Lake Richard B. Russell Fishing
A 26,650-acre Georgia reservoir in Elbert County and Hart County.
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Lake Richard B. Russell by the figures
Inside Elbert County and Hart County, Lake Richard B. Russell holds about 26,650 acres of fishable water. You may see it listed as Richard B Russell Lake as well. The closest Census town is Elberton, roughly 9 miles from the water.
The WRD forecast names U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as the operator. Normal full pool is 475 feet (NGVD29). Roughly 50% of its area falls inside Georgia, the rest in South Carolina. WRD access points here list largemouth bass, spotted bass, striped bass, black crappie, hybrid striped bass and channel catfish. The shoreline has 12 public boat ramps.
For the largemouth bass herePiscifun AlinoX 300 low profile baitcaster34% OFFSale $104.99 The state forecast for Lake Richard B. Russell
Wildlife Resources Division biologists publish a forecast for Lake Richard B. Russell; the passages below are quoted from it.
“This 26,650-acre U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reservoir is nestled between Lakes Hartwell and Clarks Hill on the Savannah River. Shoreline development is regulated, making this one of the more pristine reservoirs in Georgia.”
Forecast best bets on Lake Richard B. Russell: Largemouth Bass, Spotted Bass, Black Crappie, and Striped Bass.
| Species | WRD prospect (quoted) |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | Largemouth bass fishing on Lake Russell is expected to remain consistent heading into the 2026 season. Catch rates have stabilized in recent years, with both largemouth and spotted bass populations appearing to reach equilibrium. |
| Spotted Bass | Spotted bass remain abundant throughout Lake Russell and continue to provide consistent action for anglers heading into the 2026 season. The 2025 electrofishing survey showed that spotted bass averaged smaller sizes than largemouth, and their maximum size potential remains lower as well. |
| Striped Bass | A special striped bass regulation remains in place at Lake Russell to support the reservoir’s management as a trophy striped bass fishery. Anglers may harvest two striped or hybrid bass per day, with only one fish allowed to exceed 34 inches. |
| Black Crappie | Black crappie fishing on Lake Russell should remain strong heading into the 2026 season, with catch rates expected to be similar to last year. Most keeper‑size fish will fall in the 8–12 inch range, and anglers can still expect to encounter larger individuals above that mark. |
Georgia WRD fishing forecast for Lake Richard B. Russell, updated February 12, 2026. Read the full forecast.
Fish of Lake Richard B. Russell
The Lake Richard B. Russell species list joins WRD access flags with forecast and record entries.
WRD Water Access Points species flags, WRD fishing forecast and WRD record lists; checked October 2026.
Public launches at Lake Richard B. Russell
- Richard B. Russell State Park, Coldwater Ramp6 lanes, dock, restroom, fee, Georgia State Parks (DNR)
- Elbert County Park3 lanes, dock, restroom, Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division
- Shuck Pen Eddy Boat Ramp3 lanes, dock, restroom, Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division
- Calhoun Falls State Park Marina2 lanes, dock, restroom, fee, South Carolina State Parks
- Coldwater Creek Boat Ramp2 lanes, dock, Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division
- Dry Fork Creek Boat Ramp2 lanes, dock, restroom, Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division
- Middleton Boat Ramp2 lanes, dock, restroom, Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division
- Pearl Mill Boat Ramp2 lanes, dock, restroom, Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division
- Richard B. Russell State Park, Olympic Rowing Drive2 lanes, dock, restroom, fee, Georgia State Parks (DNR)
- Beaverdam Marina1 lane, dock, fee, a private operator
- Richard B. Russell State Park on Lake Richard Russell near Elberton 11 lane, fee, Georgia State Parks (DNR)
- Richard B. Russell State Park on Lake Richard Russell near Elberton 21 lane, dock, restroom, fee, Georgia State Parks (DNR)
Launch sites close to Lake Richard B. Russell
- Big Oaks Recreation AreaLake Hartwell, 11 miles northwest
- Watsadler CampgroundLake Hartwell, 12 miles northwest
- Elrod Ferry Boat RampLake Hartwell, 13 miles northwest
- Powderbag Creek Boat RampLake Hartwell, 14 miles northwest
- Long Point Recreation AreaLake Hartwell, 14 miles northwest
- Duncan Branch Boat RampLake Hartwell, 15 miles northwest
WRD Water Access Points layer and CRD coastal ramps, checked October 2026.
Today at the Lake Richard B. Russell gauge
US Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District (CWMS) reading for Richard B. Russell Dam (NGVD29), recorded October 22, 2026; retrieved October 22, 2026. Values are provisional.
