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Lake Oconee
Details
Location:
Lattitude/Longitude:
33.4257, -83.2214
Distance:
19,050 Acres
Description:
Like Lake Sinclair, its sister lake to the south, Lake Oconee is fed from the Oconee River, the Appalachee River and several major creeks. Both lakes are surrounded by an area rich in Georgia history with many superb examples of architecture from the state's antebellum period.
Georgia Power has developed three 85-acre parks on it's 19,050-acre Lake Oconee. Lawrence Shoals, Old Salem and Park's Ferry all have full-service campgrounds as well as day-use areas. Each has a large picnic pavilion that may be reserved for groups of 30 or more. In addition, these parks have day-use picnic areas, equipped playgrounds, boat ramps and a beach including a beach house with bathrooms and dressing area.
Georgia Power completed the dam to form Lake Oconee in 1979. The lake is 19,000 acres with over 300 miles of shoreline. The lake is filled by the Oconee and Appalachee Rivers as well as some very large creeks. Lake Oconee is unique in that the water never fluctuates more than 18 inches and is pumped down and filled back by Georgia Power daily. This movement of water makes the fish feed on the current movement just like that in the ocean. Oconee has a thriving largemouth bass population as well as hybrids and crappie. The abundant shad in the lake keeps the fish healthy. The lake has very little vegetation and some standing timber, most of which is in deep water. The primary holding areas for bass are boat docks and points. Golf communities such as Harbor Club, Reynolds Landing and Reynolds Plantation surround the lake and their docks provide excellent cover for bass. The legal limit for a keeper largemouth on Lake Oconee is 14 inches or larger.
Aquatic vegetation:
Very little vegetation
Fishing cover/structure:
Standing timber, most of which is in deep water.Boat docks and points.
Fishing tips/tactics:
The techniques used to catch bass are easy and anyone who fishes these lakes should expect to catch fish. The number one pattern for Oconee/Sinclair is a Carolina rigged lizard. The back up patterns are spinnerbait and crankbaits around boat docks. It doesnt matter what color you fish with at Oconee/Sinclair as long as its green. Green pumpkin and watermelon seed plastics are the two best colors for bass. White spinnerbaits and natural colored crankbaits are the two best colors for these lures. Good luck if you come to Oconee/Sinclair, but if you need assistance, contact one of the local chambers or welcome centers for guideline information
Map
New Fishing Report
Fishing Reports
Oconee report 02-15-2012
LAKE OCONEE IS full,53deg. the main lake is clear, stained to muddy up the rivers.
Bass fishing is good.Their are some fish starting to stage outside of the creeks and coves. With the water temp in the 50s. The fish are starting to show up on the points and docks leading into the creeks and large coves. These fish are active and feeding most days. A small crank bait, a spinner bait, or a blue black jig will work on most days. The...
Lake Oconee Line Side Report
Lake Oconee Line Side report brought to you by Mark Smith at Reel Time Guide Service. 404-803-0741. wwwreeltimeguideservice.com
Line side fishing is good. This report is the same as last week and should hold as long as the water temperature stays in the upper 40’s and low 50.The stripers and hybrids continue to bite down near the dam. These fish are after smaller baits. We have cut down the size of the umbrella rigs. Take the trailers and cut about an inch off of them a...
Time for the February Blitz
February is when it all starts happening! The first thing we will begin to see are those huge crappies. In February and March it seems that I spend most of my time, as a guide, chasing after these big fish. Using the spider-rig technique we will began to target the transition points from where the river channel comes up into the immediate flats. Our primary colors for this time of the year is Black/Blue/Black and Black/Purple/Black Jiffy Jigs. However, the fine people at Jiffy Jigs put toge...
Line Side Report
Reel Time Guide Service. 404-803-0741. wwwreeltimeguideservice.com
Line side fishing is good. The stripers and hybrids continue to bite down near the dam. These fish are after smaller baits. We have cut down the size of the umbrella rigs. You can take the trailers and cut about an inch off of them and this will down size your rigs. Live bait is also producing. Use your Lowrance to locate the schools of bait and drop your bait in the schools. The Stripers may not show on the L...
Stripers and Crappie are on!
Water Temp mid 50's
Water Clarity - clear
We are approaching the time of year when the bite really starts to take off. The on and off warm weather has slowed the bite considerably, but it seems the weather has finally stabilized, and great fishing is here.
