NOEoutdoors Fishing Report Lake Lanier Second Week of October 2025

 

Water temperatures on Lake Lanier have dropped into the mid 60s, and the fall transition is fully underway. The lake is mostly clear on the main body with some stain in the upper Chattahoochee and creeks. Shad and blueback herring are starting to bunch up, and every major species is feeding up ahead of the colder months. The first few cold fronts have slowed the bite briefly, but when conditions stabilize, the action picks right back up.

 

 

 

Bass

 

 

Lanier’s spotted bass are moving out of deep summer haunts and chasing bait around main lake points, humps, and ditches. On calm mornings, topwater is firing try a walking bait, fluke, or small spook style plug around points and brush. As the sun gets up, switch to jerkbaits, underspins, or small swimbaits to match the blueback herring.

 

After a front, slow things down with a drop shot or shaky head in 20–35 feet of water near timber lines or brush. Fluorocarbon in the 8–10 lb range gives better sensitivity and a more natural presentation. Focus on wind-blown points wind pushes the bait and turns the spots aggressive.

 

 

 

Crappie

 

 

Crappie are holding over brush and docks in 15–25 feet of water. The bite is best early and late, with fish suspending 8–15 feet down. After a front, they’ll often slide deeper, so adjust your depth accordingly.

 

Use 1/32–1/16 oz jigs tipped with minnows or soft plastics in white, chartreuse, or natural shad colors. Vertical jigging or shooting docks is the most consistent pattern right now. The clearer the water, the smaller and more subtle your presentation should be.

 

 

 

Striper

 

 

Stripers are feeding heavy on bluebacks and threadfin, moving between mid-lake creek mouths and the main channel. Expect to find them suspended anywhere from 25–50 feet deep, following the bait.

 

Use downlines and freelines with live herring or shad. Umbrella rigs and heavy swimbaits are also producing when trolling along main-lake humps and points. On calm mornings or cloudy days, watch for surface activity  when they start busting bait, throw a topwater plug or fluke right into the action.

 

Electronics are crucial this time of year. Find the bait, and you’ll find the stripers.

 

 

 

Cold Front Tips

 

 

1. Slow Down: After a front, fish get sluggish. Downsize your bait and use subtle presentations.

2. Follow the Wind: Cold fronts push baitfish into wind-blown pockets and points. That’s where predators feed.

3. Fish the Afternoon: The bite often improves as the day warms and pressure stabilizes. Don’t give up too early.

 

 

 

 

 

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