Fisheries Section annual report, fiscal year 1986

FISHERIES SECTION ANNUAL REPORT Fiscal Year 1986
July 1, 1985- June 30, 1986
Game and Fish Division Department of Natural Resources
Atlanta, Georgia
December 1987

The Department of Natural Resources receives Federal Aid in fish and wildlife restoration. Under Title VI of 1964 Civil Rights Act and Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act 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 aboves 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 SUt1MARY I. INTRODUCTION
II. PRIVATE WATERS MANAGEMENT III. PUB1.IC WATERS MANAGEMENT
Fishing Laws and Regulations Pollution and Fish Kill Investigations Fish Surveys Aquatic Plant Control Roat Ramp Program Management and Development Technical Assistance to Other AgencL~s Environmental Reviews and Assessments Information, Rducation and Training Other Activities IV. TROUT PRODUCTfON V. WARMWATER HATCHERIES VI. PUBLIC FISIHNG AREA OPERATION VII. RESEARCH AND SURVEYS VIII. FACILITY MAINTENANCE AND CONSTRUCTION

i 1 '3 7 7 J3 J3 9 ll 11 12 l'3 l'3 l'3
lf> 21 ?.7
29 '34

EXECUTIVE SUM~'fARY
Georgia is blessed with abundant and diverse freshwater fishery resources. Over 4 ,000 miles of trout streams are locate(! in North Georgia, and over 12,000 m.iles of warmwater streams wider than 10 feet are found throughout the State. In addition, over 509,000 acres of impoundments exist. 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 protecting this resource and developing its potential. About 1. 5 of the state's 5.8 million people participate in freshwater sport fishing, making this the most popular wildl He oriented recreational Activity in the state. These resident freshwater fishermen spend about $150 million for tackle, equipment, travel, etc., which results in over $10 million from sales tax revenue. In addition, the 874,615 sport fishing licenses sold rluring the license year ending March 1986 and the 16,972 permits sold at Public Fishing Areas and Waters Creek (a trophy trout stream) in Fiscal Year 1986 (FY 86) generated over $4.3 million in revenue. The Fisheries Section spent about $4.8 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 admioi.stered including private waters management, public waters management, trout production and stocking, warmwater hatchery production and stocking, research and surveys, operation of public fishing areas, and the fAcility maintenance and construction programs.

The private waters management program, which provides technical assistance to pond owners, expended $198,700 and 1,417 mandays. This represents 4% of the total section budget and 5% of the mandays. During FY 86 1,565 field investigations of ponds were conducted, over 6,000 pond owners and managers received assistance by telephone or office visits, and 2,275 ponds were stocked with about 5.2 million fish.
Twenty-four percent of the budget ($1,170,700) and 25% of the total manpower (6,937 mandays) went to manage public waters in FY 86. Through this program, 53 public water fish kills were investigated and 12 chemical treatments were applied to 12 bodies of water where aquati.c plants were a problem. Technical assistance was provided on the management of lakes on five state park facilities and numerous other public lakes and ponds. Seventy-four envi ronmenta 1 reviews or assessments were conducted. Fish attractors were constructed or maintained on 10 lakes, and fish populations on 21 bodies of water were sampled.
Over 1.2 million catchable (approxim~:~tely ni.ne !.nches in length) trout were stocked in Georgia trout streams in FY 86 (880,669 from state hatcheries and 320,400 from Federal hatcheries). The Section's trout program required 13% of the total budget ($614,800) and ln% of the total manpower (4,370 mandays). Georgia has an estimated 210,502 trout fishermen who annually make about 3.8 million fishing trips. Trout fishermen spent $161,158 for trout stamps in license year 1985 (Apri.l 1, 1985 - March 11, lCJ86) which equals 5CJ% of the cost of this program.
The warmwater hatchery production program provides bluegill, redear sunfish, largemouth bass, channel catf!.sh, striped bass, hybrid bass and other species for stocking new or renovated private ponds and to meet the fishery management needs of public waters. Over 22 million fish were distributed from
ii

the State's seven warmwater hatcheries ln FY R6. Of this total, 24% went to private ponds. The remainder went to public waters and to other fisheries
agencies. This proRram expended 17% of the total budget (S795,000) and 18% of the total manpower (5,110 mandays).
Seven public fishing areas were manageo by the fisheries Section in FY
86. This required 7% of the budget and C)% of the tot-'ll manpower ($328,400 and 2,435 mandays). An average 185 trips per acre occurred on the four areas for
which trip information was available. Sixty-five per<:ent of the fisherm(n using these four areas were required by law tc1 purchase the daily-use permit,
which generated $3fJ,C}73 in state revenues. H;nvest from two areas showed an average 1.9 fish or 1.75 lbs harvested per fishermen trip.
The research and surveys pro~Sram provides information regarding the condition of the State's fishery resources, indicates when management activities are needed, and provides an evaluation of management techniques -"'nd
program effectiveness. In FY 86, 6,317 mandays (23% of total) were devoted to 25 studies at a cost of about $878,600 (18% of total budget).
The statewide facility maintenan~e and construction programs were
continued in FY RfJ. Six facility maintenance projects and one hatchery
renovation project were completed. One new boat ramp was completed, repairs were made to four existing boat ramps, and construction began on a new public
fishing lake. The Section spent $730,000 on the operation of these programs.
iii

TNTRODIJCT tON
Georgia's aquatic habit.<~t includes 1R2, 116 acres of impoundments less than SO acres, 37 ,076 acres of impoundments between 50 and 500 acres, and 290,187 acres of impoundments larger than 500 acres. Also, 12,338 miles of warmwater streams wider than 10 feet, 4,128 miles of desi~nated trout streams and a significant estuarine resource exist in Georgia.
Fishermen represent the largest ~roup of wildlife-oriented recreationists in Georgia. Each year approximately 1. 5 mill ion fishermen, representing almost half of the state's honseholr:ls, spend about 2q miLlion days fishing.
Recreational fishing has c:onsirlerable economic v.qlue to the state. The 874,615 sport fishing licenses sold during the license year ending March 1q35 and the 36,972 permits sold at the Public Fishing Areas and Waters Creek in Fiscal Year 1CJ86 (FY 86) generated over $4.3 million in revenue. Resident freshwater fishermen spend about $150 million annually which results in additional state revenues of over SIO million from sales tax. ln FY 86, the Fisheries Section expended $4.8 million to manage the fishery resources, $1,196,929 of which were federal funds (SICJ,521 through the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers and $1,177,408 through the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Program). This total expenditure is erlllal to approximAtPly $0.17 per fishing day or $3.20 per fisherman.
The statewide fisheries program is administered from a central office in Atlant11, seven re~i.onal offices, .qnd eleven district offices (Figure 1). Services are provided primarily at th' regional and district levels by 30 fishery biologists, 42 fishery techni~iRns, 10 clerical employees and 4 construction/maintenance employees. Forty-nine non-merit laborers were also employed for varying lengths of time in FY 86.

