Lake Oconee Fishing
A 19,050-acre Georgia reservoir in Greene County, Putnam County and Morgan County.
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Lake Oconee in brief
Plan on 19,050 acres of reservoir water when you visit Lake Oconee in Greene County, Putnam County and Morgan County. Head to Buckhead, around 6 miles away, for supplies.
The dam and lake are operated by Georgia Power Company. Expect largemouth bass, hybrid striped bass, white bass, striped bass, channel catfish and black crappie, going by WRD records. Boaters can use 13 public boat ramps. Bank anglers get 1 pier or bank fishing site.
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Here is what the state forecast says about Lake Oconee, quoted as written.
“Lake Oconee is located mainly in Greene County, near Madison and Greensboro. The 19,050-acre reservoir is operated by the Georgia Power Company with Lake Sinclair as a pump-storage (pump back) hydropower generation facility. This unique operation in combination with the lake's long, narrow shape produces noticeable water current throughout the lake during power generation and pump back.”
On Lake Oconee, the forecast favors Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Hybrid-Striped Bass, Blue Catfish, Channel Catfish, and White Bass.
| Species | WRD prospect (quoted) |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | A14-inch minimum length limit regulation is currently in effect on largemouth bass. Oconee continues to be a very productive reservoir and it's popularity with both recreational and tournament anglers is a great indication of the quality bass fishery it supports. |
| Hybrid Bass | Anglers can expect continued success targeting hybrid bass in 2026. Fall gill net sampling showed hybrid bass numbers well above the five‑year average, indicating a consistently strong population. |
| White Bass | The white bass population remains stable on Lake Oconee, and anglers can still expect dependable action throughout the season. White bass are most active during schooling events and seasonal movement periods, when they become much easier to locate. |
| Striped Bass | Striped bass stocking will continue this year at rates consistent with past management efforts. Catch‑per‑unit‑effort declined slightly, but average length increased due to the presence of several high‑quality fish in recent samples. |
| Catfish | Channel catfish catches remain right at the five‑year average, indicating a stable and dependable fishery. Average lengths, however, are better than ever, reflecting strong growth among the fish that are present. |
| Crappie | Spring sampling in 2025 showed increases in both catch rates and average lengths, signaling continued improvement in the black crappie population. Anglers should expect strong crappie fishing again in 2026, as Lake Oconee remains a consistently productive fishery for this species. |
Georgia WRD fishing forecast for Lake Oconee, updated February 12, 2026. Read the full forecast.
Fish WRD names for Lake Oconee
This list for Lake Oconee merges the WRD access point flags, forecast species and any state records set here.
WRD Water Access Points species flags, WRD fishing forecast and WRD record lists; checked October 2026.
Ramps around Lake Oconee
- Sugar Creek Marina4 lanes, dock, restroom, fee, Sugar Creek Marina
- Redlands WMA, Redlands Recreation Area3 lanes, dock, restroom, fee, U.S. Forest Service
- Swords Recreation Area3 lanes, dock, restroom, fee, U.S. Forest Service
- Armour Bridge Boat Ramp2 lanes, dock, restroom, fee, Georgia Power
- Blue Springs Marina2 lanes, dock, fee, Blue Springs Marina
- Boathouse at Harbor Club2 lanes, dock, fee, Harbor Club
- Fish Tale Marina2 lanes, dock, fee, Fish Tale Marina
- Lawrence Shoals Boat Ramp2 lanes, dock, restroom, fee, Georgia Power
- Long Shoals Boat Ramp2 lanes, dock, restroom, fee, Georgia Power
- Old Salem Boat Ramp2 lanes, dock, restroom, fee, Georgia Power
- Parks Ferry2 lanes, dock, restroom, fee, Georgia Power
- Sugar Creek Boat Ramp2 lanes, dock, restroom, fee, Georgia Power
- Double Branches Boat Ramp1 lane, dock, Greene County
Land-based fishing at Lake Oconee
- Redlands WMA, Redlands Recreation Areafishing pier, U.S. Forest Service
Other boat ramps near Lake Oconee
- Rock Eagle Lake Boat RampRock Eagle Lake, 9 miles southwest
- Dyar Pasture Boat RampOconee River, 10 miles north
- Upper Sinclair (SR16) Boat RampLake Sinclair, 14 miles southeast
WRD Water Access Points layer and CRD coastal ramps, checked October 2026.
