Lake Allatoona Fishing Report – January 2023

Allatoona: Level: 10.6 feet below 840. Temp: 55 degrees. Clarity: Stained, but even with all the rain lately, the lake is clear south of Victoria.

Bass: Tournament angler Matt Driver reports, “Fishing in January is normally tough. After the shot of arctic air we received just before Christmas, we should be moving into a full wintertime pattern and water temps will be dropping into the high 40s. This time of year, I target suspended bass. The Float-n-Fly, drop shot and jerkbait are my go-to baits this month. Bluff walls and deep points are what I’m targeting. This is a great time of year for a trophy fish. We’re catching fish now that are fat and sassy. Be safe, and don’t fish alone.”

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Linesides: Guide Robert Eidson, of First Bite Guide Service, reports, “Lineside fishing is very good! The big fish have migrated down out of the rivers and into the main lake. The north end from Fields Landing to Little River has produced some really nice fish lately. These fish are feeding on big baits. If you’re patient and willing to pull big baits, you will get bit. Large to jumbo sized gizzard shad fished on planer boards and freelines on the north end is your best bet for a monster fish. If you’re looking for numbers, mid lake is where you want to be this time of year. Small gizzard shad, threadfins and small trout fished on planer boards, freelines and downlines just off the river channel from Kellogg to Iron Hill has been very good to our boats. If you find the fish stacked up on the flats from Galts to Kellogg, it’s hard to beat a 1/2-oz., all-white, Flex-it spoon. These same fish will also eat an umbrella rig. I am using a Mack Far three-arm fully loaded and pulling it 80 feet behind the boat. This allows me to fish water that is less then 15 feet deep. This has been working really well midday. As we enter into the month, look for the bait to start moving south. By the end of January, look for the Allatoona Creek arm to start to heat up.”