Fun Recreation and Fishing at Lake Seminole

Discover Fun Recreation and Fishing at Lake Seminole - This beautiful 37,500-acre U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reservoir forms at the junction of the Flint and Chattahoochee Rivers in the southwestern corner of Georgia. The shoreline is 376 miles and is known nationally as one of the best sites for sports fishing in America. Stay and Play in GA!

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General Information

Extensive stump and grass beds provide abundant cover where anglers battle lunker largemouth, scrappy hybrid, striped and white bass. Sizable populations of catfish, crappie and bream are also present. Over 79 species of fish have been identified. Bank fishing is excellent at many locations, including public fishing decks, along riprap by bridges and at the mouths of creeks flowing into the lakes. The fishing deck located below Jim Woodruff Dam offers great downstream fishing opportunities.

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, Albany Fisheries office at 229-430-4256.

Boat Ramps

There are numerous boat ramps throughout Lake Seminole, operated by various entities including WRD and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Click here for more information on WRD-operated ramps. Information on Corps of Engineers-operated ramps can be found using the contact information below.

Best Fishing Bets for 2009

Largemouth Bass, Bream, Catfish, Hybrid and Striped Bass, and Crappie

Largemouth Bass - Expect average catches to weigh around 2 pounds with good numbers of 5-6 pounders also available. During 2007, Lake Seminole ranked #1 among Georgia reservoirs for both average size of largest tournament-caught fish and greatest average tournament winning weight. Visit the lake February through May for the best largemouth fishing.

Technique - Throw a lipless crankbait, plastic worm, spinnerbait or top water lure along the edges of Seminole's abundant aquatic plants.

Target - Fish for bass in the early spring and late winter months in the numerous backwater areas, especially in the Flint, Spring Creek and Flint River arms. Bedding fish can be found in weak pockets in coves and sandy flats primarily during March and April. Grass lines will be productive throughout the warmer months (May-September), and ledges and main lake points adjacent to river channels are productive during cooler months (December-January).

Bream - Lake Seminole is known for, at times, spectacular redear sunfish fishing. The average redear sunfish is less than 8 inches, but fish greater than 1 pound are not uncommon. Fishing for bedding fish will produce average fish of about ½ pound. Bluegill fishing also can be excellent, although fish over 8 inches are rare.

Technique - Red wigglers usually work best for redear sunfish and crickets generally for bluegill, although both baits can catch either fish.

Target - Locate shallow water spawning beds during spring and early summer. Numerous backwater areas off the Chattachoochee River arm provide good catches. Spawning beds often are located on main lake shallow flats in 1 to 4 feet of water. Fish can be caught throughout the reservoir during summer months, with many anglers targeting weedline edges, weed pockets and sandy flats.

Catfish - Channel catfishing is good on Lake Seminole, with average cats weighing 2-3 pounds, but be sure to hold out for the occasional 10-pounder or greater.

Technique - Local anglers prefer prepared blood and cheese baits fished on small artificial worms.

Target - Channel catfish can be found throughout the reservoir, but often are found on shallow flats adjacent to river and creek channels and off ledges adjacent to channels.

Hybrid and Striped Bass - Although hybrid striped bass are not directly stocked into Seminole, a fair number escape every year from Walter F. George and Blackshear and find their way downstream to the reservoir. Despite stocking efforts, striper abundance remains low. Dedicated anglers should expect the average fish to range between 2 and 4 pounds, with the occasional hybrid reaching than 5-plus pounds and the occasional striped bass reaching 10-plus pounds.

Technique - Best bets are to find schooling fish during warmer months in deeper water and use jigging spoons or live shad. During cooler months when water temperature is below 70 degrees (F), fish can be caught drifting or slow-trolling live shad or trolling jigs. Night fishing can be productive during the summer, but anglers should be careful of numerous standing trees and stumps left in Seminole.

Target Hybrid bass in the lower area of the lake (between Faceville Landing on the Flint River arm and Desser Landing on the Chattachoochee arm) target the main lake areas. From March through May, many hybrids will run up the river and can be targeted below Albany, Andrews and Walter F. George dams. Hybrids are attracted to cool water during the warmer summer months, however due to ongoing efforts to rebuild striped bass populations, fishing is closed in five springs located in Lake Seminole from May through October.

Crappie - Though not generally considered for its crappie fishing, Seminole produces some good catches, especially for larger-size crappie in the spring and fall.

Technique - While fish are spawning in February and March, concentrate on shallow backwater areas using minnows and jigs. During warmer months, use minnows along grass lines and areas with some sort of cover adjacent to river channels 8-20 feet deep.

Target the old Flint and Chattahoochee river channels during summer, fall, and winter. During spring, fish are found throughout shallow, warmer coves and wind-protected areas as they spawn.

Additional Info

The exotic Hydrilla plant continues to restrict boating and fishing access in the lake. The effects are most notable from mid-summer and fall when Hydrilla reaches the surface; at this time the most accessible areas of the lake are along the river channels. Grass carp are currently being used to help control the Hydrilla and are being contained behind designated barriers. Use caution when navigating boats through these areas and report any damage to the Corps of Engineers at 229-662-2001.

Contact Info & Website Link

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at 229-662-2001 - U. S. Corps Lake Seminole Website

Be An Ethical Angler

Ethical anglers fish responsibly and consider the rights of others. They portray a positive image and help protect and conserve our natural resources. Be an ethical angler; the future of fishing depends on it.

Ethical Anglers:

Know and obey the fishing regulations

Report viloations and pollution

Keep only the fish they can use and release all the others properly so they will survive

Pass on the tradition by taking a child fishing

Don't transfer fish or plant species between bodies of water - Non-native species can adversely affect existing populations.

Appreciate the environment by not littering, dispose of fishing line properly and leave a place cleaner where they found it

Show coutesy to other, lend a helping hand whenever possible and always ask permission before fishing on private property

Trip Checklist

Each person on board must have a readily accessible U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) approved type I, II, II or V (hybrid) Personal Flotation Device (life jacket) in good condition with no rips or tears. Type V devices are acceptable only when worn and surely fastened. Each vessel, except for Class A vessels, canoes, and kayaks must be equipped with at least one type IV (throwable) device. Also, any child under age 10 who is on board a boat must wear an appropriately sized USCG approved life jacket at all times while the boat is moving, whether it be drifting, sailing, or mechanical power.

Boats with enclosed areas that may trap gas or vapors are required to be equipped with a USGC approved fire extinquisher.

Make sure your boat registration and fishing license are current. Carry your license and registration card with you.

Check your boat trailer lights, navigation lights and fuel before beginning your trip.

Carry a first aid kit, insect repellent sunscreen, extra clothing, rain gear, and plenty of food and drinking water.

Be aware of and abide by all fishing regulations. A copy of current fishing and boating regulations can be obtained from any DNR office and many sotres that sell bait and tackel. Have a float plan. Always tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return.

Follow these guidelines for a safe and fun recreation experience.