Georgia Wildlife Resources Division
2070 U.S. Hwy. 278, SE, Social Circle, GA 30025
| Best Bets |
| STRIPED BASS, LARGEMOUTH BASS, REDEAR SUNFISH |
| Largemouth bass | ||
| Prospect | Expect largemouth fishing comparable to recent years. Average bass size will be similar in 2011; expect approximately half of the catch to 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. | |
| 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. 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. | |
| Striped Bass | ||
| Prospect | Stripers are stocked annually at relatively low rates, and thanks to deep-water cooler water temps during summer, a strong fishery has developed. DNR has documented trophy-size fish at 40-plus pounds. However, 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. | |
| 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. |
| Best Fishing Times Key |
Excellent:
Good:
Fair:
 |