Photo : Forest Service - Northern Region, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
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Georgia
State, United States. Authority : Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division.
2026 rules, checked on 23 September 2026.
- Licence
- US$400Nonresident Sportsman's
- Calendar lines open on
- 123 September 2026
- Minimum sizes
- 0
Useful gear for this area
Chosen from the species and size limits regulated in this area.
Small Folding Aluminium Rod Tripods, Pack of 2For : common carp, common bream, tench · feeder fishing
€26.90£13.90Not shipped to the United States
Rigging Accessory Assortment, 184 PiecesFor : roach, common bream, common carp · float fishing (waggler and stick float)
€27.90£13.90Not shipped to the United States
Aluminium Bank Rod Rests, Pack of 2For : common carp, wels catfish, common bream · feeder fishing
€35.90£18.90Not shipped to the United States
Where to fish
© OpenStreetMap
2026 season calendar
"All designated trout waters are now open year round." Delayed harvest streams: catch-and-release, artificial lures, single hook, Nov. 1 - May 14.
Solid bars: fishing allowed. Yellow line: today.
Minimum sizes
Not published by the authority: check with Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division.
Bag limits
| Species | Fish you may keep |
|---|---|
| Black bass (combined)3 only 5 of which may be Altamaha, Bartrams, Chattahoochee, Coosa, Shoal, Smallmouth, Suwannee, Tallapoosa bass | 10 per day |
| Walleye3 statewide, no minimum size listed | 8 per day |
| Chain, grass and redfin pickerel (combined)3 statewide | 15 per day |
| Trout (brook, rainbow, brown and hybrids)3 statewide | 8 per day |
Licence
| Licence | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Fishing License1 | annual (365 days from purchase) | US$15 |
| Resident Fishing License (16-64)1 | annual | US$15 |
| Nonresident Fishing License (16+)1 | annual | US$50 |
| Nonresident Fishing License1 | 1-day | US$10 |
| Nonresident Fishing License, each additional day1 | +1 day | US$3.50 |
| Resident Combo Hunting & Fishing1 | 1-day | US$5 |
| Resident Combo Hunting & Fishing, each additional day1 | +1 day | US$1 |
| Nonresident Combo Hunting & Fishing1 | 1-day | US$30 |
| Senior Sportsman's (65+)1 | annual | US$7 |
| Optional Youth Fishing (0-15)1 | multi-year | US$10 |
| Resident Trout License (add-on)1 | annual | US$10 |
| Resident Trout License (add-on)1 | 1-day | US$5 |
| Nonresident Trout License (add-on)1 | annual | US$25 |
| Nonresident Trout License (add-on)1 | 1-day | US$10 |
| Resident Sportsman's1 | annual | US$65 |
| Nonresident Sportsman's1 | annual | US$400 |
Buy the licence on gooutdoorsgeorgia.com
- Ages and exemptions1
- Fishing license required for residents 16-64 and nonresidents 16+; under 16 not required (optional youth license); residents 65+ buy the Senior Sportsman's license ($7). A trout license is also required to fish for or possess trout.
Good to know
Trout waters open year-round since the season was abolished; trout license add-on required. Black bass: 10 per day combined, max 5 of the riverine species (shoal, smallmouth, Chattahoochee…). No statewide minimum length listed on the daily-limits page (lake-specific limits apply). No northern pike in Georgia regs; pickerel 15/day.
What the authority does not publish
Points we could not find in the official texts: check with the authority.
- Grille de prix officielle datée « Updated May 2025 » (pas de grille 2026 distincte trouvée)
- Permis de pêche seul résident 1 jour : la grille PDF indique « - » (seul le Combo 1 jour à 5 $ existe) alors que la page HTML « What License Do I Need? » affiche « $5 for one-day » ; la page HTML affiche aussi senior 4 $ vs 7 $ dans le PDF — retenu le PDF
- Pas de permis 3/7 jours (système 1 jour + jours additionnels)
- Taille minimale statewide black bass/walleye non indiquée (null) sur la page des limites journalières
Rules change every year and can be amended during the season. Before fishing, check the text in force with the authority listed.
Where to fish
Fishing places listed in the official sources.
- Clarks Hill Lake reservoir, Columbia, Elbert, Lincoln, McCormick, McDuffie Counties
Largemouth bass, Channel catfish, Bluegill, Common carp View on the map - Lake Hartwell reservoir, Franklin, Hart, Stephens Counties
Largemouth bass, Channel catfish, Bluegill, Common carp View on the map - Lake Walter F. George reservoir, Chattahoochee, Clay, Quitman, Stewart Counties
Largemouth bass, Channel catfish, Bluegill View on the map - Lake Lanier reservoir, Dawson, Forsyth, Gwinnett, Hall Counties
Largemouth bass, Channel catfish, Bluegill, Walleye, Common carp View on the map - Lake Seminole reservoir, Decatur, Seminole Counties
Largemouth bass, Channel catfish, Bluegill View on the map - Lake Richard Russell reservoir, Abbeville, Elbert Counties
Largemouth bass, Channel catfish, Bluegill, Common carp View on the map - West Point Lake reservoir, Heard, Troup Counties
Largemouth bass, Channel catfish, Bluegill View on the map - Lake Oconee reservoir, Greene, Morgan, Putnam Counties
Largemouth bass, Channel catfish, Bluegill View on the map - Lake Sinclair reservoir, Baldwin, Hancock, Putnam Counties
Largemouth bass, Channel catfish, Bluegill View on the map - Allatoona Lake reservoir, Bartow, Cherokee Counties
Largemouth bass, Channel catfish, Bluegill, Common carp View on the map - Carters Lake reservoir, Gilmer, Murray Counties
Largemouth bass, Channel catfish, Bluegill, Walleye, Common carp View on the map - Lake Blue Ridge reservoir, Fannin County
Largemouth bass, Smallmouth bass, Channel catfish, Bluegill, Walleye, Common carp View on the map - Flat Creek PFA Lake lake, Houston County
Largemouth bass, Channel catfish, Bluegill View on the map - Ocmulgee PFA Lake lake, Pulaski County
Largemouth bass, Bluegill View on the map - Big Lazer PFA Lake lake, Talbot County
Largemouth bass, Channel catfish, Bluegill View on the map
Frequently asked questions
How much is a fishing licence in Georgia in 2026?
The “Nonresident Sportsman's” licence costs US$400 (annual). Other options and prices are in the table above, with the official source.
Official sources
- Georgia DNR WRD – License Prices (Updated May 2025) (accessed on 23 September 2026)
- Georgia DNR – What License Do I Need? (accessed on 23 September 2026)
- Georgia Fishing Regulations 2026 – Game Species Daily Limits (eRegulations, guide officiel GA DNR) (accessed on 23 September 2026)
- Georgia Fishing Regulations 2026 – Trout Fishing (accessed on 23 September 2026)
- Go Outdoors Georgia (vente officielle) (accessed on 23 September 2026)
- www.eregulations.com/georgia/fishing
Last checked : 23 September 2026.