Fishin' in Georgia

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THE LIBRARIES
THE UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA
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DEPARTMENT 07 GAME AND PIS
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This Booklet
AN AID TO FISHERMEN; A BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE LAWS AND REGULATIONS IN GEORGIA; A GUIDE TO THE BEST FISHING PLACES -IS OFFERED WITH THE HOPE OF BUILDING THE SPIRIT OF CO-OPERATIVE CONSERVATION. --Peter S. Twitty, Commissioner

Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2013
http://archive.org/details/fishiningeorgiaOOgeor

OUT FISHIN'
-- A feller isn't thinkin' mean out fishin'; -- His thoughts are mostly good and clean out fishin'
He doesn't knock his fellow man
Or harbor any grudges then;
-- A feller's at his finest, when out fishin'.
-- The rich are comrades to the poor out fishin'; -- All brothers of a common lure out fishin';
The urchin with the pin and string Can chum with millionaire and king;
-- Vain pride is a forgotten thing out fishin'.
-- A feller gets a chance to dream out fishin'; -- He learns the beauties of a stream out fishin';
An' he can wash his soul in air That ain't foul with selfish care
-- An' relish plain and simple fare out fishin'.
-- A feller has no time for hate out fishin'; -- He ain't eager to be great out fishin';
He ain't thinkin' thoughts of pelf, Or goods stacked high upon a shelf,
-- But he's always just himself out fishin'.
A fellow's glad to be a friend-- out fishin';
-- A helpin' hand he'll always lend out fishin';
The brotherhood of rod and line An' sky an' line is always fine;
-- Men come real close to God's design out fishin'.
-- A feller isn't plottin' schemes out fishin'; -- He's only busy with his dreams out fishin';
His livery is a coat of tan,
His creed? To do the best he can.
-- A feller's always mostly man out fishin'.

AS A FOREWORD: No real sportsman will
catch more fish in a day than he, his party, or his family can comfortably and pleasantly con-
sume. He will, too, put undersized fish back into the water, that they may mature and furnish an equal bit of sport for those who are to come
after him.

.
JUST A THOUGHT FOR THE FISHERMAN
THE feel of a game fish tugging and pulling on the other end of your line. When he tries to outwit you and you try to outwit him. It's the greatest game of all sports. None of the others bring to you the per-
sonal and individual thrill of satisfaction when you win. You've landed your fish
The click of the golf ball; the impact of the gun when
-- you fire or the smell of the burned powder there is a
thrill in both of them; in either of them. But it isn't the same thing as landing your fish. That's when your mind has left the drain of business thoughts and cares; when your troubles and worries have dropped into complete forgetfulness. Your physical fatigue falls off you and is as though it never had been, and your minor ail-
ments are being given a. tonic which the nature of human
enthusiasms alone can compound. You're just "out fishin' ", and that's all there is to it. Rather, it's all there is to anything at the time. Just "fishin' ".
In the midst of the ever-day efforts to expand business, to overcome competition, to grow commercially, our busy people, as a people, find little inclination to pause and take stock of some of Nature's great blessings to Georgians in the form of a Wise Alchemists' most wonder-
ful compound for the bigness and betterment of human progress and prosperity--human happiness. The majority of us do not realize the broad scope of our own
wonderful out-doors where the Great Exterior Decorator has so lavishly demonstrated a completely unexcelled Art in our woods and hills and streams; and too little <!<> we familiarize ourselves with the enticements to happiness
and health He has stored these beauty-spots of a wonder-
ful Handiwork with, to give to them a full appreciation of their proper part in our lives. It is not an exaggeration to say no spot on this continent is better blessed

Scene on Tallulab River.
with a greater variety of these gifts of nature than is the State of Georgia. That nowhere in America is there afforded better opportunities for all the varied happiness
and satisfactions to be found "When a feller goes a
fishin' " than in Georgia.
There is no State in the Union that offers to the angler a greater variety of sport fishing than can be found in Georgia. Literally thousands of miles of splashing, swift, clear water rivers and creeks, wind their course around the picturesque mountain sides of North Georgia, and furnish an abundance of rainbow and brook trout ; the larger streams and their tributaries of Middle and South Georgia, which find their way to the Gulf of Mexico or the Atlantic, are teeming with bass, bream, perch and other species; and along Georgia's marvelous coast, where the rare climate the year round is unexcelled, there is a great diversity of thrilling salt water fishing for such species as Channel Bass or Red Fish, School Pass, Winter and Sum-

.
mer Trout, Drum, Sheepshead, Mackerel, Croakers,
Whiting, etc.
Our commonwealth imposes on the fisherman in this state fewer restrictions than in most states, far more
moderate regulations than in many states; and less of
legal requirements than in probably any state in the Union. It bids to its citizens, and to his friend from elsewhere, a cordial "welcome" and asks of him little else than that he be "a true sportsman", have a mind for the happiness also of his fellowman, and to remember that a sportsmanlike conservation makes for the continuity of that happiness in the future years.
GEORGIA'S FISHING LAWS ARE
REASONABLE.
One of the first thoughts of a good citizen, when he is thinking of a fishing trip, is "What is required of me".
Georgia's fishing laws are extremely liberal; none of them are oppressive. Fewer restraints are imposed upon
the fisherman in Georgia than in any other state. Many
of the restrictions found by fishermen elsewhere, are left in this state to the sense of propriety and sportsman-
ship of the individual. To illustrate, other states limit the number of fish of each species that may legally be caught in a day; and most of them prescribe a size limit
by prohibiting the taking or possession of fish under
certain length in inches specified by law. In many other
states the sale of fresh -water fish is prohibited by law. None of these restrictive prohibitions are imposed upon the fisherman in Georgia. If he fishes with a hook and
line, he may take as many fish as he pleases, regardless of their size, so far as the written law is concerned. Nor
is there any prohibition in law to prevent him selling his fish if he desires. In these things he is restrained only by the conscience of the good sportsman who must realize that the destruction of undersized fish is a waste, and that a catch in excess of what can reasonably be consumed is not conservation for his own and his fellow-sportsman's good

