This is the Official Georgia Fishing regulations and Information navigation page for the Georgia state rules and regulations guidebook overviews.
You can access each individual state regulation guidebook by clicking the links below.
These are just the overviews of the official state regulations.
The Actual state Georgia Fishing regulation guidebooks are accessible by clicking on the state you would like to see from the home page map then clicking on the Georgia state fishing regulations books.
They are also accessible by clicking on the Georgia fishing reg. books below and accessing the Georgia fishing regs link in the Georgia Guidebooks listed below.
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Weather its Georgia Tarpon fishing, Georgia bass fishing, Georgia striper fishing, Georgia Snook fishing, Georgia Catfish fishing, Georgia Tuna fishing, Georgia Panfish fishing, Georgia pike/muskie fishing, Georgia Red fish fishing, Georgia Marlin Fishing, Georgia Salt Water Fishing  We have the Georgia state fishing regulations for your trip into the wilderness or on the water covered in one easy to location.
If you need Georgia fishing maps, Georgia state fishing maps, or just some Georgia fishing reports to tell you were the bite is hot we have that too.

Georgia Fishing Report

If you’re planning a fishing trip to Georgia, you have some excellent choices for lakes and streams throughout the state including Lake Allatoona, Banks Lake, Blue Ridge Lake, Carters Lake, Chatuge Lake, Hartwell Lake, J. Strom Thurmond Lake, Lake Blackshear, Lake Jackson, Lake Seminole, Lake Sidney Lanier, Nottely Lake, Oconee Lake, Richard B Russell Lake, Walter F George - Eufaula, West Point Lake and others. Many of the lakes in Georgia have camping facilities as well as other accommodations nearby. Georgia is well known for excellent Bass, Crappie and Trout fishing. Additionally, in waters around the state you’ll find populations of Walleye, Catfish, Stripers, Musky, Northern Pike, Chain Pickerel, Sauger, Longnose Gar, Bowfin and sunfish including Flier Sunfish, Green Sunfish, Redbreast Sunfish, Redear Sunfish, Spotted Sunfish, Warmouth, White Bass, Yellow Perch which are plentiful in some waters.

Fishing is regulated in Georgia by the Fish & Game Department. You can check their website for current fishing reports.

Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Shoal Bass, Redeye Bass & Spotted Bass Fishing in Georgia.

Bass are one of the most sought after of all the game fish. Its appeal spans cultures, age groups and genders to tap on the heart strings of anglers everywhere. Join us in our endeavor to offer information about bass fishing on your favorite bass lake in the Georgia area.

Bass fishing Lakes In Georgia

Georgia not only boasts the world record for largemouth bass but just the mention of many Georgia lakes will make knowledgeable bass fishermen come to attention. While most waters in GA contain bass, the larger impoundments like Lake Allatoona, Banks Lake, Blue Ridge Lake, Carters Lake, Chatuge Lake, Hartwell Lake, J. Strom Thurmond Lake, Lake Blackshear, Lake Jackson, Lake Seminole, Lake Sidney Lanier, Nottely Lake, Oconee Lake, Richard B Russell Lake, Walter F George - Eufaula and West Point Lake are the real draw.

Montgomery Lake gave up the world record largemouth in 1932 and Lake Chatuge holds the state record for smallmouth bass.

Trout Fishing in Georgia

The 5 primary trouts are the rainbow, brook, brown, cutthroat and lake trout. Georgia offers fishing only for rainbow, brook and brown trout. Brown trout are considered the most difficult to catch and brookies are the easiest. Pure cold water is key to survival of the trouts and the brook trout is the most sensitive to temperature. The others are comfortable in slightly warmer waters.

Trout Fishing Waters In Georgia

Lake Burton, Lake Sidney Lanier, Nottely Lake and Eufaula are the primary lakes with populations of trout. The state record brook trout came from Waters Creek, the Chattahoochee River yielded the state record brown trout and the state record rainbow trout was caught from the Soque River.

Visit the Georgia Department of Natural Resources for details regarding trout stocking in Georgia.

Rainbow Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss

Known for its tasty pink flesh, beauty and gameness, the rainbow trout is a favorite among the vast majority of trout fishing anglers. It also appeals to the fly fisherman as it can be tempted to take properly presented flies as well as other baits and lures. It feeds on small insects, minnows, crustaceans and worms. Rainbow trout fishing is fun for both sport and dining pleasures.

In waters that allow such migration the rainbow trout will remain in streams until it reaches 6" to 9" in length and then travel to lakes or oceans where it will bulk up and then return to the streams or rivers to spawn. Steelhead trout are rainbow trout which have adapted to the salt water environment. Fishing for steelhead is very similar to fishing for rainbows. However in winter the steelhead typically prefer spoons or bait rather than flies.

