The Tallapoosa River is a picturesque waterway that originates in northwestern Georgia, approximately 40 miles west of Atlanta, before flowing southwesterly across east-central Alabama for 235 miles until joining the Coosa River to form the Alabama River. The river and its watershed cover 4,675 square miles, with 85% of the drainage in Alabama and 15% in Georgia. Running primarily through the Piedmont Upland physiographic region with its complex geology of igneous and metamorphosed sedimentary rock, the Tallapoosa is characterized by physically stable channels with alternating low-gradient areas featuring sand and silt substrates and high-gradient shoal habitats dominated by boulder and bedrock. The river is fragmented by four major impoundments—R.L. Harris (Lake Wedowee), Martin, Yates, and Thurlow. Due to its location in the Piedmont, the Tallapoosa receives relatively few nutrients from natural sources, resulting in clearer water that makes for exceptional fishing visibility but somewhat lower biological productivity compared to other Alabama waterways.
Learn what type of fish are at Tallapoosa River and what's needed to catch them.
Micropterus salmoides
Sander vitreus
Pomoxis nigromaculatus
Micropterus henshalli
Moxostoma duquesnei
Ictalurus furcatus
Lepomis macrochirus
Ameiurus nebulosus
Ictalurus punctatus
Pylodictis olivaris
Centrarchus macropterus
Aplodinotus grunniens
Moxostoma erythrurum
Esox americanus
Lepomis cyanellus
Carpiodes velifer
Lepomis megalotis
Lepisosteus osseus
Lepomis humilis
Polyodon spathula
Carpiodes cyprinus
Lepomis auritus
Lepomis microlophus
Micropterus coosae
Lepomis miniatus
Moxostoma carinatum
Ambloplites ariommus
Alosa chrysochloris
Ictiobus bubalus
Micropterus punctulatus
Lepisosteus oculatus
Minytrema melanops
Lepomis punctatus
Morone saxatilis
Lepomis gulosus
Morone chrysops
Pomoxis annularis
Morone americana
Ameiurus natalis
Perca flavescens
Learn how to get on Tallapoosa 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.
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.
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.
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.
Anglers age 16 and older must have a current Georgia fishing license in their possession while fishing in fresh or salt water in Georgia. Additionally, a free SIP is required to fish in saltwater. A temporary authorization number obtained by telephone or internet sale may be used for seven days until the paper copy is received or printed. Game Wardens may require photo identification when checking fishing licenses. Exception: A fishing license is not required to fish in private ponds (does not include ponds owned by governments—city, county, state, or federal) nor by a resident and their immediate family when fishing on their land.
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.
Navigable waters are those capable of regular barge traffic. The public may boat and fish to the low water mark only where the streambed is owned by the state. If the streambeds are private, you need permission to wade and fish.
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.
Download the map around Tallapoosa River to use it offline when coverage drops.
Keep a private fishing journal for Tallapoosa River to find where and when fish are biting for you.
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See the best times to fish Tallapoosa River and check the forecast before you go.
All Flow Stations
Scheduled releases and generation forecasts from the dams on Tallapoosa River.
Tallapoosa River · Below Martin Dam · Alabama Power
Generating today 5:00 AM CST to 11:00 AM CST, up to 2 units
Forecast updated Fri, Nov 13 at 9:24 PM CST. Schedules can change, so check the operator's page before you go.
Tallapoosa River · Below R.L. Harris Dam · Alabama Power
Generating today 5:00 AM CST to 7:00 AM CST, up to 1 unit
Forecast updated Fri, Nov 13 at 9:24 PM CST. Schedules can change, so check the operator's page before you go.
Tallapoosa River · Below Thurlow Dam · Alabama Power
Generating until 9:00 PM CST, up to 1 unit
Forecast updated Fri, Nov 13 at 9:24 PM CST. Schedules can change, so check the operator's page before you go.
Tallapoosa River · Below Yates Dam · Alabama Power
Generating until 4:00 AM CST, up to 1 unit
Forecast updated Fri, Nov 13 at 9:24 PM CST. Schedules can change, so check the operator's page before you go.
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