Winter Fishing on Lake Eufaula

I consider myself an authority on this lake and feel I am very fortunate to be able to say, " I've fished the Chattahoochee River Impoundment Walter F. George Reservoir (better known as Lake Eufaula), for over 30 years." Not many anglers can say that. Truly, experience is the best teacher.

I have achieved a wealth of knowledge and gained loads of very useful information through friends, relatives (such as my father and uncle that fished it when opened in 1963), bass tournament competitors and through years of exploring the lake on my own. This includes being fortunate to have fished with such noted celebrities as Lake Eufaula's Tom Mann.

Out of my 30 plus years of fishing in every season I've learned a lot about Alabama's Lakes. Now, the biggest glory I get (besides all the big bass memories) is passing on fishing information, it took me a lifetime to acquire. So here's how I would attack this 87 mile long, 45,181 acre reservoir, Lake Eufaula situated on the Alabama / Georgia State line, this winter season.

One thing about shallow water oriented largemouth bass, they do not do very well in real cold water. Largemouth bass on Lake Eufaula generally live out their lives in or near shallow water, so their actions are affected by cold fonts and warming trends. The good thing about the month of December is the water has not cooled significantly and bass are still feeding and fattening up for the winter months ahead.

The first week of December (even with mid 20 degree nights and a few days near 50 degrees in north Alabama), the water temperature was 58 degrees on Lake Eufaula. The major feeder creeks and the lakes headwaters were stained from a recent 2-3 days of heavy rain. One week prior to that (in late November) we were catching bass in the 5 pound range fishing clear water using topwater lures such as zara spooks and buzzbaits.

The lake level is up and down throughout December due to early winter rains, but it will remain down at least a few feet throughout January, February and March until spring. Often you have an early winter warming trend in December (and even in January it can be 70 degrees) and the lake is at or near full pool, with lots of bass feeding in shallow, weedy water.

Drastically dropping the lake 4-5 feet (as they often do) during early winter, pulls these bass out of the lakes weed lined banks. This resorts (both predator and prey) the largemouth bass and the meals they dine on, to new homes found away from the lakes original shoreline. This can mean relocation of the bass your targeting to bottom irregularities, around wood and rock cover, or suspending offshore until conditions improve.

There are conditions, such as rising lake levels, 2-3 days of sunshine or a week long warming trend, that can immediately move the bass shallow again. If the lake remains near full pool or down only a few feet throughout December, the bass can still relate to weeds such as bottom growing moss, or millfoil weeds and hydrilla weeds that have invaded Lake Eufaula in recent years. Lake levels are usually down and stable by the end of December

Severe cold fronts, that sweep throughout the southern portion of Alabama in December, January and February can hurt the bass bite significantly, that is until another warming trend causes water temperatures to rise sending bass back to the shallows. When these cold fronts occur and you are forced to fish under these grueling conditions, keep a few thoughts in your frozen mind.

When cold fronts emerge water temperatures plunge into the low 50's in early winter or ever worse in mid to late winter, the low 40's. Fish very, very slow in shallow water or probe deep water drop-offs during these times and try to find that huge school of bass holding along preferred locations in deeper water. Even bass in deep water will hit lures such a heavy spinnerbaits (dropped or slow rolled), deep diving crankbaits (bounced off bottom or cover), lipless lures or jigging spoons (either cast or vertical jigged) if you constantly put it in their face.

Keep in mind this winter when fishing Lake Eufaula, most largemouth bass you target (whether shallow or deep) are inactive bass and they must be forced to attack a lure. If choosing a spot you think holds fish, fish it thoroughly and come back to it often during the day. Some of Lake Eufaula's biggest bass are taken during winter, so always be ready. Bring along a good net, sharp hooks, heavy equipment and strong line.

Winter rains can muddy up Lake Eufaula's major feeder creeks and the lake's mid to upper portion. Always plan to fish the lakes lower end during winter for the best conditions, especially following heavy winter rain. Always wear your life jacket and outboard motor kill switch. The life you save could be your own. Dress warm and be safe on our not-so-crowded lakes this winter.

Need help this winter fishing Alabama's Lakes? Always call on Reeds Guide Service...first! Thanks and Good Fishing!

This report provided by:
Reed Montgomery / Reeds Guide Service
Producer / Host "Fishing Alabama" With Reed Montgomery Radio Show
"6 Years on the Radio  / Jan 2005"
Birmingham, Alabama
Call Reeds Guide Service...First! (205) 787-5133
"Over 40 Years Fishing Alabama for Bass and Stripers"
E-mail: ALABASSGYD@aol.com
Website: www.FISHINGALABAMA.com

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