CatchRules

Home Regulations Waterbodies Lake Russell

Waterbody · Georgia

Lake Russell Fishing Regulations 2026

Lake Russell fishing regulations in 2026: top targets are largemouth bass, crappie, striped bass. 76 current rules across 6 species from DNR WRD.

Rules (76)

DNR WRD regulates 76 rules across 6 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
Verified · View official source ↗
Lake Lanier
Possession
2 fish
Min size
22"
You may only keep two fish of the total limit that are 22 inches or longer
Verified · View official source ↗
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
Verified · View official source ↗
Little Ogeechee River
Daily bag
2 fish
Min size
22"
both of which must be 22 inches in length or longer
Verified · View official source ↗
Medway River Including Mount Hope Creek
Daily bag
2 fish
Min size
22"
both of which must be 22 inches in length or longer
Verified · View official source ↗
North Newport River
Daily bag
2 fish
Min size
22"
both of which must be 22 inches in length or longer
Verified · View official source ↗
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
Verified · View official source ↗
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
Verified · View official source ↗
Ogeechee River
Daily bag
2 fish
Min size
22"
both of which must be 22 inches in length or longer
Verified · View official source ↗
Satilla River
Daily bag
2 fish
Min size
22"
both of which must be 22 inches in length or longer
Verified · View official source ↗
Savannah River
Min size
27 TL
Verified · View official source ↗
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
Verified · View official source ↗
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
Verified · View official source ↗
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
Verified · View official source ↗
St. Mary's River
Daily bag
2 fish
Min size
22"
Verified · View official source ↗
St. Mary’s River
Daily bag
2 fish
Min size
22"
both of which must be 22 inches in length or longer
Verified · View official source ↗
Tributaries To These River Sections
Daily bag
2 fish
Min size
22"
both of which must be 22 inches in length or longer
Verified · View official source ↗
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).
Verified · View official source ↗

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
Verified · View official source ↗
All Pfas (Unless Otherwise Posted)
Daily bag
5 fish/day
Min size
14"
Verified · View official source ↗
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
Verified · View official source ↗
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
Verified · View official source ↗
Hugh M. Gillis
Daily bag
5 fish
Slot min
16"
Slot max
24"
between 16 and 24 inches must be released immediately
Verified · View official source ↗
Lake Blackshear
Min size
14"
Verified · View official source ↗
Lake Lanier
Min size
14"
Verified · View official source ↗
Lake Lindsay Grace
Daily bag
1 fish
Slot min
15"
Slot max
22"
only one bass may be greater than 22 inches
Verified · View official source ↗
Lake Lindsay Grace (Wayne Co.)
Daily bag
1 fish
Only one bass may be greater than 22 inches.
Verified · View official source ↗
Lake Oconee
Min size
14"
Verified · View official source ↗
Lake Walter F. George
Min size
14"
Verified · View official source ↗
Lake West Point
Min size
14"
Verified · View official source ↗
Marben Pfa (Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center)
Daily bag
5 fish
Min size
16"
only one (1) of which can be 16 inches or longer
Verified · View official source ↗
OcmulgeeCatch & release
Status
Catch And Release
Largemouth bass are catch-and-release.
Verified · View official source ↗
Panic Pond
Daily bag
1 fish/day
Min size
24"
greater than 24 inches
Verified · View official source ↗
Paradise
Daily bag
5 fish
only one over 24 inches
Verified · View official source ↗
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.
Verified · View official source ↗
Public Fishing Areas
Daily bag
5
Min size
14"
unless otherwise posted
Verified · View official source ↗
West Point Reservoir
Min size
14"
Verified · View official source ↗
Georgia statewide
Min size
12"
statewide except for specific lakes listed
Verified · View official source ↗

Striped Bass Or Hybrid Bass Or Combination

Lake Russell
Daily bag
2 fish
Possession
2
Max size
34"
Only 1 may be over 34 inches
Verified · View official source ↗

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
Verified · View official source ↗

White Crappie

OcmulgeeOpen
Status
Open
Fish Species: Largemouth bass, Bluegill, White crappie, Redear sunfish, yellow bullhead.
Verified · View official source ↗

Crappie

Georgia statewide
Daily bag
30 fish
Verified · View official source ↗

FAQ

Who regulates fishing on Lake Russell?

DNR WRD regulates fishing on Lake Russell.

What species can I target on Lake Russell?

Lake Russell is best known for largemouth bass, crappie, striped bass. 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.

← All famous waterbodies