Biting right now — November
Cooler water pushes baitfish deeper. We target largemouth bass around structure and submerged cover. Trout fishing becomes excellent as they school up.
Largemouth Bass
We catch largemouth bass on crankbaits, jigs, and Texas-rigged worms.
Hybrid Striped Bass
We catch a few hybrids on downrods near bait schools.
Striped Bass
We catch stripers on downrods and jigs near baitfish.
Spotted Bass
We target spotted bass near the dam and in deeper structure.
Every species, every month
We fish Jackson Lake year-round. Here we break down the best times to target specific species. The bite changes with the seasons.
← Swipe the table to see every month →
| Species | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | NovNOW | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hybrid Striped Bass | off | off | good | peak | peak | peak | good | good | peak | peak | slow | off |
| Striped Bass | off | off | good | peak | peak | peak | good | good | peak | peak | slow | off |
| Largemouth Bass | good | peak | peak | peak | peak | good | good | peak | peak | peak | good | good |
| Spotted Bass | off | off | good | peak | peak | peak | good | good | peak | peak | slow | off |
| Trout | good | peak | peak | good | slow | off | off | slow | good | peak | peak | good |
Fishing regulations, including seasons, size limits, and bag limits, can change. Always check with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources before harvesting any fish.
Month by month
What the water's doing, what's turned on, and which trip fits.
January
45-50°FWater temperatures drop. We find largemouth bass holding in deeper structure and around submerged brush. Trout are active in tailwaters and deeper lake sections.
February
48-53°FLargemouth bass are still in their winter patterns, often found near deep structure. Trout remain active, especially in areas with current or deeper, cooler water.
March
52-58°FPre-spawn activity begins for many species. We start targeting hybrid and striped bass as they move into shallower areas. Largemouth and spotted bass begin to stage near spawning flats.
April
58-64°FWater temperatures rise. We find hybrids and stripers moving shallow to feed. Largemouth and spotted bass are also active in the shallows and around structure.
May
65-72°FThe lake heats up. Hybrids and stripers are aggressive feeders. We target them on main lake points and humps. Bass fishing remains strong around cover.
June
70-76°FSummer patterns begin. Hybrids and stripers school up and chase baitfish in open water. We find spotted bass on deep structure. Largemouth bass move to deeper cover.
July
74-80°FWater temperatures rise. We find hybrids and stripers chasing baitfish in the main lake. Largemouth and spotted bass hold near structure and points.
August
78-84°FAugust heat pushes fish deeper. We target hybrids and stripers on humps and ledges. Largemouth bass action is strong near cover. Trout fishing slows considerably.
September
72-78°FCooler mornings signal a shift. We see excellent topwater action for hybrids and stripers. Largemouth and spotted bass feed aggressively. Trout fishing improves as waters cool.
October
62-68°FWater temperatures drop. We find hybrids and stripers schooling on main lake points and humps. Largemouth and spotted bass move shallow to feed.
November
55-62°FCooler water pushes baitfish deeper. We target largemouth bass around structure and submerged cover. Trout fishing becomes excellent as they school up.
December
48-55°FWinter patterns set in. We focus on largemouth bass holding in deeper water near creek channels. Trout fishing remains good in tailwaters and deeper lake sections.
Where we fish, and when it's best
Common questions
What is the best month to fish Jackson Lake?
April, May, and June offer fantastic fishing for hybrids, stripers, largemouth, and spotted bass. September and October are also prime months.
Is it worth fishing in the off-months?
Yes, we fish for trout in February, March, October, and November. Largemouth bass also bite well in February and March.
When do hybrid striped bass show up?
Hybrid striped bass are at their peak from April through June and again in September and October.
What is a realistic day like in the middle of the season?
Mid-season days often start with targeting active hybrids and stripers on points and humps. We then move to creek channels and brush piles for largemouth and spotted bass.
When can I catch trout?
We target trout primarily in February, March, October, and November.
Ready to Get on the Water?
Dates fill up fast in season. Reach out to Jackson Lake Hybrid Guide to lock in your charter.