Guidelines for eating fish from Georgia waters, 2020

Guidelines For Eating Fish From
Georgia Waters
2020
Georgia Department of Natural Resources 2 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, S.E., Suite 1252
Atlanta, Georgia 30334-9000
i

ii

For more information on fish consumption in Georgia, contact the
Georgia Department of Natural Resources.
Environmental Protection Division Watershed Protection Branch
2 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, S.E., Suite 1152 Atlanta, GA 30334-9000 (404) 463-1511
Wildlife Resources Division Fisheries Management Section
2070 U.S. Hwy 278, S.E. Social Circle, GA 30025
(770) 557-3305
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 2020 Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations, Click on Wild-
life Resources Division. Click on Fishing. Choose Fishing Regulations. Or, go to http://www.gofishgeorgia.com For more information on Coastal Fisheries and 2015 Regulations, Click on Coastal Resources Division, or go to http://CoastalGaDNR.org 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), White Crappie (Pomoxis annularis) 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.
iii

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION

1

ARE GEORGIA'S FISH SAFE TO EAT?

2

HOW DO FISH BECOME CONTAMINATED?

3

BENEFITS OF EATING FISH

4

RISKS OF CONTAMINATED FISH

4

SPECIAL NOTICE FOR PREGNANT WOMEN, NURSING MOTHERS &

CHILDREN

5

WAYS TO REDUCE RISK

6

USING THESE GUIDELINES

7

RIVER BASINS OF GEORGIA

8

FRESHWATER AND SALT WATER FISH OF GEORGIA

9

FISH CONSUMPTION GUIDELINES:

GEORGIA PUBLIC LAKES 500 ACRES OR LARGER

10

GEORGIA PUBLIC LAKES AND PONDS LESS THAN 500 ACRES

17

GEORGIA FRESHWATER RIVERS AND CREEKS

22

GEORGIA ESTUARINE SYSTEMS

39

SPECIAL LISTINGS

41

SPECIAL MERCURY GUIDANCE ON KING MACKEREL

44

INDEX

46

iv

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, arsenic, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), mercury, thallium, chlordane, 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.
1

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, four contaminants, arsenic, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), mercury, and thallium, were frequently detected in significant amounts in a few species from some bodies of water in Georgia. Three additional contaminants, chlordane, toxaphene-like compounds, and dieldrin were also detected infrequently. This publication provides you with information on those six contaminants: arsenic, PCBs, mercury, thallium, chlordane, 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.
2

Fish in Proctor Creek 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 cotton. 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.
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.
3

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. 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.
4

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 recommendations may actually be overly conservative.
5

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 preda-
tors 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.
6

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
7

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 8 14. Altamaha River Basin

FRESHWATER AND SALT WATER FISH OF GEORGIA

Largemouth Bass Black Bass Spp. Redeye Bass Black Bass Spp.

Bluegill Sunfish Green Sunfish

Shoal Bass Black Bass Spp. Spotted Bass Black Bass Spp.

Redbreast Sunfish Redear Sunfish

Hybrid Bass

Bowfin

Striped Bass

Carp

White Bass Brown Bullhead Catfish

Chain Pickerel Sucker

Bullhead Catfish

Yellow Perch

Flat Bullhead Catfish
Snail Bullhead Catfish Spotted Bullhead Catfish Yellow Bullhead Catfish Blue Catfish Channel Catfish

Walleye Atlantic Croaker Black Drum Red Drum Sheepshead Southern Flounder

Flathead Catfish

Southern Kingfish

White Catfish

Spot

Brook Trout Brown Trout Rainbow Trout

Spotted Seatrout
Striped Mullet Blue Crab/Shrimp 9

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.
Typically Carp, Redhorse Spp,, and Sucker Spp. Are not game fish and/or targeted for table fair and therefore are not include.

Georgia Public Lakes 500 Acres or Larger

Lake Allatoona Species
Black Crappie Bluegill Sunfish Channel Catfish
Hybrid Bass
Largemouth Bass
Spotted Bass White Bass
Lake Andrews Species
Catfish Spp. Largemouth Bass
Banks Lake Species
Bluegill Sunfish Largemouth Bass

Less than 12" Do Not Eat
No Restrictions Do Not Eat
Do Not Eat No Restrictions
Do Not Eat

12" 16"
Do Not Eat Do Not Eat Do Not Eat 1 meal/week

Coosa River Basin

Over 16"

Chemical

Thallium

Do Not Eat Do Not Eat Do Not Eat 1 meal/week

AMnteimrcounryy, AMnetirmcuornyy, , Thallium Mercury, Thallium
Mercury
Thallium

Less than 12" 1 meal/week

Chattahoochee River Basin

12" - 16"

Over 16"

Chemical

No Restrictions

1 meal/week 1 meal/week Mercury

Less than 12" 12" - 16" No Restrictions 1 meal/week 1 meal/month

Suwannee River Basin

Over 16"

Chemical

Mercury

Bear Creek Reservoir

Species

Less than 12"

Bluegill Sunfish

1 meal/week

Channel Catfish Largemouth Bass

1 meal/week

Redbreast Sunfish

1 meal/week

Redear Sunfish

No Restrictions

12" - 16" 1 meal/week 1 meal/week
10

Oconee River Basin

Over 16"

Chemical

Mercury

1 meal/week

Mercury Mercury

Mercury

Lake Blackshear Species
Channel Catfish

Less than 12" No Restrictions

12"- 16" 1 meal/week

Flint River Basin Over 16" Chemical
Mercury

Flathead Catfish

No Restrictions

Largemouth Bass*

1 meal/week No Restrictions Mercury

*Only Largemouth Bass greater than 14 inches may be kept.

Black Shoals Lake (Randy Poynter Lake)

Species

Less than 12"

Black Crappie

1 meal/week

Channel Catfish

No Restrictions

Largemouth Bass

Redear Sunfish

No Restrictions

12" - 16"
1 meal/week 1 meal/week

Ocmulgee River Basin Over 16" Chemical
Mercury 1 meal/week Mercury 1 meal/week Mercury

Lake Blue Ridge Species
Bluegill Sunfish Channel Catfish Largemouth Bass Spotted Bass White Bass

Less than 12" No Restrictions
No Restrictions

12" - 16"

Tennessee River Basin Over 16" Chemical

No Restrictions 1 meal/week 1 meal/week 1 meal/week

No Restrictions 1 meal/month

Mercury Mercury Mercury

Lake Burton Species
Bluegill Sunfish Brown Trout Catfish Spp.
Largemouth Bass
Spotted Bass Walleye

Less than 12" 1 meal/month
No Restrictions

12" - 16"
No Restrictions 1 meal/week
No Restrictions

Savannah River Basin Over 16" Chemical
Thallium 1 meal/week Mercury No Restrictions
1 meal/week Mercury
1 meal/week Mercury No Restrictions

Carters Lake Species
Catfish Spp. Hybrid Bass Largemouth Bass Spotted Bass Striped Bass Walleye

Less than 12" No Restrictions

12" - 16" No Restrictions
No Restrictions No Restrictions
No Restrictions

Coosa River Basin Over 16" Chemical No Restrictions No Restrictions No Restrictions 1 meal/week Mercury No Restrictions 1 meal/week Mercury

Lake Chatuge Species
Catfish Spp. Hybrid Bass Largemouth Bass
Spotted Bass

Less than 12" No Restrictions

12" - 16" 1 meal/week
No Restrictions 1 meal/week 11

Tennessee River Basin

Over 16" Chemical

1 meal/week Mercury

1 meal/week Mercury

1 meal/week Mercury

No Restrictions

Mercury

Clarks Hill Lake (J. Strom Thurmond)

Savannah River Basin

Species

Less than 12" 12" - 16"

Over 16"

Chemical

Black Crappie

No Restrictions No Restrictions

Bluegill Sunfish No Restrictions No Restrictions

Brown Bullhead

No Restrictions

Channel Catfish

Do Not Eat No Restrictions No Restrictions Thallium

Hybrid Bass

1 meal/month No Restrictions Do Not Eat

Largemouth Bass Redear Sunfish

1 meal/month 1 meal/week No Restrictions

Do Not Eat

Antimony, Thallium Antimony, Mercury, Thallium

Striped Bass

No Restrictions No Restrictions No Restrictions

White Perch

No Restrictions No Restrictions

Yellow Bullhead

No Restrictions

Goat Rock Lake Species
Black Crappie Bluegill Sunfish Channel Catfish Hybrid Bass Largemouth Bass White Bass

Less than 12" No Restrictions No Restrictions
1 meal/month

12" 16" No Restrictions
1 meal/week 1 meal/month No Restrictions 1 meal/month

Chattahoochee River Basin

Over 16"

Chemical

1 meal/month Mercury, PCBs

1 meal/month

PCBs

1 meal/month Mercury, PCBs

PCBs

Lake Harding (Bartletts Ferry)

Species

Less than 12"

Black Crappie

No Restrictions

Channel Catfish

1 meal/week

Hybrid Bass

Do Not Eat

Largemouth Bass Spotted Bass Striped Bass White Bass

No Restrictions

12" 16" 1 meal/week No Restrictions
No Restrictions 1 meal/week No Restrictions

Chattahoochee River Basin

Over 16"

Chemical

PCBs

1 meal/week

PCBs

1 meal/week

Mercury, PCBs, Thallium

1 meal/month Mercury

1 meal/week Mercury, PCBs

1 meal/week Mercury, PCBs

Lake Hartwell: Tugaloo Arm

Species

Less than 12"

Black Crappie

No Restrictions

Bluegill Sunfish No Restrictions

Channel Catfish Hybrid & StripedBass

No Restrictions No Restrictions

Largemouth Bass No Restrictions

Spotted Bass

Walleye

12" 16" No Restrictions
No Restrictions 1 meal/month No Restrictions No Restrictions

Savannah River Basin

Over 16"

Chemical

No Restrictions 1 meal/month Mercury, PCBs 1 meal/week Mercury
1 meal/week Mercury

12

Lake Hartwell: Main Body, D.S. Andersonville IS. Georgia/South Carolina Listing

Species

Less than 12" 12" - 16"

Over 16"

Chemical

Channel Catfish 1 meal/month 1 meal/month 1 meal/month

PCBs

Hybrid Bass

Do Not Eat

Do Not Eat

Do Not Eat

PCBs

Largemouth Bass 1 meal/month 1 meal/month 1 meal/month

Spotted Bass

1 meal/month 1 meal/month 1 meal/month

PCBs PCBs

Main Body. Guidance issued with South Carolina DHEC (Ph.: 1-888-849-7241)

High Falls Lake Species
Black Crappie Channel Catfish Hybrid Bass Largemouth Bass
Redear Sunfish

Less than 12" No Restrictions
No Restrictions No Restrictions 1 meal/month

12" - 16" No Restrictions No Restrictions
No Restrictions

Ocmulgee River Basin

Over 16"

Chemical

No Restrictions No Restrictions No Restrictions

Thallium

Jackson Lake Species
Black Crappie Channel Catfish Largemouth Bass
Redear Sunfish

Less than 12" 12" - 16"

Ocmulgee River Basin

Over 16"

Chemical

No Restrictions

No Restrictions No Restrictions No Restrictions 1 meal/week No Restrictions 1 meal/week

Mercury

No Restrictions No Restrictions

Snail Bullhead White Catfish

No Restrictions No Restrictions No Restrictions

Lake Juliette Species
Catfish Spp.

