Bluegill in Georgia
Where Georgia bluegill live and what you may keep.
- 50 in totallimit
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What Georgia anglers should know about bluegill
Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) is listed by Georgia DNR as a game fish. On statewide freshwater, anglers work with 50 in total; season open all year.
Here, 325 water pages list it among the fish present.
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Description. “Deep bodied, slab-sided fish with a small mouth. Black spot on soft dorsal fin, flexible black ear flap. Up to 4 lb; 1 lb and less typical.”
Habitat. “Congregates around vegetation and sunken trees of shallow backwater bays, lakes and ponds. Spawning occurs when water reaches 67-70 degrees in shallow areas over sand and gravel. Nests in colonies and can spawn monthly during spring/summer.”
Range. “Common throughout Georgia.”
Tips. “Worms, crickets, meal worms, small jigs, spinners to poppers.”
Quoted from the WRD fish identification page. The WRD entry covers several related fish. Checked October 2026.
Every Georgia limit row that names bluegill
| Applies to | Limit and size | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Statewide freshwater | 50 in total | Open all year |
| Public Fishing Areas (unless otherwise posted or listed) | 15 | Open all year |
2026-2027 Georgia Hunting and Fishing Regulations (Georgia DNR). Checked October 2026.
Finding bluegill on Georgia water
Lakes worth a cast for bluegill
- Clarks Hill Lake71,535 acres
- Lake Hartwell56,000 acres
- Lake Walter F. George45,180 acres
- Lake Lanier38,000 acres
- Lake Seminole37,500 acres
- Lake Richard B. Russell26,650 acres
- West Point Lake25,900 acres
- Lake Oconee19,050 acres
- Lake Sinclair14,750 acres
- Lake Allatoona11,860 acres
- Lake Blackshear8,500 acres
- Lake Chatuge7,050 acres
- Bartlett's Ferry Lake5,850 acres
- Lake Jackson4,750 acres
- Lake Nottely4,180 acres
- Lake Juliette3,600 acres
- Lake Blue Ridge3,290 acres
- Carters Lake3,220 acres
- Lake Burton2,775 acres
- Lake Oliver2,150 acres
- Lake Tobesofkee1,750 acres
- Lake Andrews1,540 acres
- Lake Chehaw1,400 acres
- Hard Labor Creek Reservoir1,370 acres
Rivers worth a cast for bluegill
- Ocmulgee RiverTelfair
- Chattahoochee RiverHall
- Altamaha RiverWayne
- Flint RiverBaker
- Oconee RiverLaurens
- Satilla RiverBrantley
- Etowah RiverCherokee
- Savannah RiverRichmond
- Toccoa RiverFannin
- Ogeechee RiverJefferson
- Ohoopee RiverTattnall
- Saint Marys RiverCharlton
- Tallapoosa RiverHaralson
- Alapaha RiverBerrien
- Withlacoochee RiverLowndes
- Kinchafoonee CreekLee
- Oostanaula RiverGordon
- Suwannee RiverClinch
WRD access point species flags and WRD fishing forecasts; largest waters first.
Georgia species in the same class as bluegill
- Largemouth Bassfreshwater
- Altamaha Bassfreshwater
- Bartram's Bassfreshwater
- Chattahoochee Bassfreshwater
- Redeye Bassfreshwater
- Shoal Bassfreshwater
- Smallmouth Bassfreshwater
- Spotted Bassfreshwater
- Suwannee Bassfreshwater
- Tallapoosa Bassfreshwater
- White Bassfreshwater
- Hybrid Striped Bassfreshwater
A look at the water near Bluegill
Photo: Jcgaylor, CC0 1.0
Photo: Michael Rivera, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: John Phelan, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Stelath, CC BY 4.0
Straight answers on bluegill in Georgia
How many bluegill can I keep in Georgia?
50 in total for statewide freshwater; season open all year.
Does Georgia list a record bluegill?
No Georgia record is on file for it.
Which waters here list bluegill?
325 water pages on this site, led by Clarks Hill Lake, Lake Hartwell and Lake Walter F. George.
Is there a stocking program for bluegill?
WRD lists no stocking for it by water.
What scientific name goes with bluegill?
A game fish, Lepomis macrochirus; freshwater water.
Can I fish for bluegill all year in Georgia?
Open all year on statewide freshwater.
Which Georgia license covers bluegill?
Georgia asks anglers 16 and older for a fishing license: $15 for residents and $50 for nonresidents, each good for 365 days from purchase.
Are there guided trips for bluegill?
It is missing from every guide listing here.
Choose a Georgia water for bluegill
Open a listed water for ramps and the rules that apply.