NO FISHING LICENSE IS REQUIRED IN
GEORGIA.
Most of the states have enacted statutes requiring a license to fish. That tax must he paid and the license
procured before the fisherman can legally enjoy one of
No the greatest of all out -door sports. It isn't so here.
fishing license or fee is required to fish in Georgia, in fresh
waters, except when one catches shad fish for sale; in other words when the taking of shad fish is not a sport,
but is commercialized. (A special shad fish law has been enacted in this state, and will be furnished to anyone on application to the Tidewater Commissioner, Brunswick, Ga.)
FISHERMEN NOT REQUIRED TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE DEPARTMENT.
In other states many thousands of dollars in revenue
are raised annually from the sale of fishing licenses, as a
Beautiful "Twin Lakes" Near Valdosta.
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part of the revenue for the support of their departments
of Game and Fish; in Georgia the fisherman is not called
upon to contribute one penny to the support and main-
tenance of the Department of Game and Fish. The only
revenue received by this department, in Georgia, is from the sale of hunting licenses. And yet, most of the money received by the department is actually expended in administration of the fishing regulations, in propagation of fish with which the streams of the state are restocked, in salvaging marooned fish during periods of "freshets" when they would be lost, and in similar work having to do exclusively with this branch of its conservation work.
DRASTIC LAWS ARE DISCOURAGED.
It has always been the policy of the present administra-
tion of Georgia's Department of Game and Fish to dis-
courage radical restrictions by statutory enactments. Instead there has all the while obtained the idea and belief that a greater individual and collective co-operation is to
be found in leaving much of what other states have writ-
ten into laws to the sportsmanship and conscience of the fisherman, and that a general observance of reasonable restrictions will flow to a greater degree from that spirit of co-operation and accord. That, naturally, makes for a more uniform administration than mandatory enforcement of rigid requirements.
There are, however, certain fundamental requirements or provisions in Georgia's fishing laws, which prescribe penalties for violations which have to be classified as important. The department makes earnest and continuous efforts to uniformly enforce, as it is expected
to do.
IT IS A VIOLATION OF LAW
To take fish by means of baskets, traps or similar de-
vices.

Banks' Lake, a Fish Haven in Lanier County.
To cause to be placed in any of the waters of this State
any trap, basket or similar device for the purpose of tak-
ing fish.
To seine or net for fish, except as specially permitted. To dynamite fish.
To place in the waters in this State any poisonous sub-
stance, such as walnut hulls, lime or any other substance
likely to destroy the fish.
To poison fish in any manner.
To shoot fish.
To muddy a stream or any other body of water in
order to take fish therefrom by means of hand-grabbling
or otherwise.
All of these fundamental regulations, it will be immediately observed, are conservation measures designed to pre-
10

vent wanton waste and in no wise affect the pleasures of sportsmen.
PERMISSION OF THE LAND-OWNER
REQUIRED.
Permission of the land-owner is required, by law, to fish in waters on or adjacent to his land. Verbal consent
only is necessary.
PRIVATE PONDS AND THEIR
VALUE.
There are certain exemptions from nearly all of the comparatively few regulations in Georgia's laws. This touches the matter of private ponds.
The owner of a private pond, his family, or his tenants
with the consent of the owner, are permitted to fish with-
in the bounds of such ponds at any time and in any manner they desire, except that none of them, or anyone else,
may dynamite fish, shoot fish or poison fish. It is im-
portant, though, that this special exception accorded in the matter of private ponds includes only the owner of
the pond, members of his family, or his tenants when
given permission.
AYhile statistics have not been compiled showing the economic value of private ponds to land-owners and their families, experience has been sufficiently broad to justify the department in efforts to encourage and aid in the con-
struction of private ponds, both from the point of home
pleasures and in increasing the variety of food for the family. Private ponds in addition to furnishing food for
home use, often prove a convenient source of revenue
through the sale of surplus fish.
In furtherance of the desire to aid in increasing I lie
number of private ponds, the Department of Game and
Fish will gladly co-operate with country land-owners and country home-owners by furnishing advice and informa-
tion on the subject, obtaining for them plans for con-
11

structing such ponds, and will be glad to supply an interesting booklet of 35 pages, illustrated, entitled "Fish Ponds on Farms", which gives not only clear directions for the making of ponds, but describes suitable fish for pond culture, their foods, habits, etc. Where any especial problem confronts the land-owner in his prepara-
tion for such a pond, the Department of Game and Fish
especially invites correspondence and tenders him its aid in endeavoring to meet and overcome his problems.
SPECIAL PERMITS TO SEINE.
The law prohibits seining for fish, except when special permit is obtained from the Department. That is in order to save every fish possible, and to encourage the propagation of more fish in the streams in the State. The Department will, however, grant a special permit to
seine for fish for transplanting under the following con-
ditions:
fir
Famous Okefenokee Swamp, a "Prairie" Scene.
12

Where fish have been marooned in eddyplaces, or in any still water where they are liable to perish from drouth, a permit will be issued upon the recommendation of the County
Game Warden. Such fish must be caught and
transplanted under the personal supervision of
the County Game Warden or his assistant.
This provision is entirely one of conservation. Persons knowing of conditions existing where fish are likely to perish, or otherwise be destroyed, are especially requested
to notify the Commissioner of Game and Fish, State Capitol, Atlanta, Ga., in order that prompt steps may be
taken to save them.
A great deal of this work has been done by the De-
partment in past years, frequently with the liberal cooperation of local citizens. That was particularly true
during the spring and summer of 1929. Over a million adult fish were saved, by being rescued by game wardens and deputies after floods and freshets, from spots in which they had been marooned when the water was high and left when the waters receded with no outlet to running streams. An idea of the importance of this kind of conservation work may be had by thinking of the many
thousands of fish one pair of adults will produce in a
year.
PENALTIES FOR VIOLATING
FISH LAWS.
Penalties are necessary in the enforcement of all regulatory enactments. Without a penalty they would not
be valid. An Act of the General Assembly of Georgia of
L925 fixes a penalty for violation of the state fish laws (except dynamiting) as follows: a fine of not less than
$25, nor more than $200, and all costs of court; or, not less than 30 days nor more than 90 days on the chain gang; or, not less than 30 days nor more than 90 days in jail, either or all of said penalty to be applied in the discretion of the court in which the trial is had.
L3

