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The Chattachoochee River lakes are an angler's paradise. Gamefish include largemouth bass, white bass, hybrids, crappie, channel catfish and bream. Alabama and Georgia have a reciprocal agreement concerning fishing licenses, with each state accepting the use of a current license from either state on the Walter F. George Lake. Anglers should be aware, however, that the two states differ in daily limits and size restrictions for some species.
Bank fishing is excellent at many locations, including public fishing decks, along riprap by bridges and at the mouths of creeks flowing into the lakes. Fishing below Walter F. George and George W. Andrews Dams offer good downstream fishing opportunities.
Most of the lake's original submerged vegetation has disappeared over the years, but the Corps of Engineers and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources have maintained a series of fish attractors in Georgia waters for better fishing. Groups of cedar trees have been strategically placed in the lake to create new fish concentration areas, and these attractors are marked with buoys. An on-going program refurbishes the attractors on an annual basis, insuring sportsmen of successful fishing for years to come. Locator maps are available at the Natural Resources Site Office.
The Natural Resources Site Office would like to inform anglers and boaters about
an invasive weed which could lead to serious problems for the future of
recreation on Walter F. George Lake. This invasive weed is called
Hydrilla. Everyone can help prevent the problem with Hydrilla by cleaning
their boats before leaving the ramps. Transporting plant fragments on
boats, trailers, and in livewells is the main introduction route to lakes and
rivers.
Hydrilla..."The Demon Weed"
Angler's are advised to get the current Walter F George
Lake and George W Andrews Lake Information by calling:
1-866-772-9542
Angler's are also cautioned about discharges from the dams,
are to be aware of buoy lines below the dams and locks. Daily fluctuations range from a maximum of about 16 feet below Walter F. George Dam and up to eight feet below the Andrews Dam.
One of the biggest misconceptions about fishing below dams, is
that the safest times are when the generators are not running. Some
projects still give no warning when the generators come on. Therefore, if
a boat is anchored or tied off, and the generators come on, they can easily be
overturned or sunk.
Many fishermen love to fish below dams when the spillways are
open. They believe that
if they anchor their boats,
the current will keep them away from the spillways. In reality, the turbulence
and undercurrent can easily pull their boat into the spillway. This has happened
many times in the past few years resulting in thousands of dollars of lost
equipment and several lives. Most of these fatalities occurred with the boaters
wearing life jackets.
Many lakes and dams have underwater obstructions that are
not visible while boating. With many more boats and personal watercraft on the
water, our users must learn the waters that they will be using.
While boating around locks, stay at least 1000 feet from
the stern of a towboat that is approaching a lock. If a recreational vessel gets
too close to the stern, and the towboat reverses its engines, it can be pulled
into the turbulent water caused by its wheelwash, and be overturned. Angler's are also cautioned about discharges from the dams,
are to be aware of buoy lines below the dams and locks. Daily fluctuations range from a maximum of about 16 feet below Walter F. George Dam and up to eight feet below the Andrews Dam.
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