Waterbody · Georgia
Lake Lanier Fishing Regulations 2026
Lake Lanier fishing regulations as of 2026-05-08: 43 current rules from DNR WRD. Anglers target striped bass, spotted bass, crappie.
Species pages for Lake Lanier
Dedicated rule pages for the most-targeted species at this water.
Rules (43)
DNR WRD regulates 43 rules across 6 species at this water.
Striped Bass
Lake Lanier
- Possession
- 2 fish
- Min size
- 22"
You may only keep two fish of the total limit that are 22 inches or longer
Altamaha River
- Daily bag
- 2 fish
- Min size
- 22"
both of which must be 22 inches in length 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
- Min size
- 27 TL
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"
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
- 2 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.
Spotted Bass
Lake Lanier
- Min size
- 14"
Spotted Bass Lake Lanier
- Min size
- 14"
Spotted Bass Lake Lanier: 14 inches
Largemouth Bass
Lake Lanier
- Min size
- 14"
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
Georgia statewide
- Daily bag
- 30 fish
FAQ
Who regulates fishing on Lake Lanier?
DNR WRD regulates fishing on Lake Lanier.
What species can I target on Lake Lanier?
Lake Lanier is best known for striped bass, spotted bass, crappie. Other species are present and tracked in the rule tables below.
When was this last updated?
These rules were last verified against DNR WRD on 2026-05-08. 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. Last verified .