"A Day's Catch" from a North Georgia Lake.
HEAVIER PENALTY FOR DYNAMITING.
There is a heavier penalty for dynamiting fish, indicating of course that this unsportsmanlike method of destruction is deprecated by the state's lawmakers as well as its Department charged with the duty of carrying out conservation measures. The penalty prescribed by law for dynamiting fish is a fine of not less than $100 and not more than $1,000 together with all costs of court; or, not less than three months nor more than twelve months on the chain gang; or, not less than three months nor more than twelve months in jail; either or all of the penalties to be applied within the discretion of the court where the case is tried.
It is obvious that this provision of law is not excessive, but at the same time that it is intended to prevent wanton
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destruction. Among fishermen there is no spirit of sportsmanship or honor on the part of an individual who
uselessly destroys in large numbers, cither by the use of dynamite or poison, thai which nature intended to be of
benefit to the human family, and which his state is seeking to properly conserve in such a way as to bring the greatest benefits to the greatest number of people.
CERTAIN USES OF GILL-NETS UNDER
SPECIAL PERMISSION.
The law prohibits the ordinary or general use of gill-
nets. By a special order of the Board of Game and Fish
there is one limited exception.
There are in some waters predatory fish, as there are predatory prowlers among the animals on land. They are a menace to the supply of game fish, destroying either young fish or spawn.
Under authority given it by law, the State Board of
Game and Fish, under date of January .SO, 1930, pro-
mulgated "Official Order No. 117", which permits the use of gill-nets only during the months of January, February and March, and limits the authorization exclusively to the taking of gar, carp and sucker fish under definite restrictions as to the size of the mesh to be used even for this purpose. The mesh of such nets must be not less than two and a quarter (2)4) inches square, or not less than four and one-half (4^>) inches long when stretched. The order provides that, when any other fish than carp, gar or suckers are caught with gill-nets, such other fish must be returned to the waters immediately. Any person having in possession or retaining any other fish so
taken, may be prosecuted for a misdemeanor. It also is
prescribed that any net of a smaller mesh than provided in the special order shall be confiscated by the game wardens. It is especially to be remembered, however, that the use of gill-nets in salt water rivers, .-recks and
estuaries is prohibited at all times.
There was, of course, a reason for promulgation of this special order; that reason being a desire to exterminate,
15

as far as possible, carp, gar and sucker fish, which arc rc-

cognized as predatory or destructive fish, from the streams

where they have done great damage. The carp in par-

A ticular is a menance to all species of sport fish.

twenty

pound carp will produce upward of two million eggs.

None of our nest-building fish, such as bass, bream, etc.,

commonly produce in excess of 20,000 eggs. The average

production of black bass is 15,000 eggs, and that of the

bream is considerably less. The carp, where unchecked,

can, by mere weight of numbers, destroy practically all

the spawning beds of nest-building fish, and the special

order of the State Board referred to is in furtherance of

the Department's policy of conservation.

ALL STREAMS MUST BE KEPT OPEN.
No sportsman cares to or wants to ''corner" or hem up
the supply of any of his fellowman's out-door sport. There is a legal provision in Georgia, therefore, covered

Jurf Fishing at Sea Island Beach 16

in section 603 of lite penal rode, which carries this re-
qnireinenl
If any person shall place in the waters of any river or creek, or any fresh water drain or dam, any traps, nets, seines or other devices for catching fish, unless the main channel of such stream is left open for a space of ten feet for rivers and one-third of the channel of creeks, at low mark', unobstructed for the free passage of fish, up or down stream, he shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
POLLUTION OF STREAMS A GROWING
MENAGE.
While the poisoning of fish in any waters in Georgia is, as it ought to be, prohibited by law and carries a very heavy penalty, there has not been necessity heretofore to make similarly severe statutory enactment touching the pollution of streams through various agencies. Yet the Department realizes that there is a constantly increasing menace in the state from this source of danger. Various forms of pollution have not reached anything like the
danger point in Georgia already reached in many of the
other states, but it has in recent years been gradually becoming more and more a problem with us, and it is only a question of a few more years until it will be really alarming. There are several reasons. Rapid increase in population in the larger centers is one of them, since that means greater pollution of streams in their neighborhood through municipal sewerage. In the long run that is not only a menace to public health in the vicinity of the
affected streams, but is destructive to fish life. The most serious menace comes from the refuse from manu-
facturing enterprises; cotton mills, dye plants, pulp mills, refining plants, fertilizer factories, bleacheries, rayon mills and other industrial plants. These enterprises are, in keeping with the state's progress, multiplying rapidly each year, and as the march of commercial and industrial progress goes on the incident menacing condition relative-
ly increases. The Department of Game and Fish has
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A Fisherman's Paradise in Georgia.
absolutely no authority in matters of this kind, unfortunately, and the authority of the State Board of Health is too limited.
SPORTSMEN AND STATESMEN MUST DO IT.
In its reports, through the press, in special literature, this department has repeatedly called attention to this condition, and has sounded the warning as best it can
under the circumstances. The matter, however, is one which properly addresses itself to the attention of the Legislature, and the Department feels it but a duty to draw public attention to the increasing danger from such stream pollution, in order that the people themselves may
discuss it with their representatives in the General Assembly and impress upon the representatives the neces-
18

