Fishing Forecast - Lake Oconee
Overview
Lake Oconee is located mainly in Greene County, near Madison and Greensboro. The 19,050-acre reservoir is operated by the Georgia Power Company with Lake Sinclair as a pump-storage (pump back) hydropower generation facility. This unique operation in combination with the lake's long, narrow shape produces noticeable water current throughout the lake during power generation and pump back. Fish tend to be more active and feed more aggressively when water is moving through the dam.
Contact Information: Georgia Power: 706-485-8704; DNR Office: 478-825-6151
Best Bets: Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Hybrid-Striped Bass, Blue Catfish, Channel Catfish, and White Bass
Lake Oconee - Largemouth Bass
Largemouth Bass
Prospect: A 14-inch minimum length limit regulation is currently in effect on largemouth bass. Oconee continues to be a very productive reservoir and it's popularity with both recreational and tournament anglers is a great indication of the quality bass fishery it supports. Anglers can once again expect to see good numbers of fish in the 2 to 3 pound range, with several in the 4 to 5 pound range.
Technique: Popular year-round baits include spinnerbaits, crankbaits, jerkbaits, jig-head worms, jigs and other plastic baits. These baits can be fished around riprap and rocky areas, main lake points, offshore humps, around lay-down trees and boat docks and seawalls.
Target: During winter months fish crankbaits, jighead worms and jigs. Concentrate on deeper rocky banks and points and deeper boat docks; a slower presentation may be needed. During spring, fish spinnerbaits, jerkbaits and shallower plastics. Concentrate more on shallow cover such as lay-down trees, stumps and boat docks. In the summer, focus on deep-diving crankbaits and deeper plastics along main lake points, river channels and deep bridges, or try the and rivers above Interstate 20. In the fall, fish spinnerbaits and shallow running crankbaits, keying-in on the backs of creek arms.
Lake Oconee - Hybrid Bass
Hybrid Bass
Prospect: Anglers should expect improved hybrid bass fishing to this year. Fall sampling data show strong numbers of hybrid bass compared to last year. Improved numbers and sizes were seen in the 2024 fall gill net survey and a number of 5-10 pounders are available. Results from a 2012 angler input meeting indicated that most lineside anglers at Lake Oconee prefer to target and catch hybrid bass more often than striped bass, so the transition to more hybrid bass will continue.
Technique: Live bait, jigging spoons, and artificial baits that imitate shad are recommended.
Target: In the winter months, concentrate on the Oconee River arm from down to the dam. Hybrid striped bass should be found close to deep schools of bait. In the spring, target hybrid striped bass in the middle and upper end of the reservoir as they make runs up the and rivers. During the summer months, concentrate either on the lower end of the reservoir or upriver, and also keep an eye out for schooling and surface activity in these areas.
Lake Oconee - White Bass
White Bass
Prospect: Expect fishing to be consistent with last year's catch. Similar numbers and sizes were seen in the 2024 spring electrofishing and fall gill net surveys.
Technique: Little George's, rooster tails, small crankbaits, crappie jigs and curly tail grubs are recommended.
Target: March and April are the best months to target white bass, as they make spawning runs up the and rivers.
Lake Oconee - Striped Bass
Striped Bass
Prospect: Striped bass will be stocked again this spring at rates similar to past years. Results from a angler input meeting in 2012 indicated that most lineside anglers at Lake Oconee preferred to target and catch hybrid bass more often than striped bass, so the transition to more hybrid bass will continue. Striped bass numbers and sizes were comparable during 2024 to previous years, and an average striped bass continues to measure around 16 inches in length. Fish weighing in the 8-10 pound range are available, and a few over 15 pounds also have been caught.
Technique: Live bait, bucktail jigs, jigging spoons, umbrella rigs and trolling hard baits.
Target: In winter, concentrate on the Oconee River arm from down to the dam. Striped bass should be found close to deep schools of bait fish. In spring, target the middle and upper end of the reservoir around bridges and other riprap areas feeding on spawning threadfin shad and even further up the Oconee and Apalachee Rivers.
Lake Oconee - Catfish
Channel Catfish
Prospect: Expect good numbers of smaller to medium size channel catfish, but the catfish population continues to be dominated by blue catfish. Blue catfish in the 15 to 25 pound range are very common; however, fish in the 35 to 45 pound range also are available. Over the past several years, many fish over the 40 pound mark have been caught. Flathead catfish populations continue to be stable, and numbers of 10 to 15 pound fish are common, with some over 40 pounds.
Technique: Live shad or bluegill and cut bait are best bets for blue and flathead catfish. Summer months may be the best time to cast a line. Also try night crawlers or cut bait fished on the bottom.
Target: The summer months, especially early morning and night time fishing, are particularly good for all catfish. Their consistent bite makes them an ideal species.
Lake Oconee - Crappie
Black Crappie
Prospect: Catch rates lower in fall sampling across all size classes for crappie. The average crappie sampled in the spring and fall of 2024 was 9.7 inches. Crappie should weigh around 1/2 to 3/4 pound this spring. Lake Oconee should continue to be a productive crappie fishery. Fish from February to May and from October to December for larger numbers and larger fish.
Technique: Minnows and jigs are best bets.
Target: In early February, concentrate toward the mouths of the creeks - near the main lake and gradually move toward shallow water as temperatures rise in spring. In the spring, target standing timber and man-made brush piles in and the upper end of the lake, as well as the upper ends of other major creek arms, such as , and creeks. When water temperatures reach the low 60s, target bedding crappie around shallow shoreline cover. During the fall, concentrate on the mouths of the creeks, river channels, standing timber and bridges.
