Fisheries Section annual report, fiscal year 1996

. FISHERIES SECTION ANNUAL REPORT Fiscal Year 1996
July 1, 1995- June 30, 1996
Wildlife Resources Division Department of Natural Resources
Social Circle, Georgia

Table of Contents

SUBJECT

PAGE

Overview of Fisheries Section Activities

1

Map of Fisheries Section region boundaries

2

Appendices:

A. Facts about fishing in Georgia, fisheries related revenues earned

4

and Fisheries Section expenditures

B. Private waters management

8

C. Public waters management

11

D. Trout production

16

E. Warmwater hatchery production

21

F. Public fishing area operation

26

G. Resource studies

28

H. Maintenance and construction

31

I.

Fisheries Section program descriptions

34

Fisheries Sect.ion Activities
Fishing is the most popular wildlife-related activity in Georgia, enjoyed by every age group. More than 1.15 million resident anglers use the State's diverse freshwater fishery resources that offer more than 4,000 miles of trout streams, 12,000 miles of warmwater streams wider than ten feet, and 500,000 acres of impoundments. Anglers spend more than $448 million yearly on fishing in Georgia. The ongoing programs of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division, Fisheries Section (Section) during fiscal year 1996 (FY1996) included the management of public waters, development and management of public fishing areas, technical guidance on private waters, development and maintenance of boating-access facilities, production and stocking of trout and warmwater fish, production of aquatic education materials and services, and survey projects and studies designed to benefit these resources. Detailed information on the Section's activities and program costs are listed in the tables in Appendices A-H. The Section's program is administered from the Wildlife Resources Division headquarters office in Social Circle and from the seven regional offices, located statewide (Figure 1).
The Section's aquatic education efforts continued to grow in FY1996. The "Lake Ecosystem" poster, the first in the "Aquatic Habitats" poster series, was reprinted after developing new background and activities for inclusion on the reverse poster side. The "Freshwater Wetlands" poster was also updated and reprinted. These posters, along with the accompanying background information and lesson plans, help educators teach about aquatic resources. The Section initiated development of a Georgia trout stream map in association with the Center for Remote Sensing and Mapping Science in Athens, Georgia. The 22 "x 35", three-color map will be available in 1997 for distribution to the public. Kids Fishing Events (KFE's) continue to increase in popularity with 313 events held and 20,089 children attending in FY1996. Approximately 26% of the children were beginners and 79% caught at least one fish. Event sponsors were encouraged to promote the Section's KFE goals: to have fun; learn how to fish safely; follow rules; catch a fish; and touch a fish.
The robust redhorse, an imperiled fish species, was discovered in the early 1990's in the Oconee River below Sinclair Dam during the initial phases of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) re-licensing process for the Georgia Power Sinclair Project. Since that time, Fisheries Section staff have conducted research and monitoring efforts regarding the habits, habitats, and reproductive success of this species. In August of 1995, Georgia Power Company submitted a license renewal application to FERC for the Sinclair Project. In the new license, priority was given to meeting the flow requirements for the early life stages of the robust redhorse. In conjunction with efforts to protect the only known reproducing population in the Southeast, fisheries staff have experimentally begun to work with other resource agencies to artificially produce this species at state and federal fish hatchery facilities. Successful spawning and rearing techniques were developed and have resulted in the production of 545 juvenile robust redhorse that were released into the Broad River in June and August of 1995. An additional 40,000 three to five inch fingerlings were inventoried from and re-stocked into hatchery ponds in December 1995. This group will be harvested again in the fall of 1996; surviving juveniles will be stocked into the Broad River. Recovery efforts directed toward this fish species in Georgia and the Carolinas is coordinated by the Robust Redhorse Conservation Committee (RRCC), a coalition of public agencies, private companies and concerned groups that formed in October 1995 to work toward the species protection and recovery.
1

Region I - Calhoun

Region II Gainesville
Region Ill Walton

Grady Thomas

Region V Albany

Region VI Waycross

Region II Richmond Hill

Figure 1. Fisheries regions in Georgia and location of regional offices.

2

An unauthorized introduction of the flathead catfish into the Ocmulgee River in the late 1970's led to an expansion of this species throughout the Altamaha River system by the early 1990's. Shortly after flatheads became established in the lower Altamaha River, Section staff began concentrating efforts on assessing the size and extent of this population and the impact it has on native fish populations. Public concerns have focused on the impact this voracious predator has on native redbreast sunfish populations. Section flathead catfish activities in FY1996 included: 1) conducting mark/recapture experiments in July and August 1995 to assess population densities from two, ten-mile portions of river, 2) intensive removal of fish from a specified section of river to evaluate the effectiveness of electrofishing techniques (3,000 pounds of fish removed by electrofishing donated to the Second Harvest food bank), 3) promotion and sponsorship of a flathead catfish tournament to encourage angler interest in the species, and 4) verification of flatheads for the first time from the Satilla River in May 1996. The rapid proliferation of the flathead catfish in the lower Coastal Plain rivers has gained widespread attention and has prompted legislative support for a new fisheries position to work principally on flathead catfish biology and management. This new position will allow the Section to be more aggressive on the issues of flathead management in these rivers.
The Section continued to provide public service in other areas. Sampling continued on Georgia's major reservoirs and streams to detect potential problems and monitor fish populations. Studies designed to identify management needs, assess fish populations, and evaluate ongoing programs were continued. Nearly 4.5 million fish produced at the Section's seven warmwater hatcheries were stocked into 1,992 ponds to establish fish populations in either newly constructed or renovated ponds. The Section had another highly successful season of producing and stocking striped bass and white bass x striped bass hybrid fingerlings in 1996. All production goals were exceeded. Over 1.7 million striped bass and over 4.2 million hybrid fingerlings were raised in Georgia hatcheries and stocked into reservoirs, statewide. In addition, 23,622 advanced phase II (6-8 inch) striped bass, reared at Richmond Hill and Bo Ginn (National) fish hatcheries, were stocked into the Savannah River as part of a continuing effort to re-establish a striped bass brood fish population in that river system. More than 810,000 catchable-sized trout were produced and stocked into Georgia waters from state fish hatcheries with more than 332,000 additional trout stocked from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service hatcheries.
3

Appendix A: Tables showing important facts about fishing in Georgia, information on revenue earned, and expenditures for FY1996.
4

Table A-1. Important facts about freshwater fishing and fishermen in Georgia.

