Georgia Striped Bass Fishing

Guide to catching striped bass and hybrid stripers on local lakes

By AA-Fishing Staff Writers

Last updated on January 23, 2026.

Best striper and wiper lakes, lures and bait

Georgia offers fantastic opportunities for catching big striped bass, with both native striped bass and hybrid stripers available in many major lakes across the state. Striped bass are highly prized game fish known for their strength and fighting ability, making them a popular target for anglers of all skill levels.

Striper Fishing Video

Fishing for Striped Bass

When fishing for stripers concentrate on the deeper waters in the lake. If you can locate schools of shad, stripers are often close by. When the baitfish are shallow, over the deep water, you can catch stripers on crankbaits or by swimming spoons at appropriate depths. Check Georgia fishing reports for current striper information. And for the ultimate thrill, try large topwater baits whenever you see surface feeding activity. When the stripers are deep, jigs and jigging spoons work well. Live and cut bait will also take striped bass when they are in medium to deeper water. Fish nearby or in the river channel if it is a defined depth change. Trolling is also an excellent way to fish for stripers. Use flashy lures in bigger sizes. Striped bass, known for their strength and spirited fights, provide an exhilarating angling experience.

Fishing for Hybrid Stripers

Georgia offers several opportunities for hybrid striped bass fishing, which are popular with local anglers. Hybrid stripers are a crossbreed between striped bass and white bass, combining the best characteristics of both species. They are known for their strength, aggressive nature, and impressive fighting ability, making them a thrilling catch for anglers. These "wipers" tend to school around baitfish and follow river channel edges. Fish finders can help you locate schools of fish as well as schools of baitfish. Look for them on flats and long points that connect with channels. Trolling, or still fishing, with live or cut bait are also great options for catching hybrid stripers.

Hybrid striped bass, also known as wipers, are a crossbreed between striped bass and white bass. These hybrids exhibit a combination of the best qualities from both parent species, including fast growth, aggressive feeding habits, and hard-fighting characteristics. Wipers are stocked in several lakes and reservoirs in Georgia, making them accessible to anglers seeking a thrilling fishing adventure.

Major lakes in Georgia, such as Lake Lanier, Lake Hartwell, and Lake Allatoona, are renowned for their striped bass fisheries. These lakes provide ample habitat and forage for the striped bass population, creating ideal conditions for successful fishing trips. Anglers can find striped bass in deep waters, around submerged structures, and near points and drop-offs, especially during feeding times.

The state records for striped bass and hybrid stripers in Georgia are impressive. The current state record for striped bass stands at an impressive weight, highlighting the potential for trophy-sized catches. Similarly, the state record for hybrid stripers reflects the quality of fishing opportunities available in Georgia's lakes.

Striper & Wiper Fishing Lakes

The major Georgia lakes with a population of stripers include Carters Lake, Chatuge Lake, Clarks Hill Lake, Goat Rock Lake, Lake Allatoona, Lake Blackshear, Lake Chehaw, Lake Eufaula, Lake Harding, Lake Hartwell, Lake Jackson, Lake Juliette, Lake Lanier, Lake Nottely, Lake Oconee, Lake Oliver, Lake Russell, Lake Seminole, Lake Sinclair, Lake Tobesofkee and West Point Lake. Coastal waters and the tributaries leading into the ocean are migration routes for stripers and present an opportunity for good stripes bass fishing.

State Fish Records

Two state record striped bass (tie) were caught from Lake Richard B. Russell and the Oconee River.

The state record hybrid striped bass came from Lake Chatuge.

Drew McCarsky shows off a nice striper he nailed in the Carter’s Lake regulation spillway last November. It was 14lb, and hit a white bucktail with a Fin-s fish on the hook, Arkansas shad color. He was using a custom built Lamiglass 9 foot rod and Penn reel loaded with 30 lb power pro braid green colored. Drew says in fall and winter, the big stripers can be had along with 6-8 lb class walleye at night fishing the spillway. There is a lot of snags and rocks to hang on, so bring the heavy duty gear. Leave the little stuff home!

When fishing for stripers concentrate on the deeper waters in the lake. If you can locate schools of shad, stripers are often close by. When the baitfish are shallow over the deep water, you can catch stripers on crankbaits or by swimming spoons at appropriate depths. Check Georgia fishing reports for current striper information. And for the ultimate thrill, try large topwater baits whenever you see surface feeding activity. When the stripers are deep, jigs and jigging spoons work well. Live and cut bait will also take striped bass when they are in medium to deeper water. Fish nearby or in the river channel if it is a defined depth change. Trolling is also an excellent way to fish for stripers. Use flashy lures in bigger sizes.

Georgia Striper Fishing Information

Georgia Outdoor News - Stripers

Additional Striper Information

While stripers are native to salt water, they naturally migrate into fresh water streams to spawn. Their eggs must remain in motion in order to hatch so the fresh water rivers and streams become the ideal spawning grounds for stripers.

Stripers Forever

Striped Bass - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Striped bass and hybrid stripers, by state

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