FISHERIES SECTION ANNUAL REPORT FY 83 
July 1, 1982 - June 30, 1983 
Game and Fish Division Department of Natural Resources 
Atlanta, Georgia 
December 1984 
 
 .. ~ 
The Department of Natural Resources receives Federal Aid in fish and wildlife restoration. Under Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the U. S. Department of the Interior prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin or handicap. If you believe that you have been discriminated against in any program, activity, or facility as described above, or if you desire further information please write to: 
The Office of Equal Opportunity U. S. Department of the Interior Washington, D.C. 20240 
 
 TABLE OF CONTENTS 
 
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY . 
 
i i 
 
I . INTRODUCTION 
 
1 
 
II. PRIVATE WATERS MANAGEMENT 
 
3 
 
III. PUBLIC WATERS MANAGEMENT . 
 
3 
 
Fishing Laws and Regulations 
 
3 
 
Pollution and Fish Kill Investigations 
 
7 
 
Fish Surveys . . . . 
 
7 
 
Aquatic Plant Control 
 
8 
 
Boat Ramp Program . 
 
10 
 
Management and Development 
 
10 
 
Technical Assistance to Other Agencies 
 
11 
 
Environmental Reviews and Assessments 
 
11 
 
Information, Education and Training 
 
14 
 
Other Activities 
 
14 
 
IV. TROUT PRODUCTION . . 
 
16 
 
V. WARMWATER HATCHERIES 
 
19 
 
VI. PUBLIC FISHING AREAS 
 
26 
 
VII. RESEARCH AND SURVEYS 
 
30 
 
VIII. HATCHERY RENOVATION AND FACILITY MAINTENANCE 
 
31 
 
 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 
Georgia is blessed with abundant and diverse freshwater fishery resources. North Georgia provides about 4,000 miles of trout streams, and the Piedmont and Coastal Plain provide over 12,000 miles of warmwater streams wider than 10 feet. In addition, over 535,000 acres of impoundments exist throughout the state. Fish populations thrive in most of this habitat. When one also considers Georgia's favorable climate, it is obvious that sport fishing in Georgia has great potential. 
The Fisheries Section of the Game and Fish Division is responsible for both protecting this resource and developing its potential. About 1.5 of the state's 5.8 million people participate in freshwater sport fishing, which makes this the most popular widllife-oriented activity in the state. These fishermen paid over $4.2 million for licenses in FY 83 and spent about $412 million for tackle, equipment, travel, etc., which resulted in $12.4 million in state sales tax revenue. The Fisheries Section spent $3.4 million. This is an indication of the "return on investment" provided by the Section's program. 
The goal of the Fisheries Section is to preserve, enhance, and provide for the utilization of Georgia's freshwater fishery resources. To accomplish this, a number of programs are administered including private waters management, public waters management, trout production and stocking, warmwater hatchery production, operation of public fishing areas, and research and surveys. 
The private waters management program, which provides technical assistance to pond owners, expended $215,100 and 1,652 mandays. This 
 
 represents 6% of the total section budget and 6% of the mandays. During the fiscal year, 1,371 field investigations of pond problems were conducted, over 6,000 pond owners and others were given technical guidance by telephone or at our offices, and 2,413 ponds were stocked with over 6.1 million fish. 
Twenty-nine percent of the budget ($979,800) and 35% of the total manpower (9,637 mandays) went to manage public waters in FY 83. Through this program, 42 public water fish kills were investigated, and 33 chemical weed treatments were applied to 12 bodies of water where aquatic plants were problems. Technical guidance was provided on the management of 11 public lakes and 81 environmental reviews or assessments were conducted. Fish attractors were inspected or maintained on eight lakes, and fish populations on 43 bodies of water were sampled. 
The Section's trout program included the stocking of 980,939 catchable (approx1mately 9 inches) trout into public waters in FY 83. This effort required 16% of the total budget ($532,100) and 14% of the manpower (3,487 mandays). Georgia has about 189,000 trout anglers who make about 3.1 million fishing trips annually. They spent $288,125 for trout stamps in license year 1982, which equals 54% of the cost of this program. 
The warmwater hatchery production program provides bluegill, redear sunfish, largemouth bass, channel catfish, striped bass, hybrid bass and other species for stocking new or renovated private ponds and for public water stockings to meet management needs. Over 14 million fish were distributed from the state's 7 warmwater hatcheries in FY 83. Of this total, 23% went to private ponds with the remainder going to public waters and to other fisheries agencies. This program utilized 15% of the total budget and 16% of the total manpower (4,128 mandays). 
iii 
 
 Six Public Fishing Areas with 24 lakes (461.6 acres) were managed by the Fisheries Section in Fy 83 which required 7% of the budget and 9% of the total manpower ($236,100 and 2,251 mandays). The three areas with creel counts recorded 29,372 fishing trips. Harvest from these areas was composed of 56,615 fish weighing 39,479 pounds, or an average of 1.97 fish weighing 1.39 pounds per angler trip. Sixty-four percent of all PFA anglers (excludes youth and honorary license holders) were required by law to purchase the daily use permit, which generated $33,216 in state revenue in license year 1982. 
The research and surveys program provides information on the condition of the state's fishery resources, indicates when management activities are needed, and provides an evaluation of management techniques and program effectiveness. In FY 83, 4,793 mandays (19% of total) were devoted to 26 studies at a cost of about $613,450 (18% of total budget). The DingellJohnson Federal Aid to Sport Fish Restoration Program supplied $380,341 of this total. 
Several essential repair and improvement projects were completed at Section facilities in FY 83. Projects funded through the Fisheries Section included the repair of dams and water control structures at the McDuffie Hatchery and Public Fishing Area, repair of the water discharge structure at Buford Hatchery, and installation of storm water drains at Richmond Hill Hatchery. 
Also in FY 83, the Maintenance and Construction Section of the Parks, Recreation and Historic Sites Division administered a consolidated maintenance program for capital outlay repair and maintenace projects for the Game and Fish Division. Consolidated maintenance projects in FY 83 included the renovation of the exterior of the buildings at Steve Cocke 
iv 
 
 Hatchery, the renovation of the heating and cooling systems in the office and residence at Bowens Mill Hatchery, the construction of a feed storage building at Buford Hatchery, and replacement of the picnic shelter at Burton Hatchery. 
v 
 
 INTRODUCTION 
Georgias aquatic habitat includes 182,116 acres of impoundments less than 50 acres, 37,076 acres of impoundments between 50 and 500 acres, and 315,998 acres of impoundments larger than 500 acres. Also, 12,338 miles of warmwater streams wider than 10 feet, 4,128 miles of designated trout streams, and a significant estuarine resource exist in Georgia. 
Anglers represent the largest group of wildlife-oriented recreationists in Georgia. In 1983, approximately 1.5 million fishermen, representing almost half of the states households, spent about 27.3 million days fishing. Recreational fishing has considerable economic value to the state. The 828,572 sport fishing licenses~ and permits sold during the license year ending March 1983 generated over $3.8 million in revenue. Freshwater anglers also spend about $412 million annually on fishing which results in additional state revenues from sales tax. In FY 83, the Fisheries Section expended $3.4 million, $558,231 of which were federal funds, to manage the fishery resources. This total expenditure is equal to approximately 12 per fishing day or $2.27 per fisherman. 
The statewide fisheries program is administered from a central office in Atlanta, seven regional offices, and ten district offices (Figure 1). Services are provided primarily at the regional and district levels by 30 fishery biologists, 4 fishery technicians, 10 clerical employees, and 4 construction maintenance employees. Thirty-eight non-merit seasonal labors serve as supporting staff. 
Active programs in FY 83 include: private waters management, public waters management, trout production and stocking, warmwater hatchery production, operation of public fishing areas, research and surveys, hatchery renovation, weed control, and boat ramp maintenance. Most of the FY 83 
 