sity for such remedial legislation as will forestall grnve
results which are bound to come to the fish supply, unless the Legislature provides a remedy. There is, of course, complete realization of the fact that proper measure of respect must be paid to the matter of industrial, manufacturing and textile growth and development with its vast benefits to the state, and that ill advised measures would, with that in view, not be in keeping with a general-
ly progressive state.
In order to meet the condition in the best possible manner under existing circumstances, the Department of
Game and Fish has, during the past two years, had one of its best qualified men engaged exclusively in this line
of work, and has been making a study and survey of pollution of streams in the state, and applying remedial efforts
by inspiring voluntary co-operation. In many instances
correction of bad conditions has been brought about in this way, despite the fact that this Department has no plenary power whatever in the premises. More successful advancement in this branch of the work can come only through Legislative aid; that is by the provision of authority under which to operate.
FOREST FIRES ARE A WOEFUL
DESTRUCTION.
Dealing with the subject matter of conservation could not be complete, even in major part, without reference to an unconscious and unthoughtful form of destruction.
To the casual observer any connection between forest
fires and depletion of the fish supply undoubtedly will seem so remote as to appear fantastic. It isn't. The connection is a direct one, and has an even more rapid effect of deterioration in the supply of economic wild life than upon the fish supply. At the same time the unin-
formed layman is aware of the fact that muddy waters drive away the best species of game fish, and these are the more desirable for food purposes. The object lesson
is in the fact that the best fishing is in the clear-water
streams, while the muddy waters are infested with the
19

predatory enemy of what are commonly classed a* \hc game fish. The carp for instance, is recognized as a menace, and "suckers" are in the "mud fish" classifica-
tion.
Scientific study has brought to light the fact that the most serious of soil erosions is traced directly to burning off woodlands and forests. This has been found particularly true in the Piedmont region, where the practice causes the water to flow off more rapidly into the streams carrying with it heavy erosion. It is this which takes into the streams a great amount of silt, dirt and refuse in the upper watershed, where the rushing waters accumulate
all of it on their way to the ocean. When, after a period of heavy rainfall, one's attention is drawn to the markedly muddy condition of a river in the middle or lower portion
of the state, thought probably does not turn to the ques-
tion where the "mud" comes from or, if it does, the idea passes off with the conclusion that it came from around
Twilight on Famous Lake Burton.
20

the bend. It doesn't. That muddy condition started
its formation well up to the headwater of the river, where denuded lands were washed into the creeks, then poured into the river, and so on it accumulated as the increased volume of water made its way to the natural outlet.
Proper drainage of farm lands; leaving natural growth in places where best suited to arrest or check erosion; intelligent clearing of land in geographical locations which form a water-shed, cessation of the practice of burning lands along the water-shed clear of all ground-growth will materially contribute toward a correction of what is actually a scientific evil. Though it will be ages before such a thing could be, a continuation of the unscientific practices of the present day which are producing an ever increasing erosion will eventually bring about such a leveling of the hills toward the streams that eventually the hills will have disappeared.
The subject matter is one which applies generally in a
study of the broad scope of the practice of conservation, and in the proper study of which there is no better avenue to future results than in the class rooms of our schools.
LOCAL OPTION LAWS TO HELP NATURE.
There is no general law in Georgia fixing a closed season against fishing. There is, though, a special statute which authorizes any county in the state, by action of its grand jury, to fix what has been commonly termed a "closed fishing season". Where the county grand jury, acting in conformity with the special law, defines a given period of time, in which fishing in the waters and streams in that county shall be prohibited, it then becomes the
duty of the State Department of Game and Fish to en-
force that law. The purpose of the law must make itself clear to anyone who will call to mind the fact that at a
certain period of the year nature provides for the restocking of the streams and waters through natural propagation. It is the spawning season. During the period in which the fish are on the bed, and when, if left
21

:
On the Alapaha River, South Georgia.
alone, the countless thousands are hatched to make the future supply, taking the adult fish from the bed means
the loss of untold future supply both from the viewpoint
of sportsmanship and of food economics. To illustrate
the point the following is quoted from a letter received from one of the experts of the Federal Bureau of Fisheries
"I could be quoted, if desired, as stating that
no bass or bream is to be found on the nest unless he has eggs or a new hatch under him; that if the parent fish is removed the eggs or new hatch will be a total loss, and that this amounts, for bass, to an average of about 5,000 and for bream perhaps 1,000 potential fish; that these fish mature in two or three years and become parents; so that, whereas under the present system (when there was no protection during the spawning period) there is a possibility of a day or two of
22

goodfishingbyrobbingthe bed of the guardian fish, though under a system that provides immunity during the eight or ten weeks of the breedingseason would result in a very few years in such an increase that good fishing could reasonably be expected throughout the balance of the year, wherever weather conditions were favorable for bit-
ing."
The logic and common-sense of it has been very generally accepted by many Georgia counties in availing themselves of the authority to set up local option laws, and
nearly 100 counties have, through action of their grand
juries, fixed a period in which fish may not be taken,
during the spawning period in the respective communities. The present method, however, has been the cause of some confusion in the state, because of the absence of
uniformity in the application of the local-option, thus
making enforcement similarly somewhat confusing. For that reason some thought has been given to the problem whether or not the end desired is to be better accomplished by setting up one uniform, general state-wide "closed
season" law. A measure to that end was introduced in
the State Senate in 1929, and passed that branch of the Assembly unanimously, but was not reached for passage in the House before adjournment; the result being that the state is still working at this time under the localoption law.
GEORGIA'S FISH HATCHERY.
Some time ago the Department of Game and Fish
reached the definite conclusion that it was advisable l<> augment nature's propagation for re-supplying the streams, in order that certain species might be more abundantly brought forward, as well as <> build up more impoverished or entirely depleted localities with those species which might be artifically propagated. Hence, the Fish Hatchery.
Georgia's Fish Hatchery was established about Janu ary 1, 1929. It is located in a picturesque valley about
23

five miles west of Summerville ; about thirty miles north
of Rome. In the short period of its operation it has been an exceptionally gratifying success, and has won for itself the highest kind of commendation from unexpectedly large numbers of Georgians and visitors from other
states.
The land for the Hatchery was donated by one of the public-spirited citizens of Chattooga County. The en-
tire plant, including the hatchery buildings, the residence of the superintendent, the lakes and all other equipment, has been bought, paid for and developed Avithout one cent of appropriation from the General As-
sembly of the State. The hatchery was built and is maintained by funds left over each year, after all operating expenses of the Department of Game and Fish are
-- paid and the Department is operated and maintained
entirely on the proceeds of hunting licenses, not a dollar being appropriated for it out of the funds of the state.
State Fish Hatchery at Summerville. 24

The Fish Hatchery already is recognized and ac-

credited one of the most complete and up-to-date of the

A smaller hatcheries of the United States.

representa-

tive of the federal Bureau of Fisheries, after visiting

Georgia's first hatchery, had this to say of it:

"In my thirty years in fish culture I have been
connected with or familiar with many trout
hatcheries, both of State and Federal owner-
ship. I do not know of, and I do not believe there is one anywhere that has so much results to show for so little in cost; nor that permits of
expansion at as low an additional outlay."