The stripers are starting to bunch up down in deeper water and you can catch them by spooning, or dropping live bait. Start looking in Richland Creek, and Double Creek for fish under the gulls. There has been a ton of bai...
Report January 11th 2012
Lake Oconee is full, 50 deg. the main lake is clear, stained to muddy up the rivers.
Bass fishing is fair. The fish are tight to cover. Or they are roming the deep water suspended near the river chanel. The best bite is under boat docks near deeper water. This means main lake docks, if the docks have structure under them then that is even better. A dark jig with a claw tralor seams to be working the best. Think slow and the bite will be light. You can still pick up a few fish...
December 8, 2011
LAKE OCONEE IS DOWN 1.75 FEET, 60 DEGREES AND CLEAR.
Lake Oconee Line Side report brought to you by Mark Smith at Reel Time Guide Service. 404-803-0741. wwwreeltimeguideservice.com
Bass fishing is fair. There is a light stain on main lake, stained up the rivers. With the drop in air temperatures this week the fishing has slowed some. The fish are still in the middle to the back of the creeks and coves, as is the bait. The buzz bait bite is gone for now. It is t...
November 3, 2011
The Southern Fishing Report
By Ken Sturdivant
106 Hickory Ridge
770 889 2654
Cumming, Georgia 30040
www.havefunfishing.com
LAKE OCONEE IS DOWN 2.28 FEET, 66 DEGREES AND CLEAR.
Bass fishing is good and the water is clear on the main lake and stained up the rivers. Bass have moved into the creeks and coves off the main lake. The main portion of the lake has a light stain or what w...
10/28/2011
Lake Oconee Line Side report brought to you by Mark Smith at Reel Time Guide Service. 404-803-0741. wwwreeltimeguideservice.com
Line side fishing is fair. Some fish are showing up at the I-20 bridge. The best way to locate the fish is to troll a Rat L Trap or pull the umbrella rig. Make sure if you are pulling the umbrella rig that you keep an eye on your depth. Sugar Creek has the Capt. Mac umbrella rigs in stock along with Okuma line counter reels and Ok...
October 14, 2011
LAKE OCONEE IS DOWN 2.28 FEET, 72 DEGREES AND CLEAR.
Bass fishing is good. Start with a buzz bait on the sea walls as you come into the cove. Clear on the main lake and stained up the rivers. A white or a chartreuse and white Old Nelly buzz bait has been working over the past few days. Next, switch to a dark color worm. Fish the worm under any dock in a pocket or cove. Docks with wood structure on them are the best. Start at the mouth of the cove...
Monthly fishing report for Lake Oconee Georgia. Brought to you by Mark Smith at Reel Time Guide Service
The month of November is a great time to be on the lake. The striper fishing is going strong and they are bunched up in large school chasing bait. This is the time of year to load your bait tank with shad and shiners. I will usually start my search in the river bend area of the lake, and work south from there. I will use my Lowrance to locate the schools of bait and fish. When I locate the schools I will drop a live bait down to the school.
As we get to the end of the month...
October 7, 2011
LAKE OCONEE IS DOWN 2.24 FEET, 76 DEGREES AND CLEAR.
Bass fishing is good. Up the rivers and major creeks the fish are staging on wood structure. Work the blow downs with a Zoom u tail worm in a dark green or black Texas rigged. Down lake, look for the fish in the coves just off the main lake. They are starting to move. As the water cools they will move further back in the coves. Start with a buzz bait on the sea walls as you come into the cove. A white or...
September 23, 2011
LAKE OCONEE IS DOWN 3 FEET, 78 DEGREES AND A LIGHT STAIN UP RIVER
Bass fishing is fair. The fish are starting to move to the banks. They are also starting to school in the mouths of the major creeks. The best pattern is still under the docks with a shakey head worm, the Zoom watermelon seed or a green pumpkin worm have been the best colors. The schooling bite looks like it is starting up as the water temp has gone down. We loc...
Oconee report 09-14-11
LAKE OCONEE IS 3 ft low, the temp.is 80. Clear on the main lake and stained up the rivers.
Bass fishing is fair. The Bass are still under the docks. You can now add the jig bite to the list of worms that are catching fish. The Texas rigged u-tail Zoom worm in a dark green or blue has been the best over the past few days. The Shakey Head is a close second to the Texas rig. Some fish are also coming on the Booyah pigskin Jig. You will need to fish these rigs as far u...