 0 Central Office (Atlanta) 
0 Regional Offices 
 District Offices  Fish Hatcheries 
tHOMAS 
,,, 
Figure 1. Distribution of Georgia Fisheries Section regions (I through VII), offices, and fish hatcheries. 2 
 
 expenditures went to public waters management, hatchery production, and research and surveys (Table 1}. 
PRIVATE WATERS MANAGEMENT The primary objective of this program is to provide technical assistance to pond owners in the management of ponds and lakes. Surveys have shown that about 50% of the fishing pressure in the state is exerted on small lakes and ponds which verifies the importance of this program. These waters provide a great deal of recreation for the public even though they are privately-owned. Fisheries personnel provide service at the district level upon request from the pond owner. Assistance is directed at needs or problems relating to fish population balance, aquatic vegetation, fish kills, and general management. Pre-stocking checks are performed to verify information on applications for fish. Fisheries personnel conducted 1,371 field investgations during FY 83 (Table 2). Also, over 6,600 pond owners and other persons were provided technical assistance by telephone or office consultations. Pond extension work required 1,652 mandays of work at a total cost (excluding the cost of producing fish for stocking and Atlanta office overhead) of $200,900 or $121.61 per manday. Owners of 2,413 ponds received over 6 million fish for stocking (Table 3). 
PUBLIC WATERS MANAGEMENT This program includes various services and activities promoting the protection and wise use of Georgia's aquatic resources. The program involves the following areas: Fishing Laws and Regulations The Fisheries Section, in conjunction with the Law Enforcement Section, 
3 
 
 Table 1. Fisheries Section expenditures (thousands of. dollars) by region and program in FY 83. 
 
Program 
Publjc Water Mgt. 
Private Waters Mgt. 
Warmwater Hatcheries 
Trout Production/ Stocking 
Public Fishing Areas 
Federal Aid Surveys/ Research/Development 
Weed Control 
Facility Maint. C.O. Funds Administration 
Hatchery Renovation C.O. Funds Administration 
Boat Ramp Construction Administration 
Boat Ramp Repair Administration 
New Construction 
Totalb 
 
Atlanta Officea 
 
II 
 
III 
 
Region 
 
IV 
 
V 
 
VI 
 
VII 
 
64.6 54.4 150.0 141.6 187.5 148.4 158.7 74.6 
 
14.2 23.8 
 
5.7 37.2 16.1 19.5 68.7 29.9 
 
33.5 15.5 
 
131.2 
 
186.7 79.8 59.8 
 
35.1 57.0 440.0 
 
15.6 68.0 
 
56.7 52.0 
 
5.8 38.0b 
 
72.0 76.0 97.3 64.1 41.9 85.7 86.1b 187.9 
 
3.7 
 
52.9 
 
0.4 
 
5.9 
 
4.2 
 
59.6 
 
0.6 
 
8.0 
 
2.9 
 
41.4 
 
0.3 
 
4.0 
 
0.5 
 
6.8 
 
979.8 215.1 506.5 532.1 
56.6 6.3 63.8 8.6 44.3 4.3 7.3 
 
249.1 294.7 714.2 436.7 470.2 446.1 431.3 352.2 3,394.5 
 
aExpenses of Atlanta office were prorated among all state funded programs after applying federal aid cost solely to that program. 
bin Region VI, the Evans County Public Fishing Area is a Federal Aid Development project; For the purpose of this table, however, the total cost of the PFA ($34,829) was included under the Public Fishing Areas Program, and not under the Fedreal Aid Program. - 
 
4 
 
 e 2. Field investiga~ions on private waters in each district during FY 83. 
 
Region District 
 
Balance 
 
TJ::~e of Investi gati on 
 
Aquatic Fish Pre-stocking 
 
Vegetation Ki 11 s 
 
checks 
 
General Management 
 
Region Total 
 
Percent of State Total 
 
Ca 1houn 
 
28 
 
2 
 
18 
 
101 
 
II 
 
Ga i nesvi 11 e 
 
29 
 
0 
 
3 
 
8 
 
III 
 
Walton 
 
97 
 
2 
 
19 
 
29 
 
Thomson 
 
40 
 
30 
 
31 
 
0 
 
IV 
 
Macon 
 
68 
 
14 
 
4 
 
4 
 
Manchester 
 
137 
 
21 
 
7 
 
9 
 
v 
 
Albany 
 
26 
 
7 
 
12 
 
0 
 
U"1 
 
Corde 1e 
 
66 
 
3 
 
8 
 
0 
 
VI 
 
\~aycross 
 
34 
 
15 
 
43 
 
51 
 
Metter 
 
24 
 
43 
 
58 
 
11 
 
VII 
 
Richmond Hill 
 
- 15 
 
16 
 
- 34 
 
Total 
 
577 
 
152 
 
219 
 
247 
 
Percent of 
 
Total 
 
42.1 
 
11.1 
 
16.0 
 
18.0 
 
0 
 
149 
 
5 
 
45 
 
22 
 
169 
 
23 
 
124 
 
24 
 
114 
 
27 
 
201 
 
13 
 
58 
 
8 
 
85 
 
20 
 
163 
 
14 
 
150 
 
20 
 
113 
 
176 
 
1,371 
 
12.8 
 
100.0 
 
10.9 
3.3 
12.3 9.1 
8.3 14.7 
4.2 6.2 
11.9 10.9 
8.2 
100.0 
 
 Table 3. Private water stocking data for FV 83. 
 
