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Black Drum regulations in Georgia

· Saltwater · 2026 season

Black Drum
Is it a keeper? A black drum is a keeper today if it measures at least 14 inches, with a daily limit of 15.

Black Drum size limit, season and daily limit

WhereSeasonSize limitDaily limit
Georgia state waters (to 3 nm)Open year-round14 inch minimum15 per person per day

Exact Georgia DNR Coastal Resources Division wording

Season
Open year-round
Size
14 TL
Limit
15
statewide — as printed
“Black drum | All year | 15 | 14 TL”

Source: Georgia DNR Coastal Resources Division, captured 2026-10-01 (2026 season).

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About the black drum

Black drum

Species of fish

The black drum, also known as the drum or drummer, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Sciaenidae, the drums and croakers. It is found in the western Atlantic Ocean off the eastern coast of North and South America. Though most specimens are generally found in the 5-30 lb (2–14 kg) range, the largest black drum was just over 113 lb (51 kg), while in Argentina in 1971, a 48 kg black drum was captured. They are often black and/or gray in color with juvenile fish having distinctive dark stripes over a gray body. Their teeth are rounded and they have powerful jaws capable of crushing oysters and other shellfish. Black drum are capable of producing tones between 100 Hz and 500 Hz when performing mating calls.

Read more about Black drum on Wikipedia →

Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Regulations on this page come from Georgia DNR Coastal Resources Division, not Wikipedia.

All 51 Georgia species A–Z →

Frequently asked

What is the size limit for Black Drum in Georgia?

14 inch minimum in Georgia state waters.

How many Black Drum can you keep per day in Georgia?

15 per person per day.

When is Black Drum season in Georgia?

Open year-round.

Is my Black Drum a keeper today?

A black drum is a keeper today if it measures at least 14 inches, with a daily limit of 15.