Largemouth Bass in Georgia
Georgia limits, records and waters for largemouth bass.
- 10 in total, only 5 limit
- 22 lb, 4 ozrecord
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largemouth bass in Georgia: the short version
In Georgia rules, Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) is treated as a game fish. Under statewide freshwater, the limit reads 10 in total, only 5 of which may be Altamaha, Bartrams, Chattahoochee, Coosa, Shoal, Smallmouth, Suwannee, Tallapoosa and the season is open all year.
The Georgia freshwater record stands at 22 lb, 4 oz, caught in 1932. Our lake and river pages mention it on 321 waters.
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Description. “The jawbone extends beyond the back of the eye; the two dorsal fins are nearly separated or deeply notched. Up to 20 lb; 1 to 6 lb typical.”
Habitat. “Moderately clear to turbid, quiet warm waters in streams, rivers, lakes, reservoirs and ponds, around vegetation and near logs, trees, brush and stumps. Spawning activity begins when water reaches 63-68 degrees.”
Range. “Common throughout Georgia.”
Tips. “Will strike artificial baits including crankbaits, spinner baits, jigs, plastic worms or crayfish, earthworms, minnows, leeches and frogs. Best fishing early morning or late evening in warm summer months.”
Quoted from the WRD fish identification page. The WRD entry covers several related fish. Checked October 2026.
largemouth bass limits by water type in Georgia
| 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 | Counts toward 10 black bass total; minimum length 12 inches statewide (exceptions on listed lakes and PFAs) | Open all year |
| Public Fishing Areas (unless otherwise posted or listed) | 5; minimum length 14 inches unless otherwise posted | Open all year (PFA hours 24 hours a day unless posted) |
| All border waters covered | 10; 12-inch minimum length for largemouth bass | Open all year |
2026-2027 Georgia Hunting and Fishing Regulations (Georgia DNR). Checked October 2026.
largemouth bass on the Georgia record lists
| List | Weight | Water | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| freshwater | 22 lb, 4 oz | Montgomery Lake | 1932 |
WRD freshwater record list and CRD saltwater game fish records; angler names left out. Checked October 2026.
Where to fish for largemouth bass in Georgia
Georgia lakes with largemouth bass
- 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
Georgia streams with largemouth bass
- 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
- Coosa RiverFloyd
WRD access point species flags and WRD fishing forecasts; largest waters first.
Who can put you on largemouth 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
More Georgia fish like largemouth bass
- Altamaha 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
Georgia lakes and rivers near Largemouth Bass in pictures
Photo: Jcgaylor, CC0 1.0
Photo: Michael Rivera, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: David Dugan, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: John Phelan, CC BY 4.0
Quick answers on Georgia largemouth bass
What size limit covers largemouth bass in Georgia?
10 in total, only 5 of which may be Altamaha, Bartrams, Chattahoochee, Coosa, Shoal, Smallmouth, Suwannee, Tallapoosa for statewide freshwater; season open all year.
How big is Georgia's record largemouth bass?
22 lb, 4 oz on the freshwater list, from Montgomery Lake in 1932.
Which Georgia waters hold largemouth bass?
321 water pages on this site, led by Clarks Hill Lake, Lake Hartwell and Lake Walter F. George.
Does WRD release largemouth bass?
No WRD stocking list covers it.
Is largemouth bass freshwater or saltwater in Georgia?
A game fish, Micropterus salmoides; freshwater water.
Which months may I keep largemouth bass?
Open all year on statewide freshwater.
What does a Georgia license cost to fish for largemouth 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.
Which Georgia guides target largemouth bass?
4 guide or captains on the list, among them Caddis Shack Fly Fishing.
Line up a largemouth bass trip in Georgia
The pages linked above carry access points and creel rules.