Figure l. Map of fisheries regions and districts in Georgia and location of regional offices. Solid lines mark regional boundaries, broken lines the district boundaries within the regions.
2

Active programs in F'Y R6 inclnrlPrl: privat(, waters managl~ment, publi<:

waters management, trout production and stocking, warmwater hatchery

production and stocking, operation of public fishin,Q" areas, research and

surveys, facility maintenanc~ and construction.

t-1ost of the FY Rn

expenditures went to public waters management, research and surveys, anrl

warmwater hatcheries (Table 1).

PRIVATE WATERS MANAGEMENT

The primary objective of this program is to provide technical assistance to pond owners in tht> m<'!nap,ement of ponds ctnd 1ctkes. Fisheries persnnn(>l provide this service at the district level on request from the pond owner. Assistance is directecl at neecls or problems relating to fish population balance, aquatic vegetation, fish kills, and general management. Assistance with aquatic vegetation included t>xaminati.on of ponrls for which grass carp were requested. Grass carp are pl<lnt eatin~ fish that control aquatic plants in ponds but could create serious environmental problems if they escaped into rivers and streams. For this reason only sterUe triploid grass carp are allowed and these only by permit from the Department of Natur<ll Resollr<:es.
Fisheries personnPl condur.tPrl l ,')h') field invf'stip:litions during FY :in (Table 2). A totnl of l'>R nermits tn nurchase anrl holrl grass carp were issued to private lake or pond owners. Also, technical assistance was provided to pond owners and managers through over h,OOO telephone anrl office consult<ltions. Pond extension work required 1,417 mand;qys of work (5% of Section total) at a total cost (excl11dinp; the cost of producing fish for stocking) of $198,700 (4% of Section total). Owners of 2,275 ponds received about 5.2 million fish (Table 3).

3

Table 1. Fisheries Section expenditures (thousands of dollars) by region and program in FY 86.a

PROGRAM

Atlantab

I

II

UI

[V

v

VI

VII

TOTAL

Private Waters Mana~ement

13.4

18.6

7.2

33.9

21 .o

25.4

55.3

23.9

198.7

Public Waters ~lanagement

78.7

72 .I

155.8

168.4

233.6

167 .1

183.2

Ill 8

1,170.7

Aquatic Plant Control

4.3

59.2

63.5

Trout Production/Stocking Warmwater Hatcheries

41.3

88.1

485.4

53.5

22.9

8.2

165.4

.9

237.3

100.4

206.4

614.8
795 .o

Public Fishing Area Operations

22 .!

125.2

79.5

57.5

5.7

38.4

328.4

..~

Research/Surveys

59.1

85.5

169.9

100.1

53.4

166.6

137.2

106.8

878.6

Facility Maintenance

2.<l

40.6

43.5

Hatchery Renovation

11 7

162.5

174.2

Roat Ramp Repair

.1

1 .8

1.9

Boat Ramp Construction

7.3

101 1

108.4

Public Fishing Area Construction

402.0

402.0

Total

696.4

412.4

826.5

547.3

731 .6

602.1

514.5

448.9

4,779.7

8 These figures differ somewhat from the final Ai86 Fiscal Acountin~ and Control System (FACS) printout since errors in the FACS printout were corrected in this report. The most significant correction was the subtraction of a $8,177 trout feed bill in Region II
bincorrectly char~ed to FY 86 rather than FY 85. These costs had already been included tn the FY 85 annual report. Expenses of Atlanta Office were prorated as administrative costs to all programs.

Table 2. Field investigations on private waters in each district during FY 86.

Region

District

Balance

Aquatic Vegetation

Fish Kills

Pre-stocking Checks

Gener'!l Management

Total

% of Total

I

Calhoun

48

91

10

II

Gainesville

9

8

6

III

Walton

V1

Thomson

97

26

18

68

86

48

IV

Macon

45

8

4

Manchester

56

31

14

v

Albany

40

51

7

Cordele

67

38

VI

Waycross

46

36

51

Metter

18

74

44

VII

Richmond t!ill

22

26

26

Total

516

475

228

% of Total

33:

30%

1St

73

24

8

44

5

2

21

41

1

22

10

,

9

8

6

19

2

31

9

11

223

123

14%

8%

222

14%

55

4%

190

12%

225

14%

99

6%

133

9%

107

7%

113

7%

158

10%

169

11%

94

6%

1,565

100%

'Jable 3. 1btnl nurrber and ceres of private poods stocked with l<n:genouth bass, breaJ'Il and channel catfish in FY 86.

Fegicn Di. strict

Bass-bream f!2n<'IS stocked f\Urrber Peres

~rcent stncked at fertilized rate
R>nds Peres

Numher and soecies stocked

Redear Largenouth Channel

BluE!) ill sunfish

bass

catfish

catfish cnly f!2nclS stocked f\Urrt>er Peres

I ca l.ha.tn

54

233

98,750

21 ,0 11)

10 ,555

16 ,385

20

14

II r.ai nesvi lle

45

174

69,720

17 ,4 30

A,717

21,553

45

58

0'

III walton

86

277

3

5 116,103

26 ,362

13 ,4 52

24 ,047

38

123

'lharscn

176

771

18

14 338 ,910

Rl ,790

42,908

87,998

116

277

IV Mac en r-Bnchester

108

552

f;q

327

h

4 18 4,232

47,058

22,868

44 ,9 38

2B

22 15A,720

38 ,lAO

19 ,793

lR ,35 3

55

167

14

40

v Albany
Cbrde1e

AA

401

88

362

9

24 219,860

36,590

24 ,272

84,552

127

433

13

11 175,q20

41 ,615

20,664

88,074

103

405

VI

waycro;s

l'etter

21>7 2,372 H2 2 ,3'15

5

7 1 ,010 ,790 207,645 llO ,509

126 ,519

152

489

4

:> A97 ,4f'>O 185 ,A ifl llll ,135

171,685

183

610

VII

Richrrond Hi 11

72

254

101 ,660

2'i ,54 0

11,310

21 ,090

27

54

1btnl

1 ,395 8,078

8

7 3 ,3<l2 ,125 7 29 ,090 386,653

705,194

880 2,670

PUBLIC WATERS MANAGEMENT
This program includes various services and activities promoting the protection and wise use of Georgia's aquatic resources. The program includes the development and recommendation of fishing laws and regulations, pollution and fish kill investigations, fish surveys, aquatic plant surveys, boat ramp construction and maintenance, the management and development of public waters, technical coordination with other agencies, environmental reviews and assessments, employee trainin~, special services, and general administration. Twenty-four percent of the budget ($1, 170, 700) and 25% of total manpower (6,937 mandays) were expended on managing public waters in FY 86.
Fishing Laws and Regulations The Fisheries Section, in conjunction with the Department of Natural
Resources Communications Office, printel"l the fishing laws and regulations for the 1986-1987 fishing season. Assistance was providel"l periodically to the Law Enforcement Section and regularly to the general public i.n the interpretation of fishing laws anrl regulations.
The Fisheries Section was also involved in the development of new fishing laws and regulations. Two important changes in the law were made by the Legislature in FY R6:
1) Code Sectlon 27-4-76, relating to the licensing nf wholesale and retall fish dealers, was amended to exempt persons engaged in the sale of channel catfish from the license requirement. Also under Code Section 27-4-76 the requirement that any person shipping live fish or fish eggs into Georgia give three days prior notice tn the state was eliminated. Also eliminated was the re-qutn'!ment that any person reccivin~ these fish or fish
7

