Lake Eufaula

Fish and Fishing in Lake Eufaula (Walter F. George Reservoir) "Bass Fishing Capital of the World"

Renew Our Rivers Cleanup Dates March 4-5, Lake Eufaula (Chattahoochee River) Sites to be determined. Contact: Michelle McAndrews at 334-616-4452, e-mail, Alabama Power (Contact info will be updated)

Renew Our Rivers Cleanup Dates September 24, Lake Eufaula (Chattahoochee River) Volunteers should report to the boat launch at the USACE facility in Ft. Gaines at 8:00 a.m. unless group has had prearranged to go straight to an alternate site. Please contact coordinator for specific details. Contact: Brad Moore (334) 616-7888, Friends of Lake Eufaula

Lakepoint State Park Resort re-opened August 3, 2009, with a $12,000,000 renovation.

Overview
Most anglers south of the Mason-Dixon Line think of Lake Eufaula when they hear the phrase “Bass Fishing Capital of the World.”   Even though the largemouth bass population at Eufaula Reservoir has had its ups and downs since the hey days of the 1960s and 1970s, this lake is still considered one of the true gems of the south. Walter F. George Dam was completed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1962, forming the 45,181-acre impoundment on the fertile Chattahoochee River. The reservoir extends from the Walter F. George Dam at Ft. Gaines, Georgia, northward to Phenix City, Alabama.  Since this lake is shared by Georgia and Alabama, these states agreed that either a Georgia or an Alabama fishing license could be used when fishing Lake Eufaula.

Bass Status Report
Spring electrofishing samples in 2011 indicated a change in the largemouth bass population at Lake Eufaula. Bass from 13 to 16 inches long were relatively abundant, but larger bass were fewer in number than in recent years.

Four hundred and sixty-one largemouth bass were weighed and measured during the spring sample. The largest bass was six pounds, and only 38 bass (8%) were over 3 pounds. Most of the bass less than 3 pounds were in relatively plump condition, but the larger fish were mostly skinny.

Many bass throughout the spring and early summer displayed small red sores along their sides and fins. Auburn University Fisheries Department Parasite and Disease Lab examined the fish, and the external parasite Epistylis caused the infections. Epistylis is a protozoan that is not dangerous to humans, but it is commonly found on many species of fish. Epistylis typically causes problems only when the fish has already been stressed, either by handling or by environmental changes. By the middle of the summer, most of the sores had disappeared.

Fall sampling indicated that bass below 3 pounds were still very abundant along shoreline structure, but bigger bass were still skinny and scarce. Much of this change can be attributed to the persistent drought south Alabama experienced in 2011.

Hydrilla and other aquatic plants have also been reduced dramatically, and largemouth bass are not caught by fishing the same ways as angler were used to fishing since weeds became abundant in Lake Eufaula. While submerged aquatic plants do not cause a lake to have more bass, they do concentrate the fish along the edge of the weed line and generally make them easier to catch. Without the weeds present, bass are more likely to stay around submerged cover and deeper humps and ledges, and are harder for the average angler to catch. Anglers can still catch a lot of bass at Lake Eufaula, and many bass over the 14-inch minimum length limit, but they will need to seek out deeper structure such as rock piles, woody debris, and creek ledges where bass will concentrate.

The spotted bass population has apparently stabilized at Eufaula over the last few years. Anglers can expect their bass catch to be comprised of about 25 to 30% spotted bass if they fish the main channel or the deeper creek channel areas of the lake.

A spring access creel survey found that the trend of catch and release for bass has increased so much that only about 5% of the total number of bass caught by anglers was harvested. This could be another factor contributing to the poor condition and appearance of sores on bigger bass at Lake Eufaula. By reducing the numbers of bass through legal bass harvest, the remaining bass will grow faster and obtain larger sizes. Largemouth bass have to be at least 14 inches long to be legally harvested at Eufaula, but there are no size limits on spotted bass. Anglers can keep up to 10 black bass/person/day. Anglers at Lake Eufaula are encouraged to harvest largemouth bass between 14 and 18 inches and spotted bass less than 18 inches to thin the number of this size bass and promote better quality bass fishing on this reservoir.

