- Collection:
- Georgia Government Publications
- Serial:
- Guidelines for eating fish from Georgia waters.
- Title:
- Guidelines for eating fish from Georgia waters, 2013 update
- Creator:
- Georgia. Environmental Protection Division
- Contributor to Resource:
- Georgia. Wildlife Resources Division
Georgia. Coastal Resources Division - Publisher:
- Atlanta, Ga. : Georgia Dept. of Natural Resources, Environmental Protection Division and Wildlife Resources Division, 2013
- Date of Original:
- 2013
- Subject:
- Fish as food--Georgia
- Location:
- United States, Georgia, 32.75042, -83.50018
- Medium:
- state government records
- Type:
- Text
- Format:
- application/pdf
- Description:
- Updates for <2002-> issued by Georgia Dept. of Natural Resources, Environmental Protection Division, Wildlife Resources Division, and Coastal Resources Division.
Description based on: 1996; title from cover.
Latest issue consulted: 2006 update. - External Identifiers:
- Call Number GA N200.E5 S1 F5 2013
- Metadata URL:
- https://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/id:dlg_ggpd_y-ga-bn200-pe5-bs1-bf5-b2013-belec-p-btext
- Digital Object URL:
- https://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/do:dlg_ggpd_y-ga-bn200-pe5-bs1-bf5-b2013-belec-p-btext
- Language:
- eng
- Holding Institution:
- University of Georgia. Map and Government Information Library
- Rights:
-
Guidelines For Eating Fish From
Georgia Waters
2013
Georgia Department of Natural Resources 2 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, S.E., Suite 1252
Atlanta, Georgia 30334-9000
i
For more information on fish consumption in Georgia, contact the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.
Environmental Protection Division 2 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, S.E., Suite 1152
Atlanta, GA 30334-9000 (404) 656-4713 or (706) 369-6376
Wildlife Resources Division 2070 U.S. Hwy. 278, S.E. Social Circle, GA 30025 (770) 918-6406
Coastal Resources Division One Conservation Way Brunswick, Ga. 31520 (912) 264-7218
Check the DNR Web Site at: http://www.gadnr.org For this booklet: Go to Environmental Protection Division at www.gaepd.org, choose publications, then fish consumption guidelines. For the current Georgia 2008-2009 Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations, Click on Wildlife Resources Division. Click on Fishing. Choose Fishing Regulations. Or, go to http://www.gofishgeorgia.com For more information on Coastal Fisheries and 2007-2008 Regulations, Click on Coastal Resources Division, or go to http://crd.dnr.state.ga.us For information on Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) source reduction, reuse options, proper disposal or recycling, go to Georgia Department of Community Affairs at http://www.dca.state.ga.us.
Call the DNR Toll Free Tip Line at 1-800-241-4113 to report fish kills, spills, sewer overflows, dumping or poaching (24 hours a day, seven days a week). Also, report Poaching, via e-mail using Turninpoachers@dnr.state.ga.us
Check USEPA and USFDA for Federal Guidance on Fish Consumption USEPA: http://www.epa.gov/ost/fishadvice USFDA: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/seafood.1html
Image Credits:Covers: Duane Raver Art Collection, courtesy of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Brook Trout on Front Cover. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Line Drawings by Robert Savannah (courtesy of the USFWS): Snowy Egret (p. 4); Raccoon (p. 8). Diagram of Fish Fat Areas (p. 9): Redrawn by Georgia EPD from other sources.
ii
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION
4
ARE GEORGIA'S FISH SAFE TO EAT?
5
HOW DO FISH BECOME CONTAMINATED?
6
BENEFITS OF EATING FISH
7
RISKS OF CONTAMINATED FISH
7
SPECIAL NOTICE FOR PREGNANT WOMEN, NURSING MOTHERS &
CHILDREN
8
WAYS TO REDUCE RISK
9
USING THESE GUIDELINES
10
RIVER BASINS OF GEORGIA
11
FISH CONSUMPTION GUIDELINES
12
GEORGIA PUBLIC LAKES 500 ACRES OR LARGER
12
GEORGIA PUBLIC LAKES AND PONDS LESS THAN 500 ACRES
19
GEORGIA FRESHWATER RIVERS AND CREEKS
25
GEORGIA ESTUARINE SYSTEMS
45
SPECIAL LISTINGS
48
SPECIAL MERCURY GUIDANCE ON KING MACKEREL
49
INDEX
50
iii
Introduction
Fishing is a popular pastime in Georgia. Whether you go alone to relax and enjoy nature, with your friends to enjoy camaraderie and "fish tales" or with your family to pass on a sport you learned as a child, fishing is a fun and rewarding sport enjoyed by many people.
Not only does fishing give people an excuse to get away from the hustle and bustle of daily life, but it can also put a healthy, satisfying meal on the table. Fish are low in saturated fat, high in protein, and can have substantial health benefits when eaten in place of other high-fat foods. The quality of sport fish caught in Georgia is very good; however, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), mercury, chlordane, DDT residues (DDT/DDE/DDD), toxaphene (and related compounds), and dieldrin have been found in some fish. In most cases, the levels of these chemicals are low. However, to help ensure the good health of Georgians, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has developed guidelines for how often certain species of fish can be safely eaten. These guidelines are based on the best scientific information and procedures available. As more advanced procedures are developed, these guidelines may change.
It is important to keep in mind that the consumption recommendations are based on health-risk calculations for someone eating fish with similar contamination over a period of 30 years or more.
These guidelines are not intended to discourage people from eating fish, but should be used as a guide for choosing which type (species) and size of fish to eat from Georgia waters.
The guidelines are non-binding recommendations EPD determines based on the body of water a fish comes from, the species of fish and the amount of fish a person consumes. The purpose of these guidelines is to provide detailed information in an understandable format for people who eat fish. Waters listed in the fish consumption guidelines are not necessarily assessed as impaired using USEPA guidelines for Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act.
The river basin where tested sites are located has been identified in the tables. The fourteen major river basins in Georgia are shown on the map provided, preceding the consumption guidance tables. The listings for lakes have been divided into those with a surface area of 500 acres or more, and small lakes and ponds less than 500 acres in size. Georgia rivers have also been divided into freshwater rivers and creeks, and estuarine systems. An index is provided at the back of the booklet for quick page reference to lake, river and estuarine locations that have been tested.
4
Are Georgia's Fish Safe to Eat?
Yes. The quality of fish in Georgia is good. Fish and seafood are nutritious and can play a role in maintaining a healthy well-balanced diet. This booklet provides you with the guidance and recommendations to use in eating fish in a healthy and informed manner. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has one of the most progressive fish testing programs in the southeast. A variety of different fish species were tested for 43 separate contaminants, including metals, organic chemicals and pesticides. Many of these contaminants did not appear in any fish. However, two contaminants, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and mercury, were frequently detected in significant amounts in a few species from some bodies of water in Georgia. Four additional contaminants, chlordane, DDT residues (DDT/DDE/DDD), toxaphene-like compounds, and dieldrin were also detected infrequently. This publication provides you with information on those six contaminants: PCBs, mercury, chlordane, DDT/DDE/DDD, toxaphene and dieldrin.
In some areas, fish are contaminated with low concentrations of PCBs. It is now illegal to manufacture PCBs; however, in the past, these synthetic oils were used regularly as fluids for electrical transformers, cutting oils, and carbonless paper. Although they were banned in 1976, they do not break down easily and remain in aquatic sediments for years. Over time, levels of PCBs are decreasing.
Mercury is a naturally occurring metal that does not break down as it cycles between land, water, and air. As mercury cycles through the environment it is absorbed and ingested by plants and animals. Nearly all of the mercury found in fish flesh is an organic form, called methylmercury. Most of the mercury absorbed or ingested will be returned to the environment but some will remain in the plant and animal tissues. It is not known where the mercury in Georgia's fish originated. Mercury may be present in fish because of the mercury content of soils and rocks in the southeast, from municipal and industrial sources, or from fossil fuel use. Scientific evidence is growing that mercury is transported long distances through the upper atmosphere, making its control a global environmental issue. Although mercury has always been present, scientific research shows that the amount of mercury cycling through the environment has increased significantly following the dawn of the Industrial Revolution in the late 1800s.
Chlordane is a man-made pesticide used in the U.S. from the late 1940s to the early 1980s. Historically, chlordane was used as an agricultural pesticide, but in 1978 it was restricted to termite control use only. It is now banned for all uses. Chlordane is persistent in the environment and may remain in aquatic sediments for years.
5
Fish at only one site (Albany By-Pass Pond, pg.18), had enough DDE/DDD residues to recommend a restriction in consumption. The DDE/DDD contaminants are chemical breakdown products of the pesticide DDT. DDT was first synthesized in 1874 and its insecticidal properties were discovered in 1939. In the United States DDT was used extensively until 1969. The U.S. production of DDT was discontinued in 1969. Residues of DDE and DDD are persistent and break down slowly in the environment.
Striped mullet at only one site (Casey Canal, pg. 27), had enough dieldrin to recommend a restriction in consumption. Dieldrin is another chlorinated pesticide like chlordane and DDT, and has been restricted from use in the United States. It was used to control corn and citrus pests, termites, and in moth proofing. Dieldrin is persistent in the environment because of the slow breakdown rate.
Toxaphene was a chlorinated camphene pesticide used extensively on cotcotton. In 1982 registration for all uses were cancelled, and a ban on all uses went into effect in 1990. One estuarine area (Terry and Dupree Creeks, and the Back River, page 52), adjacent to a site where toxaphene was once manufactured has remaining residues of toxaphene-like compounds present in some fish. Toxaphene is also persistent in the environment.
Like PCBs, the chlorinated pesticides do not break down easily and remain in aquatic sediments for years. These organic contaminants tend to concentrate in fat and fatty tissues of fish such as the liver and other organs. Over time levels of PCBs and chlorinated pesticides are decreasing.
Some fish in the Savannah River below Augusta contain the radioactive elements cesium-137 and strontium-90. Exposure to large amounts of these elements may increase the risk of developing cancer.
How Do Fish Become Contaminated?
Contaminants get into water as a result of storm water runoff, industrial and municipal discharges, agricultural practices, nonpoint source pollution and other factors. When it rains, chemicals from the land and in the air are washed into the water.
Contaminants are carried downstream by rivers and creeks into lakes, reservoirs, and estuaries. Contaminants can get into fish in a variety of ways. Fish absorb PCBs, chlordane and other pesticides from water, suspended sediments, or their food. These organic chemicals concentrate in the fat of fish tissue and in fatty fish such as carp and catfish. Cleaning and cooking a fish to remove fat will lower the amount of PCBs, chlordane or other pesticides in a fish meal.
6
Larger, older fish and fish which eat other fish may accumulate more contaminants than smaller, younger fish. Once in the water, mercury is converted to methylmercury by bacteria and other processes. Fish absorb methylmercury from their food and from water as it passes over their gills. Mercury is bound to proteins in fish tissue, including muscle.
Benefits of Eating Fish
Fish has long been recognized as a nutritious "protein food". It's nutritional value as a protein source is greater than that for beef, pork, chicken or milk. Additionally, the types and amounts of dietary fats are generally more "heart healthy" than the fats found in other protein foods. Fish is also an important source of the fatty acids that are critical for the development of the brain and nervous system. Fish is an excellent source of several vitamins, and also contributes appreciable amounts of dietary calcium, iron and zinc. These minerals are essential nutrients that tend to be low in people's diets. Many studies suggest that eating fish regularly may help protect against heart and inflammatory diseases.
These guidelines are based on a range in fish meal size from 4 to 8 ounces (1/4 to 1/2 pound). Where the guidelines recommend only 1 meal per week or month, you may prefer to have two smaller meals over that period.
Risks of Contaminated Fish
These guidelines were designed to protect you from experiencing health problems associated with eating contaminated fish. The consumption advice provided in this booklet is developed in a conservative manner. It is intended to protect both children and adults from cancer and the other potential toxic effects of these chemicals.
PCBs, methylmercury, chlordane, DDT/DDE/DDD, toxaphene and dieldrin build up in your body over time. It may take months or years of regularly eating contaminated fish to accumulate levels that would affect your health. Keep in mind that these guidelines are based on eating fish with similar contamination over a period of 30 years or more. Current statistics indicate that cancer will affect about one in every four people nationally, primarily due to smoking, diet and hereditary risk factors. If you follow Georgia's consumption guidelines, the contaminants in the fish you eat may not increase your cancer risk at all. At worst, using the USEPA estimates of contaminant potency, your cancer risk from fish consumption should be less than 1 in 10,000.
