Bassmaster Ranks 5 GA Lakes Among SE's Best Bass Fishing Destinations

ATLANTA — Five Georgia fisheries have been recognized among the Southeast's top bass fishing destinations in the 2026 edition of Bassmaster Magazine's annual Best Bass Lakes rankings, with two of the state's lakes sharing waters with neighboring states.

Lake Lanier was Georgia's highest-ranked fishery, coming in 11th in Bassmaster Magazine's Southeastern Division Top 25.

Lake Eufaula, which straddles the Georgia-Alabama state line, ranked 13th, followed by Clarks Hill Reservoir on the Georgia-South Carolina border at No. 14.

Lake Seminole, shared with Florida, placed 17th, while Lake Chatuge on the Georgia-North Carolina line rounded out the state's entries at No. 25.

The rankings were released as part of Bassmaster Magazine's annual "100 Best Bass Lakes" issue, which highlights the nation's top fisheries for largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass.

This year's list coincides with the nation's 250th anniversary and celebrates America's public waters as part of the nation's outdoor heritage.

"From sea to shining sea, America is blessed with an incredible variety of bass fisheries," Bassmaster Magazine Editor-in-Chief James Hall said in announcing the rankings. "As we celebrate America's 250th anniversary, there's no better time to hitch up the boat and experience the very best bass fishing our country has to offer."

Bassmaster said its annual rankings are compiled using tournament results, state fisheries data, input from fisheries biologists, B.A.S.S. Nation leaders, local experts and feedback from anglers across the country.

Georgia was one of the best-represented states in the Southeastern Division rankings with five lakes, trailing only Florida's seven entries.

Nationally, Texas led all states with 10 lakes appearing across Bassmaster's regional rankings.