Crappie Status Report
Fall sampling for crappie in October 2011 found an abundant population of harvestable-sized crappie, with most of the crappie collected over 10 inches long. Most anglers reported good catch rates during the fall of 2011, even with lower lake levels due to the prolonged drought.

Several distinct methods of crappie fishing are popular at Lake Eufaula. One method is slowly trolling jigs or minnows at varying depths right along the edges of creek channels. The other method is night fishing over submerged structure or under bridges with lights over the water to attract baitfish. When crappie are spawning in the spring, one of the most productive methods is to quietly fish along the edges of creeks and coves with minnows. Anglers constantly move along the bank with a trolling motor until a crappie is caught or a submerged brush-top is located. That location is then fished thoroughly. When the fishing slows down, move on to find another good place. Crappie concentrate in certain areas for their spawning rituals, and anglers often load the ice chest when they find these hotspots. Just remember the limit is 30 crappie per angler per day. There is not a minimum size limit on crappie at Lake Eufaula. The peak of the crappie spawn in this part of the state usually last from mid-March until mid-April, but sometimes anglers can still catch shallow crappie into May. Once the water temperature exceeds the mid 70s, it is time to fish deep brush piles or get out the lights at night.

Bream Fishing
Bream fishing at Lake Eufaula is not as good as it was when large mats of Hydrilla were growing in the lake in the mid-2000s, but 2011 was still a good year for catching quality shellcrackers. During the spring, anglers caught good numbers of 7- to 9-inch shellcrackers along weed beds and woody debris around the edge of creek channels. By the summer, most anglers reported better catch rates fishing wigglers on the bottom along 4- to 5-foot deep humps and ledges just off the deeper creek channels.

Catching Catfish
The catfish population is still very high at Lake Eufaula. While most anglers enjoy catching catfish on rods and reels, jug fishing has also become very popular. Jugs with 2- to 6-foot long droppers fished in coves are very effective, but anglers have to be careful to keep up with their jugs to prevent littering. Jugs fished at night should be encircled with reflective tape so they will not be lost in the dark. The most popular baits are cut bait, shrimp, or chicken liver.

Anglers can expect to catch channel catfish, blue catfish, white catfish, brown bullhead, or yellow bullhead catfish.  Channel catfish are still the most abundant catfish species. Blue catfish numbers are increasing, with some really big ones being caught. The size and numbers regulation for big blue and flathead catfish throughout Alabama does not apply at Lake Eufaula since these species are not native to the Chattahoochee River, so there are no harvest restrictions on any catfish species at Lake Eufaula. Flathead catfish are often caught below Walter F. George Dam, but anglers are urged not to release any flathead catfish into Lake Eufaula.

Fishing for Striped Basses
Both the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources have stocked hybrid striped bass since the early 1980s. A cross between a white bass and a striped bass, this fish mainly inhabits open water area of the lake. They are very popular with anglers when they chase schools of shad during the late summer and fall. Anglers report good catches trolling crankbaits around the Old Creek Town area, the Causeway, or in front of the WF George Dam. Hybrids are also excellent table fare when the dark strip of meat along the middle of the fillet is removed.

Attractions
The major city on the reservoir is Eufaula, Alabama, located along U.S. Highway 431. Eufaula contains a variety of restaurants, hotels, and shopping centers. The city also boasts a wealth of historic attractions and festivals that can be accessed by contacting the Eufaula Chamber of Commerce at 1-800-524-7529, or on-line at www.eufaulachamber.com. Many beautiful homes and developments are found along the reservoir from the Eufaula area south to the dam, but it is nature's beauty that captures the imagination in the northern section of the lake.

The undeveloped northern section of Lake Eufaula falls within the 11,160 acre Eufaula National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), headquartered on Highway 165 approximately 10 miles north of Eufaula. The Eufaula NWR provides visitors with excellent opportunities for hiking, hunting, fishing, or observing wildlife. The Eufaula Refuge Manager can be contacted at (334) 687-4065. The Eufaula NWR is bordered on the south by Lakepoint State Park.