September 16, 2011
LAKE OCONEE IS DOWN 3 FEET LOW, 80 DEGREES AND A LIGHT STAIN UP RIVER
Bass fishing is fair. The Bass are still under the docks. You can now add the jig bite to the list of worms that are catching fish. The Texas rigged u-tail Zoom worm in a dark green or blue has been the best over the past few days. The Shakey Head is a close second to the Texas rig. Some fish are also coming on the Booyah pigskin Jig. You will need to fish these rigs as far under the doc...
August 26, 2011
The Southern Fishing Report
By Ken Sturdivant
106 Hickory Ridge
770 889 2654
Cumming, Georgia 30040
www.havefunfishing.com
LAKE OCONEE IS FULL, 90 DEGREES AND A LIGHT STAIN UP RIVER
Bass fishing is fair. It is clear on the main lake and stained up the rivers. The bass fishing has improver over the past week. The best bite is in the late afternoon when Georgia Power is pulling water. When the water is moving, look on the s...
The Southern Fishing Report
The Southern Fishing Report
By Ken Sturdivant
106 Hickory Ridge
770 889 2654
Cumming, Georgia 30040
www.havefunfishing.com
April 22, 2011
LAKE OCONEE IS FULL, 71 DEGREES AND STAINED UP RIVER
Bass fishing is very good and up the rivers heavy stain main lake light stain. Richland creek is clear. Most of the bass are off of the beds. The f...
The Southern Fishing Report
The Southern Fishing Report
By Ken Sturdivant
106 Hickory Ridge
770 889 2654
Cumming, Georgia 30040
www.havefunfishing.com
April 8, 2011
LAKE OCONEE IS FULL, 66 DEGREES AND STAINED
Bass fishing is great. The warmer temperatures are bring the bream and perch along with some shad back into the shallow water. The bass...
The Southern Fishing Report
The Southern Fishing Report
By Ken Sturdivant
106 Hickory Ridge
770 889 2654
Cumming, Georgia 30040
www.havefunfishing.com
April 1, 2011
LAKE OCONEE IS FULL, 66 DEGREES AND STAINED
Bass fishing is good. We have had more than 3 inches of rain this week. The Rivers are muddy and the main lake is stained. The water temperature...
The Southern Fishing Report
The Southern Fishing Report
By Ken Sturdivant
106 Hickory Ridge
770 889 2654
Cumming, Georgia 30040
www.havefunfishing.com
March 25, 2011
LAKE OCONEE IS FULL, 66 DEGREES, LIGHT STAIN UP AND CLEARING DOWN
Bass fishing is good and stained up the lake and clear in Richland creek and on the lower end. The bass fishing continues...
The Southern Fishing Report
The Southern Fishing Report
By Ken Sturdivant
106 Hickory Ridge
770 889 2654
Cumming, Georgia 30040
www.havefunfishing.com
March 18, 2011
LAKE OCONEE IS FULL, 58 to 65 DEGREES, LIGHT STAIN UP AND CLEARING DOWN
Bass fishing is good. The fishing keeps getting better every day, spring is here. Secondary points seam to be holding the most fish. Chrome Rat L Traps with a stop and go retrieve. The creeks are full of b...
The Southern Fishing Report
The Southern Fishing Report
By Ken Sturdivant
106 Hickory Ridge
770 889 2654
Cumming, Georgia 30040
www.havefunfishing.com
LAKE OCONEE IS FULL, 52 to 60 DEGREES, LIGHT STAIN UP AND CLEARING DOWN
Lake Oconee Line Side report brought to you by Mark Smith at Reel Time Guide Service. 404 803 0741. wwwreeltimeguideservice.com
Bass fishing is fair and look for the bass to be close to the bank and in...
The Southern Fishing Report
The Southern Fishing Report
By Ken Sturdivant
106 Hickory Ridge
770 889 2654
Cumming, Georgia 30040
www.havefunfishing.com
LAKE OCONEE IS FULL, 52 to 60 DEGREES, LIGHT STAIN UP AND CLEARING DOWN LAKE BY MARK SMITH
Lake Oconee Line Side report brought to you by Mark Smith at Reel Time Guide Service. 404 803 0741. wwwreeltimeguideservice.c...
