FISHERIES SECTION AHHOAL REPORT Fiscal Year 1989 July 1, 1988 - June 30, 1989 Game and Fish Division Department of Natural Resources Atlanta, Georqia The Georgia Department of Natural Resources receives Federal Aid in Sport Fish and 'Wildlife Restoration. Under Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Ar:.t of 1973, the Age Discrimination Ar:.t of 1975, am Title lX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the U.S. Department of the Interior prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, na:ional origin, age, sex, or handicap. If you believe that you have been discriminated ag&inst in any program, activity, or facility as described above, or if you desire further information please write to: The Office for Human Resources u.s. Fish am 'Wildlife Service u.s. Depa:-tment of the Interior Washington, D.C. 20240 Table of Contents SUBJECT PAGE Overview of Fisheries Section Activities 1 Map of Fisheries Section region and district boundaries 2 Striped bass and striped x white bass hybrids stocked since 1983 4 A. Facts about fishing in Georgia, fisheries related revenues 5 earned and Fisheries Section expenditures B. Private waters management 9 c. Public waters management 13 D. Trout production 25 E. Warmwater hatchery production 29 F. Public fishing area operation 34 G. Research and survey 37 H. Maintenance and Construction 40 Fisheries section Activities Fishing is the most popular wildlife related activity in Georgia, enjoyed by every age group. The State's diverse freshwater fishery resources include over 4, 000 miles of trout streams, 12,000 miles of warmwater streams and half a million acres of impoundments. They are used by more than 1. 2 million fishermen. Anglers spend approximately $1 billion yearly on fishing in Georgia, a major contribution to the State's economy. The ongoing programs of DNR's Fisheries Section to protect these resources and further develop freshwater fishing during fiscal year 1989 included: developing and managing public fishing areas and private and public waters; constructing boat ramps; producing and stocking trout and warmwater fish; and conducting research and surveys to benefit these resources. Detailed information on the Section's activities and program costs is listed in the tables in Appendices A-H. The statewide fisheries program is administered from a central office in Atlanta, seven regional offices and eleven district offices (Figure 1). The Department's Five-Year Strategy calls for the construction or renovation of at least one public fishing lake each year for the next five years, to meet increasing demands for recreational fishing. In June 1989, the 195-acre Big Lazer Creek public fishing lake was opened for public use, the first new lake completed under the plan to expand public fishing areas and put fishing within easy access of every Georgian. Over 800 fishermen landed 11,720 bluegill, channel catfish and redear sunfish during Big Lazer's first three days of operation. Total weight of fish caught exceeded 5,000 lbs. This new public fishing area will provide excellent freshwater fishing year round. During fiscal 1989, the Fisheries Section assisted the owners of private ponds by conducting 1,724 pond investigations and by providing over 5.6 million fish for stocking over 2,800 ponds from the State's seven warmwater hatcheries. Fisheries continued sampling Georgia's major reservoirs and added several major streams in southeast Georgia to the sampling program, including the Altamaha, Ocmulgee, Ohoopee, Satilla and Saint Marys. Scientific sampling enables the Fisheries Section to detect potential problems and recognize effective management practices. To improve fishing access, DNR built one new boat ramp and purchased two additional ramp sites. About 100,000 fishermen in Georgia make more than 3.8 million trout fishing trips each year. Limitations in habitat prevent naturally produced trout populations from supporting this demand without the trout stocked by State hatcheries. Accordingly, the Fisheries Section raised more than 800,000 trout to catchable size and stocked them into suitable waters, in addition to the 269,000 catchable trout raised and stocked by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Fisheries produced about 1. 3 million striped bass and 2. 2 million hybrids at the State's warmwater hatcheries and stocked them into Georgia waters, primarily reservoirs in which these fish - Gainesville Region Ill - Walton Grady Tham.8S Region V Albany Region VI - Waycross Region VII Richmond Hill Figure l. Mop of fisheries regions and districts In Georgia and location of regional offices. Broken lines mark district boundaries within regions. 2 do not reproduce naturally. The demand for these species, and consequentlytheir production by Georgia hatcheries, has steadily increased since 1983 (Figure 2). While the stocked striped bass fisheries are prosperous, native striped bass populations are declining in several areas, from causes not yet fully understood. Under the Five-Year Strategy, the Department is committed to protecting native stripedbass habitat and increasing research into the fish's decline. Preliminary research on the Savannah striper populations have prompted DNR to close the Savannah River downstream of Clarks Hill Reservoir to striped bass fishing. DNR' s Fisheries Research and Survey Program continued to assess the condition of certain fisheries, identify management needs and evaluate program effectiveness during the fiscal year. Projects included surveys of fish populations, stocking evaluations, hatchery production studies and others. 