It is the purpose of the Department that the plant and equipment at the Hatchery shall be extended from time to time in order that the annual production of fish
for planting in the streams of the state may be proportionately increased. Up to this time only rainbow
and brook trout are being propagated in large quantities. These cold-water species are being raised for restocking the colder mountain streams of North Georgia. Bass and bream will be raised during this year, but these warm-water species will not be distributed in large quan-
tities until 1931.

The superintendent of the Hatchery contemplates producing more than a half a million rainbow trout for distribution during 1930. As additions and expansions can be made the production will, of course, be propor-
tionately larger. Persons desiring these fish should write
to the Commissioner of Game and Fish, State Capitol,
Atlanta, Ga.

Anyone desiring bass, bream, or other warm-water species of pond fish this year should make application direct to his Congressman, who will be glad to have such fish supplied from one of the several Federal Fish
Hatcheries.

CERTAIN OBJECTIVE AIMS.
The Department of Game ami Fish of Georgia is not
working haphazard. In addition to its routine and regu-

25

Fly Casting in a North Georgia Stream.

latory work there are certain definite objectives toward which the Department is striving, and to accomplish which it needs and solicits the co-operation of every fisher-
man in the State. Among these the objectives which
are felt to be most practical and most essential for the proper conservation of our State's fish life are:

A (1)

uniform state-wide closed fishing season in lieu

of the present local-option law. This should be designed

to cover the spawning season of fish in this state, and

should be based on accurate, scientific knowledge compre-

hending the spawning season of the leading species of

game fish, and giving proper consideration to the climatic

differences in North and South Georgia.

(2) A law prohibiting the sale of fresh water game
(ish during the period of such closed fishing season as
may be prescribed by a state-wide law.

26

A (3)

law providing for a moderate fishing license fee

for persons fishing in the fresh waters of the state, the

proceeds to be used for the establishment and mainte-

nance of fish hatcheries in the state where sufficient fish
may be propagated to restock the streams and waters

where the supply is being diminished or practically depleted. Under the present laws the entire expense of

administering the fishing laws and providing maintenance

of the state's first Fish Hatchery comes from funds derived from the sale of hunting licenses. The result is

that propagation and re-stocking in that branch of the

Department's work is not as broad as it otherwise could

be.

(4) Adequate laws to insure the protection of our streams and other fishing waters against pollution by industrial waste and other causes.

HINTS TO CAMPERS AND FISHERMEN.

The Department has found from experience there is often a degree of unthoughtfulness among fishing and hunting parties. These suggestions are made, therefore,
as reminders or hints for recollection:

Don't overlook the fact that there would really be little opportunity for any of us to enjoy the pleasant privilege
of fishing but for the courtesy of the man who owns the land from which we fish. Show your appreciation of the
courtesy extended by the land-owner by respecting his
property rights.

A Be careful with fire!

lighted match or cigarette

carelessly tossed aside in dry brush or undergrowth, may

cost your generous host the loss of many thousand dollars

through a destructive fire. Don't build a campfire where

there will be danger of the blaze spreading, and be sure 1

to see that all the fire is out before leaving the camp.

Smoldering embers are extremely dangerous.

Leave a clean camp. Burn all the waste paper and
garbage, so the visitor who comes after you may be re-

27

minded that a good sportsman preceded him, and that
the man who let you enjoy your pleasure on his property may have no cause to regret it.
Don't cut down or otherwise abuse or destroy growing trees. There is always dead wood enough available for
camp-fire purposes.
Put back in the water all undersized fish, and remember no true sportsman will catch more fish in a day than he and his party or family can reasonably use.
Beware of poisonous snakes, and be careful with all
fire arms.
TREATMENT FOR SNAKE BITE.
Every fisherman, while in the woods and swamps, is constantly exposing himself to attack by poisonous snakes, and his tackle box should be equipped with one
^^m1
Way Down Upon the Suwaaee Iliver."
28

of the anti-venom outfits, which can be procured from
almost any drug" store. For the benefit of those who do
not have such first aid equipment on hand, the followingtreatment for snake bite is printed, with permission from the proper authorities, from the Manual of the Boy Scouts:

Snake Bite:

The bite of a non-poisonous snake leaves a U-shaped

row of tooth prints, or several long scratches, if the bite

A has been glancing.

poisonous snake "strikes" straight,

and leaves two punctures made by the fangs. Rattle-

snakes have rattles, of course. Unless you are sure that

a snake is not poisonous, better treat its bite as below.

First Aid Treatment:
Snake poison is a chemical substance which spreads rapidly in the circulation. Unless positive that the snake is harmless, do this instantly:
(1) Quickly apply tourniquet (shoe-lace, necktie, bit of cloth, belt, neckerchief, rope, etc.), an inch and a half
from the wound and between it and the heart. To avoid
gangrene, loosen tourniquet for an instant every twenty minutes.
(2) Quickly make the wounds bleed, lay open each
X fang bole with an -shape cut made by a sharp knife;
squeeze gently and rub toward wound to encourage bleeding; suck wound (if there are no sores in your mouth)
and spit out the poisoned blood. Warm water may be
poured on the wound by some other helper, thus en-
couraging bleeding.
(3) Quickly cauterize with Potassium Permanganate, force a crystal or two of potassium permanganate deep into each fang-hole; Iln^ chemical has the power of changing snake venom into a harmless substance, bui it must be used quickly and thoroughly. Ordinary antiseptics do not counteract snake poison.
29

(4) keejMjuiel; keep the part bitten as still as possible,
for muscle movement favors circulation and the spread of
the poison. (5) Quickly get a doctor's aid as a heart stimulant
may be needed. (6) Wet dressings tend to keep the wound draining.
(7) In addition, let someone in the party kill the
snake if he can, in order that the doctor may identify the species and know which powerful serum to use.
DIRECTORY OF GEORGIA FISHING WATERS.
For the information of fishermen, the following list of Georgia's best fishing streams is compiled and published.
For further convenience there is included the name and address of the game warden or other representative of the Department of Game and Fish, who will promptly answer any inquiry concerning fishing waters in his respective section and will be glad to co-operate with those
interested in arranging fishing trips.
30

MOUNTAIN COUNTIES
of North Georgia.

