Waterbody · Georgia
Lake Hartwell Fishing Regulations 2026
Lake Hartwell fishing regulations in 2026: top targets are striped bass, largemouth bass, crappie. 78 current rules across 9 species from DNR WRD.
Rules (78)
DNR WRD regulates 78 rules across 9 species at this water.
Striped Bass
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
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
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
Striped Bass, White Bass And/Or Hybrid White-Striped Bass
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/day
- Max size
- 34"
only one (1) of which can exceed 34 inches in length.
Bluegill
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
- 50 fish
Bream: See South Carolina Agreement
Warmouth
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
- 50 fish
Sunfish or Bream Bluegill, Flier, Redbreast, Redear, Rock bass, Spotted sunfish, Warmouth and/or Shadow bass 50
Spotted Sunfish
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
- 50 fish
Sunfish or Bream Bluegill, Flier, Redbreast, Redear, Rock bass, Spotted sunfish, Warmouth and/or Shadow bass 50
Black Crappie
Hugh M. Gillis
- Gear
- Allowed
Black crappie listed among fish species at Hugh M. Gillis Public Fishing Area; no explicit restrictions stated for this species
White Crappie
OcmulgeeOpen
- Status
- Open
Fish Species: Largemouth bass, Bluegill, White crappie, Redear sunfish, yellow bullhead.
Crappie
FAQ
Who regulates fishing on Lake Hartwell?
DNR WRD regulates fishing on Lake Hartwell.
What species can I target on Lake Hartwell?
Lake Hartwell is best known for striped bass, largemouth bass, crappie. 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.