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..
The evolution of a Georgia Bass Slam Angler
In 2019, angler Nick O’Conor of Dallas, Ga. managed to reel in five black bass species and got his first Georgia Bass Slam. Aware that there are 10 black bass species found in Georgia, Nick knew he wanted more. This began a journey of learning more about the various...
Corps-approved Fishing Tournaments for Lake Lanier – APRIL 2025
04/05 – War Hill 515 Fishing Trail
04/05 – Vann’s Tavern Gordon County Bass Club
04/05 – Tidwell Coweta Basmaster
04/05 – Little Hall Pit Crew
04/06 – Laurel Park Georgia Bass Trail
04/06 – Tidwell Coweta Basmaster
04/10 – Vann’s Tavern Old Timers Bass Club
04/11 – Laurel Park IBEW Local Union 613
04/12 – Young Deer Four Seasons Team Tournament Trailm, LLC
04/12 – Bolding Mill East Hall Bass Club
04/12 – Little Hall Fishers of Men Ga North
04/12 – Duckett Mill Hiawassee River Bass Club
04/19 – Little Hall Amateur High School Bass Anglers
04/25 – Little Hall Edge Solutions
04/26 – Little Hall Hammonds Fishing
04/26 – Balus Creek American Bass Anglers
04/27 – Laurel Park Georgia High School Fishing GHSF
OTHER
04/01 – Corps Parks – Fishing Guide – Joseph Clark Fly Fish
04/01 – Corps Parks – Fishing Guide – Twin Rivers Guide Service
Lanier Fishing Report
compiled by Ken Sturdivant, Southern Fishing
2025 February Fishing Report
Lake level: Down 1.6 feet
Temperature: 40s
Clarity: Clear to creek stained
BASS: Bass fishing on Lake Lanier is good. The lake is clear and slight staining in the backs of some creeks and up the rivers.
With the colder weather the fishing patterns are staying fairly consistent which means ditch bite.
A lot of the bass are located in the 35- to 60-foot range in the narrower ditches. Structure can help but finding the bait is critical.
As the water cools over the next few weeks the bait will lock down in areas but for now they are still constantly moving so be prepared to do some searching.
The three-eights ounce Pro Model Spot Choker with a three-inch Cast Echo in either the Ozark, Blue Back Herring or White Pearl has been very productive when worked slowly, and I mean slowly, in the ditches.
A half-ounce War Eagle jigging spoon in either white or chrome has worked well on top of and around the balls of shad. Be prepared to move with the bait and look for the bass to be scattered around the bait balls.
With FFS it’s interesting to watch the bass chase the bait and go through the bait balls. Be sure to try and keep the spoon vertical under the boat to avoid snagging the structure. For the bass, they haven’t gone deep. There is a crankbait bite happening with either a RKCrawler 55 or a DT6 in the crawfish green pattern on rocky banks.
The bass seem to be off the sides of the points and down the banks more than on the points. A shakey head with a green pumpkin trick worm will also draw strikes on the rocky banks and deeper boat docks.
The bite is still good but be sure to be careful with the colder weather. Know how to layer for the cold and always have on your lifejacket.
Report by: Phil Johnson, pjohnson15@hotmail.com, 770 366-8845.
STRIPER: With water temperatures is in the low to mid 40s the fish have bunched up in tight schools. So using your electronics locate the bait and watching the bird activity should help you catch some nice fish.
The down lines has produced some good results. Shiners, trout and herring are the bait of choice. Always have your favorite top water lure tied on just in case you can get to the action before they go down. River and creek channels where you see an underwater curve and points in the areas.
Remember to wear your life jacket it’s very cold out there.
Report by Buck Cannon, 404-510-1778.
CRAPPIE: Crappie fishing is good as the water temperatures have dropped into the low 40s. Recent snow and cold front have moved the fish into large groups under docks. Recent catches have been at depths of 10 to 25 feet above a 20- to 40-foot bottom.
Crappie minnows have been 90 percent or more of the bite.
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. 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 …