Less than 12"

12" - 16"

Ocmulgee River Basin

Over 16"

Chemical

No Restrictions No Restrictions

Largemouth Bass* No Restrictions No Restrictions 1 meal/week

Redear Sunfish No Restrictions

Striped Bass

No Restrictions No Restrictions No Restrictions

Mercury

Lake Sydney Lanier

Chattahoochee River Basin

Species

Less than 12" 12" - 16"

Over 16"

Chemical

Black Crappie

No Restrictions

Bluegill Sunfish No Restrictions

Catfish Spp.

No Restrictions No Restrictions No Restrictions

Largemouth Bass No Restrictions 1 meal/week * 1 meal/month Mercury

Spotted Bass

1 meal/week * 1 meal/week Mercury

Striped Bass

No Restrictions 1 meal/week Mercury

Walleye

1 meal/week Mercury

White Bass

1 meal/week Mercury

*Only Largemouth, Spotted, and Shoal Bass greater than 14 inches may be kept.

13

Lake Nottely Species
Black Crappie Catfish Spp. Largemouth Bass Spotted Bass Striped Bass

Less than 12" No Restrictions
No Restrictions No Restrictions

12" - 16 "
1 meal/week 1 meal/week No Restrictions

Tennessee River Basin Over 16 " Chemical
No Restrictions Mercury 1 meal/week Mercury
1 meal/week Mercury

Lake Oconee

Oconee River Basin

Species

Less than 12"

12" - 16 "

Over 16 "

Black Crappie

No Restrictions No Restrictions

Blue Catfish

No Restrictions

No Restrictions

Bluegill Sunfish No Restrictions

Channel Catfish No Restrictions No Restrictions No Restrictions

Hybrid Bass

No Restrictions

Largemouth Bass* No Restrictions 1 meal/week No Restrictions

Redbreast Sunfish No Restrictions

White Catfish

No Restrictions

*Only Largemouth Bass greater than 14 inches may be kept.

Chemical Mercury

Lake Oliver Species
Bluegill Sunfish Channel Catfish
Hybrid Bass
Largemouth Bass
Redear Sunfish

Less than 12" 1 meal/week No Restrictions No Restrictions
No Restrictions

12" - 16 " No Restrictions 1 meal/week

Chattahoochee River Basin

Over 16 "

Chemical

Antimony

1 meal/month

Chromium, PCBs

1 meal/week

Mercury, PCBs

Lake Rabun Species
Bluegill Sunfish
Catfish Spp. Largemouth Bass Spotted Bass Walleye

Less than 12" 1 meal/week No Restrictions No Restrictions

12" - 16 "
1 meal/week 1 meal/week 1 meal/week No Restrictions

Savannah River Basin

Over 16 "

Chemical

Selenium

1 meal/week Mercury

1 meal/week Mercury

1 meal/month

1 meal/week Mercury

Lake Richard B. Russell

Species

Less than 12"

Black Crappie

No Restrictions

Channel Catfish No Restrictions

Flat Bullhead

1 meal/week

Largemouth Bass No Restrictions

12" - 16 " No Restrictions
Do Not Eat
Do Not Eat

Savannah River Basin

Over 16 "

Chemical

No Restrictions 1 meal/month

Thallium Mercury Mercury, Thallium

14

Lake Richard B. Russell

Species

Less than 12"

Sunfish Spp.

No Restrictions

12" - 16 "

Spotted Bass

No Restrictions No Restrictions

White Catfish

No Restrictions No Restrictions

Savannah River Basin

Over 16 "

Chemical

1 meal/week Mercury

Lake Seminole Species
Black Crappie Channel Catfish Largemouth Bass Spotted Sucker Sunfish Spp. Yellow Bullhead

Chattahoochee/Flint River Basin (Apalachicola)

Less than 12" 12" - 16 "

Over 16 "

Chemical

No Restrictions No Restrictions

No Restrictions No Restrictions

1 meal/week 1 meal/week 1 meal/week Mercury

No Restrictions No Restrictions

No Restrictions

No Restrictions 1 meal/week

Mercury

Lake Sinclair Species
Black Crappie Channel Catfish Hybrid Bass Largemouth Bass Yellow Bullhead

Less than 12" No Restrictions No Restrictions No Restrictions No Restrictions

12" - 16 " No Restrictions No Restrictions No Restrictions No Restrictions
Do Not Eat

Oconee River Basin

Over 16 "

Chemical

No Restrictions No Restrictions No Restrictions
Mercury, Zinc

Lake Tobesofkee Species
Channel Catfish Largemouth Bass

Less than 12" No Restrictions No Restrictions

12" - 16 " No Restrictions 1 meal/week

Ocmulgee River Basin

Over 16 "

Chemical

No Restrictions

1 meal/week Mercury

Lake Tugalo Species
Bluegill Sunfish Catfish Spp. Largemouth Bass Walleye

Less than 12" 12" - 16 " 1 meal/week
No Restrictions No Restrictions 1 meal/week
No Restrictions

Savannah River Basin

Over 16 "

Chemical

Selenium

1 meal/month 1 meal/week

Mercury Mercury

Lake Varner (Cornish Creek Reservoir, Newton County)

Ocmulgee River Basin

Species

Less than 12" 12" - 16 "

Over 16 "

Chemical

Channel Catfish

No Restrictions

Largemouth Bass

1 meal/week 1 meal/week Mercury

Redear Sunfish

1 meal/week

Cadmium

15

Lake Walter F. George (Eufaula)

Chattahoochee River Basin

Species

Less than 12" 12" - 16 "

Over 16 "

Chemical

Black Crappie

No Restrictions No Restrictions

Channel Catfish No Restrictions No Restrictions No Restrictions

Hybrid Bass

No Restrictions No Restrictions

Largemouth Bass *

No Restrictions No Restrictions

* Only Largemouth Bass greater than 14 inches may be kept.

West Point Lake

Chattahoochee River Basin

Species

Less than 12" 12" - 16 "

Over 16 "

Chemical

Black Crappie

No Restrictions No Restrictions

Channel Catfish No Restrictions No Restrictions 1 meal/week

PCBs

Hybrid Bass

1 meal/week No Restrictions 1 meal/week

PCBs

Largemouth Bass *

No Restrictions 1 meal/week Mercury

Spotted Bass

No Restrictions 1 meal/week

Mercury

Striped Bass

No Restrictions

*Only Largemouth Bass greater than 14 inches may be kept.

Lake Worth/Lake Chehaw (Flint River Reservoir)

Species

Less than 12" 12" - 16 "

Channel Catfish

Largemouth Bass

1 meal/week

Flint River Basin

Over 16 "

Chemical

1 meal/week Mercury

Mercury

Lake Worth/Lake Chehaw (Old Lake Worth Reservoir)

Flint River Basin

Species

Less than 12" 12" - 16 "

Over 16 "

Chemical

Flathead Catfish

No Restrictions No Restrictions

Largemouth Bass

1 meal/week 1 meal/week Mercury

Redear Sunfish No Restrictions

16

Georgia Public Lakes and Ponds Less Than 500 Acres

Please note that the minimum size for Largemouth Bass is 14 inches for all of Georgia's Public Fishing Areas operated by the Department of Natural Resources, unless posted otherwise.