eggs treat, disinfect, or disposP of any diseased or parasitized fish and containers at his own expense as determined by the Department of Natural Resources. 2} Code Section 27-4-S(b} was changed to allow the use of dip nets to take blueback herring and cast nets to be used to take threadfin shad, blueback herring, and gizzard shad for bait. This Code Section now allows both dip nets and cast nets to be used to take these three species for bait.
Pollution and Fish Kill Investigations Fisheries personnel investigated 53 public water fish kills in FY 86.
Estimates of the number of dead fish were not obtained for disease kills and fish kills reported so late that the dead fish could not be found. Of the remaining 37 investigations, an estimated 153,653 fish worth $47,234 were killed. The most common causes of fish kills were disease and agricultural incidents. As of October 1, 1986, the Environmental Protection Division (EPD) had collected $11,791 in civil penalties from the municipal, industrial or agricultural operations that were responsible for seven of the fish kills. In addition, 37 pollution reports were investigated and/or reported to EPD.
Fish Surveys The Fisheries Section continued to collect standard reservoir samples in
FY 86. This activity enables the Section to monitor the principal game and forage fish species in Georgia reservoirs, identify potential problems, and determine the research and management needs of each reservoir. The reservoir fisheries can be evaluated annually through this sampling without the need for intensive research studi.es. The standardized sampling plan involves seining, gillnetting, electrofishing, a general reconnaissance survey and an annual
8

report of findings and recommendations. Standardized samples were collected in FY 86 from the following reservoirs: Bartletts Ferry, Blackshear, Burton, Chatuge, Walter F. George, High Falls, Jackson, Juliette, Lanier, Not tely, Oconee, Seminole, Sinclair, Tobesofkee and West Point.
The abundance of walleye in Lake Burton, the health of fishes in Hughes Old River (Altamaha River oxbow), and the status of the fish populations in Lake Rutledge and Fort Yargo Lake were investigated. The dispersal of trout stocked in Richard Russell Reservoir was evaluated in February and the survival of these trout was assessed the following summer. The effect of the 14 inch length limit on the population struct11re of largemouth bass in the Ocmulgee River was also evaluated.
Aquatic Plant Control During FY 86 chemicals were applied by Section personnel in 32 treatments
to 630 acres at 12 locations to control aquatic plants (Table 4). The Ogeechee River was treated by Region VII personnel, the Georgia State Prison Lake by personnel in Region VI and the Sloppy Floyd State Park Lakes by Region I personnel.
The remainder of the treatments were made as a part of the statewide Aquatic Plant Control Program administered by the Fort Vallev Regional Office. This program was expanded in FY 86 through a contract 111ith the TJ.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps). The Corps provided 70% funding for all activities completed under an approved annual workplan developed by the Fisheries Section. T~ese additional funds enabled the Section to achieve better control of undesirable aquatic vep.etation in several bodies of water. These additional treatments cost $27,744 (Federal share $19,521 and State share $8,323) and are identified in Table 4. The total cost of the statewide
Aquatic Plant Control Program in FY 86 was $63,500 (Table 1).
9

'Dible 4. Hemicide treaments appliert in controtlirn illUatic looP.M!'< <;t.AtP.wiro> in F'Y nt,.
----- ~ ----

fbdy of illte r
--

Chunty

'nltr~et
A!st

Kt'l"S
Affecteti

Acn>s
n-eated

"llot>er of n-eatl'lents

stt'UIIIS

PJo n:ent Sucr.ess of Treaments

B>erezer tnlek

flfirgham

All igatDr weed

5.0

5.0

1

Q;J-=:00e Ri.ver

Chatham

Alligator weed

1.0

0.2

2

'lbtal

6.0

5.2

3

80. 100\
anb

RBServoirs Blacksheara

n-hp/SUmter

tvrgbya

300.0

48 .o

6

50\

Blackshear

!boley

R!rrots feather,

10.0

6.0

2

90%

Bl!occpa, !batter-

deck

8lackshear11

n-ispAt:lrth

tejas

500.0

500.0

2

99%

Blacksheara

n-isp

Ghnt cub:Jrass,

<;.O

2 .<;

J

80%

cattails, ~ric an

.....

Lotus

0

JackS<l'la

!lJtts~W!Dn

All iqator ~ed

">0 .o

I<; .R

)

95%

Gi<Y>t cutQrass

Wlrtha

[bugherty

Giant cub:Jra<B

,.q,.C

13 .o

2

95\

catt;! i 1<;

'lbta 1

1165.0

'illS .3

18

95\b

RJblically --o.ned 911all Lakes

Fla tlander {lakeland)

Lanier

Varicus enei:Qent~

0 .<;

n "

2

BOt

~00;1 ia state Prision Lake at ~idsvi lle

'nlttnall

9!lartwee<i

SJl

1.0

1

JO\

l'l!lnburg 9:a te R!rk

Wlshirqton

Varicus energents

15.0

R .0

1

90\

Lake &:wa ( Lakeland)

Lanier

Various enetgents

20.0

20.0

2

50\

I'II!Qnolia !!l;lrirgs

.Je~ins

Various el11!tgents

4.0

4.0

2

75\

ctawe Wildli fe ~t l'cea

~tnam

Ludwigia

5.0

5.0

2

50\

Slappv Floyd Et.ate R!rlt Lakes
1btal

Chatlx:laJa

Pi thcphcxa, Najas

1.0

1.0

t

50.5

Jq .s

11

95, 62'h

GRMD 'ltYilU.

921.5

630.0

32

92\b

all!notes trea~nts urder a CO'\trl!Ct with the u.s. 1!cm(, Cotps of BY)ineen~. The N8 jas treated m blind lbrth Cbunties wam treat:ed once prior: ID the contra::t and QlCe aftenard. cllltight:ed 118Mls.
!':i..,t r.ntnr"""...., catt;!i\s vir'lel!llnoa:! around entim lake lll'lrQin. N'> esthmb.> mtde.

lake Blackshear in Q-isp

The section was also involved in the biologi.cal control of aquatic plants. Alligatorweed flea beetles were stocked in Lake Irma, Flatlander Park Lake, Reed Ringham Lake and at one site on the New River in Tift County.