3 4,000,000 3,500,000 3,000,000 -o QJ ~ u..-... -V.0_1lc1:o1: 2,500,000 2,000,000 .E8~- ..t::' z:::J 1,500,000 1,000,000 500,000 0 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 Year Stocked 1988 1989 Figure 2. Total striped bass and striped x white bass hybrids stocked annually since 1983. Appendix A: Tables showing important facts about fishing in Georgia, information on revenue earned, and expenditures for FY1989. 5 Table A-1. Important facts about fishing and fishermen in Georgia. Activity Total resident Georgia fishermen over 16 years old. Total annual fishing trips by Georgia fishermen. Total days spent fishing each year. Average days spent fishing each year. Average one-way distance traveled on each fishing trip. Total annual expenditure by all resident and non-resident fishermen in Georgia (16 years old and older). Economic impact of sport fishing on Georgia's economy Estimated number of jobs generated. Estimated sales tax generated from sale of sport fishing related items. Number 1.2 million 19.9 million 26.8 million 22.3 days 22.6 miles $948.6 million $1.4 billion 27.7 thousand $35.7 million Source a a a a a b b b b a Source is the "1985 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation" published by the U.S. Department of the Interior, u.s. Fish and Wildlife Service in March 1989. This is the most accurate data currently available. b Source is the "The Economic Impact of Sport Fishing in the State of Georgia" published by the Sport Fishing Institute in 1989. The calculations are based on data from the 11 1985 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife -Associated Recreation." 6 Table A-2. Revenue generated by the Fisheries Section from license sales in license year1988-89 (April 1,1988 to March 30, 1989) and revenue generated from the sale of permits to use public fishing areas. 8 License Sales License Year 1988 - 1989 (April 1, 1988 to March 30, 1989) Type of License No. Sold Combination Hunting-Fishing 72,647 Resident Fishing 589,188 Resident Trout 110,654 Non-resident Season Fishing 10,409 Non-resident 5-day Fishing 43,357 Non-resident Season Trout 4,329 Total 830,584 Revenue 541,566b 4,067,046 321,345 201,991 212,696 42,891 5,387,535 Arrowhead McDuffie Baldwin Forest Evans County Waters Creek Total PUblic Fishing Areas No Permits Sold 6,987 6,734 3,832 3,500 609 21,662 Revenue 10,882 12,384 4,330 5,537 609 33,742 a Effective 2/22/89 a new regulation went into effect which provided fishermen the option of either paying a $3.00 daily fee ($1.00 per day was the old fee) or having a valid wildlife area management stamp in their possession when fishing on public fishing areas. As of the date of this report no decision has been made as to what portion of wildlife management area stamps will be credited to the Fisheries Section so no informtion on the sale of these permits is included. Also some of the permits listed as sold are for $1.00 while others are $3.00 permits. b This is only one half the revenue generated. The rema1n1ng funds are considered as being generated by hunting. 7 a Table A-3. Fisheries Section expenditures (thousands of dollars) and mandays by region and program in FY1989. PROGRAM b ATLANTA TOTAL TOTAL II Ill IV v VI VII COST MANDAYS Private Waters Management 27.5 47.2 18.0 49.6 41.0 29.0 82.8 30.3 325.4 2,182 Public Waters Management 153.8 208.4 322.5 261.0 196.7 181.8 334.1 161.0 1,819.3 9,903 Aquatic Plant Control 13.8 149.3 163.1 618 Trout Production/Stocking 70.7 104.9 660.8 836.4 3,793 00 Warmwater Hatcheries 87.2 34.6 9.1 216.3 8.8 291.4 127.3 256.8 1,031.5 5,709 Public Fishing Areas 34.0 79.9 70.2 68.2 108.3 41.6 402.2 2,770 Research/Surveys 72.9 123.8 98.7 217.5 76.2 147.1 61.2 64.6 862.0 6,339 Facility Maintenance and New Construction 236.4 68.2 185.9 410.8 72.0 4.9 978.2 1,205 Total 696.3 598.8 1,1n.3 1,000.5 951.0 757.6 719.0 517.6 6,418.1 32,519 a These figures may differ somewhat from the final 6/89 Accounting and Control System (FACS) printout since errors in the FACS printout were corrected in this project. b Expenses of Atlanta Office, with the exception of capital outlay expenses, were prorated as administrative costs to all programs. Mandays for the Atlanta Office were also prorated based on expenditures. Appendix B: Tables showing information onthe Fisheries Section Private Waters Management Program in FY1989. 9 Table B-1. Field investigations on private waters in each district FY1989. Region District Aquatic Grass Carp Fish Pre-stocking General Balance Vegetation Evaluations Kills Checks Management Total %of Total Calhoun 37 1 88 5 170 301 18 II Gainesville 13 7 6 3 47 3 79 5 Ill Thomson Walton 84 103 51 44 22 59 4 29 5 6 31 335 20 6 109 6 IV Macon 46 34 3 19 8 110 6 Manchester 72 10 3 30 7 122 7 I-' 0 v Albany 38 10 36 2 2 4 92 5 Cordele 82 9 1 8 100 6 VI Metter 29 22 78 48 2 15 194 11 Waycross 27 16 13 35 5 10 106 6 VII Richmond Hill 35 34 40 19 19 29 176 10 Total 522 241 350 168 322 %of Total 30 14 20 10 19 121 1,724 100 7 Table B-2. Office technical services for private water management in each district in FY1989. Region District Aquatic Balance Vegetation Fish Fish Applications General Kills Reviewed Management Total %of Total Calhoun 157 376 24 189 77 823 7 II Gainesville 67 133 24 129 91 444 4 Ill Walton Thomson 302 474 42 400 1,095 2,313 20 129 348 56 486 755 