When is channel catfish season in Georgia?

Georgia keeps channel catfish open to fishing year-round for the 2026 regulation year — there is no closed season, though the daily bag and size limits below still apply every day.

What is the Georgia bag limit for channel catfish?

The Georgia daily bag limit for channel catfish is No statewide limit (excluded from the 50-fish game-fish aggregate). Some named waters set a different limit — check the water-body overrides above.

What size channel catfish can you keep in Georgia?

The Georgia size rule for channel catfish is No statewide length limit.

Do you need a license to fish for channel catfish in Georgia?

Yes. Georgia requires a valid fishing license to fish for channel catfish, with the usual exemptions for young children, state free-fishing days, and some senior or disabled-veteran categories. A license is valid only in the state that issued it, so non-residents need a Georgia license — compare resident and non-resident Georgia fees on the state regulations page below.

Are there gear restrictions for channel catfish in Georgia?

Yes. In Georgia, channel catfish fishing carries these gear rules: Hook-and-line, trotlines, jugs, set hooks, and hand-grabbing permitted for catfish on most waters; Channel + flathead catfish are excluded from the 50 / day aggregate game-fish limit; Public Fishing Areas may set their own catfish limits — check posted PFA rules.

Do specific Georgia waters have different channel catfish rules?

Yes. 5 named Georgia waters carry rules that override the statewide channel catfish regulation, including Lake Lanier, Clarks Hill / J. Strom Thurmond (GA/SC), Altamaha River, and 2 more. See the named water-body overrides above for the exact rule on each.

2026 regulation year

Georgia Channel catfish 2026 — Season, Bag Limit, Size Rules

Ictalurus punctatus

Last updated May 30, 2026

Channel catfish are Georgia's most widely distributed catfish — abundant in every major reservoir (Lanier, Hartwell, Eufaula, Clarks Hill / Thurmond, Oconee, Sinclair) and stocked into the state's network of Public Fishing Areas and community ponds. Georgia places no statewide daily creel or length limit on channel catfish, and along with flathead catfish they are specifically excluded from the 50-fish aggregate that caps most other game fish. Trotlines, jugs, set hooks, and even hand-grabbing (noodling) are legal catfish methods on many waters.

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Season

Open year-round Open year-round on all public waters.

Bag & possession

Daily bag: No statewide limit (excluded from the 50-fish game-fish aggregate)

Size, slot, trophy rules

Size: No statewide length limit

Gear restrictions

Hook-and-line, trotlines, jugs, set hooks, and hand-grabbing permitted for catfish on most waters
Channel + flathead catfish are excluded from the 50 / day aggregate game-fish limit
Public Fishing Areas may set their own catfish limits — check posted PFA rules

Named water-body overrides

Where statewide rules differ on specific Georgia waters:

Lake Lanier
No limit, no length; channel catfish abundant alongside trophy spotted bass
Clarks Hill / J. Strom Thurmond (GA/SC)
No statewide channel-cat limit; boundary water with South Carolina
Altamaha River
No statewide channel-cat limit; major river catfishery (also trophy flathead)
Public Fishing Areas (PFAs)
Site-specific catfish limits may apply — read posted PFA regulations
Savannah River (GA/SC)
Boundary water; GA licence covers the GA bank

Official source

Georgia Department of Natural Resources — Wildlife Resources Division publishes the authoritative 2026 Georgiafishing regulations. Always verify the current rule before fishing — emergency closures and in-season changes can override what's published here.

The channel catfish rules on this page are sourced from Georgia Department of Natural Resources — Wildlife Resources Division's official channel catfish regulation page.

Visit official Georgia fishing regulations →

Emergency-order channel

Channel catfish closures, slot-limit changes, and harvest pauses are posted to Georgia Department of Natural Resources's emergency-order feed — check it before any Georgia trip during the active season.

Frequently asked questions

When is channel catfish season in Georgia?: Georgia keeps channel catfish open to fishing year-round for the 2026 regulation year — there is no closed season, though the daily bag and size limits below still apply every day.
What is the Georgia bag limit for channel catfish?: The Georgia daily bag limit for channel catfish is No statewide limit (excluded from the 50-fish game-fish aggregate). Some named waters set a different limit — check the water-body overrides above.
What size channel catfish can you keep in Georgia?: The Georgia size rule for channel catfish is No statewide length limit.
Do you need a license to fish for channel catfish in Georgia?: Yes. Georgia requires a valid fishing license to fish for channel catfish, with the usual exemptions for young children, state free-fishing days, and some senior or disabled-veteran categories. A license is valid only in the state that issued it, so non-residents need a Georgia license — compare resident and non-resident Georgia fees on the state regulations page below.
Are there gear restrictions for channel catfish in Georgia?: Yes. In Georgia, channel catfish fishing carries these gear rules: Hook-and-line, trotlines, jugs, set hooks, and hand-grabbing permitted for catfish on most waters; Channel + flathead catfish are excluded from the 50 / day aggregate game-fish limit; Public Fishing Areas may set their own catfish limits — check posted PFA rules.
Do specific Georgia waters have different channel catfish rules?: Yes. 5 named Georgia waters carry rules that override the statewide channel catfish regulation, including Lake Lanier, Clarks Hill / J. Strom Thurmond (GA/SC), Altamaha River, and 2 more. See the named water-body overrides above for the exact rule on each.

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