Georgia Trout Fishing Rules
Georgia trout rules: the trout license, eight-fish limit, delayed harvest streams, artificial-lure-only water, hours and the rules on trout impoundments.
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How Georgia regulates trout water
- All designated trout waters are open year round.season
- 8 trout (brook, rainbow, brown and hybrids) statewide; 5 in Georgia-South Carolina border watersdaily limit
- Fishing 24 hours a day is allowed on all trout streams and impoundments on trout streams except Dockery Lake, Rock Creek Lake, the Chattahoochee River from Buford Dam to Peachtree Creek, the Conasauga River watershed upstream of the Georgia-Tennessee state line and Smith Creek downstream of Unicoi dam (30 minutes before sunrise until 30 minutes after sunset; no night fishing).hours
- Trout anglers are restricted to the use of one pole and line which must be handheld. No other type of gear may be used in trout streams. It is unlawful to use live fish for bait in trout streams. Seining or trapping bait-fish is not allowed in any trout stream.gear
- Residents and nonresidents 16 and older need a fishing license and a trout license to fish in designated trout waters or to fish for or possess trout; landowners and immediate family on their premises are exempt.license
- While fishing any specially regulated waters with a minimum size limit, it is unlawful to possess a trout which is less than the specified minimum size regardless of where the fish was caught.possession
- Anglers can fish for species other than trout without a trout license on Dockery and Rock Creek lakes. If you fish for or possess trout you must possess a trout license. State park visitors do not need a trout license to fish impounded park waters but need one to harvest trout.impoundments
2026-2027 Georgia Hunting and Fishing Regulations (Georgia DNR), pages 69 and 70. Checked October 2026.
Georgia delayed harvest streams
Delayed harvest: from Nov. 1 – May 14 annually all trout must be released immediately and only artificial lures with one single hook per lure may be used and possessed (droppers allowed if each lure has one single hook). Restrictions do not apply May 15 – Oct. 31.
- Amicalola Creekdelayed harvest
- Chattahoochee River (Sope Creek to US Hwy 41)delayed harvest
- Chattooga Riverdelayed harvest
- Smith Creekdelayed harvest
- Toccoa River (delayed harvest section)delayed harvest
Georgia trout streams limited to artificial lures
- Chattahoochee River (GA Hwy 20 to Medlock Bridge)artificial lures only
- Coleman Riverartificial lures only
- Conasauga Riverartificial lures only
- Hoods Creekartificial lures only
- Jones Creekartificial lures only
- Mountaintown Creekartificial lures only
- Noontootla Creekartificial lures only
- Stanley Creekartificial lures only
- Walnut Fork Creekartificial lures only
- Dukes Creek (Smithgall Woods-Dukes Creek Conservation Area)artificial lures only
Georgia trout stocking in brief
About one million rainbow trout and brown trout are stocked each year from March through mid-September (guide); WRD trout page: 160 streams stocked with rainbow, brown and brook trout from late March through October; catchable size 9-11 inches.
The 2026-2027 Georgia Hunting and Fishing Regulations lists every designated trout water by county; 211 lines are printed there.
2026 trout stocking schedule · Georgia trout streams by county
Photos of Georgia water to go with Georgia Trout Fishing Rules
Photo: Michael Rivera, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Thomson200, CC0 1.0
Photo: TVA Web Team, CC BY 2.0
Photo: JJeffTV at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
Trout rule questions from Georgia anglers
What is the Georgia trout limit?
8 trout (brook, rainbow, brown and hybrids) statewide; 5 in Georgia-South Carolina border waters
Are Georgia trout streams open all year?
Yes; every designated trout water in Georgia is open year round.
What does delayed harvest mean in Georgia?
From November 1 to May 14 every trout goes back at once and only artificial lures with one hook may be used on the listed streams.
Do I need a trout license below Buford Dam on the Chattahoochee?
Yes, any angler 16 or older fishing designated trout water or keeping trout needs the trout license with a fishing license.
Can I fish trout streams at night in Georgia?
Fishing 24 hours a day is allowed on all trout streams and impoundments on trout streams except Dockery Lake, Rock Creek Lake, the Chattahoochee River from Buford Dam to Peachtree Creek, the Conasauga River watershed ups
How many poles may I use on trout water?
One pole and line, held in hand.
Which Georgia trout streams are delayed harvest?
Amicalola Creek, Chattahoochee River (Sope Creek to US Hwy 41), Chattooga River, Smith Creek and Toccoa River (delayed harvest section).
How many trout does WRD stock each year?
About one million rainbow and brown trout, stocked from March into the fall.
Georgia rule pages beyond Georgia Trout Fishing Rules
- Georgia Freshwater Creel Limitsblack bass, crappie, bream, catfish, stripers and walleye
- Georgia Saltwater LimitsCRD bag and size limits, SIP permit and the 2027 reef endorsement
- Georgia Border Water AgreementsSouth Carolina, Alabama, Florida and North Carolina reciprocity
- Georgia Special Regulation Waterslake and river exceptions and seasonal closures
- Georgia Fishing Methods and General Rulestrotlines, jugs, bowfishing, noodling and bait
- License prices and permitswho needs a license and what it costs