Regional Fishing Report

CARTERS—Now is the time to go fishing, according to Buddy Callahan at Bart’s Bait Shop. The lake temperature has dropped a bit with the rain and is in the the mid-60s, but temperatures should rise when the sun returns. Spotted bass are spawning and are hitting many different types of lures. Lots of spotted bass are being caught, and hybrids are very active lately. Jake Wheeler, 13, of Ellijay caught an 11-pound, 4-ounce hybrid last weekend to set a new lake record. Not much is happening with stripers, but hybrids are making up for it. Catfish are starting to bite and bream are biting as well since the recent full moon.

CENTER HILL—Fishing is reported to be fair. Bass are being caught on crank and spinner baits, and crappie are being caught on minnows and jigs. Trout are being taken in the tailwater area. The lake elevation is 650.1 feet above mean sea level, and the water temperature is 66 degrees.

CHICKAMAUGA—The water surface temperature is 65 degrees late in the day in the shallow water. The lake elevation is up after the recent rains, which may hurt fishing in the short term. Crappie are being caught in shallow water around stickups and along the bank. Many crappie are spawning. Crappie 14-18 inches long are being caught. Minnows and jigs are being used to catch crappie. Most bass are being caught in transitional areas between the shallow and deeper water in the bays. All shallow lures are being used. A few bass are spawning. Bluegill are being caught in shallow water.

GUNTERSVILLE—Fishing has been picking up, according to Justin Erby at Waterfront Grocery. Bass are being caught in 4-6 feet on spinner baits, and shallower bass can be caught using Bayou Boogies and plastic minnows and lizards. Crappie are being caught near bridges and docks using baby shad and Panfish Assassins. Catfish are picking up with most being caught on cut bait.

HIWASSEE—Lake is way up after the recent rains, according to Charlene Butler at Hiwassee Marine Bait & Tackle. Crappie are biting fairly well, with anglers’ best luck using shiners and grubs. Bass are being taken with spoons and other crank baits, and catfish are being caught with nightcrawlers as bait.

NICKAJACK—Fishing has really picked up lately, according to Randall Sullivan at Sullivan’s Grocery & Fishing Supplies. The lake is way up with the rain, but that hasn’t hurt the fishing. Ron Benschnider caught a 3 1/4-pound crappie this week, and crappie have been biting very well on on minnows. Bream are being caught on crickets and worms, and some small bass are being caught.

TIMS FORD—Fishing is getting better recently, according to Cory Walls at Tims Ford Marina. The lake level is up and currently about five feet above summer pool, and the water temperature is about 71 degrees. Crappie fishing is going pretty well on minnows, and catfish are being caught using cut bait. Stripers and hybrids are hitting topwater lures.

WEISS—Fishing is pretty good, according to Carolyn Landrem at JR’s Marina. The lake is at full pool, and the water is cooler and muddy after the recent rains. Crappie are still spawning and can be caught using jigs. Bass are bedding, so some anglers are having success sight fishing with Carolina rigs as well as chatter baits on shallower points. Stripers are starting to bite primarily on live shad, and catfish are being taken on cut bait.