Lake Acworth Species
Bluegill Sunfish
Largemouth Bass

Less than 12" No Restrictions

12" - 16"

No Restrictions No Restrictions

Coosa River Basin

Over 16"

Chemical

1 meal/week

Mercury, Thallium

Allen Creek Wildlife Management Area, Ponds A and B

Oconee River Basin

Species

Less than 12" 12" - 16"

Over 16"

Chemical

Bluegill Sunfish

No Restrictions

Largemouth Bass 1 meal/week

1 meal/week

PCBs

Antioch Lake, East & West (Rocky Mountain PFA)

Coosa River Basin

Species

Less than 12" 12" - 16"

Over 16"

Chemical

Black Crappie

No Restrictions No Restrictions

Bluegill Sunfish

No Restrictions

Channel Catfish

No Restrictions No Restrictions

Largemouth Bass No Restrictions No Restrictions No Restrictions

Lake Bennett (Marben PFA, Charlie Elliot Wildlife Center)

Oconee River Basin

Species

Less than 12"

12" - 16"

Over 16"

Chemical

Channel Catfish

No Restrictions

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

Channel Catfish

No Restrictions

Largemouth Bass

No Restrictions 1 meal/week Mercury

Lake Buncombe (A.H Stephens State Park)

Species

Less than 12" 12" - 16"

Bluegill

No Restrictions

Channel Catfish

No Restrictions

Largemouth Bass No Restrictions No Restrictions

Savannah River Basin

Over 16"

Chemical

No Restrictions

17

Bush Field Airport, Augusta: Unnamed Pond

Species

Less than 12"

12" - 16"

Bluegill Sunfish No Restrictions

Largemouth Bass No Restrictions 1 meal/week

Clayton County Water Authority: Blalock Reservoir

Species

Less than 12" 12" - 16"

Black Crappie Largemouth Bass

No Restrictions No Restrictions

Savannah River Basin

Over 16"

Chemical

Mercury

Ocmulgee River Basin

Over 16"

Chemical

Clayton County Water Authority: Shamrock Reservoir

Species

Less than 12" 12" - 16"

Bluegill Sunfish

No Restrictions

Largemouth Bass No Restrictions No Restrictions

Ocmulgee River Basin

Over 16"

Chemical

Dodge County PFA (Steve Bell Lake)

Ocmulgee River Basin

Species

Less than 12"

12 - 16"

Over 16"

Chemical

Bluegill Sunfish

No Restrictions No Restrictions No Restrictions

Channel Catfish

No Restrictions No Restrictions

Largemouth Bass

No Restrictions No Restrictions

Evans County PFA

Species

Less than 12"

Channel Catfish

Largemouth Bass No Restrictions

12" - 16" 1 meal/week

Ogeechee River Basin

Over 16"

Chemical

No Restrictions

1 meal/week 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 No Restrictions

Hamburg Millpond (Hamburg State Park)

Species

Less than 12" 12" - 16"

Largemouth Bass No Restrictions 1 meal/week

Redear Sunfish No Restrictions

Ogeechee River Basin

Over 16"

Chemical

Mercury

18

Heath Lake (Rocky Mountain PFA)

Coosa River Basin

Species

Less than 12" 12" - 16"

Over 16"

Chemical

Black Crappie

No Restrictions No Restrictions

Bluegill Sunfish No Restrictions

Channel Catfish

1 meal/week Mercury, PCBs

Largemouth Bass

No Restrictions No Restrictions

Hugh M. Gillis PFA

Species

Less than 12"

Bluegill Sunfish No Restrictions

Channel Catfish

Largemouth Bass

12" - 16"
No Restrictions 1 meal/week

Oconee River Basin

Over 16"

Chemical

No Restrictions

Mercury

Ken Gardens Lake (Albany, Georgia)

Species

Less than 12" 12" - 16"

Bluegill Sunfish No Restrictions

Brown Bullhead No Restrictions

Channel Catfish No Restrictions No Restrictions

Largemouth Bass

No Restrictions

Flint River Basin

Over 16"

Chemical

1 meal/week

Mercury

Kolomoki Lake (Kolomoki Mounds State Park)

Species

Less than 12" 12" - 16"

Bluegill Sunfish No Restrictions

Largemouth Bass 1 meal/week 1 meal/week

Redear Sunfish No Restrictions

Chattahoochee River Basin

Over 16"

Chemical

1 meal/week

Mercury

Laura S Walker Lake

Species

Less than 12"

Largemouth Bass 1 meal/month

Sunfish Spp.

1 meal/week

12" - 16" 1 meal/month

Suwannee River Basin

Over 16"

Chemical

1 meal/month Mercury

Mercury

Little Ocmulgee State Park Lake (Gum Creek Swamp)

Ocmulgee River Basin

Species

Less than 12" 12" - 16"

Over 16"

Chemical

Brown Bullhead

1 meal/week

Mercury

Largemouth Bass 1 meal/week

1 meal/month Mercury

Lonice C. Barrett Lake (Flat Creek PFA )

Species

Less than 12" 12" - 16"

Bluegill Sunfish No Restrictions

Channel Catfish

Largemouth Bass

1 meal/week

Redear Sunfish No Restrictions

Oconee River Basin

Over 16"

Chemical

1 meal/week 1 meal/month

Mercury Mercury

19

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 Restriction No Restrictions

Mayers Lake (City of Baxley)

Species

Less than 12"

Black Crappie

No Restrictions

Bluegill Sunfish No Restrictions

Largemouth Bass No Restrictions

12" - 16" 1 meal/week

Altamaha River Basin

Over 16"

Chemical

1 meal/week Mercury

McDuffie PFA (East Watershed Ponds)

Species

Less than 12"

12" - 16"

Channel Catfish

No Restrictions

Largemouth Bass

No Restrictions

McDuffie PFA (West Watershed Ponds)

Species

Less than 12"

12" - 16"

Bluegill Sunfish No Restrictions

Channel Catfish

No Restrictions

Largemouth Bass

No Restrictions

Savannah River Basin

Over 16"

Chemical

Savannah River Basin

Over 16"

Chemical

No Restrictions 1 meal/week Mercury

Lake Olmstead (Richmond County)

Species

Less than 12"

Bluegill Sunfish No Restrictions

Largemouth Bass No Restrictions

Less than 12" 1 meal/week

Lake Bobben (Paradise PFA)

Species

Less than 12"

Largemouth Bass No Restrictions

12" - 16"

Savannah River Basin

Over 16"

Chemical

Mercury

Suwannee River Basin

Over 16"

Chemical

Horseshoe 4 (Paradise PFA)

Species

Less than 12"

Channel Catfish

12" - 16"

Suwannee River Basin

Over 16"

Chemical

No Restrictions

Lake Patrick (Paradise PFA)

Species

Less than 12"

Bluegill

No Restrictions

Catfish Spp.

Largemouth Bass

12" - 16"
No Restrictions No Restrictions

Suwannee River Basin

Over 16"

Chemical

No Restrictions No Restrictions

20

Reed Bingham State Park Lake

Species Sunfish Spp.

Less than 12" 1 meal/week

Largemouth Bass 1 meal/month

White Catfish

12" - 16" 1 meal/month

Suwannee River Basin

Over 16"

Chemical

Mercury

1 meal/month Mercury

1 meal/month Mercury

Lake Rutledge (Hard Labor Creek State Park)

Species

Less than 12" 12" - 16"

Channel Catfish No Restrictions No Restrictions

Largemouth Bass 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

12" - 16"

Chemical

Shepherd Lake (Marben PFA, Charlie Elliot Wildlife Center)

Oconee River Basin

Species

Less than 12" 12" - 16"

12" - 16"

Chemical

Bluegill Sunfish No Restrictions

Largemouth Bass *

No Restrictions No Restrictions

Silver Lake PFA Species
Bluegill Sunfish Largemouth Bass

Less than 12" No Restrictions No Restrictions

12" - 16" No Restrictions

Flint River Basin

Over 16"

Chemical

No Restrictions

Stone Mountain Lake

Species

Less than 12"

Largemouth Bass 1 meal/month

12" - 16 " 1 meal/week

Ocmulgee River Basin

Over 16 "

Chemical

1 meal/week Mercury

Tribble Mill Lake (Gwinnett County)

Species

Less than 12"

Black Crappie

No Restrictions

Bluegill Sunfish No Restrictions

Largemouth Bass No Restrictions

12" - 16 " 1 meal/week

Yohola Lake (Kolomoki Mounds State Park)

Species

Less than 12" 12" - 16 "

Largemouth Bass 1 meal/week 1 meal/week

Ocmulgee River Basin

Over 16 "

Chemical

Mercury

Chattahoochee River Basin

Over 16 "

Chemical

Mercury

Yonah Lake Species
Walleye

Less than 12" 12" - 16 " 21

Savannah River Basin

Over 16 "

Chemical

1/month

Mercury

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. Typically Bowfin, Smallmouth Buffalo, Carp, Chub, Chubsuckers, Redhorse Spp., and Stonerollers, Striped Jumprock, and Sucker Spp. are not game fish and/or targeted for table fair. Freshwater rivers and creeks are tabulated first, followed by listings for Georgia tidal estuarine systems.

Altamaha River Near Baxley (U.S. Hwy 1)

Species

Site Tested

Bluegill Sunfish

U.S. Hwy 1

Channel Catfish

U.S. Hwy 1

Flathead Catfish

U.S. Hwy 1

Largemouth Bass

U.S. Hwy 1

Altamaha River Near Jesup, Ga. (U.S. Hwy 25/84)

Species

Site Tested

Blue Catfish

U.S. Hwy 25/84

Channel Catfish

U.S. Hwy 25/84

Flathead Catfish

U.S. Hwy 25/84

Hybrid Bass

U.S. Hwy 25/84

Largemouth Bass

U.S. Hwy 25/84

Striped Mullet

Altamaha Park

Altamaha River Basin

Recommendation No Restrictions 1 meal/week
Do Not Eat 1 meal/week

Chemical
Mercury
Mercury Mercury, Thallium Mercury

Altamaha River Basin

Recommendation 1 meal/week No Restrictions 1 meal/week 1 meal/week 1 meal/month No Restrictions

Chemical Mercury
Mercury Mercury Mercury

Ohoopee River (Near Reidsville, Ga., Tattnall County)

Altamaha River Basin

Species

Site Tested

Recommendation

Chemical

Catfish Spp.

Ga. Hwy 280 to 56

1 meal/week

Mercury

Largemouth Bass

Ga. Hwy 280 to 56

1 meal/month

Mercury

Redbreast Sunfish Ga. Hwy 280 to 56

1 meal/week

Mercury

Chattahoochee River (Near Helen)

Species

Site Tested

Redeye Bass

Ga. Hwy 75, Helen

Snail Bullhead

Ga. Hwy 75, Helen

Chattahoochee River Basin

Recommendation

Chemical

1 meal/week

Mercury

1 meal/week

Mercury

22

Chattahoochee River (Above Lake Lanier)

Species

Site Tested

Black Bass Spp.

