American Eel Regulations in Georgia (2026)

Where

All waters

Size limit

Commercial harvest of eels is limited to adult eels which shall mean eels at least nine inches in length.

Bag limit

(6) Commercial Harvest Limits. Commercial harvest of eels is limited to adult eels which shall mean eels at least nine inches in length. Except as otherwise provided, there shall be no commercial creel limit for the harvest of adult eels.

Season

(3) Seasons. Fishing for eels shall be open year-round.

• (4) Gear for Taking Eels. It shall be lawful to fish commercially for adult eels as follows: (a) With rectangular pots no larger than 24 inches x 24 inches x 15 inches or with cylindrical traps no larger than 15 inches nor smaller than 9 inches in diameter and no greater than 36 inches in length. Each gear type must have: 1. A mesh size no smaller than 1 inch x 1/2 inch, except for the throat or muzzle and the end opposite the throat or muzzle of cylindrical traps; 2. A round opening, the size of which shall be limited by a steel ring 2 inches in diameter securely attached to the material of which the muzzle or throat is constructed; and 3. Attached thereto a tag bearing the name, address and commercial fishing license number of the person using such pot or trap and non-green colored float bearing the corresponding commercial fishing license number in one inch letters of contrasting color.
• (2) Areas Open to Commercial Eel Fishing . It shall be lawful to fish commercially for adult eels in the following areas: (a) In any salt waters of this state except as specifically prohibited below;

Official source