Brook Trout
Salvelinus fontinalis

Brook trout are found in clear cold waters which seldom exceed 68 degrees. As the waters to warm, the brook trout population begins to diminish. Its primary food source is small insects, mollusks, crustaceans and other small fishes.

Fishing for brook trout is the easiest of all the trouts. Look for gravel bottom streams with a moderate current, plenty of waterfalls and ponds which include rocks and cover. Overhanging trees offer additional shade, attract insects and offer protection from preying birds. Duplicate their food source and you are in business.

Brown Trout
Salmo trutta

The brown trout can tolerate slightly warmer waters than the brook trout and have taken over some of the fisheries formerly inhabited by the brookies. It is much more wary than other trouts which help ensure its longevity in waters where other trouts get fished out.

When brown trout fishing look for quiet water with lots of cover. Logs, under cuts in the bank, rock shelves, overhanging trees and brush are some of the brown trouts favorite hiding places. The larger they get, the more wary they become and are more inclined to feed at night under the protection of darkness.

Brown trout feed on worms, minnows, insects and crustaceans. Dry fly fishing for pan-sized browns is a favorite technique as they rise well to these crafty presentations. Larger browns tend to feed more on flesh and favor nutritious crustaceans, worms or small fishes. When fly fishing for large brown trout use wet flies which mimic the local natural baitfish.

Walleye Fishing in Georgia

Walleye
Stizostedion vitreum

The walleye prefers moderately deep lakes with gravel, rock or sandy bottoms. It is found primarily in cold water lakes but has proven to survive in some warmer water impoundments. It is prized for its great tasting white, flaky flesh.

Walleye Fishing Lakes In Georgia

Carters Lake, Hartwell Lake, Lake Sidney Lanier, Nottely Lake and Richard B Russell Lake are the primary lakes in GA with populations of walleye. Richard B Russell Lake holds the current state record.

Georgia walleye spawn in spring and when they have the option will choose to migrate from the lake up into feeder streams to spawn. If this option is not available they seek out shallow bars or shoals with clean bottom surfaces near deep water.

This toothy fish will eat virtually anything it can catch and get in its mouth. They prefer small fish and will eat crustaceans, worms and insects. They tend to be somewhat wary and prefer the safety of deeper darker water. Try fishing for walleye from sundown to midnight, particularly during the heat of summer.

Fish for Georgia walleye with live bait, crankbaits, spoons, small spinner baits as well as plastic worms and grubs.

Crappie Fishing in Georgia

Crappie are actually a member of the sunfish family and can be found in all the continental states. They are known by many different names, typically based on geographic location. Paper mouth, goggleye, bridge perch and speckled perch, just to name a few.

Crappie Fishing Lakes In Georgia

It might be hard to locate a lake of any size in GA that doesn't sport a population of crappie. Some of the biggest stringers of crappie come from the major Georgia lakes like Lake Allatoona, Banks Lake, Blue Ridge Lake, Carters Lake, Chatuge Lake, Hartwell Lake, J. Strom Thurmond Lake, Lake Blackshear, Lake Jackson, Lake Seminole, Lake Sidney Lanier, Nottely Lake, Oconee Lake, Richard B Russell Lake, Walter F George - Eufaula and West Point Lake.

Lake Spivey holds the state record for black crappie while the state record for white crappie was caught from a private pond.

Catfish Fishing in Georgia

There are many species of catfish and even more ways to catch them. Adults range in size from less than a pound to hundreds of pounds. They can be found in all types of water including ponds, streams, lakes and rivers. There are even species which spend a limited amount of time on dry land. Big giant catfish put up a very noble fight once hooked.

Catfish Fishing Lakes In Georgia

They're everywhere--- they're everywhere. Virtually all waters in GA have catfish. Private ponds, creeks, rivers, small lakes and every major lake in Georgia has a population of catfish. For quality stringers the major lakes like Lake Allatoona, Banks Lake, Blue Ridge Lake, Carters Lake, Chatuge Lake, Hartwell Lake, J. Strom Thurmond Lake, Lake Blackshear, Lake Jackson, Lake Seminole, Lake Sidney Lanier, Nottely Lake, Oconee Lake, Richard B Russell Lake, Walter F George - Eufaula and West Point Lake are a good bet.

Both the state record channel catfish and flathead catfish were caught in the Altamaha River. The Savannah River yielded the state record white catfish.

Sunfish Fishing in Georgia for Bluegills, Flier Sunfish, Green Sunfish, Redbreast Sunfish, Redear Sunfish, Spotted Sunfish, Warmouth, White Bass, Yellow Perch and Other GA Panfish.

One or more species of sunfish populate virtually all warm water streams, ponds and lakes throughout Georgia and around the world for that matter. They can survive in waters that provide their natural food source of minnows, crustaceans, insects and worms. Their competitive nature amongst themselves for food, makes them relatively easy to catch.