Region 
 
District 
 
Bass-bream ponds stocked 
Nu111ber Acres 
 
Percent stocked at ferti 1i zed rate 
Ponds Acres 
 
Number and species stocked Bluegill 
 
Catfish only Onds stocked 
Number Acres 
 
Ca 1houn 
 
60 
 
186 
 
0 
 
0 
 
78,835 14,695 8,250 
 
29,520 41 
 
58 
 
I I 
 
Gainesville 
 
31 
 
72 
 
6 
 
4 
 
27,260 6,815 3,790 
 
17,035 31 
 
90 
 
III 
 
Thomson 
 
216 
 
857 
 
50 
 
30 
 
405,305 101,825 54,658 
 
132,227 189 
 
330 
 
Walton 
 
96 
 
452 
 
9 
 
14 
 
104,088 39,822 22,458 
 
31,790 33 
 
68 
 
rv 
 
Macon 
 
131 
 
575 
 
37 
 
27 
 
264,920 65.730 32,790 
 
60,260 57 
 
246 
 
Manchester 
 
50 
 
134 
 
56 
 
61 
 
83,060 17,540 10,098 
 
20,608 12 
 
33 
 
v 
 
Albany 
 
155 1,772 
 
7 
 
7 
 
1,344,170 94,605 79,374 
 
79.,583 83 
 
279 
 
0'1 
 
Cordele 
 
92 
 
660 
 
11 
 
9 
 
216,014 53,576 32,788 
 
52,007 63 
 
188 
 
VI 
 
Metter 
 
306 1,623 
 
5 
 
5 
 
673,200 161,325 76,599 
 
163,641 172 
 
504 
 
Waycross 
 
318 2,334 
 
1 
 
1 
 
880,045 154,182 73,190 
 
134,838 150 
 
265 
 
VII 
 
Richmond Hill 82 
 
343 
 
4 
 
5 
 
120,920 24,215 18,760 
 
22,445 45 
 
72 
 
- -- - - 
 
-- 
 
Totals 
 
1,537 9,009 
 
16, 
 
10 
 
4,233,817 734,330 412,755 
 
743,954 876 2,185 
 
 the DNR Information Officer, and the DNR Legal Staff, developed, reviewed and printed the fishing laws and regulations for the 1982 fishing season. A new map was developed for use on the trout fishing regulations brochures. Assistance was provided periodically to the Law Enforcement Section and regularly to the general public in the interpretation of fishing laws and regulations. No significant changes in the law that affected the Fisheries Section were made in 1982. Pollution and Fish Kill Investigations 
Fisheries personnel investigated 42 public water fish kills in FY 83. Estimates of the number of fish killed were obtained for 27 of these and totaled 24,141 with a monetary value of $8,948.17. The cause was determined for 23 kills with natural causes (low flows in streams in south Georgia) being the most common. Civil penalties collected by the Environmental Protection Division (EPD) as of December 13, 1983 on four fish kills totaled $3,039. In addition, twenty-three pollution reports were also investigated and sixteen were reported to EPD. Fish Surveys 
A standardized reservoir sampling plan was formulated in FY 82. The plan focuses on monitoring the principal game and forage fish species in Georgia reservoirs. The purpose of the plan is to enable the Fisheries Section to monitor the condition of these reservoirs, identify potential problems or research needs, and determine the management needs of each reservoir. This allows the Fisheries Section to best utilize its limited resources and manpower by monitoring the resources annually, but at a much reduced scale from what would be required by an extensive research study. The standardized sampling plan involves seining, gillnetting, electrofishing, and a general reconnaisance survey annually. The plan was used to some 
7 
 
 extext in FY 83 on the following reservoirs and lakes: Allatoona, Blue Ridge, Lanier, Nottely, Chatuge, Burton, Clarks Hill, Rutledge, Stone Mountain, George Sparks, Marbury Creek, Tobesofkee, High Falls, Rum Creek, Jackson, Sinclair, West Point, Seminole, Blackshear, George, and Bartlett's Ferry. Inadequate staff prevented the full implementation of the plan on all reservoirs. 
Population monitoring by electrofishing/seining was also conducted on the Ocmulgee and Ogeechee rivers and on the Kolomoki State Park and Franklin Delano Roosevelt State Park lakes. The shoal bass population in the Flint River below Lake Blackshear was sampled by electrofishing. Gill nets were used to assess the effects of sucker netting on game fishes in Lake Seminole. Rotenone sampling was used to monitor the fish populations in the Williams Public Fishing Area lake. Aquatic Plant Control 
The statewide Aquatic Plant Control Program is administered from the Fort Valley Region office, although no permanent employees are assigned to it. In FY 83, the biologist position assigned to head the Program was eliminated due to a reduction in the Fisheries Section staff. Thus, it was difficult to stay abreast of up-to-date information concerning the use of new chemicals as well as federal regulations concerning the use of these chemicals. 
Chemicals were applied by Section personnel in 33 treatments to 407 acres in 12 bodies of water during FY 83. Treatments were made to 3 streams, 3 reservoirs, and 6 small public lakes (Table 4). Eight of these areas were treated by the Fort Valley staff with the remainder receiving treatment from district personnel. The total cost of the state program, including Atlanta office overhead, was $56,600 or $139 per acre treated. 
8 
 
 Table 4. Herbicide treatments applied in statewide aquatic weed control program in FY 83. 
 
Body of Water 
 
County 
 
Target Pest 
 
Acres 
 
Acres Number of Percent Success 
 
Affected Treated Treatments 
 
of Treatment 
 
Radium Springs 
 
Dougherty 
 
Hydrill a 
 
7.5 
 
7.5 
 
1 
 
10 
 
Ebenezer Creek 
 
Ef.fingham 
 
Alligator weed 
 
4.8a 
 
4.8a 
 
4 
 
95 
 
Ogeechee River 
 
Bryan, Chatham Alligator weed 
 
t.ob 
 
0 
 
1 
 
Subtotal 
 
8.0 
 
8.5 
 
2 
 
lac 
 
4.8a 
 
4.8a 
 
4 
 
95 
 
Reservoirs 
 
Blackshear 
 
Crisp, Sumter. Lyngbya 
 
300.0 
 
29.0 
 
5 
 
25 
 
Blackshear 
 
Coaly 
 
Bacopa 
 
10.0 
 
10.0 
 
2 
 
95 
 
Jackson 
 
Butts, Newton, Alligator weed, 
 
Jasper 
 
Water primrose 
 
100.0 
 
60.0 
 
5 
 
95 
 
Worth 
 
Dougherty 
 
Water hyacinth 
 
50.0 
 
2 
 
Subtotal 
 
460.0 
 
129.0 
 
14 
 
79C 
 
Publicly-Owned Small Lakes 
 
A.H. Stephens SP 
 
Taliaferro 
 
Filamentous algae 15.0 
 
15.0 
 
1 
 
100 
 
Little Ocmulgee SP Wheeler 
 
Najas, Mil foil, 
 
220.0 
 
220.0 
 
6 
 
70 
 
Egeria, Bladderwort 
 
Magnolia Springs SP Jenkins 
 
Waterl i lies. 
 
20.0 
 
2o:.o 
 
2 
 
95 
 
Smartweed, Milfoil, 
 
Ludwigia, Parrot- 
 
feather 
 
Fort Vargo SP 
 
Barrow 
 
Najas 
 
6~0 
 
1 
 
100 
 
Baldwin Forest PFA Baldwin 
 
Pithophora 
 
8.0 
 
2 
 
100 
 
Sloppy Floyd SP 
 
Chatooga 
 
Pi thophora, Duckweed 
 
0.5 
 
1 
 
75 
 
Subtota 1 
 
275.5 
 
269.5 
 
13 
 
75c 
 
Grand Totals 
 
744.0 
 
407.0 
 
29 
 
75c 
 
4.8a 
 
4.8a 
 
4 
 
95 
 
aMiles of creek including both shores. bAlthough more extensive Alligator Weed infestation occurs in the Ogeechee River, the affected site from which citizen complaints were received consisted of only 1 acre. cweighted means 
 