February 25, 2011
The Southern Fishing Report
By Ken Sturdivant
106 Hickory Ridge
770 889 2654
Cumming, Georgia 30040
www.havefunfishing.com
LAKE OCONEE IS FULL, 53 DEGREES, STAINED TO MUDDY BY MARK SMITH
Lake Oconee Line Side report brought to you by Mark Smith at Reel Time Guide Service. 404-803-0741. wwwreeltimeguideservice.com
Bass fishing is fair....
The Southern Fishing Report
The Southern Fishing Report
By Ken Sturdivant
106 Hickory Ridge
770 889 2654
Cumming, Georgia 30040
www.havefunfishing.com
LAKE OCONEE IS FULL, 50 DEGREES, STAINED TO MUDDY BY MARK SMITH
Lake Oconee Line Side report brought to you by Mark Smith at Reel Time Guide Service. 404-803-0741. wwwreeltimeguideservice.com
Bass fishing is fai...
The Southern Fishing Report
The Southern Fishing Report
By Ken Sturdivant
106 Hickory Ridge
770 889 2654
Cumming, Georgia 30040
www.havefunfishing.com
February 11, 2011
LAKE OCONEE IS FULL, 49 DEGREES, STAINED TO MUDDY BY MARK SMITH
Bass fishing is slow. The bass have started to move. Look for stained water around rocks. Work small crank bait like a #5 shad rap down the rocks....
The Southern Fishing Report
The Southern Fishing Report
By Ken Sturdivant
106 Hickory Ridge
770 889 2654
Cumming, Georgia 30040
www.havefunfishing.com
February 4, 2011
LAKE OCONEE IS FULL, 456DEGREES, STAINED TO MUDDY BY MARK SMITH
Bass fishing is slow. The fish are still deep. Look for the fish off of ledges and the channel side of humps and points on the main lake. Some fish are being caught on spoons fished under bait. But this bite ha...
LAKE OCONEE IS FULL, 45 DEGREES, STAINED TO MUDDY BY MARK SMITH
Bass fishing is slow. The best thing going is the spoon. Fill you fuel tank and start looking for schools of shad on the lower end of the lake. I would start in the river bend area and work my way south. Look for ledges, points, and humps. When you find schools of bait on your Lowrance drop one of the new Capt. Macks spoons down past the schools to the bottom and start jigging. These spoons have a lot of flash and this is what the fish are keying on. As the water gets wormer, these fish will...
The Tailrace bite is getting better!
Water temp is 89 degrees
It is that time of the year when things slow down everywhere on the lake..........except for the tailrace. It is the Bristol Bay Brawl of striper fishing on Lake Oconee and it takes place every year when the fish began looking for cooler, oxygenated water. The tailrace of Wallace Dam, which is actually Lake Sinclar, brings some really big stripers and the action can be non stop.
Using live shad we downline in the surf, working the bait ju...
Fish
Catfish, Channel (Ictalurus punctatus)
Crappie, Black (Pomoxis nigromaculatus)
Crappie, White (Pomoxis annularis)
Guides
Chad Smith Guide Service
Thank you for visiting my website, My name is Chad Smith.I am owner and operator of Chad Smith Guide Service, I currently Guide on lake Oconee and lake Sinclair for monster catfish.
I have been fishing on lake Oconee for over18 years, My goal to all my clients is that I will give 100%...
Buckhead, GA, United States
Fishing Oconee
Offering guide service to beautiful Lake Oconee. Specailizing in hybrid and crappie fishing. Day and night trips can be scheduled. I live right on Lake Oconee and have been fishing the Lake for over 9 years. I fish with jigs and live bait.
Buckhead, GA, United States
Have Fun Fishing
Fishing Lake Lanier
Now spend a full or half day with one of the souths most experienced and skilled anglers, Ken Sturdivant. Ken has been fishing Lake Lanier since the lake was built in 1956 and knows the lake and its fishery. Learn how to find and catch more fish from this beautiful...
Cumming, GA, United States
Reel Time Guide Service
My name is Mark Smith and I have been fishing Lake Oconee for over 30 years. I have been striper fishing almost exclusively for the past 10 years.
Buckhead, GA, United States
Lodges
There are no lodges specified for this fishing spot.
Tournaments
There are no tournaments associated with this fishing spot.
