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| General Information |
Recreational boating is heavy during the summer, but anglers usually do not encounter heavy boating traffic
during early spring and late fall. Anglers should be on the lookout for the three fish attractor locations,
marked with buoys.
Located inside the Columbus city limits on the former site of Clapp's Factory - one of the South's leading textile mills in the 1800's - Oliver Dam is one of the newest and most modern of Georgia Power's 19 hydroelectric generating plants. The powerhouse, located on the eastern shore of the river, contains the plant's three 18,000-kilowatt generating units and one 6,000-kilowatt generating unit. The concrete dam is 70 feet high and 2,021 feet long, impounding a reservoir - Lake Oliver - that is eight miles long. With a surface area of 2,150 acres and 40 miles of shoreline, Lake Oliver provides Georgians an ideal spot for outdoor recreation, including picnicking, boating, skiing, fishing, and swimming.
Completed in 1959, its four generators have a combined capacity of 60,000 kilowatts and can produce approximately 240 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually. That is enough electricity to supply more than 22,000 average Georgia homes for a year.
Oliver Dam was the first completely automatic, remote-controlled hydroelectric generating plant in the Georgia Power system. It is managed from the Bartletts Ferry plant several miles upstream.
Angling prospects are compiled by fisheries biologists and are based on sampling efforts of the Georgia Dept. of Natural Resources (DNR), knowledge of past fishing trends, angling experience and information provided by anglers and marina owners. For more information, contact the Wildlife Resources Division, West Point Fisheries office at 706-845-4180.
For current fee, use the contact information below. |
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| Parks and Campgrounds |
| Goat Rock Recreation Area is located just below the Goat Rock dam on the west shoreline in Lee County, Alabama. The pristine scenery provided here is popular for bank fishing, sightseeing, and picnicking, as the northern portion of Lake Oliver is undeveloped. Facilities provided at this area include a primitive boat ramp, day use area, parking, bank fishing areas, and access to the Goat Rock tailrace. |
City Marina (operated by the City of Columbus) - With its proximity to the City of Columbus and three paved boat ramps, City Marina is a popular recreation destination.
It is located on the lower east side of Lake Oliver near the intersection of U.S. Hwy 80 and River Road along the cove at the mouth of Roaring Branch.
Common recreation activities at the marina include bank fishing, pier fishing, tournament fishing, picnicking, and hiking on the Riverwalk (which connects City Marina to Columbus via Oliver Dam Road). Facilities provided at City Marina include a bait shop providing fishing supplies, gas, and refreshments (open most of the year), five boat docks, three boat launching lanes, a fishing pier, two expansive picnic areas, large parking area, and several bank fishing areas. |
| North Highlands Recreation Area - Columbus river walk access and bank fishing |
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| Boat Ramps |
| Information on Georgia Power-operated boat ramps can be found using the contact info below. |
| Best Fishing Bets |
| Black Bass, Bream, Crappie and Catfish |
Black Bass - Largemouth, spotted and shoal bass are all present. As the most abundant, expect average largemouth catches of 1 to 1 1/3 pounds. Spots should average 7-12 inches and just under 1/2 pound. Expect occasional catches of shoal bass in the tailwaters below Goat Rock Dam.
Technique - Good bait for bass are plastic worms, crankbaits and spinners.
Target - For largemouth and spotted bass, target boat docks and fishing piers, but do not overlook rocky points, small coves and stumpy areas. In general, search for spots in deeper water than largemouth. |
Bream - Fishing for bluegill and redear sunfish is most popular at Lake Oliver. Expect good bluegill fishing from April through May, with the average catch at 4-6 inches and 1/4 to 1/3 pound. Redear sunfish are larger, with some averaging closer to 1/2 pound.
Technique - Live worms work best. Crickets also are effective.
Target the backs of protected coves and sloughs for the best bream spots. Brush piles and structure also hold bream especially around the shoreline. |
Crappie anglers should do well with most catches averaging 1/3 to 3/4 pound. Dedicated anglers can expect the occasional lunker size catch.
Technique - Various jigs are preferred, but minnows also are effective.
Target - Favorite spots: the mouth of Standing Boy Creek and under Standing Boy Creek Bridge; the boat dock at Green Island Marina. |
Catfish - Channel catfish are in good supply and above average in condition.
Technique - Stink and cut baits, and night crawlers are effective.
Target - For catfish, fish bait on or near the bottom in the river channel. Also, try fishing holes off docks where structure can be found. |
| Other Fish Species - Striped bass have been stocked and smaller catches should be available later in the year. |
| Additional Info |
| Additional fishing information can be obtained from City Marina at 706-653-4634. City Marina is currently being renovated. New docks and a bait and tackle store should be available in 2009. Generating schedules and lake levels info is available by calling GAPower at 706-317-6000. Georgia Power has improved access to the Oliver tailrace area on the North Highland impoundment. Access to the new addition is located just off the Columbus River Walk trailhead next to Oliver Dam and City Marina. |
| Contact Info & Website Link |
Bartletts Ferry Land Management Office at 706-317-6041 or Georgia Power at 706-317-6041
Camping reservations: 1-888-GPC-LAKE or 1-888-472-5253. Georgia Power Lake Oliver Website |
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Check These Out:
 Georgia Lakes
WMA Public Fishing Areas
GA Fishing Lakes
Georgia Rivers & Map
GA Lakes - Rivers Map
Water Safety
Fishing Checklist
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