PCBs, chlordane, DDT/DDD/DDE, toxaphene and dieldrin can cause cancer in laboratory animals exposed to large amounts, and may cause cancer in humans.
7
Effects other than cancer from these chemicals may include developmental problems in children whose mothers were exposed to them before or during pregnancy. Studies of people who have been exposed to very large quantities of these chemicals (pesticide workers, etc.), have indicated a relationship between high exposures and health effects on the nervous system, digestive system, and the immune system. Exposure to methylmercury has not been linked to cancer. Methylmercury is a concern because of it's potential to damage the nervous system, especially in the developing fetus and young child. This could affect your child's brain and how your child learns, moves, and behaves.
Special Notice for Pregnant Women, Nursing Mothers and Children
If you are pregnant or a nursing mother, or plan to become pregnant soon, you and children under 6 years of age are sensitive to the effects of contaminants such as mercury. DNR's guidelines are designed to be protective for these sensitive groups. In early 2001 the USEPA issued a national advisory recommending that these sensitive groups limit consumption of all freshwater fish to one meal per week due to mercury. People may wish to follow USEPA's recommendation, especially in areas where DNR has not tested fish and offered detailed guidelines. For most other healthy adults, DNR's rec-
8
Ways to Reduce Risk
Keep smaller fish for eating. Generally, larger, older fish may be more contaminated than younger, smaller fish. You can minimize your health risk by eating smaller fish (within legal size limits) and releasing the larger fish.
Vary the kinds of fish you eat. Contaminants build up in large predators and bottom-feeding fish, like bass and catfish, more rapidly than in other species. By substituting a few meals of panfish, such as bream (e.g. bluegill, redear), and crappie, you can reduce your risk.
Eat smaller meals when you eat big fish and eat them less often. If you catch a big fish, freeze part of the catch (mark container or wrapping with species and location), and space the meals from this fish over a period of time.
Clean and cook your fish properly. How you clean and cook your fish can reduce the level of contaminants by as much as half in some fish. Some chemicals have a tendency to concentrate in the fatty tissues of fish. By removing the fish's skin and trimming fillets according to the following diagram, you can reduce the level of chemicals substantially. Mercury is bound to the meat of the fish, so these precautions will not help reduce this contaminant.
Remove the skin from fillets or steaks. The internal organs (intestines, liver, roe, and so forth), and skin are often high in fat and contaminants.
Trim off the fatty areas shown in black on the drawing. These include the belly fat, side or body fat, and the flesh along the top of the back. Careful trimming can reduce some contaminants by 25 to 50%.
Cook fish so fat drips away. Broil, bake or grill fish and do not use the drippings. Deep-fat frying removes some contaminants, but you should discard and not reuse the oil for cooking. Pan frying removes few, if any, contaminants.
9
Using These Guidelines
Check the following pages (or Index), for the area where you fish. The lakes and rivers on the list are arranged in alphabetical order. If your fish or fishing location is NOT in this booklet, follow the suggestions in Ways to Reduce Risk. If your fish or fishing location is in the booklet, it does not necessarily mean that there are contaminants present, but only that the fish have been tested. Meal advice will depend on what contaminant(s) were found and how much was found in different species and sizes of fish. Follow these instructions carefully.
The current Georgia Sport Fishing Regulations should be consulted for the legal sizes and creel limits for different species in a water body. Some legal size limit information is provided in the following tables. The regulations also provide detailed information on how to measure fish length, other seafood size measures, and color pictures for identification.
Measure fish from the tip of the nose to the end of the tail fin.
In the tables find your lake or river and the species and size of fish you caught. If there is no meal frequency listed for a particular size fish, that size has not been tested or is illegal to keep. For rivers, the size that was tested was the common creel size for that species.
Listed below are the four different recommended meal frequencies that are possible for different species and sizes of fish.
No Restriction 1 meal per week 1 meal per month
Do Not Eat
For the purposes of these guidelines, one meal is assumed to range from 1/4 to 1/2 pound of fish (4-8 ounces) for a 150 pound person. Subtract or add 1 ounce of fish to the range for every 20 pounds of body weight. For example, one meal is assumed to be 3 7 ounces for a 130 pound person and 5 9 ounces for a 170 pound person.
10
RIVER BASINS OF GEORGIA
1. Chattahoochee River Basin 2. Flint River Basin 3. Coosa River Basin 4. Tallapoosa River Basin 5. Tennessee River Basin 6. Savannah River Basin 7. Ogeechee River Basin
8. Ochlockonee River Basin 9. Suwannee River Basin 10. Satilla River Basin 11. St. Marys River Basin 12. Oconee River Basin 13. Ocmulgee River Basin 14. Altamaha River Basin
11
Fish Consumption Guidelines
The tables for public lakes have been separated into two categories based on size. The first set of lakes is those with a surface area of 500 or more acres. The second listing of public lakes includes those having less than 500 acres in surface area. These include Georgia DNR Public Fishing Areas (PFAs) and State Parks with small lakes and ponds, and municipal or other public fishing impoundments.
These guidelines are based on a range in fish meal size from 4 to 8 ounces (1/4 to 1/2 pound). Where the guidelines recommend only 1 meal per week or month, you may prefer to have two smaller meals over that period.
Georgia Public Lakes 500 Acres or Larger
Lake Allatoona
Species Black Crappie
Carp White Bass Largemouth Bass Spotted Bass Golden Redhorse Channel Catfish Hybrid Bass
Bluegill
Less than 12" No Restrictions No Restrictions No Restrictions
No Restrictions No Restrictions
12" 16"
No Restrictions
No Restrictions No Restrictions No Restrictions No Restrictions
Over 16"
Coosa River Basin Chemical
No Restrictions
1 meal/week 1 meal/week
Mercury Mercury
1 meal/week
Mercury
Lake Andrews Basin
Species Largemouth Bass Channel Catfish Spotted Sucker
Less than 12"
12" - 16" 1 meal/week
Chattahoochee River
Over 16" 1 meal/week No Restrictions No Restrictions
Chemical Mercury
Banks Lake Basin
Species Largemouth Bass Bluegill Sunfish
Less than 12" No Restrictions
12" - 16" 1 meal/month
Suwannee River
Over 16"
Chemical Mercury
12
Bear Creek Reservoir Species
Largemouth Bass* Channel Catfish Sunfish *
Less than 12" 1 meal/week
No Restrictions
12" - 16" 1 meal/week 1 meal/week
Oconee River Basin
Over 16"
Chemical
Mercury
1 meal/week
Mercury
Lake Blackshear Species
Largemouth Bass * Channel Catfish
Less than 12" No Restrictions
12"- 16" 1 meal/week 1 me al/week
Flint River Basin
Over 16"
Chemical
Mercury
Mercury
Black Shoals Lake
Ocmulgee River Basin
(Renamed Randy Poynter Lake in 2003: originally named Big Haynes Reservoir)
Species
Less than 12"
12" - 16"
Over 16"
Chemical
Largemouth Bass
1 meal/week
Mercury
Channel Catfish No Restrictions 1 meal/week
1 meal/week
Mercury
Black Crappie
1 meal/week
Mercury
Redear Sunfish
No Restrictions
Lake Blue Ridge
Species Largemouth Bass *
Bluegill White Bass Channel Catfish
Less than 12" No Restrictions No Restrictions
12" - 16" 1 meal/week
1 meal/week No Restrictions
Tennessee River Basin
Over 16"
Chemical Mercury
1 meal/week
Mercury Mercury
Lake Burton
Species Largemouth Bass*
White Catfish Channel Catfish Bluegill Sunfish
Spotted Bass Walleye
Less than 12" No Restrictions No Restrictions
No Restrictions
12" - 16" No Restrictions No Restrictions
Savannah River Basin
Over 16" 1 meal/week
Chemical Mercury
No Restrictions
1 meal/week
1 meal/week
Mercury Mercury
Carters Lake
Species Largemouth Bass
Spotted Bass Channel Catfish
Walleye Hybrid Bass
Coosa River Basin
Less than 12" 12" - 16"
Over 16"
Chemical
No Restrictions 1 meal/week
Mercury
No Restrictions No Restrictions 1 meal/week
Mercury
No Restrictions No Restrictions
No Restrictions No Restrictions
No Restrictions
13
Lake Chatuge Species
Largemouth Bass Channel Catfish
Spotted Bass
Less than 12"
Tennessee River Basin
12" - 16"
Over 16"
Chemical
No Restrictions No Restrictions
No Restrictions No Restrictions
1 meal/week
Mercury
Clarks Hill Lake (J. Strom Thurmond)
Savannah River Basin
Species
Less than 12" 12" - 16"
Over 16"
Chemical
Largemouth Bass
No Restrictions No Restrictions
Black Crappie No Restrictions No Restrictions
White Perch No Restrictions
Bluegill
No Restrictions
Redear Sunfish No Restrictions
Hybrid Bass
No Restrictions No Restrictions
Striped Bass No Restrictions No Restrictions No Restrictions
Channel Catfish No Restrictions No Restrictions No Restrictions
Spotted Sucker
No Restrictions
Goat Rock Lake Species
Largemouth Bass White Bass Hybrid Bass
Spotted Sucker Black Crappie Channel Catfish Bluegill Sunfish
Chattahoochee River Basin
Less than 12" 12" 16"
Over 16"
Chemical
No Restrictions 1 meal/month PCBs, Mercury
1 meal/month 1 meal/month
PCBs
1 meal/week 1 meal/month 1 meal/month
PCBs
No Restrictions
No Restrictions No Restrictions
1 meal/week 1 meal/month
PCBs
No Restrictions
Lake Harding (Bartletts Ferry)
Species
Less than 12" 12" 16"
Largemouth Bass
No Restrictions
Channel Catfish 1 meal/week 1 meal/week
Black Crappie No Restrictions 1 meal/week
Hybrid Bass
Striped Bass
Spotted Bass No Restrictions 1 meal/week
Chattahoochee River Basin
Over 16"
Chemical
1 meal/week PCBs, Mercury
1 meal/week
PCBs
PCBs
1 meal/week
PCBs
1 meal/week PCBs, Mercury
Mercury
14
Lake Hartwell: Tugaloo Arm
Savannah River Basin
Species
Less than 12" 12" 16"
Over 16"
Chemical
Largemouth Bass Black Crappie Bluegill Hybrid/Striped Bass Channel Catfish Carp Walleye
No Restrictions No Restrictions No Restrictions No Restrictions
1 meal/week No Restrictions
1 meal/month No Restrictions
1 meal/week
Do Not Eat 1 meal/month 1 meal/week 1 meal/week
Mercury
PCBs PCBs Mercury Mercury
Lake Hartwell: Main Body, D.S. Andersonville IS. Georgia/South Carolina Listing
Species
Less than 12"
12" - 16"
Over 16"
Chemical
Largemouth Bass
1 meal/month 1 meal/month
PCBs
Hybrid & Striped Bass
Do Not Eat
Do Not Eat
Do Not Eat
PCBs
Channel Catfish 1 meal/month 1 meal/month 1 meal/month
PCBs
Main Body.Guidance issued with South Carolina DHEC (Ph.: 1-888-849-7241)