Item
Total resident Georgia anglers 16 years old and older. Total resident Georgia anglers 6 to 15 years old. Total annual fishing trips by Georgia fishermen (16 years old and older). Total days spent fishing each year (16 years old and older). Average days spent fishing each year (16 years old and older). Average one-way mileage traveled on each fishing trip (anglers16 years old and older). 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
891,800 a 259,700 a 13, 114,900 a
14,268,900 a 16 a 21 a
$448,400,000 b
$951,600,000 b 14,700 b
$17,900,000 b

a 1991 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 August 1993. This is the most accurate data currently available.
b The 1991 Economic Impact of Sport Fishing in Georgia published by the Sport Fishing Institute. The calculations are based on data from the "1991 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation."

5

Table A-2.

Revenue (to the nearest dollar) generated by the Fisheries Section from license sales in license year 1995-1996.a

License Sales License Year 1995-1996 (April 1, 1995 to March 31, 1996)

Type of License

Number

Combination Hunting-Fishing

76,540

Resident Fishing

536,294

Resident Trout

114,296

One-Day Fishing

56,194

Non-resident Season Fishing

9,815

Non-resident 7-day Fishing

32,385

Non-resident Season Trout

5.968

Totals

831,492

Revenue
666, 148b 4,505,745
503,195 163,116 229,707 207,338
74.027
6,349,276

a In addition to license sales shown, the Wildlife Resources Division sold 65,634 resident Wildlife Management Area (WMA) stamps for $1,208,245 and 1,280 non~resident Wildlife Management Area stamps for $91,916. These WMA stamps are required to fish on any Public Fishing Area or hunt on any WMA. No effort is currently made to determine which portion of revenue is generated by which Wildlife Resources Division program.
b This figure represents only half of the revenue generated by this license. The other half is considered generated by hunters.

6

a
Table A-3. Fisheries Section expenditures (thousands of dollars) and mandays by region and program in FY1996.

PROGRAM

---------------------------------COST----------------------------------

b

TOTAL

Headquarters

II

111

IV

V

VI

VII

TOTAL MANDAYS

Private Waters Management

30.8 51.7

9.6 54.9 40.6 40.5 68.2 41.1

337.4

1,700

Public Waters Management

281.8 316.4 539.3 455.8 345.9 389.0 516.5 243.9 3,088.6 12,221

Aquatic Plant Control

0.2

105.9

106.1

333

Trout Production/Stocking

65.4 95.8 555.6

716.8

3,147

Warmwater Hatcheries

114.1 28.6

29.1 221.3 25.0 377.9 157.4 297.1 1,250.5

5,663

Aquatic Education

57.6 24.8

50.3 49.2 42.6 31.9 25.8 19.3

301.5

1,558

Public Fishing Areas

78.4 67.7

72.7 357.2

283.5

859.5

3,900

Resource Studies

22.0 35.7

56.6 82.1 10.2 26.5

7.7

240.8 1,464

Facility Maintenance and New Construction

733.5 21.8

42.9 683.4 24.2

5.0 13.0 1,523.8

1,489

Total

C
1,383.8 642.5 1,240.5 978.9 1,610.8 890.0 1,056.4 622.1 8,425.0 31,475

a
These figures may differ somewhat from the final 6/96 Fiscal Accounting and Control System (FAGS) priritout since errors in the FAGS printout were corrected for this report.
b
Expenses of Headquarters Office, with the exception of Aquatic Education and Facility Maintenance and New Construction, were prorated as administrative costs to all programs. Mandays for the Headquarters Office were also prorated based on regional effort.
C
Total Dingell-Johnson funds expended to support the Fisheries Section program in FY1996 were $3,213,435.

Appendix B: Tables showing information on the Fisheries Section Private Waters Management Program in FY1996.
8

Table B-1. Number of field investigations on private waters in each region in FY1996.

Region

Balance

Aquatic Plant
Control

Fish Prestocking

General

Kill

Check Management

Region Totals

0/o of Total

II

111

IV

co

V

VI

VII

Statewide Totals 0/o of Grand Total

48 6
231 135 134
36 31 621 570/o

43

2

3

3

7

1

60

26

14

26

9

5

3

2

34

53

9

13

18

4

182

117

36

170/o

110/o

3%

1 7 57 9 1 52 2 129 12%

97 24 388 184 140 184 68 1,085 1000/o

9% 2% 36% 17% 13% 170/o 6% 1000/o

Table B-2. Total number and acres of private ponds stocked with fingerling largemouth bass, bream and channel catfish in FY1996. These fish are provided to pond owners to establish fishable populations in newly constructed or renovated ponds.

Region

Bass-bream ponds stocked

Percent stocked at fertilized rate

Number

Acres Number

Acres

Number and species stocked

Bluegill

Redear Largemouth Channel

sunfish

bass catfish

Catfish only ponds stocked
Number Acres

92

201

0

0

84,755

4,935

9,985 14,485

25

30

II

37

174

0

0

69,400 17,350

8,675 16,820

25

25

Ill

257

1,136

3

3

403,550 93,465

50,648 107,858

166

281

.....

IV

0

V

187

1,271

228

1,797

14

18

492,750 117,550

75,400 63,310

6

2

610,600 141,650

75,950 109,350

41

173

133

542

VI

449

2,944

2

2 1,149,200 281,240 144,335 199,485

262

540

VII

57

276

0

0

89,500 21,000

6,415 20,080

29

207

Statewide totals

1,307

7,798

4

5 2,899,755 677,190 371,408 531,388

681 1,797

Appendix C: Tables showing information on the Fisheries Section Public Waters Management Program in FY1996.
11

Table C-1. Aquatic plant management activities in FY1996.

