Lake Oliver Fishing
A 2,150-acre Georgia reservoir in Muscogee County.
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First things to know about Lake Oliver
Lake Oliver is a Georgia reservoir of 2,150 acres located in Muscogee County. For fuel and food, Columbus sits about 10 miles off.
Georgia Power Company runs the dam and the water level. The Georgia share of the lake is near 83%, the rest in Alabama. Species flagged for it by WRD include largemouth bass, channel catfish, bluegill, black crappie, shoal bass and spotted bass. There are 1 public boat ramp on it. Land-based anglers can use 1 pier or bank fishing site.
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The WRD forecast for Lake Oliver reads in part as follows.
“Located on the Chattahoochee River, the Georgia Power Company operates this 2,150-acre reservoir. Recreational boating can be popular during the summer, but anglers usually do not encounter heavy boating traffic during early spring and late fall. GA DNR Office: 706-295-6102”
WRD points anglers on Lake Oliver toward Black Bass, Bream, and Crappie.
| Species | WRD prospect (quoted) |
|---|---|
| Black Bass | Both Largemouth Bass and Spotted Bass are abundant. Expect average largemouth bass catches to be around 1 pound. Spots average 6-10 inches and weigh under 1/2 pounds. There are no size restrictions on spotted bass harvest. |
| Channel Catfish | Channel catfish are in good supply and in good condition. Most cats are good eating size and will be in the 16-28 inch range and weigh 3 to 5 pounds. |
| Bream | Fishing for bluegill and redear sunfish is popular at Lake Oliver. Expect good bluegill fishing from April through May, with the average catch at 5-8 inches and 1/4 to 1/3 pounds being common. Redear sunfish (shellcrackers) tend to be larger, with some averaging close to 1/2 pound in size. |
| Crappie | Black Crappie anglers should do well, with most catches averaging 1/4 to 1/3 of a pound. Dedicated anglers can expect the occasional Hawg catch. |
| Other Species | The occasional striped and hybrid bass can be caught on Lake Oliver. Most will be small in the 12 to 18-inch range. |
Georgia WRD fishing forecast for Lake Oliver, updated February 10, 2026. Read the full forecast.
The Lake Oliver species list
Every fish here is named for Lake Oliver by a WRD source.
WRD Water Access Points species flags, WRD fishing forecast and WRD record lists; checked October 2026.
Ramps that put trailers into Lake Oliver
- Lake Oliver Marina2 lanes, dock, restroom, fee, Georgia Power
Walk-up fishing spots at Lake Oliver
- Lake Oliver Marinafishing pier, Georgia Power
More public ramps around Lake Oliver
- Goat Rock MarinaGoat Rock Lake, 5 miles northwest
- Rotary ParkChattahoochee River, 8 miles southeast
- Idle Hour ParkBartlett's Ferry Lake, 12 miles northwest
- Blanton Creek ParkBartlett's Ferry, 14 miles north
WRD Water Access Points layer and CRD coastal ramps, checked October 2026.
Water height on Lake Oliver
US Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile District (CWMS) reading for Oliver (GPC), recorded October 22, 2026; retrieved October 22, 2026. Values are provisional.
Harvest rules for Lake Oliver
Special regulations for Lake Oliver appear in the 2026-2027 Georgia Hunting and Fishing Regulations, shown first below.
| Water as printed | Rule |
|---|---|
| Lake Oliver | Georgia-Alabama agreement water: Georgia or Alabama sport fishing license valid; Georgia statewide creel and possession limits apply. It is illegal to possess and fish with live blueback herring in Alabama waters covered by this agreement. |
| 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 |
Reciprocal agreements let a Georgia license ($15 resident, $50 nonresident) cover the shared border water as the guide lists it.
2026-2027 Georgia Hunting and Fishing Regulations, effective July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027; checked October 2026.
Lakes near Lake Oliver side by side
Of the lakes around Lake Oliver, Weems Road Lake is nearest (5 miles) and Goat Rock Lake is largest.
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Ramps | Type | Species listed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Oliver | 2,150 | 1 | reservoir | 8 | |
| Weems Road Lake | 5 miles east | 15 | 0 | reservoir | 5 |
| Lake Heath | 6 miles east | 22 | 0 | reservoir | 5 |
| Goat Rock Lake | 7 miles northwest | 940 | 1 | reservoir | 8 |
| Bull Creek Watershed Lake Number Three | 8 miles southeast | 48 | 0 | lake | 6 |
| Flatrock Park Lake | 9 miles east | 13 | 0 | lake | 5 |
WRD waterbodies, reservoirs and Water Access Points layers.
Within reach of Lake Oliver
Neighboring lakes to Lake Oliver
- Weems Road Lake5 miles east
- Lake Heath6 miles east
- Goat Rock Lake7 miles northwest
- Bull Creek Watershed Lake Number Three8 miles southeast
- Flatrock Park Lake9 miles east
Bait and tackle stops near Lake Oliver
- Kinfolks Corner Stop & Shopbait and tackle shop, Columbus, 4 miles
- Academy Sports + Outdoors, 6700 Whittlesey Blvdsporting goods store, Columbus, 6 miles
- Holland's Cornerbait and tackle shop, Fortson, 6 miles
- Jack-Em Rods and Fishing, LLCbait and tackle shop, Columbus, 7 miles
- Bulldog Bait And Tacklebait and tackle shop, Columbus, 8 miles
- Lake Harding Marinamarina, Fortson, 9 miles
Georgia towns handy to Lake Oliver
- Piney Grove4 miles
- Antioch9 miles
- Columbus10 miles
Which counties share Lake Oliver
- Muscogee Countyseat: Columbus
Piscifun reels to rig up for Lake Oliver
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Scenes from the water around Lake Oliver
Photo: Mccunicano, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: David Dugan, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Light-jet pilot, CC0 1.0
Photo: StephenGA, CC0 1.0
Lake Oliver in a few quick answers
Which Georgia town makes a handy base for Lake Oliver?
Head for Muscogee County, about 10 miles from Columbus.
What size is Lake Oliver on the state map?
Georgia data give 2,150 acres.
Where do I launch a boat on Lake Oliver?
Try Lake Oliver Marina, one of 1 public ramp.
Which fish do Georgia sources tie to Lake Oliver?
Expect largemouth bass, channel catfish, bluegill, black crappie, shoal bass, spotted bass and striped bass.
Are there exceptions to statewide limits on Lake Oliver?
Lake Oliver: Georgia-Alabama agreement water: Georgia or Alabama sport fishing license valid; Georgia statewide creel and possession limits apply. It is illegal to possess and fish with live blueback herring in Alabama waters covered by this agreement.
Is a trout license needed at Lake Oliver?
Reciprocal agreements let a Georgia license ($15 resident, $50 nonresident) cover the shared border water as the guide lists it.
Is there a bait store close to Lake Oliver?
Kinfolks Corner Stop & Shop is the nearest at 4 miles.
Is there another lake near Lake Oliver?
Weems Road Lake sits 5 miles from it.
What are the best bets on Lake Oliver?
The forecast names Black Bass, Bream, and Crappie.
Circle a Saturday for Lake Oliver
Read the posted rules and keep your license on you.