hot summer nights are the best time to cast a line. Also try worms or cut bait fished on the bottom.
Target – During warm summer months, morning and night fishing are particularly good for all catfish. Their consistent bite make them an ideal species.
Want to learn more about Lake Oconee? Karen would love to show you around. Contact her today.