Body of Water

County

Target Pest

Control Method

Acres Treated

No. of

Cost($) of

Treatments Treatment

Management Objectives; Treatment Effectiveness

Treatments in Reservoirs and Lakes

Blackshear

Crisp/Worth

Giant Cutgrass

Rodeo, 0.8 gal/acre,

5.3

Worth/Dooley/

Nalcotrol II, 0.2 gal/acre,

Sumter

Driftgon, 0.2 gal/acre

1

860 Stop invasion, improve

access; good success with

control

Blackshear

Sarne as above

Srnartweed, Alligatorweed, Primrose, Giant
Cuti:irass

Rodeo, 0.8 gal/acre Windbrake,0.2 gal/acre

26.6

2

3,520 Improve access; good

success with control

Blackshear

Sarne as above Primrose,

Aquathol, 300 lbs/acre

5

Maidencane,

....

Waterrnilfoil, Allii:iatorweed

Blackshear

Sarne as above Alligatorweed

Flea beetle introductions

50

lakewide

1

2,888 Open boat trails; good

success with control

1

469 Maintain access:fair

success

Blackshear

Sarne as above Lynqbya

Aquatic plant

20

introductions of various

types primarily near areas

of historic Lyngbya

infestations

2

15,289 Overall goal is to replace

Lyngbya with more

desirable species.

Survival of those plants

introduced in 1995 was

low. Results from the

plantings in 1996 indicate

only fair success.

Worth

Doughtery

Waterrnilfoil,Giant Sonar (SRP), 25 lbs/acre

6.4

Cutgrass, Lillies,

Bladderwort

1

2,535 Improve access; good

success with control

Worth

Dougherty

Giant Cutgrass

Rodeo, 0.8 gal/acre, Nalcotrol II, 0.2 gal/acre, Driftgon, 0.2 gal/acre

49.9

3

5,999 Stop invasion, improve

access; good success with

control

Jackson

Butts/Newton Giant Cutgrass,

Rodeo, 0.8 gal/acre,

2.6

Alligatorweed

Nalcotrol II, 0.2 gal/acre,

Driftaon 0.2 aal/acre

1

1,024 Stop invasion, improve

access; good success with

control

Table C-1. Aquatic plant management activities in FY1996 (cont'd).

Body of Water

County

Target Pest

Control Method

Acres Treated

No. of

Cost($) of

Treatments Treatment

Management Objectives; Treatment Effectiveness

Juliette

Monroe

Eurasian Watermilfoil

Aquakleen (2,4-D), 200 lbs/acre

16.5

2

7,995 Stop spread within lake

and downstream; good

control with minimal

impact to non-targeted

plants

George L. Smith State Park

Emanuel

Cabomba

Aquathol K, 3.6 gals/acre

55

1

9,083 Improve access, open

boat trails;good success

with control

Hunt Pond

Hbuston

Watermeal

Sonar (AS), 1 qt/acre

2

....

Oliver

w

Muscogee

Spiny naiad

Aquathol K, 5.6 gals/acre

5.4

1

1,017 Stop invasion, improve

access; good success with

control

1

1,540 Improve access; good

success with control

Oliver

Muscogee

Spiny naiad

Komeen, 2.4 gals/acre

16.5

1

660 Improve access; good

success with control

Oliver

Muscogee

Lyngbya

Komeen, 10 gals/acre

2

1

591 Improve access; good

success with control

Oliver

Muscogee

Lyngbya

Komeen, 5 gals/acre

2

1

408 Improve access; good

success with control

General Management Activities

All impacted

All impacted

All impacted

Operational Planning

NA

NA

9,715 Administrative planning

associated with all

herbicide treatments,

other management

activities, and reporting.

To be determined

To be determined

To be determined Chemical Purchases

NA

NA

42,280 Utilized available CORPS

funding to purchase

chemicals for future use.

Grand Total

265.2

20

105,873

Table C-2. Fish kills investigated by the Fisheries Section in FY1996.

Type of Fish Kill

Number of Incidents

Fish Killed

Number

Value

Fines collected
by DNR8

Municipal Pollutionb

4

1,110

$925

$13,900

Industrial Pollution

5

7,651

$1,230

$23,500

Agricultural Pesticide

1

5,950

$2,071

$2,071

Disease/Natural

13

8,294

NAC

Undetermined

7

14,777

$3,280

....

Total

+=-

30

37,782

$7,506

$39,471

a Fines collected as of June 30, 1996 by the Environmental Protection Division for the FY1996 fish kills.

b Includes fish kills caused by sewage discharges from county or city waste treatment facilities:

c Estimates of the number of fish killed by disease or natural causes are not normally calculated using accepted fish kill counting guidelines. Estimates for the value of the fish are, therefore, rarely calculated.

Table C-3. Environmental reviews and assessments commented on by the Fisheries Section in FY1996.

Agency

Numbera

Broad River Watershed Association (Grant proposal) Chattahoochie River National Recreation Area - Bowman's Island land exchange Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division Permits and Variances Erosion and sedimentation - 25 ft. Variances Erosion and Sedimentation - Trout Stream Variances (100 ft.) Water Withdrawal Permits Water Quality Certifications
Supplemental Environmental Project Plans Draft Biological Monitoring Plan U.S. Government Agency Permits, Projects and Plans Army Corps of Engineers Permits Army Corps of Engineers Plans and Projects Federal Energy Regulatory Commission License Issues Fish and Wildlife Service Plans Forest Service Plans South Georgia Natural Gas Company, Phase II Expansion Program South Georgia Rivers Conservation Project The Nature Conservancy - Conasauga River Questionnaire Total

1 1
1
136 35 1 1 2 1
3 5 7 4 2 1 1 1 203

a Each project, plan or permit is counted only once, even though the Section may have provided .comments on more-than.one-occasion. Only those projects that the Section prepared comments on are included in these numbers. Numerous other documents were reviewed but not commented on.

15

Appendix D: Tables showing information on the Fisheries Section Trout Production Program in FY1996.
16

a
Table D-1. Trout production (lbs), conversion ratios, and costs at state hatcheries in FY1996.

Hatchery Buford

Net Weight Gain Conversion ratio

Sgecies BROOK RAINBOW BROWN

806 3.38

86,547 1.80

69,629 1.39

Total 156,982
1.63

Burton

Net Weight Gain Conversion ratio

90,045 1.71

25,460 1.32

115,505 1.62

.....