9 
 
 Boat Ramp Program Eighteen boat ramps were inspected for general condition throughout the 
state. Maintenance was performed on six ramps. The boat ramp maintenance program cost totaled $6,800 (excluding Atlanta overhead) and 74 mandays were expended on this activity. No boat ramp construction grants were issued due to the lack of funds. Concrete logs were provided for ramps at the Evans County Public Fishing Area, Banks Lake (Lanier County), and the Champney River area on Butler Island. Management and Development 
~1anagement recorrmendati ons were provided for 1akes or ponds at the following locations: James H. "Sloppy" Floyd, Fort Mountain, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Kolomoki Mounds, General Coffee, and Altamaha state parks; Stone Mountain Park; Georgia Southern College; Savannah (Daffin Park) and Chatham County (Lake Mayer); and Clayton County (Water Authority). 
The water quality in the Allatoona Reservoir tailwaters was determined to be unsuitable for inclusion as trout water. Thermographs were set in 12 streams in six counties to evaluate their potential as year-round trout streams. A total of 29 stream structures, used to provide additional trout habitat, was repaired on streams. Repairs were also made to the Tate Branch fish barrier. 
Fish attractors were inspected on lakes Tobesofkee, Jackson, and Sinclair. Fisheries personnel assisted TVA and local bass club members in installing brush and tire fish attractors in lakes Chatuge, Nottely, and Burton. Fish attractors were maintained on Clarks Hill, George, Oliver, and Bartletts Ferry with new brush added and/or missing buoys replaced. A new fish attractor was installed near the handicapped fishing ramp in Lake Delano, at Franklin Delano Roosevelt State Park. Red cedars and 
10 
 
 Virginia pines were planted at Steve Cocke Fish Hatchery for future use as fish attractors. Section personnel assisted the Tennessee Valley Authority in positioning and maintaining fish attractors and in seeding and fertilizing the drawdown zone in Blue Ridge Reservoir. 
Selective removal of gizzard shad was accomplished on Lake Rutledge in Hard Labor Creek State Park through the use of antimycin. Ponds on Sapelo and Ossabaw islands were checked regularly for management purposes. 
Fisheries personnel also spent considerable time and effort investigating existing private lakes and public lands to locate potential new public fishing area sites. An archeological assessment and topographic maps were prepared for the site of a proposed public fishing lake in the Big Lazer Creek Wildlife Management Area (Talbot County), Technical Assistance to Other Agencies 
Technical assistance was provided to many other state and federal agencies, as well as to private firms in FY 83. The major activities are listed on Table 5. Many organizations tap the fisheries expertise that exists within the Section staff. Environmental Reviews and Assessments 
The Fisheries Section (in compliance with the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, the Clean Water Act, and other environmental statutes) reviews and comments on projects and programs that impact fish populations or fishery habitat. The purpose of these comments is to provide for the protection. enhancement, and/or mitigation of fishery resources. 
In FY 83 the Section reviewed 81 such projects {Table 6). Some of these reviews, such as private boat piers or rip rap placement, required Httte staff time. Others required detailed field review and data analysis. 
11 
 
 Table 5. Technical assistance provided to other agencies in FY 83. The list includes major activities only, and does not include environmental reviews and assessments. 
 
Agency 
 
Form of Assistance 
 
FEDERAL U.S. Army U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 
U.S. National Park Service U.S. Forest Service Tennessee Valley Authority Department of Energy 
STATE Environmental Protection Division 
Department of Human Resources University of Georgia 
PRIVATE Utilities Industrial or Consulting Firms 
 
Assist in Search to Locate a Drowning Victim at Fort Stewart 
Provide Pond Management Advice to Staff at Fort Benning 
Review List of Fishes in the Coosa River Basin Assist in the Design of Fisheries Enhancement Projects Review Draft of Final Report on Water Quality Below Lake 
Lanier Discuss Weed Control and Research Needs on Lake Seminole 
Assist in Compilation of Bibliography on Flint and Chattahoochee River Systems 
Assist FWS with Collection of Fish from the Chattahoochee River 
Assist in Planning Field Studies to Address Savannah River Harbor Environmental Issues 
Survey the Ogeechee River as Part of a Wild and Scenic Rivers Program Assessment 
Assist in Fish Collections in Lake Russell and Nancytown Creek 
Review District Work Plans 
Assist with the Selection of a Site for a Boat Ramp/Access on the Blue Ridge Tail waters 
Participate on an Acid Rain Task 'r-orce 
Collect Fish Samples to Be Used for Radiation Analysis at the Savannah River Plant , 
Provide Guidance in Developing Fisheries Studies Relative to the Restart of the L-Reactor at the Savannah River Plant 
Collect Water and Fish Samples for Monitoring of Toxic Wastes throughout the State 
Assist in Evaluating the Effect of a Private Trout Farm on Stream Temperature 
Assist EPD Staff in Stream Sedimentation and Acid Rain Monitoring Projects 
Advise Staff on Pond Management at the West Central Georgia Regional Hospital in Columbus 
Assist in Collection of Fish for Constriction Analysis and Genetic Studies 
Assist in Collection of Smallmouth Bass for Research into the Cause of Spinal Deformities 
Assist Georgia Power Company in Formulating a Trout Stocking Program for Some of Their Reservoirs 
Recommend Procedures for El imi nati ng Fish from the Water Intake System of a Paper Plant on the Oconee River 
Review a Study Proposal to Be Funded by the Buckeye Cellulose Corporation on the Flint River 
Provide Information on Six Small Streams in Southwest Georgia for Consultants Conducting Work for the Environmental Protection Agency 
 
12 
 
 Table 6. Environmental reviews and assessments conducted by the Fisheries Section in FY 83. 
 
Subject/Agency 
 
Number 
 
1. Projects involving dredge and fill 
 
22 
 
2. Boat docks, boat ramps, piers, rip rap 
 
12 
 
3. Projects and policies of federal agenciesa 
 
9 
 
4. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and 
 
6 
 
Department of Energy projects 
 
5. Soil Conservation Service projects 
 
5 
 
6. Small-scale hydropower projects 
 
11 
 
7. A-85 reviews (Federal regulations} 
 
3 
 
8. Surface water withdrawals- Industrial, Domestic 4 
 
9. Underground pipeline construction 
 
1 
 
10. Highway construction activities 
 
8 
 
Total 
 
81 
 
au.s. Forest Service, Army Corps of Engineers, Environmental Protection Agency, Fish and Wildlife Service. 
 
13 
 
 Comments on these projects are sent through the Game and Fish Division and the Department of Natural Resources to the State Clearinghouse. Comments on applications for water quality permits are sent to the Environmental Protection Division. Information, Education and Training 
Table 7 summarizes the information and education activities conducted by the Fisheries Section in FY 83. Training activities were comprised of employees attending different shortcourses, workshops, symposia, Merit System training courses, and other training sessions. Other Activities 
Fisheries Section employees served on the following committees of the Southern Division, American Fisheries Society: Trout, Striped Bass, Warmwater Streams, Reservoir, and Pollution. Staff members gave presentations at the Georgia Fishery Workers Association and the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies annual meetings, and at the Reservoir Fisheries Management Symposium. Individual biologists functioned as; 1) an advisor to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission; 2) an editor for papers submitted to the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Proceedings; and 3) verifiers of record fish caught throughout the state during this fiscal year. 
Section personnel also cooperated with Trout Unlimited club members in floatstocking the Chattahoochee River with brown trout fingerlings. Assistance was provided to the Law Enforcement Section in the surveillance of illegal gill nets in Lake Allatoona, and in the identification of the endangered shortnose sturgeon. 
14 
 
 Table 7. Infonnation and education activities conducted in FY 83. 
 
Activity 
 
Number 
 
Persons Attending 
 
Man-Days 
 
INFORMATIONa 
 
Public Talks 
 
75 
 
News and Press Releases 
 
27 
 
Magazine Articles Prepared 
 
1 
 
...... 
 
