White Bass

White bass fishing near Emerson, Georgia, centers around the Etowah River and Lake Allatoona. These feisty fish make an excellent target, particularly during their spring spawning run. From late February through April, white bass migrate upstream in the Etowah to spawn, congregating in areas with moving water. Focus your efforts around shoals, riffles, and creek mouths. Small jigs, spinners, and crankbaits are all effective lures. As the water warms, white bass will move back into Lake Allatoona, where they can be found schooling near points and humps. Look for surface activity or use your fish finder to locate schools. The Little River arm of Allatoona can be particularly productive. A local tip is to pay attention to bird activity; diving birds often indicate schooling white bass. Be mindful of water levels in the river, as they can fluctuate rapidly depending on rainfall and dam releases.