In search of Georgia's 2007 spotted bass fishing by Georgia DNR.

Find Georgia spotted bass
on major impoundments in Georgia.
From Melissa Cummings - GA DNR Staff
Image and editing by Bill Byrd.

GAINESVILLE, Ga. - The spotted bass filled north Georgia reservoirs are a sure sign that spring has sprung in Georgia. As spawning continues and spots move into warmer waters, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) suggests anglers target lakes Lanier, Nottely, Chatuge, Burton, Carters and Allatoona for superior spotted bass fishing.

"Fishing for spotted bass (Micropterus punctulatus) is an exciting challenge for anglers because they are such strong fighters for their size," says WRD Fisheries Biologist Reggie Weaver. "Their cooperative nature to aggressively take artificial and natural baits throughout the year attracts many bass anglers to these north Georgia impoundments."

As one of the "black bass" members of the sunfish family, spotted bass are often confused with close cousins, largemouth and smallmouth bass. Spots are easily distinguishable though, donning evenly arranged black spots in alternating rows below the dark lateral line and a distinctive patch of teeth on the base of the tongue.

Georgia's life span for spotted bass averages about eight years. Anglers typically expect an average weight of 1-½ lbs. for spots 3 - 4 years of age. However, an abundance of Lake Lanier spots weighing in at more than 2 lbs. is currently at an all-time high. The state record holder, Wayne Holland, caught an 8 lb. 2 oz. spotted bass from Lake Burton in 2005.

Lake Lanier's deep, clear waters and steep rocky shoreline make the 38,000-acre Corps of Engineers (COE) impoundment a prime aquatic habitat for spotted bass spawning and survival. In fact, Lake Lanier spots outnumber Lake Lanier largemouths nine to one. The recommended areas for catching spotted bass on Lanier are the lower and mid lake sections, including the major tributary creeks.

The key angling technique for spotted bass fishing is similar to fishing for stripers -- find schools of threadfin shad and blueback herring - favorite spotted bass meals. Much of the time you'll find spots mixed in with stripers feeding on this choice forage.

According to WRD biologists, fly anglers can improve their odds by using flies commonly usded for stripers that imitate shad and herring. Shallow running and topwater flies are also suggested as they are especially productive during the spawning period of March - June. FDishing heavily weighted streamers on sinking lines counted down and fished at greater depths (10 to 20 ft) where schools of forage are located are preferred deepwater striper and spot tactics during summer and fall months.

For more information on fishing for spotted bass in Georgia waters visit The Georgia WRD Website, or for more details call 706-947-3112.