The Savannah River forms most of the border between South Carolina and Georgia and is an important US waterway. Aside from supplying drinking water to major cities on its route, it supports a large variety of fish species. Anglers embarking on a Savannah River fishing adventure will encounter all the freshwater fish they could dream of, as well as a few saltwater favorites!
In the upper and middle sections of the river, you’ll hook into freshwater species including Brook, Brown, and Rainbow Trout, as well as Yellow Perch and Crappie. And of course, there’s a variety of Bass, including Largemouth, Smallmouth, Spotted, and Striped, making for great topwater action.
As you make your way down to the lower section of the river, which is much more like an estuary, you’ll add certain saltwater fish to your list. Redfish, Flounder, Speckled Trout, Alligator Gar, and even Sturgeon make appearances in fishing towns beyond Savannah.
How much time you spend on the water depends primarily on what you plan to target. If you’re a beginner or just hoping to go home with a few tasty fish in the cooler, a half day trip does the trick. More experienced anglers looking to do battle with Striped and Hybrid Bass or hook their limits of Trout would benefit from a full day on the water.
The Savannah River’s source is at Lake Hartwell. From there, it meanders south for just over 300 miles before emptying out into the Atlantic Ocean. The two largest cities on its route are Augusta and Savannah, and you’ll find plenty of charter captains here and in smaller towns along the way.
Rules & Regulations
Georgia and South Carolina’s reciprocal fishing agreement allows you to fish the border waters of the Savannah River System, regardless of which state’s fishing license you hold. That said, all anglers over the age of 16 will need to purchase one before heading out.