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White Bass

White Bass

White Bass are a popular gamefish in Georgia, ranking as the state fish of neighboring Oklahoma and found throughout multiple river basins including the Tennessee, Coosa, Chattahoochee, Flint, Ocmulgee, Oconee, and Savannah River systems.

Scientific Name: Morone chrysops

Physical Characteristics:
  • These silvery fish are easily distinguished by their 4-7 faint horizontal stripes, with one continuous stripe extending to the tail, and typically weigh ½ to 2 pounds though can reach up to 5 pounds.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • Found throughout multiple river basins including the Tennessee, Coosa, Chattahoochee, Flint, Ocmulgee, Oconee, and Savannah River systems.
  • White Bass are schooling fish that prefer large streams, rivers, and lakes with open water areas where they can see greater distances.
  • White Bass can quickly adapt to man-made reservoirs and are particularly abundant in waters with adequate forage fish populations.

Key Locations

  • The Coosa River system offers excellent white bass fishing, particularly during their spring run up from Weiss Reservoir.
  • Lake Allatoona, various Coosa River system waters, and mountain lakes like Lake Blue Ridge provide excellent white bass opportunities throughout the state.

Specific Spots

  • Productive locations include main lake points, submerged structures, channel edges, and areas near power generation or hot water discharge.
  • Adult fish prefer deeper water with gravelly or sandy bottoms during the day, moving to shallower areas to feed.
  • Target these schooling fish in 15-30 feet of water during summer and winter.

White Bass FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What are the best lures and bait for White Bass in Georgia?

Jigs and minnows being particularly effective in lake arms and tributaries. Popular conventional lures include War Eagle jigging spoons, Bass Pro Shops XPS Micro Spins, and Bobby Garland crappie jigs with soft plastic grubs. White and silver lures work best in clear water, while chartreuse excels in stained conditions.

What flies work for White Bass in Georgia?

Target patterns imitating shad: Clouser Deep Minnows, Half & Half Deep Minnows, Blanton Flashtail Whistlers, and Woods SeaDucers in 2-3.5 inch lengths. Effective color combinations include gray/white, black/gray/white, chartreuse/white, and all-white patterns.

When is the best time to fish for White Bass in Georgia?

White Bass fishing in Georgia is most productive during spring and fall when fish are actively feeding. During spring spawning runs (when water reaches 53-64°F), avoid targeting spawning fish but instead focus on pre-spawn staging areas.

How do you catch White Bass in Georgia?

Target these schooling fish using electronics to locate concentrations. Look for surface feeding activity and diving birds as indicators of schooling fish. Focus on pre-spawn staging areas along secondary points and channel swing banks during spawning season.

What do White Bass eat?

They're aggressive predators that feed primarily on threadfin shad and gizzard shad, with younger fish consuming zooplankton, insects, and small crustaceans.

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