Crappie hatch a month before bass and compete directly with bass fry for the same size of forage. A problem of too many mouths to feed and not enough food to go around had developed fairly quickly. This put an all-time record amount of pressure on the bream and shellcrackers, and consequently fishing for them suffered as well.

Fortunately, a major part of Callaway’s mission is to be good stewards of our natural resources. It was not a small investment, but the lake was restocked with coppernose bluegills, shellcrackers, and threadfin shad over a period of about five months. A concentrated effort was put forth to reduce the number of bass in the lake, which by this time had become stunted and thin.

The investment paid off; the shad thrived. With the pressure off, the bream and remaining shiners staged a comeback, and in less than a year the bass’ average size had increased from under a pound to 2 1/2 to 3 pounds.

Many regulars of the lake now believe that the bass fishing is the best that it’s ever been; Columbus’ Dewey Posey is one who agrees, having fished Mountain Creek Lake since it first opened to the public. To say that the 85-year-old angler is a legend of the lake doesn’t begin do him justice. Even during this past season’s drought and record heat he was able to bring a 10-pound, 10-ounce bass to the boat on ultralight tackle. Like most of the trophies he has caught, it went back into the lake.

Recently Dewey told me that he believed there was a world-record bass in Mountain Creek Lake.

“It’s there, Carl -- I guarantee it,” he emphasized. “I’d bet a thousand dollars on it. And that’s coming from a poor man.” Then, with a wink and a thump on the shoulder, he added, “And you can put that in your article!”

Another side benefit of stocking the shad has been an increase in the effectiveness of crankbaits. Pre-shad bassin’ on the lake was best with soft-plastics. Zoom Trick Worms, Brush Hogs, flukes and, more recently, Senkos had been the staple of Callaway bass fishermen. During the spring, unweighted worms pitched into shoreline vegetation worked well, whereas Carolina rigs with long leaders worked best during the heat of the summer.

Since the shad stocking, crankbaits like the Shad Rap have risen to be the bait of choice. It is very common to find schooling shad with bass annihilating them. Personally, I find a topwater fly pattern like Kent Edmond’s Stealth Bomber to be most effective during these times, but a Pop-R or Rat-L-Trap works well too.

In addition to largemouth bass, Mountain Creek Lake is also well known for phenomenal bream and shellcracker fishing. In recent years giant crappie have shown up as well, and even an occasional catfish is brought to the boat.

Fishermen are allowed to keep a limited number of fish out of this lake, and that number typically varies from one year to the next based on management goals. Live bait in the form of crickets, worms, and other “garden hackle” is permitted, but minnows, shiners, and any other type of baitfish is strictly prohibited.

On the southeast side of the lake is a beautiful boathouse that is home to a fleet of 14-foot aluminum johnboats with electric trolling motors and two padded swivel seats. These boats are available to rent for both half-day and full-day fishing excursions. Rates for the boats range from $35 to $60, depending on the length of time and number of people going in the boat. There are canoes available for rent as well.

IN THE WATER
Guided Fly-Fishing
I admit that I am a bit biased when it comes to fishing -- I love fly-fishing. In fact, I’ll be as bold as to say that there is no more fun way to catch a fish than on a fly rod. If you were to ask me what the one activity you should not miss at Callaway would be, I would say a guided fly-fishing trip.

As Callaway Gardens was developed a total of 14 lakes ranging in size from 3 acres to 65 acres were built around the property. Originally designed as retention ponds, golf course water hazards, irrigation sources, and simply for their aesthetic appeal, it didn’t take long to realize their potential as prime fishing holes, too.

Throughout the years these lakes have been managed for fishing, but it was not until 1994 when the former director of recreation Roger Childers devised a plan to offer guided fly fishing on these lakes that an intensified management strategy was put into place. Now these lakes provide opportunities for fly fishers of virtually every skill level to enjoy the sport.