Summerville Net Weight Gain

"'

Conversion ratio

40,186 1.34

40,186 1.34

Total

Net Weight Gain Conversion ratio

806

216,778 95,089

3.38

1.66

1.37

Cost per pound to stock trout from state hatcheries: Total production and distribution costs per pound:

Conversion ratios used in totals are weighted means.
b
Does not include administrative costs of the Headquarters staff.

312,673 1.58

b
Cost

Total

Per lb

$261,258

$1.66

$210,413

$1.82

$63,232

$1.57

$534,903

$1.71

$0.37 $2.08

Table D-2. Number and weight (lbs) of each species of trout stocked into Georgia's public waters from state and federal hatcheries during FY1996.

Facility

BROOK

Number

Weight

RAINBOW

Number

Weight

BROWN

Number

Weight

TOTAL

Number

Weight

STATE HATCHERIES Buford catch ables fingerlings

540

1,236 203,154

74,199 115,412

39,678 319,106 115,113

50,000

2,084

50,000

2,084

Burton catchables fingerlings

322,780 105,898

55,900 26,746

16,925 1,330

378,680 26,746

122,823 1,330

Summerville

catchables
....

00

FEDERAL HATCHERIES

Chattahoochee

catchables

103,078

37,022

9,205

3,038 112,283

40,060

322,825 116,537

322,825 116,537

Walhalla catchables

10,000

3,001

10,000

3,001

Others fingerlings

25,000

385

25,000

385

TOTAL catchables fingerlings

540

1,236 961,837 336,657 180,517

59,641. 1,142,894 397,534

25,000

385

76,746

3,414. 101,746

3,799

Table D-3. Number and weight (lbs) of catchable trout by species and habitat type stocked from all hatcheries in FY1996.

Facility

BROOK

RAINBOW

BROWN

TOTAL

Number Weight Number Weight Number Weight Number Weight

STREAMS BY COUNTY

Bartow

11,050 4,158 1,131

392 12,181 4,550

Catoosa

1,900

695

200

69

2,100

764

Chattooga

4,227 1,571

198

59

4,425 1,630

Cherokee

1,650

584

1,650

584

Dade

150

61

150

61

Dawson

20

48 14,783 6,733. 7,900 2,690 22,703 9,471

Fannin

20

48 77,915 30,795

25

30 77,960 30,873

Floyd

23,591 8,249 3,422 1,079 27,013 9,328

Gilmer

47,300 15,425

47,300 15,425

Gordon

2,150

735

2,150

735

Habersham

27,378 9,189 7,350 2,352 34,728 11,541

Haralson

8,979 3,297

596

178

9,575 3,475

Lumpkin

130 337 65,907 22,395 25,175 8,205 91,212 30,937

Murray

21,800 7,881 2,050

707 23,850 8,588

Paulding

5,056 1,938

308

107

5,364 2,045

Pickens

8,050 2,770

865

338

8,915 3,108

Polk

1,800

691

100

30

1,900

721

Rabun

30

72 102,657 33,520 21,025 6,494 123,712 40,086

Stephens

33,610 11,369 11,250 3,374 44,860 14,743

Towns

60

142 66,886 22,323 8,255 2,925 75,201 25,390

Union

40

95 82,780 32,004 4,415 1,550 87,235 33,649

Walker

13,300 4,645 1,200

417 14,500 5,062

--W-h-i-te------- ------4-0 ----9-5- .]_0_3..!~~Q --3-4-,6-6-2- ---7-,-3-6-5 ---2-,3-3-3- --1-1-0-,-84-5- 37,090

-T--o-ta-l------- ----3-4-0 ----8-3-7 -7-2-6-,3-5-9- -2-5-5-,6-9-0- -1-0-2-,8-3-0- --3-3-,3-2-9- --8-2-9-,5-2-9- _2~J..!~~~

TAILWATERS

Blue Ridge

24,450 8,298

60

71 24,510 8,369

Hartwell

12,000 3,607

12,000 3,607

--L-a-n-ie-r------ -----2-0-0 ---3-9-9- .]_3_3..!Q~~ --4-6-,5-9-2- 74,527 --2-5-,5-5-0- 207,800' --7-2-,5-4-1-

-T--o-ta-l------- ----2-0-0- ---3-9-9- ]~J..!~g~ --5-8-,4-9-7- --7-4-,5-8-7- --2-5-,6-2-1- --2-4-4-,3-1-0- --8-4-,5-1-7-

SMALL LAKES

Black Rock

2,205

698 1,300

290

3,505

988

Conasauga

1,525

465

1,525

465

Dockery

9,500 3,545

9,500 3,545

Nancytown

14,200 4,281 1,800

401 16,000 4,682

Rock Creek

13,000 4,501

13,000 4,501

Vogel

5,325 1,689

5,325 1,689

--W-i-n-fi-e-ld--S-c-o-tt ------- ------ --2-0-,2-0-0- ---7-,2-9-1- ------- ------- ---2-0-,2-0-0- ---7-,2-9-1-

-T--o-ta-l------- ------- ------ -~.?..!~~~ --2-2-,4-7-0- ---3-,1-0-0- -----69-1- ---6-9-,0-5-5- __?_3..!l~l

GRAND TOTAL

540 1,236 961,837 336,657 180,517 59,641 1,142,894 397,534

19

Table D-4. Number and weight (lbs) of fingerling trout by species and habitat type stocked from all hatcheries in FY1996.

Facility

BROOK

RAINBOW

BROWN

TOTAL

Number Weight Number Weight Number Weight Number Weight

STREAMS BY COUNTY

Rabun

25,000 1,250 25,000 1,250

Stephens

746

11

746

11

--W-h-i-te------- ------- ------ -------- ------- ----1-,-0-00- ------6-9 - 1,000 ------69-

-T--o-ta-l------- ------- ------

---2-6-,-7-4-6 1,330 ---2-6-,-7-4-6 ---1-,-3-3-0

TAILWATERS

Blue Ridge

25,000

385

25,000

385

Lanier

------- ------ --------

---5-0-,-0-0-0 2,084 ---5-0-,0-0-0- ---2-,-0-8-4

-T--o-ta-l------- ------- ------ ___?J.!QQQ ----3-8-5- ---5-0-,-0-0-0 ---2-,-0-8-4 ---7-5-,-0-0-0 2,469

GRAND TOTAL

25,000

385 76,746 3,414 101,746 3,799

20

Appendix E: Tables showing information on the Fisheries Section Warmwater Hatchery Production Program in FY1996.
21

Table E-1. Total numbers and cost per fish of warmwater species produced at state

hatcheries in FY1996.

