Fishing Forecast - Chattahoochee River

In addition to supplying nearly 70 percent of metro Atlanta's drinking water, the 48-mile stretch of the Chattahoochee River between Buford Dam and Peachtree Creek offers some of the best trout fishing in north Georgia. The designated trout waters extend down to Peachtree Creek in Atlanta. Within this stretch (between Sope Creek and U.S. 41, Cobb Parkway) lies the Chattahoochee delayed harvest (DH) section. During delayed harvest season (November 1 ^st  – May 14 ^th ), anglers must use single hook, artificial lures and may not harvest any trout (catch-and-release fishing only). Because these waters become marginal for trout during the summer when river temperatures rise, anglers may take their daily limit of trout from May 15 ^th  – October 31 ^st . This management strategy allows anglers to enjoy high catch rates while river conditions are suitable for trout growth and survival, but also offers opportunities for harvest when temperatures rise and trout survival declines. This section of the Chattahoochee River receives over 50,000 trout annually during delayed harvest. Other very popular sportfish also occur in this section, which creates a unique diversity of fishing experiences from warmwater to coldwater species. 

Contact Information: DNR Office: 706-295-6102 

 State records  and  fishing reports  

Best Bets: Trout, Shoal Bass, Largemouth Bass, Striped Bass, Chain Pickerel, Bream, and Catfish 

•  Shoal Bass 
•  Black Bass 
•  Striped Bass 
• Pickerel
•  Trout 
•  Other Species 

 Fish Identification  

Prospect: Natural reproduction of shoal bass in this section of river is inconsistent due to cold water. From 2003-2024, more than 270,000 shoal bass fingerlings have been stocked in the Morgan Falls Tailwater section of the Chattahoochee River. The most recent stocking was May of 2024, when 4,377 shoal bass were stocked by WRD. Owing to these restoration efforts, there is now a shoal bass population in the river supporting a renewed fishery.

Technique: Use a medium rod and spinning reel with 8-pound line (clear or green). Cast a 1/2 ounce yellow spinner bait with silver or white willow leaf blades to creek mouths and shoal areas. If spinners aren’t producing fish, try hair or plastic jigs that imitate crayfish. A ned-rigged crawfish on a 1/8 oz weedless mushroom jig will entice a shoal bass strike. Low, clear water is best. For flyfishing, try streamers representing baitfish or crayfish patterns. Large nymphs such as stoneflies may also be effective.

Target: Shoal bass move to shallow water in April and can be found in swift-running shoals. Aim for bedrock ledges and boulders that slow the current. In winter, they move to deeper water along the banks and deep pools. Focus on downed trees along the banks.

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 Fish Identification 

Prospect: Largemouth and spotted bass occupy this section of river in moderate abundance throughout the year. Spotted bass and largemouth bass abundance has been evenly matched historically, though recent sampling suggests a possible increase in spotted bass abundance. The average black bass in this section of river is approximately 13 inches and 1.3 pounds

Technique: Many of the techniques used for shoal bass work well with largemouth and spotted bass. Also, try techniques and tackle that work in ponds and lakes, such as crankbaits in deeper pools. Cast medium-depth crankbaits in crawfish patterns (imitating Chattahoochee crawfish) among rock embankments and blowdowns should produce strikes. Plastic worms on heavier (1/8 or 1/4 oz) jig heads and spinner baits also are effective.

Target: Most anglers expend their effort for black bass in this section from spring through fall. Largemouth bass can be found directly below Morgan Falls Dam and around the mouths of tributaries entering the river. Look for any blowdowns, rip-rap embankments, or slow pockets in the river, and you may find a largemouth patrolling. Spotted bass are a little more versatile in habitat selection, but generally don’t thrive in shoals like their native counterpart (the shoal bass), so look for spots in river runs above and below shoals, and holding tight to the banks in the spring and summer. Fish can be found throughout the river and will hit any well-presented lure. 

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 Fish Identification  

Prospect: Though striped bass are native to this section of the Chattahoochee River, a series of downstream dams prevent the historic migration of stripers up from the Gulf of Mexico. Instead, striped bass stocked at West Point Reservoir often make the summer migration upstream all the way to Morgan Falls Dam in search of cool water. Some fish remain present in the Morgan Falls tailwater throughout the year, but they occur in much higher densities during the summer. Stripers can be found in a range of sizes and may exceed 30 pounds. Recent sampling efforts produced several fish over 36 inches that tipped the scales at 25 pounds.

