For a fishing experience you will never forget, Lake Lanier is the place to be!   It is difficult to believe, but this unforgettable lake has it all!  Camping, large variety of fish species, coves, open water, house boats, sailing, water sports, golf, resort vacations, horseback riding, bike and walking trails, hiking, camping, lakeside dining and wildlife and scenery that will fill up your digital memory sticks in a hurry.  Lake Lanier, located in the Highlands Region of Georgia, features 68 park areas that include picnic settings, picnic settings, camping, hiking trails, and quality boat ramps.  Above, I have a large 4 lb. (officially weighed) Spotted Bass from Lake Lanier taken this past month.  This is just one of many fish we took in about 5 hours of morning fishing.

Lake Lanier is home to some of the best striped bass and spotted bass fishing in Georgia. Located thirty minutes north of Atlanta, GA

Lake Lanier’s 692 miles of shoreline offers camping at US Army Corps of Engineers Parks, plus well-appointed accommodations at resorts as well as RV camps.  (See the related article about what to do in Dawsonville, Georgia, to see the many things to do where "Thunder Road - NASCAR" all got started!)

All of this is nestled in the foothills of northeast Georgia’s never-to-be-forgotten views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Interesting Facts About this outstanding lake:

• 39,000 acres of water
• 692 miles of shoreline
• Created from the Chattahoochee and Chestatee Rivers by Buford Dam
• Authorized by Congress in 1946
• Construction began in 1951
• Opened in 1956
• 8 million annual visitors
• 68 parks and recreation areas
• 12 campgrounds with more than 1,200 campsites
• 10 full-service marinas with restaurants, gas docks, pump-out stations and boat storage
• Home to Lake Lanier Islands with two resort hotels, golf and a water park
• Additional lakeside cabin camping, restaurants and boat launch areas
• Lake Lanier has many accommodations that are handicapped accessible.

Outdoor writer John  N. Felsher (left) and me with a couple of  Lake Lanier Spotted Bass.

This lake is so massive, to fish it well I recommend a guide.  However, if you bring your own kayak, pontoon boat, fishing boat, etc. there are plenty of nooks, coves, and productive water to fish.  My personal recommendation is to bring plenty of spoons, the usual bass lures, and crappie jigs.  The spoons are great locaters, and since bass striper, etc. will all hit on it, the spoons in various weights and colors will prove irresistible to many species!  Just remember, fish them slow, fast, erratic to bring the best out of them and to offer the fish a variety. Notice the bass size lead-head jig with green swirl tail grub that took the Spotted Bass in the opening photograph.   We took a number of fish bumping this jig along the bottom of the lake in about fifteen feet of water. This particular fish was taken bringing it in about  7 feet in approximately fifteen feet water.

Fishing Report for Lake Lanier

A List of Species of Fish at Lake Lanier

In Need of a Fly Fishing (Guides for all type fishing) Guide? - Henry Cowen (Above right)

Map of Lake Lanier

Boating
Fishing
Hotels & Lodging

Amicalola Falls State Park and Lodge

Forrest Hills Resort and Spa
Where to Eat
Fun for the Day
Camping
Marinas
Public Parks
Visitors Center

Happy Fishing

Photograph by John N Felsher and John C. Jones.