Creel and size limits at Lake Oconee
Listed exceptions for Lake Oconee from the 2026-2027 Georgia Hunting and Fishing Regulations come first.
| Water as printed | Rule |
|---|---|
| Lake Oconee | Largemouth bass minimum length: 14 inches. |
| Species | Daily limit and size | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Black bass (all species combined) | 10 in total, only 5 of which may be Altamaha, Bartrams, Chattahoochee, Coosa, Shoal, Smallmouth, Suwannee, Tallapoosa | Open all year |
| Largemouth bass | Counts toward 10 black bass total; minimum length 12 inches statewide (exceptions on listed lakes and PFAs) | Open all year |
| Spotted bass | Counts toward 10 black bass total; no statewide minimum length (14 inches on Lake Lanier) | Open all year |
| Shoal bass | Counts toward 10 black bass total (only 5 may be shoal and other listed bass); minimum length 15 inches statewide (Flint River below Warwick Dam slot) | Open all year |
| Smallmouth bass | Counts toward 10 black bass total; only 5 of the 10 may be smallmouth and other listed bass; no minimum length | Open all year |
| Striped, white and hybrid bass | 15 in total, only two of which can be 22 inches or longer | Open all year |
| Crappie | 30 | Open all year |
| Bream (sunfish) | 50 in total | Open all year |
| Catfish | No limit | Open all year |
| Walleye | 8 | Open all year |
| Pickerel | 15 | Open all year |
| American and hickory shad | 8 | Open all year |
Georgia asks anglers 16 and older for a fishing license: $15 for residents and $50 for nonresidents, each good for 365 days from purchase.
2026-2027 Georgia Hunting and Fishing Regulations, effective July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027; checked October 2026.
A side-by-side of Lake Oconee and its neighbors
The closest lake with its own page is Rock Eagle Lake, 9 miles away; the biggest nearby is Lake Sinclair.
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Ramps | Type | Species listed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Oconee | 19,050 | 13 | reservoir | 12 | |
| Rock Eagle Lake | 9 miles southwest | 110 | 1 | lake | 5 |
| Mt. Gilead Lake | 16 miles southwest | 6 | 1 | lake | 4 |
| Lake Sinclair | 18 miles south | 14,750 | 19 | reservoir | 16 |
| Lake Rutledge | 20 miles northwest | 229 | 1 | lake | 8 |
| Lake Brantley | 22 miles northwest | 45 | 1 | lake | 6 |
WRD waterbodies, reservoirs and Water Access Points layers.
Around Lake Oconee on the map
Other lakes a short haul from Lake Oconee
- Rock Eagle Lake9 miles southwest
- Mt. Gilead Lake16 miles southwest
- Lake Sinclair18 miles south
- Lake Rutledge20 miles northwest
- Lake Brantley22 miles northwest
River pages near Lake Oconee
- North Fork Ogeechee River15 miles
- South Fork Little River21 miles
- Little River, Putnam County22 miles
Where to grab bait close to Lake Oconee
- Blue Springs Marina, Incmarina, Buckhead, 2 miles
- Port Armor Country Clubmarina, Greensboro, 3 miles
- Sugar Creek Marinamarina, Buckhead, 4 miles
- Elathia Tredobait and tackle shop, Greensboro, 4 miles
- Jerrys Bait and Tacklebait and tackle shop, Eatonton, 5 miles
- Young Harris Water Sportsmarina, Greensboro, 6 miles
Guides who run trips on Lake Oconee
- Lake Oconee Fishing Guidesfishing guide, Lake Oconee, Madison, (706) 887-6110
- Reel Time Guide Servicefishing guide, Lake Oconee, Greensboro, (404) 803-0741
Towns to bunk in for a Lake Oconee weekend
- Buckhead6 miles
- Greensboro7 miles
- Siloam12 miles
County guides covering Lake Oconee
- Greene Countyseat: Greensboro
- Putnam Countyseat: Eatonton
- Morgan Countyseat: Madison
Spinning and baitcast picks from Piscifun for Lake Oconee
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Telling apart the fish of Lake Oconee
Photo: USFWS Mountain Prairie, Public domain
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Photo: Dick Biggins, USFWS, Public domain
Photo: United States Fish and Wildlife Services, Public domain
Photo: Bclegg77, CC BY-SA 4.0
What gets asked most about Lake Oconee
How do I locate Lake Oconee on a Georgia map?
Point the truck toward Greene County, Putnam County and Morgan County, about 6 miles from Buckhead.
How many surface acres does Lake Oconee spread over?
It measures about 19,050 acres.
How many public launch ramps reach Lake Oconee?
13 public ramps, with Sugar Creek Marina at the top of the list.
What might a Georgia angler hook at Lake Oconee?
Listed fish: largemouth bass, hybrid striped bass, white bass, striped bass, channel catfish, black crappie and spotted bass.
What are the creel limits on Lake Oconee?
Lake Oconee: Largemouth bass minimum length: 14 inches.
What do visitors pay to fish Lake Oconee?
Georgia asks anglers 16 and older for a fishing license: $15 for residents and $50 for nonresidents, each good for 365 days from purchase.
Who sells tackle near Lake Oconee?
Blue Springs Marina, Inc, about 2 miles away.
Where else could I wet a line close to Lake Oconee?
Closest page: Rock Eagle Lake, 9 miles.
Which fish does the forecast favor on Lake Oconee?
Biologists point to Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Hybrid-Striped Bass, Blue Catfish, Channel Catfish, and White Bass.
Set a date for Lake Oconee
All Georgia fees and limits sit on the license page.