LAKE LANIER IS .97 FEET UP FROM FULL POOL, THE MAIN LAKE IS CLEAR AND CREEKS ARE STAINED & 54 DEGREES

Bass fishing is very good. The heavy rains from Sunday and Monday have caused the lake to rise almost 2 feet in a short time. The backs of all the major creeks as well as the rivers are heavily stained to muddy. In addition, the water temperature has dropped around 4 degrees due to the front and the cold rain. The fish have been affected and the fishing the first part of this week has not been as good as the previous week. With all that said, fish can still be found in the back of creeks and on secondary points at the mouth of creek arms as well as pockets near the main creek channels. The backs of those creeks are stained to muddy, but this will allow them to warm more quickly as the nice weather moves in for the remainder of the week. The main lake fish are starting to move up and can be caught on points and humps. A Davis Shaky Head and a jerk bait have been the most productive lures still this week. The dock bite is still there, particularly when the sun is out, but is not nearly as strong as it should be. The deeper docks have been more productive for us again this week vs. the shallower docks. Look for the docks in the 20 to 25 feet range at the front to be the best right now, and if brush is around, even better. As the water warms, look to those shallower docks to be better producers. There are some fish bedding now, but it is not prevalent everywhere yet. With the full moon approaching in conjunction with warmer weather, look for a strong push of more spawners in the next week. Now is a great time to learn prespawn fishing on Lanier! I have the following dates left open in April: 15, 22, 25, 29, 30. I am also booking for May. Give me a call and let’s go fishing!


This Lake Lanier Bass report is from Jimbo Mathley. www.jimboonlanier.com 770 642 7764

This Striper report is from Captain Ken West and Captain Mike Maddalena of Big Fish On Service 404 561 2564. www.bigfishonguide.com

Striper fishing is fair. The lake is lightly stained with a heavy stain in the back of the creeks. The water temperatures are ranging from 52 to 58 degrees. Rain, wind and a return to colder water temperatures all contributed to a lake wide fishing slowdown this week. The weekend forecast looks good with highs in the mid 70S but the forecast for next week is a return to rain, wind and colder temperatures. The good news is the fish must eat and maybe all they need is a couple of days of warming temperatures. Shallow water flats, long soaping points, and reef markers in the creeks will all become Gizzard and Threadfin Shad magnets and the fish will roam these areas looking for a big meal. Free lines with Herring, Trout and Gizzard Shad pulled on boards will be the primary technique. Pull you "bank side" board within a foot or two of the bank where possible. Vary your trolling speed from .75 mph to 1.5 mph which is a little faster than you have been pulling cold water. Do not hesitate to move out to deeper water as the sun gets high in the sky. Stripers will stage off deep water points and chill out after feeding. Also, do not overlook fishing the "mud line". With all the heavy rain and resultant muddy runoff a section of very heavily stained water will develop and move down the rivers and creeks. The fish will often stack up in the clearer water in front of the muddy water. Don't forget to take a DAD fishing.

This Lake Lanier Crappie report is from Dan Saknini, President of the Lanier Crappie Angler’s Club. 404 425 4059
Dan Saknini is an avid fisherman and President of the Lanier Crappie Anglers Club. See our club’s website, http://www.lakelaniercrappieanglers.com/

This Lake Lanier Crappie report is from Dan Saknini, President of the Lanier Crappie Angler’s Club. 404 425 4059

Crappie fishing is good. Water temperature is 60 plus degrees and continuing to rise. We are in the middle of the spawn. Like a highway, some have completed their spawn and are heading out to deeper water while some are coming in toward the shallows in the backs of creeks to spawn. You can target fish on blow downs, preferably older blow downs in the middle to the back of creeks and in pockets. You won’t find fish on every blow down, and they are usually average sized fish. You can find the bigger fish if you target docks from 8 foot to twenty foot depths. Always remember that crappie are structure related fish. Having said that, use your Lowrance to locate some type of brush under those docks. If you are in above average stained water, try using darker colored jigs. The fish are biting anything, whether artificial or live bait 1/24 ounce jig head, either soft body or hair jigs are working well in various colors. Always remember to tie your jig directly to your high visibility four pound test line. Do not use swivels or additional sinkers. This will maximize the number of bites you are getting. Wear your life jacket; it can save your life!