1,774 16 IV Macon 94 142 45 225 148 654 6 1-' Manchester 47 140 32 250 300 769 7 1-' v Albany Cordele 41 173 41 322 53 56 31 195 115 692 6 95 430 4 VI Waycross Metter 79 395 127 613 93 255 122 518 351 1,565 14 266 1,254 11 VII Richmond Hill 18 81 30 150 302 581 5 Total %of Total 1,080 9 2,573 574 23 5 3,477 31 3,595 11,299 100 32 Table B-3. Total number and acres of private ponds stocked with largemouth bass, bream and channel catfish in FY1989. Region District Bass-bream ponds stocked Number Acres Percent stocked at fertilized rate Number Acres Number and species stocked Bluegill Redear Largemouth Channel sunfish bass catfish Catfish only ponds stocked Number Acres Calhoun 87 312 II Gainesville 80 222 Ill Walton Thomson 1-' N IV Macon Manchester v Albany Cordele 165 561 287 1,012 126 545 110 626 149 766 58 349 VI Waycross Metter 289 1,796 392 2,184 VII Richmond Hill 78 316 Total 1,821 8,687 0 0 100,330 0 0 88,552 10 9 8 3 241,180 391,176 5 9 52 32 213,102 331,288 5 4 5 3 334,040 168,460 0 0 2 1 728,049 827,070 3 5 142,360 7 5 3,565,607 24,535 10,098 20,288 22,138 11,070 23,375 62,875 97,244 29,343 50.533 37,894 120,007 52,823 82,822 28,554 41,109 30,375 41,894 79,485 43,865 39,061 19,995 81,907 60,748 166,831 203,780 87,329 92,029 144,654 186,914 35,590 16,570 35,150 871,988 425,691 783,206 46 54 37 54 35 46 175 285 27 89 30 63 118 466 87 548 179 485 201 686 55 133 990 2,911 Appendix c: Tables showing information on the Fisheries Section Public Waters Management Program in FY1989. 13 Table C-1. Summary of important law changes made in FY1989 that affect the Fisheries Section Program. Description 1. A combination limit was created for striped bass, white bass, and striped-white bass hybrids. No more than a total of 15 striped bass, white bass andfor striped-white bass hybrids, only two of which may be 22 inches or more in length, may be possessed except that on the Oconee River downstream of Sinclair Dam, the Ocmulgee River downstream of Juliette Dam, and the Ogeechee, Altamaha and satilla rivers a combination of 15 white bass and/or striped-white bass hybrids and 2 striped bass 22 inches or more in length may be possessed. 2. The possession limit on black and white crappie was changed to thirty of any one species or a combination of both species. The previous limit was fifty of any one species or a combination of both species. 3. A 12 inch length limit was placed on trout taken from Richard B. Russell Reservoir. The 14 inch seasonal limit on trout from Lanier, Hartwell, Clarks Hill, Burton, Rabun, Seed, Tallulah Falls and Blue Ridge lakes (or their tributaries for three miles upstream) was repealed. 4. The law on operating boats on public fishing areas was changed to make it unlawful to operate any vessel except fishing boats being propelled by paddles, oars or electric motors on any public fishing area owned or operated by the Department of Natural Resources. However, sailboats or fishing boats propelled by a motor of 20 horsepower or less on Rum Creek Public Fishing Area are legal. Also, on any public fishing lake over 99 acres in size (except at Rum Creek), any fishing boat propelled by a motor less than 10 horsepower, or a motor 10 horsepower or greater that is operated only at idle speed, may legally operate. 5. The law on wild animal licenses was changed so that no permit is required for persons buying triploid grass carp from properly licensed wild animal dealers for stocking a private pond. The bill of sale must be retained by the buyer as proof of the sale. 6. No person may fish more than five baskets in Sinclair and Oconee lakes. Also, no person may fish the baskets of other persons unless accompanied by such persons at the time of fishing. 14 7. The law on reciprocal agreements was changed to authorize the Commissioner of Natural Resources to enter into reciprocal agreements with adjoining states. Existing reciprocal agreements, which were in the law, were deleted and new agreements between adjoining states and the Commissioner of Natural Resources were established. 8. Food fish were defined in the law as trout and channel catfish which are commercially produced and sold only as food for human consumption and are produced, hatched and raised in a privately owned pond, raceway, fish hatchery or other impoundment of water. Any legal entity engaged in commercially producing, hatching, raising, harvesting and selling food fish was declared to be engaged in an agricultural pursuit and, to the extent that these activities relate solely to food fish, they are exempt from the Department of Natural Resources' laws, rules and regulations and instead are regulated by the Department of Agriculture. 15 Table C-2. summary of important regulation changes made in FY1989 that affect the Fisheries Section Program. Description 1. Striped bass fishing on the Savannah River downstream of Clarks Hill (Strom Thurmond) Reservoir was prohibited. 2. A minimum length limit of 14 inches was established on largemouth bass that can be taken and possessed from public fishing lakes except that the limit does not apply to channel catfish lakes posted as such. 3. The special stream section in Moccasin Creek for persons under twelve (12) years old and for honorary fishing licenses holders was defined as the portion of Moccasin Creek from the Lake Burton Hatchery water intake downstream to a sign marking the approximate normal pool level of Lake Burton. 