Technique: Use a medium rod and spinning reel with 8 to 10-pound line (clear or green) to target schools of smaller stripers. Large redfins, #5 Rapalas and swim baits work well in shallow-to-deep, clear water. Baits imitating a crayfish may prove effective in shoal areas. Large swimbaits and crankbaits that imitate shad or bucktail jigs and topwater plugs are a good bet when targeting larger striped bass, but be sure to scale up your gear as well! When targeting large stripers, use 50 pound braid and 30 pound fluorocarbon leader with a 7’6” casting rod. Please note that live or dead bait fish are prohibited by the National Park Service in the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area.

Target: These fish do not seem to prefer any single habitat, but rather constantly move around looking for food. Striped bass can be found in shallow shoals, runs and deep pools. In summer, the upstream end of  Cochran Shoals  and the vicinity of  Morgan Falls Dam  tend to hold high numbers of stripers.

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 Fish Identification  

Prospect: Trout fishing in this section can be excellent during the Delayed Harvest (DH) season (November 1 through May 14) when catches of 20-30 trout per trip have been reported. Approximately, 50,000 trout are stocked from November 1 through late April. Expect to see freshly stocked brown and rainbow trout with an average length of 10 inches, but some fish up to 20 inches are also stocked. All trout must be released during the delayed harvest season, but trout can be harvested from May 15 through October 31. Anglers should consider that high river levels and turbidity can quickly diminish the quality of fishing during excessive winter rain events, and higher elevation DH alternatives (Amicalola Creek, Chattooga River, or Smith Creek) should be considered when conditions aren’t favorable for trout fishing in the Chattahoochee. You can help us stock trout in the Chattahoochee DH by keeping an eye out on calls for volunteers on our  WRD weekly fishing blog  and via volunteer opportunities on  GoOutdoorsGeorgia.com .

Technique: During the Delayed Harvest season, only single-hook artificial lures and flies are permitted between Sope Creek and Cobb Parkway (US 41). The use of an additional, single-hook dropper lure is legal.

For fly-fishing, consider a Parachute Adams in a No. 18-22. Picky fish? Try a black or olive woolly bugger. Also consider Bead Head Prince, Hares Ear and Pheasant Tail flies in No. 14-18. During an insect hatch, a small Blue Wing Olive or Griffiths Gnat in a No. 18-22 may be a better choice. A size 16 gray Elk Hair caddis will imitate the March caddis hatch. When fish are recently-stocked, gaudy flies such as a Y2K or pink squirmy worm may be a better choice. For ultra-light spinning tackle use 4-pound "Extra Limp" line (clear or green). Cast or troll 1/16 ounce, Yellow rooster tail, or #3 or #5 yellow Rapalas. Fishing in low, clear water is best. Outside of the DH season, traditional baits such as nightcrawlers or corn niblets should work well paired with spinning or spincasting tackle. Again, live or dead baitfish are prohibited by the National Park Service in the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area.

Target: Target the delayed harvest section from  Sope Creek  (off Columns Drive) downstream to  U.S. Highway 41 . Popular access points include  Cochran Shoals ,  Whitewater Creek , and  Paces Mill. 

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 Fish Identification  

Prospect: Anglers seeking sunfish and catfish will find plenty of action in this section of the river. There are some pickerel and yellow perch present as well, but few are of desirable eating size.

Technique: Sunfish and catfish are most active in the warmer months. Sunfish can be caught on small spinners and jigs, or cast worms into deep holes on a dropshot rig. Catfish can be caught using cut or commercial catfish baits.

Target: Fish the bottom in deeper holes and runs for catfish.

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The section between Buford Dam and Peachtree Creek lies within the  Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area  (CRNRA) and is managed by the National Park Service (NPS). The Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) and NPS work closely to manage the land, river and wildlife. For more information about the area, call 678-538-1200.

Water levels may rise and fall with power generation at Morgan Falls Dam. Please be aware of your surroundings and watch water levels for any sign of rise while wading in the river. The area from Sope Creek downstream to Highway 41 is designated as Delayed Harvest. Anglers fishing delayed harvest streams must release all trout immediately and use and possess only artificial lures with one single hook per lure from November 1 - May 14 annually. The use of additional "dropper" lures on one line is permitted as long as each lure contains one single hook. These restrictions do not apply from May 15 - October 31 of each year. Please note that the section between Morgan Falls Dam and Peachtree Creek is designated as trout waters. Therefore, anglers may not fish with live bait fish regardless of whether they are fishing for trout or other species. For up-to-date fishing reports on the Chattahoochee River and around the state of Georgia be sure to visit  georgiawildlife.wordpress.com .

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