Georgia · Fishing regulations

Fishing regulations in Georgia.

Georgia fishing reads as three states in one — trout in the Blue Ridge, bass and stripers in the central reservoirs, and a Lowcountry coastal fishery shared with the Carolinas.

Georgia Department of Natural Resources — Wildlife Resources Division · License: Anglers age 16 and older generally need a valid fishing license to fish in Georgia. Resident and non-resident licenses are sold online through the GADNR and at most sporting goods retailers. Annual, multi-day, and lifetime licenses are typically available. Senior, military, and youth discounts apply in most cases. A separate trout license is required to fish for trout, including catch-and-release. License costs and exact age thresholds change — verify with the GADNR before purchase.

Freshwater

Largemouth, spotted, and Coosa bass plus crappie, bream, and catfish drive Georgia warm-water fishing across reservoirs like Lanier, Hartwell, Clarks Hill, and Sinclair. Striped and hybrid striped bass live in lakes Lanier and Hartwell. Year-round seasons on most species; trout streams have specific seasonal closures.

Rivers

North Georgia mountain trout fishing is excellent — the Chattahoochee headwaters, Toccoa, Conasauga, and Coosawattee hold rainbows, browns, and native brookies. The Chattahoochee tailwater near Atlanta is a year-round trout fishery. Smallmouth fishing on the Etowah and Conasauga rivers.

Saltwater

Atlantic coastal fishing for spotted seatrout, redfish (red drum), flounder, sheepshead, and tarpon. Offshore for king mackerel, snapper, grouper, and tuna. Saltwater Information Program (SIP) registration is required.

Special

Trout license required separately. Wild trout streams are protected with artificial-only and catch-and-release-only sections. Several reservoirs have slot limits on bass.

Popular species

Largemouth bass · Spotted bass · Striped bass · Rainbow trout · Brown trout · Brook trout · Redfish · Spotted seatrout

State agency

Georgia Department of Natural Resources — Wildlife Resources Division

Agency site →

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