Belton Bridge Road

Chattahoochee River Basin

Recommendation

Chemical

1 meal/week

Mercury

Chattahoochee River (Buford Dam to Morgan Falls Dam)

Species

Site Tested

Bluegill Sunfish

at Buford Hatchery

Trout Spp.

at Buford Hatchery

Yellow Perch

Above Morgan Falls

Chattahoochee River Basin

Recommendation 1 meal/week No Restrictions No Restrictions

Chemical PCBs

Chattahoochee River (Morgan Falls Dam to Peachtree Creek)

Species

Site Tested

Black Bass Spp.

Below Morgan Falls

Bluegill Sunfish

Below Morgan Falls

Trout Spp.

Below Morgan Falls

Chattahoochee River Basin

Recommendation No Restrictions No Restrictions No Restrictions

Chemical

Chattahoochee River

Chattahoochee River Basin

Species Bluegill Sunfish Channel Catfish

Site Tested SR 166 (DNR boat ramp) SR 166 (DNR boat ramp)

Recommendation 1 meal/week No Restrictions

Chemical PCBs

Chattahoochee River

Chattahoochee River Basin

Special Advisory for Striped Bass:

(Morgan Falls Dam to West Point Lake, below Franklin)

Species

Site Tested

Recommendation

Chemical

Black Bass Sp. (Largemouth, Smallmouth, Shoal, Spotted)

Morgan Falls Dam to I-285

1 meal/week

Mercury

Striped Bass

Morgan Falls Dam to I-285

1 meal/month

Mercury, PCBs

NOTE: One population of striped bass migrates annually between West Point Lake and Morgan Falls Dam. Sampled population represents this stretch of river and lake.

Chattahoochee River/Centralhatchee Creek (Pea Creek to West Point Lake, below Franklin)

Chattahoochee River Basin

Species

Site Tested

Recommendation

Chemical

Channel Catfish

U.S. 27/SR16

No Restrictions

Largemouth Bass

U.S. 27/SR16

1 meal/week

Mercury

Shoal Bass Spotted Bass

U.S. 27/SR16 U.S. 27/SR16

1 meal/week No Restrictions

Mercury

23

Chattahoochee River Species
Flat Bullhead Catfish Largemouth Bass Spotted Bass

Site Tested Below Dam Below Dam Below Dam

Chattahoochee River Basin

Recommendation No Restrictions

Chemical

No Restrictions 1 meal/week

Antimony, Mercury

Chattahoochee River (Oliver Dam to Upatoi Creek, Muscogee County)

Chattahoochee River Basin

Species

Site Tested

Recommendation Chemical

Catfish Spp.

Oliver Dam to Eagle Phoenix Dam

No Restrictions

Largemouth Bass

Oliver Dam to Eagle Phoenix Dam

1 meal/month

PCBs

Spotted Bass

u/s From North Highland Dam

1 meal/week

Mercury

Chattahoochee River

Chattahoochee River Basin

(Chattahoochee County to Stewart County; Upatoi Creek to Omaha, Ga.)

Species

Site Tested

Recommendation Chemical

Black Crappie

Oswichee Creek

No Restrictions

Channel Catfish

Oswichee Creek

1 meal/month

PCBs

Largemouth Bass

Oswichee Creek

1 meal/week

Mercury

Chestatee River (Headwaters, Turners Corner)

Species

Site Tested

Redeye Bass

Hwy 19

Chattahoochee River Basin Recommendation Chemical
No Restrictions

Chestatee River (Tesnatee River to Lake Lanier)

Chattahoochee River Basin

Species

Site Tested

Recommendation Chemical

Catfish Spp.

Downstream Ga. 400 No Restrictions

Spotted Bass

Downstream Ga. 400

1 meal/week

Mercury

Sunfish Spp.

Downstream Ga. 400 No Restrictions

Mud Creek (Near Lula, Hall County)

Species

Site Tested

Channel Catfish Largemouth Bass

Pea Ridge Rd nr Lula Pea Ridge Rd nr Lula

Chattahoochee River Basin Recommendation Chemical

No Restrictions 1 meal/month

Mercury

Mud Creek (Near Powder Springs, Cobb County)

Chattahoochee River Basin

Species

Site Tested

Recommendation Chemical

Bluegill Sunfish

Ga. Hwy 360

No Restrictions

24

Nickajack Creek (Cobb County)

Species

Site Tested

Bluegill Sunfish

Cooper Lake Road

Olley Creek (Near Austell, Cobb County)

Species

Site Tested

Redbreast Sunfish

Clay Road

Chattahoochee River Basin

Recommendation

Chemical

No Restrictions

Chattahoochee River Basin

Recommendation

Chemical

No Restrictions

Proctor Creek (near Atlanta, Ga., Fulton County)

Chattahoochee River Basin

Species

Site Tested

Recommendation

Chemical

Redbreast & Green N. Ave/James Jackson

Sunfish

Pkwy

1 meal/month

PCBs, Dieldrin, Heptachlor Epoxide

Yellow & Brown Bullhead

N. Ave/James Jackson Pkwy

1 meal/week

PCBs, Dieldrin, Heptachlor Epoxide

Sewell Mill Creek (Cobb County)

Species

Site Tested

Bluegill Sunfish

Ga. Hwy 120

Upatoi Creek Species
Largemouth Bass Spotted Bass

Site Tested Above Mouth Above Mouth

Chattahoochee River Basin

Recommendation

Chemical

No Restrictions

Chattahoochee River Basin

Recommendation

Chemical

1 meal/week

Mercury

1 meal/week

Mercury

Allatoona Creek (Cobb County)

Species

Site Tested

Redbreast Sunfish

Ga. Hwy 176

Spotted Bass

Ga. Hwy 176

Coosa River Basin

Recommendation

Chemical

No Restrictions

1 meal/week

Mercury

Chattooga River (Northwest Georgia)

Species

Site Tested

Bluegill Sunfish

Chattoogaville

Black Crappie

Chattoogaville

Coosa River Basin

Recommendation

Chemical

No Restrictions

No Restrictions

Conasauga River (Headwaters in Cohutta Nat'l Forest)

Coosa River Basin

Species

Site Tested

Recommendation

Chemical

Rainbow Trout

Upstream Rough Cr.

No Restrictions

25

Conasauga River: State Line to Hwy 286 (Hwy 2)

Species

Site Tested

Black Crappie

Ga. Hwy 2

Spotted Bass

Ga. Hwy 2

Conasauga River: Hwy 286 to Calhoun (Old Tilton Bridge)

Species

Site Tested

Channel Catfish

Old Titon Bridge

Spotted Bass

Old Titon Bridge

White Bass

Old Tilton Bridge

Coosa River Basin

Recommendation

Chemical

No Restrictions

1 meal/week

Mercury

Coosa River Basin

Recommendation 1 meal/week No Restrictions 1 meal/month

Chemical PCBs
PCBs

Coosa River (River Mile Zero to Hwy 100)

Species

Site Tested

Black Crappie

River Mile 2, Rome

Blue Catfish <32"

River Mile 2 & Hwy 100

Blue Catfish >32"

River Mile 2 & Hwy 100

Largemouth Bass

River Mile 2, Rome

Spotted Bass

River Mile 2, Rome

White Bass

Below May's Bar

Coosa River Basin

Recommendation

Chemical

Do Not Eat

Thallium

Do Not Eat

Mercury, PCBs

1 meal/month

Mercury, PCBs, Thallium

1 meal/week

Mercury, PCBs

Do Not Eat

Mercury, PCBs

No Restrictions

Coosa River (Hwy 100 to Stateline)

Species

Site Tested

Black Crappie

Foster Bend

Coosa River Basin

Recommendation

Chemical

1 meal/week

PCBs

Blue Catfish <32"

Hwy 100

1 meal/month Mercury, PCBs

Blue Catfish >32"

Hwy 100

Do Not Eat

Mercury, PCBs

Channel Catfish Flathead Catfish Largemouth Bass Spotted Bass

Below Hwy 100 and at Brushy Branch
Below Hwy 100 and at Brushy Branch
Below Hwy 100 and at Brushy Branch
Below Hwy 100 and at Brushy Branch

1 meal/month 1 meal/week 1 meal/week Do Not Eat

PCBs Mercury Mercury, PCBs Thallium

Coosa River: Special Striped Bass (River mile zero in Rome to Stateline/Lake Weiss)

Coosa River Basin

Species

Site Tested

Recommendation

Chemical

Striped Bass <22" Multiple sites on Coosa 1 meal/month

PCBs

Striped Bass >22" Multiple sites on Coosa 1 meal/month

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.

26

Coosawattee River (Below Carters Lake Dam)

Species

Site Tested

Bluegill Sunfish

Owens Gin Road

Largemouth Bass

At US Hwy 441

Redeye Bass

Owens Gin Road

Spotted Bass

At US Hwy 441

Coosa River Basin Recommendation Chemical

No Restrictions

1 meal/week

Mercury

1 meal/week

Mercury

No Restrictions

Etowah River (Above Lake Allatoona, Cherokee County)

Coosa River Basin

Species

Site Tested

Recommendation Chemical

Spotted Bass

SR 5 Spur

1 meal/week

Mercury

Etowah River (Below Lake Allatoona, Bartow/Floyd Counties) Coosa River Basin

Species

Site Tested

Recommendation Chemical

Bluegill Sunfish

Below Allatoona Dam No Restrictions

Channel Catfish

U.S. Hwy 411

No Restrictions

Spotted Bass

Below Allatoona Dam

1 meal/week Mercury, PCBs

Striped Bass *

Below Allatoona Dam * No Restrictions

*See also "Coosa River: Special Striped Bass"

Jones Creek (U.S. Forest Service Rd. 28-1)

Species

Site Tested

Brown Trout

Lumpkin County

Coosa River Basin

Recommendation Chemical

Do Not Eat

Antimony, Thallium

Little Dry Creek (Floyd County)

Species

Site Tested

Bluegill Sunfish

Near Rome

Coosa River Basin

Recommendation Chemical

1 meal/month

Antimony, Thallium

Mill Creek (Whitfield County)