4. The number of legal days to fish Waters Creek on the Chestatee Wildlife Management Area was increased to Wednesdays, Saturdays and sundays between thirty (30) minutes before sunrise and 6:30p.m. EST (7:30p.m. EDT) during the trout season. The area was originally open only on Saturdays and Sundays. 5. The number of trout that can be taken from Waters Creek in a season by one person was limited to three (3) trout. 6. Any person who fishes Waters Creek must now have in their possession a valid Wildlife Management Area Stamp. Formerly a $1.00 fee was charged for each trip. 7. All fishermen 16 years of age and older, except holders of an honorary fishing license, must have a valid Wildlife Management Area Stamp in addition to their regular sport fishing licenses in order to fish on a public fishing area. This stamp is not required on the Williams, Treutlen County or Rum Creek public fishing areas. Also, on the Arrowhead, McDuffie, Baldwin Forest and Evans County public fishing areas a $3.00 daily permit may be purchased in lieu of the Wildlife Management Area Stamp. a. Specific regulations regarding camping at McDuffie Public Fishing Area were developed and approved. 16 Table C-3. Management and development activities of the Fisheries Section in FY1989. Type of Activity Fish attractor construction and maintenance Assistance to DNR Parks, Recreation and Historic Sites Division Assistance to Jekyll Island Authority; Chatham County, Georgia; the cities of Atlanta, Tallapoosa and Savannah; Ft. stewart Military Reservation; Kings Bay Naval Base Description Fish attractors were inspected, constructed andjor refurbished at the following reservoirs: Bartletts Ferry, Burton, Chatuge, Clarks Hill, Goat Rock, Jackson, Nottely, Oliver and Walter F. George. Management recommendations and assistance were provided for the lakes at Fort Mountain and James H. "Sloppy" Floyd state parks. Assistance was provided in managing lakes and ponds controlled by these agencies. 17 Table C-4. Fish Kills Investigated by the Fisheries Section in FY1989. Type of fish Kill Number of Incidents fish Killed No. Value Fines Collectedc Municipal Pollution 8 37,398 17,142.92 12,100 Industrial Pollution 15 32,170 9,833.87 19,500 Agricultural Pollution Disease 1-' (X) Undetermined 7 13,050 4,462.52 11 15, 6438 b 20 58,717 12,471.67 4,250 Total 61 156,978 43,910.98 35,850 8 Estimates of the number of fish killed by disease are not normally calculated using accepted fish kill counting guidelines, so these values are less accurate than those obtained during more exhaustive investigations. b Values for fish killed by disease are normally not calculated, so no values are included here. c Fines collected as of August 1, 1989 by the Environmental Protection Division for the FY1989 fish kills. Table C-5. Fish surveys conducted by the Fisheries Section in FY1989. Type of survey Sam.plinq Method Body of water Standardized Sampling Seining, gill netting, electrofishing and a general reconnaissance survey Allatoona, Bartletts Ferry, Blue Ridge, Blackshear, Burton , Carters, Chatuge, Clarks Hill, Hartwell, High Falls, Jackson, Lanier, Nottely, Oconee, Rabun, Seminole, Sinclair, Tobesofkee, Tugaloo, Walter F. George and West Point reservoirs Stream Sport Fish Monitoring Electrofishing and a Altamaha, Ocmulgee, Ohoopee, general reconnaissance Satilla and st. Marys rivers survey survey to assess current Electrofishing status of trout 1--' population \0 Survey to assess impact Electro fishing of a severe draw down Survey to assess status of current fishery Electrofishing Tickanetly Creek, Gilmer County Fort Yargo State Park Lake Worth, Oliver, George w. Andrews and Goat Rock reservoirs Pre-impoundment fish sample to gather data on species composition and abundance for preparation of 404 Permit Application Seining Unnamed intermittent stream on Dodge County Public Fishing Area site Fish population status Electro fishing assessed following summer drought of 1988 Okefenokee Swamp above Suwannee River Sill and in Billy's Lake Table C-6. Herbicide treatments applied in controling aquatic weeds statewide in FY1989. Body of Water treams Ebenezer Creek Total Reservoirs Blackshear Blackshear Counties Yt'hefe Treatmen1B Made Effingham Crisp/Sumter Dooley Blackshear Blackshear Blackshear Blackshear Crisp/Sumter WorthfDooly Lee Crisp/Worth Sumter CrispfWorth Crisp Blackshear Crisp Goat Rock Jackson Harris Butts/Newton Jackson Juliette Newton Monroe Worth Dougherty Worth Dougherty Total Publicly-Owned Small Lakes Sloppy Aoydc State Park Lakes (lower lakes) Chattooga Total GRAND TOTAL Target Pest Alligatorweed Lyngbya Parrotfeather. Bacopa, Spatterdock Giant cutgrass Alligatorweed Chara Ludwigia, Water willow, Alligatorweed Giant cutgrass, Milfoil, Lotus Giant cutgrass Alligatorweed, Giant cutgrass Pithophora Eurasian watermilfoil Giant cutgrass, Water Hyacinth Lvngbya Pithophora, Najas Aaes Affected 15 15 300 10 50 6 35 6 4 12 35 20 4 N.A 160 642 3 3 660 Aaes Treated 11.3 11.3 100.0 5.0 25.3 2.0 20.0 5.3 4.0 11.9 25.3 20.0 2.0 38.0 29.5 288.3 3.0 3.0 302.6 Number of Treatmen1B 'I. Success of Trealments 95 95 5 95 4 80 4 95 4 90 3 95 80 2 98 2 95 5 95 95 95 5 95 4 75 41 92" 100 100 43 92.6" Not available Weighted means c This treatment was not done under contract with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. All other treatments were under the Cooperative Agreement for Aquatic Plant Control. 