Smallmouth Buffalo in Georgia
Georgia smallmouth buffalo: creel rules, records and waters.
- n/alimit
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Georgia smallmouth buffalo at a glance
State fisheries staff list Smallmouth buffalo (Ictiobus bubalus) as a nongame fish.
It appears on 5 Georgia lake and river pages here.
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Description. “Light gray to dark gray, black; large head. Body is compressed with a higher arch in the back, small mouth slants downward. Up to 20 lb; 6 to 8 lb typical.”
Habitat. “Common in large rivers and streams. Occur in fairly deep, swift runs of large rivers.”
Range. “Coosa River basin.”
Food. “Crustaceans, mollusks, insect larvae and plants.”
Tips. “Doughballs and worms.”
Quoted from the WRD fish identification page. The WRD entry covers several related fish. Checked October 2026.
Georgia lakes and rivers with smallmouth buffalo
Creeks and rivers with smallmouth buffalo
- Etowah RiverCherokee
- Oostanaula RiverGordon
- Coosa RiverFloyd
- Coosawattee RiverGilmer
- Conasauga RiverMurray
WRD access point species flags and WRD fishing forecasts; largest waters first.
Similar Georgia fish to smallmouth buffalo
- Yellow Bassfreshwater
- Bowfinfreshwater
- Black Bullheadfreshwater
- Brown Bullheadfreshwater
- Yellow Bullheadfreshwater
- Blue Catfishfreshwater
- White Catfishfreshwater
- Common Carpfreshwater
- Freshwater Drumfreshwater
- Longnose Garfreshwater
- Spotted Garfreshwater
- Green Sunfishfreshwater
Photos of fishing water by Smallmouth Buffalo
Photo: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Savannah District, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Michael Rivera, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Thomson200, CC0 1.0
Photo: Mx. Granger, CC0 1.0
What gets asked most about smallmouth buffalo here
May Georgia anglers keep smallmouth buffalo?
No Georgia row names it; statewide rules apply.
When was Georgia's smallmouth buffalo record set?
Georgia's record lists carry no entry for it.
Which Georgia water should I try for smallmouth buffalo?
5 water pages on this site, led by Etowah River, Oostanaula River and Coosa River.
Do Georgia hatcheries raise smallmouth buffalo?
No published stocking schedule names it.
Is smallmouth buffalo a game fish in Georgia?
A nongame fish, Ictiobus bubalus; freshwater water.
When is smallmouth buffalo season open in Georgia?
No closed season is printed for it.
Is a saltwater permit required for smallmouth buffalo?
Georgia asks anglers 16 and older for a fishing license: $15 for residents and $50 for nonresidents, each good for 365 days from purchase.
Do Georgia outfitters list smallmouth buffalo?
No listed guide names it; the guides page lists every operator.
Head out after smallmouth buffalo
Every water named above has its own page with ramps, gauges and limits.