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American shad fishing in Georgia freshwater

In Georgia freshwater, American shad peak February–March and are around January–April, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. February: Savannah and Altamaha shad.

Now · October
Not here

Not in Georgia freshwater this month.

American shad in Georgia freshwater, month by month

  1. JanuaryArriving
  2. FebruaryPeakSavannah and Altamaha shad.
  3. MarchPeak
  4. AprilLeaving
  5. MayNot here
  6. JuneNot here
  7. JulyNot here
  8. AugustNot here
  9. SeptemberNot here
  10. OctoberNot here
  11. NovemberNot here
  12. DecemberNot here

Where to fish American shad near Lake Lanier, Lake Seminole, West Point Lake

Spotted-bass and striper highland reservoirs north of Atlanta, the Flint's shoal bass, Seminole's grass bass, blackwater rivers full of redbreast, and the trout of the Chattahoochee and the mountains.

Structure it holds on
RiverBridge
Towns and waters
Lake LanierLake SeminoleWest Point LakeLake AllatoonaFlint RiverAltamaha RiverChattahoochee tailwater

What to use for American shad

  • Leader10–20 lb fluorocarbon
  • Hook#2–3/0
  • Jig head1/8–1/2 oz
  • Braid10–30 lb

Feeds in 50–72°F water, best at 58–68°F.

Questions anglers ask

When is the best time to catch American shad in Georgia freshwater?

Peak season is February–March. American shad are in Georgia freshwater January–April. February: Savannah and Altamaha shad.

Where do American shad hold in Georgia freshwater?

Look on river, bridge — around Lake Lanier, Lake Seminole, West Point Lake, Lake Allatoona, Flint River, Altamaha River.

What is the best bait for American shad in Georgia freshwater?

Tackle: leader 10–20 lb fluorocarbon, hook #2–3/0, jig head 1/8–1/2 oz, braid 10–30 lb.

What are the rules for American shad in Georgia freshwater?

Size and bag limits and closed seasons are set by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (Georgia DNR) and change — read the current rule at https://georgiawildlife.com/regulations before you keep a fish. A licence is sold at https://georgiawildlife.com/licenses-permits-passes.

The current Georgia DNR rule →Open the app for today's American shad read

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