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The newest Lake Russell fishing report, updated September 15, can be found at: http://www.anglersheadquarters.com/ahq-insider-lake-russell-gasc-fall-2017-fishing-report/

September 1

Lake Russell water levels are bouncing between 474 and 475 daily (full pool is 475.00), and in the last week water temperatures have fallen almost ten degrees into the lower 80s.  Clarity is pretty good on Russell.

On the bass front, Guide Jerry Kotal (706-988-0860) reports that fishing is pretty fair and fish are starting to move up shallower.  There are now a lot of fish in 10-15 feet of water off of points, with the spots and largemouth mixed together.  Drop shotted worms and shakey heads are both working.

There is also starting to be some schooling activity, and it might be close to the bank or out over 100 feet of water.  Fish are roaming around chasing bait.

Guide Wendell Wilson (706-283-3336) is also seeing a lot of schooling activity in a variety of different places, and he suggests having a ¼ ounce lipless crankbait tied on and ready to go.

Both guides are finding a pretty good crappie bite, with Wendell’s boat catching some nice crappie 8-12 feet down over 17-18 feet of water.  He is catching the fish on minnows over brush on both ends of the main lake.

Jerry is fishing slightly deeper for fish suspended 15-18 feet down over 15-25 feet of water.  He is finding them in the main lake and creeks and catching them on jigs.

Striped bassfishing has been decent, and both the lower and upper ends are producing about the same.  A few days ago Wendell caught a ten-pounder up the lake, then ran to the lower end and caught an almost identical fish.  On the lower end of the lake he is fishing down-lines about 20 feet down over 80 feet of water, and on the upper end they are mainly pulling free-lines.

The catfishbite continues to be good on Lake Russell, and on the bottom in the main channel in about 40 feet of water Wendell’s boat is finding a good mix of white perch, yellow perch, and catfish.  The perch will eat minnows (as will the cats), but to target catfish use cut bait.   Jerry’s boat is still filling up coolers of catfish fishing off points and in the backs of pockets in 15-25 feet with cut herring.