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Spotted Bass
Photo: Dick Biggins, USFWS, Public domain 
Striped Bass
Photo: Tim Van Vliet, CC BY-SA 3.0 
Chain Pickerel
Photo: Hellion102792, CC BY-SA 4.0 
American Shad
Photo: Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, CC BY 2.0
Georgia rivers
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South River Fishing
DeKalb County and 5 other counties.
Pick for smallmouthPiscifun Chaos Pro CNC baitcasting reel25% OFFSale $97.99 Photo of Ocmulgee River: Michael Rivera, CC BY-SA 4.0
Georgia rivers
First things to know about the South River
The South River is a Georgia river running through DeKalb County and 5 other counties. Roughly 60 miles flow inside the state line. Plan around Stonecrest, around 3 miles from the river. Part of it is mapped as South River Water Trail.
There are 6 live gauges along the channel.
60miles in Georgia
6counties
6USGS gauges
0ramps
Flow
The South River gauges today
Check these USGS numbers for the South River before wading or launching.
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| South River At Springdale Road, At Atlanta, Ga | 2.17 ft gage height | Nov 11 1:15 am |
| South River At Forrest Park Road, At Atlanta, Ga | 10 cfs, 2.86 ft gage height | Nov 11 1:15 am |
| South River At Bouldercrest Road At Atlanta, Ga | 14 cfs, 2.31 ft gage height | Nov 11 12:45 am |
| South River At Flakes Mill Road Nr Atlanta, Ga | 28 cfs, 1.99 ft gage height | Nov 11 1:00 am |
| South River At Klondike Road, Near Lithonia, Ga | 98 cfs, 5.02 ft gage height | Nov 11 12:45 am |
| South River At Ga 81, At Snapping Shoals, Ga | 178 cfs, 6.82 ft gage height | Nov 11 12:30 am |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 11, 2026 1:32 am ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
Access
Put-ins for boats and kayaks on the South River
Plan on wading the South River; WRD lists no ramp for it.
The South River as a water trail
- South River Water Traildeveloping, 57 mi
WRD Water Access Points, Georgia water trails layer, USGS gauges.
Regulations
Harvest rules in force along the South 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.
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Short drives from the South River
Georgia lakes in the same area as the South River
- Lower Alexander Lakeunder a mile
- Alexander Lakesunder a mile
- Mountain Lake3 miles
- Lehigh Lake4 miles
Crickets, shiners and line near the South River
- Ravi's Food Martbait and tackle shop, Lithonia, 5 miles
- Taylor Sport Shop Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Rex, 9 miles
- Sinclair Marina, 1040 Turner St NEmarina, Conyers, 9 miles
- Academy Sports + Outdoors, 1448 Old Salem Rd.sporting goods store, Conyers, 9 miles
- Pete's Sink-Hers Cobait and tackle shop, Stockbridge, 11 miles
Places to stay close to the South River
- Stonecrest3 miles
- Lithonia6 miles
- Redan7 miles
- Panthersville8 miles
More Georgia rivers near the South River
- Yellow River11 miles
- Towaliga River24 miles
- Alcovy River26 miles
- Little River, Putnam County30 miles
County pages that include the South River
- DeKalb County
- Rockdale County
- Henry County
- Newton County
- Fulton County
- Butts County
Piscifun
Piscifun tackle chosen with the South River in mind
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Which fish
Pictures of the fish at South River
Photo: Dick Biggins, USFWS, Public domain
Photo: Tim Van Vliet, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Hellion102792, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, CC BY 2.0
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Answers
The South River: quick answers for anglers
Which Georgia counties does the South River cross?
Look in DeKalb County and 5 other counties.
How many trout miles does the South River have?
It is not on the trout layer.
Is the South River up or down today?
Readings from 6 USGS gauges appear on this page.
How many public launches does WRD map on the South River?
No put-in on file.
How many fish may I keep from the South River?
Use the statewide freshwater limits.
What does it cost to fish the South 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 do I pick up bait on the way to the South River?
Closest listing: Ravi's Food Mart, 5 miles.
What does WRD say swims in the South River?
WRD lists no fish for it.
Which Georgia town sits near the South River?
Stonecrest, about 3 miles from the midpoint.
Pack the waders for the South River
Look at flow and the rules first.