High Falls Lake Species Largemouth Bass Channel Catfish Redear Sunfish Hybrid Bass Black Crappie
Less than 12"
No Restrictions No Restrictions No Restrictions No Restrictions
12" - 16" No Restrictions No Restrictions
No Restrictions No Restrictions
Ocmulgee River Basin
Over 16"
Chemical
No Restrictions
No Restrictions
No Restrictions
Jackson Lake Species
Largemouth Bass Channel Catfish Black Crappie Redear Sunfish White Catfish
Less than 12"
No Restrictions No Restrictions No Restrictions No Restrictions
12" - 16" 1 meal/week No Restrictions
No Restrictions No Restrictions
Ocmulgee River Basin
Over 16"
Chemical
1 meal/week Mercury
1 meal/week
PCBs
Lake Juliette
Ocmulgee River Basin
Species
Less than 12"
12" - 16" Over 16"
Chemical
Largemouth Bass No Restrictions No Restrictions 1 meal/week Mercury
Striped Bass
No Restrictions No Restrictions
Redear Sunfish No Restrictions
Bullhead species
No Restrictions
* Lake Juliette has no minimum size on Largemouth Bass
15
Lake Sydney Lanier
Species
Less than 12" 12" - 16"
Striped Bass
No Restrictions
Spotted Bass *
1 meal/week *
Largemouth Bass *
1 meal/week *
White Catfish No Restrictions No Restrictions
Channel Catfish No Restrictions No Restrictions
Common Carp
Bluegill Sunfish No Restrictions
Black Crappie No Restrictions
Chattahoochee River Basin
Over 16"
Chemical
1 meal/week Mercury
1 meal/week Mercury
1 meal/week Mercury
1 meal/week 1 meal/week
Mercury Mercury
Lake Nottely Species
Largemouth Bass Striped Bass
Channel Catfish Black Crappie
Tennessee River Basin
Less than 12" 12" - 16 "
Over 16 "
Chemical
1 meal/week 1 meal/week 1 meal/week
No Restrictions No Restrictions
Mercury Mercury
No Restrictions
Lake Oconee Species
Largemouth Bass * Hybrid Bass
Channel Catfish White Catfish Black Crappie
Less than 12" No Restrictions No Restrictions No Restrictions No Restrictions No Restrictions
12" - 16 " No Restrictions No Restrictions No Restrictions
Oconee River Basin
Over 16 "
Chemical
No Restrictions
No Restrictions
Lake Oliver Species
Largemouth Bass Channel Catfish
Hybrid Bass Bluegill Sunfish Redear Sunfish
Less than 12"
No Restrictions No Restrictions No Restrictions No Restrictions
Chattahoochee River Basin
12" - 16 "
Over 16 "
Chemical
1 meal/week 1 meal/week PCBs, Mercury
No Restrictions 1 meal/month
PCBs
16
Lake Rabun Species
Largemouth Bass White Catfish Bluegill Sunfish Walleye
Less than 12"
No Restrictions No Restrictions
12" - 16 " No Restrictions No Restrictions
Savannah River Basin Over 16 " Chemical 1 meal/week Mercury 1 meal/week Mercury
No Restrictions
Lake Richard B. Russell
Species
Less than 12"
Largemouth Bass
Black Crappie No Restrictions
Bluegill Sunfish No Restrictions
White Perch No Restrictions
Channel Catfish No Restrictions
Bullhead
No Restrictions
12" - 16 " 1 meal/week No Restrictions
No Restrictions
Savannah River Basin Over 16 " Chemical 1 meal/week Mercury
Lake Seminole Species
Largemouth Bass Channel Catfish Spotted Sucker Black Crappie Redear Sunfish
Chattahoochee/Flint River Basin (Apalachicola)
Less than 12"
12" - 16 "
Over 16 " Chemical
1 meal/week 1 meal/week Mercury
No Restrictions No Restrictions
No Restrictions No Restrictions No Restrictions
No Restrictions No Restrictions
No Restrictions
Lake Sinclair Species
Largemouth Bass Hybrid Bass Catfish Black Crappie
Less than 12"
No Restrictions No Restrictions No Restrictions
12" - 16 " No Restrictions No Restrictions No Restrictions No Restrictions
Oconee River Basin
Over 16 "
Chemical
No Restrictions
No Restrictions
No Restrictions
Lake Tobesofkee Species
Largemouth Bass Channel Catfish
Ocmulgee River Basin
Less than 12" 12" - 16 "
Over 16 "
Chemical
1 meal/week 1 meal/week Mercury
No Restrictions No Restrictions No Restrictions
Lake Tugalo Species
Largemouth Bass White Catfish Bluegill Sunfish Walleye
Less than 12" No Restrictions
12" - 16 " 1 meal/month No Restrictions
Savannah River Basin
Over 16 "
Chemical
1 meal/month Mercury
1 meal/week Mercury
17
Lake Varner (Cornish Creek Reservoir, Newton County) Ocmulgee River Basin
Species
Less than 12" 12" - 16 "
Over 16 "
Chemical
Largemouth Bass
1 meal/week 1 meal/week Mercury
Channel Catfish
No Restrictions
Redear Sunfish No Restrictions
Lake Walter F. George (Eufaula)
Chattahoochee River Basin
Species
Less than 12" 12" - 16 "
Over 16 "
Largemouth Bass *
No Restrictions
Hybrid Bass
No Restrictions No Restrictions
Channel Catfish
No Restrictions No Restrictions
Black Crappie No Restrictions
Spotted Sucker
No Restrictions No Restrictions
* Only Largemouth Bass 14 inches and longer may be legally retained.
Chemical
West Point Lake Chattahoochee River Basin
Species
Less than 12" 12" - 16 "
Over 16 "
Chemical
Largemouth Bass *
1 meal/week 1 meal/week Mercury
Spotted Bass No Restrictions No Restrictions
Hybrid Bass No Restrictions No Restrictions 1 meal/week
PCBs
Channel Catfish No Restrictions No Restrictions No Restrictions
Common Carp
No Restrictions
Black Crappie No Restrictions No Restrictions
* Legal Largemouth 14". ** Striped Bass move between Lake & Morgan Falls Dam
Lake Worth (Lake Chehaw; Flint River Reservoir)
Species
Less than 12" 12" - 16 "
Largemouth Bass
1 meal/week
Channel Catfish
No Restrictions
Flint River Basin
Over 16 "
Chemical
1 meal/week Mercury
No Restrictions
Lake Worth (Lake Chehaw, Old Lake Worth Reservoir)
Largemouth Bass
1 meal/week
Channel Catfish
1 meal/week
Redear Sunfish No Restrictions
Spotted Sucker
No Restrictions
Mercury Mercury
18
Georgia Public Lakes and Ponds Less Than 500 Acres
Lake Acworth
Species
Less than 12" 12" - 16"
Largemouth Bass
No Restrictions
Bluegill Sunfish No Restrictions
Coosa River Basin
Over 16"
Chemical
1 meal/week
Mercury
City of Adairsville Pond
Species
Less than 12" 12" - 16"
Carp
No Restrictions
Coosa River Basin
Over 16"
Chemical
Albany By-Pass Pond
Species
Less than 12"
Largemouth Bass
Catfish
Common Carp
Redear Sunfish No Restrictions
12" - 16" 1 meal/week 1 meal/week
Flint River Basin
Over 16"
Chemical
1 meal/week DDE/DDD
DDE/DDD
1 meal/month DDE/DDD
Allen Creek Wildlife Management Area, Ponds A and B
Species
Less than 12"
12" - 16"
Largemouth Bass
No Restrictions
Bluegill Sunfish No Restrictions
Oconee River Basin
Over 16"
Chemical
Antioch Lake (East & West), Rocky Mountain PFA
Species
Less than 12"
12" - 16"
Largemouth Bass
No Restrictions
Channel Catfish
No Restrictions
Black Crappie No Restrictions No Restrictions
Bluegill Sunfish No Restrictions
Coosa River Basin
Over 16"
Chemical
No Restrictions
No Restrictions
Lake Bennett (Marben PFA, Charlie Elliot Wildlife Center)
Oconee River Basin
Species
Less than 12" 12" - 16"
Over 16"
Chemical
Largemouth Bass
No Restrictions No Restrictions
Redear Sunfish No Restrictions
Big Lazer PFA (Gum Creek Impoundment)
Flint River Basin
Species
Less than 12" 12" - 16"
Over 16"
Chemical
Largemouth Bass *
No Restrictions 1 meal/week Mercury
Channel Catfish
No Restrictions
19
Bowles C. Ford Lake, City of Savannah
Savannah River Basin
Species
Less than 12" 12" - 16"
Over 16"
Chemical
Largemouth Bass
No Restrictions No Restrictions
White Catfish No Restrictions No Restrictions
Brasstown Valley Kids Fishing Pond
Species
Less than 12"
Bluegill Sunfish No Restrictions
12" - 16"
Tennessee River Basin
Over 16"
Chemical
Bush Field Airport, Augusta: Unnamed Pond
Species
Less than 12" 12" - 16"
Largemouth Bass No Restrictions 1 meal/week
Bluegill Sunfish No Restrictions
Savannah River Basin
Over 16"
Chemical
Mercury
Clayton County Water Authority: Blalock Reservoir
Species
Less than 12" 12" - 16"
Largemouth Bass
No Restrictions
Black Crappie No Restrictions
Ocmulgee River Basin
Over 16"
Chemical
Clayton County Water Authority: J.W. Smith Reservoir
Species
Less than 12" 12" - 16"
Largemouth Bass
No Restrictions
Redear Sunfish No Restrictions
Flint River Basin
Over 16"
Chemical
Clayton County Water Authority: Shamrock Reservoir
Species
Less than 12" 12" - 16"
Largemouth Bass
No Restrictions
Bluegill Sunfish No Restrictions
Ocmulgee River Basin
Over 16"
Chemical
Dodge County PFA (Steve Bell Lake)
Species
Less than 12"
Largemouth Bass
Channel Catfish
Ocmulgee River Basin
12 - 16"
Over 16"
Chemical
No Restrictions No Restrictions
No Restrictions No Restrictions
Evans County PFA Species
Largemouth Bass Channel Catfish
Less than 12"
Ogeechee River Basin
12" - 16"
Over 16"
Chemical
No Restrictions 1 meal/week Mercury
No Restrictions
20
Flat Creek PFA (Lonice C. Barrett Lake)
Species
Less than 12" 12" - 16"
Largemouth Bass
1 meal/week
Bluegill
No Restrictions
Channel Catfish
1 meal/week
Oconee River Basin
Over 16"
Chemical
Mercury
Mercury
Fort Yargo State Park Lake (Marburg Cr. Watershed Proj.)
Oconee River Basin
Species
Less than 12" 12" - 16"
Over 16"
Chemical
Largemouth Bass
No Restrictions No Restrictions
Carp
No Restrictions
Hamburg Millpond, Hamburg State Park
Species
Less than 12" 12" - 16"
Largemouth Bass
1 meal/week
Redear Sunfish No Restrictions
Ogeechee River Basin
Over 16"
Chemical
Mercury
Heath Lake, Rocky Mountain PFA
Coosa River Basin
Species
Less than 12" 12" - 16"
Over 16"
Chemical
Largemouth Bass
No Restrictions No Restrictions
Black Crappie No Restrictions No Restrictions
Bluegill Sunfish No Restrictions
Hugh M. Gillis PFA Species
Channel Catfish Bluegill Sunfish Largemouth Bass
Oconee River Basin
Less than 12" 12" - 16"
Over 16"
Chemical
No Restrictions No Restrictions
No Restrictions
1 meal/week
Mercury
Ken Gardens Lake (Albany, Georgia)
Flint River Basin
Species
Less than 12" 12" - 16"
Over 16"
Chemical
Largemouth Bass
1 meal/week 1 meal/week
Mercury
Channel Catfish No Restrictions No Restrictions
Brown Bullhead No Restrictions
Bluegill Sunfish No Restrictions
Kolomoki Lake, Kolomoki Mounds State Park
Species
Less than 12" 12" - 16"
Largemouth Bass
1 meal/week
Redear Sunfish No Restrictions
Chattahoochee River Basin
Over 16"
Chemical
1 meal/week
Mercury
21
Little Ocmulgee State Park Lake (Gum Creek Swamp)
Species
Less than 12"
12" - 16"
Largemouth Bass
Brown Bullhead
1 meal/week
Ocmulgee River Basin
Over 16"
Chemical
1 meal/month Mercury
Mercury
Margery Lake (Marben PFA, Charlie Elliot Wildlife Center)
Oconee River Basin
Species
Less than 12"
12" - 16"
Over 16"
Chemical
Bluegill Sunfish No Restrictions
Largemouth Bass*
No Restrictions No Restrictions
*Minimum size is 14 inches unless posted otherwise.
Lake Mayer (City of Savannah)
Species
Less than 12"
Largemouth Bass
Redear Sunfish No Restrictions
Bluegill
No Restriction
Speckled Bullhead
12" - 16" No Restrictions
Ogeechee River Basin
Over 16"
Chemical
No Restrictions No Restrictions
McDuffie PFA (East Watershed Ponds)
Species
Less than 12"
12" - 16"
Largemouth Bass *
No Restrictions
Bluegill
No Restrictions
Channel Catfish
No Restrictions
*Minimum size is 14 inches unless posted otherwise.
