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Cumberland River

  • Saltwater
  • Tidal river
Sq. miles
0.7
Boat Ramps
0
Access Points
0
Species
8

The Cumberland River is a tidal river flowing through Camden County, Georgia, forming a significant part of the intricate coastal estuary system around Cumberland Island. It offers a classic Southern inshore and nearshore saltwater fishery, connecting to St. Andrews Sound and the Atlantic Ocean. The river and its adjacent waters provide diverse angling opportunities, from sheltered creeks and grass flats for light-tackle action to nearshore wrecks and reefs for larger pelagic species. Fishing here is a year-round pursuit, heavily influenced by tides, seasonal migrations, and the rich estuarine habitat that supports a robust food web.


Species & education

Learn what type of fish are at Cumberland River and what's needed to catch them.

Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities

Learn how to get on Cumberland River. Uncover great fishing access points, boat ramps, and all the facilities you need for an unforgettable day on the water. Some locations shown may border or include private property. Always check property boundaries and applicable regulations before visiting. onWater's Public & Private Land layer can help you plan your access with confidence.

Know where you can legally fish on Cumberland River

See public and private land boundaries along the water, turn on private parcels with owner details to know where permission is required, and find land-trust parcels that offer permitted fishing access.

Georgia licenses and regulations

Georgia Boating Regulations

When using any type of watercraft to access a body of water, it is important to follow all federal, state, and local rules and regulations. These rules and regulations include boat permitting and licensing, invasive species inspections and stamps, life jacket and PFD rules, motor size and horsepower restrictions, noise limitations, restrictions on personal watercraft, and many more. Visit the web link below for the most current rules and regulations for this body of water.

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Georgia Coastal & Inland Waters

A Georgia fishing license covers both freshwater and saltwater fishing statewide, but anyone fishing saltwater must also carry the free SIP permit. The Coastal Resources Division manages Georgia's coastal and estuarine waters, while the Wildlife Resources Division oversees inland waters. If you are unsure which rules apply to a specific body of water, check with the Coastal Resources Division.

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Georgia Delayed Harvest Streams

Anglers fishing delayed harvest streams must release all trout immediately and use and possess only artificial lures with one single hook per lure from Nov. 1–May 14 annually. The use of additional “dropper” lures on one line is permitted as long as each lure contains one single hook. These restrictions do not apply from May 15–Oct. 31 of each year.

Georgia Federal Waters & Offshore Rules

Once you move beyond Georgia's state waters, NOAA Fisheries and the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council take over, managing the federal Exclusive Economic Zone from the state boundary out to 200 nautical miles. No additional federal recreational fishing permit is required to fish federal waters, but anglers must follow all applicable federal regulations alongside any state rules. Species like billfish, tuna, and reef fish such as snapper and grouper have specific federal rules that apply in those offshore waters.

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Georgia Saltwater Fishing License

Anglers age 16 and older need a Georgia fishing license plus a free Saltwater Information Program (SIP) permit to fish saltwater. Both are issued by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division. The SIP permit is free but must be renewed every 365 days, even if you hold a lifetime or multi-year fishing license.

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Georgia Saltwater Size & Bag Limits

Size and bag limits apply per species and can vary by season for Georgia's saltwater fish. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources Coastal Resources Division sets and maintains these rules, covering popular species like red drum, flounder, cobia, black sea bass, and spotted seatrout. Check the current table at the Coastal Resources Division for the latest figures before you head out.

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Take Cumberland River with you

The onWater Fish app keeps this water's access points, species and conditions in your pocket, with the tools you use once you're there.

  • Use the map without signal

    Download the map around Cumberland River to use it offline when coverage drops.

  • Log your catches here

    Keep a private fishing journal for Cumberland River to find where and when fish are biting for you.

Get the onWater Fish app

Free on iOS and Android

Tides, wind & water conditions (10 day forecast)

On open water, wind and tide matter as much as the weather. See the best times to fish Cumberland River and check the marine forecast before you launch.

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