Sports « Lake Allatoona

You’d think that maybe after the first 100 or so poachers are caught shooting game from inside their trucks other poachers might catch on.

Nope. Another batch was hatched and busted recently by Rangers from GA’s Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division.

Here’s their latest report:

Trapping without permission, out of season - Liberty County
Hunting from a public road, hunting from motor vehicle – Polk County
Violation citations – several counties

The Wildlife Resource Division protects Georgia’s wildlife by enforcing laws, rules and regulations pertaining to:

game and nongame animals
threatened and endangered plants and animals
exotic animals
boating safety
litter and waste control
and other natural resource issues.

We appreciate DNR’s efforts to keep the wild outdoors as tame as possible.

Click Here for Law Enforcement Reports

Robert Eidson’s Lake Allatoona Fishing Guide Report is provided by First Bite Guide Service of Lake Allatoona. When you’re ready to catch stripers and hybrids, contact Robert at 770-827-6282 or by e-mail: eidson6260@gmail.com.

Lines-side fishing is Good!!

The lake is about eight feet above full pool and there is debris floating everywhere. So if you’re heading out this weekend be careful.

To my surprise the water has very good color from Kellogg’s all the way to the spillway at Lake Acworth. The bite this week is also surprising. The overall bite is really good. Dodging all the debris can be challenging but rewarding if you’re willing to put in the time. The rivers are blown out and probably will be until sometime next week.

The best bite going right now is probably the bank bite at the spillway. Bank anglers are having a field day right now. I talked to the DNR on 5/7 and they said they have been seeing some really good catches coming from the banks at the spillway. I rode over there on 5/8 and watched about a dozen Hybrids being caught on both live bait and artificial.

There is also a decent bite in the mouth of all the major creeks right now. Main lake points and humps are also holding some decent schools of Hybrids. The bite is a mixture of down lines, planer boards and free lines, with most of the fish coming off the down lines after 8 AM.

Trolling has been decent, but should get really good once the water temperature hits 70 degrees.

Overall the lake is flowing out of its banks and there is floating debris everywhere. But spring is an awesome time to be on the water and the lake will drop back down to normal levels soon.

Grab the kids, give us a call and let’s go fishing.

Contact Info

Phone: 770-827-6282

E-mail address: eidson6260@gmail.com

Website: First Bite Guide Service

You know what May 1st means, right?

Yup! It’s Willie Nelson’s birthday.

Too bad we’re not all back in Luckenbach or Mayberry where we don’t need fishing licenses and we can fish with any kind of bait any time of the year.

But we live in Georgia. Where fishing laws keep banditos and desperadoes from taking too many fish and shooting anything that moves after a couple of beers in the old F-150.

That’s why we have rangers. God bless them all.

Here are a few highlights from their recent Law Enforcement Report:

Illegal bait, unlawful harvest of trout – Fannin County
Warrant issued for fishing without a license, fleeing and possession of marijuana – Banks County
Violation citations – several counties

The Wildlife Resource Division protects Georgia’s wildlife by enforcing laws, rules and regulations pertaining to:

game and nongame animals
threatened and endangered plants and animals
exotic animals
boating safety
litter and waste control
and other natural resource issues.

We appreciate DNR’s efforts to keep the wild outdoors as tame as possible.

Click Here for Law Enforcement Reports

hungry bear 2 — “Really? You actually believe I’d rather eat soggy grass instead of what you’re cooking? How stupid is that?” said every bear everywhere.

How many bears live and prowl in the vicinity of Lake Allatoona? More than the number of people who think pink hair, eyeball piercings and who refuse to wear deodorant in order to save the environment (but not friendships) combined.

Let me break this to you gently: bears live in the woods.

Don’t be surprised if you see a few or a flock when you go to their place for the weekend.

The US Forest Service in North Carolina’s Pisgah National Forest says there was a recent pantry raid by a hungry bear going for food hanging from a tree. Probably thought it was a piñata.

Final score: Bear – one. Food in the Tree – zero.

There were no injuries reported and no damage that couldn’t be rectified with some hot water and a few squirts of Kaboom!

Our pals at the Pisgah Forest encourage you to avoid bear interactions by taking the following steps:

• Do not store food in tents.

• Properly store food by hanging it in a tree or in another secure container 150 feet away from camp. (Hint: That’s half the length of a football field.)

• Clean up food or garbage around fire rings, grills or other areas of your campsite.

• Do not leave food unattended.

Never invite strange bears into your campsite for a dinner.

The meal might end up being you.