Species

Site Tested

Redbreast Sunfish

Near Dalton

Coosa River Basin Recommendation Chemical
No Restrictions

Noonday Creek Species
Redbreast Sunfish

Site Tested Cobb County

Coosa River Basin Recommendation Chemical
No Restrictions

Oostanaula River (Floyd/Gordon Counties)

Species Bluegill Sunfish

Site Tested Ga. Hwy 156, Calhoun,
GA. Hwy 140

Channel Catfish

Ga. Hwy 140

Spotted Bass

Ga. Hwy 140

See also "Coosa River: Special Striped Bass"

27

Coosa River Basin Recommendation Chemical

No Restrictions

No Restrictions 1 meal/week

Mercury

Proctor Creek (Near Acworth, Cobb County)

Species

Site Tested

Green Sunfish

Ga. Hwy 293, Old US 41

Coosa River Basin Recommendation Chemical
No Restrictions

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 County) Coosa River Basin

Species

Site Tested

Recommendation Chemical

Redeye Bass

Near Fire Department

1 meal/week

Mercury

Beaver Creek (Tributary to Patsiliga Creek)

Species Yellow Bullhead

Site Tested Taylor County

Flint River (Spalding/Fayette Counties)

Species Largemouth Bass Shoal Bass

Site Tested Ga. Hwy 92 Ga. Hwy 92

Flint River Basin

Recommendation 1 meal/month

Chemical Mercury, Thallium

Flint River Basin

Recommendation 1 meal/week No Restrictions

Chemical Mercury

Flint River (Meriwether/Pike/Upon Counties)

Species

Site Tested

Black Bass Spp. Catfish Spp. Sunfish Spp.

Ga. Hwy 18 Ga. Hwy 18 Ga. Hwy 18

Flint River Basin Recommendation Chemical

1 meal/week No Restrictions No Restrictions

Mercury

Flint River (Taylor County)

Species

Site Tested

Flint River Basin Recommendation Chemical

Catfish Spp. Largemouth Bass Shoal Bass

U.S. Hwy 80 U.S. Hwy 80 U.S. Hwy 80

No Restrictions 1 meal/week No Restrictions

Mercury

Stripped Bass

U.S. Hwy 80

No Restrictions

Flint River (Above Lake Blackshear, Macon/Dooly Counties)

Flint River Basin

Species

Site Tested

Recommendation Chemical

Black Bass Spp.

Oglethorpe, Ga. Hwy 49 1 meal/week

Mercury

Channel Catfish

Oglethorpe, Ga. Hwy 49 No Restrictions

Flint River (Below Lake Blackshear, Worth/Lee Counties)

Flint River Basin

Species

Site Tested

Recommendation Chemical

Black Bass Spp.

No. Albany, Ga. Hwy 32 1 meal/week

Mercury

Channel Catfish

No. Albany, Ga. Hwy 32 No Restrictions

28

Flint River (Dougherty/Baker/Mitchell Counties)

Flint River Basin

Species

Site Tested

Recommendation Chemical

Flathead Catfish <16"

-

-

-

Flathead Catfish 16-30" Above Newton, GA

Do Not Eat

Thallium

Flathead Catfish >30"

-

-

-

Largemouth Bass

Below Albany & Merck

No Restrictions

Flint River (Decatur County)

Species

Site Tested

Black Bass Spp.

East Bank near Bainbridge

Flint River Basin Recommendation Chemical

No Restrictions

Mercury

Gum Creek Species
Largemouth Bass

Site Tested Crisp County

Ichawaynochaway Creek Species
Largemouth Bass

Site Tested Cordays Millpond

Flint River Basin Recommendation Chemical

1 meal/week

Mercury

Flint River Basin

Recommendation Chemical

1 meal/week

Mercury

Kinchafoonee Creek (Sumter/Lee Counties)

Species

Site Tested

Black Bass Spp.

Ga. Hwy 49 to 118

Flint River Basin

Recommendation Chemical

1 meal/week

Mercury

Muckalee Creek (Sumter/Lee Counties)

Species

Site Tested

Black Bass Spp.

McLittle Bridge Rd. to Ga. Hwy 118

Flint River Basin Recommendation Chemical

1 meal/week

Mercury

Patsiliga Creek (Upstream of Beaver Creek, Taylor County)

Flint River Basin

Species

Site Tested

Recommendation Chemical

Chain Pickerel

McCants Millpond to Ga. Hwy 208

1 meal/week

Mercury

Largemouth Bass

McCants Millpond to Ga. Hwy 208

No Restrictions

Patsiliga Creek (Downstream of Beaver Creek)

Species

Site Tested

Bass Spp. *

Taylor County

*Bass: Largemouth & Shoal

Flint River Basin Recommendation Chemical

1 meal/month

Mercury

Spring Creek (Seminole/Decatur/Miller Counties)

Flint River Basin

Species

Site Tested

Recommendation Chemical

Largemouth Bass

Ga. Hwy 84

1 meal/week

Mercury

Sunfish Spp.

Ga. Hwy 84

1 meal/week

Mercury

29

Ochlockonee River (Moultrie to Thomasville)

Species

Site Tested

Catfish Spp.

Hwy 19

Largemouth Bass

Hwy 19

Sunfish Spp.

Hwy 19

Warmouth

Hwy 19

Ochlockonee River Basin Recommendation Chemical

1 meal/week

Mercury

1 meal/month

Mercury

1 meal/week

Mercury

1 meal/week

Mercury

Ochlockonee River (Thomasville to State Line)

Species

Site Tested

Largemouth Bass

Ga. Hwy 93

Sunfish Spp.

Ga. Hwy 93

Ochlockonee River Basin

Recommendation Chemical

1 meal/month

Mercury

No Restrictions

Ocmulgee River (Butts/Monroe Counties)

Species

Site Tested

Catfish Spp.

Below Lake Jackson

Largemouth Bass

Below Lake Jackson

Ocmulgee River Basin Recommendation Chemical
No Restrictions No Restrictions

Ocmulgee River (Jones/Monroe Counties)

Species

Site Tested

Channel Catfish

Popes Ferry

Largemouth Bass

Popes Ferry

Shoal Bass

Popes Ferry

Ocmulgee River Basin

Recommendation

Chemical

No Restrictions

No Restrictions

1 meal/week

Mercury

Ocmulgee River (Bibb County)

Species

Site Tested

Black Crappie Channel Catfish Flathead Catfish Largemouth Bass

6 Miles Downstream of Tobesofkee Creek
6 Miles Downstream of Tobesofkee Creek
6 Miles Downstream of Tobesofkee Creek
6 Miles Downstream of Tobesofkee Creek

Ocmulgee River Basin Recommendation Chemical

1 meal/week

Mercury

No Restrictions

No Restrictions

1 meal/week

Mercury

Ocmulgee River (Houston/Twiggs Counties)

Species

Site Tested

Channel Catfish

Ga. Hwy 96

Flathead Catfish

Ga. Hwy 96

Largemouth Bass

Ga. Hwy 96

Ocmulgee River Basin Recommendation Chemical

No Restrictions

No Restrictions

1 meal/week

Mercury

Ocmulgee River (Pulaski County)

Species

Site Tested

Channel Catfish

Hawkinsville

Largemouth Bass

Hawkinsville

30

Ocmulgee River Basin Recommendation Chemical

1 meal/week

Mercury

No Restrictions

Ocmulgee River (Wilcox/Dodge/Ben Hill/Telfair Counties) Ocmulgee River Basin

Species

Site Tested

Recommendation Chemical

Bluegill Sunfish Channel Catfish Flathead Catfish Largemouth Bass

U.S. Hwy 280 U.S. Hwy 280 U.S. Hwy 280 U.S. Hwy 441

1 meal/week No Restrictions 1 meal/month 1 meal/week

Mercury Mercury Mercury Mercury

Ocmulgee River (Telfair/Coffee/Jeff Davis Counties)

Ocmulgee River Basin

Species

Site Tested

Recommendation Chemical

Flathead Catfish

US Hwy 341/ Flat Tub Rd

1 meal/week

Mercury

Largemouth Bass

US Hwy 341

1 meal/week

Mercury

South River (DeKalb/Rockdale County)

Species

Site Tested

Bluegill Sunfish

Hwy 155, Panola Shoals

Largemouth Bass

Hwy 155, Panola Shoals

Snail Bullhead

Hwy 155, Panola Shoals

Ocmulgee River Basin

Recommendation Chemical

1 meal/week

PCBs

No Restrictions

1 meal/week

PCBs

South River (Henry County)

Species

Site Tested

Black Crappie

Snapping Shoals

Channel Catfish

Below Snapping Shoals

Largemouth Bass

Snapping Shoals

Redear Sunfish Spotted Bass

Snapping Shoals Snapping Shoals

Ocmulgee River Basin Recommendation Chemical

1 meal/week

PCBs

No Restrictions

No Restrictions

No Restrictions No Restrictions

South River (Butts County) Species
Black Crappie Brown Bullhead Channel Catfish Largemouth Bass Redear Sunfish Snail Bullhead White Catfish

Site Tested Ga. Hwy 36 Ga. Hwy 36 Ga. Hwy 36 Ga. Hwy 36 Ga. Hwy 36 Ga. Hwy 36 Ga. Hwy 36

Ocmulgee River Basin Recommendation Chemical

No Restrictions

No Restrictions

1 meal/week

PCBs

No Restrictions

No Restrictions

No Restrictions

No Restrictions

31

Yellow River Species
Channel Catfish Largemouth Bass
Apalachee River Species
Blue Catfish Channel Catfish Largemouth Bass

Site Tested Hwy 36 Hwy 36
Site Tested Apalachee Beach Apalachee Beach Apalachee Beach

Ocmulgee River Basin Recommendation Chemical
No Restrictions No Restrictions
Oconee River Basin Recommendation Chemical
No Restrictions No Restrictions No Restrictions

Middle Oconee River (Above & Below Athens)

Species

Site Tested

Redbreast Sunfish U.S. Hwy 29 (Above)

Oconee River Basin Recommendation Chemical
No Restrictions

North Oconee River (Above and Below Athens, Clarke County) Oconee River Basin

Species

Site Tested

Recommendation Chemical

Flat Bullhead Redbreast Sunfish

Whitehall Rd. (Below) Newton Bridge Road Whitehall Rd. (Below)

No Restrictions No Restrictions

Oconee River (Clarke/Oconee/Greene Counties)/Cedar Creek Oconee River Basin

Species Bluegill Sunfish Catfish Spp. Largemouth Bass Spotted Bass

Site Tested Barnett Shoals Drive
Ga. Hwy 15 Barnett Shoals Drive Barnett Shoals Drive

Recommendation No Restrictions No Restrictions 1 meal/week No Restrictions

Chemical Mercury

Oconee River (Baldwin/Wilkinson Counties)

Species

Site Tested

Channel Catfish

Milledgeville to Dublin

Flathead Catfish

Milledgeville to Dublin

Largemouth Bass

Bear Dam WMA

Oconee River Basin Recommendation Chemical

No Restrictions

No Restrictions

1 meal/week

Mercury

Oconee River (Laurens County)

Species

Site Tested

Channel Catfish

I-16

Flathead Catfish

I-16

Largemouth Bass

I-16

Redbreast Sunfish

I-16

Oconee River Basin Recommendation Chemical

No Restrictions

1 meal/week

Mercury

No Restrictions

No Restrictions

32

Canoochee River (Hwy 192 to Ogeechee River)

Species

Site Tested

Catfish Spp.