Game & Fish Public 
 
10 
 
U'1 
 
Hearings &Meetings 
 
Fish Hatchery Tours 
 
121 
 
General &Technical Information Requests 
 
6,684 
 
EDUCATION 
 
Classes Taught 
 
31 
 
2,793 N/A N/A 497 2,575 
596 
 
72.95 16.5 1.0 17.0 19.58 156.5 
47.50 
 
avolume of requests of the Atlanta office were too numerous to record and are not included in totals. 
 
 TROUT PRODUCTION 
Trout stream habitat in Georgia, composed of 4,128 miles or about 7,967 acres of water, is relatively limited considering the number of fishermen utilizing this resource. Approximately 189,000 trout anglers made about 3.1 million trout fishing trips in FY 83. Pressure of this magnitude cannot be sustained by Georgia's native trout populations. To buffer pressure on the trout resource and to mpintain the quality of native trout fishing, trout are reared to a catchable size (about 9 inches) at the Lake Burton, Summerville, and Buford hatcheries (Figure 1) for stocking into selected public trout streams, tailwaters, and impoundments. These fish are grown from fingerlings provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service . Catchable trout are also produced at federal hatcheries for stocking Georgia's trout waters, most of which occur on federal land. 
The state's three coldwater hatcheries produced a net weight of 221,795 pounds of trout in FY 83 at an average cost of $1.83 per pound (Table 8). Production cost is derived from the annual operating expense of each facility and from salaries and fringe benefits paid to hatchery and administrative personnel through the regional level. The average conversion ratio (pounds of feed required to produce one pound of fish) at state hatcheries in FY 83 was 1.81 (Table 8). 
A total of 980,939 catchable trout were stocked into waters open to public fishing during FY 83 (Table 9). These fish were distributed by state personnel at a cost of $0.35 per pound. Therefore, the State's total cost in FY 83 for rearing and distributing trout to Georgia's public waters was approximately $2.18 per pound ($0.51 per catchable fish). 
16 
 
 Table 8. Trout production (lbs)~ feed conversion ratios~ and costs at state hatcheries in FY 83. Costs are for production only and do not include distribution costs. 
 
Hatchery 
 
seeci es Rainbow Brook Brown 
 
Total 
 
Cost Total Per Pound 
 
Buford 
 
Net weight gain Conversion ratio 
 
58~152 
1.85 
 
25~532 
1.82 
 
20~511 
1.61 
 
104~194 
1.80 
 
$206~477 
 
$1.98 
 
1-' 
 
Burton 
 
"'-J 
 
Net weight gain 100,233 
 
Conversion ratio 
 
1.85 
 
100~233 
1.85 
 
$159~071 
 
$1.59 
 
Summervi 11 e Total 
 
Net weight gain Conversion ratio 
Net weight gain Conversion ratio 
 
17,378 1.64 
175,753 1. 79a 
 
25~532 
1.82 
 
20,511 1.61 
 
17,378 1.64 
221,795 1.81a 
 
$ 40,023 $405,571 
 
$2.30 $1.83 
 
aweighted means. 
 
 Table 9. Number and weight of each species of trout stocked into Georgia's public waters from state and federal hatcheries during FY 83. 
 
Faci 1ity 
 
Brook Number Weight 
( 1 b) 
 
Rainbow Number Weight 
( 1b) 
 
Brown Number Weight 
( 1 b) 
 
State hatcheries 
Buford catchables fingerlings 
 
66,552 15,567 
 
216,844 72,029 
 
31,484 76,000 
 
10,474 1 '301 
 
Burton catchables 
 
238,238 83,988 
 
Summerville 
 
...... 
 
catchabl es 
 
00 
 
Federal Hatcheries Chattahoochee Forest catchabl es 
 
104,531 34,328 299,852 96,387 
 
Walhalla catchabl es fingerlings 
 
8,438 2,418 
 
15,000 125,000 
 
2,770 1,878 
 
Other Hatcheries Waynesville {SC) fingerlings 
 
438 
 
25 
 
Total (All Hatcheries) 
 
catchables 
 
66,552 
 
fingerlings 
 
15,567 
 
867,903 289,150 
 
46,484 201,438 
 
13,244 3,204 
 
Total 
 
Number 
 
Weight 
 
( 1 b) 
 
314,880 76,000 
238,238 
104,531 
 
98,070 1,301 
83,988 
34 '328 
 
299,852 
23,438 125,000 
 
96,387 
5,188 1,878 
 
438 
980,939 201,438 
 
25 
317,961 3,204 
 
 Number and weight of catchable trout stocked by county are presented in Table 10. Sixty-nine percent of the catchable trout are stocked into streams, 17%, into tailwaters. 11% into reservoirs, and 3% into small lakes. In addition, 201,438 fingerling brown and rainbow trout (3-5 inches long) were stocked into public streams during FY 83. 
Resident trout stamp sales increased to 89,843 in the 1982 license year (April 1, 1982 to March 31, 1983), and the total stamp revenue generated was $269,874. If non-resident trout stamp sales are included, the total revenue generated in 1982 paid 54% of the cost of the FY 83 trout program. 
WARMWATER HATCHERIES The Fisheries Section produced warmwater fish at seven hatcheries in FY 83 (Figure 1). Six hatcheries produced the majority of the fish, with the Summerville Hatchery contributing to a lesser degree. Warmwater fish are produced for stocking newly constructed or renovated private ponds and to meet management needs of public waters. Bluegill. redear sunfish, and largemouth bass are generally produced at all hatcheries. Channel catfish are produced primarily at the McDuffie and Cordele hatcheries. These species are hatched annually from spawning stocks maintained at the hatcheries and reared to fingerlings for distribution to pond owners that have applied for fish. Bluegill, redear sunfish, and channel catfish are distributed from October to March, and bass are issued the following spring. These species, when stocked in combination, provide the best possible fishing in lakes of small to moderate size. The above species are also stocked into public waters when dictated by management needs, but striped bass and striped bass X white bass hybrids are the primary warmwater species used in public water stockings. Through the 
19 
 
 Table 10. Number and weight of catchable trout by species and habitat type stocked from all hatcheries in FY 83. 
 
Habitat 
St1eams by County 
.:.;rtow Catoosa Chattooga Dade Dawson Fannin Floyd Gilmer Gordon Habersham Haralson Lumpkin Murray Paulding Pickens Polk Rabun Stephens Towns Union Walker White Whitfield 
Subtota 1 
Tal Lwate1'}G 
Blue Ridge Hartwell Lanier 
Subtota 1 
Reserovoil"s 
Burton Chatuge Lanier 
Subtotal 
Sma ZZ &akes 
Black Rock Conasauga Lake Dockery Nancytown Rock Creek Vogel Winfield Scott 
Subtotal 
Grand Total 
 
Brook Number Weight 
(1 b) 
 
Rainbow Number Weight 
( 1b) 
 
Brown Number Weight 
( 1b) 
 
3,255 
4,074 776. 
2,630 
1,480 7,660 
376 900 
5,658 
26,809 
 
732 
833 202 736 
334 2,468 
49 378 
1,244 
6,976 
 
5,400 2,400 5,600 1,400 8, 945 55,000 17,331 32,335 3,800 18,679 13,400 96,410 15,900 13,300 5,020 6,200 90,636 31,000 40,350 75,900 15,700 66,600 
600 
621,906 
 