Roat Ramp Program One hundred and twenty boat ramps were inspected for general condition
throughout the state. Directional and site signs were repaired or replaced at seventeen ramps. Construction and repair of boat ramps are statewide programs. administered by the Fort Valley Regional Office and are discussed under Facility Maintenance and Improvement.

Management and Development

Management recommendations and/or assistance were provided for the lakes

at the following state parks: James H. "Sloppy" Floyd, Gordonia-Alatamaha,

George L. Smith, Little Ocmulgee, and Reed Bingham. Assistance was also

provided in managing lakes controlled by the Stone Mountai.n Park Authority;

Georgia Southern College; Emanuel County Junior College; Georgia State Prison

at Reidsville; the cities of Atlanta, Conyers, Fitzgerald, and Tallapoosa; and

by Gwinnett, Macon, and Glynn counties. Goldmine Lake on the Paulding County

Wildlife Management Area was restocked and a management plan was developed for

Champney Lake on the Altamaha Wildlife Management Area.

Fish attractors were inspected, constructeci and/or refurbished at the

following reservoirs:

Burton, Chatuge, .Jackson, Nottely, Sinclair,

Tobesofkee, Walter F. George, Oliver, Goat Rock and Bartlett's Ferry.

Threadfin shad were captured in Lake Lanier, transported to and stocked in

Lakes Burton (8,000 fish) and Chatuge (10,000 fish) to improve the forage fish

populations in these reservoirs. The trout population was surveyed on

'"fountaintown Creek to determine the need to stock brown trout fingerlings.

11

Also trout were fin-clipped and stocked in the Chattooga River for future evaluation in creel and population surveys.
Technical Assistance to Other Agencies Technical assistance was provided to many other state and federal
agencies in FY 86. Technical assistance was provided the u.s. Forest Service
in the followin~ areas: collecting fish samples for a fish habitat study on Jones Creek; locating sites for cover logs on High Shoals Creek; evaluating impacts of rerouting vs. upgrading the road into Sarah's Creek; assessing the impacts of pipeline construction on the forest; assisting in the chemical treatment of aquatic weeds on Nancytown Lake and Lake Russell; evaluating the impacts of the replacement or removal of condemned bridges; and in reviewing past work and planning future management activities in the Chattahoochee
National Forest during the Annual Ranger District Meetin~. The u.s. Fish and
Wildlife Service was provided technical assistance by: assistin~ in the repair of a drain valve at an intake dam on the Chattahoochee Forest National Fish Hatchery; reviewin~ a study proposal to monitor PCB levels in shortnose sturgeon in the Savannah River; collecting brood striped bass from the Flint River; designing a striped bass hatching unit for Welaka National Fish Hatchery; and by collecting fish samples from the Savannah River and the
Savannah National Wildlife Refuge for pesticide analyses studies. The u.s.
Army Corps of Engineers was assisted in siting and designing a warning system for flow releases from Buford Dam; assessing needs for power generation for maintaining acceptable water quality at Ruford Hatchery; testing a new herbicide on Lake Seminole; and plannin~ water quality monitoring below Walter F. Geor~e Reservoir. The University of Georgia (UGA) was provided assistance in collecting spotted bass for research on spinal deformities and in collecting fish for display at the Cohutta Fisheries Center. New York
12

University was assisted in obtaining American shad samples from the Altamaha River for differentiating East Coast stocks. The Pennsylvania Fish Commission was provided technical guidance in Marone culture techniques.
Fish samples were collected from several streams statewide for use by EPD in their toxic substances, trend and radiation monitoring programs and to monitor mercury levels in Richard Russell Reservoir. Assistance was provided EPD in locating invertebrate collection sites for the study on sand dredging impacts on the Chattahoochee River. Acid precipitation monitoring stations were also operated in North Georgia in cooperation with EPD.
Environmental Reviews and Assessments The Fisheries Section reviewed and commented on 74 projects impacting
fisheries habitats (Table 5). The purpose of these comments is to provide for protection, enhancement, and mitigation of fisheries resources. Most of these reviews required little staff time, but others required field investigations and extensive analyses of potential problems.
Information, Education and Training A wide range of information services and educational programs was
provided in FY 86. A breakdown of these different tyoe activities is provided in Table 6.
Other Activities Fisheries Section biologists served on the Pollution, Trout, Warmwater
Streams, Striped Bass, Reservoir and Ballot committees of the Southern Division of the American Fisheries Society. They also attended meetings with the Coastal Resources Division reRardln~ the management of Georgia's anadromous fish stocks. Staff members gave presentations at the annual meeting of the Georgia Fisheries Workers Assoctation. One biologist served as
13

Table 5. Environmental reviews and assessments conducted by Fisheries Section in FY 86.

Subject/Agency
Army Corps of Engineers Permits Dredge and fill projects Boat docks, piers, rip-rap, discharges, weirs
Army Corps Projects and Plans Department of Energy Plans Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Licenses
Small scale hydropower Other projects Fish and Wildlife Service Plans and Studies Forest Service Plans Georgia Department of Transportation Environmental Impact Statement National Park Service Plans Soil Conservation Service Plans Local Government Proposals TOTAL

Number
1 49
4 1
7 3 3 1 1 1 1 2 74

14

Table 6. Information and education activities conducted in FY 86.

Activity

Number

Persons Attending

Mandays

Information
Public Talks or Exhibits
News and Press Releases
Game & Fish Public
Hearings and Meetings
Fish Hatchery Tours
General & Technicala
Information Requests
Education
Classes Taught

76 22 10 152 6,149
26

18,180 241
2,351
740

91.45 10.5 16.0 26.3 162.7
31.3

aVolume of requests of the Atlanta office were too numerous to record and are not included in the totals.

15

a technical member of the Atlantic States "l-1arine Fisheries Commission's Scientific and Statistical Committee. Other biologists served on the Game and Fish Study Committee appointed by the Director. Several biologists served on a committee to study the Division's policies on grass carp and to make recommended changes. Biologists functioned as reviewers of papers submitted to the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Proceedings and verifiers of record fish cauRht throughout the state. One biologist served on a steering commit tee planning the formation of a Southern Appalachian Trout Disease Control Commission. Section personnel set up a photographic and fish tank display for the 1986 Southeastern Fisharama in Atlanta which was attended by over sixteen thousand people.
The Department of Natural Resources Communications Office was assisted in developing a film on fishing. A considerable amount of time was spent locating and evaluating potential sites for construction of new public fishing areas in the state. The first new public fishing area is presently under construct ion and is discussed in the Faci H ty Ma i. ntenance and Canst ruction Section of this report.
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 230,502 resident trout fishermen made about 3.8 million trout fishing trips in FY 86. Pressure of this magnitude cannot be sustained by Georgia's native trout populations. To buffer pressure on the trout resource and to maintai.n the Cfllality of native trout fishing, trout are reared to a catchable size (about nine inches) at Burton, Summerville, and Buford hatcheries for stocking into selected public trout
16

