Little Ridge Park, Lake Lanier’s best kept secret

By Audrey Geib

Lake Sidney Lanier is home to 10 full-service marinas, 68 parks, and 1,200 campsites dispersed through its 692 miles of shoreline. Among these parks lies perhaps Lake Lanier’s best kept secret, Little Ridge Park.

Jake Hoffman, frequent visitor of Little Ridge says there is truly something special about the area.

“Little Ridge is a great place to be,” says Hoffman. “All the memories I’ve made there have been some that will stay with me forever. The location and scenery is amazing. If there’s anywhere I’d want to be on a clear summer day, it would be hanging up an eno between some trees and hanging out at Little Ridge.”

Little Ridge Park, in Forsyth County, is a free to enter public park tucked away on the southwest end of the lake. It sits on the shoreline a mile west of Buford Dam and the southern location makes it a prime spot for those visiting from cities south of the lake.

Though Hoffman says he was familiar with the park for years he truly grew to love it in the summer of 2020 when he got closer to his now best friend, Mac Cremon.

“I started going to Little Ridge more often in the summer of 2020. It was during COVID so a friend of mine and I would go to Little Ridge and hangout,” Hoffman says. “We were friends before we started going but after that summer he became my best friend.”

The park served as the perfect location for them to enjoy nature while being smart about COVID exposure. Three years later Hoffman and his friends return to the same spot.

The park is full of ways to experience all that the lake has to offer at no cost. From a senic 1 mile loop trail to plenty of water access. Dogs are welcome, on a leash, at the park making its beaches the perfect place for furry friends to experience lake days.

Hoffman says that he and his friends often see other visitors out on the water, walking the trail or utilizing the easily accessible boat ramp.

“We always see boaters getting out on the water, and families taking a stroll through the park with their dog,” says Hoffman.

“My friends and I set up hammocks and will talk and listen to music for hours.” he says.

Visitors are often in the water relaxing on rafts, exploring the shoreline on kayaks and paddleboards, or just getting in for a quick swim.

A quiet and secluded Little

In May of 2021 Hoffman gathered with many of his friends to spend the day at Little Ridge with rafts, kayaks and paddle boards celebrating his birthday. While on land the group set up a handful of hammocks and beach towels.

Park. He describes one of his fondest memories at the park: “I was surprised with 20 of my best friends for my birthday and had the best lake day hangs I remember.”

Alexis

See Park, page 21

"Moon Rise II, Lake Lanier, June 3, 2023” by Anne Brodie Hill

Anne Brodie Hill, ASMA, GWS

Lake Lanier Artist www.annebrodiehill.com • 770-718-7586

Lake Sidney Lanier & Gainesville prints, Postcards, Notecards Original Oil, Acrylic, and Watercolor Paintings

Gallery on the Square, 118 Main Street, Gainesville, GA

Other Fine Artists at Gallery (www.gallerysq.com)

Ann Alexander, Pam Kohler-Camp, Lydia Ferguson, Ann Goble, Jane Hemmer, Paula Hoffman, Shannon Hughs, Joyce Hornor, Connie Lynn Reilly and Shirley Seguin

Prints, postcards, notecards also available at: Quinlan Visual Arts Center, 514 Green Street, Gainesville, GA

Frame-Tastic, 565-B Shallowford Road, Gainesville, GA

Lake Lanier Fishing Report

Lake level: 2 feet below full pool and rising from recent rains.

Temperature: 70s

Clarity: Main channel clear, creeks stained

Bass fishing

Bass fishing on Lanier is good. While I said that bass fishing is good it is up and down. One day the fish will react and the next day they almost disappear.

The bass have moved to a lot of the off shore brush in 25 to 35 feet of water. The most consistent producer recently has been the Jerk Shad in either the Blue Ghost or FZNH2O colors.

Long cast and long pauses seem to be a key to getting bites. The Slick Stick Pro Series has also caught a lot of fish in the same areas. A steady retrieve with an occasional twitch has been the best retrieve.

The true top water activity seems to be running about a month behind. There is scattered activity around the lake but it only seems to be one or two fish at a time and they are only up for a minute and then gone. For this fish there have been some strikes on either the Gunfish or an IMA Skimmer. Working a Spotchoker around the deeper brush and on the schooling fish has produced some good fish.

If the bite on the other baits slows either a worm or a jig will produce some quality fish. While the jig bite doesn’t produce as many fish it can draw some of the fish out of the brush.

The fish are getting more active so go Catch ‘em!

This bass fishing report is by Phil Johnson, Pjohnson15@hotmail.com, 770 366-8845.

Striper fishing

Stripers are moving in large groups and if you’re lucky you can load the boat. Mid lake and most of the creeks feeding to the river channels are hot. Down lines and planer boards are the best methods using blue back herring.

Once you mark the fish using your electronics, drop the bait to the bottom and reel up a couple of turns and make sure the drag is set so you won’t get spooled. You should put the bait 30 to 35 feet behind the boards. Remember to wear your life jacket.

This striper report is by Buck Cannon, Buck Tails Guide Service, 404 510-1778.

Crappie fishing

Crappie fishing has been great lately. Conditions for catching these fish have been perfect!

The best gear to use for optimal success is an Acc crappie stix 1 piece rod and reel with a 6-pound test k9 line, a black and chartreuse atx lure company jig or a small minnow.

With the current conditions, you should have no problem landing some decent sized crappie. I also use Garmin Live Scope and power pole.

This crappie report is by Captain Josh Thornton 770 530-6493.

News and notes

Ken Sturdivant, Southern Fishing Schools Inc. will host several upcoming free fishing related classes, including:

• Basics of bass fishing for Teens and Tweens, at the Forsyth County Library, Hampton Park branch, June 20, 2023 at 6 p.m.

• Basics of striper fishing, at the Forsyth County Library, Cumming branch on June 25, 2023 at 2 p.m.

• Rods, reels, and lures for bass at Forsyth County Library, Sharon Forks Branch on July 23, 2023 at 2 p.m.

For more information visit www.southernfishing.com.