20 Table C-7. Environmental reviews and assessments commented on by the "Fisheries Section in FY1989. Agency Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Plans and Permits DNR Regional Water Supply Plan 1 Environmental Protection Division Permits 11 Environmental Protection Division Reports and 2 Plans u.s. Government Agency Permits, Projects and Plans Army Corps of Engineers Permits 43 Water supply lakes, recreational lakes, dredge and fill projects, stream channelization, wetlands, discharge and pre-discharge notification, flood control projects, dikes, road and bridge construction permits, and raw water intakes. Army Corps Projects and Plans 6 Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Licenses 3 Fish and Wildlife Service Plans 1 Forest Service Plans 1 National Park Service Plans 1 Total 69 a Each project, plan or permit is counted only once, even though the Section may have provided comments more than one time. 21 Table C-8. Cooperative projects between the Fisheries Section and other agencies. Cooperating Agency Description of Project cost Auburn University Diagnostic services in the identification and control of fish diseases was provided. $5,000 N.C. State University University of Georgia Technical assistance was provided by the university in designing research and survey studies and in computer processing of data. The Fisheries Section is a cooperator with the University of Georgia in supporting the u.s. Fish and Wildlife Services Cooperative Fisheries Research Unit located at the University of Georgia. $9,4008 $12,000 a This is a joint project within the Game and Fish Division. The $9,400 is the Section's share of the total contract cost of $18,800. 22 Table C-9. Technical assistance provided to other government agencies by theFisheries Section in FY1989. Agency Assisted u.s. Forest Service u.s. Fish and Wildlife Service U.S. Army Corps of Engineers u.s. Environmental Protection Agency and DNR Environmental Protection Division Description of Assistance Assisted by reviewing the recreational management alternatives on the Chattahoochee River watershed, evaluating a land trade proposal involving a major trout stream, selection of appropriate projects for trout stream enhancement work to be conducted by cooperative agreements between the USFS and Trout Unlimited, design and placement of fish attractors in Lake Russell, review of the Wilderness Society's report on the USFWS timber management program on southern national forests, a stream basin habitat survey on the West Fork of the Chattooga River, and an evaluation of erosion control measures in effect in the Chattahoochee National Forest. Assisted in collecting American shad below the Savannah Bluff Lock and Dam and moving the fish to above the dam to enhance their spawning success; and providing assistance in collecting fish samples below ITT Rayonier on the Altamaha River as part of the national bioaccumulation dioxin study. Collected fish from the Savannah River for the National Contaminants Survey. Assisted in determining what trees should be removed from Clarks Hill to reduce navigation hazards and which should be left as fish shelters. Assisted the Savannah Harbor Environmental (salinity) Study Task Force. Operated acid rain monitoring units in cooperation with these agencies, and collected fish samples from several bodies of water statewide for analysis under the radiological, trend and toxic substances monitoring programs of both agencies. 23 Table c-10. Other activities of the Fisheries Section in FY1989. Type of Activity Southern Division of the American Fisheries Society Atlantic States Marine Fisheries commission DNR, Game and Fish Study Committee DNR, Game and Fish Division, Fisheries Section, Grass carp Committee Publication Review Southern Appalachian Trout Disease Control Commission Survey of Potential Public Fishing Lake Sites Description A Fisheries Section biologist served on the Division's Pollution, Trout, Warmwater Streams, Striped Bass, Reservoir and Ballot committees. one biologist served as a technical member of the Commission's Scientific and Statistical Committee. Several biologists served on this committee which was set up to advise the Director on Game and Fish Division matters. Several biologists served on a committee to study the Division's policies on grass carp and to make recommended changes. Biologists function as reviewers of papers submitted to the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Proceedings. One biologist served on the steering committee to form this commission. Fisheries Section biologists located and evaluated potential public fishing area sites statewide. 24 Appendix D: Tables showing information on the Fisheries Section Trout Production Program in FY1989. 25 Table D-1. Trout production (lbs.) conversion ratios and costs at state hatcheries in FY1989. Species Cost Hatchery Brook Rainbow Brown Total Total Per lb. Buford Net weight gain 4,164 109,031 5,747 118,942 a $282,211 $2.37 Burton Conversion ratio Net weight gain 2.33 1.67 77,482 1.77 1.70 1 77,483 a $201,038 $2.59 Summerville Conversion ratio Net weight gain 1.47 39,926 100.00 1.47 39,926 a $68,183 $1.71 N Conversion ratio 1.59 1.59 0'1 Total Net weight gain b Conversion ratio 4,164 2.33 226,439 1.59 5,748 236,351 1.79 1.61 $551,432 $2.33 State's cost per pound to stock trout: $0.46 Total production and distribution costs per pound: $2.79 a Does not include cost of distribution, major capital improvements, or administrative cost of Atlanta office. b Weighted means. Table D-2. Number and weight (lbs.) of each