White Bass in Georgia
Where Georgia white bass live and what you may keep.
- 15 in total, only twlimit
- 5 lb, 1 ozrecord
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What Georgia anglers should know about white bass
White bass (Morone chrysops) is listed by Georgia DNR as a game fish. On statewide freshwater, anglers work with 15 in total, only two of which can be 22 inches or longer; season open all year.
The freshwater record list shows 5 lb, 1 oz from 1971. Here, 19 water pages list it among the fish present.
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Description. “Silvery fish with several faint horizontal stripes on the sides. Two dorsal fins are only slightly separated. Second anal spine 2/3 or more the length of third anal spine. One tooth patch on tongue. Up to 5 lb; ½ to 2 lb typical.”
Habitat. “Large streams, rivers and lakes. Travel in schools. During spawning, when water reaches 53-64 degrees, they move upstream into tributaries, especially headwaters, and onto wind-swept sand and gravel areas in lakes.”
Range. “Tennessee, Coosa, Chattahoochee, Flint, Ocmulgee, Oconee and Savannah River basins.”
Tips. “Trolling small plugs or spinners. Jigs and minnows are effective in lake arms and tributaries.”
Quoted from the WRD fish identification page. The WRD entry covers several related fish. Checked October 2026.
Every Georgia limit row that names white bass
| Applies to | Limit and size | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Statewide freshwater (except listed rivers, Savannah River, Lake Russell and border waters) | 15 in total, only two of which can be 22 inches or longer | Open all year |
| North Newport, Medway (incl. Mount Hope Creek), Little Ogeechee, Ogeechee, Oconee (below GA Hwy 22, Milledgeville), Ocmu | 2 in total, both of which must be 22 inches in length or longer | Open all year |
| Savannah River and its tributaries downstream of J. Strom Thurmond Dam | 2 in total, both of which must be 27 inches in length or longer | Open all year |
| Savannah River downstream of Clarks Hill dam | 2; 27-inch minimum length limit | Open all year |
| All border waters covered except for Savannah River downstream of Clarks Hill dam | 10; No size limit | Open all year |
| St. Marys River (Georgia-Florida agreement waters) | 2 fish which must be 22 inches or longer | Open all year |
2026-2027 Georgia Hunting and Fishing Regulations (Georgia DNR). Checked October 2026.
Georgia record white bass
| List | Weight | Water | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| freshwater | 5 lb, 1 oz | Lake Lanier | 1971 |
WRD freshwater record list and CRD saltwater game fish records; angler names left out. Checked October 2026.
Finding white bass on Georgia water
Lakes worth a cast for white bass
- Lake Lanier38,000 acres
- Lake Oconee19,050 acres
- Lake Sinclair14,750 acres
- Lake Allatoona11,860 acres
- Lake Blackshear8,500 acres
- Lake Blue Ridge3,290 acres
- Lake Chehaw1,400 acres
- High Falls Lake650 acres
- Lake Tugalo600 acres
- Lake Yonah330 acres
Rivers worth a cast for white bass
- Flint RiverBaker
- Oconee RiverLaurens
- Etowah RiverCherokee
- Kinchafoonee CreekLee
- Oostanaula RiverGordon
- Coosa RiverFloyd
- Chestatee RiverLumpkin
- Chattooga River, Chattooga CountyChattooga
- Murder CreekJasper
WRD access point species flags and WRD fishing forecasts; largest waters first.
Captains and guides suited to white 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
Georgia species in the same class as white bass
- Largemouth Bassfreshwater
- Altamaha Bassfreshwater
- Bartram's Bassfreshwater
- Chattahoochee Bassfreshwater
- Redeye Bassfreshwater
- Shoal Bassfreshwater
- Smallmouth Bassfreshwater
- Spotted Bassfreshwater
- Suwannee Bassfreshwater
- Tallapoosa Bassfreshwater
- Hybrid Striped Bassfreshwater
- Channel Catfishfreshwater
A look at the water near White Bass
Photo: Unknown, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Michael Rivera, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Thomson200, CC0 1.0
Photo: Jud McCranie, CC BY-SA 4.0
Straight answers on white bass in Georgia
How many white bass can I keep in Georgia?
15 in total, only two of which can be 22 inches or longer for statewide freshwater; season open all year.
Does Georgia list a record white bass?
5 lb, 1 oz on the freshwater list, from Lake Lanier in 1971.
Which waters here list white bass?
19 water pages on this site, led by Lake Lanier, Lake Oconee and Lake Sinclair.
Is there a stocking program for white bass?
WRD lists no stocking for it by water.
What scientific name goes with white bass?
A game fish, Morone chrysops; freshwater water.
Can I fish for white bass all year in Georgia?
Open all year on statewide freshwater.
Which Georgia license covers white 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.
Are there guided trips for white bass?
4 guide or captains on the list, among them Caddis Shack Fly Fishing.
Choose a Georgia water for white bass
Open a listed water for ramps and the rules that apply.