Savannah River Basin
Over 16"
Chemical
McDuffie PFA (West Watershed Ponds)
Species
Less than 12"
12" - 16"
Largemouth Bass *
No Restrictions
Channel Catfish
No Restrictions
*Minimum size is 14 inches unless posted otherwise.
Savannah River Basin
Over 16"
Chemical
No Restrictions
No Restrictions
Nancy Town Lake (Habersham County)
Species
Less than 12"
12" - 16"
Bluegill Sunfish No Restrictions
Largemouth Bass
No Restrictions
Savannah River Basin Over 16" Chemical
Lake Olmstead (Richmond County)
Species
Less than 12"
Largemouth Bass
Spotted Sucker
12" - 16" No Restrictions No Restrictions
Savannah River Basin Over 16" Chemical
22
Paradise PFA (Horseshoe 4)
Species
Less than 12"
Channel Catfish
12" - 16"
Suwannee River Basin
Over 16"
Chemical
No Restrictions
Paradise PFA (Lake Patrick)
Suwannee River Basin
Species
Less than 12" 12" - 16"
Over 16"
Chemical
Largemouth Bass *
No Restrictions No Restrictions
Brown Bullhead
No Restrictions No Restrictions
Bluegill
No Restrictions
*Minimum size is 14 inches unless posted otherwise.
Paradise PFA (Lake Bobben)
Species
Less than 12"
Largemouth Bass No Restrictions
12" - 16"
Suwannee River Basin
Over 16"
Chemical
Payton Park Pond, Valdosta
Species
Less than 12" 12" - 16"
Largemouth Bass
No Restrictions
Bluegill Sunfish No Restrictions
Suwannee River Basin
Over 16"
Chemical
Reed Bingham State Park Lake
Species
Less than 12"
Largemouth Bass
White Catfish
12" - 16" 1 meal/month
Suwannee River Basin
Over 16"
Chemical
1 meal/month Mercury
1 meal/month Mercury
Lake Rutledge (Hard Labor Creek State Park)
Species
Less than 12" 12" - 16"
Largemouth Bass
No Restrictions
Channel Catfish No Restrictions No Restrictions
Oconee River Basin
Over 16"
Chemical
Lake Seed Species
Bluegill Sunfish
Less than 12" No Restrictions
12" - 16"
Savannah River Basin Over 16" Chemical
Shepherd Lake (Marben PFA, Charlie Elliot Wildlife Center)
Oconee River Basin
Species
Less than 12"
12" - 16"
Over 16" Chemical
Largemouth Bass *
No Restrictions No Restrictions
Bluegill Sunfish No Restrictions
*Minimum size is 14 inches unless posted otherwise.
23
South Slappy Blvd. Offramp Pond (Albany, Georgia)
Flint River Basin
Species
Less than 12" 12" - 16"
Over 16"
Chemical
Largemouth Bass
1 meal/week 1 meal/month
Mercury
Bluegill Sunfish No Restrictions
Silver Lake WMA Species
Largemouth Bass Bluegill Sunfish
Flint River Basin
Less than 12" 12" - 16"
Over 16"
Chemical
No Restrictions No Restrictions
No Restrictions
Stone Mountain Lake
Species
Less than 12" 12" - 16 "
Largemouth Bass
Catfish
No Restrictions No Rstrictions
Ocmulgee River Basin
Over 16 "
Chemical
1 meal/week
Mercury
Tribble Mill Lake, Gwinnett County
Species
Less than 12"
Largemouth Bass No Restrictions
Black Crappie
No Restrictions
Bluegill Sunfish
No Restrictions
12" - 16 " 1 meal/week
Ocmulgee River Basin
Over 16 "
Chemical
Mercury
Yohola Lake, Kolomoki Mounds State Park
Chattahoochee River Basin
Species
Less than 12" 12" - 16 " Over 16 "
Chemical
Largemouth Bass
1 meal/week 1 meal/week Mercury
Bluegill Sunfish No Restrictions
Yonah Lake Species
Largemouth Bass Catfish (mixed sp.) Bluegill Sunfish
Less than 12" No Restrictions
12" - 16 " 1 meal/week 1 meal/week
Over 16 "
Savannah River Basin Chemical Mercury Mercury
24
Georgia freshwater rivers and creeks
Please note that the consumption guidelines for Georgia rivers are presented in a different format from the lake tables. Due to the flow of rivers, the site tested is important to the consumption guidelines. Consumption guidelines may vary from one stretch of river to another. The fish tested was the common creel size for the location and species. Freshwater rivers and creeks are tabulated first, followed by listings for Georgia tidal estuarine systems.
Alapaha River (Tifton to Stockton)
Species
Site Tested
Largemouth Bass
U.S.Hwys. 82 to 84
Spotted Sucker
See Above
Redbreast Sunfish See Above
Suwannee River Basin
Recommendation Chemical
1 meal/month
Mercury
1 meal/week
Mercury
No Restrictions
Alapaha River (Near State Line)
Species
Site Tested
Largemouth Bass Near Statenville
Bullhead
See Above
Alapahoochee River (Near State Line)
Species Bullhead
Site Tested Echols County
Suwannee River Basin
Recommendation Chemical
1 meal/month
Mercury
1 meal/month
Mercury
Suwannee River Basin
Recommendation Chemical
1 meal/week
Mercury
Alcovy River Species
Spotted Sucker Chain Pickerel
Site Tested Arrowhatchee Farms See Above
Ocmulgee River Basin Recommendation Chemical No Restrictions No Restrictions
Allatoona Creek, Cobb County
Species
Site Tested
Spotted Bass
Ga. Hwy. 176
Alabama Hog Sucker See Above
Coosa River Basin
Recommendation Chemical
1 meal/week
Mercury
1 meal/week
Mercury
25
Altamaha River
Altamaha River Basin
Near Baxley (U.S. Hwy 1), and Near Jesup, Ga. (U.S. Hwy.s 25/84)
Species
Site Tested
Recommendation Chemical
Largemouth Bass U.S. Hwy 1
1 meal/week
Mercury
Channel Catfish
See Above
1 meal/week
Mercury
Flathead Catfish
See Above
1 meal/week
Mercury
Bluegill Sunfish
See Above
No Restrictions
Largemouth Bass U.S. Hwys 25/84
1 meal/week
Mercury
Channel Catfish
See Above
No Restrictions
Flathead Catfish
See Above
1 meal/week
Mercury
Striped Mullet
Altamaha Park
No Restrictions
Apalachee River Species
Largemouth Bass Channel Catfish
Site Tested Apalachee Beach See Above
Beaver Creek (Tributary to Patsiliga Creek)
Species Yellow Bullhead
Site Tested Taylor County
Oconee River Basin
Recommendation Chemical
1 meal/week
Mercury
No Restrictions
Flint River Basin
Recommendation Chemical
1 meal/month
Mercury
Boen Creek Species
Bluehead Chub
Site Tested Rabun County
Savannah River Basin Recommendation Chemical No Restrictions
Brasstown Creek Species
Northern Hog Sucker
Site Tested Towns County
Brier Creek (Burke County)
Species
Site Tested
Largemouth Bass
Ga. Hwy. 56
Spotted Sucker
See Above
Broad River Species
Channel Catfish Flathead Catfish
Site Tested Ga. Hwy 17 See Above
Tennessee River Basin Recommendation Chemical No Restrictions
Savannah River Basin
Recommendation Chemical
1 meal/month
Mercury
1 meal/week
Mercury
Savannah River Basin Recommendation Chemical No Restrictions No Restrictions
26
Buffalo Creek Species
Bluegill Sunfish
Site Tested Carroll County
Tallapoosa River Basin Recommendation Chemical No Restrictions
Butternut Creek Species
Hog Sucker
Site Tested Union County
Cane Creek (Wimpy's Air Field)
Species
Site Tested
Largemouth Bass Lumpkin County
Tennessee River Basin Recommendation Chemical
No Restrictions
Chattahoochee River BaRecommendation Chemical No Restrictions
Canoochee River (Hwy 192 to Lotts Cr.)
Species
Site Tested
Largemouth Bass U.S. Hwy. 280
Channel Catfish
See Above
Redbreast Sunfish See Above
Snail Bullhead
See Above
Ogeechee River Basin
Recommendation Chemical
1 meal/month
Mercury
1 meal/week
Mercury
1 meal/month
Mercury
1 meal/month
Mercury
Canoochee River (Lotts Cr. To Ogeechee River)
Species
Site Tested
Largemouth Bass
Below Canoochee Creek (Taylor Creek)
Channel Catfish
See Above
Ogeechee River Basin Recommendation Chemical
1 meal/month 1 meal/month
Mercury Mercury
Casey Canal (Tributary to Hayners Cr. / Vernon River)
Ogeechee River Basin
Species
Site Tested
Recommendation Chemical
Largemouth Bass Eisenhower Dr.
No Restrictions
Bluegill Sunfish
See Above
No Restrictions
Striped Mullet
See Above
1 meal/week
Dieldrin
Cedar Creek Tributary (Hart County WMA)
Species
Site Tested
Creek Chubsucker Hart County WMA
Redbreast Sunfish See Above
Savannah River Basin Recommendation Chemical No Restrictions No Restrictions
27
Chattahoochee River (Near Helen, and Above Lake Lanier)
Species
Site Tested
Redeye Bass
Ga. Hwy 75, Helen
Snail Bullhead
See Above
Golden Redhorse See Above
Largemouth Bass Belton Bridge Road
Channel Catfish
See Above
Chattahoochee River Basin
Recommendation 1 meal/week 1 meal/week 1 meal/week 1 meal/month No Restrictions
Chemical Mercury Mercury Mercury Mercury
Chattahoochee River (Buford Dam to Morgan Falls Dam)
Species
Site Tested
Largemouth Bass Multiple, Dam to Dam
Common Carp
See Above
Brown Trout
See Above
Rainbow Trout
See Above
Yellow Perch
Above Morgan Falls
Chattahoochee River Basin
Recommendation 1 meal/week No Restrictions No Restrictions No Restrictions No Restrictions
Chemical Mercury
Chattahoochee River (Morgan Falls Dam to Peachtree Creek)
Species
Site Tested
Largemouth Bass
Below Morgan Falls Dam
Common Carp Brown Trout Rainbow Trout Jumprock Sucker Bluegill Sunfish
See Above See Above See Above See Above See Above
Chattahoochee River Basin
Recommendation Chemical
No Restrictions
1 meal/month No Restrictions No Restrictions 1 meal/week No Restrictions
PCBs Mercury
Chattahoochee River (Peachtree Creek to Pea Creek)
Species
Site Tested
Common Carp
SR 166 (DNR boat ramp)
Channel Catfish
See Above
Bluegill Sunfish
See Above
White Sucker
Peachtree Cr. To I-20
Black Bass Spp.
I-285
Chattahoochee River Basin
Recommendation 1 meal/month No Restrictions 1 meal/week No Restrictions 1 meal/week
Chemical PCBs
PCBs
Mercury
28
Chattahoochee River (Pea Creek to West Point Lake, below Franklin)
Species
Site Tested
Largemouth Bass
U.S. 27/SR16 Whitesburg
Spotted Bass
See Above
Channel Catfish
See Above
Chattahoochee River Basin
Recommendation Chemical
1 meal/week 1 meal/week No Restrictions
Mercury Mercury
Chattahoochee River (West Point Dam to Interstate 85)
Species
Site Tested
Largemouth Bass Below Dam
Spotted Bass
See Above
Flat Bullhead Catfish See Above
Chattahoochee River Basin
Recommendation No Restrictions 1 meal/week No Restrictions
Chemical Mercury
Chattahoochee River (Oliver Dam to Upatoi Creek, Muscogee County)
Chattahoochee River Basin
Species
Site Tested
Recommendation Chemical
Largemouth Bass
Oliver Dam to Eagle Phoenix Dam
1 meal/month
PCBs
Bullhead Catfish
See Above
1 meal/week
PCBs
Chattahoochee River
Chattahoochee River Basin
(Chattahoochee County to Stewart County; Upatoi Creek to Omaha, Ga.)
