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