Waterbody · Georgia
Lake Blue Ridge Fishing Regulations 2026
Lake Blue Ridge fishing regulations in 2026: top targets are walleye, bass, trout. 105 current rules across 13 species from DNR WRD.
Rules (105)
DNR WRD regulates 105 rules across 13 species at this water.
Striped Bass
Altamaha River
- Daily bag
- 2 fish
- Min size
- 22"
both of which must be 22 inches in length or longer
Lake Lanier
- Possession
- 2 fish
- Min size
- 22"
You may only keep two fish of the total limit that are 22 inches or longer
Lake Richard B. Russell From The Russell Dam To Lake Hartwell Dam And Lake Secession Dam, All Tributaries To Lake Richard B. Russell
- Daily bag
- 2 fish
only one (1) of which can exceed 34 inches in length
Little Ogeechee River
- Daily bag
- 2 fish
- Min size
- 22"
both of which must be 22 inches in length or longer
Medway River Including Mount Hope Creek
- Daily bag
- 2 fish
- Min size
- 22"
both of which must be 22 inches in length or longer
North Newport River
- Daily bag
- 2 fish
- Min size
- 22"
both of which must be 22 inches in length or longer
Ocmulgee River Downstream Of The Ga Hwy 96 Bridge Between Houston And Twiggs Counties
- Daily bag
- 2 fish
- Min size
- 22"
both of which must be 22 inches in length or longer
Oconee River Downstream Of Ga Hwy 22 In Milledgeville
- Daily bag
- 2 fish
- Min size
- 22"
both of which must be 22 inches in length or longer
Ogeechee River
- Daily bag
- 2 fish
- Min size
- 22"
both of which must be 22 inches in length or longer
Satilla River
- Daily bag
- 2 fish
- Min size
- 22"
both of which must be 22 inches in length or longer
Savannah River And Its Tributaries Downstream Of J. Strom Thurmond Dam
- Daily bag
- 2 fish
- Min size
- 27"
both of which must be 27 inches in length or longer
Spotted Bass Lake
- Possession
- 2 fish
- Min size
- 22"
You may only keep two fish of the total limit that are 22 inches or longer
Spring Creek And Its Tributaries Downstream To Ga Hwy 253Closed
- Status
- Closed
- Season opens
- Nov 1
- Season closes
- Apr 30
CLOSED to striped bass fishing from May 1 - October 31 each year
St. Mary’s River
- Daily bag
- 2 fish
- Min size
- 22"
both of which must be 22 inches in length or longer
Tributaries To These River Sections
- Daily bag
- 2 fish
- Min size
- 22"
both of which must be 22 inches in length or longer
Georgia statewideIn season
- Season opens
- May 1
- Season closes
- Oct 31
- Daily bag
- 15 fish/day
- Min size
- 22 TL
Flint River and its tributaries from the Georgia Power Co. dams at Albany to the US Hwy 84 bridge; the Chattahoochee River and its tributaries from the Columbia Lock and Dam to the GA Hwy 91 bridge; and Spring Creek and its tributaries downstream to GA Hwy 253 are CLOSED to striped bass fishing and spear fishing from May 1 - October 31 each year. Statewide aggregate per 2025-26 Georgia Hunting and Fishing Regulations (Game Species Daily Limits, p.55). Combined statewide limit with White Bass and Hybrid Striped Bass (15 total; only 2 over 22 inches).
Largemouth Bass
All Pfas
- Daily bag
- 5 fish
- Min size
- 14"
Largemouth bass (unless otherwise posted) — 5 Largemouth bass: 14 inches minimum unless otherwise posted
Dodge County
- Daily bag
- 5 fish
- Slot min
- 16"
- Slot max
- 24"
only 1 over 24 inches between 16 and 24 inches must be released immediately
Evans County
- Daily bag
- 5 fish
- Slot min
- 12"
- Slot max
- 16"
with only one (1) over 16 inches between 12 and 16 inches must be released immediately
Hugh M. Gillis
- Daily bag
- 5 fish
- Slot min
- 16"
- Slot max
- 24"
between 16 and 24 inches must be released immediately
Lake Lindsay Grace
- Daily bag
- 1 fish
- Slot min
- 15"
- Slot max
- 22"
only one bass may be greater than 22 inches
Lake Lindsay Grace (Wayne Co.)
