Fishing Forecast - West Point Lake
Overview
West Point Lake is a 25,900-acre reservoir operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on the Chattahoochee River at the Georgia-Alabama border. Excellent facilities, close proximity to Atlanta, and excellent fishing opportunities make West Point Lake a great choice for anglers of all skill levels.
Contact Information: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: phone number: 706-645-2937, 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, Magellan, and others
Best Bets: Largemouth Bass, Spotted Bass, Crappie, Hybrid Bass, Gulf Striped Bass, and Channel Catfish
West Point Lake - Largemouth Bass
Prospect: West Point consistently produces quality bass fishing. The lake has a 14-inch minimum size limit on largemouth bass. Most fish will be in the 12-15 inch range and weigh around a pound. However, anglers should encounter many Quality largemouth bass in the 15 to 25-inch range. To improve their abundance, largemouth bass will again be stocked in 2025 by GA DNR. Over 4.2 million largemouth bass have been stocked since 2016, so look for the possibility of these stocked fish showing up in larger sizes.
Largemouth Bass fingerlings stocked into West Point Lake.
Technique: For early spring action use shallow-running crankbaits and spinnerbaits. Fish with deep-running crankbaits and plastic worms during late spring and summer. Locate feeding bass by quickly covering a lot of water with a buzzbait in chartreuses and white colors. In winter, preferred lures are deep-diving crankbaits, chatterbaits, jigs, drop shot flukes in brush piles, and shaky-head worms.
Target: Concentrate on warmer areas like protected coves in the early spring. Sunny and rocky banks may produce as well. Fish deeper main creek and river channel structure during late spring and summer. Also, try fishing under the tree canopy near the upper ends of major creek arms. In warmer months, Largemouth are often found within close proximity to fallen trees and logs. Therefore, they may be found holding in the numerous shoreling habitat improvement sites scattered around the lake. Hundreds of shoreline trees have been toppled throughout the lake in recent years as a means of improving bass habitat. Winter action is found deep and near main channel structures like brush piles, rock ledges, and points. Fish along riprap, where largemouth hold year-round. Fish Wehadkee Creek arm when the rest of the lake is stained. West Point has two public fishing piers available to bank anglers at the McGee Bridge and Rocky Point Accesses.
Shoreline Trees Provide Fish Habitat
West Point Lake - Spotted Bass
Prospect: Good spawning success over the years has resulted in a substantial increase in spotted bass numbers. The spot fishery is typically characterized by high catch rates of relatively modest-sized individuals. They comprise the majority of the black bass population in the lake. These aggressive feeders are usually smaller than the Largemouth Bass, but are more numerous and quick to attack lures. Most spots are less than 12 inches and few individuals exceed 16 inches in size. Because of their abundance and lack of a length limit, anglers are encouraged to harvest their limit of spotted bass.
Technique: Fishing for spotted bass is similar to fishing for Largemouth bass. Fishing jigs and plastic worms work well on these aggressive feeders. Spots also are attracted to crankbaits, buzzbaits, and spinners. Shaky-head worms and drop shot rigs fished over brush piles are a good choice during the cooler months. Spotted bass will also take live bait like nightcrawlers, crayfish, and minnows.
Target: Similar to Largemouth Bass, Spotted Bass also like protected coves and deeper creek mouths in the early spring. In warmer months, spots hang out by structure around channels and rocky points. Blowdowns also hold many spots. In winter, find spots deep and holding to river channel structures and rocky areas. On warm days, fish shallower on sunny banks with rock. Focus on riprap along bridges, which usually hold spots year-round. Generally, spots are more abundant in the lower end of lake where the water is generally clearer while largemouth bass are found more often in the upper end.
West Point Lake - Hybrid Bass
Prospect: Good numbers of hybrid striped bass are found in West Point. They have good survival and growth rates, and most will be greater than 14 inches and can weigh 2 to 4 pounds or more. Because Hybrids are abundant and aggressive feeders, they are an excellent choice for young anglers. Unlike pure striped bass that prefer cool water, hybrid striped bass flourish in West Point's warm summer water temperatures.
Technique: Live shad work extremely well for catching hybrid striped bass. Slow trolling with 4-6 live shad can prove effective. Also, curly-tail jigs and sassy shad can provide good action. The observant angler often can locate schools of hybrids when they are feeding on schools of baitfish because of the surface disturbances.
Target: During the spring, target the area below the shoals in Franklin where they stage up for their false spawning run. Throughout the warmer months of the year, fish the areas scattered along the main river and tributary channels in the main lake. In winter, hybrid striped bass will suspend deep in the river channel.
