Georgia
Fishing License 2026.

License required?

Yes

Where to apply?

Georgia Department of Natural Resources (GA DNR). Online via Go Outdoors Georgia, by phone (800-366-2661), or at 800+ retail agents (Walmart, Academy, local tackle shops).

Cost

Resident annual: $15. Non-resident annual: $50. Non-resident 1-day: $10. Non-resident 7-day: $20. Trout license add-on: $10 resident / $25 non-res. WMA stamp: $30 (required for Wildlife Management Area waters).

Validity

Annual (365 days from purchase) or 1-day / 7-day

Available online?

Yes

Georgia's unified license covers freshwater + saltwater. Trout license ($10/$25) is mandatory for any designated trout water (Chattahoochee tailwater, Blue Ridge streams). WMA stamp required if fishing on Wildlife Management Area lands. Required for ages 16+. Residents 65+ qualify for a discounted Senior Lifetime license.

Closed seasons

Trout: seasonal closure on some mountain streams Nov 1 – last Sat of March (year-round streams open always). Most warmwater species: year-round. Striped bass on Coosa River system: varies.

Catch limits

Largemouth + spotted bass combined: 10/day, 12" min. Striped bass (Lake Lanier): 2/day, 22" min. Shoal bass: 15" min (all waters). Red drum (coastal): 5/day, 14–23" slot. Spotted seatrout (coastal): 15/day, 14" min.

Prohibited methods

Snagging prohibited except for designated species. No live bait on some delayed-harvest trout streams. Bowfishing legal for non-game species.

Catch & Release

Mandatory for shoal bass between 15–20" on Flint River below Warwick Dam (trophy protection). Encouraged for striped bass outside slot.

Lake Lanier produced the IGFA all-tackle world-record spotted bass (8 lb 15 oz, 2022). Chattahoochee tailwater below Buford Dam holds year-round trout. Savannah + Brunswick coast for redfish/trout/tarpon.

Best season

Largemouth/spotted bass: March–May + October–November. Striper on Lanier: November–February. Trout: April–October. Coastal redfish: September–November.

Freshwater

Chain of TVA + Corps of Engineers reservoirs (Lanier, Allatoona, Hartwell, Clarks Hill, Seminole). Blue Ridge trout streams in the north. Flint + Altamaha rivers for shoal bass.

Saltwater

100 miles of Atlantic coastline + intricate barrier-island sounds (Savannah, St. Simons, Jekyll, Cumberland). Gulf Stream ~70 miles offshore for billfish + tuna.

Equipment

Bass Pro in Macon + Lawrenceville. Fly shops in Blue Ridge + Helen (north GA mountains). Coastal tackle in Savannah + Brunswick.

Fishing guides

$350–$500/day bass guide (Lanier, Allatoona). $300–$450/day trout float trip (Chattahoochee). $500–$800/day inshore charter (Savannah).

Transport

ATL (Atlanta, world's busiest hub), SAV (Savannah), AGS (Augusta), BQK (Brunswick). Rental car essential. Coast is 4h from Atlanta.

Safety

Summer heat + humidity 35°C+. Alligators in south GA + coastal waters — do not swim. Water moccasins in swamps. Afternoon thunderstorms common May–September.

License fees

$10–$50 depending on duration + residency; +$10 trout / $30 WMA stamps

Guide prices

$300–$500 bass/trout; $500–$800 inshore coastal

Daily budget

Budget: $70–$100/day. Guided: $350–$800/day.