Number

a
Cost Per

Species

Acres

Number

Per Acre

Fish($)

Bluegill Fingerling

26.52 5,025,558

189,501

0.042

Redear sunfish Fingerling

7.29 1,061,309

145,584

0.065

Largemouth bass Fingerling

10.94

697,472

63,754

0.151

Channel catfish Fry Fingerling Intermediate Harvestable

8.10 8.39 25.25 4.64

2,297,559 890,939 336,351 25,516

283,649 106,191
13,321 5,499

0.029 0.101 0.597 1.732

Striped bass Fry Fingerling Intermediate

b
11.31 1.20

3,451,000 1,726,167
3,540

b
152,623 2,950

0.013
0.035 4.150

Hybrid striped-white bass Fry Fingerling

b
3.00

3,100,000 142,228

b
47,409

0.013 0.156

Hybrid white-striped bass Fry Fingerling

b
20.66

13,340,000 4,130,576

b
199,931

0.013 0.038

Shoal bass Fingerling

3.30

108,752

32,955

0.457

Totals (all sizes)

C
130.60 36,336,967

d
125,926

d
0.039

a
Cost of each production phase includes cost of previous phase.
b
Not Applicable, these fry were hatched in jars and 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.

22

Table E-2. Number of each warmwater fish species produced at state hatcheries in FY1996.

Species

Summerville

Walton McDuffie Cordele

Steve Cocke

Bowens Richmond

Mill

Hill

Total

Bluegill Fingerling

Redear sunfish Fingerling

Largemouth bass Fingerling

Channel catfish

Fry

Fingerling

Intermediate

Harvestable

w N

Striped bass

Fry

Fingerling

Intermediate

Hybrid striped-white bass Fry Fingerling

Hybrid white-striped bass Fry Fingerling

Shoal bass Fingerling

159,449 518,162 698,797

916,443 1,582,586 1,150,121 5,025,558

107,200 240,400

172,630 278,670

262,409 1,061,309

119,480 116,814

75,500 231,935

153,743

697,472

104,728 4,988

670,000 252,400
25,728 15,162

1,627,559
50,426 4,104

170,433 197,579
6,250

228,578

134,800 57,630

2,297,559 890,939 336,351 25,516

921,982

645,314

3,451,000 158,871 3,540

3,451,000 1,726,167
3,540

3,100,000 142,228

3,100,000 142,228

685,474

939,446

13,340,000 13,340,000 857,251 1,648,405 4,130,576

61,087

47,665

108,752

Totals (all sizes)

159,449 1,540,032 2,941,283 2,682,622 2,231,814 3,179,020 23,602,747 36,336,967

Table E-3. Cost per fish (dollars) warmwater fish species produced at state hatcheries in FY1996.

Species

Summerville

Walton McDuffie Cordele

Steve Cocke

Bowens
Mill

Richmond Hill

Bluegill Fingerling

0.091

0.016

0.017

0.069

0.032

0.052

Redear sunfish Fingerling

a

0.084

0.036

0.094

0.055

0.055

Largemouth bass Fingerling

0.114

0.130

0.074

0.227

0.117

Channel catfish

Fry

Fingerling

Intermediate

N

Harvestable

.J:l,

Striped bass

Fry

Fingerling

Intermediate

0.086 1.738

0.014 0.071 0.541 1.100

0.036
2.106 5.698

0.118 0.226 0.660

0.036

0.014

0.118

0.118 0.476
0.013 0.116 4.150

Hybrid striped-white bass Fry Fingerling

0.013 0.156

Hybrid white-striped bass Fry Fingerling

0.016

0.026

0.076

0.013 0.034

Shoal bass

Fingerling

0.393

0.538

a

A total of $5,072 was expended to produce redear sunfish, but production was not realized due to contamination of the

fish population with green sunfish.

Table E-4. Number of warmwater fish distributed from state hatcheries in FY1996. 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

Kid's Fishing Events

Other Fisheries Agencies

a
Total

Bluegill fingerling

2,899,755

414,985 500,666 20,000

3,835,406

Redear sunfish fingerling

677,190

2,225

130,420

84,500 5,000

899,335

Largemouth bass fingerling

371,408

58,180

30,288

28,660

7,960 6,000

502,496

Channel catfish

fingerling

intermediate

"'0,

harvestable Striped bass

fingerling

intermediate

531,388

16,404

1,583,739

3,027

16,885 2,248

9,150 5,799 47,277 296,624
9,044 19,278

563,222 362,553
28,322

596,704 2,180,443

20,595

23,622

White-striped bass hybrid fingerling

4,078,350

16,770

4,095,120

Shoal bass fingerling

108,102

108,102

Robust redhorse

intermediate

100

Total

4,479,741 5,738,898 141,517 609,968 658,597 352,701

a

Totals do not include fry produced and distributed to other state hatcheries for later production phases.

100 617,299 12,598,721

Appendix F: Tables showing information on the Fisheries Section Public Fishing Area Program in FY1996.
26

Table F-1. Public Fishing Areas cost data for FY1996.

Region Area

Ownership

Number of Lakes

Acreage Open to Fishing

Total Operating Cost($)

Arrowhead

State

2

25.3

67,721

111

McDuffie

State

13

118.0

72,693

IV

Baldwin Forest

State

5

31.0

42,166

IV

Rum Creek

GA Power

1

3,600.0

1,617

l'v

-.J

IV

Marben

State

22

285.0

107,230

IV

Big Lazer

State

1

195.0

20,186

VI

Paradise

State

71

414.0

143,258

VI

Evans County

State

3

114.0

64,322

VI

Dodge County

State

1

104.0

75,281

VI

Treutlen County

Private

1

189.0

1,673

Total

5,075.3

596,147

Appendix G: Tables showing information on the Fisheries Section Resource Studies in FY1996.
28

Table G-1. Cost for resource studies in each region during FY1996.

