HERESavannah
Savannah GA
Fishing
Report
Live conditions, species status, solunar ratings, water body profiles, GA DNR (WRD) regulations, and community fishing coverage for Chatham lakes and rivers.
Bass: Hot Bite Crappie: Active Catfish: Active 5 Waters Profiled
First Look • Fishing Conditions
🌕
Full Moon
Illumination: 100%
55°F
52°F
7 mph
1025
as of 6:55 AM ET
Excellent — full moon is prime time for bass, crappie, and catfish. Night fishing is especially productive.
Chatham • Coastal Georgia / Lowcountry GA
Your Local Fishing Resource
HERESavannah is your local source for fishing reports, conditions, and GA DNR (WRD) regulations across Chatham. Use the waters list to find lakes, rivers, and reservoirs near you, the regulations section for current limits, and the guides directory to book a trip.
Current Conditions • Savannah Waters
Species Status
Largemouth Bass
HOT
Fall feeding frenzy. Bass are chasing shad and blueback herring. Crankbaits and swimbaits dominate.
Top BaitCrankbait, Swimbait, Jig
Depth10-20 ft structure
Smallmouth Bass
FAIR
River smallmouth in deeper holes and pools. Slower presentations required.
Top BaitTube Jig, Crawfish Pattern, Ned Rig
DepthShoal tail-outs, 3-12 ft
Crappie
ACTIVE
Pre-spawn or fall pattern. Crappie suspending over deeper structure.
Top BaitSmall Tube Jig, Live Minnow, Slip Float
Depth12-20 ft brush
Catfish
ACTIVE
Catfish feeding well in spring and fall. Target deeper holes and channel swings.
Top BaitCut Shad, Chicken Liver, Prepared Stink Bait
DepthChannel edges, 10-30 ft
Bluegill / Bream
FAIR
Bluegill in slower mode. Small jigs under a float near dock pilings and woody structure.
Top BaitCricket, Worm, Small Jig (1/32 oz)
DepthSpawning: 1-4 ft. Non-spawn: dock edges 4-10 ft
Trout
ACTIVE
Trout active in stocked waters. Cold water temperatures keep fish feeding.
Top BaitPowerBait, Night Crawler, Inline Spinner
DepthStocked areas — designated lakes and streams
Species status is based on seasonal patterns and current conditions for Chatham waters. Always verify GA DNR (WRD) regulations for creel limits, size minimums, and any current advisories before heading out.
Report a Bite Update
First Look
Weather & Fishing Conditions
55F
Mostly Clear
Feels like 55°F
as of 6:55 AM ET
Wind
7 mph N
Humidity
84%
Pressure
1025 hPa
Est. Water Temp
52°F
Moon
Full Moon
Sunrise / Sunset
7:34 am / 6:42 pm
Location
Savannah, GA
On-the-Water Tips
- New and full moons are the best fishing phases. Solunar peak periods fall near sunrise and sunset — be on the water at first light.
Solunar Index
Fishing Conditions Dashboard
Air Temperature
55°F
Too Hot — Dawn/Dusk
Wind Speed
7 mph
Light Breeze
Barometric Pressure
1025 hPa
Stable — Active
Moon Phase
🌕
Prime
Extended Outlook
5-Day Fishing Forecast
TODAY
Mostly Sunny
75° / 57°
16 mph wind
GOOD
MON
Sunny
75° / 54°
11 mph wind
GOOD
TUE
Sunny
76° / 57°
9 mph wind
GOOD
WED
Mostly Sunny
76° / 62°
13 mph wind
GOOD
THU
Slight Chance Rain Showers
77° / 60°
14 mph wind
FAIR
Lakes & Rivers
Water Body Profiles
5 fishing waters within Chatham — with species, access, tips, and restrictions.
Savannah River
Striped Bass
Catfish
Red Drum
Flounder
Angler Tip
Wilmington River / Back River (Tybee system)
Red Drum
Spotted Seatrout
Flounder
Sheepshead
Angler Tip
Skidaway River
Red Drum
Spotted Seatrout
Flounder
Black Drum
Angler Tip
Ogeechee River tidal system (Coffee Bluff area)
Red Drum
Spotted Seatrout
Flounder
Sheepshead
Angler Tip
Savannah National Wildlife Refuge
Largemouth Bass
Catfish
Crappie
Bream
Angler Tip
Did We Miss a Spot?
Know a Savannah-area fishing lake, pond, or river stretch that should be on this list? Let us know.
Report a Fishing SpotLocal Experts
Field Guides
Hire a local fishing guide and put your line on the right water in Savannah. Expert captains who know Chatham waters.
TS
Tightlines Saltwater Fishing Charters
SS
Southern Saltwater Charters (Capt. Josiah Riffle)
Guide Service or Charter Captain?
Get listed in the Field Guides section and reach active anglers across Chatham and the HERE City Network.
List Your Guide ServiceCommunity Reviews
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Community
Here We...
Reel Them In...
Big catches, personal bests, and tournament fish from Savannah anglers.
Cast Them Cold...
Your favorite post-fishing spots. Where do you go when the rods are stowed?