Sunfish Lakes In Georgia

Georgia is a virtual fish factory. Panfish like most species flourish in the warm waters with long growing seasons. All major lakes including Lake Allatoona, Banks Lake, Blue Ridge Lake, Carters Lake, Chatuge Lake, Hartwell Lake, J. Strom Thurmond Lake, Lake Blackshear, Lake Jackson, Lake Seminole, Lake Sidney Lanier, Nottely Lake, Oconee Lake, Richard B Russell Lake, Walter F George - Eufaula and West Point Lake have a population of panfish.

The state record bluegill was caught in Shamrock Lake while green, redbreast, redear and flier sunfish records were all caught in private ponds. Lake Burton yielded the state record yellow perch.

Striper Fishing in Georgia

While stripers are native to salt water, they naturally migrate into fresh water streams to spawn. Their eggs must remain in motion in order to hatch so the fresh water rivers and streams which drain into the ocean become the spawning grounds for stripers.

Striper Fishing Lakes In Georgia

The Oconee River yielded the GA state record striped bass. Coastal waters and the tributaries leading into the ocean are migration routes for stripers and present an opportunity for good stripes bass fishing. The major Georgia lakes with a population of stripers include Carters Lake, Hartwell Lake, J. Strom Thurmond Lake, Lake Seminole, Lake Sidney Lanier and Nottely Lake.

Fishing for other Musky, Northern Pike, Chain Pickerel, Sauger, Longnose Gar, Bowfin in Georgia

Musky - Muskellunge
Esox masquinongy
World Record: 69.9 lbs
The largest of the pike family, they are found in about half the states, primarily the northern and northeastern states. They prefer clear water with temperatures from 60 to 70 degrees. Also known as musky, muskie and great pike, they eat any fish they can catch and prefer to ambush their prey. They also eat crayfish, frogs and birds. Use large lures (salt-water sizes) and heavy line when fishing for muskellunge. They will hit lures and fresh cut bait. They are known for their speed and are exceptionally strong for short runs.

Northern Pike
Esox Lucius
IFGA Record: 55.1 lbs
The northern pike is a valient fighter and prefers water temperatures from 58 to 70 degrees. Also known as jack, jackfish, great northern pike and pickerel. While they have been transplanted into most states with cold water, they are native to the northern states and are abundant in the north-eastern states. Northern pike are basically olive in color with white and/or yellow bellies. The northern pike has light-colored marking on a dark body whish is opposite that of their cousins the muskies.They are an ambushing predator that eats frogs, crayfish, birds and virtually any fish they can get into their mouth. Use spinners, fish-immitating lures, jerk-baits or cutbait and fish close to cover.

Chain Pickerel
Esox niger
World Record: 9.4 lbs.
A freshwater fish in the pike family easily identified by the "chain-like marking along its sides. It can be found in the northwest, northeast and southeast sections of the USA. Its primary food source is smaller fish and is known to lie in wait to ambush its prey. While it can be eaten it is not considered one of the better sport fishes for table fare. The chain peickere can be caught on fish-imitation lures and live or cut bait. Watch the sharp teeth when handling. Prefers water temperatures from 62 to 70 degrees. Also known as pickerel, eastern pickerel, pike, grass pike, jackfish, jack and others

Sauger
Stizostedion canadense
World Record: 17.7 lbs.
Excellent eating fish which typically runs a bit smaller than its cousin the walleye. The sauger prefers cold and cloudy, moving water in the 60s to low 70s. They spawn in the low to mid 40s. You can tell them from a walleye by the dark spotting on the dorsal fin, darker coloring and the rough covering of the gill area. Due to their resembelance to pickerel, they are also known as gray pickerel spotfin pike, gray pike, river pike and others. When the water turns cold and other fish are hard to come by, this is the time to fish for sauger.Fish with jigs, spoons and crankbaits imitating crayfish or baitfish. Fish near the bottom and experiment with presentation action and speed.

Longnose Gar
Lepisosteus osseus
World Record: 25 lbs
The Longnose Gar can be found in lakes and rivers and prefers quiet backwaters with temperatures ranging from 80 to 90 degrees. Also referred to as gar and garfish, It has a long, sword-like mouth loaded with sharp teeth. They are nocturnal feeders and eat most smaller fish. They can be taken on live bait, fish-imitating lures and nylon string "gobs designed to entangle in their teeth. Most longnose gar are taken by bowfishing or spear fishing. The meat is somewhat tasty but quite bony.

Bowfin
Amia calva
World Record: 21.5 lbs.
Found in waters around Alabama, Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi, the bowfin prefers water temperatures of the warmer climates. It has an exceptionally long dorsal fin which extends back to the tail, made of about 50 spines or rays. Near the upper tail is an eye spot. They have very sharp teeth and a nasty disposition when hooked. Handle with caution. They are most often caught on cut bait and crayfish. They put up quite a fight and are not considered good eating. The bowfin is also known as dogfish, mud pike, mudfish, grindle, swamp bass and others.

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