streams, tailwaters and impoundments. This effort utilized 13% of the Section's budget ($614,800) and 16% of the Section's manpower (4,370) in FY 86. 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, a great deal of which are on federally owned lands.
The state's three coldwater hatcheries produced a net weight of 252,133 pounds of trout in FY 86 at an average cost of $1.78 per pound (Table 7). The average conversion ratio (pounds of feed required to produce one pound of
fish) at state hatcheries in FY 86 was 1.42 (Table 7).
A total of 1,201,0()9 (880,669 from state hatcheries and 320,400 from Federal hatcheries) catchable trout and 49,000 fingerlings (Federal hatchery) were stocked into waters open to public fishing during FY 86 (Table 8). The cost of fish distributed by state personnel was $0.32 per pound. Therefore, the cost in FY 86 for rearing and distributing trout from state hatcheries to Georgia's public waters was approximately $2.10 per pound ($0.77 per catchable fish). The production and distribution costs are derived from the annnal operating expense of each facility and from salaries and fringe benefits paid to hatchery ~nd administrative personnel through the regional level. Administrative costs of the Atlanta Office staff are not includerl in these calculations.
Seventy percent of the catchable trout were stocked into streams, 11)% into tailwaters, 10% into reservoirs, and 4% into small lakes (Table 9). In addition, 49,000 fingerling brown trout ( 3-5 inches long) were stocked into public streams during FY 86.
Resident trout stamp sales increased to 110,641 (102,682 in 1985) in the 1986 license year (April 1, 1985 to f.farch 31, 1986) which generated S332,312
17

Table 7. Trout production {lbs.), conversion ratios, and costs at state hatcheries in FY 86.

Hatchery

Brook

Species Rainbow Brown

Total

Cost Total Per lb.

Buford

Net weight gain Conversion ratio

7,190 103,773 14,442 125,405

1.73

1.40

1.31

1.41

$225,127 $1.80

Burton

Net weight gain Conversion ratio

{2,144) 103,968

{.03)

1.34

7,295 109,119

1.06

1.35

$163,587 $1.50

Summerville

Net weight gain

17,609

17,609

$61,233 $3.48

......
00

Conversion ratio

1.94

1.94

Total

Net weight gain Conversion ratio

5,046 225,350 21,737 252,133

2.38a

1.428 1.23a

1.42a

$449,947 $1.78

aWeighted means.

Table 8. Number and weight of each species of trout stocked into Georgia's public waters from state and federal hatcheries during FY 86.

Brook

Rainbow-

Brown

Total

Facility

Number Weight Number (lb)

Weight (lb)

Number Weight Number (lb)

Weight (lb)

State hatcheries Buford catchables

15,567 7,659 302,039 113,837 48,068 22,541 365,674 144,037

,.....

Burton

1.0

catchables

575

300 351,768 153,708 23,190 9,667 375,533 163,675

Summerville catchables

139,462 46,172

139 ,462 46,17 2

Federal hatcheries Chattahoochee catchables

303,791 84,487

303,791 84,487

Walhalla catchables fingerlings

1,609

1,350 15,000 49,000

3,000 664

16,609 49,000

4,350 664

Total catchables Hngerlings

16,142

7,959 1,098,669 399,554 86,258 35,208 1,201,069 442,721

49,000

664

49,000

664

'Iable 9. l'bnt>er and weight of catchable trrut by species and habitat type stocked fran all hatcheries in F'l 86.

Brc:d<.

Pairbow

Bro...n

'lbtal

Habitat

r.llnber veight
{ lb)

l'bnher veight r.llnher veight

( lb)

{ lb)

r.llllber veight
( lb)

Streams by <.bunbj
Bartow catoosa Olatto(l'Ja 0\erdtee !l!lde !l!lwsm Fannin Floyd Gil.rrer Cbrdm Habersham Haralsm Iunpkin !ot.trray Pauldirg Pickens R:ll.k Fabun Stephens 1b1oi'IS U'lim
~lker
Wlite Wlitfield
1bta1

160 80 348
4,430 1,200 1,460 1,431 6,180
15,289

390 160 415
1,648 405 894 872
2,215
6,999

7,500 2,200 3,400 1,600
900 23,400 63,534 16,300 51,700
2,800 30,700 17 ,300 114 ,412 17 ,100 16,900 11,500 5,097 113,593 28,400 60,249 98,043 12,700 88,900
600

2,340 647
1,112 515 294
7,927 17 ,228 4,998 17 ,463
904 12,209
5,303 37 ,615
5,068 5,198 3,944 1,500 46,332 10,818 22,824 29,548 3,907 34 ,4Z7
209

788,828 272 ,no

3,400 3,500
9,990 4,000 6,451 3,500 9,300
40,141

1,076 1,837
3,662 1,633 2 ,5Z7
994 3,051
14,780

7,500 2,200 3,400 1,600
900 23,400 63,534 16,300 51,860
2,800 34,180 17,300 118 ,260 17,100 16,900 11,500
5,097 128 ,013
33,!100 68 ,160 102 ,CI74 12,700 104 ,380
600

2,340 647
1,112 515 294
7,927 17 ,228 4,998 17 ,853
904 13,445
5,303 39,867
5,068 5,198 3,944 1,500 51,642 12,856 26,245 31 ,414 3,907 39 ,693
209

fl44,2'i8 294,109

'lai lwaters
Blue Rid;Je Hartwell ranier
1bta1
lese r'I.Oi rs
tanier Richard Risse 11 1bta1
Sna 11 takes
Black 'lbck IOckery take <.bnasa.Jga Nmcyto1on 'lbck Creek U'licoi \Q:Je1 Winfield Scott
'lbtal
GRAND 'ID'Iru.