County

Stream

Write To

Fannin Floyd Gilmer Gordon Habersham Lumpkin Murray Rabun
Towns
LTnion
White

Noontootla Creek and Toccoa River.

W. A. Wilson,
Blue Ridge, Ga.

Etowah and Oostananla also Coosa Rivers.

C. W. PropltHI, Rome, Ga.

Coosawattee, Cartecay and Ellijay Rivers.

C. C. Cox, Ellijay, Ga.

Dew's Pond

C. W. Barrett,
Calhoun, Ga.

Soquee River, Panther

A. L. Ramsey,

creek and Tugalo Lake.

Clarkesville, Ga.

Chestatee River, High-

W. F. Shelton,

tower and Yahoola Rivers. Dahlonega, Ga.

Jack River and Conasauga W. A. Jackson,

River.

Eton, Ga.

Wild Cat and Dicks Creek, John LaPrade,

Burton, Lakemont, Seed Clarkesville, Ga.,

Lake, and Tallulah Falls R. F. D. and Chas.

Lake, Tugalo River.

E. Rogers, Clay-

ton, Ga.

Hiawassee River, Corbin,
Town and Hightower
Creeks.

E. E. Sellers, Hiawassee, Ga.

Cooper Creek, Nottely and Homer Jarrard,

Brasstown Rivers.

Natal, Ga.

Dukes Creek and Chatta- M. D. Matheson,

hoochee River.

Helen, Ga.

3]

soi iiu: vst Georgia
(Streams running to Allan tic Ocean.)

Stream
Briar Creek Ogeechee
Ohoopee St. Marys River
Satilla River.

Write To
Carl Fleming, Sparta, Ga. Lee C. Brinson, Millen, Ga. J. C. Tootle, Glennville, Ga. T. L. Beasley, Claxton, Ga. ...J. H. Moore, Stillmore, Ga. Chas. S. Arnow, Kingsland, Ga. A. F. Phillips, Folkston, Ga. E. R. Aycock, Waycross, Ga. R. J. Wainwright, Nahunta, Ga.

SOUTHWEST GEORGIA
(Streams running to Gulf of Mexico.)

Streams

Write To

Kinehafoonee River

D. E. Graham, Leesburg, Ga.

Muckalee Creek

D. E. Graham, Leesburg, Ga.

Notchaway and Chichasawhaehee Creeks C. M. Clark, Albany, Ga.

Ochlockonee River

Claude Rountree, Thomasville, Ga.

Pataula Creek....

...J. B. Williford, Cuthbert, Ga.

Spring Creek

.W. L. Olivent, Bainbridge, Ga.

PONDS AND LAKES.
In every section of Georgia there are privately owned ponds and lakes in which the public is permitted to fish under reasonable restrictions. Most of these ponds are well stocked with bass, bream and other game fish. The following is a list of the larger lakes and more important ponds together with the name and address of the owner or person controlling same or the local game warden:
32

County

Pond or Lake

Write To

Baker Butts

Power Company Lake
Jackson Dam Pond

Baker County Power Company.
L. J. McM,ichael,
(Game Warden),
Jackson.

Clayton

Munday's Pond

J. H. Munday,
Jonesboro.

Decatur

Spring Creek Pond

Ga.-Ala. Power Co.,
Bainbridge.

DeKalb

Watson Pond

Mr. Bob Watson,
Lithonia.

Emanuel

Coleman's Lake

I. L. Price, Swainsboro.

McKinneys Mill Pond

W. M. McMillan,
Swainsboro.

Fayette

...Lee's Lake

J. M. Lee, Fayette-

Bennett's Lake

ville.
Mrs. I. P. Lee, Fayetteville.

Fulton

Black Rock Pond

Geo. Thomas, Hape-

ville.

Houston

Houston Factory Lake

J. H. Davis, Perry.

Lanier...

Bank's Lake (11,000 acres) __E. D. Rivers, Lake-
land.

Long...

Middleton Lake

Harry Parker, Ludo-
wici Game Warden

Lowndes

Ocean Pond

Paul Lily, Valdosta.

Twin Lakes

...Paul Lily, Valdosta.

Rabun ..

Lake Burton

Chas. E. Rogers, Clayton.

Talbot

Juniper Lake

Dozier Bros., Juniper

Ware &

Okefenokee Lakes

Charlton

J. M. Hopkins,
Folkston.

Washington. ...Cilmore Pond (Hamburg) ....Gilmore Bros.,
Sandersville.

33

WHEN TO FISH.
The Department of Game and Fish is fortunate in
having the co-operation of Dr. John H. Powell, a fisher-
man who has fished in Georgia waters for more than
thirty years, has an intimate knowledge of the respective fishing advantages of the different fresh waters of Geor-
gia, and who is a recognized authority on all sport fishing.
Dr. Powell contributes fishing stories regularly to one of the leading daily newspapers of Georgia, which also carries a "Question and Answer" column conducted by
him, in which he answers the many questions that are constantly asked him by the anglers of the State. Through the courtesy of Dr. Powell, we are reproducing for the
interest and benefit of Georgia fishermen some of the answers to the questions most commonly asked him. In order to conserve space, the questions are omitted and only the answers printed herewith.
NOT A GOOD TIME WHEN THE MOON IS Fl LL.
"I would not advise fishing when the moon is full and
the sky cloudy, for fish are afraid of shadows playing on the water. They are easily frightened or disturbed."
THE SIGN OF THE ZODIAC.
"Thirty years of fishing has taught me to watch the signs of the Zodiac. I pick my fishing days when the signs are not in the heart or stomach, for when the signs
are thus your live bait will be apt to bleed to death quick-
ly, as also will any little fish you catch and may want to
throw back."
EFFECT OF THE WINDS.
"My advice is to watch the winds. Avoid East winds on the coast or inland. From my experience, South and
Southwest winds are the luckiest, and you will usually find these winds on the first and last quarter of the moon."
34

