Hotspots
Lake Lanier, Georgia
Story and Photos by Tony Narcisse
Set in the foothills of Georgia’s Blue Ridge Mountains just a 45-minute drive north of Atlanta rests sprawling Lake Lanier. With 692 miles of shoreline and over 38,000 acres of surface area, the lake stretches its arms into five counties. Originally impounded in the 1950’s for flood control and power generation, Lake Lanier is now Atlanta’s primary water source and a recreational destination for more than eight million annual visitors. “Lanier is the epicenter for kayak anglers in metro Atlanta” says Jeff Steigerwald of Kayak Fish Lanier. “Because Lanier is blessed with a healthy natural population of forage fish, the lake supports an aggressive game fish stocking program by the GA Dept of Natural Resources. Lanier offers some of the best angling for stripers in the Southeast with monsters over 30 lbs taken annually.”
What’s Biting: Striped and spotted bass are the big draws along with crappie, largemouth bass, catfish and walleye.
Season: Year round. Stripers peak in late summer but late fall through early spring is the best time for trophies over 20lbs.
Onshore Attraction: Lake Lanier Islands resort has a hotel, spa, marina, golf course, equestrian center, water park, cottages and camping. For a true southern experience, catch the Elvis show and the all-you-can-eat southern buffet at Harbor Lights.
Local Lore: Legend has it that in the 1980s, a chicken truck crashed off the Thompson Bridge. When divers investigated the wreck site, they came across catfish the size of 7th grade students swallowing the chickens whole. Fact or folklore, the lake-bottom sediments and great water depths are certain to hide some real leviathans.
Your Guide: Tony Narcisse, Kayak Fish Lanier, www.KayakFishLanier.com.
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