Georgia regulations
Channel Catfish Regulations in Georgia 2026
Georgia channel catfish 2026 open seasons vary by 6 management regions. Pick your region in the rule table below. Sourced from DNR WRD.
Rules (9)
Georgia statewideOpen
- Status
- Permitted
- Status
- Permitted
Statewide aggregate per 2025-26 Georgia Hunting and Fishing Regulations (Game Species Daily Limits, p.55). Statewide: no daily limit for channel or flathead catfish. year round
Berrien County
- Gear
- Allowed
Channel catfish listed among Fish Species at Paradise Berrien County
Dodge County
- Gear
- Live Minnows
Live fish (minnows) are allowed for bait.
Hugh M. Gillis
- Gear
- Allowed
Fish species: Largemouth bass, Bluegill, Redear sunfish, Channel catfish, Black crappie, Brown bullhead.
Other Georgia fish regulations
Other regulated species in Georgia with current rule pages — same DNR WRD source, same verification cadence.
- Stripers (Striped Bass)37 rules
- Largemouth Bass33 rules
- Trout (Brook, Brown, Rainbow)25 rules
- Bluegill (Sunfish)13 rules
- Cobia5 rules
- Flounder4 rules
- Black Sea Bass3 rules
- Speckled Trout (Spotted Seatrout)3 rules
- Black Drum3 rules
- Spanish Mackerel3 rules
- King Mackerel (Kingfish)3 rules
- Red Snapper3 rules
- Sheepshead3 rules
- Flathead Catfish3 rules
- Crappie (Black & White)3 rules
- Redfish (Red Drum)2 rules
Also known as
Channel Catfish is also called Catfish. Anglers in different regions use different names for the same fish, and the rules on this page apply to all of them in Georgia.
Frequently asked questions
When is Channel Catfish season in Georgia?
Channel Catfish season in Georgia runs from Mar 1 to Jul 15 per DNR WRD.
What is the size limit for Channel Catfish in Georgia?
Georgia does not publish a state-wide minimum size for Channel Catfish. Check zone-specific rules above.
What is the daily bag limit for Channel Catfish in Georgia?
Daily bag limit for Channel Catfish in Georgia is 5 fish/day in All Pfas (Unless Otherwise Posted), per DNR WRD.
Official sources cited
- https://www.eregulations.com/assets/docs/guides/25GAAB_LR7.pdf
- https://www.eregulations.com/georgia/fishing
- https://www.eregulations.com/georgia/fishing/public-fishing-areas
Reference only. Regulations change frequently, often mid-season. Always verify with DNR WRD before keeping a catch.