Georgia has over 4,500 lakes and reservoirs — and zero large natural lakes. Every major lake in Georgia is a man-made reservoir, from massive Lake Lanier to the mountain lakes of the Blue Ridge. The state also offers Atlantic coast fishing and world-class trout waters in the north.
Fishing Regulations
- It is unlawful to possess more than 50 total game fish (except channel/flathead catfish); once the daily limit of a species is taken, fishing for it must stop.
- No closed season for freshwater fishing except: Flint/Chattahoochee/Spring Creeks closed to striped bass and spear fishing May 1 - Oct 31; Lake Seminole fish refuges closed May 1 - Oct 31.
- Noodling/grabbling season: March 1 - July 15 statewide.
- Sturgeon may not be taken in fresh or saltwater in Georgia.
- Game fish may only be taken by pole and line (except shad, channel/blue/flathead catfish by other legal methods); snagging is illegal.
- Trout in designated trout waters: 1 pole only. Public Fishing Areas: 2 poles, bass min 14 in unless posted.
- Live blueback herring bait: legal only in listed lakes (Allatoona, Lanier, West Point, etc.) - illegal elsewhere.
- Sport trotlines: less than 51 hooks, marked, submerged 3+ ft, no trotlines within 1/2 mile below locks/dams, not allowed on Lake Tobesofkee/State Park lakes/PFAs.
12 species limits are shown per spot in the CatchTales app.
Pick a region below to explore its fishing spots.
Central Georgia Region
Lake Sinclair Inlet, Lake Oconee, Jackson Lake, Ocmulgee River
40 spots
Georgia Coast & Savannah Region
Savannah River Inlet, Tybee Island, Atlantic Coast, St. Simons
40 spots
Metro Atlanta & North Central Region
Lake Lanier Inlet, Lake Allatoona, Chattahoochee River, West Point Lake
37 spots
North Georgia Mountains Region
Lake Burton Inlet, Lake Rabun, Chatuge, Blue Ridge Lake
40 spots
South Georgia Region
Lake Seminole Inlet, Walter F. George, Flint River, Okefenokee
40 spots
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