02-02-2002, 04:50 PM
LAKE LANIER AND CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVER FISHING REPORT<br>by Bill Vanderford<br><br> Surface temperatures at Lake Lanier have remained in the low 50’s, but recent rains have brought the lake level up to about 9 feet below normal pool. Recent warmer weather has many of the predator fish thinking that spring has come early.<br> Schools of striped bass are beginning to move toward the north end of the lake while gorging heavily on schools of baitfish on or near the surface. These big linesided fish are being caught in good numbers with weighted Flukes, and 1/4 ounce Swirleybird spinners when seen surfacing from Brown’s Bridge to Wahoo Creek. Also, plenty of stripers are being taken on flat-lined live baits early and late in the day in creeks or around points of land on the main lake.<br> Spotted bass can be found in 10 to 30 feet of water in creek channels or around trees and stumps. These bass can be caught best with live shad or blueback herring. <br> Trout fishing in the Chattahoochee River below the dam is very good for both rainbow and browns. Swirleybird spinners continue to be quite effective 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>Living to Fish and Fishing to Live<br>Bill Vanderford<br>www.fishinglanier.com<br>770-962-1241