Withlacoochee River Fishing
Lowndes County and 3 other counties.
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Quick look at the Withlacoochee River
NHD mapping traces the Withlacoochee River, a river, through Lowndes County and 3 other counties. Its Georgia mileage on the NHD comes to roughly 91 miles. Quitman is the nearest Census town, about 9 miles from the mapped midpoint. It carries Withlacoochee and Little River Water Trail along part of its length.
Live readings arrive from 3 live gauges. There are 3 public ramp or put-ins on its banks.
The state forecast for the Withlacoochee River
WRD biologists publish a forecast covering the Withlacoochee River; it is quoted below.
“The Withlacoochee River is a beautiful scenic river that originates in Tift and Berrien Counties. Flowing south along the Cook County line down into Lowndes County where it eventually joins the Little river. The river contains several limestone ledges that form small shoal complexes. It also has few crystal clear springs flowing up into the river.”
On the Withlacoochee River, WRD favors Largemouth Bass, Suwannee Bass, Redbreast Sunfish, Bullhead Catfishes.
| Species | WRD prospect (quoted) |
|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | The Largemouth population has been stable in recent years and fish larger than 5 pounds are commonly caught with the shot at a 7 or 8 pound bass being possible. There is currently no river record for this species. |
| Suwannee Bass | Suwannee bass are found in several South Georgia rivers that drain into Florida. The Lower Alapaha, Ochlockonee and Withalcoochee all contain some Suwannee. Electrofishing surveys and angler reports show that the Withlacoochee River has by far the largest numbers of Suwannee bass. |
| Catfish | The river is home to channel catfish, yellow bullheads and the less common spotted bullhead. Fish the river during the warmer months for numerous catfish catches. |
| Redbreast Sunfish | In addition to Redbreast sunfish, bluegill, black crappie, redear sunfish and spotted sunfish and warmouth also are available. The current river record is 11.31 ounces set in 2024. |
Georgia WRD fishing forecast (Fishing Forecast – Withlacoochee River), updated February 11, 2026. Full forecast.
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Georgia sources link these species to the Withlacoochee River.
WRD Water Access Points species flags, WRD trout layer and forecasts.
What the Withlacoochee River gauges read right now
Current discharge and height for the Withlacoochee River, from USGS.
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Withlacoochee R At Skipper Bridge Rd,nr Bemiss, Ga | 87 cfs, 3.26 ft gage height | Nov 13 9:30 am |
| Withlacoochee River At Us 41 Near Valdosta, Ga | 75 cfs, 4.12 ft gage height | Aug 30 1:30 pm Not updated since Aug 30, 2019. |
| Withlacoochee River At Us 84, Near Quitman, Ga | 118 cfs, 2.38 ft gage height | Nov 13 10:00 am |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 13, 2026 10:34 am ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
Ramps and put-ins on the Withlacoochee River
- Knights Ferry Boat Ramp1 lane, Lowndes County
- Nankin Boat Ramp1 lane, Lowndes County
- State Line (Madison Highway) Boat Ramp1 lane, Lowndes County
Canoe and kayak trails on the Withlacoochee River
- Withlacoochee and Little River Water Trailestablished, 195.2 mi
WRD Water Access Points, Georgia water trails layer, USGS gauges.
Daily creel and length rules for the Withlacoochee 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 Withlacoochee River
Gear and bait a short hop from the Withlacoochee River
- George's Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Quitman, 10 miles
- Gander Mountain, 278 Norman Drbait and tackle shop, Valdosta, 12 miles
- Academy Sports + Outdoors, 455 Norman Drsporting goods store, Valdosta, 12 miles
- Fishing Tackle Outletbait and tackle shop, Valdosta, 12 miles
- Shans Bait and Tacklebait and tackle shop, Valdosta, 14 miles
Nearby towns for a the Withlacoochee River trip
- Clyattville8 miles
- Quitman9 miles
- Remerton13 miles
- Dasher14 miles
Neighboring creeks and rivers of the Withlacoochee River
- Little River, Cook County19 miles
- Aucilla River26 miles
- Ochlockonee River35 miles
- Little Ochlockonee River41 miles
the Withlacoochee River, county by county
- Lowndes County
- Berrien County
- Brooks County
- Cook County
A Piscifun reel lineup for the Withlacoochee River
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Know what you hooked at Withlacoochee River
Photo: James-LaFontaine, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Bclegg77, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Stevo2011, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: James Mann from Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada, CC BY 2.0
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Before a float or wade on the Withlacoochee River
What part of Georgia holds the Withlacoochee River?
It flows across Lowndes County, Berrien County, Brooks County and Cook County.
Do I need a trout license on the Withlacoochee River?
Not designated trout water.
Does USGS run a live gauge on the Withlacoochee River?
USGS runs 3 USGS gauges; values are above.
Where do anglers launch on the Withlacoochee River?
3 public ramps; Knights Ferry Boat Ramp is one.
Are striped bass rules different on the Withlacoochee River?
Statewide freshwater limits apply, such as 10 black bass and 30 crappie a day.
Can a nonresident fish the Withlacoochee 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 Withlacoochee River?
Drive 10 miles to George's Bait & Tackle.
What might a Georgia angler hook in the Withlacoochee River?
Listed: largemouth bass, suwannee bass, channel catfish, redbreast sunfish, black crappie and bluegill.
Which Georgia town makes a handy base for the Withlacoochee River?
Use Quitman, roughly 9 miles off.
A float on the Withlacoochee River starts here
Read the posted rules and check the river level.