Georgia anglers will have five specially managed trout streams to fish beginning November 1, when the state’s delayed harvest trout season officially opens. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced Tuesday that the first trout stockings will begin the week of November 2, providing fresh fishing opportunities through the fall, winter and early spring.

The season runs from November 1, 2026, through May 14, 2027, with catch-and-release rules designed to keep trout populations available for anglers throughout the colder months. For Columbus and Phenix City residents who enjoy fishing, the program offers an opportunity to plan a weekend trip to some of North Georgia’s most popular trout waters.

Unlike traditional fishing seasons, delayed harvest waters are restocked regularly, allowing anglers multiple opportunities to catch trout without removing fish from the streams.

Five Georgia Streams Open for Delayed Harvest Fishing

The state has designated five waterways for its delayed harvest program. Each stream has specific boundaries where special fishing regulations apply, and anglers should confirm those locations before heading out.

• Chattahoochee River: From Sope Creek to U.S. Highway 41, also known as Cobb Parkway, in the Atlanta area.
• Toccoa River: A section on U.S. Forest Service land upstream of Lake Blue Ridge in Fannin County, extending from above Shallowford Bridge toward Sandy Bottom Canoe Access.
• Amicalola Creek: Located within Dawson Forest Wildlife Management Area, from Steele Bridge Road downstream to Georgia Highway 53.
• Smith Creek: Located in Unicoi State Park, downstream of Unicoi Lake near Helen.
• Chattooga River: From Georgia Highway 28 upstream to the mouth of Reed Creek, along the Georgia-South Carolina border.

These locations offer a variety of fishing conditions, from relatively accessible river sections to mountain streams surrounded by forest. Anglers can use the state’s interactive trout map to identify access points, confirm regulated sections and prepare for changing weather conditions.

Special Fishing Rules Apply Through May 14

Georgia’s delayed harvest regulations are intended to improve fishing opportunities by preventing trout from being removed immediately after stocking. During the season, all trout caught in designated delayed harvest sections must be released immediately, and anglers may use only artificial lures equipped with single hooks.

Natural bait is not permitted in these sections during the delayed harvest period. Beginning May 15, the seasonal delayed harvest restrictions end, and the applicable general trout fishing regulations resume.

“Trout fishing is available year-round in Georgia, but there are five designated streams that follow Delayed Harvest (DH) regulations to enhance angler success,” said Chris French, the state’s trout stocking coordinator.

French explained that monthly stockings, conducted by the Wildlife Resources Division and partners including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, help maintain fishing opportunities throughout the season. The combination of regular stocking and mandatory catch-and-release is designed to provide anglers with repeated chances to catch trout.

New Trout Research Planned for Chattahoochee River

This season, Georgia wildlife officials are also partnering with University of Georgia researchers to study trout survival and fishing activity in the Chattahoochee River’s delayed harvest section. Researchers will mark and recapture stocked trout to better understand how long fish remain in the river and how frequently anglers encounter them.

The research will not change fishing regulations or the normal stocking schedule. State officials say trout will continue to be stocked at approximately the same frequency as previous seasons, although the annual Whitewater Bucket Brigade public stocking events will not be held this year because of the study.

The findings could help the state improve future trout management decisions and determine how stocking practices affect fishing success. Officials hope the information will lead to better fishing opportunities in future seasons.

What Columbus-Area Anglers Should Know

Although Columbus sits along the Chattahoochee River, the delayed harvest section is located much farther north, near Atlanta. That means local residents planning to participate in this particular trout program will need to travel outside the Columbus area. The Chattahoochee’s designated section near Cobb County may be a practical starting point for anglers planning a day trip, while the other streams offer opportunities for longer outings into North Georgia.

Columbus anglers should also remember that local fishing conditions differ from those in the state’s mountain trout streams. The delayed harvest rules apply only to the designated sections, not to the Chattahoochee River throughout Georgia. Checking the official stream boundaries before traveling can help prevent accidental violations.

Fishing Licenses and Where to Get Updates

Anglers generally need both a valid Georgia fishing license and a trout license to fish these designated waters. Licenses can be purchased online at , through the Go Outdoors GA mobile app or by calling 1-800-366-2661.

The Wildlife Resources Division also provides trout stocking updates, interactive fishing maps and weekly fishing reports to help anglers plan their trips. Residents can find those resources at .

State officials encourage anglers to support trout conservation through fishing license purchases and specialty Trout Unlimited vehicle tags. Revenue from these programs helps fund hatchery operations, fish management and public fishing access across Georgia.

The November 1 opening marks the beginning of another season of cold-weather fishing opportunities, with the first scheduled stockings beginning the following week. For anglers willing to travel from Columbus to North Georgia, the five designated streams provide opportunities to enjoy trout fishing well into next spring.