Georgia Fishing Regulations: Bag Limits, Size Limits and Seasons

These are the statewide daily bag limits and length limits Georgia anglers work under, taken from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) guide for July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027. Statewide means the default: most states, Georgia included, override these on specific lakes, rivers and coastal zones, so treat this page as the baseline and the official guide as the rule for the water you are standing on.

Georgia has no closed season for freshwater fishing, and every trout stream has been open year-round since 2015. The seasonal rules are on delayed-harvest trout streams, which are catch-and-release with artificial lures from November 1 through the last Saturday in March. Coastal species follow the Coastal Resources Division calendar. You will still need the Georgia fishing license, which runs $15 for residents and $50 for non-residents; the Georgia fishing license page covers short-term options, exemptions and where to buy.

AgencyGeorgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division (WRD)
Regulation yearJuly 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027
Free fishingTwo free fishing days each year during National Fishing and Boating Week in early June, set annually by WRD. No license or trout license needed on those days.
Official regulation guide License cost

Limits last verified 2026-09-16.

Georgia freshwater bag and length limits

Statewide freshwater limits. Water-specific exceptions in the official guide take precedence.
Species Daily bag Length
Black bass (largemouth, spotted, smallmouth, shoal, Coosa and others)Only 5 of the 10 may be shoal, smallmouth, Coosa, Tallapoosa, Chattahoochee, Bartram or Altamaha bass. Several reservoirs set a 12 or 14 in. minimum. 10 combined None statewide
Striped, white and hybrid bassDifferent rules on several lakes. 15 combined Only 2 may be 22 in. or longer
Crappie (black and white) 30 combined None
Bream and sunfish (bluegill, redear, redbreast, warmouth and others) 50 combined None
Channel and flathead catfish No limit None
Trout (brook, rainbow, brown)Special limits on delayed-harvest and a few managed streams. 8 combined None
Walleye 8 None
Pickerel (chain, grass, redfin) 15 combined None

Georgia saltwater limits

Headline coastal species. Federal waters and species with quotas can close mid-season; check the official saltwater guide before a trip.
Species Daily bag Length
Red drum 5 14-23 in. slot
Spotted seatrout 15 14 in. minimum
Flounder 15 12 in. minimum

Saltwater source: Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division saltwater regulations.

How to read a bag limit

A daily bag limit is the number of that species one angler may keep in a day, and in most states also the number you may have in possession on the water. Where a row says "combined", the number is shared across every species named in it. A minimum length is measured from the tip of the closed mouth to the tip of the tail with the tail pinched; a slot means fish inside the range must go back. When a lake has its own rule in the official guide, that rule replaces the statewide one for that water only.

Related: the Georgia fishing license page for the fee and where to buy, non-resident fishing license fees across states, and fishing regulations for every state.

Frequently asked questions

What is the bass limit in Georgia?

Statewide, Georgia allows 10 combined black bass (largemouth, spotted, smallmouth, shoal, coosa and others) per day, with a length rule of none statewide. Only 5 of the 10 may be shoal, smallmouth, Coosa, Tallapoosa, Chattahoochee, Bartram or Altamaha bass. Several reservoirs set a 12 or 14 in. minimum. Individual lakes often carry a different slot or minimum, so check the water-specific exceptions in the official guide.

How many crappie can you keep in Georgia?

The statewide daily limit is 30 combined, size rule none.

What is the catfish limit in Georgia?

Channel and flathead catfish: no limit per day, none.

What is the trout limit in Georgia?

Trout (brook, rainbow, brown): 8 combined per day, none. Special limits on delayed-harvest and a few managed streams.

Is there a closed season for fishing in Georgia?

Georgia has no closed season for freshwater fishing, and every trout stream has been open year-round since 2015. The seasonal rules are on delayed-harvest trout streams, which are catch-and-release with artificial lures from November 1 through the last Saturday in March. Coastal species follow the Coastal Resources Division calendar.

When can you fish without a license in Georgia?

Two free fishing days each year during National Fishing and Boating Week in early June, set annually by WRD. No license or trout license needed on those days.

Do I need a license to fish in Georgia?

Yes for most adults. The annual Georgia fishing license costs $15 for residents and $50 for non-residents. Trout add-on is $10 resident/$30 non-resident. Free Saltwater Information Permit (SIP) also required for saltwater fishing. See the Georgia fishing license page for short-term options and where to buy.

Where do these Georgia limits come from?

Every figure on this page was read from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) regulation guide for July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027 and last checked on 2026-09-16. The guide, not this page, is the legal document. Use the official source link above before you keep a fish.