Fishing

Lake Sidney Lanier has some of the best freshwater fishing in the Southeast. From striper to largemouth and spotted bass to crappie, walleye, and catfish, you will create great fishing memories here. There are plenty of locations to fish from the shore, but fishing from your boat is superb. With all the little islands and inlets you are sure to find your favorite spot.

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As much fun as fishing is for adults, fishing can be just as fun and educational for kids! Commemorate your child’s first catch with this fun “First Fish” certificate provided by the DNR..

Hammond’s Fishing Center

Hammond’s Fishing Center

Hammond’s has been serving Forsyth County, Cumming, and North Georgia since 1898.
Candy Hammond remembers when Hammond’s Crossing was a 4-way stop at the intersection of Ga. 306 and Ga. 369/Browns Bridge Road. At the time,

Corps-approved Fishing Tournaments for Lake Lanier – JUNE 2025

06/14 – Bolding Mill – East Hall Bass Club

 

Fishing Columnist, Ken Sturdivant - headh shotLanier Fishing Report

compiled by Ken Sturdivant, Southern Fishing

2025 June Fishing Report

Lake level: 1.2 feet over full
Temperature: 70s
Clarity: Main lake clear, creeks stained

BASS: Bass fishing on Lake Lanier is fair. Fishing has been tougher than it should be in recent days as the bass just can’t seem to get out their post spawn funk. Finding bass has not been the problem but getting them to bite has.

There has been some schooling activity but you need to be able to reach them while they are up. Once they go down they are moving fast to another area. The Herring colored or chrome Slickstick or a bone or chrome Skimmer have been the best producers recently when worked over structure in the 25- to 35-foot range.

This structure can be on humps, long points and reef poles throughout the creeks and main lake. The drop shot has produced some fish around the same structure with a Sweet Rosy or Morning Dawn drop shot worm. There are bass to be caught around the docks with a green pumpkin worm but they tend to be the smaller ones. Many of the bass caught are still showing the signs of spawning so it seems they are just a little slower to get going with top water. Go Catch ‘Em!

Report by: Phil Johnson. Contact: pjohnson15@hotmail.com, 770 366- 8845.

STRIPERS: Stripers on Lanier are confused about what to do next because of the crazy weather. Water temps in lower 70s again and the rain showers have caused the bite to stay lower than normal. Once you get on the water the bite is still very strong for stripers, bass and catfish. Planer boards, flat lines and down lines are the methods using blue backs and gizzard shad.

It seems that 30 feet behind the boards seems to be the ticket and space your boards 40 to 60 feet from the boat. Flat lines 80 feet on one side and 100 feet on another. Troll between .5 and 1 mph. Make sure you change your bait often and the more lively the better.

Remember to wear your life jacket.

Report by: Buck Cannon, 404-510-1778.

CRAPPIE: Crappie fishing is good. The fish are in large groups under docks on open water and have been at depths of 8 to 18 feet above a 15- to 40-foot bottom. The jig color combo that worked the best for me recently was the white and chartreuse single tail 1.5 inch jig minnows over brush.

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, a Garmin LiveScope, protected by a sonar shield cover, and a Power Pole are highly recommended.

Report by: Captain Josh Thornton, 770 530- 6493.

Bait & Tackle Shops

CUMMING
Buford Dam Bait & Tackle  – (706) 429-7211
2595 Buford Dam Rd, Cumming, GA 30041
Located in Chevron station

Hammond’s Fishing – (770) 888-6898
4255 Browns Bridge Rd, Cumming, GA 30041

Daniel’s Grocery – (770) 887-7052
2355 Pilgrim Mill Rd, Cumming, GA 30041

OAKWOOD
Oakwood Bait & Tackle Shop – (770) 965-9400
5422 McEver Rd, Oakwood, GA 30566

GAINESVILLE
Kelly Brown Bait & Tackle – (423) 509-3708
3535 Thompson Bridge Rd, Gainesville, GA 30506

Sherry’s Bait & Barbecue – (678) 971-5607
2807 Dawsonville Hwy, Gainesville, GA 30506

STOP BY FOOD MART#2 – (770) 536-6421
2145 Cleveland Hwy, Gainesville, GA 30506

The Outdoor Depot  – (770) 539-9356
250 John W Morrow Jr Pkwy, Gainesville, GA 30501
Located in Gainesville West Shopping Center

WINDER
Happy Hooker, Inc. – (770) 867-4814
104 S Broad St, Winder, GA 30680

Check out these videos of fishing on Lake Lanier …

Lake Lanier Weather

Gainesville, GA, USA

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