Lake Lanier Fishing Report – June 2019

Lanier: Level: Slightly over full. Temp: Rising into the 80s. Clarity: Not quite “Lanier clear” but should get that way as the rains have slowed down.

Spotted Bass: Guide and tournament angler Ryan Coleman reports, “Fishing has been off a little during the day since the spawn. The fish are recovering and not very excited right now. The early morning bite has been the best, and then things slow down to a decent crawl throughout the day until the sun goes down. This should continue until early June when they will get energized again. The best bite has come from bottom baits. There has been very little schooling action as of late. The water being so high and warm has hurt the topwater fishing, and unfortunately, that may be the recipe for a while. My best patterns have been working worms and jigs on points, humps and reef poles in 10 to 20 feet of water. A 3/16-oz. jig head with a green worm or small brown/green jig has been best for good fish in the early part of the day. We have had a great spinnerbait bite this spring, but that is starting to slow with the water warming up and the winds starting to lay. A pearl-white Super Fluke worked quickly over these same areas have also produced some great bites, but it is a frustrating thing as you only seem to be hooking up with one out of five bites. As we get into the month, look for the drop-shot bite to start picking up in 20 to 30 feet of water. I am hoping that the topwater bite turns on, but early indications are that it could be hit in the head by this early summer weather.”

Striper: Capt. Ron Mullins reports, “June fishing means we go back to downline fishing. Oh well, the shallow bite was fun. Most of the stripers will be on the move to the south end of the lake. The beginning of the month you should concentrate on pockets off the main lake or primary pockets in the creeks from Browns Bridge to the dam. Start looking in 25 to 30 feet of water, and work your way out to the channel. There are two ways of thinking here. One, put your lines down and fish out on your Minn Kota at about 0.5-0.7 mph while watching the down imaging and side imaging on your Humminbird for groups of fish to hit. Put your Spot-Lock on, and fish while you’re looking. Two, you can drive around on the big motor until you see that group to drop to. These fish are moving around a lot right now, so you will probably not see the fish when you finally get baits in the water, but tap the deck, and they will come back to you. Downline setups should be 1- to 2-oz. Capt. Mack’s swivel sinkers above 4 to 6 feet of 10- or 12-lb. fluorocarbon leader attached to a No. 2 to 1/0 (depends on herring size) Gamakatsu circle hook. I use the smaller hook to keep the herring from having to carry around a big chunk of steel. Plus it keeps them staying livelier longer. It’s a good idea to keep a freeline with a small split-shot out the back of boat for those fish that haven’t decided to get real deep. Fishing lead core with a Capt. Mack’s Mini Mack umbrella rig out over 50 to 90 feet of water on the channels will get better as the month progresses. June is a definite transition month, but the fishing, like the weather, will be hot.”