Altamaha Bass in Georgia
Rules, records and where to find Altamaha bass in Georgia.
- 10 in total, only 5 limit
Pick for smallmouthPiscifun Chaos Pro CNC baitcasting reel25% OFFSale $97.99 Photo of Lake Burton: JJeffTV at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
A Georgia primer on Altamaha bass
The Georgia DNR fish lists carry Altamaha bass (Micropterus sp. cf. cataractae) as a game fish. The guide row for statewide freshwater sets 10 in total, only 5 of which may be Altamaha, Bartrams, Chattahoochee, Coosa, Shoal, Smallmouth, Suwannee, Tallapoosa; season open all year.
2 lake and river pages on this site name it in their WRD species lists.
For the smallmouth herePiscifun AlinoX 300 low profile baitcaster34% OFFSale $104.99 Georgia DNR field notes on Altamaha bass
Description. “Altamaha bass differ from all other bass species in that the caudal fin is dark spotted with narrow orange upper and lower margins; the second dorsal and anal fins also have some orange coloration on their outer portions. Adult Size: 5–16 inches.”
Habitat. “Rocky areas with cool flowing water. They can also be caught around wood and undercut banks near rocky habitats with flowing water.”
Range. “Found above the fall line in the Ocmulgee, Oconee and Ogeechee River basins.”
Tips. “Cast lures into any little eddy or pool, especially in rocky shoal areas and retrieve. Try targeting them in the Yellow, Alcovy, Towaliga, any forks of the Oconee River and in the mainstem Oconee River down to Milledgeville.”
Quoted from the WRD fish identification page. The WRD entry covers several related fish. Checked October 2026.
Georgia bag rules covering Altamaha bass
| Applies to | Limit and size | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Statewide freshwater | 10 in total, only 5 of which may be Altamaha, Bartrams, Chattahoochee, Coosa, Shoal, Smallmouth, Suwannee, Tallapoosa | Open all year |
| Statewide freshwater | Count toward 10 black bass total; only 5 of the 10 may be these species with shoal and smallmouth bass; no minimum length | Open all year |
2026-2027 Georgia Hunting and Fishing Regulations (Georgia DNR). Checked October 2026.
Georgia waters listing Altamaha bass
Moving water holding Altamaha bass
- Oconee RiverLaurens
- Murder CreekJasper
WRD access point species flags and WRD fishing forecasts; largest waters first.
Georgia guides and captains for Altamaha bass
- Caddis Shack Fly Fishingfly fishing guide, Mineral Bluff, (762) 270-1565
- Mad Shark Charterscharter, Brunswick, (912) 223-1066
- Reel Time Guide Servicefishing guide, Lake Oconee, Greensboro, (404) 803-0741
- Blackhawk Fly Fishingfly fishing guide, Soque, Clarkesville, (706) 947-3474
Other Georgia species grouped with Altamaha bass
- Largemouth Bassfreshwater
- Bartram's Bassfreshwater
- Chattahoochee Bassfreshwater
- Redeye Bassfreshwater
- Shoal Bassfreshwater
- Smallmouth Bassfreshwater
- Spotted Bassfreshwater
- Suwannee Bassfreshwater
- Tallapoosa Bassfreshwater
- White Bassfreshwater
- Hybrid Striped Bassfreshwater
- Channel Catfishfreshwater
Scenes from the water around Altamaha Bass
Photo: Unknown, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Michael Rivera, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: David Dugan, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Rivers Langley; SaveRivers, CC BY-SA 3.0
Georgia Altamaha bass, asked and answered
Which Georgia rule governs keeping Altamaha bass?
10 in total, only 5 of which may be Altamaha, Bartrams, Chattahoochee, Coosa, Shoal, Smallmouth, Suwannee, Tallapoosa for statewide freshwater; season open all year.
Which year produced the Georgia record Altamaha bass?
Georgia keeps no record for it.
Where are Altamaha bass found in Georgia?
2 water pages on this site, led by Oconee River and Murder Creek.
Does Georgia stock Altamaha bass?
WRD posts per-water stocking only for trout.
What kind of fish is Altamaha bass under Georgia rules?
A game fish, Micropterus sp. cf. cataractae; freshwater water.
Does Georgia close the season on Altamaha bass?
Open all year on statewide freshwater.
Which permit do I need for Altamaha bass?
Georgia asks anglers 16 and older for a fishing license: $15 for residents and $50 for nonresidents, each good for 365 days from purchase.
Does any Georgia charter run trips for Altamaha bass?
4 guide or captains on the list, among them Caddis Shack Fly Fishing.
Go find some Altamaha bass
Each listed Georgia water opens a page with launches and limits.