Fishing Forecast - Lower Ocmulgee River
Overview
The lower Ocmulgee River is large and sluggish with many meandering bends and some oxbow lakes. The river offers a variety of fishing opportunities, and anglers can look to the Ocmulgee's lower portion for bass, bream and catfish.
Guide to Fishing and Floating the Lower Ocmulgee River in PDF (2.33MB). This document contains access and fishing tip information and a color map with river-mile designations.
Contact Information: DNR Office: 912-285-6094
Best Bets: Redear Sunfish, Black Crappie, Catfish, Bluegill, Largemouth Bass
Lower Ocmulgee River - Largemouth Bass
Prospect: Current Regulation: largemouth bass 12-inch minimum length limit. Largemouth bass abundances are average, but there is a good distribution among all sizes of fish. Anglers should expect to land a good number of fish in the 15"-20" size class, but be prepared for the occasional lunker in the 8 to 10-pound range. The Montgomery lake area on Horse Creek WMA is where the World Record 22lb & 4 ounce Largemouth Bass was caught by George Perry.
Technique: Crankbaits, spinnerbaits, plastic worms and lizards are popular lures.
Target: Target and slack-water areas containing overhanging willows and woody structure, especially during spring. In the summer, try fishing eddy pockets, the downstream end of sandbars and heavy cover along the banks.
Lower Ocmulgee River - Catfish
Channel Catfish
Prospect: Expect good numbers of channel and flathead catfish catches. Most channel cats will average 1/2 - 2 1/2 pounds. Flathead catfish will be significantly larger on average than channel catfish and anglers should see plenty of 5-15 pound fish with an occasional 20+ lbs fish. Anglers are encouraged to harvest flathead catfish when you catch them. Late winter to late summer is considered the best time to target flatheads. Blue catfish abundance has been steadily increasing in the Ocmulgee River the last few years. Similar baits and techniques used for channel catfish are effective for blue catfish.
Technique: Utilize heavy-duty sporting tackle on limb or trotlines. Live baits work best; try fishing shiners, bream or Louisiana pinks.
Target: For flatheads, target areas around snags in the deep holes along outside bends of the river channel during the day.
Lower Ocmulgee River - Bream
Bluegill
Prospect: Bluegill, redear sunfish and redbreast sunfish are all present in the lower section of the river. Due to the high water levels that have persisted in the Ocmulgee in this winter, expect decent numbers and quality sized bream. That should be particularly true for bluegill and redear sunfish.
Technique: For bluegill: Popular baits include crickets and catalpa worms fished near the bottom below a light cork. For redbreast sunfish: Fishing crickets or worms are most popular. Try fishing your bait suspended below a float just above the bottom or tight-lined on the bottom. For redear sunfish: Favorite baits are red wigglers or pink worms fished near the bottom under a cork.
Target: When targeting bluegill try pitching bait around cover along the shoreline of oxbow lakes, , slack-water areas or eddy pockets. Target redbreast in flowing water around structure along creek and river channels. Also try the head and tail ends of sandbars. In late summer, target redear sunfish around woody debris and overhanging vines along the riverbank. In the fall, try fishing around flooded grasses and vegetation near mouths of oxbow lakes and creeks.
Lower Ocmulgee River - Crappie
Prospect: Black crappie are present throughout the lower section of the river. Expect slightly lower than average numbers of quality sized black crappie this year. Most of the reeled in by anglers should be in the 8"-12" size range.
Technique: For black crappie: Popular baits include jigs and minnows. Jigs and minnow can be fished vertically or pitched to wood cover. Slow trolling in the open water of oxbow lakes can also be productive.
Target: When targeting black crappie try fishing jigs or minnows around shoreline cover in the main river or sloughs. Look for eddy pockets in the main river with woody cover. Submerged willow trees near the mouths of oxbow lakes often hold crappie.