Species
Site Tested
Recommendation Chemical
Largemouth Bass Oswichee Creek
No Restrictions
Spotted Sucker
See Above
No Restrictions
Crappie
See Above
No Restrictions
Channel Catfish
See Above
No Restrictions
Chattahoochee River (Early County)
Species Hybrid Bass
Site Tested
Downstream of Plant Farley
Chattahoochee River Basin
Recommendation No Restrictions
Chemical
Chattanooga Creek Species
Bluegill Sunfish Northern Hog Sucker
Site Tested Ga. Hwy 193 See Above
Tennessee River Basin Recommendation Chemical No Restrictions No Restrictions
29
Chattooga River (Northeast Georgia, Rabun County)
Savannah River Basin
Species
Site Tested
Recommendation Chemical
Northern Hog Sucker Hwy. 24
1 meal/week
Mercury
Silver Redhorse
Above Lake Tugalo
1 meal/week
Mercury
Chattooga River (Northwest Georgia)
Species
Site Tested
Bluegill Sunfish
Chattoogaville
Black Crappie
See Above
Coosa River Basin Recommendation Chemical No Restrictions No Restrictions
Chestatee River, Headwaters, Turners Corner
Species
Site Tested
Redeye Bass
Hwy. 19
Alabama Hog Sucker See Above
Bluehead Chub
See Above
Chattahoochee River Basin Recommendation Chemical No Restrictions No Restrictions No Restrictions
Chestatee River, (Tesnatee River to Lake Lanier)
Species
Site Tested
Spotted Bass
Downstream Ga. 400
Channel Catfish
See Above
Redbreast Sunfish See Above
Chattahoochee River Basin
Recommendation Chemical
1 meal/week
Mercury
No Restrictions
No Restrictions
Chickamauga Creek (East and South)
Species
Site Tested
Rock Bass
Ga. Hwy 2
Redbreast Sunfish See Above
Chickamauga Creek (West)
Species
Site Tested
Spotted Bass
Ga. Hwy 2
Redbreast Sunfish See Above
Tennessee River Basin Recommendation Chemical No Restrictions No Restrictions
Tennessee River Basin
Recommendation Chemical
1 meal/week
Mercury
No Restrictions
Chickasawhatchee Creek, WMA near Elmodel, Ga.
Flint River Basin
Species
Site Tested
Recommendation Chemical
Spotted Sucker
Wildlife Mgm't Area
No Restrictions
Cohulla Creek (Praters Mill)
Species
Site Tested
Blacktail Redhorse Ga. Hwy. 2
Coleman River, Near Mouth, Rabun County
Species
Site Tested
Rainbow Trout
Near Tate City Rd.
Coosa River Basin
Recommendation Chemical
1 meal/week
Mercury
Savannah River Basin Recommendation Chemical No Restrictions
30
Conasauga River: Headwaters in Cohutta Nat'l Forest
Coosa River Basin
Species
Site Tested
Recommendation Chemical
Rainbow Trout
Upstream Rough Cr.
No Restrictions
Conasauga River:
Coosa River Basin
State Line to Hwy 286 (Hwy 2); and, Hwy 286 to Calhoun (Old Tilton Bridge)
Species
Site Tested
Recommendation Chemical
Spotted Bass
Ga. Hwy. 2
1 meal/week
Mercury
Smallmouth Buffalo
See Above
1 meal/month
PCBs, Mercury
White Bass
Old Tilton Bridge
1 meal/month
PCBs
Smallmouth Buffalo
See Above
1 meal/month
PCBs, Mercury
Coosa River (River Mile Zero to Hwy 100)
Species
Site Tested
Largemouth Bass River Mile 2, Rome
Spotted Bass
See Above
Blue Catfish < 18" Blue Catfish 18-32" Blue Catfish > 32" Smallmouth Buffalo
River Mile 2 & Hwy. 100 River Mile 2 & Hwy. 100 River Mile 2 & Hwy. 100
River Mile 2, Rome
Coosa River Basin
Recommendation Chemical
1 meal/month
PCBs
1 meal/week
1 meal/week 1 meal/month Do Not Eat
PCBs, Mercury PCBs
PCBs
PCBs
Do Not Eat
PCBs
Coosa River (Hwy 100 to Stateline)
Species
Site Tested
Smallmouth Buffalo Below Hwy 100 and at Brushy Branch
Largemouth Bass See Above
Spotted Bass
See Above
Channel Catfish
See Above
Black Crappie
Foster Bend
Blue Catfish < 18" River Mile 2 & Hwy. 100
Blue Catfish 18-32" River Mile 2 & Hwy. 100
Blue Catfish > 32" River Mile 2 & Hwy. 100
Coosa River Basin
Recommendation Chemical
1 meal/month
PCBs
1 meal/week No Restrictions 1 meal/month 1 meal/week 1 meal/week 1 meal/month Do Not Eat
PCBs
PCBs PCBs PCBs PCBs PCBs
Coosa River: Special Striped Bass
Coosa River Basin
(River mile zero in Rome to Stateline/Lake Weiss)
Species
Site Tested
Recommendation Chemical
Striped Bass <20" Multiple sites on Coosa 1 meal/month
PCBs
Striped Bass > 20" See Above
Do Not Eat
PCBs
Note: One population of striped bass migrates annually between Lake Weiss and locations on the Coosa, Etowah (below Thompson-Weinman Dam) and Oostanaula Rivers. Sampled population represents these stretches of river.
31
Coosawattee River (Below Carters Lake Dam)
Species
Site Tested
Smallmouth Buffalo Owens Gin Road
Bluegill Sunfish
As Above
Daniels Creek (Dade County)
Species
Site Tested
Bluegill Sunfish
Cloudland Canyon State Park
Coosa River Basin
Recommendation Chemical
PCBs,
1 meal/month
Mercury
No Restrictions
Tennessee River Basin Recommendation Chemical
No Restrictions
Dukes Creek (Near Helen)
Chattahoochee River Basin
Species
Site Tested
Recommendation Chemical
Rainbow Trout
Near Ga.Hwy. 75
No Restrictions
Brown Trout
See Above
No Restrictions
Note: Trout may not be harvested in Smithgall Woods
Etowah River (Dawson County)
Species
Site Tested
Blacktail Redhorse Kelly Bridge Road
Coosa River Basin
Recommendation Chemical
1 meal/week
Mercury
Etowah River (Above Lake Allatoona, Cherokee County)
Coosa River Basin
Species
Site Tested
Recommendation Chemical
Spotted Bass
York Street
1 meal/week
Mercury
Golden Redhorse See Above
No Restrictions
Etowah River (Below Lake Allatoona, Bartow/Floyd Co.s)
Coosa River Basin
Species
Site Tested
Recommendation Chemical
Channel Catfish
U.S. Hwy. 411
No Restrictions
Largemouth Bass See Above
1 meal/week
Mercury
Striped Bass *
Below Allatoona Dam * No Restrictions
Spotted Bass
See Above
1 meal/week
PCBs, Mercury
Bluegill Sunfish
See Above
No Restrictions
PCBs,
Smallmouth Buffalo See Above
1 meal/month
Mercury
Flint River (Spalding/Fayette Counties)
Species
Site Tested
Largemouth Bass Ga. Hwy. 92
Spotted Sucker
See Above
Recommendation 1 meal/week No Restrictions
Flint Chemical Mercury
32
Flint River (Meriwether/Pike/Upson Counties)
Species
Site Tested
Shoal Bass
Ga. Hwy. 18
Channel Catfish
See Above
Flathead Catfish
See Above
Flint River Basin
Recommendation Chemical
1 meal/week
Mercury
No Restrictions
No Restrictions
Flint River (Taylor County)
Species
Site Tested
Largemouth Bass U.S. Hwy. 80
Channel Catfish
See Above
Shoal Bass
See Above
Flint River Basin
Recommendation Chemical
1 meal/week
Mercury
No Restrictions
No Restrictions
Flint River (Above Lake Blackshear, Macon/Dooly Co.s)
Flint River Basin
Species
Site Tested
Recommendation Chemical
Largemouth Bass Oglethorpe, Ga. Hwy 49 1 meal/week
Mercury
Channel Catfish
See Above
No Restrictions
Flint River (Below Lake Blackshear, Worth/Lee Co.s)
Flint River Basin
Species
Site Tested
Recommendation Chemical
Largemouth Bass No. Albany, Ga. Hwy 32 1 meal/week
Mercury
Channel Catfish
See Above
No Restrictions
Flint River (Dougherty/Baker/Mitchell Counties)
Flint River Basin
Species
Site Tested
Recommendation Chemical
Largemouth Bass Below Albany & Merck 1 meal/week
Mercury
Sucker
See Above
No Restrictions
Flathead Catfish <16"
Above Newton, GA
No Restrictions
Flathead Catfish 16-
30"
See Above
1 meal/week
Mercury
Flathead Catfish >30"
See Above
1 meal/month
Mercury
Goldmine Branch (Tributary to Warwoman Cr.)
Species
Site Tested
Brook Trout
Rabun County
Savannah River Basin Recommendation Chemical No Restrictions
Gum Creek Species
Largemouth Bass Carp
Site Tested Crisp County See Above
Flint River Basin
Recommendation Chemical
1 meal/week
Mercury
No Restriction
33
Holly Creek (Murray County)
Species
Site Tested
Blacktail Redhorse Fox Bridge Road
Ichawaynochaway Creek Flint River Basin
Species
Site Tested
Largemouth Bass Cordays Millpond
Spotted Sucker
See Above
Coosa River Basin
Recommendation Chemical
1 meal/week
Mercury
Recommendation 1 meal/week No Restriction
Chemical Mercury
Jacks River (Fannin County)
Species
Site Tested
Brown Trout
Watson Gap
Coosa River Basin Recommendation Chemical No Restrictions
Jones Creek (U.S. Forest Service Rd. 28-1)
Species
Site Tested
Brown Trout
Lumpkin County
Kinchafoonee Creek (Sumter/Lee Counties)
Species
Site Tested
Largemouth Bass Ga. Hwys 49 to 118
Spotted Sucker
See Above
Little Dry Creek (Floyd County)
Species
Site Tested
Bluegill Sunfish
Near Rome
Coosa River Basin
Recommendation Chemical
No Restrictions
Flint River Basin
Recommendation Chemical
1 meal/week
Mercury
1 meal/week
Mercury
Coosa River Basin Recommendation Chemical No Restrictions
Little River (Above & Below Rocky Cr., Wilkes Co.)
Savannah River Basin
Species
Site Tested
Recommendation Chemical
Largemouth Bass
Above & Below Rocky Creek
1 meal/week
Mercury
Silver Redhorse
See Above
No Restrictions
Spotted Sucker
See Above
No Restrictions
Little River (West of Valdosta, Lowndes County)
Suwannee River Basin
Species
Site Tested
Recommendation Chemical
Largemouth Bass Above Ga. Hwy 133
1 meal/week
Mercury
Spotted Sucker
See Above
No Restrictions
Little Tallapoosa River
Species
Site Tested
Largemouth Bass U.S. Hwy. 27
Black Crappie
See Above
Brown Bullhead
See Above
Tallapoosa River Basin Recommendation Chemical No Restrictions No Restrictions No Restrictions
34
Little Tennessee River (Rabun County)
Tennessee River Basin
Species
Site Tested
Recommendation Chemical
Mixed Bass/Sunfish Above John Kelly Rd.
