North Oconee River Fishing
Jackson County, Hall County and Clarke County.
Pick for largemouth bassPiscifun Chaos Pro CNC baitcasting reel25% OFFSale $97.99 Photo of Lake Lanier: Thomson200, CC0 1.0
Meet the North Oconee River
The North Oconee River winds through Jackson County, Hall County and Clarke County as a river. The mapped Georgia length is close to 73 miles. Supplies are in Nicholson, near 3 miles off.
USGS runs 2 live gauges on it. Put in at one of 1 public ramp or put-in.
What bites in the North Oconee River
Species for the North Oconee River come from WRD access point flags, its forecast and the record lists.
WRD Water Access Points species flags, WRD trout layer and forecasts.
For the largemouth bass herePiscifun AlinoX 300 low profile baitcaster34% OFFSale $104.99 Water height and flow along the North Oconee River
Below are the newest USGS readings from gauges on the North Oconee River.
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| North Oconee R At Woodbridge Rd, Near Commerce, Ga | 29 cfs, 1.66 ft gage height | Nov 13 9:15 am |
| North Oconee River At College St, At Athens, Ga | 53 cfs, 3.77 ft gage height | Nov 13 9:00 am |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 13, 2026 9:33 am ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
Launch points along the North Oconee River
- Whitehall Road Boat Rampcarry-in launch, Clarke County
- Dudley Parkbank fishing area
WRD Water Access Points, Georgia water trails layer, USGS gauges.
Rules covering the North 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.
Around the North Oconee River on the map
Other lakes a short haul from the North Oconee River
- Dam Number 108 miles
- Bear Creek Lake9 miles
- Reservoir 5110 miles
- Winder Reservoir17 miles
Where to grab bait close to the North Oconee River
- Campbell Underwater Search,Recovery & hull maint.marina, Jefferson, 6 miles
- Penetration Hooksbait and tackle shop, Hoschton, 12 miles
- Academy Sports + Outdoors, 3505 Atlanta Highwaysporting goods store, Athens, 13 miles
- Zoom Bait Co Incbait and tackle shop, Watkinsville, 14 miles
- Classic City Marinas, 1150 Julian Drmarina, Watkinsville, 14 miles
Towns to bunk in for a the North Oconee River weekend
- Nicholson3 miles
- Arcade4 miles
- Commerce6 miles
- Jefferson7 miles
Nearby moving water to the North Oconee River
- Middle Oconee River8 miles
- South Fork Broad River14 miles
- Mulberry River15 miles
- Apalachee River18 miles
County guides covering the North Oconee River
- Jackson County
- Hall County
- Clarke County
Spinning and baitcast picks from Piscifun for the North Oconee River
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
Telling apart the fish of North Oconee River
Photo: Dick Biggins, USFWS, Public domain
Photo: Unknown author, CC BY-SA 2.5
Photo: Brian Gratwicke, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, CC BY 2.0
What gets asked most about the North Oconee River
How do I find the North Oconee River on a Georgia map?
It runs through Jackson County, Hall County and Clarke County.
Does WRD stock trout in the North Oconee River?
No, WRD gives it no trout designation.
Where do I look up current flow for the North Oconee River?
Scroll up for 2 USGS gauges.
Where would I slide a boat into the North Oconee River?
WRD lists 1 public ramp; try Whitehall Road Boat Ramp.
What creel limits does Georgia set on the North Oconee River?
No exception is printed; statewide rows apply.
What do visitors pay to fish the North 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.
Who sells crickets and worms near the North Oconee River?
Campbell Underwater Search,Recovery & hull maint., about 6 miles away.
Is the North Oconee River good for bass?
Look for largemouth bass, spotted bass, channel catfish, white catfish, yellow bullhead and brown bullhead.
Which town works as a base camp for the North Oconee River?
The nearest town is Nicholson, 3 miles.
Set a date for the North Oconee River
Buy the license and trout license online first.