Shoal Bass in Georgia
The Georgia rule book and water list for shoal bass.
- 10 in total, only 5 limit
- 8 lb, 5 ozrecord
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Georgia shoal bass: limits, records and waters
Georgia DNR counts Shoal bass (Micropterus cataractae) as a game fish. Its first limit row covers statewide freshwater: 10 in total, only 5 of which may be Altamaha, Bartrams, Chattahoochee, Coosa, Shoal, Smallmouth, Suwannee, Tallapoosa, season open all year.
Georgia's best freshwater entry is 8 lb, 5 oz, dated 2021. 12 Georgia waters on this site carry it in their WRD lists.
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Description. “Unlike largemouth bass, the upper jaw does not extend beyond the eyes and the dorsal fin is continuous and not deeply notched. They are most like the redeye basses, but do not have any red coloration in the fins or pale margins on the tail. Unlike smallmouth bass they usually have a large dark spot at the base of the tail. Adult Size: 12–24 inches.”
Habitat. “Found around current breaks near flowing water. This can be in the middle of a big shoal, in a deep-water bend of the river with large boulders or on the bank behind a tree in the water. The key is almost always that there is some flow.”
Range. “Native to the Chattahoochee and Flint River basins; introduced in the Ocmulgee and Oconee Rivers.”
Tips. “Anything that will catch a largemouth bass will also work on shoal bass.”
Quoted from the WRD fish identification page. The WRD entry covers several related fish. Checked October 2026.
What the Georgia rules allow for shoal 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 | Counts toward 10 black bass total (only 5 may be shoal and other listed bass); minimum length 15 inches statewide (Flint River below Warwick Dam slot) | Open all year |
2026-2027 Georgia Hunting and Fishing Regulations (Georgia DNR). Checked October 2026.
The biggest shoal bass on Georgia's lists
| List | Weight | Water | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| freshwater | 8 lb, 5 oz | Chattahoochee River | 2021 |
| freshwater | 8 lb, 5 oz | Flint River | 2022 |
WRD freshwater record list and CRD saltwater game fish records; angler names left out. Checked October 2026.
Georgia pages that name shoal bass
Lakes that list shoal bass
- Lake Oliver2,150 acres
- Lake Chehaw1,400 acres
- Goat Rock Lake940 acres
Rivers that list shoal bass
- Ocmulgee RiverTelfair
- Chattahoochee RiverHall
- Flint RiverBaker
- Kinchafoonee CreekLee
- Chestatee RiverLumpkin
- Chickasawhatchee CreekTerrell
- White Oak CreekCoweta
- Sweetwater Creek, Paulding CountyPaulding
- Yahoola CreekLumpkin
WRD access point species flags and WRD fishing forecasts; largest waters first.
Georgia trips aimed at shoal 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 shoal bass
- Largemouth Bassfreshwater
- Altamaha Bassfreshwater
- Bartram's Bassfreshwater
- Chattahoochee Bassfreshwater
- Redeye Bassfreshwater
- Smallmouth Bassfreshwater
- Spotted Bassfreshwater
- Suwannee Bassfreshwater
- Tallapoosa Bassfreshwater
- White Bassfreshwater
- Hybrid Striped Bassfreshwater
- Channel Catfishfreshwater
Pictures from Georgia water near Shoal Bass
Photo: Jcgaylor, CC0 1.0
Photo: Michael Rivera, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: John Phelan, CC BY 4.0
Photo: David Dugan, CC BY-SA 3.0
shoal bass in Georgia: what anglers ask
What is the Georgia creel limit for shoal bass?
10 in total, only 5 of which may be Altamaha, Bartrams, Chattahoochee, Coosa, Shoal, Smallmouth, Suwannee, Tallapoosa for statewide freshwater; season open all year.
What is the Georgia record shoal bass?
8 lb, 5 oz on the freshwater list, from Chattahoochee River in 2021.
Where do shoal bass live in Georgia?
12 water pages on this site, led by Lake Oliver, Lake Chehaw and Goat Rock Lake.
Where does WRD stock shoal bass?
WRD publishes no per-water stocking list for it.
Which category do Georgia rules put shoal bass in?
A game fish, Micropterus cataractae; freshwater water.
Is Georgia shoal bass season open now?
Open all year on statewide freshwater.
Do I need a trout license for shoal 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 shoal bass?
4 guide or captains on the list, among them Caddis Shack Fly Fishing.
Make a day of shoal bass
Pick a lake or river above to see access and limits.