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The Coosa River begins in the City of Rome and flows 30.4 miles west-southwest, entering Lake Weiss at the Alabama state line. The Coosa River forms in Rome where the Oostanaula River meets the Etowah River. From there it flows 30 miles westward before entering Lake Weiss at the GA-AL state line. There are four public ramps available to provide boat access to the river.
Common fish species in the Coosa River include: gar, carp, smallmouth buffalo, blue catfish, channel catfish, flathead catfish, white bass, yellow bass, striped bass, redbreast sunfish, green sunfish, bluegill, redear sunfish, spotted bass, largemouth bass, black crappie and freshwater drum. |
| Best Fishing Bets |
| White bass, striped bass, catfish and crappie |
| Coosa River Fishing Tips |
Catfish are a favorite Coosa River quarry for many anglers. Blue catfish are the most abundant with the biggest fish (some exceed 40 pounds) generally found in deep holes. Many trophy-fish anglers fish at night using large live fish as bait.
Those less interested in trophies can use traditional catfish baits such as worms, chicken livers and stink baits.
Anglers fishing for catfish may catch a lake sturgeon but they must be released unharmed immediately after being caught. Lake sturgeons are being reintroduced by the DNR into the Coosa River system and cannot be harvested. Sturgeon can be identified by its rounded snout, a toothless mouth on the bottom of its head, four “whiskers” in front of its mouth; bony plates on the side of its body and its shark-like tail. Anglers can help this reintroduction effort by reporting any sturgeon they see by calling the Calhoun Fisheries office at 706-624-1161. More information on this reintroduction project can be found at www.gofishgeorgia.com
White bass and striped bass are a popular quarry in spring when they leave Weiss Reservoir for their annual spawning run. Although somewhat regulated by water temperature, water level and other factors, white bass generally begin their spawning run in early March. Striped bass run somewhat later with mid April being the peak spawning period.
Bass, bream and crappie inhabit the river year round but fishing is best in spring and fall. The backwater creeks near the state line are favored locations by many bass and bream anglers. The Brushy Branch boat ramp is a great access point to pursue these species. |
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| Note: Lake sturgeon, once resident to the Coosa River system, were eliminated from the river in the 1960s. With improving water conditions, stocking efforts were started as a means of re-establishing this large native species. Since 2002, more than 80,000 fingerlings have been released into the Coosa basin. If accidentally caught, release sturgeon immediately. For deep-hooked fish, cut the line close to the hook to increase survival chances after release. To aid in this long-term restoration process, please contact the Wildlife Resources Division, Calhoun Fisheries office at 706-624-1161 if you catch or see a sturgeon. |
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