Fishing Forecast - Lake Juliette
Overview
Lake Juliette, also known as Rum Creek, is a 3,600-acre Georgia Power Company reservoir located 15 miles north of Macon. The Department of Natural Resources prohibits use of outboard motors greater than 25 hp on the lake. Anglers can use their bass boat and trolling motor to abide by this regulation. Smaller crowds, an undeveloped shoreline, beautiful scenery and abundant wildlife are the lakes main attractions.
Contact Information: Georgia Power: 404-954-4040; DNR Office: 478-825-6151
Best Bets: Striped Bass, Largemouth Bass, and Redear Sunfish
Lake Juliette - Largemouth Bass
Prospect: Expect a good portion of the catch to be in the 12 to 16-inch size range, with a few more 20 to 25-inch fish in the population, but don't be surprised by some quality bass in the 10 to 14-pound range. Many reports of lunker bass are reported each spring from anglers. Anglers should try mid-lake utilizing long points and rock outcroppings. 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 . 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 in the summer and winter.
Lake Juliette - 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 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.
Lake Juliette - Striped Bass
Prospect: Stripers are stocked annually at relatively moderate rates, and thanks to deep-water cooler water temps during summer, a strong fishery has developed. Anglers have been reporting the striper look healthier than in years past and the numbers being caught are up compared to previous years. DNR has documented trophy-size fish at 40-plus pounds. However, the average size striper is less than 3 to 7 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 when Georgia Power pumps water into the reservoir from the Ocmulgee River. Target the timber topped at 35 foot depths off the dam. Anglers also should target the flooded timber in the upper portion of the lake, especially during the summer. Look for stripers feeding on the flats in the upper end in the springtime.
Lake Juliette - Hybrid Bass
Prospect: DNR stocked hybrid striped bass for the first time in the spring '17 and every year since. DNR continues to collect hybrid striped bass during annual sampling. The hybrid striped bass grow faster than striped bass and they are easier targeted by anglers. Anglers can encounter good numbers of hybrid striped bass ranging from 15 to 20 inches total length.
Technique: Many anglers fishing for largemouth bass catch hybrid striped bass incidentally or trolling creeks during cooler months.
Target: Try casting around creeks during early spring when fish are congregating. Anglers have found success fishing on sandy flats with live or cut shad.
Lake Juliette - Bream
Redear Sunfish
Prospect: Juliette is one of the best lakes in the area for redear sunfish, with large numbers being typical in the spring. Anglers should expect 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. The upper end of Juliette around the offers excellent habitat for anglers seeking redear. Anglers should also target the many rock outcroppings that occur in Juliette.
Lake Juliette - Black Crappie
Prospect: Crappie populations are considered fair, but average catch sizes are often good. The majority of the catch will be in the 7 to 10-inch size range with some quality catches available for anglers.
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 crankbaits also is productive.
Target: One of the best places is the area around the . 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.
Lake Juliette - Yellow Perch
Prospect: Yellow perch offer a unique angling opportunity. Juliette produces significant numbers of this unique fish. 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.
Lake Juliette - Additional Information
WRD first detected blueback herring, a preferred striper bait, in 1999. WRD believes that anglers have released bluebacks into the lake. Anglers continue to catch bluebacks in cast nets. 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.