More Fear the Bear Stuff from the Forest Service

Avoid camping and hiking alone in the backcountry.
Make noise to avoid surprising a bear.
Never tick off bears by making too much noise. (Just kidding!)
Never approach a bear or other wild animal — including thru-hikers with bizarre Trail Names.
Do not hike in the dark.
Carry EPA registered bear pepper spray.
Keep a clean campsite by properly disposing of food scraps and garbage.
Do not leave food or garbage inside fire rings, grills or around your site.
Never leave food or coolers unattended, even in developed picnic areas.
If bear-proof containers are not available, store food and garbage inside a hardtop vehicle or trailer.
Do not break into other people’s hardtop vehicles or trailers to store your food.
Never store food inside of a tent.
Never drip honey on the feet or forehead of annoying people at your campsite, even if they “deserve it.”
Wipe tabletops clean before vacating a camp or picnic site.
If a bear is observed nearby, pack up your food and trash immediately and vacate the area ASAP.
If necessary, attempt to scare the animal away with loud shouts, by banging pans together, or throwing rocks and sticks at it.
If a bear approaches, move away slowly; do not run. Get into a vehicle or a secure building.
Remember to carry a vehicle or secure building in your backpack for emergencies.
Never run away from a bear — back away slowly and make lots of noise, like teenagers asked to do their homework.
If you are attacked by a black bear, try to fight back using any object available. Act aggressively and intimidate the bear by yelling and waving your arms. Playing dead is not as clever as you think. You’ll just be easier to catch.

If I told you that black bears come in different colors … like white … you wouldn’t believe me. Right? Click on the link.

Click Here for More Naked Truth About Bears in the Woods

Bringing a gun to a knife fight? I get it.

Bringing an AK-47 to hunt turkeys? I don’t get it.

Wildlife Resources Division Rangers administer the state’s hunter education and boating safety programs. They also investigate violations of wildlife laws, and hunting and boating incidents.

Here are a few highlights from their recent Law Enforcement Report:

Hunters rescued on Ogeechee River – Washington County
Hunting turkey with an illegal weapon, AK 47 rifle – Coffee County
Violation citations – several counties

The Wildlife Resource Division protects Georgia’s wildlife by enforcing laws, rules and regulations pertaining to:

game and nongame animals
threatened and endangered plants and animals
exotic animals
boating safety
litter and waste control
and other natural resource issues.

We appreciate DNR’s efforts to keep the wild outdoors as tame as possible.

Click Here for Law Enforcement Reports

eidson 6 Robert Eidson’s Lake Allatoona Fishing Guide Report is provided by First Bite Guide Service of Lake Allatoona. When you’re ready to catch stripers and hybrids, contact Robert at 770-827-6282 or by e-mail: eidson6260@gmail.com.

Line-side fishing is: Good right now.

The water temperature is heating up fast and the bite is really starting to get good. The river bite finally started. The white bass have moved up and are being caught on white rooster tails and crappie jigs. I expect we are just days away before the Hybrids and Stripers move up as well.

Right now I am spending most of my time in the creeks. There are decent schools of fish in all the major creeks right now. Kellogg’s, Stamp, Clark, Tanyard and Iron Hill have all produced for my boats in the last 10 days.

There is also another bite going on from Little River all the way up to Fields Landing. If you find the baitfish, you’ll find stripers and hybrids nearby. These fish are feeding up for the upcoming spawn run.

Flat-lines in the morning and afternoon and down-lines midday is the way to go.

The topwater bite this week has been slow compared to last week’s. If you are lucky enough to come across breaking fish, Rooster tails, Flukes, Popping Corks, Jerk baits and free-lining shad will all catch you fish right now.

Trolling is working really well right now. The Mack Farr 3-arm umbrella rig has been producing best for me right now. Color doesn’t seem to matter, but speed is a factor. The best speed for me this week has been between 3.3 – 3.5 MPH.

Remember, the month April is one of the best months for line-side fishing. We still have a few days open this month and we’re offering family trips starting at $250.00.

Contact Info

Phone: 770-827-6282

E-mail address: eidson6260@gmail.com

Website: First Bite Guide Service

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) Wildlife Resources Division wants you to know the length of the deer hunting season has not been shortened — as has been reported by some media sources.

The DNR’s Assistant Chief of the Game Management Section John Bowers put it this way, “The proposed regulations under consideration recommend a 25-day reduction only in the number of either-sex or ‘doe days,’ not in the length of the overall deer season. This proposed change is a result of scientific data and deer hunters will still be able to hunt bucks during either-sex days.”

Long-term data indicate a statewide decline in the fawn recruitment rate in all physiographic regions of the state. At the same time, does have comprised 60-65% of the annual deer harvest. Additionally, the harvest of does has increased by 13% over the past few years. In other words, there are less deer being recruited to replenish and stabilize the deer population. The broad trend of declining fawn recruitment rates coupled with high levels of doe harvest warrant a statewide regulatory action.

As the public grows more dissatisfied about the harvest of antlerless deer, declines in deer density concern many deer hunters in Georgia.

“We believe the proposed reduction in either-sex days strikes a reasonable balance between diverse hunter desires while attempting to address statewide biological concerns,” said Bowers. “There is no proposal that will satisfy everyone. The Department has done its best to develop a balanced proposal. While the proposed reduction in either-sex days reduces the opportunity to harvest does, it maintains the opportunity to deer hunt and harvest antlered bucks.”

