Redeye Bass in Georgia
Where Georgia redeye bass live and what you may keep.
- 10 in total, only 5 limit
- 3 lb, 7 ozrecord
Pick for smallmouthPiscifun Chaos Pro CNC baitcasting reel25% OFFSale $97.99 Photo of Ochlockonee River: Ebyabe, CC BY-SA 4.0
What Georgia anglers should know about redeye bass
Redeye bass (Micropterus coosae) is listed by Georgia DNR as a game fish. On statewide freshwater, anglers work with 10 in total, only 5 of which may be Altamaha, Bartrams, Chattahoochee, Coosa, Shoal, Smallmouth, Suwannee, Tallapoosa; season open all year.
The freshwater record list shows 3 lb, 7 oz from 2004. Here, 15 water pages list it among the fish present.
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Description. “Redder fins than other black bass; dark pigment spots on belly, upper jawbone that does not extend beyond the eyes. First and second dorsal fins connected. Up to 3 ½ lb; 2 lb and less typical.”
Habitat. “Rocky areas and large woody debris in cool water rivers and small streams. Spawning activities occur in waters 60-70 degrees.”
Range. “Tennessee and Coosa River basins.”
Tips. “Scrappy fighter. Use eggs, crayfish, in-line spinners, shallow-running minnow or crayfish type plugs.”
Quoted from the WRD fish identification page. The WRD entry covers several related fish. Checked October 2026.
Every Georgia limit row that names redeye bass
| 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 | Count toward 10 black bass total; only 5 of the 10 may be these species with shoal and smallmouth bass; no minimum length | Open all year |
2026-2027 Georgia Hunting and Fishing Regulations (Georgia DNR). Checked October 2026.
Georgia record redeye bass
| List | Weight | Water | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| freshwater | 3 lb, 7 oz | Lake Hartwell | 2004 |
WRD freshwater record list and CRD saltwater game fish records; angler names left out. Checked October 2026.
Finding redeye bass on Georgia water
Lakes worth a cast for redeye bass
- Lake Hartwell56,000 acres
- Hollis Lathem334 acres
Rivers worth a cast for redeye bass
- Etowah RiverCherokee
- Coosawattee RiverGilmer
- Chattooga River, Chattooga CountyChattooga
- Cartecay RiverGilmer
- Owltown CreekGilmer
- Conasauga RiverMurray
- Holly Creek, Murray CountyMurray
- Raccoon Creek, Paulding CountyPaulding
- Mountaintown CreekGilmer
- Jacks RiverFannin
- West Armuchee CreekWalker
- Stamp CreekBartow
- Noontootla CreekFannin
WRD access point species flags and WRD fishing forecasts; largest waters first.
Captains and guides suited to redeye 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
Georgia species in the same class as redeye bass
- Largemouth Bassfreshwater
- Altamaha Bassfreshwater
- Bartram's Bassfreshwater
- Chattahoochee Bassfreshwater
- Shoal Bassfreshwater
- Smallmouth Bassfreshwater
- Spotted Bassfreshwater
- Suwannee Bassfreshwater
- Tallapoosa Bassfreshwater
- White Bassfreshwater
- Hybrid Striped Bassfreshwater
- Channel Catfishfreshwater
A look at the water near Redeye Bass
Photo: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Savannah District, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Michael Rivera, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: David Dugan, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Thomson200, CC0 1.0
Straight answers on redeye bass in Georgia
How many redeye bass can I keep 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.
Does Georgia list a record redeye bass?
3 lb, 7 oz on the freshwater list, from Lake Hartwell in 2004.
Which waters here list redeye bass?
15 water pages on this site, led by Lake Hartwell, Hollis Lathem and Etowah River.
Is there a stocking program for redeye bass?
WRD lists no stocking for it by water.
What scientific name goes with redeye bass?
A game fish, Micropterus coosae; freshwater water.
Can I fish for redeye bass all year in Georgia?
Open all year on statewide freshwater.
Which Georgia license covers redeye 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.
Are there guided trips for redeye bass?
4 guide or captains on the list, among them Caddis Shack Fly Fishing.
Choose a Georgia water for redeye bass
Open a listed water for ramps and the rules that apply.