
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..

High school anglers’ event successful
In early September, more than 100 high school anglers, boat captains and their coaches attended a …
Corps-approved Fishing Tournaments for Lake Lanier – MAY 2025
05/10 – Balus Creek – Four Lakes Bass Club
05/10 – Bolding Mill – East Hall Bass Club
05/17 – Little Hall – Hammonds Fishing
05/18 – Laurel Park – Georgia High School Fishing GHSF
05/31 – War Hill – Fishers of Men Bass Club
05/31 – Little Hall – Hammonds Fishing
OTHER
05/03 – Lake Lanier Olympic Park – Duck Derby Fundraiser for Boys & Girls Clubs of Lanier
05/17 – Joan Holcomb Memorial Women Skippers Regatta
Lanier Fishing Report
compiled by Ken Sturdivant, Southern Fishing
2024 December Fishing Report
Lake level: Down 4.4 feet
Temperature: 60s
Clarity: Clear main, cloudy creeks
BASS: Bass fishing on Lake Lanier is good. The lake is still off color as the turnover effect is still going on. As typical with this time of year and with the turnover happening fishing trends swing from one side to the other.
With the colder weather the turnover should be ending and the water temperature dropping which is the combination for the start of true winter fishing.
For now, the bass can be caught a variety of ways from top water to spooning. There is still some top water activity on the Riser or the Ima Skimmer but this action is definitely slowing down as the bass are moving more into the winter locations which makes finding the shad even more important.
For early mornings, the ditch bite is starting to pick up using either a spoon or a three/eighths Spot Choker with a three-inch Cast bait worked down through the ditch.
There are some bass already in the deeper 35- to 40-foot areas with structure and shad that can be caught vertical jigging a spoon. A green pumpkin or watermelon red Senko on a three/sixteenths Shakey Head is working around the deeper docks and on rocky points. A three/eighths jig in the brown and chartreuse colors with a rootbeer trailer has also been working in these same areas. The drop shot bite is still working around the structure in 30 feet of water and on the ledges.
As you can see you can pick from several patterns to catch the bass right now so be prepared to try different patterns and different areas. They’ll still bite so Go Catch ‘Em!
Report by: Phil Johnson; Pjohnson15@hotmail.com, 770 366-8845.
CRAPPIE: Right now the crappie fishing is absolutely incredible! The water temperature is at a perfect 62 degrees, and the crappie are super active big schools of them hanging out around 10 to 20 feet deep, above the deeper parts of the lake at 18 to 30 feet deep.
Live minnows are working like a charm! We can jig them up or if you prefer a more relaxed approach, we can use rod holders near underwater brush piles and other spots where they like to hang out.
To make things even better, consider bringing an ACC Crappie Stix rod and reel with 4 to 6 pound test K9 line. A Garmin Livescope (with a sonar shield to keep it safe!) will really help us find those fish. A Power Pole will keep the boat steady and in the perfect position.
Report by: Captain Josh Thornton, 770 530-6493.
NEWS
- Ken Sturdivant, Southern Fishing Schools Inc., will host fishing classes at the Aquarium at the Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World in Lawrenceville, at 2 p.m. Dates: December 14 and 28. Events are subject to change without notice.
- The 2025 Atlanta Boat Show is January 9-12, 2025 at the Georgia World Congress Center. The “Let’s Go Fishing” Seminars are set. For times and details of the seminars visit www.southernfishing.com.
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 …