Lake Lanier Fishing Report

We have had a great past couple of weeks out on the pond. The weather has been gorgeous and the fish have been biting!

The water level continues to drop as does the surface temperature. We currently sit at 3.68 feet below full pool and the surface temp in the morning has been around 62 degrees.

Things are changing out there right now, as is to be expected with the weather changes. The bait and fish are scattered and can be found in many different areas and types of places. There are fish deep, shallow and all in between. There are fish on rock, brush, flats, humps, points…take your pick. I am actually excited for the upcoming cold weather as it should settle things down a bit and put the fish in much more predictable patterns and consistent locations.

“Junk Fishing” is the rule right now as any bait can work on any day and about any place. Over the past couple of weeks, we have caught fish on: jigs, shaky heads, crankbaits, topwater, swimbaits, jerkbaits, spinnerbaits, spybaits, and a drop shot. Right now you can have any or all of these on the deck at any time and catch a fish on all of them.

For us over the last few days, the crankbait, spinnerbait and jig have produced the best fish consistently. The shaky head is getting better for numbers. Our best locations have been creek pockets and main lake points in general, although we are fishing lots of different areas. It changes alot out there from day to day, so staying versatile is important. Look for the bait and you will find the fish in most cases. If you are not seeing bait in the area you are fishing, your chances go down. LOL. It’s simple but true.

We have found some shallow fish in creek pockets the last few days in the mornings. When they are active, a crankbait picks them off pretty well, when less active, a jerkbait or a jig. We have also found some shallow fish early on rocky points and flats that will crush a spinnerbait. Again, look for the bait in these areas. Later in the day, we have been working a jig around main lake and creek mouth brush in 20 feet of water for some good fish. As I mentioned before, a shaky head is a good bet at anytime right now for some bites.

I am looking for the cold front to really improve the fishing over the next few weeks. It should concentrate the bait and fish in the ditches and then look for the Fish Head Spin bite to be on fire. The deep jig bite should get alot better as well as we continue to cool down. As the water continues to cool, remember to look more to the rock and slow down your presentations.

To close, I wanted to share some information I learned from the lake biologist regarding turnover. Some of you may remember that I went on a shocking trip with the biologists back in April. I took that opportunity to ask several questions on many topics regarding our lake. Turnover was certainly one of those topics. I asked Patrick when this lake turns over. His answer intrigued me. He said, that without fail, this lake turns over each year sometime between Christmas and New Years. I responded ” Really? What about all the dirty water, bubbling, odd smells, etc. that occur well before that time?” His explanation made alot of sense, and I wanted to share his response. He stated that through the year, the water warms and the lake stratifies by temperature range. For demonstration sake, lets say the top 10 feet of the water was at 80 at the end of September, the next 10 feet at 70, the next at 60, and so on. Of course the depths I am using are just examples, but it gives you a reference point. Patrick then explained that as the top 10 feet of 80 degree water cools to 70, it mixes with the next 10 feet of water that is already at 70 degrees, and then you have 20 feet of water at 70 degrees. Then, when that 20 feet of water at 70 degrees cools to 60 degrees, it mixes with the layer at 60 degrees. Now you have 30 feet of 60 degree water. This process continues until the temperature of the entire upper portion of the lake, that was previously stratified by different temperatures, all reaches 50 degrees, which is approximately the base temperature of the lake and the temperature that is almost consistently found in the Chattahoochee River that pours through Buford Dam. When the entire upper portion of the water column drops below the base temperature of the lake (again, somewhere around 50 degrees), the lake turns over – top to the bottom and bottom to the top. Until that point, what you are seeing when the water looks black or dingy, etc is the previously stratified layers of water mixing as the upper portions cool. I know that was long winded, but I hope this helps clear up some of the questions regarding turn over on our lake. Thanks Patrick!

Here is what I have left open for the rest of November: 14, 17, 18, 20, 24, 25, 26, and 28. Those dates around Thanksgiving normally go fast when we get close to the holiday, and I have had many people ask about that week already. If you have some family coming in or just want to use that down time to fish, please call and reserve soon. Otherwise, be happy about the cold front coming and look for the fishing to really heat up. Give me a call and let’s fish!

Thanks to all and May God Bless!

Jimbo

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