Rainbow Trout in Georgia
Where Georgia rainbow trout live and what you may keep.
- 8 in total; special limit
- 17 lb, 8 ozrecord
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What Georgia anglers should know about rainbow trout
Rainbow trout (Oncorhyncus mykiss) is listed by Georgia DNR as a game fish. On statewide freshwater, including designated trout waters, anglers work with 8 in total; special size limits and catch-and-release rules on listed streams; season open all year (all designated trout waters are open year round).
The freshwater record list shows 17 lb, 8 oz from 2004. Here, 468 water pages list it among the fish present. 86 waters appear on the 2026 WRD trout stocking list.
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Description. “Vibrant pink or red stripe extends down its sides. White to silvery belly. Numerous black spots are present on the back, dorsal and tail fins. Tail is slightly forked. Up to 32 lb; rarely over 5 lb.”
Habitat. “Cold-water streams. Spawning occurs in spring or fall over a gravel bed in shallow running 50–60-degree water.”
Range. “Tennessee, Coosa, Tallapoosa, Chattahoochee and Savannah River basins.”
Food. “Insects, crustaceans and fish.”
Quoted from the WRD fish identification page. The WRD entry covers several related fish. Checked October 2026.
Every Georgia limit row that names rainbow 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 record rainbow trout
| List | Weight | Water | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| freshwater | 17 lb, 8 oz | Soque River | 2004 |
WRD freshwater record list and CRD saltwater game fish records; angler names left out. Checked October 2026.
Georgia trout stocking for rainbow 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.
Finding rainbow trout on Georgia water
Lakes worth a cast for rainbow trout
- Lake Blue Ridge3,290 acres
- Lake Burton2,775 acres
- Unicoi Lake53 acres
- Lake Trahlyta22 acres
- Lake Winfield Scott18 acres
- Black Rock Lake17 acres
- Rock Creek Lake10 acres
- Nancytown Lake6 acres
- Dockery Lake3 acres
- Casting Pond0 acres
Rivers worth a cast for rainbow trout
- Chattahoochee RiverHall
- Etowah RiverCherokee
- Savannah RiverRichmond
- Toccoa RiverFannin
- Tallapoosa RiverHaralson
- Chestatee RiverLumpkin
- Coosawattee RiverGilmer
- Nottely RiverUnion
- Cartecay RiverGilmer
- Owltown CreekGilmer
- Conasauga RiverMurray
- West Chickamauga CreekWalker
- Tallulah RiverRabun
- Middle Fork Broad RiverFranklin
- Pumpkinvine CreekPaulding
- Holly Creek, Murray CountyMurray
- Salacoa CreekGordon
- Talking Rock CreekPickens
WRD access point species flags and WRD fishing forecasts; largest waters first.
Captains and guides suited to rainbow 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
Georgia species in the same class as rainbow 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
A look at the water near Rainbow Trout
Photo: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Savannah District, CC BY 2.0
Photo: John Phelan, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Stephen Rahn, CC0 1.0
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Photo: Bubba73 (Jud McCranie), CC BY-SA 4.0
Straight answers on rainbow trout in Georgia
How many rainbow trout can I keep in Georgia?
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).
Does Georgia list a record rainbow trout?
17 lb, 8 oz on the freshwater list, from Soque River in 2004.
Which waters here list rainbow trout?
468 water pages on this site, led by Lake Blue Ridge, Lake Burton and Unicoi Lake.
Is there a stocking program for rainbow trout?
Yes; WRD trout go into 86 waters on the 2026 schedule, from March into October.
What scientific name goes with rainbow trout?
A game fish, Oncorhyncus mykiss; freshwater water.
Can I fish for rainbow trout all year in Georgia?
Open all year (all designated trout waters are open year round) on statewide freshwater, including designated trout waters.
Which Georgia license covers rainbow trout?
Designated trout water needs the $10 resident trout license (nonresidents $25) on top of the Georgia fishing license ($15 resident, $50 nonresident).
Are there guided trips for rainbow trout?
5 guide or captains on the list, among them Captain Ken's Fishing Expeditions.
Choose a Georgia water for rainbow trout
Open a listed water for ramps and the rules that apply.