Top 10 Freshwater Fish to Catch in Georgia
Top 10 Species
These are the fish that get noticed by FishyAF anglers. Click any species to deep dive and learn more.
1
Largemouth Bass
Verified
World Record
22 lb 4 oz
Manabu Kurita / 2009
Lake Biwa, Japan
Manabu Kurita / 2009
Lake Biwa, Japan
Signature Fact
High-speed videos show they snap their mouth fully open in about 30 milliseconds, vacuuming prey from 3 inches.
2
Spotted Bass
Verified
World Record
11 lb 4 oz
Randy Capps / 2014
New Bullards Bar Reservoir, California
Randy Capps / 2014
New Bullards Bar Reservoir, California
Signature Fact
Spotted bass hunt like saltwater wolves, schooling to push bait into balls, then blitzing the surface together.
3
Black Crappie
Verified
World Record
11 lb 5 oz
Stanley P. Lopus / 1998
Susquehanna River, Pennsylvania
Stanley P. Lopus / 1998
Susquehanna River, Pennsylvania
Signature Fact
During spawn, males can shift from silvery speckles to almost jet-black while fanning and ferociously guarding saucer nests.
4
Channel Catfish
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
58 lb 0 oz
Charles Ashley / 1964
Santee-Cooper Reservoir, South Carolina
Charles Ashley / 1964
Santee-Cooper Reservoir, South Carolina
Signature Fact
With over 100,000 taste buds, its whole skin acts like a tongue hunting through muddy darkness.
5
Striped Bass (Striper)
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
81 lb 14 oz
Gregory Myerson / 2011
Long Island Sound, Connecticut
Gregory Myerson / 2011
Long Island Sound, Connecticut
Signature Fact
Their eggs must stay drifting for about 48 hours-sink once, and the entire spawn suffocates.
6
Bluegill
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
9 lb 6 oz
Jason Fugate / 2019
Lake Tahoe, California
Jason Fugate / 2019
Lake Tahoe, California
Signature Fact
Males come in three types-nest-building dads, lightning-fast sneakers, and full-on female mimics that steal fertilizations.
7
Shoal Bass
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
8 lb 12 oz
Lee T. Sisson / 1993
Flint River, Georgia
Lee T. Sisson / 1993
Flint River, Georgia
Signature Fact
Shoal bass is the only black bass built for whitewater, holding in frothing rapids that would sweep others.
8
Chain Pickerel
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
9 lb 6 oz
R. A. Copeland / 1961
Homerville, Georgia
R. A. Copeland / 1961
Homerville, Georgia
Signature Fact
Newly hatched pickerel have a built‑in "Velcro" forehead pad that glues them to plants until the yolk's gone.
9
Flathead
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
123 lb 0 oz
Ken Paulie / 1998
Elk City Reservoir, Kansas
Ken Paulie / 1998
Elk City Reservoir, Kansas
Signature Fact
The IGFA all-tackle record flathead weighed 123 lb 9 oz-basically a kindergarten kid with whiskers.
10
Northern Snakehead
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
19 lb 5 oz
Brandon Palaniuk / 2012
Potomac River, Virginia
Brandon Palaniuk / 2012
Potomac River, Virginia
Signature Fact
This air-breathing predator can wriggle over land and stay alive for days if kept moist.
FAQs
What fish can you catch in Georgia?
You can catch largemouth bass, spotted bass, black crappie, channel catfish, stripers, bluegill, shoal bass, chain pickerel, flathead, and even northern snakehead in Georgia’s freshwater.
What is the best time of year to fish in Georgia?
Spring and fall usually bring the hottest action for most Georgia freshwater species.
Where are the best places to fish in Georgia?
Georgia’s freshwater rivers, lakes, and ponds hold all the action. Look for bass, crappie, and catfish across the state.
What gear do you need for fishing in Georgia?
Bring medium spinning or baitcasting setups for bass and crappie, plus heavier tackle if you’re chasing flathead or stripers.
What are the easiest fish to catch in Georgia?
Bluegill and black crappie are usually the easiest targets for most anglers in Georgia’s freshwater.