1,827 799.5 
1, 770 450 
2,616 17,543 5,618 10,606 1,273.25 6,318 4,447.25 32,571 5,-299.5 4,415.25 1,517.5 2,052.75 29,571 10,588 13,526 24,676 5,084 22,174 
202.5 
204,945.5 
 
1,100 
2,700 2,000 
500 8,200 2,700 3,700 3,600 
24,500 
 
387 
758 652 
176 2,199 
633 923 1,126 
6,854 
 
1,600 6,411 31,432 
39,443 
 
29b 1,317 6,916 
8,529 
 
7,200 20,600 82,546 
110,346 
 
2,189 6,609 27,629 
36,427 
 
1,600 2,000 15,684 
19,284 
 
302 377 
5,833 
 
2,765 5,000 99,986 
107,751 
 
999 1,399 36,054 
38,452 
 
300 
300 66,552 
 
62 
62 15,567 
 
1,000 3,000 11,900 
2,000 3,200 6,800 
27,900 
867,903 
 
344 927.5 3,946 
659 1,029 2,420 
9,325 
289,150 
 
400 
 
69 
 
2,000 
 
378 
 
300 
 
110 
 
2,700 
 
557 
 
46,484 13,244 
 
Tota 1 
 
Number 
 
We1ght 
 
(1 b) 
 
5,400 2,400 5,600 1,400 13,300 55,000 17,331 36,409 3,800 22,155 13,400 101,040 15,900 13,300 7,000 6,200 106,496 31,376 43,950 79,600 15,700 75,858 
600 
-~ 
673,215 
 
1,827 799.5 
1, 770 450 
3,735 17,543 5,618 11,439 1,273.25 7,278 4,447.25 33,959 5,299.5 4,415.25 2,027.5 2,052.75 34,238 10,637 14,537 25,599 5,084 24,544 
202.5 
213,775.5 
 
10,400 29,011 129,662 
169,073 
 
2,787 8,303 39,699 
50,789 
 
2,765 5,000 99,986 
107,751 
 
999 1,399 36,054 
38,452 
 
1,700 3,000 11 '900 2,000 2,000 3,500 6,800 
30,900 
980,939 
 
475 927.5 3,946 378 659 1 139 
9,944.5 
317,961 
 
20 
 
 use of intensive culture techniques, fisheries personnel artificially propagate these species at Richmond Hill Hatchery from wild striped bass and white bass collected during their natural spawing runs. Dingell-Johnson (federal) funds are used in this production phase. Most of the-fry produced are stocked into state hatchery ponds to grow to fingerling size (l-inch) before stocking. Small numbers of other warmwater species are occasionally produced to meet specific management needs. 
The warmwater hatcheries produced over 15.4 million striped and striped bass Xwhite bass hybrid fry and 14.1 million other fingerlings in FY 83 (Table 11). The average production cost per fish varied from $0.001 for largemouth bass fry to $5.26 for shoal bass fingerlings. Production by species and associated costs at each hatchery appear in Tables 12 and 13. 
Eighty-six percent of the fish produced in FY 83 were distributed (Table 11). The difference between the production and distribution totals results from natural mortalities, handling, holding and transporting mortalities, and the use of surplus fish as forage (food) for hatchery brood bass stocks. 
Forty-three percent of all fish distributed went to private pond owners in FY 83 (Table 14). Bluegill, redear sunfish, channel catfish, and largemouth bass were stocked in 2,413 ponds (Table 3). Public waters received about 6.4 million fish from state and federal warmwater hatcheries that include 1.8 million fry, 4.6 million fingerlings, and 14,684 adults. These were stocked in 26 reservoirs, 10 rivers or streams, 6 public fishing areas, and 13 publicly-owned small lakes. Striped bass and striped bass X white bass hybrids made up 72% of the warmwater fish stocked in public waters in FY 83. Approximately 1.7 million striped bass and striped bass X white bass hybrids were distributed to other state fishery agencies and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and were ultimately stocked into public waters after 
21 
 
 Table 11. Total numbers and cost per fish of warmwater species produced at and distributed from state hatcheries in FY 83. (NA = Not Available) 
 
Species 
 
Acres 
 
Production 
 
Avg. no. 
 
Number 
 
per acre 
 
Cost per fish ($)a 
 
Distribution Cost per 
Number fish ($) 
 
Bluegill fingerling 
adult 
 
43.62 2.4 
 
8,234,006 5,177 
 
188,767 2,157 
 
0.021 NA 
 
6,262,737 0.028 5,177 NA 
 
Redear sunfish fingerling 
 
13.22 
 
1,213,041 
 
91,758 
 
0.043 
 
875,767 0.060 
 
Largemouth bass fry fingerling 
 
0.45 29.16 
 
185,000 1,278,088 
 
411,111 43,830 
 
0.001 0.080 
 
67,000 0.003 889,801 0.115 
 
Striped bass 
 
N 
 
fry 
 
NAb 
 
3,245,000 
 
NAb 
 
0.006 
 
3,245,000 0.006 
 
N 
 
fingerling 
 
4.90 
 
540 '701 110,347 
 
0.039 
 
328,642 0.064 
 
Striped-white hybrid bass fry 
fingerling 
 
NAb 21.26 
 
12,146,000 1,839,623 
 
NAb 86,530 
 
0.006 0.042 
 
12,146,000 0.006 1,629,640 0.047 
 
Channel catfish fry fingerling 
adult 
 
3.90 19.31 3.80 
 
1,281,500 
985,573 7,467 
 
328,590 
51,040 1,965 
 
0.025 0.096 1.790 
 
100,000 0.025 
939,555 0.101 7,467 1.790 
 
Shoal bass 
 
fingerling 
 
1.90 
 
7. 771 
 
4,090 
 
3.259 
 
7,571 3.345 
 
Brown bull head 
 
adult 
 
0.70 
 
3,000 
 
4,286 
 
0.400 
 
2,564 0.470 
 
144.62 30,971,947 
 
26,506,921 
 
~Cost of each production phase includes cost of previous phase if it occurred during FY 82. These fry are hatched in jars and then placed in aquaria. 
 
 Table 12. Number of each wariTh'later species produced at state hatcheries in FY 83. 
 
Species 
 
Summerville 
 
Walton McDuffie Cordele 
 
Steve Cocke 
 
Bowens Mill 
 
Richmond 
Hill 
 
Total 
 
Bluegill fingerling 
adult 
 
125,525 
 
750,492 1,280,405 
 
849,000 1,109,200 1,880,120 5,177 
 
2,239,264 
 
8,234,006 5,177 
 
Redear sunfish fingerling 
 
25,427 
 
63,237 445,910 
 
333,000 
 
345,467 1,213,041 
 
Largemouth bass fingerling 
 
2,723 
 
184.717 269,570 
 
287,000 
 
406,533 
 
127,545 1,278,088 
 
Striped bass fry fingerling 
 
249,992 
 
3,245,000 290,709 
 
3,245,000 540,701 
 
Striped-white 
 
N w 
 
hybrid bass fry 
 
fingerling 
 
84,565 
 
122,442 
 
12,146,000 12,146,000 564,355 1,068,261 ' 1,839,623 
 
Channe1 catfish fingerling adult (harvestable) 
 
8,666 4,482 
 
390,633 2,985 
 
586,274 
 
985,573 7,467 
 
Shoal bass fingerling 
 
1,350 
 
7' 771 
 
9' 121 
 
Brown bull head adult (harvestable) 
 
3,000 
 
3,000 
 
Totals 
 
153,675 
 
1,096,159 2,642,495 1,564,243 1,403. 971 3,184,008 19,462,246 29,506,797 
 
 Table 13. Cost per fish (doll.ars) of warmwater species produced at state hatcheries in FY 83. 
 