Region Northwest (I) Northeast (II) East Central (Ill)
West Central (IV) Southwest (V)
Coastal (VII) Headquarters Total

Study Title
Development of a Stream Classification System for Evaluating Trout Stocking in Georgia
Evaluation of Walleye Introductions into Lakes Burton and Seed
Standardized Sampling of Wild Trout Streams
Evaluation of Non-Reporting in a Reward Tagging Study
Critical Temperature/Duration of Exposure Model for Sub-Adult and Adult Brown and Rainbow Trout
Creel Census of Richard B. Russell Tailwaters
Effects of Watershed Use on Stream Fish Communities
Effects of Hydrilla on Water Quality in Lake Seminole
Evaluation of Shoal Bass Stocking
Comparison of Estimates Generated by Two Creel Clerks on Lake Walter F. George
Reproduction of Striped Bass in the Ogeechee River
Administrative

Cost($) 35,692 32,000 24,617 10,000 . 7,200 64,926 10,234 14,500 8,000 3,994 7,700 21,974
240,837

29

Table G-2. Final reports and publications completed by the Fisheries Section in FY1996.

Author Grizzle, J. M., Mauldin II, A. C. Keefer, L. C.
Meronek, T. G.

Publication
Effect of Calcium on Acute Toxicity of Sodium Chloride to Larval and Newly Transformed Juveni~e Striped Bass. Journal of Aquatic Animal Health _7(4):298-303.
Changes in Shad-Largemouth Bass Dynamics and Sport Fishery Following a Disease Caused Fish Kill. Published in the FortyNinth Annual Proceedings of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies.
Striped Bass Reproductive Success in the Ogeechee River. Final report on Sport Fish Restoration Project.

30

Appendix H: Table showing the Fisheries Section maintenance and construction projects in FY1996.
31

Table H-1. Facility maintenance and construction projects statewide during FY 1996.

Project Public Fishing Area / Hatchery Repair Boat Ramp Repair & Maintenance
Bacon County Public Fishing Lake
Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center Development (Marben PFA)

Project Description

TotalCost

Repairs were made to the upper lake dam on Evans County Public Fishing Area. A water control structure was installed and the dam rebuilt on pond #4 at Baldwin Forest PFA.
Inspections were co_mpleted on all ramps statewide during the year and most were inspected on a number of occasions. Personnel assisted the Coastal Resources Division with a major repair of the boat ramp on the Champney River in McIntosh County. Major repairs were made on the boat ramp on the Oconee River at Dyar Pasture. The existing service pier at the boat ramp at Idle Hour Park on Bartletts Ferry Lake was resurfaced, a second service pier constructed, and a paved walkway was added at this heavily used site. The entrance road was paved and parking area resurfaced with aggregate at the boat ramp on the Ocmulgee River at SR83. Changes in the river hydrology as a result of the 1994 flood continued to cause damage to the ramp at SR49 on the Flint River. Erosion around the ramp was filled and covered with riprap. Riprap was also used to armor a shoreline where erosion threatened to damage the parking area at the same site.

57,532 367,929

The Department of Natural Resources entered into an agreement with Bacon County to provide mapping and environmental services at a proposed public fishing area site in Bacon County. The actual work will be completed in later fiscal years.

28,000

Poured concrete boat ramps were constructed at lakes Bennett and Margery. A pre-existing concrete log ramp was removed before construction could begin at Lake Margery. A boat ramp was also constructed at Dairy Lake and a service ramp at Clubhouse Lake. Piers were installed adjacent to the boat ramps at Fox, Bennett, Dairy and Margery lakes. Parking areas were improved (enlarged or added) at Margery, Bennett, Dairy, Fox, Pigeonhouse, Lower Raleigh, and Crossroads lakes. Parking areas were also fenced at Margery, Dairy, Bennett, and Shepherd Lakes. The Fox Lake access road was widened and drainage improved. Access roads throughout the area were maintained and/or improved as necessary with the addition of aggregate rock, clearing and construction of ditches, placement of culverts, and grading. Wheelchair access
facilities installed or constructed on Marben Public Fishing Area during FY1996 included a bio-composting
type restroom, service pier (ADA level 1), parking pad and walkways at Fox Lake, fishing pier at Clubhouse Lake, and tackle shelves and rod holders at wheelchair fishing stations on Shepard Lake. Floating fishing piers were constructed and installed at Pigeonhouse, Dove, and Dairy lakes. A pavilion was constructed over a concrete pad at Dove Lake. Angler access trails were built and/or improved at Crossroads, Lower Raleigh, Upper Raleigh, Little Raleigh, Dairy, Pigeonhouse, Whitetail, Boar, and Allen lakes. Three bridges were constructed along these trails. Picnic tables were placed at Whitetail, Dove, Fox, Pigeonhouse, Bennett, and Allen lakes. Shade trees were planted around picnic and parking areas and at angler access points. A gravel road was built from Marben Farms Road to Pigeonhouse Lake. Dam emergency spillways were cleared and improved at Greenhouse, Pigeonhouse, and Allen Lakes and a PVC siphon system was installed at Piaeonhouse Lake.

186,002

Table H-1, (cont'd). Facility maintenance and construction projects statewide during FY 1996.

Boat Ramp Construction
(,.) (,.)

