How-To
Rivers & StreamsFlies and Lures Only in Nov per Georgia DNR WRD
Chattahoochee River (Morgan Falls) Fishing Guide
Georgia
The Chattahoochee from Morgan Falls Dam to Peachtree Creek, with the Delayed Harvest trout section from Sope Creek to Cobb Parkway, shoal, largemouth and spotted bass, and striped bass that run up from West Point Lake in summer.
Part of the Chattahoochee River.
Trip at a Glance
Anglers come to the Chattahoochee River (Morgan Falls) for rainbow trout, brown trout, largemouth bass, spotted bass, striped bass, chain pickerel and shoal bass. In November, rainbow trout and brown trout are prime, and for brown trout and rainbow trout, Parachute Adams, Elk Hair Caddis and Blue-Winged Olive are a good place to start. Shoal bass is in a good season in November.
There are 12 shops nearby (4 fly, 9 bait and tackle; some are both), including West Marine in Smyrna. Also nearby: Lake Lanier.
Season at a Glance
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Rainbow Trout
Brown Trout
Largemouth Bass
No Agency SeasonNo Agency Season Found
Spotted Bass
Striped Bass
No Agency SeasonNo Agency Season Found
Chain Pickerel
No Agency SeasonNo Agency Season Found
Shoal Bass
Legend
This Month Prime: Top Months Good Season Open, Slower Spawning No Agency Season Found
Agency: Georgia DNR WRD: Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout; Georgia DNR: Shoal BassSpawning: Georgia DNR WRD (Brown Trout, Spotted Bass)
Season Rules & Licenses
- Buford Dam to Peachtree Creek: fishing hours are 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset; no night fishing. Georgia DNR WRD 2026
- Sope Creek to US 41 (Cobb Parkway), Delayed Harvest: Nov. 1 to May 14, release all trout and use single-hook artificial lures only. Georgia DNR WRD 2026
- National Park Service rule in the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (36 CFR 2.3): live or dead minnows and other bait fish, amphibians and non-preserved fish eggs may not be used or possessed as bait (the park designates no waters where they are allowed). NPS 2026
Rules: our short summary, not the official text. Gear & Tackle is independent, not a government site; rules change, so read the agency's current rules before you go.
Most anglers need a Georgia fishing license; age cutoffs and exemptions are set by the state.
Parts of the Chattahoochee River
- Main PageChattahoochee RiverThe Chattahoochee from Buford Dam to Peachtree Creek in Atlanta, 48 miles of designated trout water inside the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area: a cold tailwater with stocked rainbow and wild brown trout below Buford Dam, and below Morgan Falls Dam a Delayed Harvest trout section with shoal, largemouth and spotted bass and summer striped bass.
- Rivers & Streams · GeorgiaChattahoochee River (Buford Dam)The Lanier Tailwater, from Buford Dam down to Bull Sluice Lake at Roswell, where cold releases from Lake Lanier keep stocked rainbow and wild brown trout year-round.
- Rivers & Streams · Georgia · You're HereChattahoochee River (Morgan Falls)The Chattahoochee from Morgan Falls Dam to Peachtree Creek, with the Delayed Harvest trout section from Sope Creek to Cobb Parkway, shoal, largemouth and spotted bass, and striped bass that run up from West Point Lake in summer.
Chattahoochee River (Morgan Falls) Species
Rainbow Trout
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Prime: Nov to May
View Species
Brown Trout
Prime NowJ
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Prime: Nov to May
Spawning: Sep to Nov, per Georgia DNR WRD
View Species
Largemouth Bass
No agency season found.
View Species
Spotted Bass
No agency season found.
Spawning: Mar to May, per Georgia DNR WRD
View Species
Striped Bass
No agency season found.
View Species
Chain Pickerel
No agency season found.
View Species
Shoal Bass
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Prime: Mar to May. Good: Mar to Nov
View SpeciesSpecies per Georgia DNR WRD.
Images: Duane Raver, USFWS; Noel Burkhead and Howard Jelks, USGS; USGS Alabama Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit. Public domain, CC BY-SA 2.5.
What to Use
Fishing In
Fish● Prime in November
Rainbow Trout
Prime Now · Nov to May
Fly
9 ft 5 wt rod, weight-forward floating line, 9 ft 4X to 5X leader. Add a sink-tip and 3X for streamers.
