Spotted Sunfish in Georgia
Georgia limits, records and waters for spotted sunfish.
- 50 in totallimit
- 0 lb, 13 ozrecord
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spotted sunfish in Georgia: the short version
In Georgia rules, Spotted sunfish (Lepomis punctatus) is treated as a game fish. Under statewide freshwater, the limit reads 50 in total and the season is open all year.
The Georgia freshwater record stands at 0 lb, 13 oz, caught in 2025. Our lake and river pages mention it on 22 waters.
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Description. “Dark olive or brown above, sides are light green or olive and covered with small black spots. Fins are dusky orange. Body is very deep. Rarely reaches ½ lb.”
Habitat. “Usually found in heavily vegetated, slow-moving lowland streams and warm shallow ponds. Small or large creeks and large rivers extending into brackish tidal regions. Spawns in spring in shallow 68–73-degree water near shore.”
Range. “Ocmulgee, Oconee, Altamaha, Ogeechee, Ochlockonee, Suwannee, St. Mary’s, Satilla and Savannah River basins.”
Tips. “Nicknamed “stumpknocker” because it orients strongly to stumps where it finds food. Worms, crickets, small spinners, flies and popping bugs.”
Quoted from the WRD fish identification page. The WRD entry covers several related fish. Checked October 2026.
spotted sunfish limits by water type in Georgia
| 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.
spotted sunfish on the Georgia record lists
| List | Weight | Water | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| freshwater | 0 lb, 13 oz | Suwannee River | 2025 |
WRD freshwater record list and CRD saltwater game fish records; angler names left out. Checked October 2026.
Where to fish for spotted sunfish in Georgia
Georgia lakes with spotted sunfish
- Lake Tugalo600 acres
- Reed Bingham Park Lake375 acres
- Houston Lake180 acres
Georgia streams with spotted sunfish
- Ocmulgee RiverTelfair
- Altamaha RiverWayne
- Flint RiverBaker
- Oconee RiverLaurens
- Satilla RiverBrantley
- Ogeechee RiverJefferson
- Ohoopee RiverTattnall
- Saint Marys RiverCharlton
- Alapaha RiverBerrien
- Withlacoochee RiverLowndes
- Kinchafoonee CreekLee
- Suwannee RiverClinch
- Chestatee RiverLumpkin
- Ochlockonee RiverColquitt
- Spring Creek, Decatur CountyDecatur
- Little Ohoopee RiverEmanuel
- Little Satilla RiverBrantley
- Alabaha RiverPierce
WRD access point species flags and WRD fishing forecasts; largest waters first.
More Georgia fish like spotted sunfish
- 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
Georgia lakes and rivers near Spotted Sunfish in pictures
Photo: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Savannah District, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Mccunicano, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Bubba73 (Jud McCranie), CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Michael Rivera, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answers on Georgia spotted sunfish
What size limit covers spotted sunfish in Georgia?
50 in total for statewide freshwater; season open all year.
How big is Georgia's record spotted sunfish?
0 lb, 13 oz on the freshwater list, from Suwannee River in 2025.
Which Georgia waters hold spotted sunfish?
22 water pages on this site, led by Lake Tugalo, Reed Bingham Park Lake and Houston Lake.
Does WRD release spotted sunfish?
No WRD stocking list covers it.
Is spotted sunfish freshwater or saltwater in Georgia?
A game fish, Lepomis punctatus; freshwater water.
Which months may I keep spotted sunfish?
Open all year on statewide freshwater.
What does a Georgia license cost to fish for spotted sunfish?
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 spotted sunfish?
No guide listing mentions it yet.
Line up a spotted sunfish trip in Georgia
The pages linked above carry access points and creel rules.