07-16-2002, 03:51 PM
LAKE LANIER AND CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVER FISHING REPORT<br>by Bill Vanderford<br><br> Surface temperatures at Lake Lanier are still around 80 degrees, and the lake level is about 6 feet below normal pool and starting to fall. Cooler night temperatures lately has kept most of Lanier's fish population is in a transition period from Spring to Summer. Depending on the day, this transitional period can either be very good or extremely poor.<br> Many striped bass are still around points or near underwater ridges all over the lake, but some have already gone to a summer pattern in depths of 20 to 30 feet. Early morning stripers are being caught on flat-lined shiners, larger jerkbaits, or other topwater lures.<br> Some spotted bass can be caught around points, docks, or blowndown trees throughout the lake with topwater lures, flukes, or 1/4 ounce Swirleybird spinners. However, plenty of spotted bass are already moving into brush piles and natural, underwater timber at 10 to 25 feet, and can be caught with plastic worms or live spottail minnows.<br> Crappie fishing continues to be good at night under bridges all over the lake. Live shad or minnows are the best bait. A few are still being caught "shooting" small jigs under deeper docks.<br> Trout fishing in the Chattahoochee River below the dam is excellent for both rainbow and browns. Swirleybird spinners, sinking Rapalas, and dry flies are great for trout at this time.<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, JFish51@aol.com, or at his web site: www.fishinglanier.com<br><br><br><br>Living to Fish and Fishing to Live<br>Bill Vanderford<br>www.fishinglanier.com<br>770-962-1241