U.S. Hwy 280

Largemouth Bass

U.S. Hwy 280

Sunfish Spp.

U.S. Hwy 280

Snail Bullhead

U.S. Hwy 280

Ogeechee River Basin

Recommendation

Chemical

1 meal/week

Mercury

1 meal/month

Mercury

1 meal/month

Mercury

1 meal/month

Mercury

Ogeechee River (Jefferson County, Louisville)

Species

Site Tested

Bullhead

U.S. Hwy 1

Largemouth Bass

U.S. Hwy 1

Redbreast Sunfish

U.S. Hwy 1

Ogeechee River Basin

Recommendation

Chemical

1 meal/month

Mercury

1 meal/month

Mercury

1 meal/week

Mercury

Ogeechee River (Burke County, Midville)

Species

Site Tested

Largemouth Bass

Ga. Hwy 56

Redbreast Sunfish

Ga. Hwy 56

Ogeechee River Basin

Recommendation

Chemical

1 meal/month

Mercury

1 meal/week

Mercury

Ogeechee River (Jenkins County, Millen)

Species

Site Tested

Catfish Spp.

Scarboro Road

Hybrid Bass

U.S. Hwy 25

Largemouth Bass

Scarboro Road

Redbreast Sunfish

Scarboro Road

Striped Bass

U.S. Hwy 25

Ogeechee River Basin

Recommendation

Chemical

1 meal/week

Mercury

1 meal/week

Mercury

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

Channel Catfish

Ga. Hwy 24 (so. bridge)

1 meal/week

Mercury

Largemouth Bass Redbreast Sunfish Snail Bullhead

Ga. Hwy 24 (so. bridge) U.S. Hwy 301 U.S. Hwy 301

1 meal/month 1 meal/week 1 meal/week

Mercury Mercury Mercury

Yellow Bullhead

U.S. Hwy 301

1 meal/week

Mercury

Ogeechee River (Bulloch/Effingham Counties)

Species

Site Tested

Bluegill Sunfish

Hwy 119

Largemouth Bass

Hwy 119

Redbreast Sunfish

Hwy 119

Ogeechee River Basin

Recommendation

Chemical

1 meal/week

Mercury

1 meal/week

Mercury

1 meal/week Mercury, PCBs

33

Ogeechee River (Bryan County, Black Ck near Ellabelle)

Ogeechee River Basin

Species

Site Tested

Recommendation Chemical

Channel Catfish

Ga. Hwy 204

1 meal/month

Mercury

Largemouth Bass

Ga. Hwy 204

1 meal/month

Mercury

Redbreast Sunfish

Ga. Hwy 204

1 meal/week

Mercury

Ogeechee River (Near Ft. McAllister)

Species Striped Mullet

Site Tested Fort McAllister

Ogeechee River Basin

Recommendation No Restrictions

Chemical

Short Creek (Warren County)

Species

Site Tested

Sunfish

Warren County

Ogeechee River Basin

Recommendation Chemical

1 meal/week

Mercury

Satilla River (Near Waycross, Ware/Brantley Counties)

Satilla River Basin

Species

Site Tested

Recommendation Chemical

Bullhead

U.S. Hwy 84

1 meal/week

Mercury

Largemouth Bass

U.S. Hwy 84

1 meal/month

Mercury

Satilla River (Folkston, Burnt Fort, Charlton/Camden Counties) Satilla River Basin

Species

Site Tested

Recommendation Chemical

Bullhead-Catfish Spp.

Ga. Hwy 252

1 meal/week

Mercury

Flathead Catfish <30"

Ga. Hwy 252

1 meal/month

Flathead Catfish >30"

Ga. Hwy 252

1 meal/month

Mercury

Largemouth Bass Sunfish Spp. White Catfish

Ga. Hwy 252 Ga. Hwy 252 Ga. Hwy 252

1 meal/month 1 meal/week No Restrictions

Mercury Mercury

Brier Creek (Burke County) Species
Largemouth Bass

Site Tested Ga. Hwy 56

Savannah River Basin Recommendation Chemical

1 meal/month

Mercury

Chattooga River (Northeast Georgia, Rabun County)

Savannah River Basin

Species

Site Tested

Recommendation Chemical

Brown Trout

Burrell's Ford Bridge

No Restrictions

Green Sunfish
Redbreast Sunfish
Redeye Bass

Hwy 28 nr Pine Mountain
Burrell's Ford Bridge Hwy 28 nr Pine Moun-
tain

No Restrictions 1 meal/week 1 meal/week

Mercury Mercury, Selenium

34

Coleman River (Near Mouth, Rabun County)

Species

Site Tested

Rainbow Trout

Near Tate City Rd.

Savannah River Basin Recommendation Chemical
No Restrictions

Ebenezer Creek Species
Bluegill Sunfish Largemouth Bass White Catfish

Site Tested Tommy Long Boat Ramp Tommy Long Boat Ramp Tommy Long Boat Ramp

Savannah River Basin Recommendation Chemical

1 meal/week

Mercury

1 meal/month

Mercury

1 meal/week

Mercury

Panther Creek (Stephens County)

Species

Site Tested

Bluegill Sunfish

At Yonah Dam Road

Channel Catfish

At Yonah Dam Road

Flat Bullhead

At Yonah Dam Road

Largemouth Bass White Catfish

At Yonah Dam Road At Yonah Dam Road

Savannah River Basin Recommendation Chemical

No Restrictions

1 meal/week

Mercury

1 meal/week

Mercury

1 meal/week 1 meal/week

Mercury Mercury

Savannah River (Below Clarks Hill Dam, Columbia County) Savannah River Basin

Species

Site Tested

Recommendation

Chemical

Bluegill Sunfish Largemouth Bass Striped Mullet

Above New Savannah Bluff Lock & Dam
Above New Savannah Bluff Lock & Dam
Above New Savannah Bluff Lock & Dam

No Restrictions No Restrictions 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

Striped Mullet

Below New Savannah Bluff Lock & Dam

No Restrictions

Specific consumption guidelines have not been issued for the radionuclides cesium-137 &

strontium-90, in the Savannah River (Burke/Screven Counties), adjacent to the Savannah River Site (SRS). Guidance on mercury were evaluated and deemed to be protective.

Savannah River (Screven County)

Savannah River Basin

Species

Site Tested

Recommendation Chemical

Bluegill Sunfish

U.S. Hwy 301

1 meal/week

Mercury

Channel Catfish

U.S. Hwy 301

No Restrictions

Largemouth Bass

U.S. Hwy 301

1 meal/month

Mercury

Redear Sunfish

U.S. Hwy 301

No Restrictions

Specific consumption guidelines have not been issued for the radionuclides cesium-137 & strontium-90, in the Savannah River (Burke/Screven Counties), adjacent to the Savannah River Site (SRS). Guidance on mercury were evaluated and deemed to be protective.

35

Savannah River (Effingham County)

Species

Site Tested

Channel Catfish

Ga. Hwy 119

Largemouth Bass

Ga. Hwy 119

Sunfish Spp.

Ga. Hwy 119

Savannah River Basin Recommendation Chemical

No Restrictions

1 meal/week

Mercury

No Restrictions

Savannah River (Fort Howard)

Species

Site Tested

Bowfin

Near Rincon

Channel Catfish Largemouth Bass Redbreast Sunfish

U.S. Hwy 17 Near Rincon, I-95, and
U.S. Hwy 17 Near Rincon

White Catfish

Near Rincon

Savannah River Basin Recommendation Chemical

1 meal/month No Restrictions

Mercury

1 meal/week

Mercury

No Restrictions 1 meal/week

Mercury

Savannah River (Tidal Gate)

Species

Site Tested

White Catfish

Tidal Gate

Savannah River Basin Recommendation Chemical

1 meal/week

Mercury

Savannah River: Special Striped Bass

Savannah River Basin

(New Savannah Bluff Lock & Dam to Estuary, Chatham County.)

Species

Site Tested

Recommendation Chemical

Striped Bass 26" and Multiple locations, over

greater in length

section noted above

1 meal/month *

Mercury

* Because there is considerable variation in how much mercury these large predatory fish con-

tain, 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 26 inches.

