Fishing Forecast - Oconee River

The Oconee River is formed by the confluence of the Middle Oconee River and North Oconee River just south of Athens and flows southwest for about 265 miles where it joins the Ocmulgee River to form the Altamaha River. The upper portion includes bedrock outcroppings, stable bank cover and a gravel bottom, while the lower part (downstream of Lake Sinclair) transitions from rocky shoal habitats (near Dublin, GA) to cutaway sand banks, fallen woody debris, and a river bottom of primarily sand and silt as you move downstream to the confluence with the Ocmulgee River.

During periods of low water, boaters and anglers are advised to run at low speeds due to the potential of collision with rocks and other hazards that may not be visible above the water surface. **Anglers fishing the lower Oconee River are advised to avoid using the boat ramp at Soperton Bridge Landing (especially at low water levels) due to an accumulation of sediment below the ramp which makes safely launching a boat VERY difficult.**

Contact Information: DNR Office: 478-825-6151

 State records  and  fishing reports 

Best Bets: Bream, Catfish, Largemouth Bass

•  Black Bass 
•  White Bass 
•  Catfish 
•  Bream 
•  Crappie 
•  Bowfin 

 Fish Identification 

Prospect: Both Largemouth and Altamaha bass are available along with the occasional spotted bass and potentially a shoal bass as well. Hybrid Black Bass have been documented in this river as well. The lower section of the river holds good amounts of Largemouth, especially in the Dublin area. Expect the majority of catches to measure less than 14 inches, but know that bigger fish, including the occasional 20-plus inch fish, are available. The River record Largemouth (10lbs & 3.2 oz) was caught in 2017, so there are some really nice fish to be caught.

Technique: Classic Largemouth baits are a chartreuse/white snagless sally, plastic jerkbaits, spinnerbaits or a pig and jig. Also try small soft plastics, large spinners and shallow diving crankbaits for all species of Bass.

Target: Find Altamaha Bass in the swifter water sections having bedrock outcroppings. Target Largemouth by fishing the shoreline near fallen trees with moderate current and gradually work into slacker water areas with good cover.

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 Fish Identification 

Prospect: March through April are the best months to target White Bass, as they make spawning runs up the Oconee and Apalachee rivers.

Technique: During spawning runs, use little George's, rooster tails, small lipless crankbaits, white, green, yellow and chartreuse 2-inch curly tail grubs, in-line spinners, and live minnows and small shad.

Target: These fish can be caught on sandbars and deep river-bends, but prime locations are below the  Barnett Shoals Dam south of Athens and in  creekmouths  between the dam and Lake Oconee.

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 Fish Identification 

Prospect: Expect plenty of smaller Channel and White Catfish throughout, as native catfish populations are shifting due to introduced Blue and Flathead Catfish populations. Blues and Flatheads continue to expand their population and numerous 30-plus pound Blues and Flatheads have been caught in recent years. Since 2024 the Blue Catfish river record has been broken TWICE! In April 2024 an angler caught a fish that set the new record at 50lbs. & 6.4oz., then just 9 months later his brother broke his record with a 62lbs. & 15.2oz. Blue Catfish in January 2025! Anglers are encouraged to harvest ALL Flathead and Blue Catfish in an effort to preserve the native sunfishes!

Technique: Live Shad or Bluegill and cut bait are best bets for Flatheads, and hot summer nights are the best time to cast a line. Also try worms or cut bait fished on the bottom. Anglers are encouraged to harvest ALL Blue and Flathead Catfish!!

Target: During warm summer months, morning and night fishing are particularly good for all catfish. Their consistent bite make them an ideal species when introducing children to fishing.

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 Fish Identification 

Prospect: During fall electrofishing surveys on the lower Oconee River in 2024 Region 4 Fisheries Management staff captured good numbers of a variety of Sunfish (Bream) species. In the lower Oconee River anglers have the opportunity to catch Bluegill, Redear Sunfish (Shellcracker), Redbreast Sunfish, Longear Sunfish, Spotted Sunfish (Stumpknocker), and Warmouth. The largest specimens in the 2024 survey were captured in the section of the river from Lothair to Mt. Vernon and downstream to the confluence. Anglers may also incidentally catch a Yellow Perch as they have been introduced into the river in recent years and harvest is encouraged. The river record Redear Sunfish (1lb & 13oz) was caught in 2022.

Technique: In the lower Oconee, try fishing close to cover with catalpa worms or crickets with splitshot and a float. Red wigglers or earthworms on the bottom may produce the next river record Redear Sunfish. Otherwise, use ultra light gear rigged with a small rooster tail or beetle spin. Also try wading the shoals with a 3-5 weight fly rod rigged with a small popper. Tying on a small streamer like a wooly bugger approx. 6 in. behind a popper, which imitates a small baitfish chasing the popper, can be a fun time and is also effective for Black Bass. Many Trout flies and techniques will also attract the attention of Bream species. For example, a Pat's rubber legs nymph tied below a grasshopper fly (aka the "hopper-dropper" rig) or strike indicator (fancy word for bobber) can be especially effective during summer months.

Target: In the upper Oconee, target areas that have  bedrock shoals . In the lower section, look to locations near creek mouths or deep eddy pools near swift current. Bream are often found close to structure.

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 Fish Identification 

Prospect: Good numbers of harvestable-size Crappie are available. Fish from February through April for large numbers and larger fish. A new river record Black Crappie was caught in December of 2024, weighing in at 1lb. 11.6 oz.

Technique: Fishing small live minnows and blue/black, blue/chartreuse, white, green or yellow artificial jigs with or without a bobber is effective.

Target: In the spring, target standing timber and blowdowns in  Sugar Creek  and the upper end of the lake, as well as the upper ends of other major creek arms, such as Richland, Sandy and  Lick  creeks. These areas typically warm up first, provide good structure for baitfish and usually hold more fish. Crappie will stack up below  Barnett Shoals Dam  in early February and also concentrate toward creekmouths near the main lake and gradually move towards shallow water as temperatures rise in spring. Fish woody cover in slack water areas near creekmouths and creekarms on the lower Oconee. When water temps reach the low 60s (F), target bedding Crappie around shallow cover and move to deeper waters after the spawn. When fishing shallow water you may only catch small males but if you fish the deeper water nearby your chances of catching larger females increase. In the lower river, Black Crappie will also stack up in the fall at the mouths of oxbow lakes.

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The Oconee River also holds some substantial size Bowfin. The recent river record (7lb & 6 oz) was caught in July of 2023. Biologists have sampled 10 to 12 lb specimens in the river, so the current record can be surpassed.

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A 2 to 6-foot  USGS river gage  height is ideal for fishing the Oconee River. Levels below this mark make navigating difficult, while levels above this mark typically means there is too much water in the river for productive fishing.

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