Species 
 
Summerville Wa 1ton 
 
McDuffie 
 
Cordele 
 
Steve Cocke 
 
Bowens Mi 11 
 
Richmond Hi 11 
 
Bluegill fingerling 
 
0.095 
 
0.024 
 
0.017 
 
0.007 
 
0.032 0.017 
 
0.022 
 
Redear sunfish fingerling 
 
0.092 
 
0.072 
 
0.032 
 
0.047 
 
0.032 
 
Largemouth bass fry fingerling 
 
0.455 
 
0.001 0.056 
 
0.062 
 
0.097 0.074 
 
0.113 
 
1\.:) 
 
Striped bass 
 
~ 
 
fry 
 
fingerling 
 
0.027 
 
0.006 0.048 
 
Striped-white hybrid bass fry fingerling 
 
0.063 
 
0.190 
 
0.015 
 
0.006 0.037 
 
Channel catfish fry fingerling adult 
 
0.197 0.559 
 
o. 058  
1.990 
 
0.025 0.115 
 
Shoal bass fingerling 
 
7.268 
 
3.259 
 
Brown bull head adult 
 
0. 711 
 
 Table 14. Number of warmwater fish distributed from state hatcheries in FY 83. Totals include fish provided by federal hatcheries, surplus brood stock, and fish available as by-products of other programs. 
 
Species 
 
Private watc rs 
 
Reservoirs 
 
Rivers and streams 
 
Publicly owned small lakes 
 
Public fishing areas 
 
Other 
fisheries agencies 
 
Total 
 
Bluegill fingerling adult 
 
4,124,782 
 
5,177 
 
1,633,370 
 
39,600 
 
182,000 
 
5,979,752 5,177 
 
Redea r sunfish fingerling 
 
727,515 
 
6,800 
 
8,900 
 
13,000 
 
756,215 
 
Largemouth bass fingerling adults 
 
409,315 
 
155,833 
 
215,933 
 
16,868 
 
48,365 50 
 
846,31s4o 
 
Striped bass fry fingerling 
f\.) 
0"1 
Striped-white hybrid bass 
 
287,771 
1,135,000 1,747,942 
 
665,000 40,871 
 
2,890 
 
1,700,000 
 
665,000 328,642 
2,835,000 1,750,832 
 
catfish 
 
726,919 
 
\ 
Shoal bass fingerling 
 
10,500 8,821 
 
11,350 4,482 
 
139,783 2,985 
 
888,552 7,467 
8,821 
 
Bro~m bull head adult 
 
1,990 
 
1,990 
 
Total 
 
5,988,531 
 
3,331,723 
 
2,581,295 
 
84,090 
 
388,173 
 
1,700,000 
 
14,073,812 
 
 being reared to fingerlings. Hatchery production and stocking of striped bass and striped bass X 
white bass hybrids continued to be quite successful in producing popular fisheries in most of the state's large impoundments. Approximately 1.8 million striper and hybrid fingerlings and 1.1 million fry were stocked by the Section in Georgia's public waters in FY 83. 
PUBLIC FISHING AREAS The Fisheries Section managed 6 public fishing areas with 24 lakes totaling 461.6 acres in FY 83 (Table 15). Four areas are owned by the DNR, one by the Georgia Forestry Commission, and the other is leased from a private owner. All areas except Arrowhead provide at least some largemouth bass and bream fishing. Channel catfish are stocked and grown for one year at Arrowhead, Baldwin Forest, and McDuffie public fishing areas before being fished. All areas except the Treutlen County and Williams public fishing areas require a $1.00 daily-use permit for anglers aged 16 to 65. A total of 29,372 fishing trips occurred in FY 83 on 3 areas for an average of 183 trips per acre {Table 15). Sixty-four percent of the anglers {those that were 16 or over and did not have an honorary fishing license) were required to purchase the daily use permit, which generated $33,216 in license year 1982. The total operating cost of all public fishing areas was $220,498 or approximately $236,100 when Atlanta expenses are included. The gross cost per trip of those areas with use records was $5.27 in FY 83. When permit revenues are deducted, the net cost per fishing trip for those areas with use records was $4.59 in FY 83. Records available for three areas showed a harvest of 56,615 fish averaging 0.70 pound each (Table 16). Fisherman caught an average of 1.97 
26 
 
 Table 15. Public fishing areas cost and use data for FY 83. 
 
Region 
 
Ownership 
 
Number of Lakes 
 
Total a Acreage 
 
Total Operating Cost ($} Trips 
 
Trips/ Acre 
 
Gross Cost/Trip 
( $} 
 
I 
 
Arrowhead 
 
State 
 
2 
 
25.3 $ 67,992 10 '725 424.8 
 
$6.34 
 
III 
 
McDuffie 
 
State 
 
12 
 
81.0 $ 56,672 
 
IV 
 
Baldwin Forest State 
 
5 
 
51.3 $ 52,045 12,992 253.3 
 
$4.01 
 
N 
 
v 
 
Wi 11 i ams 
 
State & 
 
1 
 
31.0 $ 5,833 
 
""-1 
 
Private 
 
VI 
 
Evans County 
 
State 
 
3 
 
84.0 $ 34,829 5,655 67.3 
 
$6.16 
 
VI 
 
Treutlen County Private 
 
-1 
 
189.0 $ 3,127 
 
-- 
 
Total 
 
24 
 
461.6 $220,498 29,372b 182.8b 
 
$5.27b 
 
aTotal acreage open to public fishing. bweighted mean from those areas having this information. 
 
 Table 16. Harvest and catch rate data 
 
Public fishing areas in FY 83.a 
 
Hal~vest 
 
Channel Catfish 
 
Largemouth Bass 
 
Breamb 
 
Other fish 
 
Av.g. 
 
Avg. 
 
No. Wgt. No. Wgt. 
 
Avg. 
 
Avg. 
 
No. Wgt. No. Wgt. No. Wgt. 
 
CATCH RATE No./ Lb./ Trip Trip 
 
Arrowhead 
 
15,811 1.10 127 1.00 
 
369 0.17 
 
16,307 17,626 1.52 1.64 
 
Baldwin Forest 16,881 0.85 
 
19 1. 39 
 
4,951 0.22 6,298 0.17 28,149 16,625 2.16 1.28 
 
N (X) 
Evans County 
 
43 0 
 
505 1. 61 
 
8,844 0.35 2,763 0.46 12,159 5,228 2.15 0.92 
 
Total 
 
32,735 0.97C 651 1.48c 14,164 0.3oc 9,061 0.26c 56,615 39,479C 1. 97c 1.39c 
 
aooes not include McDuffie, Treutlen County, and Williams Public Fishing areas. 
bBluegill, redear sunfish, and other sunfish species. cweighted mean (all weights are given in pounds}. 
 
