DNR: The time is right for white bass, walleye fishing

By from staff reports

Posted 10:38AM on Wednesday, March 8, 2006

SOCIAL CIRCLE - Anglers wanting to target white bass should be hitting the water right now, according to biologists with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Wildlife Resources Division (WRD). Late February through early April is the ideal time to pursue this species as they begin making spawning runs up several Georgia rivers, including the Oconee, Apalachee, Coosa and Chattahoochee (near Franklin). "Fishing for white bass during the spring spawning run is a great deal of fun and trips taken during that time will likely turn into fond memories," says WRD Fisheries Chief Chuck Coomer. "The good news is that even if the white bass action slows, don't fret because the white bass' bigger cousins - stripers and hybrids also are out there waiting to be caught." White bass are a silvery colored fish with several faint horizontal stripes on the sides. They are found in large streams, rivers and lakes and travel in schools. The current state record, caught on Lake Lanier in 1971, weighed 5 lbs. 1 oz., but typical weights are ½ - 2 lbs. WRD personnel recommends the following lures for white bass fishing; white, chartreuse or shad patterned jigs with small to medium size heads that can handle the current and not sink too fast; small crankbaits, curly tail grubs, rooster tails and Little George's. The best live bait is minnows, small shad and herring. Anglers should key in on creek mouths and fallen trees with good water flow around them in the main river. Sandy bars and banks also provide good white bass fishing. Where to go: · Coosa River: White bass congregate in the upper Coosa as they make their annual upstream spawning run from Lake Weiss. The area around Mayo's Bar Lock and Dam is a prime fishing spot and is perfect for the family as there also is a county park at this facility with bait, supplies, restrooms and camping. This area has a paved boat ramp and also is good for the bank angler. Good white bass fishing also can be found from the lock and dam down to the Georgia Hwy. 100 crossing. · Oconee River: Anglers can find excellent access for this river at the Dyar's Pasture boat ramp and at SR 15 (Redlands) boat ramp, both in Greene County. · Apalachee River: Angler can find good access to this river at the Swords boat ramp in Morgan County. · Clarks Hill Lake: Fishing for white bass in the Little and Broad rivers of this lake is excellent at this time of year. Anglers can access the Little River (by boat or bank) at the Hwy. 78 crossing (note: fallen trees may limit boat access). At the Hwy. 80 crossing, there is good bank access on the Clarks Hill Wildlife Management Area (WMA). Access for the Broad River can be found at Broad River Campground, Gill Point Recreation Area, Cooter Creek and Bobby Brown State Park. Fish tend to congregate around Anthony Shoals located about two miles upstream of Hwy. 79 and anglers can fish by boat or bank (note: use caution boating upstream of Hwy. 79 as the river channel is narrow). · Chattahoochee River: A hot spot on this river is in the upper reaches of West Point Reservoir near the town of Franklin. Anglers should target the mouth of New River and work their way up towards Franklin. As the flows and temperatures begin to rise, the fish move up the river towards the shoals above Franklin. Boat anglers can access this area by running upriver from West Point or put in at the boat ramp located on the west side of the river off SR 100 (U.S. Hwy. 27). There also is decent bank fishing access at this boat ramp. WALLEYE Once water temperatures hit 50 degrees at Lakes Hartwell and Burton, the annual walleye pilgrimage from within these reservoirs to their headwaters begins, according to biologists with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division (WRD). Mid-to-late March typically is the prime time to target this species. "For the past five years, WRD has stocked walleye in these waters and anglers now can enjoy the fruits of those labors," says WRD Fisheries Biologist Anthony Rabern. "Hopefully, the last two weeks of March will provide the best conditions of the year for catching this particular species." Walleye have a golden brown colored body with a white belly. They have large, glassy marble-like eyes and long, sharp teeth. The current state record, caught on Richard B. Russell Lake in 1995, weighed 11 lbs. 6 oz., but typical weights are 2-4 lbs. During daylight hours walleye retreat to deep water downstream of the rocky, shallow areas where they will spawn, so WRD personnel recommends trolling Shad Raps or live nightcrawlers near the bottom. In the evenings this species moves upstream, so change to floating Rapalas or curly-tailed grubs to be most effective. For anglers who happen to miss the spawning run of walleye, there is still good fishing to be found in April. At this time of year, anglers should try trolling Shad Raps and nightcrawlers in 10-feet of water in the upper reaches of lakes Rabun, Seed, Tugalo, Yonah and even Hartwell.