Freshwater Drum in Georgia
Keeping, finding and weighing freshwater drum in Georgia.
- n/alimit
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How freshwater drum fit into Georgia fishing
Georgia regulations class Freshwater drum (Aplodinotus grunniens) as a nongame fish.
WRD access point and forecast lists put it on 6 waters covered here.
How Georgia DNR describes freshwater drum
Description. “Silver colored. Humped back with dorsal fin extending almost the entire length of the back. Noticeably rounded caudal fin. Up to 50 lb; 1 to 10 lb typical.”
Habitat. “Lakes and rivers. Spawning occurs in main channels when water reaches 65-70 degrees. The buoyant eggs are released in open water and dispersed by the current.”
Range. “Tennessee and Coosa River basins.”
Food. “Feeds on clams, mussels, snails, crayfish, insects and other fish.”
Tips. “Plastic or live worms, crayfish, minnows, mussel meat and cut bait. Will strike a small jig worked across the bottom.”
Quoted from the WRD fish identification page. The WRD entry covers several related fish. Checked October 2026.
Where freshwater drum show up in Georgia
River pages naming freshwater drum
- Etowah RiverCherokee
- Oostanaula RiverGordon
- Coosa RiverFloyd
- Coosawattee RiverGilmer
- Chattooga River, Chattooga CountyChattooga
- Conasauga RiverMurray
WRD access point species flags and WRD fishing forecasts; largest waters first.
Fish listed next to freshwater drum
- Yellow Bassfreshwater
- Bowfinfreshwater
- Black Bullheadfreshwater
- Brown Bullheadfreshwater
- Yellow Bullheadfreshwater
- Blue Catfishfreshwater
- White Catfishfreshwater
- Common Carpfreshwater
- Longnose Garfreshwater
- Spotted Garfreshwater
- Smallmouth Buffalofreshwater
- Green Sunfishfreshwater
Banks, coves and shoals close to Freshwater Drum
Photo: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Savannah District, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Michael Rivera, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: John Phelan, CC BY 4.0
Photo: David Dugan, CC BY-SA 3.0
Things to know before chasing freshwater drum
What daily limit applies to Georgia freshwater drum?
Georgia prints no limit row for it, so statewide rules apply.
How much did the Georgia record freshwater drum weigh?
There is no Georgia record entry for it.
Which Georgia lake is good for freshwater drum?
6 water pages on this site, led by Etowah River, Oostanaula River and Coosa River.
Are freshwater drum stocked in Georgia?
Only trout have a published WRD stocking schedule.
How does Georgia classify freshwater drum?
A nongame fish, Aplodinotus grunniens; freshwater water.
What dates cover freshwater drum in Georgia?
Freshwater is open all year in Georgia outside listed waters.
Must an out-of-state angler buy a license for freshwater drum?
Georgia asks anglers 16 and older for a fishing license: $15 for residents and $50 for nonresidents, each good for 365 days from purchase.
Who guides for freshwater drum here?
No operator on the list names it.
For the trout herePiscifun Carbon XT ultralight spinning reel25% OFFSale $59.99 Plan a Georgia outing for freshwater drum
Use the lists above to pick a spot, then check its page.