species of trout stocked into Georgia's public waters from state and federal hatcheries during FY1989. Brook Rainbow Brown Total Facility Number Weight Number Weight Number Weight Number Weight State hatcheries Buford catchables Burton catchables fingerlings N ""-' Summerville catchables Federal hatcheries Chattahoochee catchables Walhalla fingerlings Total catchables fingerlings 8,747 3,570 376,536 147,427 29,087 12,896 286,891 100 92,281 3 13,936 1,730 123,059 42,095 414,370 163,893 300,827 100 94,011 3 123,059 42,095 269,254 63,339 269,254 63,339 249,462 2,080 249,462 2,080 8,747 3,570 1,055,740 345,142 100 3 43,023 14,626 249,462 2,080 1,107,510 363,338 249,562 2,083 Table D-3. Number and weight (lbs.) of catchable trout by species and habitat type stocked from all hatcheries in FY1989. BROOK RAINBOW BROWN TOTAL Streams by Bartow Catoosa Chattooga Cherokee Dade Dawson Fannin Floyd Gilmer Gordon Habersham Haralson Lumpkin Murray Paulding Pickens Polk Rabun Stephens Towns Union Walker White Whitfield Total Tailwaters Blue Ridge Hartwell Lanier Total Reservoirs Russell Number Weight Number Weight Number Weight Number Weight 1,200 352 4,219 1,577 2,625 827 88 213 87 212 400 117 8,619 3,298 8,775 4,025 4,950 725 1,340 20,200 71,000 17,112 44,297 1,725 29,350 14,825 113,004 16,100 7,900 7,400 3,350 128,497 24,529 71,564 98,064 11,985 105,967 600 3,053 1,354 1,699 252 443 6,589 16,627 5,988 12,835 574 9,690 5,044 31,649 5,443 2,708 2,447 1,162 42,612 7,947 23,667 24,901 4,062 34,705 198 807,284 245,649 1,850 2,850 1,150 5,936 600 900 500 1,400 15,186 225 798 143 743 74 111 61 174 2,329 8,775 4,025 4,950 725 1,340 20,200 71,000 17,112 46,147 1,725 33,400 14,825 118,373 16,100 7,900 7,400 3,350 137,058 25,129 72,552 98,651 11,985 107,767 600 3,053 1,354 1,699 252 443 6,589 16,627 5,988 13,060 574 10,840 5,044 33,369 5,443 2,708 2,447 1,162 44,182 8,021 23,991 25,174 4,062 34,996 198 831,089 251,276 128 272 128 272 30,870 13,400 126,768 171,038 7,971 4,916 59,282 72,169 100 50 27,287 12,191 27,387 12,241 30,970 13,400 154,183 198,553 8,021 4,916 71,745 84,682 45,368 17,924 45,368 17,924 Total 45,368 17,924 45,368 17,924 Small Lakes Black Rock Conasauga Dockery Nancytown Rock Creek Vogel Winfield Scott 2,050 689 150 19 4,000 1,362 10,000 2,618 6,400 2,000 2,033 444 2,200 707 300 37 5,400 1,547 2,200 4,000 10,000 6,400 2,000 2,500 5,400 708 1,362 2,618 2,033 444 744 1,547 Total GRAND TOTAL 8,747 3,570 32,050 9,400 1,055,740 345,142 450 56 43,023 14,626 32,500 9,456 1,107,510 363,338 28 Appendix E: Tables showing information on the Fisheries Section Warmwater Hatchery Production Program in FY1989. 29 Table E-1 .. Total numbers and cost per fish of warmwater species produced at state hatcheries in FY1989. Species Acres Number Avg. no. per acre a Cost per fish($) Channel catfish fingerling intermediate harvestable 17.51 8.20 3.01 1,368,921 119,473 26,510 78,179 14,570 8,807 0.112 0.568 0.322 Bluegill fingerling 36.81 6,307,221 171,345 0.036 Redear sunfish fingerling 12.46 2,416,398 193,932 0.039 Largemouth bass fingerling 16.85 1,168,999 69,377 0.111 Shoal bass fingerling 2.30 75,067 32,638 0.494 Striped bass fry fingerling b 9.65 7,007,000 1,347,732 b 139,661 0.008 0.036 Striped-white hybrid bass fry fingerling b 15.60 9,215,000 1,958,802 b 125,564 0.008 0.041 White-striped hybrid bass fry fingerling b 8.40 4,827,000 603,711 b 71,870 Total 130.79 c 36,441,834 d 117,691 a Cost of each production phase includes cost of previous phase. 0.008 0.061 d 0.024 b Not applicable, these fry are hatched in jars and then placed in aquaria. c Differences between the production totals in this table and the distribution totals in Table E-4 result from handling, holding, and transporting mortalities, the use of surplus fish as forage to maintain spawning stocks, and the stocking of fish produced on federal hatcheries. d Weighted means. Striped bass and hybrid fry are not included in these figures. 30 Table E-2. Number of each warmwater species produced at state hatcheries in FY1989. Species Summerville Walton McDuffie Cordele Steve Cocke Bowens Mill Richmond Hill Total Channel catfish fingerling intermediate harvestable 119,298 415,173 26,510 273,950 101,450 357,755 18,023 202,745 1,368,921 119,473 26,510 Bluegill fingerling 271,226 520,803 1,596,496 880,219 1,301,076 1,737,401 6,307,221 Redear sunfish fingerling 114,731 286,807 629,809 245,982 598,000 541,069 2,416,398 w Largemouth bass I-' fingerling Shoal bass fingerling 192,066 373,412 129,000 75,067 24,558 354,000 95,963 1,168,999 75,067 Striped bass fry fingerling 918,279 7,007,000 7,007,000 429,453 1,347,732 Striped-white bass hybrid fry fingerling 120,500 308,838 400,786 9,215,000 9,215,000 548,154 580,524 1,958,802 White-striped bass hybrid fry fingerling 260,820 131,152 4,827,000 4,827,000 211,739 603,711 Total 385,957 1,239,474 3,959,679 1,149,125 2,058,475 2,801,230 24,847,894 36,441,834 Table E-3. Cost per fish (dollars) of warmwater species produced at state hatcheries in FY1989. Species Summerville Walton McDuffie Cordele Steve Cocke Bowens Mill Richmond Hill Channel catfish fingerling intermediate harvest able 0.161 0.085 0.322 0.167 0.554 0.083 0.647 0.111 Bluegill fingerling 0.071 0.032 0.027 0.049 0.034 0.037 Redear sunfish fingerling 0.060 0.065 0.020 0.080 0.034 0.030 Largemouth bass w fingerling "" Shoal bass fingerling 0.105 0.046 0.096 0.494 0.322 0.127 0.285 Striped bass fry fingerling 0.023 0.008 0.064 Striped-white bass hybrid fry fingerling 0.037 0.036 0.048 0.044 0.008 0.038 White-striped bass bybrid fry fingerling 0.058 0.102 0.008 0.040 Table E-4. Number of warmwater fish distributed from state hatcheries in FY1989. 