Spotted Bass in Georgia
Rules, records and where to find spotted bass in Georgia.
- 10 in total, only 5 limit
- 8 lb, 2 ozrecord
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A Georgia primer on spotted bass
The Georgia DNR fish lists carry Spotted bass (Micropterus punctulatus, Micropterus henshalli) as a game fish. The guide row for statewide freshwater sets 10 in total, only 5 of which may be Altamaha, Bartrams, Chattahoochee, Coosa, Shoal, Smallmouth, Suwannee, Tallapoosa; season open all year.
Georgia's freshwater record is 8 lb, 2 oz, set in 2005. 46 lake and river pages on this site name it in their WRD species lists.
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Description. “Evenly arranged black spots in alternate rows below the dark lateral line. Small rough patch of teeth on tongue. Connected first and second dorsal fin. Up to 8 lb; 1-4 lb typical. Spotted bass can hybridize easily with other black bass and threatens native black bass species. Never move fish to new bodies of water.”
Habitat. “Prefers rocky areas in clear streams and lakes. Spawning takes place in spring when water temperatures reach 62-68 degrees.”
Range. “M. punctulatus are native to Tennessee River basins. M. henshalli are native to Coosa and Tallapoosa River basins but are now found in most rivers and reservoirs in Georgia above the fall line due to anglers moving this species around.”
Tips. “Use natural or artificial crayfish, worms, shad-like crankbaits, spinner baits, or worms fished near the bottom.”
Quoted from the WRD fish identification page. The WRD entry covers several related fish. Checked October 2026.
Georgia bag rules covering spotted 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; no statewide minimum length (14 inches on Lake Lanier) | Open all year |
2026-2027 Georgia Hunting and Fishing Regulations (Georgia DNR). Checked October 2026.
Record spotted bass from Georgia water
| List | Weight | Water | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| freshwater | 8 lb, 2 oz | Lake Burton | 2005 |
WRD freshwater record list and CRD saltwater game fish records; angler names left out. Checked October 2026.
Georgia waters listing spotted bass
Still water holding spotted bass
- Clarks Hill Lake71,535 acres
- Lake Hartwell56,000 acres
- Lake Lanier38,000 acres
- Lake Richard B. Russell26,650 acres
- West Point Lake25,900 acres
- Lake Oconee19,050 acres
- Lake Allatoona11,860 acres
- Lake Chatuge7,050 acres
- Bartlett's Ferry Lake5,850 acres
- Lake Jackson4,750 acres
- Lake Nottely4,180 acres
- Lake Juliette3,600 acres
- Lake Blue Ridge3,290 acres
- Carters Lake3,220 acres
- Lake Burton2,775 acres
- Lake Oliver2,150 acres
- Reregulation Reservoir1,030 acres
- Goat Rock Lake940 acres
- Lake Rabun834 acres
- Lake Tugalo600 acres
- Hollis Lathem334 acres
- Lake Yonah330 acres
- Lake Acworth303 acres
- Lake Seed240 acres
Moving water holding spotted bass
- Ocmulgee RiverTelfair
- Chattahoochee RiverHall
- Flint RiverBaker
- Oconee RiverLaurens
- Etowah RiverCherokee
- Toccoa RiverFannin
- Tallapoosa RiverHaralson
- Oostanaula RiverGordon
- Coosa RiverFloyd
- Chestatee RiverLumpkin
- Coosawattee RiverGilmer
- Chattooga River, Chattooga CountyChattooga
- North Oconee RiverJackson
- Middle Oconee RiverJackson
- White Oak CreekCoweta
- Nottely RiverUnion
- Cartecay RiverGilmer
- Conasauga RiverMurray
WRD access point species flags and WRD fishing forecasts; largest waters first.
Georgia guides and captains for spotted 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
Other Georgia species grouped with spotted bass
- Largemouth Bassfreshwater
- Altamaha Bassfreshwater
- Bartram's Bassfreshwater
- Chattahoochee Bassfreshwater
- Redeye Bassfreshwater
- Shoal Bassfreshwater
- Smallmouth Bassfreshwater
- Suwannee Bassfreshwater
- Tallapoosa Bassfreshwater
- White Bassfreshwater
- Hybrid Striped Bassfreshwater
- Channel Catfishfreshwater
Scenes from the water around Spotted Bass
Photo: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Savannah District, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Michael Rivera, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Mccunicano, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Jud McCranie, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Georgia spotted bass, asked and answered
Which Georgia rule governs keeping spotted 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.
Which year produced the Georgia record spotted bass?
8 lb, 2 oz on the freshwater list, from Lake Burton in 2005.
Where are spotted bass found in Georgia?
46 water pages on this site, led by Clarks Hill Lake, Lake Hartwell and Lake Lanier.
Does Georgia stock spotted bass?
WRD posts per-water stocking only for trout.
What kind of fish is spotted bass under Georgia rules?
A game fish, Micropterus punctulatus, Micropterus henshalli; freshwater water.
Does Georgia close the season on spotted bass?
Open all year on statewide freshwater.
Which permit do I need for spotted 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.
Does any Georgia charter run trips for spotted bass?
4 guide or captains on the list, among them Caddis Shack Fly Fishing.
Go find some spotted bass
Each listed Georgia water opens a page with launches and limits.