BEST IN EARLY SPUING.
"Fish arc apparently hungriest in the early Spring, and this seems to he the best time to hag them, with other
conditions all right."
CATCH BASS IN EARLY MORNING.
"Answering your query as to what is the best time to fish for Bass and Trout, I will say on clear days from daylight to about nine o'clock in the morning. That is when they are feeding. At this time use light-colored
-- baits white and red plugs or weighted flys. At noon,
when the big Bass are loafing lazily along the edge of
the bank, use perch colored surface bait that wiggle.
When you cast them let them lie still just for a moment, then reel in fast. From about four to eight o'clock in
the evening, use a plug with a yellow belly and perch colored sides, red throat and dark back, which will dart
and dive. And reel fast".
TACKLE AND BAIT.
FISHING WITH FLY OR PLUG.
"Fishing is quite an art, particularly in using artificial baits. You must bear in mind when casting with
fly or plug the natural action of a struggling bug or insect, that has accidentally fallen into the water. This is the
way to fool the fish. Remember, they are much wiser
today than they were thirty years ago."
FISHING FOR BASS.
"In casting for Bass, use a boat. You should have at
least 150 feet of 18 pound braided silk casting Hue, with a good bamboo rod and reel. Cast wooden plugs, weighted fly or pork- ring wriggler up near the bank, starting the lure back just about the time it hits the water, 'this can be done by changing hands with the rod while the
lure is still in the air."
35

FLY CASTING.
-- "Always cast your bait overhead never sideways.
Use a short rod, preferably a good bamboo rod. Practice in any level open ground space, or body of water. Move your arm and wrist pretty much as though you were hurling a ball, and aim at a target in front. Keep your thumb on the reel spool, but release it just as the lure is
about to touch the ground or water."
MORE ABOUT FLY CASTING.
"You will have better luck if you let your casting flys sink, and then jump them up and down. This can be
accomplished by manipulating the rod tip."
TANGLING OR BACK-LASHING.
"If your line tangles, it is a sign you are using too much force in your cast, or not thumbing your reel properly. For fly-casting use a nine foot rod, ninety feet of enameled line, about eighteen pound test and a regular
fly-rod reel. Move the rod back and forth over the
shoulder until enough line is out of reach, say thirty to fifty feet, bearing in mind that the back cast approximates the same distance as the front cast."
MICE, WIGGLE-TAILS AND LIZARDS.
"Mice, Wiggle- tails and Lizards should be hooked through the lips, and minnows through the lip or back,
and use on or near the surface."
GRASSHOPPERS AND CRICKETS.
"Grasshoppers and crickets give best results when
tied to the hook with a bit of fine thread and then floated on the surface."
SPECIES*
SUN FISH.
-- "All Bass big mouth, small mouth, calico, silver,
red eye, crappie, as well as the bream and so-called
36

-- perch family like goggle eye and warmouth, are Sun
Fish."
BLUE GILLED BREAM.
"A blue gill is a Sun Fish and is native to our own
streams. His gills, or jaws are quite blue, thus his name.
He is likewise sometimes known as 'Blue Joe', and js
short and chubby in our southern streams."
BIG MOUTH BASS. "The big mouth bass is the most difficult to handle,
not only by the angler, but also by the fish culturist, for unlike the Trout eggs, the eggs of the Bass cannot be taken and transplanted, because they are protected by a gelatinous substance that prevents them being stripped and transplanted. Fingerlings have to be secured and planted, either from the Government or the State's
hatcheries."
HORNY-HEADS.
"The Horny-head, or Knotty-head, is the male slick-
head, while the female of this specie is often called the
creek chub. Either of these, however, may be a young
male before growing horns, or little knots on the top of the head."
EELS.
"Eels are of the fish family, and in no sense related to reptiles. They are excellent food fish, and the main
fish diet of Italians."
SUCKERS.
"Suckers are plentiful in our streams, the one we know being the little fellow with the black back and the undershot sucker mouth. His flesh is almosl snow white, and though full of bones, is excellent food when prop< rly
prepared."
37

SHAD.
"There are millions of shad in Georgia streams, principally in the Satilla, Altamaha and Ogeeehee. They come up our coastal streams to spawn in the early spring. Only a very few are ever taken with ordinary sucker
bait."
ALLIGATORS.
"Yes, there are plenty of alligators in the swamps in Southeast Georgia, the greater portion making their habitat in the great Okefenokee Swamp."
FISH FOR STOCKING PONDS.
"For Stocking ponds in Middle and South Georgia, 1 would recommend big mouth Bass and Bream. For North Georgia, small mouth Bass and other Sun-fish."
HABITS OF FISH.
HEARING.
"Fish do not hear. Their keenest sense is of feel, and vibration of any sort will scatter them in a jiffy. They have a sense of smell and sight, but just how far they can
see is all problematical. I don't think they see very far.
Vibrations will disturb them more than anything else. They can see in different directions at the same time, due to the unusual shape and position of the cornea, or frontal part of the eye. Sounds and shadows bother them tremendously and fishermen will enjoy best luck if they
remain entirely out of sight."
FISH SENSITIVE TO VIBRATION.
"The successful still fisherman keeps himself well concealed from the fish, when possible, even though you
are forced to crawl up to the fish hole on hands and knees.
And keep quiet! Any unusual movement near the
water, such as shadows, heavy walking along the bank, or jarring or rocking your boat, will frighten your fish."
38

