Fishing Forecast - Goat Rock Lake
Overview
This 940-acre reservoir is located on the Chattahoochee River 10 miles above Columbus along the Georgia-Alabama border. The Georgia Power Company provides public access with a boat ramp and restroom facilities.
Contact Information: Georgia Power: 706-317-6042; http://georgiapowerlakes.com/bartlettsferry/lake-levels/
GA DNR Office: 706-295-6102
Fish attractor data for this reservoir are available for you to upload into your fishfinder or other GPS devices, or view in free online mapping applications. The data is compatible with many brands including Lowrance, Humminbird, Garmin and Magellan. Instructions are here on how to use the data. Download the zipped data.
Best Bets: Largemouth Bass, Spotted Bass, Bream, Catfish, and Striped Bass
Goat Rock Lake - Largemouth Bass
Largemouth Bass
Prospect: Goat Rock has an abundant largemouth bass population. The lake is quiet and anglers will typically encounter little recreational boating activity. Lunker catches are possible for experienced anglers; however, there is a wide range of largemouth sizes available.
Technique: In spring, fish crankbaits and spinnerbaits to help locate fish. Also, fish light-colored buzzbaits quickly along the shorelines, especially the windblown coves. Carolina-rigged plastic worms and dark-colored lizards are often effective largemouth bass baits. Crawfish patterns in crankbaits and jigs work most of the year. Work these baits over the many rocks below the dam. Mid-depth crankbaits and spinners can also be productive.
Two nice largemouth bass sampled from Goat Rock Lake
Target: Target rocky points in deep water. Also, shorelines and protected coves with structures are good places to locate largemouth. Largemouth and spots tend to become more active during water release. Serious anglers should check the generation schedules before heading out to Goat Rock, which is available by calling Georgia Power at (888-472-5253) or online at www.georgiapower.com .
Goat Rock Lake - Spotted Bass
Spotted Bass
Prospect: Spotted bass are not large in Goat Rock, though there are plenty to catch. Spots tend to be aggressive feeders and can often be caught in bunches once you find a working pattern. Most spots will be in the 6 to 8-inch range. The less abundant larger spots will average around 1 pound.
Technique: Crankbaits and plastic worms work well. Chatterbaits and dark-colored jigs fished in the rocks is always a good approach. Live bait like night crawlers, crayfish, and minnows are also effective for slow-biting spots.
Target: The best time to fish is between April and June. Target rocky points in deep water. Main channels and shoreline cover often hold schools of spots. Fish the rocky ledges just below the dam. Fishing during water release will often kick-start a spotted bass bite during a slow day.
Goat Rock Lake - Striped Bass
Striped Bass
Prospect: Gulf striped bass numbers in Goat Rock have declined over the last few years because of recent difficulties producing fingerlings in hatcheries. Along with a few larger stocked fish from several years ago, a few smaller striped bass that traveled downstream from Bartlett's Ferry (where they are stocked more frequently) persist in Goat Rock. Likewise, a few hybrid bass may pass downstream from Bartlett's Ferry as well.
Technique: Try fishing for striped bass with jigging spoons, white-buck tail jigs, and popping corks with trailing jigs. Live shad and cut bait also are effective natural baits for stripers. Trolling with large crankbaits or live shad in deeper water may also be effective. Troll in front of the dam and below Bartlett's Ferry dam.
Target: Target the in the spring when stripers naturally start to move upstream. During the rest of the year, stripers can be found throughout the lake following schooling shad.
Goat Rock Lake - Channel Catfish
Channel Catfish
Prospect: Goat Rock continues to be an excellent catfish lake. Large channel catfish up to 10-pounds are caught year-round in Goat Rock Lake. Channel cats 2-4 pounds are most common. Several blue catfish have recently been caught during WRD surveys. Anglers also have the chance to catch an occasional flathead catfish. Blue and flathead catfish commonly reach 10-plus pounds.
Technique: Common catfish baits are live baits like nightcrawlers and minnows fished at or near the bottom. Stink and cut baits also are popular choices.
Target: Target the river channel area, deep holes, and rocky bottom areas of the lake.
Goat Rock Lake - Bream
Redear Sunfish
Prospect: Bluegill and redear (shellcracker) sunfish fishing has historically been good in Goat Rock. Average bluegill catches should weigh approximately 1/4 to 1/3 pounds in size, while redear catches can average 1/2 to 1 pound for the larger fish.
Technique: Natural baits like live worms and crickets are most effective for bluegill and redear sunfish. Small plastic jigs may also prove productive when fished under a bobber. However, bobbers should be thin so fish have less of a chance to feel the pull of the line.
Target: Backs of coves and sloughs are most productive. April, May, and June are the best months to fish. Fishing rocks below Bartlett's Ferry Dam can also produce a good bite.
Goat Rock Lake - Crappie
Black Crappie
Prospect: Anglers looking for crappie often fare well in Goat Rock. Most catches average more than 1/4 pound in size. "Slabs" will be common for the dedicated angler.
Technique: Trolling with jigs and live minnows works well for crappie in deeper water.
Target: Target woody brush and structure along shorelines. Trolling along the river channel also can be effective.
Other Species
Shoal Bass
Prospect: A small population of shoal bass are present and are occasionally caught by anglers fishing Goat Rock.
Technique: Fish slowly in deeper water around rocky ledges using baitfish-like paddle-tail swimbaits. Also, try small Rapala X-raps fished the same way. Crayfish-colored crankbaits and jigs are another go to bait for shoal bass.
Target: Like their name, shoal bass fishing should target rocky areas and up Mulberry Creek.
Additional Information
The Goat Rock Marina has a paved parking area, courtesy dock, a restroom, and area lighting. Generation schedules and lake level information is available by calling Georgia Power at (888-472-5253) or online at www.georgiapower.com . Try fishing the five fish attractors sites on Goat Rock Lake. Fish attractors are marked with buoys. Fish attractor location data are also available for you to upload into your fishfinder or other GPS devices, or view in free online mapping applications. The data is compatible with many brands including Lowrance, Humminbird, Garmin, and Magellan to name a few.