 Table 17. Han-days cost, and funding source of research and survey studies in each region during FY 83. (OJ Dlngell Johnson federal funds provided through tne Sport Fish Restoration Act) 
 
Region Northwest 
Northeast Eastcentral Westcentral Southwest 
 
~1an-days 
85 200 
28 115 200 280 239 112 96 240 60 138 20 435 313 
74 
45 
 
Southcentral 
 
350 
 
270 
 
530 
 
Coastal 
 
749 
 
30 
 
30 
 
57 66 
 
31 
 
Total 
 
4,793 
 
Cost 
 
Fund Source 
 
$11,112 $31,206 $11,265 $22,530 $24,000 $40,884 $24,000 $20,163 $ 9,881 $34,092 $ 4,014 $36,120 $ 1,500 $46,616 $39,044 $11,500 $ 5,300 
$57,820 $28,276 $65,980 $66,098 $ 3,496 
3,250 
$ 4,813 $ 6, 460 
$ 4,030 
 
An evaluation of secondary trout streams in Northwest Georgia 
An evaluation of the fish populations and fishery of Carters Reservoir 
An evaluation of the fish populations and fishery of Allatoona Res8rvoi r 
A survey of- the fishery resources of the Conasauga and Coosawattee Rivers 
Creel survey of stocked trout streams 
Dynamics of rainbow trout populations in small headwater streams 
Evaluation of the sport fishery of lake Chatuge 
Analysis of the fish population and fishery of lake Oconee 
Hybrid bass {striped bass x white bass) growth and survival in Clarks Hill 
Evaluation of the Chattachoochee River trout fishery 
Sport fishery survey. of Jackson lake 
Dynamics of the largemoiJth bass population in Rum Creek Reservoir 
The effect of threadfin shad introduction in small impoundments 
A survey of the Lake Blackshear fishery 
A survey of the sport fisheries of four major reservoirs in Southwest Georgia 
An evaluation of the current fish population structure in the Ochlockonee River 
An evaluation of the impact of a Kraft process paper mi 11 on the fi s~ery of the Flint River between Oglethrope, Georgia and lake Blackshear 
A fisheries survey of the Altamaha River 
life history aspect of six major sport fishes of the Altamaha River 
Population dynamics of American shad in the Altamaha River 
A fisheries survey of the Savannah River 
Egg hatchability and fry survival of various Marone hybrid crosses 
Evaluation of optimum stocking rate of striped bass x white bass fry in hatchery rearing ponds 
Evaluation of minimal pond shading on survi val of striped bass x white bass fry 
Evaluation of successive year class strength of juvenile American shad from the Ogeechee River 
Evaluation of optimum stocking rate of striped bass fty in hatchery rearing ponds 
 
[)J 
OJ OJ DJ OJ OJ OJ OJ OJ OJ OJ OJ State OJ OJ State State 
OJ OJ State OJ State State 
State State 
State 
 
$613,450 
 
29 
 
 fish weighing 1.39 pounds per trip in FY 83. 
RESEARCH AND SURVEYS The Fisheries Section has a comprehensive research and survey program which provides factual information about Georgia's fishery resources. This program is our primary means of assessing the condition of fish populations, 
- determining the amount of fishing pressure on various waters, and developing 
and testing new management techniques. Statewide direction and control is provided in the central office through the Dingell-Johnson (D-J) Federal Aid Coordination Project. Each region has a D-J project consisting of one or more studies. In addition, some studies are financed with state funds. 
Research and survey studies may be short- or long-term depending on their nature and the information sought. Research studies generally test hypotheses, evaluate management techniques, or determine program effectiveness. Surveys generate data on the status of fishes, their habitat, and fishermen use. The research and survey process basically consists of problem or need identification, proposal development and approval, sampling design, data collection and analysis, report preparation, and dissemination of findings. The information gained from these studies is necessary to continue to provide high quality fishing experiences and to maintain a cost effective fisheries program. 
In FY 83 the Section devoted 4,793 mandays to 26 studies at a cost of $613,450. Approximately $380,341 of this was federal funds provided through the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Program. The mandays and costs of all studies conducted in each region in FY 83 appear in Table 17. Final reports, which are available to the public upon request, were completed on the following nine studies during the year: 
1) An Evaluation of Secondary Trout Streams in Northwest Georgia 2) Evaluation of the Sport Fish Population of Lake Lanier 
30 
 
 3) Food Habits of Marone Hybrid Bass in Clarks Hill Reservoir, Georgia 4) Population Dynamics of the Black Crappie in Goat Rock Reservoir 5) An Evaluation of the Impact of a Kraft Process Paper Mill on the 
Fishery on the Flint River between Oglethorpe, Georgia and Lake Blackshear 7) Balance Success, Fishing Characteristics, and Owner Management Practices in Georgia Ponds 8) An Evaluation of Techniques for Capturing Channel Catfish from the Altamaha River 9) An Evaluation of the Current Fish Population Structure in. the Ochlockonee River. 
HATCHERY RENOVATION AND FACILITY MAINTENANCE Considerable time and expenditures went into the improvement of Section facilities in FY 83 (Table 18). Four facility maintenance projects at fish hatcheries were completed with Section funds. An additional four projects at four hatcheries were completed with capital outlay funds provided through the Consolidated Maintenance Program administered by the Parks, Recreation and Historic Sites Division. These projects included such things as the repair of fish pond drains, the improvement of building heating and cooling systems, and the construction of a fish feed storage building. 
31 
 
 Table 18. Boat ramp construction and repair, hatchery renovation, facility maintenance, and new construction/capital outlay projects funded in FY 83. 
 
Location 
 
Project 
 
Persona1 Operating Services Expenses 
 
Expenses 
Capita 1 
Outlay Funds Total 
 
Man days 
 
Boat Ramp Construction/ 
 
Statewide Hatcher~ Renovation 
t-lcDuffie Hatchery and PFA 
Facilit~ Maintenance Statewide McDuffie Hatchery and PFA Walton Hatchery 
Buford Hatchery 
Richmond Hill Hatchery 
New Construction/ 
 
Repair dams 
 
$10,833 $24,729 $16,627 
 
Administration 
 
$24,771 
 
Replace water control structures 
Dismantle old holding house vats; grade and backfill spring area 
 
$19,523 
s 3,748 
 
Repair water dis- $ 2,565 charge structures 
 
Install storm water $ 3. 779 drains and construct 
pond catch basins 
 
$5,190 
 
$15, 990a $ 7,997 
 
$26,823 102 $49,353 286 
$29,961 297 $19,523 211 
s 3,748 38 
s 2,565 27 
$ 3. 779 39 
 
McDuffie Hatchery and PFA 
 
Replace pond water control structures 
 
Steve Cocke Hatchery Renovate exterior of residence, office, and warehouse 
 
Bowens Mi 11 Hatchery Renovate heating/ cooling systems in 
office and residence 
 
Burton Hatchery 
 
Replace picnic shelter 
 
Buford Hatchery 
 
Construct storage building 
 
$ 2,684a $10, 378a 
 
$ 2,684 $10,378 
 
$ 5,947a 
 
$ 5,947 
 
$ 2,800a $21,250a 
 
$ 2,800 $21,250 
 
Total 
 
$89,948 $21,817 
 
$67,046 
 
$178,811 1,000 
 
aThese capital outlay funds were administered as Consolidated Maintenance Projects by the Parks, Recreation and Historic Sites Division. 
 
32