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The Lower Flint River abounds with natural beauty and cultural significance. Since early times, Native Americans have plied its waters, fishing, hunting. They also gathered flint rocks used to make arrowheads, knives and spear points.
Later, the river provied a means to transport goods such as timber and cotton by raft and steamboat from riverside towns like Albany to the Gulf of Mexico. The lower river is characterized by limestone bluffs, blue hole springs, cypress-lined banks, islands and rocky shoals, and abundant fish and wildlife. Although few areas exist where wading the river is practical, fishing and wildlife viewing opportunities are plentiful for boaters and floaters. |
| Best Fishing Bets |
| Shoal bass, largemouth bass, striped bass, hybrid bass, flathead catfish, channel catfish |
| Lower Flint River Fishing Tips |
Shoal bass are the river's prime species. Please report tagged shoal bass to the Albany Fisheries Management office at 229-430-4256.
Technique - Shoal bass are very aggressive and respond readily to a variety of artificial baits. Jigs and soft plastics in crawfish patters are favorites. In shoal areas, try topwater lures. Fly-fishing is challenging, but increasingly popular - try woolly buggers and large surface poppers.
Target - The best time of year to target shoals is during the spring and fall. Shoal bass prefer swift water usually near shoals. For the best action, target shoal areas below Newton (Baker County) and upstream of Highway 32 in Lee County. Also look to small islands found upstream from the mouth of Ichawaynochaway Creek. In the early spring consider the tailraces below the Albany and Blackshear dams. |
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Largemouth Bass - Numbers of largemouth caught during fall surveys continue to increase, so expect an abundance of quality-size fish from several strong year classes.
Technique - Largemouth readily accept a variety of artificial lures including, spinnerbaits, soft plastics, top water and crankbaits. Try targeting slack water areas, brushpiles and eddies behind stumps and trees along the shoreline.
Target - For trophy fish, target the two-mile stretch of river below Warwick Dam and from Lake Chehaw to Abrams shoals. Good numbers of quality largemouth can be found below Newton and Plant Mitchell. Though often overlooked in the winter months, fishing can be good, as bass tend to congregate around the many springs in the river. |
Striped Bass - Expect most stripers in the 14 to 20-inch range and weighing in at less than 4 pounds, although fish over 40 pounds were sampled last year. Striper abundance is good which should provide excellent spring fishing opportunities. Please report tagged stripers to the Albany Fisheries Management office at 229-430-4256.
Technique - Casting bucktails is recommended. Crankbaits like shad raps and rapalas also work well. Live shad also is a favorite bait of many anglers.
Target - In spring, target the tailraces below the Albany and Warwick dams. |
Hybrid Bass - Hybrid abundance is fair and should provide excellent spring fishing.
Technique - Casting bucktails is recommended. Crankbaits like shad raps and rapalas also work well. Anglers also use live shad and chicken liver.
Target - In spring, target the area below Albany Dam. Also look to the tailrace below Warwick Dam during spring and summer. |
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Catfish - A favorite among river anglers. Catches of large fish have been good during low water conditions, and this year most catches should range from 20-28 inches and weigh less than 10 pounds. Best times to fish are in the spring (prior to spawning) under rising water conditions and again in the summer. Harvestable-size channel catfish also are abundant.
Technique - For flatheads, live bait is a must - bream is preferred. For channel cats, try bottom fishing with worms, chicken liver or dead shrimp.
Target - Look to productive areas downstream of Highway 32 in Lee County and the section above Newton in Baker County for flatheads. Concentrate efforts immediately above and/or below the numerous shoals for channel catfish, particularly the area below Warwick Dam. |
Bream - Populations have remained relatively high and constant over the last several years. Increased numbers of 5 to 6 and 8 to 10-inch bluegill were found during recent sampling, indicating a good year for the species.
Technique - A variety of artificial and live baits, including crickets, beetle spins and small jigs are effective. Many anglers also are realizing the enjoyment of fly-fishing for bream. A variety of flies, from popping bugs to nymphs, work well.
Target - Target snags and blowdowns in the river section above Lake Blackshear and upstream from Lake Worth to Abram Shoals. Redbreast sunfish can be found in and around the shoal areas of the river. Look for redear sunfish throughout the lower Flint from Lake Blackshear downstream to Newton, and lower. |
White Bass - Populations of white bass are fair, but if you find a school the action can be fast and furious.
Technique - Look for schooling white bass chasing bait on the surface and cast small jerk baits or jigs into the school.
Target - Fish the tailraces below Lake Worth and Blackshear during the spring. |
Other Species - Spring may bring encounters with Alabama shad. These anadromous fish are being restored to the river through fish passage efforts at Jim Woodruff Lock and Dam.
Technique - Shad readily accept small jigs and can provide fast, feisty fun on lightweight tackle.
Target - Look to the tailrace during the spring. |
| Contact Info |
| Wildlife Resources Division, Albany Fisheries office - Phone: 229-430-4256 |
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