Lake Varner
This 850-acre reservoir is about two miles northeast of Covington on Alcovy Road (Exit 92 off Interstate 20). The Newton County Parks and Recreation Department manages Lake Varner. Gasoline motors are not allowed on the lake.
Contact Information
Contact Newton County for more information, including regulations, hours of operation and current fee pricing by calling (770) 784-2049.
Prospects and Fishing Tips
| Best Bets |
| LARGEMOUTH BASS, CRAPPIE & HYBRID STRIPED BASS |
| Largemouth bass |
| Prospect | Abundance and quality of largemouth bass have remained in the good to excellent range for the past few years. The most recent electrofishing survey indicates that about 1/3 of the fish are 14 inches or larger. In the spring and fall, Varner offers a great opportunity to catch a 5-plus-pound bass. Practice selective harvest to improve bass quality by harvesting smaller, legal fish (bass at least 12 inches) and releasing larger bass (those greater than 18 inches) |  |
| Technique | Popular lures include topwater baits, soft plastics, swim baits, jerkbaits, spinnerbaits and jigs. These baits can be fished around grass mats, stumps and lay-down trees. Crankbaits, suspending jerk baits and jigs around cover are effective in late winter and early spring. In late spring, try topwater lures, floating worms and soft plastic shad imitations like flukes or bass assassins. Plastic worms and deep diving crankbaits are ideal for summer, and spinnerbaits work well in fall. |
| Target | During winter months, use crankbaits, spinnerbaits, swimbaits and jigs around the edges of grass and around other shoreline cover. In spring and summer, concentrate on fishing grass beds and mats. Use weedless lures such as topwater frogs, rattle traps and soft plastic baits. |
| Hybrid Bass |
| Prospect | Expect good numbers of fish in the 14 to 16-inch range, however, catches over 20 inches (6-8 pounds) are very common. |  |
| Technique | Live bait, jigging spoons, rooster tails, rattle traps and small crankbaits are recommended. |
| Target | Fish in deeper water near the creek channels and dam area. Keep an eye to the surface as hybrid striped bass chase shad around the surface, providing some exciting fishing action. |
| Bream |
| Prospect | Bluegill and redear sunfish populations are in good condition. Expect good numbers of sunfish in the 5-8 inch range, with some catches around 10 inches (1/2 to 3/4 lbs). |  |
| Technique | Live bait-worms, night crawlers and crickets. Also try rooster tails, beettle spins and smaller jigs. |
| Target | Fish shallower water along shorelines and coves in early spring through summer. Also target spawning sunfish in late spring through summer. |
| Crappie |
| Prospect | The population is in good condition. The best time to fish for crappie is in the winter and early spring, especially in April, depending on water temperatures. |  |
| Technique | Minnows and jigs are recommended. |
| Target | Early in the season, fish in deeper water near the creek channels and dam area. In the spring, focus on more shallow water as temperatures approach 60 degrees (F), and target the upper end of the two major tributaries for spawning fish. |
| Best Fishing Times Key |
Excellent:  Good:  Fair:  |
