Brook Trout in Georgia
Keeping, finding and weighing brook trout in Georgia.
- 8 in total; special limit
- 5 lb, 10 ozrecord
Pick for brook troutPiscifun Carbon X ultralight spinning reel28% OFFSale $57.99 Photo of the species, not of a Georgia water: Photo by and (C)2007 Derek Ramsey (Ram-Man), CC BY-SA 2.5
How brook trout fit into Georgia fishing
Georgia regulations class Brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) as a game fish. For statewide freshwater, including designated trout waters the rule is 8 in total; special size limits and catch-and-release rules on listed streams, open open all year (all designated trout waters are open year round).
A 5 lb, 10 oz fish from 1986 holds the freshwater mark in Georgia. WRD access point and forecast lists put it on 5 waters covered here. WRD lists 86 trout waters on its 2026 stocking frequency schedule.
For the brook trout herePiscifun Carbon XT ultralight spinning reel25% OFFSale $59.99 How Georgia DNR describes brook trout
Description. “Backs and sides are dark olive or gray colored, and its belly is white. Black worm-like markings are present on its back. Pale spots on the sides with a few red spots with blue halos. White stripes border on all fins except dorsal. Caudal fin is lightly forked. Up to 15 lb; rarely over 2 lb.”
Habitat. “They are found in high elevation, small, clear, cold-water mountain streams. Spawning occurs in fall in shallow running 44–55 degree water on gravel beds.”
Range. “Tennessee, Coosa, Chattahoochee and Savannah River basins. Georgia is the southern-most extent of the natural range of brook trout in the eastern United States.”
Food. “Primarily insects, snails, salamanders and small fish.”
Quoted from the WRD fish identification page. The WRD entry covers several related fish. Checked October 2026.
Georgia creel and size rules for brook trout
| Applies to | Limit and size | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Statewide freshwater, including designated trout waters | 8 in total; special size limits and catch-and-release rules on listed streams | Open all year (all designated trout waters are open year round) |
| All border waters covered | 5; No size limit | Open all year |
2026-2027 Georgia Hunting and Fishing Regulations (Georgia DNR). Checked October 2026.
Georgia's heaviest brook trout on file
| List | Weight | Water | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| freshwater | 5 lb, 10 oz | Waters Creek | 1986 |
WRD freshwater record list and CRD saltwater game fish records; angler names left out. Checked October 2026.
WRD hatchery trout and brook trout
About one million rainbow trout and brown trout are stocked each year from March through mid-September. The number of trout stocked and the stocking frequency depend on a stream's fishing pressure, public access, and water conditions. Streams with greater public access are stocked more often with more trout.
The latest weekly WRD report (September 25, 2026) lists 10 waters.
WRD 2026 trout stocking frequencies and weekly report. Checked October 2026.
Where brook trout show up in Georgia
River pages naming brook trout
- Toccoa RiverFannin
- Tallapoosa RiverHaralson
- Chattooga River, Rabun CountyRabun
- Noontootla CreekFannin
- Waters CreekLumpkin
WRD access point species flags and WRD fishing forecasts; largest waters first.
Hiring help to chase brook trout
- Captain Ken's Fishing Expeditionsinshore charter, St. Marys, (912) 409-2478
- Cohutta Fishing Company – Fishing Shop in Blue Ridgefly fishing guide, Blue Ridge, (706) 946-3044
- Noontootla Creek Farmsfly fishing guide, Noontootla, Blue Ridge, (706) 838-0585
- Lighthouse Fishing Chartersinshore charter, St. Simons Island, (912) 638-3333
- Blackhawk Fly Fishingfly fishing guide, Soque, Clarkesville, (706) 947-3474
Fish listed next to brook trout
- 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
Banks, coves and shoals close to Brook Trout
Photo: Jcgaylor, CC0 1.0
Photo: Michael Rivera, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: David Dugan, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Bubba73 (Jud McCranie), CC BY-SA 4.0
Things to know before chasing brook trout
What daily limit applies to Georgia brook trout?
8 in total; special size limits and catch-and-release rules on listed streams for statewide freshwater, including designated trout waters; season open all year (all designated trout waters are open year round).
How much did the Georgia record brook trout weigh?
5 lb, 10 oz on the freshwater list, from Waters Creek in 1986.
Which Georgia lake is good for brook trout?
5 water pages on this site, led by Toccoa River, Tallapoosa River and Chattooga River, Rabun County.
Are brook trout stocked in Georgia?
Yes; WRD trout go into 86 waters on the 2026 schedule, from March into October.
How does Georgia classify brook trout?
A game fish, Salvelinus fontinalis; freshwater water.
What dates cover brook trout in Georgia?
Open all year (all designated trout waters are open year round) on statewide freshwater, including designated trout waters.
Must an out-of-state angler buy a license for brook trout?
Designated trout water needs the $10 resident trout license (nonresidents $25) on top of the Georgia fishing license ($15 resident, $50 nonresident).
Who guides for brook trout here?
5 guide or captains on the list, among them Captain Ken's Fishing Expeditions.
Plan a Georgia outing for brook trout
Use the lists above to pick a spot, then check its page.