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 a Total White amur adult 235 235 Channel catfish fingerling intermediate harvestable 784,991 108,375 2,000 28,105 49,312 65,000 67,500 26,510 986,471 118,812 26,510 Bluegill fingerling 3,560,707 388,233 615,352 293,840 4,858,132 Redear sunfish fingerling 870,763 122,493 88,110 333,710 1,415,076 Largemouth bass fingerling 425,076 13,333 167,000 117,505 6,500 729,414 Shoal bass w fingerling w Striped bass fry fingerling 74,067 1,021,919 163,549 2,505,000 155,114 74,067 2,505,000 1,340,582 Striped-white bass hybrid fry fingerling 1,571,621 3,225,000 3,225,000 1,571,621 White-striped bass hybrid fingerling 603,711 603,711 Walleye fry Total 8,300,000 5,641,537 12,021,310 1,218,453 822,707 165,510 5,885,114 8,300,000 b 25,754,631 a Totals do not include fry produced and distributed to other state hatcheries for later production phases. b Differences between the distribution totals in this table and the production totals in Table 10 result from handling, holding and transporting mortalities, the use of surplus fish as forage to maitain spawning stocks, and the stocking of fish produced on federal hatcheries. Appendix F: Tables showing information on the Fisheries Section Public Fishing Area Operation Program in FY1989. 34 Table F-1. Operational cost and public use information for public fishing areas in FY1989. Region Area Ownership Number of Lakes Total a Acreage Total Operating Cost($) Total Trips Trips/ Acre Gross Cost/Trip ($) Arrowhead State Ill McDuffie State IV Baldwin Forest State 2 25.2 79,898 11,912 472.7 b 12 123.0 70,237 11 ,139 90.6 b 5 51.3 60,889 6,930 135.1 6.71 6.31 8.79 IV Rum Creek v Williams v Big Lazer GA Power State State 1 3,600.0 1 48.0 1 195.0 7,347 19,176 89,092 c d 869 VI Evans County State w V1 VII Treutlen County Private Total 3 122.0 1 189.0 4,353.5 39,459 2,182 368,280 5,299 36,149 43.4 e 109.7 7.45 e 7.10 a Total acreage open to public fishing. b Total trips for McDuffie and Baldwin Forest were calculated based on historic records of the ratio between paid 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 Lake closed for renovation. d Big Lazer Creek opened to public fishing on June 28, 1989 which resulted in three open days in FY1989. Trips/acre and gross cost/trip were not calculated since this would not be meaningful. e Total trips and costs for Big Lazer were not used in developing these values. Table F-2. Harvest and catch rate of fish caught from three public fishing areas in FY1989. Species Arrowhead - b Number Avg. Wgt a Big Lazer Creek Number Avg. Wgt. Evans County Number Avg. Wgt. Channel catfish c Sunfish 14,417 2,840 1.51 0.23 2,576 9,134 1.13 0.26 363 10,383 2.14 0.36 Largemouth bass 42 2.14 10 0.79 376 1.69 Crappie 1,190 0.45 Other w "" Total 17,299 1.30 11,720 0.45 2,853 15,165 0.54 0.48 Number of Fish Caught I Trip d Weight of Fish Caught I Trip 1.45 1.89 13.49 6.09 2.86 1.36 a This represented only the first three (3) days this new Public Fishing Area was open. b Weights in pounds. c Primarily bluegill and redear sunfish. d Weighted means. Appendix G: Tables showing information on the Fisheries Section Research and Survey Program in FY1989. 37 Table G-1. Mandays, cost and funding source for research and survey studies in each region during FY1989. Region Northwest Northeast East Central West Central Southwest South Central Coastal Atlanta Office Total . Sludy An evaluation of the access point and roving non-uniform probability creel surveys used in Georgia. Angler harvest of stocked trout in the Blue Ridge tailwater. A survey of the black crappie population in Allatoona Reservoir. Evaluation of the fish populations and sport fishing of Allatoona Reservoir. Evaluation of the fish populations and sport fishing of Blue Ridge Reservoir. A fisheries survey of the upper Chattooga River. Experimental addition of calcium chloride to increase water hardness and fish production at Buford Hatchery. Evaluation of the walleye introductions into Lake Nottely. Evaluation of trout fingerling stocking in small headwater trout streams. Factors influencing year class strength of the walleye population of Lake Burton. A fishery survey of the Richard Russell Reservoir. A survey of the black crappie population in Lake Oconee. Creel census of the Richard Russell Dam tailwaters. The effect of three stocking rates on growth, survival, and angler success and harvest of brown trout in the lower 27 km of the Chattahoochee River. A fish population and sport fishery survey of the Oc:mulgee River. A survey of the black crappie population of Lake Sinclair. A survey of the largemouth bass fishery on Lake Sinclair. Dynamics of largemouth bass fishery in Lake George. Food habits of juvenile largemouth bass in Lake George. Changes in the sport fishery, population structure and growth of largemouth bass in an upper coastal plain stream under a 14-inch minimum length limit. Population dynamics of American shad in the Altamaha River. Umited life history comparison of selected sport fishes of the Savannah and Ogeechee rivers. Reproductive success of striped bass in the Ogeechee River. Savannah River creel survey. Administrative Cost($) 12,165 42,941 43,792 12,164 12,n3 13,708 8,828 32,000 17,600 26,600 68,802 53,593 13,190 28,346 53,528 37,945 22,591 15,698 119,730 27,400 8,430 52,n5 11,983 15,248 37,400 72,900 862,130. Difference between this figure and Table A-3 is due to rounding. 