Smallmouth Bass in Georgia
Georgia limits, records and waters for smallmouth bass.
- 10 in total, only 5 limit
- 7 lb, 2 ozrecord
Pick for smallmouth bassPiscifun Chaos Pro CNC baitcasting reel25% OFFSale $97.99 Photo of the species, not of a Georgia water: Engbretson Eric, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain
smallmouth bass in Georgia: the short version
In Georgia rules, Smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieui) 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 7 lb, 2 oz, caught in 1973. Our lake and river pages mention it on 5 waters.
For the smallmouth bass herePiscifun AlinoX 300 low profile baitcaster34% OFFSale $104.99 smallmouth bass: the WRD fish identification entry
Description. “Brown or bronze color on the sides. Jawbone does not extend behind rear margin of eye. Connected first and second dorsal fin. Up to 10 lb; 1 to 3 lb typical.”
Habitat. “Prefers clear water lakes and cool swift streams with rocky bottoms. Tends to avoid bright light and is most active at dawn. Spawns in water 60 – 65 degrees in pools with gravel bottoms.”
Range. “Tennessee and lower Savannah River basins.”
Tips. “Use natural or artificial crayfish, jigs, minnows or hellgrammites.”
Quoted from the WRD fish identification page. The WRD entry covers several related fish. Checked October 2026.
smallmouth 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; only 5 of the 10 may be smallmouth and other listed bass; no minimum length | Open all year |
| 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.
smallmouth bass on the Georgia record lists
| List | Weight | Water | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| freshwater | 7 lb, 2 oz | Lake Chatuge | 1973 |
WRD freshwater record list and CRD saltwater game fish records; angler names left out. Checked October 2026.
Where to fish for smallmouth bass in Georgia
Georgia lakes with smallmouth bass
- Lake Chatuge7,050 acres
- Lake Blue Ridge3,290 acres
Georgia streams with smallmouth bass
- Chattahoochee RiverHall
- Savannah RiverRichmond
- Toccoa RiverFannin
WRD access point species flags and WRD fishing forecasts; largest waters first.
Who can put you on smallmouth 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 smallmouth bass
- Largemouth Bassfreshwater
- Altamaha Bassfreshwater
- Bartram's Bassfreshwater
- Chattahoochee Bassfreshwater
- Redeye Bassfreshwater
- Shoal Bassfreshwater
- Spotted Bassfreshwater
- Suwannee Bassfreshwater
- Tallapoosa Bassfreshwater
- White Bassfreshwater
- Hybrid Striped Bassfreshwater
- Channel Catfishfreshwater
Georgia lakes and rivers near Smallmouth Bass in pictures
Photo: Unknown, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Michael Rivera, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Rivers Langley; SaveRivers, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Jud McCranie, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answers on Georgia smallmouth bass
What size limit covers smallmouth 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 smallmouth bass?
7 lb, 2 oz on the freshwater list, from Lake Chatuge in 1973.
Which Georgia waters hold smallmouth bass?
5 water pages on this site, led by Lake Chatuge, Lake Blue Ridge and Chattahoochee River.
Does WRD release smallmouth bass?
No WRD stocking list covers it.
Is smallmouth bass freshwater or saltwater in Georgia?
A game fish, Micropterus dolomieui; freshwater water.
Which months may I keep smallmouth bass?
Open all year on statewide freshwater.
What does a Georgia license cost to fish for smallmouth 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 smallmouth bass?
4 guide or captains on the list, among them Caddis Shack Fly Fishing.
Line up a smallmouth bass trip in Georgia
The pages linked above carry access points and creel rules.