Largemouth bass typically average a pound,
but good growth in recent years has made 2-3 pound fish more
common. Though few in number, 9 and 10 pound largemouth are not
out of the question at Blue Ridge. Largemouth abundance will
remain above average this year.
Technique
Baits vary from season to season, but
larger u-tail or ribbon tail plastic worms or plastic lizards
(especially in May and June) and the standard pig-n-jig are
successful largemouth techniques in this lake. Top water lures
like Zara Spooks or Rapalas, fished at the end of the day, can
generate some exciting top water action.
Target
Largemouth are most often found in the
up-river locations of the Toccoa arm of the lake. Target the
backs of coves and tributary mouths around any fallen trees or
stumps.
Smallmouth
bass
Prospect
Over the last few years, smallmouth growth
has been very good. Consequently, 1-pound smallies have become
the norm at Blue Ridge. However, persistent anglers should not be
surprised to see a few 5-6 pound smallmouth pulled from these
waters.
Technique
Use medium action rods and reels spooled
with 8-10 pound line. April and May are great for using shad or
herring patterned crankbaits (#5 shad raps or Bill Normans)
fished on long points. In summer, top water baits fished at dawn
or dusk can be effective. However, most summer fishing is done
using subtle presentations like Texas rigged plastic
worms/lizards, or drop shot rigs fished around brush or rock
piles. The cool fall weather pushes smallmouth out of the deeps
to more moderate depths around 15-30 feet. At this time drop shot
rigs, flukes and crawfish-imitating jigs are good bets. These
same tactics will work in winter as well. Live minnows are a good
bait anytime of year.
Target
Fish long shallow points in spring when
smallies are spawning. When smallmouth move shallow to spawn in
spring, head to long rocky points in the Toccoa arm of the lake.
Summer time sends fish deep in the main lake, where they hold on
brush piles, ledges and humps. Try nighttime fishing in summer
for fish that move to shallow water to feed under the cover of
darkness. Cooling fall weather initiates aggressive feeding
activity on wind-blown main lake points. In winter, smallmouth
tend to congregate around creek mouths where water temperatures
are often a few degrees warmer than the main lake.
White
bass
Prospect
Once common to the lake, white bass numbers
have declined in recent years. Their decline has been concurrent
with the establishment of blueback herring, which may be
negatively influencing white bass reproductive success. Most
white bass are older fish that have grown to large size. Though
few in number, 2 and even 3-pound fish could stretch lines this
year.
Technique
Small lures like "doll flies," and plastic
grubs in light colors, along with small, herring-imitating
crankbaits, fished on light spinning gear are recommended.
Target
For spawn-run fish, target rocky points and
shoals in the upper end of the lake in March. Throughout the rest
of the year, look for white bass in the main lake body anywhere
schooling herring are found.
Bream
Prospect
Quality, not quantity best describes this
bream fishery. Bluegill average 6 inches, but thick 9-10 inch
“bull-gills” are present.
Technique
For artificial baits, small is the key. Try
small spinners and natural crawfish imitating micro-jigs. As for
live bait, crickets or worms rigged under a bobber, or bottom
presentations weighted with split-shot are both good tactics.
Drop shot rigs, typically used for bass, can also be employed
using live bait, as a means of targeting deeper nesting
fish.
Target
Anglers should concentrate on fishing
around downed trees or other structure in shallow coves,
tributary mouths or on sand flats. Look shallow for nests, but
nesting colonies of magnum “gills” may also set up
shop on deeper locales in 15-20 ft. of water. The Toccoa arm of
the reservoir is a favored location for these large bluegills,
which become concentrated during the May-July spawning
period.
Walleye
Prospect
Overall, walleye abundance is down, but
average and top size is up. In recent years, the average Blue
Ridge walleye increased from less than a pound to almost 2 pounds
in size. Anglers are also catching bigger
“glass-eyes” in the 4-6 pound size range. For the
trophy angler, there is the distinct possibility a lake or even
state record walleye will be pulled from these waters in the near
future.
Technique
Between February and April when fish are
shallow, use shallow running crankbaits or jigs. Work deeper fish
with ¼ ounce light colored jigs or vertical jig silver or
blue chrome spoons. In summer, walleye move deep, sometimes
suspending in the thermocline over deep water. Flex–it
spoons are a good choice, but trolling deep diving (weight them
to get them deeper) crankbaits (shad raps or jerkbaits) can be
productive. Fall and winter techniques are similar to spring,
with shap raps and spoons being the most effective approaches.
Throughout the year, jigs tipped with live baits like night
crawlers or live minnows also are effective.
Target
In late winter and spring, fish the deeper
river ledges in the Toccoa arm of the lake. Warming water will
bring walleye shallower to feed and spawn. By summer, walleye are
back in the main lake, on deep (30 to 50-plus feet) rocky points,
humps or even suspended in the thermocline over deep water. With
the cooling of fall, walleye move out of their deep summer
haunts, into the 20-30 foot depth range. Find them on points and
or ledges in tributary coves. Throughout the year, night fishing
during a full moon can be a productive approach.
Spotted
bass
Prospect
Spotted bass abundance is unfortunately
increasing. Bigger and bigger spotted bass are being caught each
year. The average spot will be around a pound, but more and more
3-4 pound plus fish are out there. The DNR encourages anglers to
harvest their limit of spotted bass whenever possible, to reduce
the competition this invasive species places upon the native
smallmouth bass.
Technique
Follow the same techniques listed for
smallmouth bass in your pursuit of spotted bass.
Target
Spotted bass will be found in the same
locations listed for smallmouth bass.
Catfish
Prospect
Though often overlooked, good populations
of channel and flathead catfish are available.
Technique
For channel cats, good baits include
chicken liver, cut shad or bream. For flatheads, anglers should
use live bream weighted with a heavy sinker.
Target
Probe deep holes and river ledges. The
cracks and crevices found on rocky banks also provide good hiding
places for catfish.
Other
Species
Prospect
Though not overly abundant, yellow perch do
call Blue Ridge home. What they may lack in numbers, they more
than make up for in size. Jumbo perch, 12 to 15-plus inches in
length and 1-plus pounds in size, can be caught.
Technique
Perch and walleye are often found together,
so try some of the same methods listed for walleye. Smaller baits
are preferred, as yellow perch have a smaller mouth than that of
a walleye.
Target
Yellow perch are often found in the Toccoa
arm of the lake. Fish the deeper coves where they may be found
holding on brush piles or channel ledges.
Additional
Information
Anglers wishing to camp along
the shores of Lake Blue Ridge can do so at the USFS’s
Morganton Point Campground. Information about this facility is
available at: http://www.fs.fed.us/conf/mgntncmp.htm
Since 2006 the TVA, DNR and local volunteers have actively worked
to improve fish habitat in Lake Blue Ridge. Anglers can find
information about this program, as well as current maps showing
the location of these deepwater fish attractors sites on this DNR
web page.
Spotted bass are now established in the lake - probably the
result of illegal stockings. Their population size has increased
significantly in recent years. Spots compete with and can
hybridize with smallmouth bass, which in the past, has resulted
in the collapse of other Georgia smallmouth bass fisheries. To
help reduce spotted bass competition with smallmouth, anglers are
encouraged to harvest their limit (10) of spots to help sustain
this unique Georgia fishery for years to come.
Good: 
Fair: 
