03-29-2001, 11:15 PM
LAKE LANIER AND CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVER FISHING REPORT<br><br> Because of many cold nights and plenty of rain during the past month, surface temperatures at Lake Lanier have remained in the low 50's, and fishing during the period has been fluctuating. Less water release at the dam and more rains have raised the lake level to around 10 feet below normal pool, but it is rising.<br> Though the colder water has postponed much of the spawning activity, April's warmer weather will have a very positive effect on fish activity. Despite the slower than normal warming of the water, spring fishing has already shown some good signs, and I still believe that this fishing season will be the best we have had in years!<br> Though I've caught quite a few stripers on the south end of the lake lately near East Bank, most of the striped bass activity is still being seen from Brown's Bridge to just above Clarks Bridge. Flat-lined live baits are probably the best bet unless surface feeding is seen. Cast 1/4 ounce Swirleybird Spinners, 1/2 ounce Roadrunners with a 3-inch white grub as a trailer, or 1/8th ounce weighted fluke-type lures into these visibly feeding fish for best results.<br> Black bass, white bass, crappie, and smaller striped bass are continuing to attack 1/8th ounce Swirleybirds or 1/8th-ounce leadhead jigs dressed with Ranger 3-inch curlytailed grubs along most shorelines above Browns Bridge. The ideal depth seems to be 5 to 10 feet.<br> One good thing about the slow-moving spring, however, is that the crappie fishing near Clarks Bridge and especially in Limestone Creek has been fantastic this year. Most of these fish have been caught on live minnows, but many are also being taken on smaller plastic or hair jigs. The good crappie fishing should last most of the month of April.<br> The walleye population is in the middle of their annual spawning migration into the shoals of the upper Chattahoochee River. However, the white bass have been slow to move into the upper "Hooch" because of the colder water. Therefore, for the first time in memory, the major white bass and striper run will be in April instead of March.<br> Pre-spawn bass fishing is becoming better with each degree of temperature above 50 degrees. I have already caught several spotted bass in the 5-pound range, and because of the 14-inch limit, we will certainly see many more spotted bass and largemouth that exceed 3 pounds than in the past few years. <br> Due to heavy stocking by the DNR prior to opening day, trout fishing in the Chattahoochee River below the dam is great for both rainbow and browns. The new "Chattahoochee Special" spinner is still proving to be THE lure for trout all over the river this year. They are available by sending $5.00 to FISHING LURE, PO BOX 1222, Lawrenceville, GA 30046.<br><br>Bill Vanderford has won numerous awards for his writing and photography, and has been inducted into the Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame as a Legendary Guide. He can be reached at 770-962-1241 or at his web site: www.fishinglanier.com<br><br>Living to Fish and Fishing to Live<br>Bill Vanderford<br>www.fishinglanier.com<br>770-962-1241