No Restrictions
Mixed Sucker Spp. See Above
No Restrictions
Mixed Bass/Sunfish Species: Rock Bass, Redbreast and Green Sunfish. Mixed Sucker Species:
Black Redhorse, Striped Jumprock and Northern Hog Sucker
Middle Oconee River (Above & Below Athens)
Species
Site Tested
Redbreast Sunfish U.S. Hwy 29, (Above)
Spotted Sucker
See Above
Silver Redhorse
Below Barber Creek
Oconee River Basin Recommendation Chemical No Restrictions No Restrictions No Restrictions
Mill Creek (Whitfield County)
Species
Site Tested
Spotted Sucker
Near Dalton
Redbreast Sunfish See Above
Mill Creek (Murray County)
Species
Site Tested
Golden Redhorse Hwy. 411, Eton
Coosa River Basin Recommendation Chemical No Restrictions No Restrictions
Coosa River Basin
Recommendation Chemical
1 meal/week
Mercury
Moccasin Creek (Lake Burton Hatchery)
Species
Site Tested
Rainbow Trout
DNR Hatchery
Savannah River Basin Recommendation Chemical No Restrictions
Muckalee Creek (Sumter/Lee Counties)
Species
Site Tested
Largemouth Bass
McLittle Bridge Rd. To Ga. Hwy 118
Spotted Sucker
See Above
Flint River Basin
Recommendation Chemical
1 meal/week
Mercury
1 meal/week
Mercury
Mud Creek, Near Powder Springs, Cobb County
Species
Site Tested
Alabama Hog Sucker Ga. Hwy 360
Bluegill Sunfish
See Above
Chattahoochee River Basin Recommendation Chemical No Restrictions No Restrictions
Nickajack Creek, Cobb County
Species
Site Tested
Alabama Hog Sucker Cooper Lake Road
Bluegill Sunfish
See Above
35
Chattahoochee River Basin Recommendation Chemical No Restrictions No Restrictions
Noonday Creek
Coosa River Basin
Species
Site Tested
Recommendation Chemical
Alabama Hog Sucker Cobb County
No Restrictions
Redbreast Sunfish See Above
No Restrictions
North Oconee River (Above and Below Athens, Clarke Co. Oconee River Basin
Species
Site Tested
Recommendation Chemical
Redbreast Sunfish Newton Bridge Road
No Restrictions
Redbreast Sunfish Whitehall Rd. (Below) No Restrictions
Flat Bullhead
See Above
No Restrictions
Ochlockonee River (Moultrie to Thomasville)
Species
Site Tested
Largemouth Bass
Above Thomasville, Hwy. 19
White Catfish Redbreast Sunfish Warmouth
See Above See Above
See Above
Ochlockonee River Basin
Recommendation Chemical
1 meal/month
Mercury
1 meal/week 1 meal/week 1 meal/week
Mercury Mercury Mercury
Ochlockonee River (Thomasville to State Line)
Species
Site Tested
Largemouth Bass Ga. Hwy. 93
Spotted Sucker
See Above
Redbreast Sunfish See Above
Ochlockonee River Basin
Recommendation Chemical
1 meal/month
Mercury
1 meal/week
Mercury
No Restrictions
Ocmulgee River (Butts/Monroe Counties)
Species
Site Tested
Largemouth Bass Below Lake Jackson
Brown Bullhead
See Above
Ocmulgee River (Bibb County)
Species
Site Tested
Largemouth Bass
Flathead Catfish Channel Catfish
6 Miles Downstream of Tobesofkee Creek See Above
See Above
Ocmulgee River Basin Recommendation Chemical No Restrictions No Restrictions
Ocmulgee River Basin Recommendation Chemical
1 meal/week
Mercury
No Restrictions No Restrictions
Ocmulgee River (Houston/Twiggs Counties)
Species
Site Tested
Channel Catfish
Ga. Hwy. 96
Flathead Catfish
See Above
Largemouth Bass See Above
36
Ocmulgee River Basin
Recommendation Chemical
No Restrictions
No Restrictions
1 meal/week
Mercury
Ocmulgee River (Pulaski County)
Species
Site Tested
Largemouth Bass Hawkinsville
Channel Catfish
See Above
Ocmulgee River Basin Recommendation Chemical No Restrictions No Restrictions
Ocmulgee River (Wilcox/Telfair Counties)
Species
Site Tested
Largemouth Bass U.S. Hwy 280
Flathead Catfish
See Above
Channel Catfish
See Above
Ocmulgee River Basin
Recommendation Chemical
1 meal/week
Mercury
1 meal/week
Mercury
No Restrictions
Oconee River (Clarke and Oconee Counties)
Oconee River Basin
Confluence of North and Middle Oconee to Barnett Shoals Dam
Species
Site Tested
Recommendation Chemical
Largemouth Bass Above Barnett Shoals 1 meal/week
Mercury
Silver Redhorse
See Above
1 meal/week
Mercury
Oconee River (Oconee and Greene Counties)
Barnett Shoals Dam to Lake Oconee
Species
Site Tested
Silver Redhorse Channel Catfish Common Carp
Ga. Hwy. 15 See Above See Above
Oconee River (Baldwin/Wilkinson Counties)
Species
Site Tested
Flathead Catfish
Milledgeville to Dublin
Largemouth Bass See Above
Channel Catfish
See Above
Oconee River Basin
Recommendation Chemical No Restrictions No Restrictions No Restrictions
Oconee River Basin Recommendation Chemical No Restrictions No Restrictions No Restrictions
Oconee River (Laurens County)
Species
Site Tested
Largemouth Bass I-16
Redbreast Sunfish See Above
Channel Catfish
See Above
Oconee River Basin Recommendation Chemical No Restrictions No Restrictions No Restrictions
Ogeechee River (Washington County; near Davisboro)
Ogeechee River Basin
Species
Site Tested
Recommendation Chemical
Largemouth Bass Ga. Hwy 88
1 meal/month
Mercury
Spotted Sucker
See Above
1 meal/week
Mercury
37
Ogeechee River (Jefferson County; Louisville)
Species
Site Tested
Largemouth Bass U.S. Hwy 1
Spotted Sucker
See Above
Redbreast Sunfish See Above
Ogeechee River (Burke County; Midville)
Species
Site Tested
Largemouth Bass Ga. Hwy. 56
Redbreast Sunfish See Above
Ogeechee River (Jenkins County; Millen)
Species
Site Tested
Largemouth Bass U.S. Hwy 25
Snail Bullhead
See Above
Redbreast Sunfish See Above
Ogeechee River Basin
Recommendation Chemical
1 meal/month
Mercury
1 meal/week
Mercury
1 meal/week
Mercury
Ogeechee River Basin
Recommendation Chemical
1 meal/month
Mercury
1 meal/week
Mercury
Ogeechee River Basin
Recommendation Chemical
1 meal/month
Mercury
1 meal/week
Mercury
1 meal/week
Mercury
Ogeechee River (Bulloch County; near Statesboro)
Ogeechee River Basin
Species
Site Tested
Recommendation Chemical
Largemouth Bass
U.S. Hwy 301
1 meal/month
Mercury
Channel Catfish
See Above
1 meal/week
Mercury
Redbreast Sunfish See Above
1 meal/week
Mercury
Snail Bullhead
See Above
1 meal/week
Mercury
Spotted Sucker
Ga. Hwy. 24 (so. bridge) 1 meal/week
Mercury
Ogeechee River (Bulloch/Effingham Counties)
Species
Site Tested
Largemouth Bass
Hwy 119
Spotted Sucker
See Above
Redbreast Sunfish See Above Ogeechee River (Bryan County; near Ellabelle)
Species
Site Tested
Largemouth Bass
Ga. Hwy 204
Redbreast Sunfish See Above
Channel Catfish
See Above
Ogeechee River (Near Ft. McAllister)
Species
Site Tested
Mullet
Fort McAllister
Ohoopee River (Near Oak Park, Ga.)
Species
Site Tested
Largemouth Bass
I-16
Redbreast Sunfish See Above
38
Ogeechee River Basin
Recommendation Chemical
1 meal/week
Mercury
No Restrictions
1 meal/week
Mercury
Ogeechee River Basin
Recommendation Chemical
1 meal/month
Mercury
1 meal/week
Mercury
1 meal/week
Mercury
Ogeechee River Basin
Recommendation Chemical
No Restrictions Altamaha River Basin
Recommendation Chemical
1 meal/month
Mercury
1 meal/week
Mercury
Ohoopee River (Near Reidsville, Ga., Tattnall Co.)
Altamaha River Basin
Species
Site Tested
Recommendation Chemical
Largemouth Bass
Ga. Hwys 280 to 56
1 meal/month
Mercury
Redbreast Sunfish See Above
1 meal/week
Mercury
Spotted Sucker
See Above
1 meal/week
Mercury
Channel Catgish See Above
1 meal/week
Mercury
Okefenokee Swamp (Stephen Foster State Park)
Suwannee River Basin
Species
Site Tested
Recommendation Chemical
Bowfin
Billy's "Lake"
1 meal/month
Mercury
Flier (sunfish)
See Above
1 meal/week
Mercury
Chain Pickerel
See Above
1 meal/month
Mercury
Olley Creek (Near Austell, Cobb County)
Species
Site Tested
Chattahoochee River Basin Recommendation Chemical
Large Scale Stoneroller Redbreast Sunfish
Clay Road See Above
No Restrictions No Restrictions
Oostanaula River (Floyd/Gordon Counties)
Species
Site Tested
Smallmouth Buffalo Ga. Hwy 156, Calhoun
Bluegill Sunfish Spotted Bass Bluegill Sunfish Largemouth Bass Smallmouth Buffalo
See Above Ga. Hwy 140 See Above See Above See Above
Channel Catfish
See Above
See "Coosa River: Special Striped Bass"
Coosa River Basin Recommendation Chemical
1 meal/week
PCBs, Mercury
No Restrictions
1 meal/week
Mercury
No Restrictions
1 meal/week
PCBs
1 meal/week
PCBs, Mercury
1 meal/week
PCBs
Patsiliga Creek (Upstream of Beaver Creek, Taylor Co.)
Flint River Basin
Species
Site Tested
Recommendation Chemical
Largemouth Bass Spotted Sucker
From McCants Millpond No Restrictions
to Ga. Hwy 208
No Restrictions
Chain Pickerel
See Above
1 meal/week
Mercury
Patsiliga Creek (Downstream of Beaver Creek)
Species
Site Tested
Bass Spp. *
Taylor County
Flint River Basin
Recommendation Chemical
1 meal/month
Mercury
Sucker Spp. *
See Above
1 meal/week
Mercury
*Bass: Largemouth & Shoal; Suckers: Grayfin Redhorse, Spotted & Greater Jumprock
39
Pipe Makers Canal (Near Savannah, Georgia)
Species
Site Tested
Largemouth Bass Chatham County
Savannah River Basin
Recommendation Chemical
1 meal/week
Mercury
Ponder Branch (Walker County, Villanow)
Species
Site Tested
Redeye Bass
Ga. Hwy 136
Coosa River Basin Recommendation Chemical No Restrictions
Proctor Creek, Near Acworth, Cobb County
Species
Site Tested
Green Sunfish
Ga. Hwy 293, Old US 41
Coosa River Basin Recommendation Chemical
No Restrictions
Satilla River (Near Waycross, Ware/Brantley Co.s)
Satilla River Basin
Species
Site Tested
Recommendation Chemical
Largemouth Bass
U.S. Hwy 84
1 meal/month
Mercury
Bullhead
See Above
1 meal/week
Mercury
Redbreast Sunfish See Above
1 meal/week
Mercury
Channel Catfish
U.S. Hwy 301
1 meal/week
Mercury
Satilla River (Folkston, Burnt Fort, Charlton/Camden Co.s)
Satilla River Basin
Species Largemouth Bass Redbreast Sunfish Flathead Catfish <30" Flathead Catfish > 30"
Site Tested Ga. Hwy. 252 See Above See Above See Above
Recommendation 1 meal/month 1 meal/month 1 meal/month * Do Not Eat
Chemical Mercury Mercury Mercury Mercury
Savannah River (Below Clarks Hill Dam, Columbia County) Savannah River Basin
Species
Site Tested
Recommendation Chemical
Largemouth Bass
Above New Savannah Bluff Lock & Dam
1 meal/week
Mercury
Spotted Sucker
See Above
1 meal/week
Mercury
Redear Sunfish
Above Stevens Cr. Dam No Restrictions
Redbreast Sunfish Below Stevens Cr. Dam No Restrictions
Savannah River (Richmond/Burke Counties)
Savannah River Basin
Species
Site Tested
Recommendation Chemical
Largemouth Bass
Below New Savannah Bluff Lock & Dam
1 meal/week
Mercury
Sucker
See Above
No Restrictions
Striped Mullet
See Above
No Restrictions
Specific consumption guidelines have not been issued for the radionuclides cesium-137 & strontium-90, in the Savannah River (Burke/Screven Co.s), adjacent to the Savannah River Site (SRS). Guidance on mercury were evaluated and deemed to be protective.