38 Mandays 47 274 648 78 14 94 60 340 80 160 471 367 90 474 366 _;;JI OJ OJ OJ OJ OJ OJ OJ OJ OJ OJ OJ OJ OJ COE OJ 364 OJ 264 OJ 92 OJ 766 OJ 175 OJ 56 OJ 251 48 58 368 334 6,339 State OJ OJ OJ OJ & State Table G-2. Final reports and publications completed by the Fisheries Section in FY1989. Author Ager, L. M. Ellis, F. s., Jr. Evans, J. Keefer, L. c. Quinn, s. P. Rees, R. A. Schmitt, D. N. Van Den Avyle, M. and Evans, J. w. Weaver, 0. R. Larson, S., Van Den Avyle, M. and Bozeman, E. Quinn, s. P. Publication FINAL REPORTS Effects of an increased size limit for largemouth bass on fish population in West Point reservoir The effect of nutrient inflow reduction on the fish population and fishery of Lake Jackson Objectives and guidelines for aquatic plant management in Georgia A survey of the sport fisheries of four major reservoirs in southwest Georgia Investigations into the biology and potential fishery for the flathead catfish (Pylodictis olivaris) in the lower Flint River Evaluation of optimum stocking rate of striped bass fry in hatchery rearing ponds A fisheries survey of the Ogeechee river Temperature selection of striped bass in a Gulf of Mexico coastal river system A black bass exploitation survey on Lake Lanier SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS Species Profiles: Life histories and environmental requirements of coastal fishes and invertebrates (South Atlantic) - brown shrimp. u.s. Fish and Wildlife Service Biological Report 82 (11.80). PUblished in 1989. Recapture rates of voluntarily released largemouth bass. No. Am. J. Fish Mgmt. 9:86-91. Published in 1989. 39 Appendix H: Table showing the Fisheries section maintenance and construction projects in FY1989. 40 Table H-1. Facility maintenance and construction projects in FY1989. Project Project Description Non-capital" Outlay Costs ~ital OUtla)! Costs Fisheries CMP" Total ...........r-> Facility Maintenance and Repair Summerville Hatchery The interior of the hatchery manager's residence was repaired. 3,000 Calhoun Office Interior storage and boat storage were added. 28,845 McDuffie Hatchery Hatchery production ponds were repaired. 24 244 76 202 221 Cordele Hatchery The catfish spawning areas were repaired. 19,546 21,928 178 Richmond Hill Hatchery Supplies and materials to be used to repair the hatchery production ponds in FY1990 were purchased. 4,854 Big Lazer Public Fishing The check-in station, dam, earthen fishing pier, outlet stream 30,597 203 Area channel and service road of the public fishing area were repaired or improved. Statewide Emergency Repairs Some renovation work was done on Burton Hatchery residence. 10,145 New Construction Buford Hatchery Residence A screened in porch on new residence (funded in FY1988) at .f:'- Buford Hatchery was constructed. 1--' Buford Hatchery Shop/Storage Building A new shop and storage building were constructed. 4,032 59,686 Buford Hatchery CaCL, Project Two raceways were modified and additional pumps and piping added so that CaCl could be added on an experimental basis. 4,502 Walton Office Additions Three additional offices, a conference room, and a lab room were added and other modifications and improvements were made to the Walton Regional Office. 63,467 Walton Office Storage Building A new storage building was constructed at the Walton Office. 28,350 McDuffie PFA and Hatchery A new storage building was constructed at the McDuffie PFA and Storage Building Hatchery. 94,094 Bowens Mill Storage Building A new storage building was funded for Bowens Mill Hatchery. 71,996 Richmond Hill Residence A porch and some additional block work were added to the new Richmond Hill residence (funded in FY1988). 4,932 Dodge County Public Fishing Area Ebasco Services, Inc. was contracted to design, surpervise, and inspect construction of the public fishing area. 167,900 Project Fort Valley Office Boat Ramp Construction Sub - Total Fort Valley Administrative Costs Atlanta Administrative Costs Total Expenditures Project Description A new office facility was purchased for the Region IV Fisheries staff in Fort Valley, Georgia. The Old River Road Boat Ramp on the Coosa River in Floyd County was constructed ($13,773), two backhoes needed for future construction were purchased ($52,696), land was acquired for boat ramps in Fulton and Atkinson counties ($32,000), and $33,586 was spent on appraisals, repairs to equipment, and supplies that could not be attributed to a single site or specific project. Costs and mandays associated with operation and administration of the statewide facility maintenance and repair and boatramp construction programs that are not directly applicable to a specific project are listed. Calculated prorate share of non-capital outlay expenses applied to management of capital outlay projects. lon-Capitat OUtlay Costs 74,387 117,344 68,500 260,231 C!(!ital OUtl~ Costs Fisheries CfiP5 87,000 132,055 718,014 144,974 718,014 144,974 Total IWdays 80 682 448 75 1,205 Non-capital outlay expenditures of the Fisheries Section assigned to specific projects as well as the administrative costs of both the Fort Valley and ~ Atlanta offices. ~ b The capital outlay funding for these projects was provided through the Consolidated Maintenance Program funded through the Game and Fish Division budget. Those funds are not included in the Section expenditures.