Middle Oconee River Fishing
Jackson County, Clarke County and Barrow County.
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Quick look at the Middle Oconee River
NHD mapping traces the Middle Oconee River, a river, through Jackson County, Clarke County and Barrow County. Its Georgia mileage on the NHD comes to roughly 39 miles. Arcade is the nearest Census town, about 4 miles from the mapped midpoint.
Live readings arrive from 2 live gauges. There are 1 public ramp or put-in on its banks.
What anglers catch in the Middle Oconee River
Georgia sources link these species to the Middle Oconee River.
WRD Water Access Points species flags, WRD trout layer and forecasts.
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Current discharge and height for the Middle Oconee River, from USGS.
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Middle Oconee River Near Arcade, Ga | 87 cfs, 2.15 ft gage height | Nov 13 8:30 am |
| Middle Oconee River Near Athens, Ga | 70 cfs, 0.85 ft gage height | Nov 13 8:30 am |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 13, 2026 9:33 am ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
Ramps and put-ins on the Middle Oconee River
- Ben Burton Park1 lane, Clarke County
WRD Water Access Points, Georgia water trails layer, USGS gauges.
Daily creel and length rules for the Middle Oconee River
| 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 |
Limits from the 2026-2027 Georgia Hunting and Fishing Regulations guide; every Georgia limit on one page.
Spots by the Middle Oconee River
Lakes that pair well with the Middle Oconee River
- Bear Creek Lake6 miles
- Winder Reservoir9 miles
- Fort Yargo Lake9 miles
- Dam Number 1012 miles
Gear and bait a short hop from the Middle Oconee River
- Campbell Underwater Search,Recovery & hull maint.marina, Jefferson, 6 miles
- Penetration Hooksbait and tackle shop, Hoschton, 7 miles
- Marina Innovatorsmarina, Winder, 8 miles
- Happy Hooker Inc. Baitbait and tackle shop, Winder, 9 miles
- Gooch's Outdoorsbait and tackle shop, Hoschton, 10 miles
Nearby towns for a the Middle Oconee River trip
- Arcade4 miles
- Statham6 miles
- Jefferson6 miles
- Russell7 miles
Neighboring creeks and rivers of the Middle Oconee River
- Mulberry River8 miles
- North Oconee River8 miles
- Apalachee River12 miles
- Alcovy River20 miles
the Middle Oconee River, county by county
- Jackson County
- Clarke County
- Barrow County
A Piscifun reel lineup for the Middle Oconee River
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Know what you hooked at Middle Oconee River
Photo: Nick Tobler (Cowturtle), CC BY 4.0
Photo: Bclegg77, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: James Mann from Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada, CC BY 2.0
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Photo: Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, CC BY 2.0
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Before a float or wade on the Middle Oconee River
What part of Georgia holds the Middle Oconee River?
It flows across Jackson County, Clarke County and Barrow County.
Do I need a trout license on the Middle Oconee River?
Not designated trout water.
Does USGS run a live gauge on the Middle Oconee River?
USGS runs 2 USGS gauges; values are above.
Where do anglers launch on the Middle Oconee River?
1 public ramp; Ben Burton Park is one.
Are striped bass rules different on the Middle Oconee River?
Statewide freshwater limits apply, such as 10 black bass and 30 crappie a day.
Can a nonresident fish the Middle Oconee River?
Georgia asks anglers 16 and older for a fishing license: $15 for residents and $50 for nonresidents, each good for 365 days from purchase.
Where are crickets sold near the Middle Oconee River?
Drive 6 miles to Campbell Underwater Search,Recovery & hull maint.
What might a Georgia angler hook in the Middle Oconee River?
Listed: largemouth bass, spotted bass, channel catfish, bluegill, redbreast sunfish and redear sunfish.
Which Georgia town makes a handy base for the Middle Oconee River?
Use Arcade, roughly 4 miles off.
A float on the Middle Oconee River starts here
Read the posted rules and check the river level.