Recreational Fishing Information

Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant provides science-based resources to support Georgia’s recreational anglers, crabbers and coastal communities.

Whether you’re casting a line, setting a crab trap or learning more about local seafood, these tools are designed to help you fish safely, responsibly and confidently along Georgia’s coast. To ensure you’re following the most up-to-date recreational fishing regulations, check out Georgia Department of Natural Resources Saltwater Fishing Regulations.

Coastal Fishing Maps

These coastal fishing maps are intended to provide the best information available on when, where and how to catch fish. They also include information on fishing sites, camps and marinas. 

Maps are available for Chatham, Bryan/Liberty, McIntosh, Glynn, and Camden County. Maps are free and available at both our Brunswick office and UGA Aquarium. They can also be mailed for a nominal fee. For more information, contact Lisa Gentit at gentit@uga.edu or call 912-264-7365.

The Online Coastal Georgia Fishing Map allows anglers to search for their favorite fishing locations from their computer, tablet or smartphone. The interactive map allows users to turn on and off various layers to locate different fishing styles (i.e. bottom rig vs. shark or tarpon fishing), boat ramps and marinas, artificial reefs, or bait shrimp zones and recreational shellfish harvesting areas along Georgia’s coast.

View map below:

Recreational Blue Crab Harvesting

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources funded a study on recreational blue crabbing conducted by Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant. In collaboration with the UGA Carl Vinson Institute of Government, researchers surveyed and interviewed local crabbers to evaluate the fishery’s scope.

To supplement the research, multimedia resources were created to teach residents and visitors about sustainable harvesting. The project aimed to provide coastal managers with the data necessary to support informed decision-making and long-term resource conservation. Whether you’re crabbing from a dock, boat or shoreline, these resources can help you stay informed and compliant. View the playlist to watch four educational videos on recreational blue crabbing topics including crabbing gear, fishing regulations, blue crab biology and crab picking.

What’s My Bait

What’s My Bait is an online identification tool for coastal Georgia’s estuarine fish and invertebrates, designed to help anglers, students, and researchers accurately identify species they catch, from common baitfish to rarely seen juvenile species. Developed through the Estuarine Fish Monitoring Cooperative, the site supports better understanding of estuarine biodiversity and encourages community contributions to a growing estuarine species database. The What’s My Bait initiative also provides hands-on field training for undergraduates and volunteers, focusing on preparing the next generation of coastal and citizen scientists through practical, on-the-water experience.