Regulations covering Lake Richard B. Russell
Georgia sets water-specific rules for Lake Richard B. Russell, printed in the 2026-2027 Georgia Hunting and Fishing Regulations.
| Water as printed | Rule |
|---|---|
| Lake Richard B. Russell | Striped bass or hybrid bass or combination: 2 per day, only 1 may be over 34 inches (includes all tributaries; Russell Dam to Hartwell Dam and Lake Secession Dam). Georgia-South Carolina agreement water. |
Georgia and South Carolina shared rules for Lake Richard B. Russell
| Species | Where | Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Striped bass, white bass and/or hybrid white-striped bass | Savannah River and its tributaries downstream of J. Strom Thurmond Dam | 2 in total, both of which must be 27 inches in length or longer |
| Striped bass | Lake Richard B. Russell (Russell Dam to Hartwell Dam and Lake Secession Dam) and all tributaries | 2 per day, only one of which can exceed 34 inches in length |
| Striped bass or hybrid bass or combination | Lakes Hartwell and Clarks Hill | 10; Only 3 may be over 26 inches |
| Striped bass or hybrid bass or combination | Lake Russell | 2; Only 1 may be over 34 inches |
| Striped bass, hybrid bass, white bass or combination | Savannah River downstream of Clarks Hill dam | 2; 27-inch minimum length limit |
| White bass | All border waters covered except for Savannah River downstream of Clarks Hill dam | 10; No size limit |
| Trout | All border waters covered | 5; No size limit |
| Bass (largemouth, spotted, redeye, smallmouth or combination) | All border waters covered | 10; 12-inch minimum length for largemouth bass |
| Walleye or Sauger or combination | All border waters covered | 8; No size limit |
| Aggregate of all game fish (does not include catfish) | All border waters covered | 40 |
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.
Close-by lakes lined up with Lake Richard B. Russell
Drive 24 miles to reach Victoria Bryant State Park Lake, the nearest; Clarks Hill Lake is the biggest close by.
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Ramps | Type | Species listed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Richard B. Russell | 26,650 | 12 | reservoir | 13 | |
| Victoria Bryant State Park Lake | 24 miles west | 1 | 0 | lake | 4 |
| Lake Hartwell | 27 miles northwest | 56,000 | 28 | reservoir | 10 |
| Beaverdam Creek Lake | 32 miles south | 60 | 1 | lake | 5 |
| Clarks Hill Lake | 37 miles southeast | 71,535 | 39 | reservoir | 12 |
| Dam Number 10 | 37 miles west | 216 | 1 | lake | 6 |
WRD waterbodies, reservoirs and Water Access Points layers.
Spots by Lake Richard B. Russell
Lakes that pair well with Lake Richard B. Russell
- Victoria Bryant State Park Lake24 miles west
- Lake Hartwell27 miles northwest
- Beaverdam Creek Lake32 miles south
- Clarks Hill Lake37 miles southeast
- Dam Number 1037 miles west
Rivers to pair with Lake Richard B. Russell
- Broad River18 miles
Gear and bait a short hop from Lake Richard B. Russell
- Beaverdam Marinamarina, Elberton, 9 miles
- Lamar's Fishing Cabinbait and tackle shop, Hartwell, 11 miles
- Hartwell Marina & Boat Salesmarina, Hartwell, 16 miles
- Broad River Gen Storebait and tackle shop, Tignall, 16 miles
- Gordon's Marine Servicemarina, Hartwell, 17 miles
Nearby towns for a Lake Richard B. Russell trip
- Elberton9 miles
- Dewy Rose11 miles
- Hartwell15 miles
Lake Richard B. Russell, county by county
- Elbert Countyseat: Elberton
- Hart Countyseat: Hartwell
A Piscifun reel lineup for Lake Richard B. Russell
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Know what you hooked at Lake Richard B. Russell
Photo: Nick Tobler (Cowturtle), CC BY 4.0
Photo: Brian Gratwicke, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, CC BY 2.0
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Photo: James Mann from Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada, CC BY 2.0
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Things to know before you fish Lake Richard B. Russell
What part of Georgia holds Lake Richard B. Russell?
Georgia maps place it in Elbert County and Hart County, about 9 miles from Elberton.
How big is Lake Richard B. Russell?
Close to 26,650 acres of water, with full pool at 475 feet.
Is there a public boat ramp on Lake Richard B. Russell?
WRD maps 12 public ramps; Richard B. Russell State Park, Coldwater Ramp is a good start.
Which species turn up in Lake Richard B. Russell?
largemouth bass, spotted bass, striped bass, black crappie, hybrid striped bass, channel catfish and bluegill, per WRD records.
Which rules cover Lake Richard B. Russell?
Lake Richard B. Russell: Striped bass or hybrid bass or combination: 2 per day, only 1 may be over 34 inches (includes all tributaries; Russell Dam to Hartwell Dam and Lake Secession Dam). Georgia-South Carolina agreement water.
Which Georgia license do I carry at Lake Richard B. Russell?
Reciprocal agreements let a Georgia license ($15 resident, $50 nonresident) cover the shared border water as the guide lists it.
Where are crickets and shiners sold near Lake Richard B. Russell?
Drive 9 miles to Beaverdam Marina.
What other Georgia lakes sit close to Lake Richard B. Russell?
Try Victoria Bryant State Park Lake, around 24 miles away.
What does WRD expect at Lake Richard B. Russell this year?
WRD picks Largemouth Bass, Spotted Bass, Black Crappie, and Striped Bass.
A weekend at Lake Richard B. Russell starts here
Licenses come from Go Outdoors Georgia; limits are on the next page.