Coverage
Fishing News HERE
Local — Savannah and Coastal Georgia / Lowcountry
More at Outdoor Sports
Hunting, camping, hiking, and all outdoor sports coverage for Savannah and Coastal Georgia / Lowcountry GA
Tackle, Rods and Reels
Essential Gear HERE
Gear reviews and picks for the Savannah angler — rods, reels, tackle, and kayaks tested for Coastal Georgia / Lowcountry GA waters.
Gear Reviews — Tested for Coastal Georgia / Lowcountry GA Waters
As an Amazon Associate, HERE earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability subject to change.
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Tackle Shop, Guide Service, or Marina?
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Learn About Gear AdvertisingGA DNR (WRD)
GA DNR (WRD) Regulations
License requirements, bag limits, and size limits for Chatham waters. Always verify current regulations at georgiawildlife.com.
GA Fishing Licenses
Bag & Size Limits — Savannah Waters
Regulations shown are for general reference (checked 2026-10-16). Special rules apply on many individual lakes and rivers. Always verify current rules with Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division at georgiawildlife.com before keeping fish.
Spawn Timing & Key Dates
Season Calendar
Feb – Mar
Crappie Pre-Spawn Begins
Crappie begin staging near structure in 6-10 ft. Bridge and dock pilings are prime staging areas.
Late Mar – Apr
Crappie Spawn Peak
Peak spawn in shallows 2-6 ft. Late March through April. Best crappie fishing of the year.
Mar – May
Largemouth Bass Spawn
Bass move shallow when water reaches 60°F+. Docks and brush piles are top targets.
Apr – May
Bluegill / Bream Spawning
Bream spawn in gravel shallows. Easy catching near boat ramps and fishing piers.
May (GA DNR (WRD))
Spring Trout Stocking
GA DNR (WRD) stocks select Savannah area waters. Check stocking schedule at https://georgiawildlife.com.
June – Aug
Summer Bass & Catfish Peak
Fish early/late for bass. Catfish bite all night in summer heat on major lakes and rivers.
Sep – Oct
Fall Bass Turnover & Feed
Lake turnover triggers aggressive bass feeding. Topwater produces in early morning on all Savannah lakes.
Oct – Nov
Fall Crappie Run
Second best crappie window. Fish deeper 12-18 ft as water cools. Main-lake points hold fish.
Nov (GA DNR (WRD))
Fall Trout Stocking
GA DNR (WRD) fall trout stocking program. Check https://georgiawildlife.com for Chatham schedule.
Dec (TBD)
Tournament Season Begins
Local bass club tournaments. Check HERESavannah for local tourney dates.
Jun 6, 2026
Free Fishing Day
Georgia residents need no fishing or trout license on public waters (GA DNR WRD).
Jun 13, 2026
Free Fishing Day
Georgia residents need no fishing or trout license on public waters (GA DNR WRD).
Sep 26, 2026
Free Fishing Day (National Hunting & Fishing Day)
Georgia residents need no fishing or trout license on public waters (GA DNR WRD).
Spawn timing is approximate and based on typical Chatham water temperature patterns. Actual timing varies by year and water body. GA DNR (WRD) trout stocking schedules are published annually — visit georgiawildlife.com for exact dates and stocking locations.
Questions and Answers
Fishing FAQ
Common questions about fishing in the Savannah area, answered.
-
Yes. Georgia law requires anglers 16 and older to carry a current Georgia fishing license when fishing in fresh or salt water. Georgia's 2026 free fishing days are June 6, June 13 and September 26; on those days Georgia residents need no fishing or trout license to fish public waters.
-
Chatham has multiple public fishing lakes. Consult GA DNR (WRD) for a full lake-by-lake breakdown covering largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, bluegill, and bream.
-
The best crappie fishing in Chatham is during the spring spawn, which typically runs from late March through April when water temperatures reach 55-65 degrees F. Fish move into shallower water (2-6 feet) around structure, brush piles, and bridge pilings. A second run occurs in fall (October-November) when fish stage deeper at 12-18 feet as water cools.
-
Yes — kayak fishing is well-suited for Savannah lakes, especially smaller electric-only water bodies. State-park lakes often offer kayak and canoe rentals and allow human-powered craft without a boating permit. Local rivers frequently offer scenic float trips combining paddling and bass fishing. Consult GA DNR (WRD) for blueway maps and put-in/take-out points.
-
Rivers near Savannah typically hold a diverse bass fishery — largemouth, smallmouth, spotted bass, and rock bass in rocky shoals. Catfish (channel, blue, flathead) are common. Consult GA DNR (WRD) for stocking history and fly-fishing recommendations. Wade fishing at road crossings and kayak floats are the most productive approaches.
-
GA DNR (WRD) stocks select Chatham waters with trout, typically in spring and fall when water temperatures are suitable. Stocking locations and schedules are posted annually on the GA DNR (WRD) website at https://georgiawildlife.com — search for the freshwater trout stocking report. The standard trout bag limit is 5 per day during stocking season. Check the current GA DNR (WRD) schedule for specific lakes and streams stocked near Savannah.
FISHING NEWS NEAR SAVANNAH GA
Fishing coverage from the 10 closest HERE cities.