This picturesque 1,220-acre Lakepoint State Park offers year round hotel, cabin, and camping accommodations, an 18-hole golf course, 2 boat access sites, boat rental, a fully stocked marina, and many more attractions. It is easy to see why Lakepoint State Park hosts fishing tournaments nearly every weekend. The park also has catch-and-release facilities available for tournament organizations to reserve. Lakepoint State Park headquarters is located off Highway 431 seven miles north of Eufaula, and can be contacted by calling (334) 687-8011.

Anyone with questions or comments about the fish population at Lake Eufaula can contact District Fisheries Supervisor Ken Weathers (Ken.Weathers@dcnr.alabama.gov) or District Fisheries Biologist Rob Andress (Rob.Andress@dcnr.alabama.gov) at the District IV Fisheries Office, phone number (334) 347-9467.
It is illegal to possess blueback herring in Alabama as they affect populations of other fish. Regulations designate legal capture methods for bait and specify additional species that may not be used for bait.

Links (disclaimer):

Fishing license information may be found at: www.outdooralabama.com/fishing/freshwater/license/. Instant licensing is available via the Internet (2% fee), via the telephone by calling 1-888-848-6887 ($3.95 fee), or at 900 vendors and probate offices in Alabama. All youth age 15 and younger fish for free.

Possession and creel limits for Alabama public waters are listed at: www.outdooralabama.com/fishing/freshwater/regulations/; Lake Eufaula borders both Alabama and Georgia, so special limits apply: www.outdooralabama.com/fishing/freshwater/regulations/chattahoochee.cfm. In addition, largemouth bass must be at least 14 inches in total lengh.  Please keep spotted bass, which do not have a size limit. A total of ten black bass may be kept. No shoal bass may be taken out at a landing in Alabama.
The US Corps of Engineers has a map of fish attractors and a map of parks.

Bass fishing quality at Lake Eufaula is assessed from bass club tournament results at www.outdooralabama.com/fishing/freshwater/where/reservoirs/quality/.
If you are a member of a bass club, please consider being a part of our Bass Angler Information Team. We use information from clubs to help better manage your lakes for fishing.

State fish management information and Alabama reservoir location, size and elevation are listed at: www.outdooralabama.com/fishing/freshwater/where/reservoirs/

Find official information on Lakepoint State Park at www.alapark.com/LakePointResort/.
Eufaula's Lakepoint State Park is part of the Alabama Bass Trail.

Information concerning the U.S. Corps of Engineers is listed at: www.sam.usace.army.mil/op/rec/wfg/.
The State of Georgia provides information on Walter F. George Lake (Lake Eufaula). They list a link to "Walter F. George" Lake.
Get information about the Eufaula National Wildlife Refuge at: www.fws.gov/eufaula/, 

.Most of Lake Eufaula does not have problems with chemical contamination of fish, but the Cowlikee Creek embayment has a consumption advisory.  Information on the consumption advisory may be found at the Alabama Department of Public Health Web site, www.adph.org. Consumption advisory information is found under "A-Z Contents" and looking for "Fish Consumption Advisories." 

It shall be unlawful to intentionally stock or release any fish, mussel, snail, crayfish or their embryos including bait fish into the public waters of Alabama under the jurisdiction of the Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries as provided in Rule 220-2-.42 except those waters from which it came without the written permission of a designated employee of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources authorized by the Director of the Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries to issue such permit. The provisions of this rule shall not apply to the incidental release of bait into the water during the normal process of fishing.

The Fisheries Section's District IV biologists can answer specific questions about Lake Eufaula by sending mail to ken.weathers@dcnr.alabama.gov or calling 334-347-9467.

Prepared by: Fisheries Section, Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. This site is presented for information only the Fisheries Section cannot be responsible for the quality of information or services offered through linked sites, disclaimer. To have your site included, send your URL, email address, or telephone number to the Fisheries Web Master, Doug.Darr@DCNR.Alabama.gov. The Fisheries Section reserves the right to select sites based on relevant and appropriate content, of interest to our viewers. If you discover errors in the content or links of this page, please contact Doug Darr. Thank you.