Rod, Reel and Line
- RodRedington Classic Trout Fly Rod · 9 ft 0 in, 5 weight, 4 pieceCheck Price
- ReelRedington Behemoth Fly Reel · for 5 and 6 weightCheck Price
- LineScientific Anglers Mastery Infinity Fly Line · 5 wt.Check Price
- LeaderRIO Tapered Trout LeadersCheck Price
Tie On in November
- Fly for November · #14-20Pheasant Tail Nymph✓ Named by Georgia DNR WRDSee Options
- Fly for November · #4-12Woolly Bugger · Umpqua Wooly Bugger✓ Named by Georgia DNR WRDCheck Price
- Fly for November · #12-20Parachute Adams✓ Named by Georgia DNR WRDSee Options
- Fly for November · #12-18Elk Hair Caddis✓ Named by Georgia DNR WRDSee Options
- Fly for November · #16-22Blue-Winged Olive✓ Named by Georgia DNR WRDOvercast days.See Options
- Fly for November · #16-22Griffith's Gnat✓ Named by Georgia DNR WRDSee Options
- Fly for November · #12-18Hare's Ear Nymph✓ Named by Georgia DNR WRDSee Options
- Fly for November · #10-16Prince Nymph✓ Named by Georgia DNR WRDSee Options
- Fly for November · #16-22Zebra MidgeTailwaters.See Options
- Fly for November · #4-10Pat's Rubber LegsSee Options
- Fly for November · #10-16San Juan WormSee Options
Spin / Cast
6 to 7 ft ultralight or light spinning rod, 1000 to 2500 reel, 4 to 6 lb mono or fluorocarbon.
Rod, Reel and Line
- Rod & ReelUgly Stik GX2 Ultralight Spinning Combo · 7 ft ultralight rod, size 25 reel, 2 pieceCheck Price
- LineBerkley Trilene XL Monofilament · 4 or 6 lbCheck Price
Tie On in November
- Lure for November · 1/16 to 1/4 ozInline Spinner · Mepps Aglia Inline Spinner✓ Named by Georgia DNR WRDCheck Price
- Lure for November · 1/16 to 1 ozCasting Spoon · Acme Kastmaster SpoonSmall sizes for trout.Check Price
Named by Georgia DNR WRD: the Georgia Wildlife Resources Division names this kind of fly, lure or bait for this fish here; tap the name for its page. It names the type, not the product we link, and does not endorse this site.
Other Picks: general for this fish, each checked against state and federal agency pages, not specific to this water. Ask a local shop what is working.
Gear: rods, reels and lines are starting points, sized from each maker's page. Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.
Buy Local
Shops near Chattahoochee River (Morgan Falls):
- West Marine, SmyrnaWebsite
- Fly Box Outfitters, MariettaWebsite
- Orvis Atlanta, AtlantaWebsite
Map of Chattahoochee River (Morgan Falls)
Chattahoochee River (Morgan Falls) Fishing Videos
How-To
🎣 Chattahoochee River Fishing Adventure | Morgan Falls to Johnson Ferry
Picked by Gear & Tackle: for what they show about the Chattahoochee River (Morgan Falls). We don't make these videos, and none is a review of a product we link.
Watch Chattahoochee River (Morgan Falls) Fishing Videos on YouTube
Planning for a Month
Prime in November
Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout
Good in November: Shoal Bass
Daylight
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Moon
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Typical Weather
63°F high, 40°F low
About 4.5 in of precipitation for the month.
Typical Flow
1,812 cfs
Most years 1,180 cfs to 3,296 cfs.
Typical, Not a Forecast: weather from NOAA's 1991 to 2020 normals at a station about 8 mi away; flow from USGS gauge 02336000, 1955 to 2026.
Also Worth Packing
Clothing for November comes first, picked from typical weather here.
Waders & Boots
Simms Freestone Stockingfoot Waders
Durable, breathable four-layer waders built as a daily driver for seasons of wading.
Pack It For: Sep to May
Check Price Maker's PageWaders & Boots
Simms Freestone Wading Boots
Supportive wading boots with determined traction for a full range of wading conditions, worn over waders or wading socks.
Pack It For: Year-round
Check Price Maker's PageApparel
Frogg Toggs Pro Action Rain Jacket
A durable, waterproof hooded jacket for a wet month.
Pack It For: Oct to May
Check Price Maker's PageNets & Tools
Frabill Rubber Mesh Landing Net
A floating trout net with tangle-free micromesh rubberized netting and a flat bottom that supports the fish's weight evenly.
Check Price Maker's PageSunglasses
Costa Polarized Fishing Sunglasses
Polarized lenses cut glare so you can see fish, structure, and flats.
Check PriceApparel
Simms SolarFlex Sun Hoody
A UPF 50+ hooded sun shirt with a vented hood and extended sleeves, for long, bright days.
Pack It For: Apr to Oct
Check Price Maker's PageApparel
Buff CoolNet UV Neckwear
A UPF 50 sun gaiter for the face and neck.
Pack It For: Apr to Oct
Check Price Maker's PageWaders & Boots
Simms Neoprene Wading Socks
Worn inside wading boots in place of waders when the water is warm enough to wet wade.
Pack It For: Jun to Aug
Check Price Maker's PageSome links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.
Ramps and Launches on Chattahoochee River (Morgan Falls)
Source: Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division Boat Ramps. Hours and fees change; check before you go.
Shops Near Chattahoochee River (Morgan Falls)
Guides and Charters Near Chattahoochee River (Morgan Falls)
GuideFly Fishing
River Through Atlanta
Roswell, Georgia
Per their website: Brown Trout, Brook Trout, Largemouth Bass, Half-Day Trips, Full-Day Trips, Float Trips, Lake Trips, River Trips
Guide
River Fishing Adventure
Woodstock, Georgia
Per their website: Striped Bass, Half-Day Trips, Full-Day Trips, Lake Trips, River Trips
