Lanier Tailwater - Chattahoochee - Bowmans Island Fishing
Chattahoochee - Bowmans Island Fishing
The beautiful Chattahoochee River below the Buford Dam has some of the best trout fishing in Georgia. It is best fished in late Spring and Summer when the other North Georgia streams are too warm, over 70 degrees F. The water here is cold, around 50 degrees, as the water is coming from water intake is deep in Lake Lanier. You do need to be careful as the bank access is very steep along most of the Bowmans Island trail. Also be aware of the Lake Lanier release schedule, as the river changes from a gentle flow to a raging river. At full discharge the river rises 12 feet, so never get in the river wading without a life vest. A life vest is required in this section if wading, they write tickets if anyone is in the river fishing or otherwise without one. It is not required for bank fishing. They do sound an alert siren before discharge, so if you are bank fishing on low ground move to higher ground immediately. That being said there is some high spots for bank fishing that is above the peak elevation flow.
I have only caught Brown Trout. I understand Rainbows are stocked. The Browns are naturally reproducing. The Browns are very colorful with a yellow to chartreuse underside. I have only caught 10 to 12 inch trout. I have seen large, I mean very large, Browns in the river. During peak discharge they come in close the banks to escape the fast current behind logs and rocks. I have seen a dozen or more swimming like a fighter aircraft formation behind rocks. After the discharge they move back into the river with some picking off top water insects, it great to see a large one break the water surface and hear the loud splash.
The beautiful Chattahoochee River below the Buford Dam has some of the best trout fishing in Georgia. It is best fished in late Spring and Summer when the other North Georgia streams are too warm, over 70 degrees F. The water here is cold, around 50 degrees, as the water is coming from water intake is deep in Lake Lanier. You do need to be careful as the bank access is very steep along most of the Bowmans Island trail. Also be aware of the Lake Lanier release schedule, as the river changes from a gentle flow to a raging river. At full discharge the river rises 12 feet, so never get in the river wading without a life vest. A life vest is required in this section if wading, they write tickets if anyone is in the river fishing or otherwise without one. It is not required for bank fishing. They do sound an alert siren before discharge, so if you are bank fishing on low ground move to higher ground immediately. That being said there is some high spots for bank fishing that is above the peak elevation flow.
I have only caught Brown Trout. I understand Rainbows are stocked. The Browns are naturally reproducing. The Browns are very colorful with a yellow to chartreuse underside. I have only caught 10 to 12 inch trout. I have seen large, I mean very large, Browns in the river. During peak discharge they come in close the banks to escape the fast current behind logs and rocks. I have seen a dozen or more swimming like a fighter aircraft formation behind rocks. After the discharge they move back into the river with some picking off top water insects, it great to see a large one break the water surface and hear the loud splash.
Bowmans Island on right.
South Trailhead for Bowman Island.
You never know what you will find!
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