Expect largemouth fishing comparable to
recent years. Average bass size for approximately half of this
years catch will be in the 12 to 20-inch size range, with a few
more 20 to 25-inch fish in the population, but don't be surprised
by some trophy bass in the 12 to 16-pound range. There are no
minimum size limits on largemouth bass.
Technique
Consider switching to a lighter less
visible line because of the high water clarity. Fish underwater
humps on the main lake with soft-plastic jerkbaits,
Carolina-rigged plastic worms or lipped deep-diving crankbaits.
Try popping top-water plugs on humps and points on the lower lake
early in the morning and late in the day. Pitch a watermelon worm
fished 30 inches behind a split shot or 1/8-ounce bullet weight
to pockets in the vegetation.
Target
In the spring, bass spawn in shallow water
behind the standing timber on the upper half of the lake. Fish
points and humps in the timber on the upper lake. Target the
edges of aquatic plant beds where bass tend to concentrate.
Expect good catches off points, creek channels and other
deep-water structure in the middle portions of the lake in the
summer and winter.
Striped
Bass
Prospect
Stripers are stocked annually at relatively
low rates, and thanks to cool water temps during summer, a strong
fishery has developed. DNR has documented trophy-size fish at
40-plus pounds. The average size striper is less than 5
pounds.
Technique
Try trolling creek channels during cooler
months, moving to cooler depths located in the main lake during
summer. Drifting or fishing on the bottom with live or cut shad
has produced some larger catches.
Target
Concentrate efforts near the pump discharge
(located just above the dam) when Georgia Power pumps water into
the reservoir from the Ocmulgee River. Target the timber topped
at 35-foot depths off the dam. Look for stripers feeding on the
flats in the upper end in the springtime.
Bream
Prospect
Juliette is one of the best lakes in the
area for redear sunfish where large numbers are typical in the
spring. Sizes will average from 6 to 9-inches with some fish
greater than 10 inches. Bluegill suffer from stunting and only
the occasional hand-sized fish is caught.
Technique
Bluegill, redbreast and redear sunfish can
be caught with cane poles or spinning outfits rigged with small
hooks, bobbers and split shot using worms or crickets fished at
various depths, including the bottom. Fly rods are effective in
spring, summer and fall with wet and dry flies. Slowly retrieved
small artificial lures such as Beetle Spins Rooster Tails or
Shysters also are effective.
Target
In spring concentrate on spawning beds in
shallow, weedy areas.
Crappie
Prospect
Crappie populations are considered fair,
but average catch sizes are often good. The majority of the catch
will be in the 8 to 12-inch size range with some fish over 2
pounds.
Technique
Most effective during the spring and early
summer are light colored jigs fished in the upper end of the
lake, though both natural and artificial baits are effective.
Small minnows hooked through the back or lips using long-shanked
small hooks are good live bait. Trolling with crappie jigs,
Triple Ripples or Hal-flys, and casting small crankbaitsalso is
productive.
Target
One of the best places is the area around
the Holly Grove boat ramp. During spring, concentrate in the
upper ends of coves. At full pool, boats can run along the bank
"inside" the timber. Trolling with crappie jigs, Triple Ripples
or Hal-flys, and casting small crankbaits around submerged stumps
and logs is generally productive for spawning crappie. When the
water warms in the summertime, target deeper areas of submerged
timber, deep brush in coves, or around deepwater structure.
Spotted
bass
Prospect
Spotted bass have been present in Lake
Juliette since 2000 when WRD believed they were pumped into the
reservoir from the Ocmulgee River. The population has remained
relatively stable up until 2006, when an expansion of the
population began and has reached its highest level this past
year. Expect most fish caught to be less than 1 pound but with
some individuals considerably more. Like largemouth bass in Lake
Juliette, there are no minimum size restrictions for spotted bass
and anglers are encouraged to harvest all the spots they
catch.
Technique
Spotted bass are generally found in deeper
water than largemouth bass. Casting small crankbaits and spinners
along steeper drop-offs can attract spots or top-water lures such
as spooks, buzz-baits and propeller lures retrieved quickly can
be effective, particularly at night.
Target
Spots will be found mainly down-lake where
the water is deeper. Target deeper points and fish parallel to
the bank at varying depths to locate fish. Night fishing along
humps or steeper drop-offs close to shore can produce good
catches.
Yellow
Perch
Prospect
Significant numbers offer a unique fishing
opportunity. The majority of fish will average 6-8 inches, with
some individuals up to a pound.
Technique
Yellow perch can be caught on live or
artificial baits. The preferred bait is worms fished on the
bottom with light spinning tackle. Yellow perch also can be
caught with small minnows.
Target
Yellow perch can be caught around aquatic
vegetation and the submerged branches of fallen trees and other
brush in the water.
Additional
Information
WRD first detected blueback
herring, a preferred striper bait, in 1999. WRD believes that
anglers have released bluebacks into the lake in recent years.
Anglers are catching bluebacks in cast nets with increasing
frequency. Negative impacts of the species include their ability
to out-compete other fish for food and their predation on larval
fish, including bass less than 1 inch in length. Positive impacts
include the potential of the species to provide larger forage for
larger predators. WRD monitors the impact of introduced fish like
blueback herring in reservoirs. Currently, it is legal to fish
with or possess live blueback herring on Lake Juliette.
Good: 
Fair: 
