Written by Atlas Editorial · Last updated
The Coosa River covers two very different current-driven reaches. Below Jordan Dam — the last dam on the Coosa before it reaches the Alabama River — Alabama Power's own materials call it one of the best large spotted (Alabama) bass rivers in the nation, with hybrid striped bass stocked since 1969. Thirty miles upstream, above Weiss Lake at the Georgia/Alabama line, the Coosa runs genuinely free and undammed from Rome, Georgia, holding one of the few naturally reproducing, non-stocked landlocked striped bass populations in the country. Note: this upper stretch is in Georgia and falls under Georgia DNR regulations until fish or anglers cross into Alabama waters at Weiss Lake.
Coosa River — two current-driven reaches: the Jordan Dam tailrace and the free-flowing river above Weiss Lake
Below Jordan Dam (Wetumpka to the Alabama River confluence)
Jordan Dam is the last dam on the Coosa River. The roughly 7 miles of river below it run about 75% flatwater and 25% Class II-III whitewater over named shoals — Moccasin Gap, The Pipeline, and Corn Creek. The reach is wadeable except during heavy generation.
Species on this reach
Alabama Power's own framing: this reach "may be the best large spotted bass river fishery in the nation." April is the prime month for daytime fishing.
Stocked into Lake Jordan since 1969; produces strong tailrace hybrid-striper action below the dam.
Present in this reach; spawns April through June.
Present alongside Alabama bass and redeye bass in this tailrace.
Present in the tailrace below Jordan Dam.
Present in the tailrace below Jordan Dam.
Access points
- Jordan Dam Rapids Road Ramp
- Gold Star Park / Crommelin Landing — In Wetumpka.
- Wheelchair-accessible bank access — East side of the dam.
- Old Dam Road shore access
- Bonner's Point ramp — Near Holtville.
Seasonal notes
April is the prime daytime month for Alabama bass. Redeye bass spawn April through June. The tailrace hybrid-striper bite tracks Alabama Power's generation schedule (1-800-LAKES-11 / apcshorelines.com) more closely than the calendar.
Standard statewide 10-fish daily aggregate black bass limit (max 5 smallmouth applies system-wide, though this reach is an Alabama/spotted bass fishery). Striper/hybrid limit is the standard statewide 15/day (max 5 over 22 inches). Snagging is illegal within 800 feet of any Coosa River dam.
Always verify current statewide and lake-specific rules at /regulations/ before fishing.
Free-flowing Coosa above Weiss Lake (Rome, GA to the Alabama/Georgia state line)
A genuinely free-flowing, undammed river — the Coosa is formed at Rome, Georgia by the confluence of the Etowah and Oostanaula rivers, then runs 30 undammed miles downstream to Weiss Lake at the Alabama/Georgia state line.
Species on this reach
This stretch hosts one of only a handful of naturally reproducing, non-stocked landlocked striped bass populations in the country. Spawning grounds have been documented by Berry College researchers, and Georgia DNR confirms the population is self-sustaining.
Also present in this free-flowing reach.
A reintroduction effort is underway in this stretch; catch-and-immediate-release only.
Spawning run begins in early March.
Access points
- Riverview Park (Rome, GA)
- Mayo Lock & Dam
- Old River Road
- Brushy Branch — The access point nearest the Alabama state line.
Seasonal notes
White bass spawning run begins in early March. Striped bass run peaks in mid-April.
This stretch is in Georgia — Georgia DNR fishing regulations and license requirements apply on this reach until fish or anglers cross into Alabama waters at Weiss Lake.
Always verify current statewide and lake-specific rules at /regulations/ before fishing.
Fishing regulations, generation schedules, and water conditions change. Alabama Fishing Atlas provides informational content only. Verify all regulations with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources before fishing, keeping any fish, or launching watercraft. We are not liable for decisions made based on information published here. Full disclaimer →
Data sources
- outdooralabama.com/black-bass/shoal-bass
- outdooralabama.com/black-bass/redeye-bass
- outdooralabama.com/black-bass/spotted-bass
- outdooralabama.com/rivers-and-mobile-delta/coosa-river
- outdooralabama.com/reservoirs/lake-jordan
- outdooralabama.com/fishing/freshwater-fishing-creel-and-size-limits
- wetumpkaal.gov/399/Fishing-in-Wetumpka
- georgiawildlife.com Coosa River fishing guide
- gon.com/fishing/coosa-river-spring-striped-bass
- garivers.org/coosa-river
Data last reviewed: 2026-07-01