40
Savannah River (Screven County)
Savannah River Basin
Species
Site Tested
Recommendation Chemical
Largemouth Bass U.S. Hwy 301
1 meal/week
Mercury
Redear Sunfish
See Above
No Restrictions
Channel Catfish
See Above
No Restrictions
Bluegill Sunfish
See Above
1 meal/week
Mercury
Specific consumption guidelines have not been issued for the radionuclides cesium-137 & strontium-90, in the Savannah River (Burke/Screven Co.s), adjacent to the Savannah River Site (SRS). Guidance on mercury were evaluated and deemed to be protective.
Savannah River (Effingham County)
Species
Site Tested
Largemouth Bass Ga. Hwy 119
Channel Catfish
See Above
Redbreast Sunfish See Above
Savannah River (Fort Howard)
Species
Site Tested
Largemouth Bass Near Rincon
White Catfish
See Above
Redbreast Sunfish See Above
Bowfin
See Above
Savannah River (Chatham County)
Species
Site Tested
Largemouth Bass I-95 and U.S. Hwy. 17
Channel Catfish
U.S. Hwy. 17
Striped Mullet
Hwy. 17, Front River
Savannah River (Tidal Gate)
Species
Site Tested
Red Drum
Tidal Gate
White Catfish
See Above
Savannah River Basin
Recommendation Chemical
1 meal/week
Mercury
No Restrictions
No Restrictions
Savannah River Basin
Recommendation Chemical
1 meal/month
Mercury
1 meal/week
Mercury
No Restrictions
1 meal/month
Mercury
Savannah River Basin
Recommendation Chemical
1 meal/week
Mercury
No Restrictions
No Restrictions
Savannah River Basin
Recommendation Chemical
No Restrictions
1 meal/week
Mercury
Savannah River: Special Striped Bass
Savannah River Basin
(New Savannah Bluff Lock & Dam to Estuary, Chatham Co.)
Species
Site Tested
Recommendation Chemical
Striped Bass 27" and Multiple locations, over 1 meal/month *
greater in length
section noted above
Mercury
* Because there is considerable variation in how much mercury these large predatory fish contain, people who are considered to be especially sensitive to the effects of mercury (pregnant women, nursing mothers and young children), may wish to limit their consumption further than listed above.
Note: one population of striped bass migrates annually between the Savannah estuary and New Savannah Bluff Lock and Dam. Current minimum legal size is 27 inches.
41
Sewell Mill Creek (Cobb County)
Species
Site Tested
Alabama Hog Sucker Ga. Hwy 120
Bluegill Sunfish
See Above
Chattahoochee River Basin Recommendation Chemical No Restrictions No Restrictions
Short Creek (Warren County)
Species
Site Tested
Sunfish
Warren County
Ogeechee River Basin
Recommendation Chemical
1 meal/week
Mercury
Slab Camp Creek (Oconee County)
Species
Site Tested
Greater Jumprock Watson Spring Road
Redbreast Sunfish See Above
Oconee River Basin Recommendation Chemical No Restrictions No Restrictions
South River (DeKalb/Rockdale County)
Species
Site Tested
Bluegill Sunfish
Hwy. 155, Panola Shoals
Snail Bullhead
See Above
Ocmulgee River Basin
Recommendation Chemical
1 meal/week
PCBs
1 meal/week
PCBs
South River (Henry County)
Species
Site Tested
Largemouth Bass Snapping Shoals
Silver Redhorse
See Above
Channel Catfish
Below Snapping Shoals
Ocmulgee River Basin
Recommendation Chemical
1 meal/week
PCBs
No Restrictions
No Restrictions
South River (Butts County)
Species
Site Tested
Black Crappie
Ga. Hwy. 36
Largemouth Bass See Above
Channel Catfish
See Above
Redbreast Sunfish See Above
Ocmulgee River Basin Recommendation Chemical No Restrictions No Restrictions No Restrictions No Restrictions
Spirit Creek Species
Largemouth Bass
Spotted Sucker Redear Sunfish
Site Tested
Above Richmond Factory Pond See Above See Above
42
Savannah River Basin Recommendation Chemical No Restrictions
No Restrictions No Restrictions
Spring Creek (Seminole/Decatur/Miller Counties)
Flint River Basin
Species
Site Tested
Recommendation Chemical
Largemouth Bass Ga. Hwy. 84
1 meal/week
Mercury
Spotted Sucker
See Above
1 meal/week
Mercury
Redear Sunfish
See Above
1 meal/week
Mercury
Stamp Creek (Cherokee County)
Species Rainbow Trout
Site Tested Pine Log WMA
Stekoa Creek Species
Striped Jumprock
Site Tested Rabun County
Coosa River Basin
Recommendation No Restrictions
Chemical
Savannah River Basin Recommendation Chemical No Restrictions
St. Marys River (Charlton County)
Species
Site Tested
Largemouth Bass Near St. George
Redbreast Sunfish See Above
St. Marys River Basin
Recommendation Chemical
1 meal/month
Mercury
No Restrictions
St. Marys River (Camden County)
Species
Site Tested
Largemouth Bass U.S. Hwy. 17
Redbreast Sunfish See Above
Striped Mullet
See Above
Sugar Creek (Murray County)
Species
Site Tested
Golden Redhorse Sugar Creek Road
Sumac Creek (Murray County)
Species
Site Tested
Golden Redhorse Hwy. 225
St. Marys River Basin
Recommendation Chemical
1 meal/month
Mercury
No Restrictions
No Restrictions
Coosa River Basin
Recommendation Chemical
1 meal/week
Mercury
Coosa River Basin
Recommendation Chemical
1 meal/week
Mercury
Suwannee River (Clinch/Ware/Echols Co.s)
Suwannee River Sill to State Line
Species
Site Tested
Largemouth Bass Short Camp Road
Bullhead Catfish
See Above
Chain Pickerel
See Above & U.S. 441
Flier
U.S. Hwy 441
43
Suwannee River Basin
Recommendation 1 meal/month 1 meal/week 1 meal/week 1 meal/week
Chemical Mercury Mercury Mercury Mercury
Swamp Creek (Whitfield County)
Species
Site Tested
Redeye Bass
Redwine Cove Road
Coosa River Basin
Recommendation Chemical
1 meal/week
Mercury
Talking Rock Creek (Downtown Talking Rock, Pickens Co.)
Coosa River Basin
Species
Site Tested
Recommendation Chemical
Redeye Bass
Near Fire Department 1 meal/week
Mercury
Tallapoosa River Species
Blacktail Redhorse Bluegill Sunfish Blacktail Redhorse
Site Tested U.S. Hwy. 27 See Above Ga. Hwy. 100
Tallulah River, Towns County
Species
Site Tested
Rainbow Trout
Charlies Creek Road
Tallapoosa River Basin
Recommendation Chemical
No Restrictions
No Restrictions
1 meal/week
Mercury
Savannah River Basin Recommendation Chemical No Restrictions
Tributary to Hudson River (Alto, Ga., Banks County)
Savannah River Basin
Species
Site Tested
Recommendation Chemical
Redeye Bass
Below Alto Prison
1 meal/week
Mercury
Brown Bullhead
See Above
No Restrictions
Upatoi Creek Species
Grayfin Redhorse
Site Tested Above Mouth
Chattahoochee River Basin Recommendation Chemical No Restrictions
Withlacoochee River
Suwannee River Basin
(Hahira to State Line, Berrien/Lowndes Counties)
Species
Site Tested
Recommendation Chemical
Redbreast Sunfish Ga. Hwy 122
1 meal/week
Mercury
Largemouth Bass Below Hwy 84
1 meal/month
Mercury
Redbreast Sunfish See Above
No Restrictions
Spotted Sucker See Above
1 meal/week
Mercury
Yahoola Creek (Consolidated Goldmine)
Species
Site Tested
Alabama Hog Sucker Lumpkin County
Yellow River Species Flat Bullhead Catfish
Site Tested Porterdale Dam
44
Chattahoochee River Basin Recommendation Chemical No Restrictions
Ocmulgee River Basin Recommendation Chemical No Restrictions
Georgia Estuarine Systems
Estuaries and freshwaters in Georgia are included in the watersheds of 14 different river basins, using the United States Geological Survey Hydrologic Unit Code (HUC), cataloging system. Estuarine systems often communicate with adjoining basins due to natural interconnections and manmade structures and actions such as causeways, tidal gates and dredging. Terry Creek, Dupree Creek, the Back River, Academy Creek and the lower Brunswick River are technically in the Satilla River Basin, but because of tidal dynamics, water exchange occurs between them and the Altamaha River system.
Academy Creek Species Blue Crab
Site Tested Academy Creek
Recommendations No Restrictions
Satilla River Basin Chemical
Altamaha River Estuary
Species
Site Tested
Striped Mullet
Below Hwy. 17
Spotted Seatrout
Multiple in Delta
Altamaha River Basin
Recommendations
Chemical
No Restrictions
No Restrictions
Floyd Creek (to St. Andrews Sound)
Species
Site Tested
Blue Crab Southern Kingfish
Floyd Creek, So. of Floyd Basin
Satilla River Basin
Recommendations
Chemical
No Restrictions
No Restrictions
Hayners Creek Species Blue Crab
Site Tested Above SR 204
Ogeechee River Basin
Recommendations No Restrictions
Chemical
North Newport River (Upper) and Cay/Peacock Cr.s, Riceboro Ogeechee River Basin
Species Striped Mullet
Blue Crab
Site Tested
No. Newport River Cay & Peacock Creeks
nr. I-95
Recommendations No Restrictions
1 meal/week
Chemical Mercury
45
Turtle River System: Purvis and Gibson Creeks , (St. Simons Estuary)
Satilla River Basin
Species
Site Tested Recommendation Chemical
Atlantic Croaker
Do Not Eat
PCBs
Southern Kingfish (whiting), Black Drum, Spot, Spotted Seatrout
Sheepshead
Striped Mullet
Purvis & Gibson Creeks
1 meal/month
1 meal/month 1 meal/week
PCBs
PCBs, Mercury PCBs
Red Drum, Flounder
1 meal/week PCBs, Mercury
Blue Crab
1 meal/week
Mercury
Shrimp
No Restrictions
Clams, Mussels, Oysters
Not applicable
Do Not Eat
Shellfish Ban *
* Shellfish Ban: National Shellfish Sanitation Program. For information see Coastal Resources Division website: http://crd.dnr.state.ga.us
Upper Turtle & Buffalo Rivers (St. Simons Estuary)
Satilla River Basin
Species Spotted Seatrout, Spot, Southern Kingfish (whiting), Atlantic Croaker Red Drum, Black Drum, Striped Mullet
Sheepshead
Blue Crab
Site Tested Recommendation Chemical
Turtle and Buffalo Rivers,
Upriver of Georgia Hwy
303
1 meal/month 1 meal/week
1 meal/week 1 meal/week
PCBs PCBs
PCBs, Mercury Mercury
Shrimp, Flounder
No Restrictions
Clams, Mussels, Oysters
Not applicable
Do Not Eat
Shellfish Ban *
* Shellfish Ban: National Shellfish Sanitation Program
Middle Turtle River (St. Simons Estuary)
Satilla River Basin
Species
Site Tested Recommendation Chemical
Spot
Do Not Eat
PCBs
Spotted Seatrout,
Sheepshead, Striped Mullet, Southern Kingfish (whiting) Black Drum
Red Drum, Flounder
State Hwy 303 to Channel Marker 9
1 meal/month 1 meal/week 1 meal/week
PCBs PCBs PCBs, Mercury
Blue Crab
1 meal/week
Mercury
Shrimp
No Restrictions
Clams, Mussels, Oysters
Not applicable
Do Not Eat
Shellfish Ban *
* Shellfish Ban: National Shellfish Sanitation Program
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Lower Turtle & South Brunswick Rivers (St. Simons Estuary) Satilla River Basin
Species Atlantic Croaker, Spot Spotted Seatrout, Black Drum, Southern Kingfish (whiting) Red Drum, Sheepshead, Striped Mullet, Blue Crab, Shrimp, Flounder
Clams, Mussels, Oysters
Site Tested
Turtle River (From Channel Marker 9)
and South Brunswick River (Downstream to Dubignon and Par-
sons Creeks)
Recommendation 1 meal/month 1 meal/week
No Restrictions
Not applicable
Do Not Eat
Chemical PCBs PCBs
Shellfish Ban *
* Shellfish Ban: National Shellfish Sanitation Program
Saint Simons Sound
Species
Site Tested
Tripletail
Northern end of Jekyll Island
Sheepshead
Atlantic Ocean
Recommendations
No Restrictions 1 meal/week
Chemical Arsenic
Savannah River Estuary
Species
Site Tested
Striped Mullet U.S. Hwy 17/SR 25
Savannah River Basin
Recommendations
Chemical
No Restrictions
Savannah River Estuary
Savannah River Basin
(New Savannah Bluff Lock & Dam to Estuary, Chatham Co.)
