Expect average catches of largemouth to be around 13-16 inches and 2-3 pounds. Although numbers of 8-plus pound bass have declined in recent years, 2010 should produce excellent numbers of 3 to 4-pound fish. There is a 14-inch minimum length limit on the reservoir, but there are good numbers of legal-sized fish for tournament anglers as well. March through May is usually the best time for largemouth fishing, but anglers also experience good success January through mid- October.
Technique
Along with standard medium and shallow-running crankbaits, plastic worms, lizards, tube baits and jigs also are good baits to use during the spawning period (late March through April). Fish consistently are caught through the warmer months by using crankbaits and Carolina-rigged worms adjacent to abundant channel ledges. Rattle-baits fished near the top of hydrilla stands can be highly effective. Top-water lures such as Pop-Rs and buzzbaits can be good producers, especially during mornings of warmer months.
Target
The numerous creeks and coves are the most productive areas for catching largemouth bass. Popular fishing areas include the three branches of Cowikee Creek – Grass, Rood and Pataula Creeks, Sandy Branch and the Highway 82 causeway area. Look for fish to be near shoreline vegetation especially March-May throughout the reservoir and in wind-protected areas.
Hybrid Bass and Striped Bass
Prospect
Among southwest Georgia reservoirs, hybrid fishing in Walter F. George is as good as it gets, with excellent numbers of 3 to 5-pound fish and some up to 8 pounds. Recent stocking efforts have shown an increase in the numbers of stripers sampled from the reservoir. A 39.5 pounder was taken from Pataula Creek in June of 2007.
Hybrid
Striped
Technique
Shiny artificial lures that imitate shad work well. Local anglers use spoons, rooster tails, Ratl-traps and deep-diving crankbaits. Some anglers have luck bottom fishing at night with chicken liver or dead shrimp, but the most popular fishing technique is trolling over sand flats in 10-15 feet of water. Anglers willing to catch and keep live threadfin shad can be rewarded with excellent success as well.
Target
Good areas to try are found from Sandy Creek to Pataula Creek, near Cool Branch landing and just above the Hwy. 82 causeway. Flats adjacent to the river channel, 8-15 feet deep, are good areas to try. Hybrids are usually found near forage, and feeding gulls can often give away the location of schools of threadfin shad. During the warmer months, hybrids are often found in the lower end of the reservoir and are often found feeding near main-lake points and underwater islands.
Catfish
Prospect
Channel catfishing is excellent on Walter F. George, with average cats weighing 1-2 pounds, good numbers of 2-5 pound fish and the occasional 10-pounder or greater. There are poor numbers of flathead catfish, but fair numbers of blue catfish, especially in the upper end of the reservoir and Chattahoochee River. Blue cats can be identified from channel cats by their relatively small head and longer, straight-edged anal fin (as opposed to a rounder anal fin in channel catfish).
Technique
Worms and blood baits will produce good results for both blue and channel catfish. Larger blue catfish typically are caught with cut gizzard or threadfin shad, whereas flathead catfish are typically caught with live bream.
Target
Channel catfish can be found throughout the reservoir, from the back end of coves to deeper (15-20 foot) channel edges and flats. Blue catfish primarily are found in the upper end (above Lakepoint Marina), where fish larger than 20 pounds are available. The tailrace of Walter F. George can be a very productive spot throughout the year for blue catfish. In fact, the state record blue (80 pounds, 4 ounces) was caught in February of 2010 from there.
Bream
Prospect
Bream fishing includes bluegill and redear sunfish. Bluegill average 6-8 inches and redears average 7-9 inches. Excellent catches can be made from April through September, especially during May-June.
Technique
Red wigglers usually work best for redear sunfish and crickets generally for bluegill, although both baits can catch either fish. Some anglers fish with small jigs, worked slowly under bobbers.
Target
Shallow ends of coves, creeks, and sloughs, especially above the Hwy. 82 causeway. The shallow flats from the East Bank boat ramp north to Sandy Creek often are productive sites for redear fishing. Redear fishing usually heats up in late April and lasts through June, which is when bluegill fishing is at its best. Fishing success often peaks around full-moon phases, as many fish move on to bedding areas.
Crappie
Prospect
Spring crappie fishing can be spectacular, both in numbers and in fish size. There also are good numbers of 8 to –10-inch fish available, although fish to 15 inches are not uncommon. Both daytime and night fishing under lights are effective through March-June.
Technique
Minnows or jigs fished 12–16-feed deep. During mid march through May, spawning fish can additionally be found in water as shallow as a foot or two.
Target
Favorite spots are creek mouths and under bridges. Other hotspots include Moccasin South, Pataula Creek, White Oak Creek, Rood Creek and Grass Creek. Bank anglers should try the fishing piers at Hardridge Creek and Florence Marina or the marked fishing areas at East Bank and River Bluff boat ramps. These fishing piers also are accessible to anglers with physical disabilities. Additionally, shoreline anglers can find success at the Eufaula National Wildlife Refuge south of Rood Creek.
Additional Information
While aquatic vegetation can produce positives in fishing success for largemouth bass and bream, the Corps of Engineers is concerned with the increases in hydrilla observed in recent years in Walter F. George reservoir. In addition to chemical treatments, the Corps of Engineers released grass carp in an attempt to control the further spread of hydrilla Anglers can help prevent the spread of hydrilla by inspecting their tackle, boat motor and trailer and by removing all plant fragments before entering or leaving boat ramps. More information is available at: http://www.sam.usace.army.mil/op/rec/wfg/News_Releases/FONSI-signed.pdf
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