Spirit Creek Species
Bluegill Sunfish
Largemouth Bass
Redear Sunfish

Site Tested Above Richmond
Factory Pond Above Richmond
Factory Pond Above Richmond
Factory Pond

Savannah River Basin

Recommendation Chemical

Do Not Eat

Mercury, Thallium

Do Not Eat

Thallium

Do Not Eat

Thallium

Tallulah River Species
Rainbow Trout

Site Tested Charlies Creek Road

Savannah River Basin Recommendation Chemical
No Restrictions

36

Tributary to Hudson River (Alto, Ga., Banks County)

Savannah River Basin

Species

Site Tested

Recommendation Chemical

Brown Bullhead

Below Alto Prison

No Restrictions

Redeye Bass

Below Alto Prison

1 meal/week

Mercury

St. Marys River (Charlton County)

Species

Site Tested

Bluegill Sunfish

US Hwy 301 nr Folkston

Channel Catfish

US Hwy 301 nr Folkston

Largemouth Bass

US Hwy 301 nr Folkston

Redbreast Sunfish

Near St. George

St. Marys River Basin

Recommendation Chemical

1 meal/week

Mercury

1 meal/week

Mercury

1 meal/month

Mercury

No Restrictions

St. Marys River (Camden County)

Species

Site Tested

Largemouth Bass

U.S. Hwy 17

Redbreast Sunfish

U.S. Hwy 17

Striped Mullet

U.S. Hwy 17

St. Marys River Basin Recommendation Chemical

1 meal/month

Mercury

1 meal/week

Mercury

No Restrictions

Alapaha River (Tifton to Stockton)

Species

Site Tested

Bullhead Largemouth Bass

Near Statenville
Near Statenville, U.S.Hwy 82 to 84

Redbreast Sunfish

U.S.Hwy 82 to 84

Suwannee River Basin Recommendation Chemical

1 meal/month

Mercury

1 meal/month

Mercury

No Restrictions

Alapahoochee River (Near State Line)

Species

Site Tested

Bullhead

Echols County

Suwannee River Basin

Recommendation Chemical

1 meal/week

Mercury

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

Okefenokee Swamp (Stephen Foster State Park)

Suwannee River Basin

Species

Site Tested

Recommendation Chemical

Bowfin

Billy's "Lake"

1 meal/month

Mercury

Chain Pickerel

Billy's "Lake"

1 meal/month

Mercury

Flier (sunfish)

Billy's "Lake"

1 meal/week

Mercury

37

Suwannee River (Clinch/Ware/Echols Counties) Suwannee River Sill to State Line

Suwannee River Basin

Species

Site Tested

Recommendation Chemical

Bowfin Chain Pickerel Flier

U.S. Hwy 441
Short Camp Road & U.S. 441 U.S. Hwy 441

1 meal/month 1 meal/week 1 meal/week

Mercury Mercury Mercury

Warmouth

U.S. Hwy 441

No Restrictions

Yellow Bullhead

U.S. Hwy 441

No Restrictions

Withlacoochee River

Suwannee River Basin

(Hahira to State Line, Berrien/Lowndes Counties)

Species

Site Tested

Recommendation Chemical

Largemouth Bass

Below Hwy 84

1 meal/month

Mercury

Redbreast Sunfish

Below Hwy 84

1 meal/week

Mercury

Buffalo Creek Species
Bluegill Sunfish Brown Bullhead

Site Tested Carroll County Carroll County

Tallapoosa River Basin

Recommendation Chemical

No Restrictions

1 meal/week

PCBs

Little Tallapoosa River Species
Black Crappie Brown Bullhead Largemouth Bass
Tallapoosa River Species
Black Crappie

Site Tested U.S. Hwy 27 U.S. Hwy 27 U.S. Hwy 27
Site Tested Ga Hwy 100

Tallapoosa River Basin Recommendation Chemical
No Restrictions No Restrictions No Restrictions

Tallapoosa River Basin

Recommendation

Chemical

Do Not Eat

Mercury, Thallium

Little Tennessee River (Rabun County)

Tennessee River Basin

Species

Site Tested

Recommendation Chemical

Mixed Bass/Sunfish Above John Kelly Rd.

No Restrictions

Mixed Bass/Sunfish Species: Rock Bass, Redbreast and Green Sunfish. Mixed Sucker Species: Black Redhorse, Striped Jumprock and Northern Hog Sucker

Rock Creek Species
Brown Trout Rainbow Trout

Site Tested Southeast of Blue Ridge Southeast of Blue Ridge

Tennessee River Basin Recommendation Chemical
No Restrictions No Restrictions

38

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.

Savannah River Estuary

Savannah River Basin

(New Savannah Bluff Lock & Dam to Estuary, Chatham County)

Species

Site Tested

Recommendations

Chemical

Striped Bass 27"

and greater in

U.S. Hwy 17/SR 25

1 meal/month *

Mercury

length

* 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.

Savannah River Estuary

Species Sheepshead Striped Mullet

Site Tested CB_02_15762 U.S. Hwy 17/SR 25

Savannah River Basin

Recommendations 1 meal/week No Restrictions

Chemical Mercury

Wassaw Sound Species
Shrimp
Spotted Seatrout

Site Tested Multiple Multiple

Recommendation No Restrictions
No Restrictions

Chemical

Ossabaw Sound Species
Blue Crab Striped Mullet

Site Tested Casey Canal Casey Canal

Ogeechee River Basin Recommendations Chemical
No Restrictions No Restrictions

St Catherines Sound North Newport River (Upper) & Cay/Peacock Cks, Riceboro Ogeechee River Basin

Species Blue Crab Striped Mullet

Site Tested N. Newport River Cay & Peacock Creeks nr. I-95

Recommendations 1 meal/week No Restrictions

Chemical Mercury

39

Sapelo Sound Species
Brown Shrimp

Site Tested Multiple

Ogeechee River Basin Recommendations Chemical
No Restrictions

Sapelo Sound--Mud River

Species

Site Tested

White Shrimp

Mud River

Ogeechee River Basin Recommendations Chemical
No Restrictions

Altamaha Sound Species
Flounder Spotted Seatrout Striped Mullet

Site Tested Below Hwy 17 Multiple in Delta Below Hwy 17

Altamaha River Basin

Recommendations Chemical

No Restrictions

No Restrictions

1 meal/week

Thallium

Saint Simons Sound Species
Tripletail

Site Tested Northern end of Jekyll
Island

Satilla River Basin Recommendations Chemical
No Restrictions

St Andrew Sound (Satilla River)

Species Blue Crab Southern Kingfish Spot Spotted Seatrout

Site Tested
CB_02_15762 U.S. Hwy 17/SR 25

Satilla River Basin

Recommendations

Chemical

No Restrictions

No Restrictions

No Restrictions

No Restrictions

Cumberland Sound Species
Shrimp

Site Tested Multiple

St. Mary's Basin Recommendations Chemical
No Restrictions

40

SPECIAL LISTINGS

Turtle River System: Purvis & Gibson Creeks (St. Simons Estuary)

Satilla River Basin

Species

Site Tested

Recommendation Chemical

Atlantic Croaker

Do Not Eat

PCBs

Black Drum

1 meal/week

PCBs

Blue Crab

1 meal/week

Mercury

Red Drum

1 meal/week

PCBs

Sheepshead

1 meal/week

Mercury

Shrimp

Purvis &

No Restrictions

Silver Hake
Southern Flounder Southern Kingfish (whiting)

Gibson Creeks

1 meal/week 1 meal/week
Do Not Eat

Mercury PCBs
Mercury, PCBs

Spot

1 meal/month

PCBs

Spotted Seatrout

1 meal/month Mercury, PCBs

Striped Mullet

Do Not Eat

PCBs

Clams, Mussels, Oysters

Not applicable

Do Not Eat

Harvesting Prohibited *

* Shellfish Harvesting Prohibited : National Shellfish Sanitation Program. For infor-

mation see Coastal Resources Division website: https://coastalgadnr.org

Turtle River System: Upper Turtle & Buffalo Rivers (St. Simons Estuary)

Satilla River Basin

Species Atlantic Croaker

Site Tested

Recommendation 1 meal/month

Chemical PCBs

Black Drum

No Restrictions

Blue Crab

1 meal/week

Mercury

Red Drum Sheepshead Shrimp Southern Flounder Southern Kingfish (whiting)
Spot
Spotted Seatrout

Turtle and Buffalo Rivers, Upriver of Georgia Hwy
303

1 meal/week 1 meal/week No Restrictions No Restrictions
1 meal/week
Do Not Eat
1 meal/week

Mercury Mercury, PCBs
Mercury, PCBs PCBs,
Thallium Mercury

Striped Mullet

1 meal/month

PCBs

Clams, Mussels, Oysters

Not applicable

Do Not Eat

Harvesting Prohibited *

* Shellfish Harvesting Prohibited : National Shellfish Sanitation Program. For information see Coastal Resources Division website: https://coastalgadnr.org

41

Turtle River System: Middle Turtle River (St. Simons Estuary)

Satilla River Basin

Species

Site Tested

Recommendation Chemical

Atlantic Croaker

1 meal/month

PCBs

Black Drum

1 meal/week

PCBs

Blue Crab

1 meal/week

Mercury

Blue Fish

Do Not Eat

Thallium

Red Drum

1 meal/week

Mercury

Sheepshead
Shrimp
Southern Flounder Southern Kingfish (whiting)

State Hwy 303 to Channel Marker 9

1 meal/week No Restrictions No Restrictions
1 meal/month

Mercury, PCBs PCBs

Spot

1 meal/month

PCBs

Spotted Seatrout

1 meal/week Mercury, PCBs

Striped Mullet

1 meal/month

PCBs

Clams, Mussels, Oysters

Not applicable

Do Not Eat

Harvesting Prohibited *

* Shellfish Harvesting Prohibited : National Shellfish Sanitation Program. For infor-

mation see Coastal Resources Division website: https://coastalgadnr.org

Turtle River System: Lower Turtle & South Brunswick Rivers (St. Simons Estuary)

Satilla River Basin

Species

Site Tested

Recommendation Chemical

Atlantic Croaker

1 meal/week

PCBs

Black Drum

No Restrictions

Blue Crab

No Restrictions

Red Drum

No Restrictions

Sheepshead

1 meal/week Mercury, PCBs

Shrimp

No Restrictions

Silver Hake Silver Perch (Yellowtail)

