Fishing Forecast - High Falls Lake
Overview
High Falls Lake is a 650-acre impoundment of the Towaliga River in Butts, Monroe and Lamar counties, located just east of Interstate 75 north of Forsyth. The Parks, Recreation and Historic Sites Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources operates High Falls Lake for recreational purposes that include sport fishing. The lake is open to fishing during daylight hours only, and the operation of motors greater than 10 horsepower are prohibited. Boats with outboard motors greater than 10 horsepower may be used, but the outboard must not be operated.
Contact Information: High Falls State Park: 478-993-3053; DNR Office: 478-825-6151
Best Bets: Largemouth Bass, Crappie, and Catfish
High Falls Lake - Largemouth Bass
Largemouth Bass
Prospect: High Falls lake is an untapped resource to bass anglers. The relative number of large bass (16-26 inches) is ranked near the top among major reservoirs within the state and almost 47 percent of the population is larger than 15 inches. The average bass is around 12 to 14 inches and weighs about 1 1/2 pounds. Relatively low bass fishing pressure (due to motor restrictions) and high numbers of large fish should result in some very good bass fishing. Anglers catching several bass averaging greater than 6lbs. should not be surprised!
Technique: Try crankbaits and jigs in and during spring and fall for big fish. For lunkers, try "pitching" spinner baits around docks and downed trees during early to mid-morning. Live bait is always a "go to" when targeting bass in early spring.
Target: Target areas with point bars and downed trees in the water. There is plenty of bass habitat in the lake, so anglers should have an easy time picking a place to fish. and are popular areas, but don't be afraid to target the upper portions of the lake!
High Falls Lake - Striped Bass
Striped Bass
Prospect: Both striped bass and hybrids were stocked until 2006. Striped bass only stockings started in 2007 and were discontinued in 2013 due to the success of the striped bass re-establishment efforts downstream. Hybrid bass only stockings were continued in 2013. Striped bass numbers will again be low if not rare in 2020, but if caught will average 3-5 pounds and a few will reach quality size of up to 26 inches. There have been a few reports of striped bass reaching 15 pounds in size. A catch of 23 pounds was documented in 2016.
Technique: Try working spoons and grub baits just during winter and early spring. For large stripers, try drift fishing with live or cut shad.
Target: Target the during the March - April spawning runs. Also target the deep water habitat in
High Falls Lake - Catfish
Channel Catfish
Prospect: High Falls is a great catfish fishery comprised of both flathead and channel catfish. Channel catfish numbers have remained steady compared to previous years with strong year-classes coming through. The average lengths of channel catfish in 2020 will be about 14-16 inches but individuals over 20 are not uncommon. Flathead catfish are in lower density than channels but offer a trophy fishery to High Falls with several fish over 20 lb.
Technique: Drift fishing with live or cut shad is recommended.
Target: Fish deep holes and channel bends in the lower end of the lake for flatheads and channel cats.
High Falls Lake - Crappie
Black Crappie
Prospect: Crappie are abundant with trophy potential. Anglers can expect over 43 percent of the population to be over 8 inches in length. Strong year classes have been recorded that equates for great fishing in 2020. High Falls is known for crappie fishing and is comparable with larger reservoirs in the Piedmont such as Lake Oconee for anglers targeting this popular game fish. Angler reports of catching crappie ranging from 1-2 pounds are common.
Technique: Trolling jigs above the dam, around drop-offs, points and creek channels is effective in winter and early spring. Minnows and jigs fished in shallow water near brush, stumps or blow-downs is most effective once water temperatures reach 60 degrees in the spring.
Target: Look for submerged timber and stumps near the main channel during late fall and wintering schools of crappie. Spring offers the most popular times and fishing is excellent lake wide.
High Falls Lake - Bream
Bluegill Sunfish
Prospect: Bream are abundant but few reach catchable size. Bluegill and redear (shellcracker) are the most plentiful; however, redbreast also are available. Expect the average bluegill to reach 5 to 8 inches. Redear are less in abundance but anglers should expect nice catches of redear in 2020.
Technique: Live worms and crickets are favorite bait for bream.
Target: Target brush piles and vegetation.