Hybrid fishing is an excellent choice for young anglers.
West Point Lake - Striped Bass
Prospect: The Gulf striped bass stocking program has increased the chances of catching these top predators. Several 20-plus pound stripers are out there to be caught. However, the hot summer water temperatures tend to limit their numbers. Smaller stripers also are common thanks to the stocking program.
Technique: Fishing with live shad is the most effective way of catching linesides. Like the hybrids, slow trolling with live shad often works well. Fishing cut bait in the spring around Franklin can result in excellent striped bass catches. Jigs and spoons can also be effective offerings.
Target: In the spring, stripers move into the shoal area in the near Franklin. In the hot summer months and also during winter, stripers usually are found throughout the main lake, especially in the . Often in late winter stripers will school in the main river channel before starting their spring spawning run.
West Point Lake - Catfish
Prospect: West Point is one of the most productive catfish lakes in middle Georgia. Overall catfish numbers appear to be steady and anglers seeking to land big cats have the possibility of catching monster blue catfish. In addition to blue cats, channel and flathead catfish are also found in West Point Lake. Channel catfish are by far the most abundant of the catfish species. Channels weigh around a pound and measure 10-16 inches in size, which is a good eating size. Larger channel catfish are also abundant with 50% being in the 16 to 24-inch quality-sized category. These larger cats can weigh in the 2 to 4-pound range. The flathead catfish, and blue catfish are becoming more common and fish over 10 pounds are possible.
Technique: Classic catfish baits work well. For example, stink and cut bait usually are successful, as are nightcrawlers. Also, chicken livers, worms, and cut bait are a good choice. Fish on or just off the bottom around structures like rock ledges, deeper channels, and larger brush piles.
Target: Expect exceptional fishing during the spring in the upper reaches of the arm of the lake around Franklin. During the warmer months, night fishing around bridges and structures should provide excellent fishing. Increasing numbers of big flathead catfish and blue catfish are being caught in the Chattahoochee River at the .
West Point Lake - Crappie
Prospect: West Point Lake Crappie fishery is second to only bass fishing in popularity. West Point crappie are abundant and sizes indicate a healthy and stable population. Crappie 10-inches and larger are common, but the average weight hovers around 1/3 pound.
Technique: The best action is found by trolling bright-colored jigs in traditional hot spots in early spring. Trolling also helps cover more water to help locate fish. In warmer months, crappie are deeper and common around bridges. Night fishing is also popular during the summer because they move shallower during the cooler night temperatures. Still fishing with jigs or minnows also can be productive. Determining the depths at which crappie are feeding will greatly improve the chances of boating more fish. Bank anglers have the option of two fishing piers; McGee Bridge and Rocky Point Accesses.
Target: In early spring, target the upper portions of , , , and . Also, try night fishing around bridges. Also, night fishing with lights and light tackle near docks. In cooler months, try fishing for crappie around and just above any vertical structure.
Other Species
Bluegill
Prospect: Bream are abundant but few reach large size. Bluegill and redear sunfish are the most plentiful, but redbreast sunfish are also numerous. Expect the average bluegill to reach 4-6 inches and the less abundant redear/shellcracker to reach 4-8 inches.
Technique: Live worms and crickets under a bobber are favorite baits for bream. Also, small black curly-tail jigs work well around rocks.
Target: The May full moon around Mother's Day means bream are on the bed and ready to be caught for the frying pan. Brush piles and fish attractors should provide plenty of opportunities to catch a plate full. Summertime bream often hide under rocks and shady banks. Also, fish for bream along the riprap by bridges. The best summertime bream fishing is early in the morning. Bream fishing with live bait is an excellent way to introduce kids to fishing.
Additional Information
GA DNR has stocked largemouth bass since 2016 and plans are to continue stocking again in 2025. The stocking goals are to increase the angler catch of quality-sized largemouth bass at West Point Lake and to increase the percentage of Florida bass genetic influence in the lake.
Largemouth Bass Stocking into West Point Lake
Fishing during water release from the dam is often a good time to fish because fish become more active and feed aggressively during this period.
West Point hosts several reputable fishing guides that target all the popular sportfish. The Corps of Engineers (706-645-2937) operates several camping and day-use areas. Rocky Point and McGee Bridge access areas have public fishing piers for bank anglers. Corps of Engineers website is: https://www.sam.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Recreation/West-Point-Lake/