22 ,714 7,311 1,200

543 23 ,<::114 7,854

11,000 3,432 3,600 1,555 14 ,::.no 4,987

533

297 124,414 50,795 23 ,512 9,909 148 ,d')q 61,001

533

297 158 ,128 61,538 28 ,312 12,007 186,473 73,842

R4 ,713 25,000 109 ,713

40,370 11,634 52,004

4,105 10,000 14 ,105

3,737 3,058 6,795

88 ,R 18 35,000 123 ,A 18

44,107 14 ,692 58,799

80

170

2,100

841

2 ,lAO 1 ,Oll

11,200 3,317 3,400 1,468 14 ,fiOO 4,785

4,000 1,203

4,000 1,203

80

160

5,700 2,788

5,780 2,948

8,000 1,907

8,000 1,907

80

176

80

176

80

157

4,700 1,594

300

158

5,080 1,909

6,300 2,032

6,300 2,032

320

663 42,000 13 ,682 3,700 1,626 46,020 15,971

16 ,142 7,959 1,098,669 399,554 86,258 35,208 1,201,069 442,721

20

in revenue. Including non-resident trout stamp sales ($28,846), the total revenues generated paid 59% of the cost of the program.
WARMWATER HATCHERIES
The Fisheries Section produced warmwater fish at seven hatcheries in FY 86. Six warmwater hatcheries produced the majority of the fish, with the Summerville Hatchery contributing to a lesser degree. These fish were produced for stocking newly constructed or renovated private ponds and to meet the management needs of public waters. This effort required 18% (5,110 mandays) of the Section's manpower and 17% ($795,000) of the budget in FY 86 (Table 1).
Bluegill, redear sunfish, and largemouth bass are generally produced at all hatcheries. Channel catfish are produced primarily at the McDuffie <tnd Cordele hatcheries. Bluegill, redear sunfish, and channel catfish are distributed from October to March with largemouth bass issued the following spring. These species, when stocked in combination, have been proven through years of research to provide the best possible fishinp: in lakes of small to moderate size.
The above species are also stocked into public waters as dictated by management needs, but striped bass and striped-white bass hybrids are the primary warmwater species stocked in publ i.e waters. Using intensive culture methods, fisheries personnel artificially propagate these species at Richmond Hi 11 Hatchery from wild fish collected rluring their natural spawning runs. Most of the fry produced are stocked into state hatchery ponds to grow to fingerling size (one inch) before stocking. Small numbers of other warmwater species are occasionally produced to meet specific management needs.
21

The warmwater hatcheries produced over 15 million fry (striped bass and striped-white bass hybrid) anrl 15.1 millton fingerlings and adults in FY 86 (Table 10). The average production cost per fish varied from $0.007 for striped bass and striped-white bass hybrid fry to $1.17 for shoal bass fingerlings. Production by species and the associated costs at each hatchery appear in Tables 11 and 12. The tables do not itemize the costs of forage species, but these costs are included in the cost of the predatory species they fed.
Twenty-four percent of all fish distributed went to private pond owners in FY 86 (Table 13). Differences in the production and distribution totals result from natural mortalities, handling, holding, and transporting mortalities, and the use of surplus fish as forage to maintain spawning stocks. Bluegill, redear sunfish, channel cat fish, and largemouth bass were provided for stocking 2,275 ponds (Table 3). Public waters received over 13 million fry, fingerling and adult warmwater fish from state and federal hatcheries. These were stocked in 23 reservoirs, 13 rivers or streams, 15 publicly owned small lakes and 5 public fishing Areas. Approximately 3.5 million striped bass and striped-white bass hybrid fingerlinp.;s and fry were
distributed to other state fishery agencies and the u.s. Fish and Wildlife
Service for rearing and stocking into public waters. Hatchery production and stocking of striped bass and striped-white bass
hybrids continues to be quite successful in producing popular fisheries in most of the state's large impoundments. Approximately 3.7 million striped bass and striped-white bass hybrid fingerlings were stocked by Georgia hatcheries into Georgia's public waters in FY R6.
22

Table 10. Total numbers and cost per fish of warmwater species produced at state hatcheries in FY 86.

Production

Species

Acres

Number

Avg. no. per acre

Cost per fish ($)a

Bluegill fingerling

42.38 6,893,725

162,665

.030

Red ear sunfish
fingerlin~

13.67 1,521,155

111,277

.051

Largemouth bass
fin~erling

17.88 1,036,241

57,955

.100

N

w

Striped bass

fry

NAb

4,864,000

NAb

.007

fingerling

7.31

577,953

79,063

.049

Striped-white

hybrid bass

fry

NAb 10,975,000

NAb

.007

fingerlings

22.40 3,156,244

140,904

.028

Channel catfish

fingerlings

23.37 1,902,094

81,390

.079

Shoal hass fingerling

3.50

18,095

5,170

1 .165

Total

130.51 30,944,507

237,104

.022d

baCost of each production phase includes cost of previous phase. cNot applicable, these fry are hatched in jars and then placed in aquaria. Weighted means.

Table 11. Number of each warmwater species produced at state hatcheries in FY 86.

Species
-
Bluegill fingerling

Summerville

Walton

McDuffie

Cordele

288,320

604,502 1,7 57,460

Steve Cocke

Bowens Mill

Richmond Hill

Total

947,000 1,743,000

1,553,443

6,893,725

Red ear sunfish fingerling

68,204

128,528

469,321

124,500

382,000

348,602

1,521,155

Largemouth bass fingerling

175,839

261,381

119,721

212,001

267,299

1,036,241

Striped bass fry fingerling

94,719

44 ,s 71

4,864,000 438,663

4,864,000 577,953

Striped-white

.Nr:-

hybrid bass

fry

fingerling

265,951

500,055

1,349,096

10,975,000 1,041,142

10,975,000 3,156,244

Channel catfish fingerling

92,872

468,711 1,022,876

270,073

47,562

1,902,094

Shoal bass fingerling

9,666

8,429

18,095

TOTAL

356,524 1,096,460 3,001,444 1,298,493 1,969,778 3,686,097 19,535,711 30,944,507

Table 12. Cost per fish (dollars) of warmwater species produced at state hatcheries in FY 86.

Species

Summerville Walton McDuffie Cordele

Steve Cocke

Bowens Richmond

Mill

Hill

Bluegill fingerling

.053

.026

.021

.040

.022

.041

Redear sunfish fingerling

.060

.071

.044

.106

.044

.039

Largemouth bass fingerling

.079

.068

.133

.159

.083

N

Striped bass

\.)1

fry

fingerling

.065

.243

.007 .026

Striped-white hybrid bass fry fingerling

.007

.069

.024

.015

.037

Channel catfish fingerling

.056

.038

.076

.110

.430

Shoal bass fingerling

.288

2.171

Table 13. Number of warmwater fish distributed from state hatcheries in FY 86. Totals include fish provided by federal hatcheries, surplus brood stock, and fish available as by-products of other programs.

Species

Private Waters

Reservoirs

Rivers & Streams

Publicly Owned Small Lakes

Public Fishing
Areas

Other Fisheries Agencies

Total

Bluegill fingerling

3,392,125

420,057

852,720 118,140

4,783,042

Redear sunfish fingerling

729,090

10,673

208,311

20,414

968,488

Largemouth bass fingerling adult

386,653

22,555

91,860

69,015

63,627 228a

633,710 228a

Striped bass fry fingerlings

355,444

37 5,000 84,878

1,570,000 135,562

1,945,000b 575,884

Striped-white

N Cf\

bass hybrids fry

fingerling

3,117,481

2,906

1,810,000

1,810,000 b 3,120,387

Channel catfish fingerling adult

705,194

18,000

399,457

32,690

157,592 706a

1,312,933 706a

Shoal bass fingerling

17 ,895

17 ,895

Walleye fry

6,850,000c

6,850,000c

Total

5,213,062 10,794,210 2,030,121 243,165 222,153 3,515,562 22,018,273

ba Surplus brood fish.
cTotal does not include fry produced and distributed to other state hatcheries for fingerling production. These walleye fry were brought by airplane from the states of Pennsylvania and Ohio and stocked directly into Lake Nottely. An additional 9,950,000 walleye fry from Pennsylvania and New Mexico were stocked in Lake Nottely in FY 85, but were inadverently omitted from the FY 85 annual report.