- Daily bag
- 1 fish
Only one bass may be greater than 22 inches.
Marben Pfa (Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center)
- Daily bag
- 5 fish
- Min size
- 16"
only one (1) of which can be 16 inches or longer
OcmulgeeCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
Largemouth bass are catch-and-release.
Public Fishing Area Lakes Operated By The Department Of Natural Resources
- Min size
- 14"
This limit will not apply to lakes which have been posted as having a different length limit for largemouth bass.
Georgia statewide
- Min size
- 12"
statewide except for specific lakes listed
Trout
Amicalola Creek From County Road 192 (Steele Bridge Road) Downstream To Ga Hwy 53Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Gear
- Single Pointed Hooks
Anglers fishing delayed harvest streams must release all trout immediately from Nov. 1 - May 14 annually. use and possess only artificial lures with one single hook per lure from Nov. 1 - May 14 annually.
Any Stream On The Conservation Area Or The Ga Hwy 75 Alternate Right-Of-WayCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
No trout may be possessed while fishing on any stream on the Conservation Area or the GA Hwy 75 Alternate right-of-way.
Chattahoochee River From Sope Creek (Off Columns Drive) Downstream To Us Hwy 41 (Cobb Parkway)Catch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Gear
- Single Pointed Hooks
Anglers fishing delayed harvest streams must release all trout immediately from Nov. 1 - May 14 annually. use and possess only artificial lures with one single hook per lure from Nov. 1 - May 14 annually.
Chattooga River From Ga Hwy 28 Bridge Upstream To The Mouth Of Reed CreekCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Gear
- Single Pointed Hooks
Anglers fishing delayed harvest streams must release all trout immediately from Nov. 1 - May 14 annually. use and possess only artificial lures with one single hook per lure from Nov. 1 - May 14 annually.
Noontootla CreekCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
All trout less than 16 inches in length caught from this section of Noontootla Creek must be released immediately.
Smith Creek On Unicoi State Park From Unicoi Dam Downstream To The Unicoi State Park Property BoundaryCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Gear
- Single Pointed Hooks
Anglers fishing delayed harvest streams must release all trout immediately from Nov. 1 - May 14 annually. use and possess only artificial lures with one single hook per lure from Nov. 1 - May 14 annually.
Toccoa River On U.s. Forest Service Land From 0.4 Miles Above The Shallowford Bridge Upstream To A Point 450 Feet Upstream Of The Sandy Bottom Canoe AccessCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Gear
- Single Pointed Hooks
Anglers fishing delayed harvest streams must release all trout immediately from Nov. 1 - May 14 annually. use and possess only artificial lures with one single hook per lure from Nov. 1 - May 14 annually.
Black Sea Bass
Bass
Blueback Herring
All Fresh Waters Except The Following: Lakes Allatoona, Bartlett’s Ferry, Blue Ridge, Chatuge, Goat Rock, Juliette, Lanier, Nottely, Oliver, And West Point; And The Altamaha River Watershed Downstream Of The Following: Juliette Dam On The Ocmulgee River, Lake Juliette Dam On Rum Creek, Lake Tobesofkee Dam On Tobesofkee Creek, Lake Sinclair Dam On The Oconee River; And Watersheds Of All Other Streams That Flow Directly Into The Atlantic Ocean (This Drainage Includes Lakes Hartwell, Russell, Clarks Hill, Burton, Tugaloo, And Rabun)Closed
- Status
- Prohibited
All Species
Noontootla Creek And Its Tributaries On Blue Ridge Wma
- Gear
- Artificial Only
Mountain Trout (All Species)
Trout (All Species)
Noontootla Creek And Its Tributaries On Blue Ridge WmaCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
All trout less than 16 inches in length caught from this section of Noontootla Creek must be released immediately.
Brook Trout
Brown Trout
Rainbow Trout
Plus 1 more species. See the Georgia pillar page for the full list.
FAQ
Who regulates fishing on Lake Blue Ridge?
DNR WRD regulates fishing on Lake Blue Ridge.
What species can I target on Lake Blue Ridge?
Lake Blue Ridge is best known for walleye, bass, trout. Other species are present and tracked in the rule tables below.
Where should I verify these rules?
These rules summarize DNR WRD's published content. Always confirm with the official source before keeping a catch.
Reference only. Regulations change mid-season. Always verify with the official source before keeping a catch.