Five boating access sites were constructed at the following locations: Brier Creek at State Route 73 in Screven County; Savannah River at Poor Robin Landing in Screven County; Canoochee River at State Route 169 in Evans County; South Newport River at State Route 25 in McIntosh County; and Alapaha River off State Route 94 in Echols County. The Brier Creek ramp (40' x 12') was built on state DOT right-of-way. The Poor Robin ramp (120' x 21 ') was constructed on property leased from Screven County and includes a gravel parking area constructed to accommodate 20 vehicles. The Canoochee River ramp (40' x 20') was constructed on the state DOT right-of-way and includes a gravel parking area to accommodate 20 vehicles. The South Newport River ramp (60' x 20') was constructed on the state DOT right-of-way and included a paved entrance road and parking lot to accommodate 20 vehicles. The Alapaha River ramp (60' x 20') was constructed on the state DOT right-of-way and includes a gravel parking area to accommodate 20 vehicles. Site preparation was completed for a new boat ramp on Ebenezer Creek off State Route 275 in Effingham County on land leased to the Department of Natural Resources by the county. A boating access facility was constructed on the 84 acre lake at Evans County Public Fishing Area . Features include a paved ramp (60' x 24'1, two adjacent service piers, paved handicapped parking area and sidewalk, and gravel parking area. Two miles of gravel road were constructed on the Tuckahoe Wildlife Management Area in Screven County to provide access to a scheduled construction site on the adjacent Savannah River. A service pier was installed at a recently constructed boat ramp on the Chattahoochee River in Columbus, Georgia. Plans were finalized and permits obtained for the construction of new boat ramps on the Chattahoochee River at Campbellton Road in Fulton County, the Chattahoochee River off State Route 1 in Heard County, Lake Seminole off State Route 253 in Seminole County, Turner's Creek off State Route 257 in Chatham County, Ocmulgee River off State Route 182 in Ben Hill County, and Little River off State Route 76 in Cook County.

257,899

Summerville Holding House

A contract was let for the construction of a new 42' x 61 ' concrete block fish holding house at the Summerville Fish Hatchery. Construction on this project will be completed in FY 1997.

265,037

Summerville Storage Building

A contract was let for the construction of a 50'x60' prefabricated metal storage building at the Summerville Fish Hatchery. Construction will be completed in FY 1997.

61,100

Richmond Hill Hatchery

Funds were obligated for construction of a warehouse electric hoist structure. Actual work will be completed in FYl 997.

6,000

Headquarters Administrative Costs
ITotal Exeenditures

This is the calculated prorated share of non-capital outlay expenses applied to management of capital outlay projects by the Headquarters staff.
I

294,301
I I 1,523,000

a Includes funding provided through the Consolidated Maintenance Program of the Wildlife Resources Division's budget. Monies expended from this fund are not included in the Fisheries Section expenditures.

Appendix I: Narrative descriptions of Fisheries Section programs. 34

WILDLIFE RESOURCES DIVISION FISHERIES MANAGEMENT SECTION
Program Description

Fishing is the most popular wildlife related activity in Georgia, enjoyed by over 1. 15

million anglers representing 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. Anglers spend almost $500 million yearly on

fishing in Georgia which generates an estimated 14,700 jobs and has a total economic

impact of over $900 rriillion. 1 It is the responsibility of the Fisheries Section to manage and

protect the freshwater aquatic habitats that support this valuable recreational activity and

to improve whenever possible the quality of fishing. The Section's activities are funded

primarily through license fees which are collected into and then appropriated from the

general fund and from federal funds derived by a user tax on fishing tackle and motorboat

fuels. The following information provides a brief description of the major programs used

to meet the Section's responsibilities.



1. Program: Fisheries Management in Public Waters
Description: This program includes a number of activities designed to protect fish and their aquatic habitat and/or improve the quality of fishing. These activities include the development of fishing laws and regulations, reservoir fish attractor construction and maintenance, pollution and fish kill investigations, environmental reviews and assessments, aquatic education and technical assistance to other environmental agencies and to cities, counties and military bases. Tasks such as these account for about 39% of the Section's annual expenditures. Some examples of these activities are:
Fish Kill Investigations. Technical Assistance and Environmental Reviews
Fisheries personnel investigate, on the average, 45 fish kills per year during which over 200,000 fish die. These fish kills, if caused by pollution, are reported to the Environmental Protection Division for enforcement action. Fisheries biologists assist the Environmental Protection Division in enforcing provisions of Georgia's Erosion and Sedimentation Control law by evaluating the ecological impacts of projects proposed in stream buffers. Fisheries management assistance is provided each year to agencies such as the DNR Parks, Recreation and Historic Sites Division, to the Jekyll Island and Stone Mountain authorities, and to cities, counties and to military bases. In addition, the Section staff reviews permits and applications for water supply lakes, flood control projects, drinking water intakes, power plants, and numerous other developmental activities, all of which often impact the state's fisheries resources. The Section recommends actions which will help

1The 1991 Economic Impact of Sport Fishing in Georgia published by the Sport Fishing Institute. The calculations are based on data from the 1991 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 August 1993.
35

protect or enhance fish populations and sport fishing activities when these development activities occur.
Aquatic Education
The Aquatic Education Program consists of three key components: Youth Education; Adult Education; and Kids Fishing. Youth Education involves training educators to use Aquatic Project WILD (APW), an award winning environmental and conservation program of instructional workshops and supplementary curriculum materials for kindergarten through twelfth grade teachers. About 1,000 educators are trained annually to use APW in their classrooms. Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) staff also use APW materials when giving presentations to youth in schools and at WRD facilities. Educational materials, including posters and lesson planning material, are produced to assist educators teaching youth about aquatic resources.
Adult Education consists primarily of producing materials such as the annual Freshwater and Saltwater Sport Fishing Regulations, news releases, public service announcements, brochures and programs. Fish identification aids, fish consumption advisories, how to handle and release fish properly, and suggested places to go fishing are examples of educational material that are included in the fishing regulations booklet. Brochures are produced and updated regularly that offer the public information on where to go fishing, how to get started, and what kind of fishing to expect on major reservoirs and rivers. Fisheries personnel also make presentations to various organizations and staff booths at large events such as the Georgia National Fair and the Atlanta and Perry Fisheramas. Aquatic Education opportunities for all ages are available to visitors at Fisheries Section facilities, where signs and trails provide an opportunity to learn more about what the Section does and why, and about the aquatic resources in the area
Kids Fishing Events (KFE's) are popular community activities that introduce youth under age 16 and their families to the joys of fishing and promote a better understanding of the natural environment. KFE's provide an opportunity for youth to fish, often for the first time, where knowledgeable volunteers are available to assist and where the probability of catching a fish is high. WRD co-sponsors most events by providing channel catfish and trout to enhance fish populations, educational materials for the participants, and technical assistance. KFE's are also conducted by fisheries staff at fish hatcheries and PFA's.
Aquatic Plant Control
The cost of this activity has been shared with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the past several years. Moderate amounts of aquatic plants provide environmental stability in lakes and streams and provide nursery areas for young fish and other organisms. However, particularly noxious plants, often exotic to Georgia, must be controlled through a practical management program. Approved aquatic herbicides, winter lake "drawdowns" and the stocking of sterile grass carp are the most frequent types of control used and recommended by the Section. An average of six
36