PUBLIC FISHING AREA OPERATION
There are presently seven public fishing areas operated by the Fisheries Section (Table 14). Six of these areas are either owned or leased by the Department and are operated by fisheries personnel. The Rum Creek Public Fishing Area is leased by the Department and is managed primarily by regulation. Georgia Power Company maintains the public use areas. Because of this unusual arrangement, it has not been included in previous annual reports as a public fishing area even though the area was first opened to the public in 1981. The cost and mandays of work on the lake, such as fish population sampling, are therefore covered under the Public Waters section of the report. Future reports will include this information under this section.
All areas provide largemouth bass and bream fishing. Channel catfish are stocked and grown for one year before being fished at Arrowhead, Baldwin Forest, and McDuffie public fishing areas. All areas except Treutlen County, Williams and Rum Creek public fishing areas require a S1.00 daily-use permit for fishermen ages 16 to 65.
An estimated 53,956 fishing trips occurred in FY 86 on four of the areas for an average of 185 trips per acre (Table 14). Sixty-five percent of the fishermen (those that were at least 16 years of age and did not have an honorary fishing license) that fished these four areas were required to purchase the daily-use permit. Total revenue generated from those areas requiring a permit was $36,972.85. Regional cost of S306 ,300 plus Atlanta administrative cost equaled $328,400 in total expenditures on public fishing areas. This represents 7% of the Section's budget. Also 9% of the manpower (2,435 mandays) was expended on public fishing areas. The gross cost per trip of those areas with use records was $4.90 in FY 86 (Table 14). When permit
27

Table 14. Public Fishing Areas cost and use data for FY 86.

Region

Area

Ownership

Number of Lakes

Tota la Acreage

Tota 1 Operating
Cost($)

Tota 1 Trips

Trips I
Acre

Gross Cost/Trip
($)

I

Arrowhead

State

2

2J.3

91,189

16,277

643.36

J .6 oc

III

McDuffie

State

12

123.0

79,)20

l7,781b

144.)6

4.47

IV

Baldwin Forest

State

J

51.3

J7 ,)27

11,10)b

216.4 7

J.l8

IV

Rum Creek

v

Williams

GA Power State

3,600.0

1

48.0

J ,690

VI

N

(X)

VII

Evans County Treut len County

State Private

3

92.0

36,402

8,793

9).)8

4.14

189.0

2 ,o )6

Tot a 1
---

25

4,128.6

272,384

53.9 56

18).03d

4.90d

aTotal acreage open to public fishing.

b Total trips for McDuffie and Baldwin Forest were calculated based on historic records of the ratio between paid trips and unpaid trips (actual number of paid trips was known). Trips per acre and gross cost per trip for McDuffie and Baldwin Forest were also calculated based on the estimated total trips.

c This value does not include $34,000 in back pay to a former employee at Arrowhead Public Fishing Area. The $34,000 is
considered an indirect cost of operating the facility and iR included in Table 1 as a part of the overall cost of the Public Fishing Area Program.

d Weighted means.

revenues were deducted, the net cost per fishing trip for those areas with use records was $4.30 in FY 86.
Two areas showed a combined harvest of 47,540 fish (Table 15). Fishermen caught an average of 1.90 fish weighing 1.75 pounds per trip in FY 86.

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 the 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. Each region has a Oingell-Johnson

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-terrn 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 a

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 86, the Section devoted 6,317 mandays (23% of Section Total) to 25

studies (Table 16). Total cost, including Atlanta expenses, was 18% of the

Section's budget total or $878,600 (Table 1). Federal funds from the

29

Table 15. Harvest and catch rate data from t'WO Public Fishing Areas in FY 86.

Species

Public Fishing Area

Channel Catfish

Largemouth Bass

Avg.b

Avg.b

No.

Wgt.

No.

Wgt.

Breama
--

Avg.b

&.

Wgt.

Other

Avg.b

No.

Wgt.

Total

Catch Rate

No.

Wgt.b No./Trip

Lb./Trip

w

ArroV\ead

0

Evans County

Total

25,796 3,707
29 ,503

1.14 1.22

14 5 1 '166

l.l5d 1 ,3 11

1.15 1.60

1 ,237 11 ,4 51

1.ssd 12,688

0.17 0.48

4,038c 0.50

27 '17 8 20,362

29,785 13,901

0.45d 4 ,038c 0 .so 47,540 43,686

1 .7 2.3
1.9d

8 Bluegill and redear sunfish. b Weights are in pounds.
cMainly bullheads and crappie. d Weighted mean.

1.83 1.58
1.1 sd

Table 16. Mandays, cost, and funding source of research and survey studies in each region during FY 86.

Region

Study

Cost

Mandays

Fund Source

Northwest

Evaluation of the fish populations and sport fishing of Carters Reservoir

29,737

266

DJ

Evaluation of fish populations and sport fishing of Allatoona Reservoir

15,063

136

DJ

A survey of the fishery resources of the Conasauga and Coosawattee Rivers

14,951

105

DJ

An evaluation of the access point and roving

25.717

319

DJ

non-uniform probability creel surveys used in

Georgia

w

Northeast

Dynamics of rainbow trout populations in

1-'

small headwater streams

27,756

170

DJ

Evaluation of fingerling trout stocking in small headwater trout streams

47,360

313

DJ

Survey of northeast Georgia reservoirs

88,248

556

DJ

Evaluation of the walleye introductions into Lake Nottely

6,600

35

DJ

East Central

A fishery survey of the Richard B. Russell Reservoir

31,782

217

DJ

The effects of sand dredge operations on trout in the Chattahoochee River

9,647

91

DJ

A survey of potential PFA sites in three demand

19,089

121

DJ

regions within the East Central Fisheries

Region, Georgia

Assessment of the Lake Oconee fishery, with special emphasis on the largemouth bass slot length limit regulation

39,627

258

DJ

Table 16. Continued.