Species
Site Tested
Recommendations
Chemical
Striped Bass 27" and greater in length
Multiple locations, over section noted above
1 meal/month *
Mercury
* Because there is considerable variation in how much mercury these large predatory fish contain, people who are considered to be especially sensitive to the effects of mercury (pregnant women, nursing mothers and young children), may wish to limit their consumption further than listed above.
Note: one population of striped bass migrates annually between the Savannah estuary and New Savannah Bluff Lock and Dam. Current minimum legal size is 27 inches.
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SPECIAL LISTINGS
Terry & Dupree Creeks & Back River to St. Simons Sound
Satilla River Basin
(St. Simons Estuary)
Location
Species
Terry Creek South of Torras
Causeway to Lanier Basin
Silver Perch (Yellowtail)
Blue Crab, Shrimp, Spot, Striped Mullet, Atlantic Croaker, Southern Kingfish (e.g. Ga. whiting), Spotted
Seatrout
Recommendation
1 meal/week
No Restrictions
Chemical
PCBs, Mercury
Terry & Dupree Creeks North
of Torras Causeway to Confluence with Back River
Blue Crab, Shrimp
Red Drum
Striped Mullet, Atlantic Croaker, Southern Kingfish,
Spotted Seatrout
Spot
No Restrictions 1 meal/week 1 meal/month Do Not Eat
Toxaphene and related compounds
Back River 1 mi. above Terry Cr. to Confluence w/ Torras Cause-
way
Blue Crab, Shrimp, Striped Mullet, Atlantic Croaker, Southern Kingfish, Spotted
Seatrout, Red Drum
Spot
No Restrictions 1 meal/month
Toxaphene and related compounds
Back River From
Causeway to St. Simons
Sound
Blue Crab, Shrimp, Spot, Striped Mullet, Southern Kingfish, Spotted Seatrout,
Red Drum
Atlantic Croaker
No Restrictions 1 meal/week
Toxaphene and related compounds
Do Not Eat Clams, Mussels or Oysters; Shellfish Ban, Nat'l Shellfish Sanitation Program. For information see Coastal Resources Division website: http:// crd.dnr.state.ga.us
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SPECIAL MERCURY GUIDANCE ON KING MACKEREL
On March 23, 2000, Georgia joined together with North Carolina, South Carolina and Florida in issuing a joint health advisory for the consumption of large king mackerel caught offshore in the South Atlantic Ocean that have been found to have high mercury concentrations. This advisory was issued to provide guidance on the safe consumption of king mackerel to the general public and sensitive populations such as pregnant women, nursing mothers and young children. It does not prevent fishermen from landing fish larger than 39 inches.
Georgia DNR officials began working with the other Southeast States to determine levels of mercury in king mackerel in 1998 after learning that Gulf Coast States initiated a similar program. Each State's findings documented consistent levels of mercury over a range of sizes with high levels found in large king mackerel. This is Georgia's first consumption advisory for ocean waters. The king mackerel is a migratory species with the Atlantic population ranging from South Florida through North Carolina and into the Mid-Atlantic.
King Mackerel: Atlantic Ocean Offshore Georgia Coast Atlantic Ocean
Size Range (Fork Length = FL)
Recommendation
24 to Less than 33 inches
No Restrictions
33 to 39 inches (a 33 inch fish weighs approximately 10 pounds)
1 meal per month ** for pregnant women, nursing mothers and children age 12 and younger 1 meal per week ** for other adults
Over 39 inches (approximately 15 Do Not Eat to 17 pounds)
King Mackerel are measured in Fork Length (FL), which is from the tip of the snout to the fork of the tail. The minimum legal size in Georgia is 24 inches FL, with a maximum daily creel limit of 3 fish per person. Federally permitted commercial fishermen are limited to 3500 pounds per trip, and a minimum size of 24 inches FL. ** One meal portion in this special guidance is 8 ounces or 1/2 pound.
King mackerel spawn along the continental shelf of the Atlantic Coast, rapidly growing to approximately 20 inches in length in the first year. Their diet consists almost exclusively of other fish. King mackerel typically have a maximum life span of 15 years, reaching approximately 4 feet in length and 25 to 30 pounds in weight. Most fish landed are considerably smaller. As a fast-growing, long-lived top predator, the king mackerel has a propensity for accumulating high levels of mercury.
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Index
A Academy Creek .......................... 45 Adairsville, City of, Pond ............ 19 Alapaha River............................. 25 Alapahoochee River ................... 25 Albany By-Pass Pond .................. 19 Alcovy River ............................... 25 Allatoona Creek ......................... 25 Allen Creek Wildlife Management
Area, Ponds A and B.............. 19 Altamaha River .......................... 26 Altamaha River Estuary .............. 45 Antioch Lake .............................. 19 Apalachee River ......................... 26
B Back River .................................. 48 Banks Lake ................................. 12 Bartletts Ferry ............................ 14 Bear Creek Reservoir ................. 13 Beaver Creek.............................. 26 Big Haynes Reservoir.................. 13 Big Lazer PFA.............................. 19 Black Shoals Lake ...................... 13 Boen Creek ................................ 26 Bowles C. Ford Lake ................... 20 Brasstown Creek ....................... 26 Brasstown Valley Kids Fishing Pond
.............................................. 20 Brier Creek ................................ 26 Broad River ............................... 26 Buffalo Creek ............................ 27 Buffalo River ............................. 46 Bush Field Airport ...................... 20 Butternut Creek ........................ 27
C Cane Creek ................................. 27 Canoochee River ....................... 27 Carters Lake ............................... 13 Casey Canal ................................ 27 Cay Creek ................................... 45
Cedar Creek Tributary .................... 27 Chattahoochee River..................28-29 Chattanooga Creek.......................... 29 Chattooga River, NE Georgia ........... 30 Chattooga River, NW Georgia..........30 Chestatee River...............................30 Chickamauga Creek (East & South). 30 Chickamauga Creek (West),.............30 Chickasawhatchee Creek,................30 Clarks Hill Lake ................................ 14 Clayton County Water Authority:
Blalock Reservoir ........................ 20 Clayton County Water Authority:
J.W. Smith Reservoir ................... 20 Clayton County Water Authority:
Shamrock Reservoir .................... 20 Cohulla Creek .................................. 30 Coleman River.................................30 Conasauga River ............................. 31 Coosa River ..................................... 31 Coosawattee River .......................... 32
D Daniels Creek .................................. 32 Dodge County PFA (Steve Bell Lake) 20 Dukes Creek .................................... 32 Dupree Creek .................................. 48
E Etowah River...................................32 Evans County PFA ........................... 20
F Flat Creek PFA ................................. 21 Flint River .................................. 32-33 Flint River Reservoir ........................ 18 Floyd Creek ..................................... 45 Fort Yargo State Park Lake .............. 21
G Gibson Creek...................................46 Goat Rock Lake ............................... 14 Goldmine Branch ............................ 33 Gum Creek ....................................... 33
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H Hamburg Millpond, Hamburg State
Park ....................................... 21 Hard Labor Cr. State Park ........... 23 Hart County WMA...................... 27 Hayners Creek............................ 45 Heath Lake................................. 21 High Falls Lake ........................... 15 Holly Creek ................................ 34 Horseshoe 4, Paradise PFA ......... 21 Hugh M. Gillis PFA...................... 21
I Ichawaynochaway Creek............ 34
J J. Strom Thurmond Lake ............ 14 Jacks River ................................. 34 Jackson Lake .............................. 15 Jones Creek................................ 34
K Ken Gardens Lake ...................... 21 Kinchafoonee Creek ................... 34 Kolomoki Lake ........................... 21 Kolomoki Mounds State Park... .. 21
L Lake Acworth ............................. 19 Lake Allatoona ........................... 12 Lake Andrews ............................ 12 Lake Bennett.............................. 19 Lake Blackshear ......................... 13 Lake Blue Ridge.......................... 13 Lake Burton ............................... 13 Lake Chatuge ............................. 14 Lake Chehaw.............................. 18 Lake Eufaula .............................. 18 Lake Harding .............................. 14 Lake Hartwell............................. 15 Lake Juliette............................... 15 Lake Mayer ................................ 22 Lake Nottely .............................. 16 Lake Oconee .............................. 16 Lake Oliver ................................. 16
Lake Olmstead ............................... 22 Lake Patrick, Paradise PFA .............. 23 Lake Rabun ..................................... 17 Lake Richard B. Russell ................... 17 Lake Rutledge ................................. 23 Lake Seed ....................................... 23 Lake Seminole ................................ 17 Lake Sinclair.................................... 17 Lake Sydney Lanier ......................... 16 Lake Tobesofkee ............................. 17 Lake Tugalo .................................... 17 Lake Varner .................................... 18 Lake Walter F. George .................... 18 Lake Worth ..................................... 18 Little Dry Creek ............................... 34 Little Ocmulgee State Park Lake...... 22 Little River, Lowndes Co.................. 34 Little River, Wilkes Co. .................... 34 Little Tallapoosa River .................... 34 Little Tennessee River ..................... 35
M Marben PFA, Charlie Elliot Wildlife
Center, ............................ 19, 22, 23 Margery Lake,................................. 22 McDuffie PFA.................................. 22 Middle Oconee River ...................... 35 Mill Creek, Murray Co. .................... 35 Mill Creek, Whitfield Co. ................ 35 Moccasin Creek .............................. 35 Muckalee Creek ............................. 35 Mud Creek, ..................................... 35
N Nancy Town Lake............................ 22 Nickajack Creek .............................. 35 Noonday Creek ............................... 36 North Newport River ..................... 45 North Oconee River, ....................... 36
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O Ochlockonee River ...................... 36 Ocmulgee River ...................... 36-37 Oconee River...............................37 Offshore Georgia Coast ............... 49 Ogeechee River ...................... 37-38 Ohoopee River ....................... 38-39 Okefenokee Swamp .................... 39 Olley Creek.................................. 39 Oostanaula River.........................39
P Paradise PFA ............................... 23 Patsiliga Creek ............................ 39 Payton Park Pond, Valdosta ....... 23 Peacock Creek ............................. 45 Pipe Makers Canal....................... 40 Ponder Branch ............................ 40 Praters Mill ................................. 30 Proctor Creek .............................. 40 Purvis Creek ................................ 46
R Randy Poynter Lake .................... 13 Reed Bingham State Pk. Lake ...... 23 Rocky Mountain PFA .................. 21
T Talking Rock Creek .................... 44 Tallapoosa River........................ 44 Tallulah River ............................ 44 Terry Creek ............................... 48 Tribble Mill Lake ....................... 24 Tributary to Hudson River ......... 44 Turtle River System ................... 46 Turtle River, Lower.................... 47 Turtle River, Middle .................. 46 Turtle River, Upper ................... 46
U Upatoi Creek ............................. 44
W West Point Lake ........................ 18 Withlacoochee River ................. 44
Y Yahoola Creek ........................... 44 Yellow River .............................. 44 Yohola Lake.............................. 24 Yonah Lake ............................... 24
S Saint Simon's Sound....................47 Satilla River ................................. 40 Savannah River ...................... 40-41 Savannah River Estuary ............... 47 Sewell Mill Creek......................... 42 Shepherd Lake ............................ 23 Short Creek ................................. 42 Silver Lake WMA ......................... 24 Slab Camp Creek ......................... 42 South Brunswick River ................47 South River .................................42 S. Slappy Blvd. Offramp Pond......24 Spirit Creek ................................. 42 Spring Creek................................43 St. Marys River ............................ 43 Stamp Creek................................43 Stekoa Creek ............................... 43 Stone Mountain Lake .................. 24 Sugar Creek ................................. 43 Sumac Creek ............................... 43 Suwannee River .......................... 43 Swamp Creek .............................. 44
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