State Hwy 303 to Channel Marker 9

1 meal/week 1 meal/week

PCBs Mercury

Southern Flounder Southern Kingfish (whiting)

No Restrictions 1 meal/week

Mercury, PCBs

Spot

1 meal/week

PCBs

Spotted Seatrout

1 meal/week

Mercury

Striped Mullet

1 meal/week

PCBs

Clams, Mussels, Oysters

Not applicable

Do Not Eat

Harvesting Prohibited *

* Shellfish Harvesting Prohibited : National Shellfish Sanitation Program. For information see Coastal Resources Division website: https://coastalgadnr.org

42

St. Simons Estuary:

Satilla River Basin

Terry & Dupree Creeks & Back River to St. Simons Sound

Species

Site Tested

Recommendation Chemical

Atlantic Croaker

No Restrictions

Blue Crab

No Restrictions

Red Drum Shrimp Silver Hake Southern Flounder

Terry and Dupree Creeks North of Torras Causeway to Conflu-

No Restrictions No Restrictions No Restrictions No Restrictions

Spot

ence with Back River

No Restrictions

Spotted Seatrout

No Restrictions

Striped Mullet

No Restrictions

Clams, Mussels, Oysters

Not applicable

Do Not Eat

Harvesting Prohibited *

* Shellfish Harvesting Prohibited : National Shellfish Sanitation Program. For information see Coastal Resources Division website: https://coastalgadnr.org

St. Simons Estuary:

Satilla River Basin

Terry & Dupree Creeks & Back River to St. Simons Sound

Species Black Drum

Site Tested

Recommendation No Restrictions

Chemical

Blue Crab

No Restrictions

Red Drum Shrimp Silver Perch (Yellowtail)

Terry Creek South of Torras Causeway to
Lanier Basin

No Restrictions No Restrictions
1 meal/week

Mercury

Spot

1 meal/month

Thallium

Spotted Seatrout

No Restrictions

Striped Mullet

No Restrictions

Clams, Mussels, Oysters

Not applicable

Do Not Eat

Harvesting Prohibited *

* Shellfish Harvesting Prohibited : National Shellfish Sanitation Program. For information see Coastal Resources Division website: https://coastalgadnr.org

St. Simons Estuary:

Satilla River Basin

Terry & Dupree Creeks & Back River to St. Simons Sound

Species

Site Tested

Recommendation Chemical

Blue Crab

Back River 1 mile above 1 meal/month

Thallium

Shrimp

Terry Creek Confluence No Restrictions

Spot

with Torras Causeway to No Restrictions

Thallium

Spotted Seatrout

St Simons Sound

No Restrictions

Clams, Mussels, Oysters

Do Not Eat

Harvesting Prohibited *

* Shellfish Harvesting Prohibited : National Shellfish Sanitation Program. For information see Coastal Resources Division website: https://coastalgadnr.org

Academy Creek

Satilla River Basin

Species

Site Tested

Recommendations Chemical

Blue Crab

Academy Creek 43

No Restrictions

Atlantic Ocean Species
Southern Flounder
Spotted Seatrout Summer Flounder Summer Flounder Summer Flounder Summer Flounder Summer Flounder Summer Flounder

Location
Altamaha Estuary River
Altamaha Estuary River
DRH Artificial Reef CDH Reef HLHA Reef
J Artificial Reef JY Artificial Reef
SFC Reef

Recommendation
No Restrictions
No Restrictions
1 meal/week No Restrictions 1 meal/week 1 meal/week 1 meal/week 1 meal/week

Chemical
Arsenic Arsenic Arsenic Arsenic Arsenic

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.

44

King Mackerel: Atlantic Ocean Offshore Georgia Coast

Atlantic Ocean

Size Range (Fork Length = FL)

Recommendation

24 to Less than 33 inches 33 to 39 inches (a 33 inch fish weighs approximately 10 pounds)

No Restrictions 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 to 17 pounds)

Do Not Eat

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 fastgrowing, long-lived top predator, the king mackerel has a propensity for accumulating high levels of mercury.

45

Index
A Academy Creek ...............................43 Alapaha River..................................37 Alapahoochee River ........................37 Allatoona Creek ..............................25 Allen Creek Wildlife Management Area,
Ponds A and B............................ 17 Altamaha River ...............................22 Altamaha Sound .............................40 Antioch Lake ...................................17 Apalachee River ..............................32 Atlantic Ocean ................................44
B Back River ..................................42-43 Banks Lake ......................................10 Bear Creek Reservoir ......................10 Beaver Creek...................................28 Big Lazer PFA...................................17 Black Shoals Lake (Big Haynes Res/
Randy Poynter Lake) ...................11 Brier Creek .....................................34 Bush Field Airport ..........................18
C Canoochee River ............................33 Carters Lake ....................................11 Cedar Creek (nr Athens) ..................32 Centralhatchee Creek (nr Franklin)..23 Chattahoochee River..................22-24 Chattooga River, NE Georgia ........... 34 Chattooga River, NW Georgia..........25 Chestatee River...............................24 Clarks Hill Lake (Lake Thurmond) ....12 Clayton County Water Authority:
Blalock Reservoir ........................ 18 Clayton County Water Authority:
Shamrock Reservoir .................... 18 Coleman River.................................35 Conasauga River ........................ 25-26 Coosa River ..................................... 26 Coosawattee River .......................... 27 Cumberland Sound ......................... 40

D Dodge County PFA (Steve Bell Lake) 18 Dupree Creek.................................. 43
E Ebenezer Creek .............................. 35 Etowah River .................................. 27 Evans County PFA ........................... 18
F Flint River .................................. 28-29 Fort Yargo State Park Lake .............. 18
G Gibson Creek .................................. 41 Goat Rock Lake ............................... 12 Gum Creek...................................... 29
H Hamburg Millpond, Hamburg State
Park ............................................ 18 Heath Lake (Rocky Mountain PFA ) .19 High Falls Lake ................................13 Horseshoe 4 (Paradise PFA) ............20 Hugh M. Gillis PFA ..........................19
I Ichawaynochaway Creek ................29
J Jackson Lake ...................................13 Jones Creek ....................................27
K Ken Gardens Lake ...........................19 Kinchafoonee Creek........................29 Kolomoki Lake ................................19
L Lake Acworth..................................17 Lake Allatoona................................10 Lake Andrews .................................10 Lake Blackshear ..............................11 Lake Blue Ridge ..............................11 Lake Bobben (Paradise PFA) ...........20 Lake Buncombe ..............................17

46

L Lake Burton.................................... 11 Lake Chatuge ................................. 11 Lake Chehaw (Flint River Res) ........ 16 Lake Harding (Bartletts Ferry)......... 12 Lake Hartwell ............................ 12-13 Lake Juliette ................................... 13 Lake Nottely................................... 14 Lake Oconee .................................. 14 Lake Oliver ..................................... 14 Lake Olmstead ............................... 20 Lake Patrick (Paradise PFA) ............ 20 Lake Rabun .................................... 14 Lake Richard B. Russell.............. 14-15 Lake Rutledge (Hard Labor Ck) ........21 Lake Seed........................................21 Lake Seminole.................................15 Lake Sinclair ....................................15 Lake Sydney Lanier..........................13 Lake Tobesofkee .............................15 Lake Tugalo.....................................15 Lake Varner.....................................15 Lake Walter F. George (Eufaula)......16 Lake Worth (Flint River Reservoir)...16 Laura S Walker Lake........................19 Little Dry Creek ...............................27 Little Ocmulgee State Park Lake ......19 Little River, Lowndes County ...........37 Little Tallapoosa River .....................38 Little Tennessee River .....................38 Lonice C. Barrett Lake (Flat Creek
PFA) ............................................. 19
M Margery Lake (Marben PFA)............20 Lake Mayers....................................20 McDuffie PFA ..................................20 Middle Oconee River.......................32 Mill Creek, Whitfield County .......... 27 Muckalee Creek ............................. 29 Mud Creek ......................................24 Mud River (Sapelo Sound)...............40

N Nickajack Creek .............................. 25 Noonday Creek ............................... 27 North Oconee River ........................ 32
O Ochlockonee River.......................... 30 Ocmulgee River ......................... 30-31 Oconee River .................................. 32 Ogeechee River.......................... 33-34 Ohoopee River................................ 22 Okefenokee Swamp........................ 37 Olley Creek ..................................... 25 Oostanaula River ............................ 27 Ossabaw Sound .............................. 39
P Panther Creek ................................ 35 Patsiliga Creek ............................... 29 Proctor Creek (Cobb Co.)................. 28 Proctor Creek (Fulton Co.)............... 25 Purvis Creek.................................... 41
R Reed Bingham State Pk. Lake.......... 21 Rock Creek...................................... 38
S Saint Simon's Sound ....................... 40 Sapelo Sound.................................. 40 Satilla River..................................... 34 Savannah River .......................... 35-36 Savannah River Estuary .................. 39 Sewell Mill Creek ............................ 25 Shepherd Lake (Marben PFA).......... 21 Short Creek..................................... 34 Silver Lake PFA................................ 21 South Brunswick River .................... 41 South River ..................................... 31 Spirit Creek ..................................... 36 Spring Creek ................................... 29 St. Andrews Sound.......................... 40 St Catherines North Newport River &
Cay/Peacock Creeks.................... 39

47

S St. Marys River................................37 Stone Mountain Lake ......................21 Suwannee River ..............................38 Swamp Creek ..................................28
T Talking Rock Creek ..........................28 Tallapoosa River..............................38 Tallulah River ..................................36 Terry Creek......................................43 Tribble Mill Lake..............................21 Tributary to Hudson River ...............37 Turtle River System .................... 41-42 Turtle River, Lower..........................42 Turtle River, Middle ........................42 Turtle River, Upper..........................41
U Upatoi Creek ...................................25
W Wassaw Sound................................39 West Point Lake ..............................16 Withlacoochee River .......................38
Y Yellow River ....................................32 Yohola Lake.....................................21 Yonah Lake......................................21
48