West Central

A fisheries survey of the Upper Flint River

6,026

48

DJ

A fisheries survey of West Point Reservoir

28,372

226

DJ

A fisheries survey of Jackson Lake

18,956

151

DJ

Southwest

A survey of the sport fisheries of four major

78,472

429

DJ

reservoirs in southwest Georgia

Investigations into the biology of the flathead

41,980

254

DJ

catfish in the Lower Flint and promotion of this

species as a fisheries resource for Flint River

fishermen

A survey of the Ichawaynochaway/Chickasawhatchee

31,575

233

DJ

Creek system

Early life history of the striped bass in the

14,556

65

DJ

Flint River

w

N

Southcentral

A fisheries survey of the St. Mary's River

70,886

590

DJ

Population dynamics of American shad in the AI tamaha River

66,286

530

State

Coastal

A fisheries survey of the Ogeechee River

75,625

639

DJ

Evaluation of successive year class strength of juvenile American shad from the Ogeechee River

9,410

98

State

Evaluation of optimum stocking rate of striped bass fry in hatchery rearing ponds

11 ,035

117

State

Evaluation of triploid grass carp to control filamentous algae in fish rearin~ ponds at Richmond Hill Hatchery

10,780

65

State

Atlanta Office Administrative costs and mandays

53,064

285

Total

878,600

6,317

Dingell-Johnson Federal Aid to Sport Fish Restoration Program provided

approximately 75% of the funding for twenty-one of the studies.

Final reports on five completed studies were printed durinY- the year and

are available to the public upon request:

1. Martin, C.R., Creel survey of the Chattahoochee River and evaluation

of the effects of poor fall water quality

2. Martin, C.R., Hatchery and field performance of six trout st~ains

stocked as catchables in the Chattahoochee River, Georgia

3. Martin, C.R. and T.S. Hess, The impacts of sand and gravel dredging

on trout habitat in the Chattahoochee River, Georgia

4. Schmitt, D.N., A fisheries survey of the Savannah River

S. Weaver, O.R., Evaluation of the walleye population of Lake Nottely

Section biologists also authored the following articles for publication

in scientific journals:
Germann, J. and z. Bunch.

1985.

Comparison of white hass and hybrid bass

food habits in Clarks Hill Reservoir. Proc. Ann. Conf. S.E. Assoc. Game

and Fish Comm. Ag. 39:200-206

Weaver, O.R. and R.H. England. 1986. Return of tags with different rewards

in Lake Lanier, Georgia. N. Amer. Jour. Fish. Mgmt. 6:132-133.

Cooperative projects were continued with three major universities.

Auburn University provided diagnostic services to fisheries personnel in the

identification and control of fish diseases. Auburn University also provided

a training course for the fisheries staff as part of a continuing education

project. Technical assistance was provided by North Carolina State University

in designing research and survey studies and in computer processing of data.

The Section is also a cooperator with the University of Georgia in supporting

33

the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Cooperative Fisheries Research Unit located at the University of Georgia.
FACILITY MAINTENANCE AND CONSTRUCTION
Including the administrative costs of the Atlanta Office the section expended a total of $43,500 on the Facility Maintenance program, $174,200 on the Hatchery Renovation program, $1,900 on the Boat Ramp Repair program, $108,400 on the Boat Ramp Construct ion program, and $402,000 on the Public Fishing Area Construct ion program in FY 86 (Table 1). All capital out lay funds, except the boat ramp construction and public fishing area construction funds, were budgeted through the Consolidated Maintenance Program. These capital outlay funds are therefore not included in the Section expenditures in Table 1. The Consolidated Maintenance Program is operated by the Maintenance and Construction Section of the Parks, Recreation and Historic Sites Division and has a separate budget from the Fisheries Section. Under this program, most of the facility maintenance needs of both the Game and Fish Division and the Parks, Recreation and Historic Sites Division are handled. Manpower is, however, provided on many of the Fisheries Section projects by Section personnel (Table 17).
Table 17 shows the cost to the Department of Natural Resources of the facility maintenance and construction projects excluding administrative costs and mandays for the Atlanta office. The Fort Valley Regional office supervised and provided manpower, when necessary, for the eight facility maintenance and one hatchery renovation projects completed in FY 86.
A total of 14 mandays were expended in FY 86 on the Boat Ramp Repair Program which is administered by the Fort Valley Office (Table 17). Repairs were made to the Horgan Falls Ramp in Fulton County on the Chattahoochee
34

Table 17. Facility maintenance and new construction projects in FY 86.a

Location

Project

Per!':ona 1 S<>rvices

Facility Maintenance Statewide
Evans Co. PFA

McDuffie Hatchery

and Public

w

Fishing Area

\J1

Bowens Mi 11 Hatchery

Burton Hatchery

Summerville Hatchery

Admi ni strati on
Three damaged dams and all roads on the facility were repaired
Replaced three 10'x10' pump houses
Replaced roof on hatchery building and residence
Reroofed maintenance building
Rewired office and hatchery residence
Installed new floor coverings, insulation, wiring, paneling, door and window frames, sheet rock and painted trim
Rewired trout raceways and and ho 1d i ng house

2 1,007 12,613

Oper>~ti 01:~
Expenses

C:ap ita lb Out lay Funds

6,957

13,124 2 ,001
809 9 '132 6 '183
5,826

Total 21 ,007 19,570 13 ,124 2,001
809 9 '132 6,183
5,826

Mandays
332 133

Table 17, Continued. Location

Project

Personal Services

Operating Expenses

Capital b Outlay Funds

Total

Mandays

Steve Cocke Hatchery

Replaced roof on office building and attached equiment storage shed

Statewide Emergency Repairs

Hatchery Renovation Statewide

Administration

10,977

McDuffie Hatchery

Renovation of 12 ponds

with concrete catch basins,

walkways, new drainlines,

valves and water supply

\..<.J
"'

lines

Boat Ramp Repair

Statewide

41,5 70 1,804

Boat Ramp Construction Statewide

Administration and construction

4,153

New Construction

Public Fishing Area Construction on Big Lazer Wildlife Management Area

Total

92,124

109,973 116,930

2,227 9,813c
101,657

2,227 9,813c
120,950 143,227

10,088 96,984 375,000 632,844

11,892 101,137 375,000 841,898

baThese figures do not include expenses and mandays of Atlanta office spent on these projects. All capital outlay funds except for the Boat Ramp and New Construction were administered through the Consolidated Maintenance Program budget.
cPart of these funds were used for new roofs for each of the residences at Steve Cocke Fish Hatchery.

106 424
14 44
1,053

River, the Highway 96 Ramp in Crawford County on the Flint River, and the Crawford/Taylor Ramp in Taylor County on the Flint River. In add it ion, concrete logs for boat ramp repair were provided to Jeff Davis, Fannin and Lowndes counties.
The Boat Ramp Construction program, administered by the Fort Valley Regional Office, was funded for the first time since FY 82 (Table 17). The Federal Aid to Sport Fish Restoration Program provided 75% of the funds. In anticipation of a more stable, continuously funded program, the primary activities were the repair and purchase of needed construction equipment. One ramp was constructed on the Etowah River in Dawson County.
A new public fishing area construction program began in FY 86 (Table 17). A total of $375,000 (includes $281,250 in Dingell-Johnson Funds) was spent on the construction of a 195-acre fishing lake on Big Lazer Wildlife Management Area in Talbot County, Georgia. These funds provided for about half the cost of construction of this lake. The remaining funds are to be provided in the FY 87 budget.
37