water bodies, typically large reservoirs in the southern half of the state, are treated with chemicals each year. Recently, the Section has been focusing more effort on the introduction of beneficial native plants (which are easy to control and provide food for wildlife) to many of our reservoirs. It is hoped that these actions will result in healthy aquatic communities, in which water-based recreation such as swimming, boating and angling can be accommodated.
Aquaculture
Though aquaculture can offer tremendous benefits to sport fish populations, sport fishermen, and the consumer, the operations of the aquaculture industry can have serious negative impacts on both native fish species and established sport fish populations if not carefully regulated. Uncontrolled introductions and stocking of exotic fish, or of fish containing exotic disease organisms are examples of potential problems that may be avoided by effective laws and regulations. In December 1991, this program was initiated to provide planning and coordination of the Department's involvement in the regulation and development of Georgia's aquaculture industry, and to minimize any negative effects on native fisheries resources. The Section responds to requests from persons desiring information on laws regulating fish culture and the sale and transportation of fish. Persons licensed to sell sterile triploid grass carp are periodically inspected to determine compliance with permit conditions.
2. Program: Hatchery Production and Stocking
Description: One method of enhancing the opportunities for recreational fishing statewide is through the stocking of fish. New lakes and ponds can be stocked with fish to establish a sport fish population. Depleted or threatened native populations may be replenished by stocking. New species can be introduced into lakes to create new fishing opportunities. The high demand for limited fish resources can be met by stocking; for example, the demand for trout fishing opportunities cannot be met by Georgia's native trout populations. To buffer pressure on the trout resource and maintain the quality of native trout fishing, trout are reared to a catchable size (about 9 inches) at state hatcheries. These fish are then stocked in selected streams or impoundments to provide a "put and take" trout fishery to help meet the demand for trout fishing opportunities. Hatchery production and stocking account for approximately 26% of the Section's annual expenditures.
There are two types of hatchery production in the state: warmwater fish and trout production.
Warmwater Fish Production and Stocking
The Section produces warmwater fish at seven hatcheries statewide. About 40,000,000 fry, fingerlings and adult fish are raised each year in over 140 acres of hatchery ponds. One example is the production of striped bass for stocking in rivers to re-establish and/or maintain native stocks. Striped bass and striped bass hybrids are also raised for stocking in reservoirs to
37

provide a unique, new fishery and to control forage fish populations. Bluegill, redear sunfish, largemouth bass and channel catfish are produced for stocking ponds, small lakes and new public fishing lakes to establish desirable fish populations. Channel catfish are also produced for Kids Fishing Events.
Trout Production and Stocking
Georgia is the southernmost state in the eastern United States containing significant trout habitat. Over 4,000 miles of trout streams exist in the northern third of the state, primarily in or near the Chattahoochee National Forest. Trout fishing is a very popular activity; however, these streams cannot support the current fishing pressure unless a stocking program is maintained. Three state fish hatcheries and two federal hatcheries work together to produce the trout needed. Through their efforts, approximately 1.1 million trout are stocked into north Georgia.
3. Program: Management of Public Fishing Areas (PFAs)
Description: Public Fishing Areas help meet the demand for boat and bank fishing
opportunities by providing lakes, managed primarily for fishing, in areas of the state where these opportunities are limited. They also provide unique opportunities for public education about the aquatic environment, Kids Fishing Events, etc. These facilities provide an excellent learning environment where children not only can experience fishing as a recreation, but can also be exposed to and learn to value the natural environment. We are presently working to make these facilities an integral part of our efforts to provide more educational opportunities on the aquatic environment both for children and adults. Expenditures on this program utilize about 8% of the Section's annual budget.
4. Program: Fisheries Resource Studies
Description: To determine what actions are needed to protect freshwater aquatic habitats
and to enhance recreational fishing activities, it is critical that the Section understand and evaluate what is occurring in these habitats. Detection of such things as pollution impacts, overharvest of fish species, current sport fish population levels, reservoir water level fluctuation impacts on fish, etc. is needed. For example, annual sampling of the sport fish populations in all major reservoirs and five rivers, which began in 1987, has made it possible for biologists to look for trends and to give anglers a forecast of future fishing opportunities in their favorite water bodies. Many important studies, such as the effect of water levels on walleye populations in Lake Burton, and the documentation of the impacts of the spread of flathead catfish populations in Georgia, have been conducted. This program accounts for about 8% of the Section's annual expenditures.
5. Program: Facility Construction and Maintenance
Description: This program involves the construction of new Public Fishing Areas, boat
access areas on rivers and lakes, the construction or renovation of buildings on existing
38

facilities {such as hatcheries and public fishing areas), and the maintenance of public boat ramps. The Section spends about $200,000 per year on boat ramp construction. Other expenditures vary depending on need and availability of funds. This program accounts for about 15% of the Section's annual expenditures, although this varies significantly from year to year. 6. Program: Technical Assistance to Private Pond Owners Description: Surveys in the state have indicated that in the past, up to 40% of fishing pressure in Georgia has been exerted on small lakes and ponds. Therefore, any_ substantial loss of fishing on small ponds could increase the pressure on public waters which are already heavily used. The Section has for many years provided field diagnostic services and recommendations to private ponds owners to enable them to maintain healthy sport fish populations and good fishing. Problems related to dead or dying fish, fish population balance, excessive aquatic vegetation, muddy water, etc. often can be solved through communication with our biologists and technicians. In addition to numerous phone and office contacts for information, over 1,300 field investigations of private pond problems are made each year. It is important for pond owners to continue to have a source of information on which they can depend for professional advice. Operation of this program currently requires about 4 % of the Section's budget.
39