You’re invited to express your thoughts and concerns about proposed hunting regulations. The Wildlife Resources Division has scheduled three public hearings on the proposed hunting regulation changes. All meetings will begin at 7 p.m.:

April 23, 2013: Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, Health Sciences Building, 2802 Moore Highway, Tifton, GA
April 24, 2013: The Roberts Chapel Auditorium, State Offices South at Tift College, 300 Patrol Road, Forsyth, GA
April 25, 2013: Amicalola Electric, 544 Highway 15 South, Jasper, GA

Those unable to attend a meeting may submit input either electronically or in written statement form. Input must be received by 4:30 p.m. on April 30, 2013. Written statements should be mailed to:

GA DNR/Wildlife Resources Division/Game Management Section
Attn: John W. Bowers
2070 U.S. Highway 278, S.E.
Social Circle, Georgia 30025.

Click Here to Submit Comments Online

Click Here to Read Proposed Hunting Regulations

Line-side fishing: Good right now.

The river bite is on hold for now, but it will pick back up as the water starts to clear.

Right now your best chance to load the boat is mid-lake. There are big schools of fish showing up from Kellogg’s Creek to the S-Turns. There is also a good bite in the Allatoona Creek arm from Iron Hill to Clark Creek, and another one from Little River all the way up to Fields Landing.

All of your major creeks have fish in them right now. If you find the baitfish, you’ll find stripers and hybrids nearby.

Flat-lines in the morning and afternoon and down-lines mid-day is the way to go.

The topwater bite this week has been some of the best I have seen since last spring. These schools are big and are willing to eat. We caught both Hybrids and White bass on topwater this week using rooster tails, Flukes, Popping Corks, Jerk baits and free-lining shad.

First Bite Guide Services uses Lowrance Electronics. If you would like to see the Lowrance Touch in action aboard Firstbite you can view daily pictures and video on our Facebook page. All you have to do is click here. Please “Like” our site.

Remember the month April is one of the best months for line-side fishing. We still have a few days open this month and we’re offering family trips starting at $250.00.

Contact Info

Phone: 770 827-6282

E-mail address: eidson6260@gmail.com

Website: First Bite Guide Service

Line – Sides!!! The bite is getting better and so is the water clarity.

The bite this week has been decent. The majority of the fish are still in eyesight of the dam, but we are also hearing reports of fish being caught mid-lake and as far north as the flats at the delta.

The fish are in very tight schools and sometimes running very deep for this time of year. This week we have caught a few fish on freelines, but most of our catch is coming on downlines fished anywhere from 20-55 feet deep.

The live-bait bite is starting to change. The fish have been on an almost all trout diet for most of the winter. But this past week that has started to change. They seem to prefer shad over trout 3-1, and even higher at times. Once the water temperature hits 55 degrees, I will be using shad 100% of the time.

I really think we are going to have an early spawn run this year. I think in the next ten days we will see the fish start migrating north and start staging on the flats and humps, getting ready to make the run up the river.

This will be a welcome sight for me because I am ready for spring.

First Bite Guide Services rejoined forces with Lowrance Electronics. We are proud to say we have the Lowrance 12 Touch aboard Firstbite. If you would like to see the Lowrance Touch in action aboard Firstbite you can view daily pictures and video on our Facebook page. All you have to do is click here. Please “Like” our site.

We still have a few opening for spring break. Give me a call and let’s go fishing: 770 827-6282. Contact me online at First Bite Guide Service. My e-mail address is eidson6260@gmail.com.

Rangers from the Wildlife Resource Division of the Department of Natural Resources risk their lives every day for you and me. The latest Law Enforcement Report gives a few details about what they’ve been doing during the past week:

Search for missing boat operator – Lake Lanier
Possession of firearm and illegally taken wildlife by a convicted felon – Wilcox County
Violation citations – several counties

The Law Enforcement Section of Wildlife Resources Division protects Georgia’s wildlife populations by enforcing laws, rules and regulations pertaining to game and nongame animals, threatened and endangered plants and animals, exotic animals, boating safety, litter and waste control, and other natural resource issues.

In addition, conservation rangers:

administer the state’s hunter education and boating safety programs;
investigate violations of wildlife laws as well as hunting and boating incidents; and
conduct classes and programs to educate citizens about wildlife laws and safety practices.

Lake Allatoona

Category Archives: Sports

DNR Law Enforcement Report (5-15-13)

Click Here for Law Enforcement Reports

Lake Allatoona Fishing Report (5-9-13)

Contact Info

DNR Law Enforcement Report (5-1-13)

Click Here for Law Enforcement Reports

How Not to Meet Bears in the Woods

More Fear the Bear Stuff from the Forest Service

Click Here for More Naked Truth About Bears in the Woods

DNR Law Enforcement Report (3-30-13)

Click Here for Law Enforcement Reports

Lake Allatoona Fishing Report (4-11-13)

Contact Info

Deer Hunting Season Rumors

Click Here to Submit Comments Online

Click Here to Read Proposed Hunting Regulations

Lake Allatoona Fishing Report (4-4-13)

Contact Info

Lake Allatoona Fishing Report (3-7-13)

DNR Law Enforcement Report (2-16-13)

Click Here for the Latest DNR Law Enforcement Report

Click Here for Previous Law Enforcement Reports