Suwannee River Fishing
Clinch County and 3 other counties.
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The Suwannee River by the figures
In Clinch County and 3 other counties you will find the Suwannee River, a river on the state map. Georgia holds around 40 miles of its channel. The closest town, Fargo, sits about 4 miles from the channel.
Flow data come from 2 live gauges. Boaters and paddlers can use 3 public ramp or put-ins.
The latest WRD prospects for the Suwannee River
Quoted from WRD: the forecast entry for the Suwannee River.
“The Suwannee River flows from the Okefenokee Swamp to the Gulf of Mexico. The 33-mile portion of the Suwannee in Georgia contains dark tea stained water and provides a unique fishing experience. Anglers will not find many redbreast sunfish, bluegill or bass, as commonly found in other south Georgia rivers, however, there are other fish to catch, including warmouth, flier, chain pickerel and bullhead catfish.”
Best bets named for the Suwannee River: Chain Pickerel, Warmouth, Flier, Bullheads.
| Species | WRD prospect (quoted) |
|---|---|
| Catfish | High water levels this winter should contribute to good Bullhead fishing this year. |
| Pickerel | Chain pickerel fishing should be good this year due to high water levels throughout the winter. |
| Other Species | Fliers and warmouth fishing should be good this year due to the high water levels that have persisted throughout the fall and winter. |
Georgia WRD fishing forecast (Fishing Forecast – Suwannee River), updated July 16, 2025. Full forecast.
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WRD sources tie these fish to the Suwannee River.
WRD Water Access Points species flags, WRD trout layer and forecasts.
Discharge on the Suwannee River
The Suwannee River gauges post discharge and stage to USGS; current values follow.
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Suwannee River Above Fargo, Ga | 4.68 ft gage height | Nov 13 12:00 pm |
| Suwannee River At Us 441, At Fargo, Ga | 124 cfs, 2.30 ft gage height | Nov 13 12:00 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 13, 2026 12:33 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
Boat and paddle access to the Suwannee River
- Stephen C. Foster State Park1 lane, restroom, fee, Charlton County
- Suwannee River Sill Boat Ramp1 lane, Charlton County
- Suwannee River Visitor Center Boat Ramp1 lane, Clinch County
- Suwannee River Sillfishing pier
WRD Water Access Points, Georgia water trails layer, USGS gauges.
Regulations for the Suwannee 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.
Record-list entries for the Suwannee River
| Species | Weight | Date | Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bowfin | 16 lb, 3 oz | June 21, 2014 | hook and line |
| Spotted Sunfish | 0 lb, 13 oz | May 5, 2025 | hook and line |
WRD state record list; angler names left out.
Near the Suwannee River
Shops on the way to the Suwannee River
- Okefenokee Outpostbait and tackle shop, Fargo, 6 miles
Georgia towns that sit close by the Suwannee River
- Fargo3 miles
- Echols County18 miles
- Homerville28 miles
- Du Pont29 miles
Rivers in the same area as the Suwannee River
- Middle Fork Suwannee River31 miles
- Saint Marys River43 miles
- Seventeen Mile River45 miles
- Alabaha River50 miles
The counties along the Suwannee River
- Clinch County
- Echols County
- Charlton County
- Ware County
Reels from Piscifun worth packing for the Suwannee River
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Photos of fishing water by Suwannee River
Photo: Michael Rivera, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Ebyabe, CC BY-SA 4.0
Questions people ask about the Suwannee River
In which Georgia county will I meet the Suwannee River?
Its channel crosses Clinch County, Echols County, Charlton County and Ware County.
Does the Suwannee River count as a Georgia trout stream?
WRD does not designate it as trout water.
Does the Suwannee River have a stream gauge?
This page shows 2 USGS gauges.
Can I launch a kayak on the Suwannee River?
Try Suwannee River Visitor Center Boat Ramp, one of 3 public ramps.
Does the Suwannee River have special rules?
Statewide limits govern it, including 15 striped, white or hybrid bass.
Which Georgia license covers a day on the Suwannee 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.
Which listed shop is closest to the Suwannee River?
Try Okefenokee Outpost (6 miles).
Which species turn up in the Suwannee River?
WRD sources name channel catfish, chain pickerel, yellow bullhead, bluegill, spotted sunfish and warmouth.
How far is the Suwannee River from the nearest town?
Fargo, near 4 miles away.
Make the Suwannee River your next Georgia river day
Check the gauge and the limits before you drive.