Fancy new fish attractor on Lake Allatoona.

When you think of “fish attractors,” my friend Don Poole probably comes to mind.  Nobody can attract more fish than Don.  No, he can’t catch them … but, boy, can he attract them.  If you cannot go fishing with Don, you can use a different type of fish attractor.

Underwater woody debris — such as logs, brush, and stumps — are all natural fish attractors.  Fish use these areas for protection, as places to ambush prey and sometimes as spawning areas.

As a reservoir ages, much of this woody debris is lost through the natural process of decay.  As a result, fish habitat declines over time.  This loss of habitat can reduce the number of fish a lake can support.

To counteract these natural processes, man-made fish habitats are often created to replace that which is lost naturally over time.  These habitat improvements often come in the form of fish attractors.  Fish attractors can be of various shapes and sizes, and made from a number of materials, but all serve the purpose of providing underwater habitat for fish.

Old fashioned fish attractor, Don Poole. ~~ Photograph by Robert “I catch more fish than Don” Sutherland

In 2002, the Allatoona Reservoir Habitat Improvement Program was initiated.  It’s a joint project between the Georgia Department of Natural Resources; the United States Army Corp of Engineers; Wildlife Action; local businesses; and, anglers.

Through this cooperative partnership fish attractors are being placed annually at various locations within Allatoona Reservoir.  Most of the attractors have been constructed from PVC pipe.  The advantage of using non-biodegradable materials — such as PVC — is that they will last much longer than those constructed from wood.

Anglers can expect spotted bass, largemouth bass, sunfish, crappie, and catfish to hold in and around the attractors at various times of the year.  Fish these structures just like any other natural feature in the lake.  The PVC fish attractors have been designed not only with the fish in mind, but also the angler.  Attractors have been built to reduce the potential for lure snagging and hang-ups.  In addition, their construction makes them readily visible on most depth finders.

Hints for Locating the Fish Attractors

• Fish attractors are located in 25-30 ft. of water at full pool (elevation 840 ft.).
• The attractor’s dimensions are 15’L x 5’W x 5’H.
• Hand-held GPS units will typically get you within 10-15 ft. of the attractor’s location.
• Use depth finders to pinpoint the exact location.
• The PVC fish attractors are not solid structures (like rocks) so they often appear lighter in color than the lake bottom on a depth finder.
• Once you have located a fish attractor make mental notes of your surroundings so it will be easier to find on your next trip.
• Use small marker buoys to help keep your boat and casts on target.