🎣 Lake Weiss Fishing Report

Where the Coosa River meets Weiss Lake • on the Georgia - Alabama line

As winter settles in, Weiss Lake grows quieter on the surface — but below it, the lake is very much alive. Cooler water temperatures have shifted fish into predictable seasonal patterns, rewarding anglers who slow down, read the structure, and fish with intention. This is a thinking angler’s season — and Weiss delivers.

🐟 Crappie (The Crown Jewel of Weiss)

Crappie continue to anchor Weiss Lake’s reputation as one of the South’s premier crappie fisheries. As water temperatures cool, slabs are moving deeper and holding tight to brush piles, submerged timber, and channel edges in 12–25 feet of water. Creek channels and river ledges are prime territory right now.

Live minnows remain the most reliable producer, especially when spider-rigged or slow-trolled across deeper structure. Small jigs in natural winter tones — white, chartreuse, or shad patterns — are also effective when worked slowly and deliberately. Electronics are your best friend this time of year; when you locate the brush, you’ll often find fish stacked thick.

This is not fast fishing — but it is faithful fishing. When you dial it in, limits are very possible.

🐟 Largemouth & Spotted Bass

Bass on Weiss Lake are settling into winter mode, trading shallow roaming for deeper comfort. Look for largemouth and spots holding along creek channels, main-lake points, river bends, and submerged roadbeds. They’re less willing to chase, but very willing to strike when something passes close enough.

Slow presentations win now. Carolina rigs, jigs, and deep-diving crankbaits worked methodically along structure are producing steady bites. Spinnerbaits can still trigger reaction strikes on warmer afternoons, especially near wind-blown points where baitfish gather.

Early afternoon, when the sun slightly warms the water, often creates a subtle feeding window. This is precision fishing — fewer bites, but solid fish.

🐟 Striped Bass (Stripers)

Striped bass are a powerful presence on Weiss Lake during the cooler months, and winter is prime time to target them. Stripers are roaming open water and staging along deeper river channels, creek mouths, and long points — always following schools of baitfish.

Live shad and large minnows are top producers, whether slow-trolled along channel edges or fished vertically over marked bait balls. Artificial options like bucktail jigs, swimbaits, and spoons can be deadly when stripers are actively feeding below the surface. Keep an eye on diving birds — they often reveal feeding activity before your electronics do.

These fish are strong, relentless fighters. When you connect, it’s not subtle — it’s the kind of strike that bends rods, tests drags, and reminds you why stripers are unforgettable.

🐟 Catfish

Channel and blue catfish remain dependable through winter, offering steady action for anglers who enjoy a slower, relaxed pace. Look for catfish in bays and creek arms, especially in 8–20 feet of water near drop-offs and soft bottoms.

Cut bait, stink bait, and chicken liver continue to produce well. Anchoring near deeper holes or fishing along creek channel edges is often more productive than moving constantly. Catfish fishing on Weiss this time of year is simple, consistent, and rewarding — perfect for families or anglers wanting reliable bites.

🐟 Sunfish & Bream

While less aggressive in winter, bluegill and other sunfish can still be caught, particularly during warmer stretches of the day. Focus on protected coves, shallow flats near deeper water, and areas with wood or vegetation.

Small jigs, crickets, and worms fished slowly can coax bites, especially late afternoon. These fish tend to school tightly, so when you find one, stay put — more are often nearby.

🎯 Seasonal Tips

• Early morning and late afternoon remain the best overall fishing windows.

• Stable weather patterns often improve bite consistency.

• Use electronics to locate structure, baitfish, and depth changes — winter fish rarely wander far. Locate deeper channel breaks where winter bass and crappie tend to stack.

• Mix live bait and artificials — some days minnows get them moving, other days finesse lures win.

• Keep a weather eye on fronts; stable barometric conditions can trigger quicker bites.

• Slow down. Most winter strikes happen on patient, deliberate presentations.

🐟 Best Times & Tactics

Early morning and late afternoon remain peak windows for most species — fish are more active when water temps are coolest. If the wind kicks up, fish near protected points and around woody structure where bait congregates. Vary depth and presentation; fish will move vertically depending on day-to-day temperature swings.

📍 Hot Spots Around the Lake

Anglers have seen consistent action around Leesburg Landing, Little River Marina areas, and near creek mouths feeding the river channels. Deeper timber and brush along the main lake points also hold fish this time of year.

Fall and Winter on Weiss Lake isn’t about rushing. It’s about rhythm — reading the water, trusting the patterns, and letting the lake reveal what’s been there all along. Cast slow. Stay curious. And let the quiet do its work.

For more information visit about fishing conditions visit www.coosa.org .