Shadow Bass in Georgia
The Georgia rule book and water list for shadow bass.
- 50 in totallimit
- 0 lb, 10 ozrecord
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Georgia shadow bass: limits, records and waters
Georgia DNR counts Shadow bass (Ambloplites ariommus) as a game fish. Its first limit row covers statewide freshwater: 50 in total, season open all year.
Georgia's best freshwater entry is 0 lb, 10 oz, dated 2016. 8 Georgia waters on this site carry it in their WRD lists.
Telling shadow bass apart, per WRD
Description. “Dark olive in color with irregular marbling. Mouth is large and the eye rimmed with red. Five or six spines in the anal fin. Most less than 1 lb.”
Habitat. “Deep pools in clear rocky streams. Spawning activity occurs in water 60-70 degrees.”
Range. “Coosa, Tallapoosa, Chattahoochee and Flint River basins.”
Tips. “Not common but will strike almost any bait small enough.”
Quoted from the WRD fish identification page. The WRD entry covers several related fish. Checked October 2026.
What the Georgia rules allow for shadow bass
| Applies to | Limit and size | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Statewide freshwater | 50 in total | Open all year |
2026-2027 Georgia Hunting and Fishing Regulations (Georgia DNR). Checked October 2026.
The biggest shadow bass on Georgia's lists
| List | Weight | Water | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| freshwater | 0 lb, 10 oz | Flint River | 2016 |
WRD freshwater record list and CRD saltwater game fish records; angler names left out. Checked October 2026.
Georgia pages that name shadow bass
Rivers that list shadow bass
- Flint RiverBaker
- Etowah RiverCherokee
- Tallapoosa RiverHaralson
- Cartecay RiverGilmer
- Owltown CreekGilmer
- Little Tallapoosa RiverCarroll
- Jacks RiverFannin
- West Armuchee CreekWalker
WRD access point species flags and WRD fishing forecasts; largest waters first.
Georgia trips aimed at shadow 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
Close relatives on Georgia's list besides shadow bass
- 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
Pictures from Georgia water near Shadow Bass
Photo: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Savannah District, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Rivers Langley; SaveRivers, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Michael Rivera, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Stelath, CC BY 4.0
shadow bass in Georgia: what anglers ask
What is the Georgia creel limit for shadow bass?
50 in total for statewide freshwater; season open all year.
What is the Georgia record shadow bass?
0 lb, 10 oz on the freshwater list, from Flint River in 2016.
Where do shadow bass live in Georgia?
8 water pages on this site, led by Flint River, Etowah River and Tallapoosa River.
Where does WRD stock shadow bass?
WRD publishes no per-water stocking list for it.
Which category do Georgia rules put shadow bass in?
A game fish, Ambloplites ariommus; freshwater water.
Is Georgia shadow bass season open now?
Open all year on statewide freshwater.
Do I need a trout license for shadow 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.
Can I hire a Georgia guide for shadow bass?
4 guide or captains on the list, among them Caddis Shack Fly Fishing.
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