Lake level: Down 5.3 feet
Temperature: 40s
Clarity: Main lake clear, creeks somewhat stained
BASS: Bass fishing on Lake Lanier is fair. The bass are in the early stages of pre spawn and it has been day-to-day on catching them. Over the last few days the bite has picked up as the bass have moved shallower.
Right now the bass are scattered from 50 feet deep all the way to the bank so you still have options on how you try to catch them. The better bite of late has been the bite in less than 30 feet of water on a quarter ounce Spot Choker with a two eight Keitech, a three eights Picasso jig in crawfish color or a green pumpkin Dimiki rig.
Work the Spot Choker starting in the 30-foot range and work all the way up to the 10-foot range concentrating on the rocky points and docks.
The jig and the Dimiki rig will work in the same depth range but be sure to use a slow presentation.
There are still fish deep and you can catch them with either a half ounce spoon or a three eights Spot Choker worked slowly along the bottom in the 30- to 50-foot range. The key is to locate these with your electronics and target them with your baits either by dropping directly on them or bringing you Spot Choker slowly through them to draw strikes.
Its transition time for the bass and as the water temperature continues to rise with the warm weather, look for the shallow bite to be the key to a successful day. The weather is warming and so are the bass so Go Catch ‘Em.
Report by: Phil Johnson; Pjohnson15@hotmail.com, 770 366-8845.
CRAPPIE: Crappie fishing on Lake Lanier is good. The crappie are suspended in open water at five to eight feet deep near main creek and channels and on deep water docks.
Minnows are no help and the jig color of choice is d2d or a white and chartreuse by ATX lures. For your best fishing experience consider using the following equipment: a one piece ACC Crappie Stix rod and reel paired with 4 or 6 pound test K9 line with a Atx lure company jig. Further optimizing your efforts with a Garmin LiveScope.
Report by: Captain Josh Thornton, 770 530-6493.
News: The Blue Ridge Trout Festival is April 25, 2026 in downtown Blue Ridge. For more information visit www.blueridgetroutfest.com.
