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| Best Fishing Bets |
| Shoal bass, largemouth bass, striped bass, chain pickerel, bream, catfish and trout |
| Chattahoochee River Fishing Tips |
Trout fishing in this section can be excellent during the Delayed Harvest (DH) season (November 1 through May 14) when catches of 20-30 trout are reported. Approximately 50,000 trout are stocked from November 1 through late April. All trout must be released during the delayed harvest season, but can be harvested from May 15 through October 31.
Technique - For fly-fishing, consider a Parachute Adams in a No. 18-22. Picky fish? Try a black or olive wooly bugger. Also consider Bead Head Prince, Hares Ear and Pheasant Tail flies in No. 14-18. During an insect hatch, a small Blue Wing Olive or Griffiths Gnat in a No. 18-22 may be a better choice. For ultra light spinning tackle use 2-pound “Extra Tough Line” or 4-pound “Extra Limp” line (clear or green). Cast or troll 1/16 ounce. yellow rooster tail, or #3 or #5 yellow rapalas. Fishing in low, clear water is best.
Target the delayed harvest section from Sope Creek (off Columns Dr) downstream to US Hwy 41 |
Shoal Bass - Over the past 5 years, more than 200,000 fingerlings have been stocked downstream of Morgan Falls in an effort to restore this bass population. Numbers have drastically increased and last year was reportedly the best year yet. Expect good numbers in the 10 to 12-inch range.
Technique - Use a medium rod and spinning reel with 8-pound line (clear or green). Cast ½ ounce. yellow spinner bait with silver or white willow leaf blades to creek mouths and shoal areas. In deep holes, try drift drop shot with minnow or cast to rocky cliffs and creeks mouths. Low, clear water is best.
Target - Shoal bass move to shallow water in April and can be found in swift running shoals. In winter, they move to deeper water along the banks and deep pools. Focus on downed trees along the banks. |
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Largemouth bass and spotted bass are most active from April through October but can be caught in winter.
Technique - Many of the techniques used for shoal bass work well with largemouth and spotted bass. Also, try techniques and tackle that work in ponds and lakes, such as crankbaits in deeper pools. Worms and spinner baits also are effective.
Target - Most anglers focus their time from spring through fall. Fish are everywhere and will hit any well-presented lure. Trout fishing is too good to pass up during late fall through early spring. |
Striped bass numbers are increasing as a result of stocking efforts in West Point Lake. Fish in the 20 to 30-pound class are common. Striper fishing is best in the summer, as bass migrate upstream in April in search of cool water. They will migrate back downstream in October as temperatures cool.
Technique - Use a medium rod and spinning reel with 8 to 10-pound line (clear or green). Large redfins, #5 Rapalas and swim baits work well in shallow to deep, clear water. Live and cut baits are also effective. Try a #2 hook, drift drop shot with a minnow or small bluegill in deep holes along the bottom.
Target - These fish do not seem to prefer any single habitat, but move around looking for food. Striped bass can be found in shallow shoals, runs and deep pools. |
Chain Pickerel - In the winter, fish for chain pickerel on sunny days with low, clear water at 45-55 degrees (F).
Technique - Use medium rod and reel with 8-pound line in clear water with #1 hooks. Cast to blow downs and eddies with drop shot minnows. Yellow rooster tail (¾ ounce) and ½ ounce yellow spinner bait (silver or white willow) also are effective.
Target - In winter, target the river upstream of the delayed harvest section between Morgan Falls Dam and Sope Creek. Look to blown down trees in the sun with a deep hole on the downstream side. |
Anglers seeking sunfish, catfish and yellow perch will find plenty of action in this section of the river.
Technique - Sunfish and catfish are most active in the warmer months. Yellow perch can be targeted in winter and early spring on sunny days when the water is low and clear. Look to blown down trees with a deep hole on the downstream side.
Target - Sunfish and yellow perch can be caught on small spinners and jigs, or cast minnows and worms into deep holes on a drop-shot rig. Catfish can be caught using cut or commercial catfish baits. Fish the bottom in deeper holes and runs for catfish. |
| Boat Ramps |
| The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, National Park Service, City of Roswell and Fulton County all operate boat ramps and/or step down ramps designed for canoes, kayaks, float tubes and small boats. Ramp locations and types can be viewed on the National Park Service map. |
| Contact Info |
Wildlife Resources Division, Social Circle Fisheries office Phone: 770-918-6418.
For information about the Chattahoochee National Recreation Area, call 678-538-1200. For the Buford Dam water release schedule, call the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at 770-945-1466 or listen to 1610 AM radio or visit the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers website. |
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Visit:
 Georgia Lakes
WMA Public Fishing Areas
GA Fishing Lakes
Georgia Rivers & Map
GA Lakes & Rivers Map
Water Safety
Fishing Trip Checklist
Printable Chattahoochee River Park Areas Map
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