Lake Jackson is a 4,750-acre Georgia Power lake where the Alcovy, South and Yellow rivers meet, about 45 miles southeast of Atlanta between Covington and Jackson. It is busy with skiers and boaters in summer, but it also holds some of middle Georgia’s best catfish and bream fishing, solid crappie and a striped bass population that produces fish over 18 pounds.
- Size4,750 acres
- OperatorGeorgia Power
- Best betsCrappie, spotted and largemouth bass, catfish, bream, stripers
- ContactsGeorgia Power 404-954-4040; DNR 478-825-6151
Getting on the Water
Georgia Power and local governments run public boat ramps around the lake, and there are private marinas with gas and tackle. The Ocmulgee River begins at Lloyd Shoals Dam on the south end, and the river just below the dam is good for redbreast sunfish. Summer weekends are crowded with pleasure boats, so serious anglers often fish early, late or at night.
2026 Fishing Outlook
Summarized from Georgia DNR fisheries biologists’ 2026 forecast for Lake Jackson, based on their sampling.
| Species | Outlook | Where and how |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth bass | Still most of the black bass in 2025 sampling, and longer and heavier on average than spots. Most run 1 to 2 pounds; big fish come February to May and October to December. | Rock points dropping into deep water, docks and timber on drop-offs, flooded timber up Tussahaw Creek in fall, and the Yellow River arm. Crankbaits, jigs and Carolina-rigged plastics; early morning and night in summer. |
| Spotted bass | Numbers have leveled off. Average about 11 inches, with some over 14 and a chance at a 4-pounder. No size limit; harvest is encouraged. | Clearer main-lake water: deep points, bank-parallel casts at different depths, docks and humps at night. Small crankbaits, shaky heads, drop shots and fast topwaters. |
| Striped bass | Stockings are on schedule. Expect 4 to 5 pounds on average, with reports of fish over 18 pounds. | Surface schools at dawn and dusk near the power lines above the Alcovy confluence, mid-lake in warm months, above Barnetts Bridge on the Tussahaw arm, and cooler water near the dam. Troll crankbaits and swimbaits, or fish live gizzard shad. |
| Catfish | More big channel and blue cats than most central Georgia lakes, typically 3 to 5 pounds, with channels over 20 pounds possible. The lake-record flathead is over 50 pounds. | Deep mid-lake holes, outside bends of creek channels, deep water near the dam, and the South River arm near the Ga. 36 bridge, especially at night. Cut shad or liver on the bottom; live bream at night for flatheads. |
| Bream | One of middle Georgia’s stronger bream lakes. Redear dominate the catch at about 8 inches, often 7 to 10, and 1-pounders are common. | Blowdowns and weed lines; shallow sandy areas in early spring and late fall. Redworms, mealworms or crickets just off the bottom. |
| Crappie | Strong numbers again; averages over 7 inches, with 1- to 1.5-pounders for patient anglers. | Flooded timber in the Tussahaw arm, the Ga. 212 bridge in early spring when water reaches 60°F, the power-line crossing and deep water near the dam. Troll small jigs; minnows, small crankbaits and dock-shooting in spring. |
Lake Jackson
Lake JacksonContact: Georgia Power Lake Jackson, 404-954-4040. Georgia DNR fisheries, 478-825-6151.
More nearby: Lake Varner, High Falls Lake, Lake Juliette and our Georgia lakes guide.
Sources we checked
Facts in this guide were checked in October 2026 against the agencies and operators that run these places:
Spot something out of date? Email Contact@n-georgia.com and we’ll check it against the official source. Read how we research our guides.