HOW TO HANDLE UNDER-SIZED FISH.
"Fish are covered with a gelatinous coating that will stick to anything that is dry, hence wet your hands before handling them, or it is likely to cause a bacterious growth over the dry spot that will destroy the fish."
BEST FISHING PLACES NEAR ATLANTA.
BROOK TROIT FISHING.
"It is difficult to say just what particular North Georgia stream is best for brook trout fishing. Luck varies, you know, and conditions have much to do with success in this line. I would say that all the mountain streams where the water is swift are good for brook trout fishing. And there are hundreds of miles of these streams/'
The Department of Game and Fish receives inquries
practically every day in the year as to good fishing places within an hour's ride of Atlanta, and Dr. Powell has furnished us with the following information on this sub-
ject :
"Below I will name a few of the fishing streams within a short Auto ride from Atlanta:
South River lakes, down near Constitution, Georgia, for carp, catfish and bream.
Powder Creek, a good place in Cobb County, near
Powder Springs. Also near-by is Nosey and Mud Creek,
all fair bream streams, but not cats.
Knowles Creek, up near Mableton, off the Bankhead Highway, in Douglas County, a very good stream and full of some large fish, which can be caught best with periwinkles and spring lizards.
Sweetwater Creek, running through Dekalb and Cobb
Counties.
Lee's Mill, near Union City, containing bream, cats and other kinds. (A small fee is charged here.)
39

Yellow Jacket Creek, up near Tucker, but get off the highway.
Venable's Lake, near Stone Mountain, they tell me is
a good place, though I have never tried it out.
Go out the Roswell Road, and hit Nancy's Creek, just
before you get to the Aim's House. There is an old abandoned grist mill nearby and the stream abounds in
fish.
Black Rock Lake, about fifteen miles from the city is
probably the best place nearby, though a fee is charged, it being privately owned.
Nisky Lake, near Atlanta, a private place, is good. The
bass here seem to love Baltimore minnows. A permit
must be secured to fish in this lake.
The lakes near Jackson, in Butts county, are good.
Flint River, down near Nelm's farm, not far from
Fayetteville, is a good place for scaly fish. There is a
deep hole on this river known as Ann's hole, which is
noted.
Down near Union City, the Chattahoochee is good.
Altoona Creek, in Cobb County, contains plenty of
fish; also Jester's Old Mill, though not so good."
SPECIES OF FRESH WATER FISH FOUND
IN GEORGIA.
The following is a list of the most common species of
fresh water fish found in the rivers, creeks, lakes, ponds and other fresh waters of Georgia. In addition to the
most common popular name by which each specie is known, the scientific or Latin name is given, as well as other common names by which specie is often spoken of
by natives.
40

LARGE MOUTHED BLACK BASS.
(Micropterous Salmoides.)
Found in practically all of the fresh water streams. Is a popular pond fish. Belongs to the sun -fish pond family. Referred to in South Georgia as "trout". Female carries from two thousand to ten thousand eggs at spawning time. Feed on minnows, frogs, crawfish, flies, and other insects. Is a great fighter and has excellent food value.
SMALL MOUTHED BLACK BASS.
(Micropterus Dolmieu.)
Jiff/'/,'-',
Known in South Georgia as Rock Bass and Trout. They are found in the clear swift streams of Georgia.
Feed on minnows, frogs, crawfish, night crawlers, insects and flics. Excellent food value.
ll

BLUE GILL BREAM
(Lepomis Pallidus.)
Equivalent to blue bream, blue sunfish, blue joe, blue
perch, and copper nose bream. Found in most of the fresh waters of Georgia. Feed on angle worms, field and water crickets, grasshoppers, insects and flies. Excellent for pan fish.
WARMOUTH PERCH.
(Ambloplites Rupestris.)
^
Bass family. Found in all warm clear waters and more
plentiful in grassy ponds. Feed on minnows, insects and
flies.
42

RED BELLY BREAM.
(Lepomis Megalotis.)
Belongs to sun-fish family. They are found in all fresh waters of Georgia. Habits and food are almost the same as the Bluegill Bream.
HORNY-HEAD.
(Hybopsis Kentuckiensis.)
Found in the eddy places of the streams in middle and North Georgia. Feed on insects and small aquatic animals and also mud.
RAINBOW TROUT. (Sal mo Shasta.)

-..-_

>

-..

Found in the cold waters and mountain streams of North Georgia. Feed on minnows, grasshoppers, insects and flies. Very game, and of excellent food value.
BROOK TROUT.
(Salvelenus Fontinalis.)

Also known as Speckle or Mountain 'Front. Found only in the cold water mountain streams of North Georgia. Noted for his fighting ability. Feed on Angle
worms, insects, flies and minnows. Excellent food value.
43

BLACK FISH.
(Calva Linnaeus.)
Also spoken of as Grindle and Mud Fish. Feed on
minnows and angle worms. Found in all the waters of
the State.
CRAPPIE OR CALICO BASS.
(Pomaxis Annularis.)
Commonly known in Middle and South Georgia as Spotted Perch or Calico Bass. Found in the fresh waters of Georgia. Feed largely on minnows and angle worms.
Excellent food value.
SPECKLED OR MUD CAT.
(Ameiurus Nebulosus.) There are several species of catfish found in all the
waters of Georgia. The channel and speckled cat are most desirable for pan fish. The different species known in Georgia are the channel, blue, speckled and the mud
cat. (Illustrations of species of Georgia fish from cuts through courtesy of KnUi-
prise Manufacturing Co., Akron, Ohio.) 44

--
THE GAME AND FISH DEPARTMENT.
In conclusion the Department desires to impress on the people of Georgia this fact
It is your Department. Know it and use it.
Your fishing and hunting problems are its problems. Its service is to serve you to the best interest of all of you. Fundamentally its object is conservation and propaga-
-- tion that is, saving from waste what we have and multi-
plying it by a careful protection, that there not be an exhaustion of the supply of these things which nature has given to all of us. The Department not only invites but asks for frank correspondence on any subject touching the field of out-door nature sports, in which you are
interested or desire aid. Its efforts in the premises,
whatever they may be, will be equally frank with you.
As a thought for visitors from other states contemplating participation in some of these out-door pleasures which Georgia so abundantly affords, the Department suggests they accept the same spirit of cordial co-operation toward them in the matter of information and assistance. In return the Department asks only that we all be real sportsmen and seek to spread that spirit of cordial cooperation and conservation throughout the State.
15

The Georgia Department of Game and Fish
does not cost the taxpayers of the State a penny.
In all the work the Department does the entire expense is borne from funds derived exclusively from the sale of hunting licenses. Not one dollar is appropriated to it from the State Treasury
funds.

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