Fisheries Section annual report, fiscal year 1997

FISHERIES SECTION ANNUAL REPORT Fiscal Year 1997
July 1, 1996- June 30, 1997
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,

5

and Fisheries Section expenditures

B. Private waters management

9

C. Public waters management

12

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

35

Fisheries Section 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 $1. 12 billion yearly on fishing in Georgia. The ongoing programs of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Wildlife Resources Division (WRD), Fisheries Section (Section) during fiscal year 1997 (FY1997) 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 itemized in the tables of Appendices A-H. The Section's statewide program is administered from the WRD headquarters near Social Circle and from seven regional offices located statewide (Figure 1).
The Section contracted a statewide angler telephone survey with the Survey Research Center at the University of Georgia-Athens during FY1997. The objective of this survey was to obtain the opinions of anglers as they pertain to issues that have become a concern to the Section in recent years. A randomly selected sample of 601 telephone respondents were interviewed on a statewide basis. Opinions were obtained on such issues as size and number limits on striped bass, largemo1,1th bass, and crappie; public waters management and stocking practices; flathead catfish control; fishing license availability; overall performance of the Section; and quality of conservation ranger contacts in 1996. Overall, anglers were satisfied with the quality of management and enforcement provided by the Department. Two-thirds of all anglers felt that the stocking rates of striped bass and hybrid striped bass should remain the same with half of those people also advocating a higher stocking rate. Anglers were willing to accept fewer crappie and largemouth bass if those fish they did catch were larger in size. A majority of anglers supported reducing flathead catfish populations in the Altamaha, Ocmulgee, and Oconee rivers, but were opposed to licensed agents using electrofishing as a means to accomplish this. Only eight percent of anglers indicated they had any difficulty obtaining a fishing license in 1996 and, of those, 65 percent did eventually obtain a license. Most opinions obtained by the survey had a sampling error no greater than 4 percent at a 95 percent level of confidence.
Work was completed on a new trout hatching facility at Summerville Fish Hatchery. This was necessary to allow the Section to hatch their own trout to make up for the fingerling trout supply lost when the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service gave the National Fish Hatchery at Wahalla, South Carolina, to the state of South Carolina. Repairs were also made to the raceways at Burton Hatchery. While these activities lowered trout production somewhat during this fiscal year, they should help ensure that future production levels can be met and Georgia's popular trout fishery maintained.
Rocky Mountain Recreation and Public Fishing Area, owned by Oglethorpe Power Company and operated by the Section, opened on May 20, 1997. The 5,000 acre public fishing area features two lakes (200 and 357 acres) open to the public for fishing, boating, and swimming (designated beach area only). Hunting opportunities are available on the area with bow hunting for deer and turkey, and waterfowl hunting on the two lakes open to the
1

Region I - Calhoun

Region II Gainesville
Region Ill Walton

Grady Thom as

Region V Albany

Region V Waycross

Region II Richmond Hill

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

2

public. Other available features include hiking trails, picnic areas, campground, and a group shelter. Public use of the area has been high with an estimated 81, 192 visitors during the first seven months of operation.
The Section also continued to broaden its efforts to restore native Gulf Coast striped bass to the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint (ACF) river system. In addition to collecting brood stock and raising Gulf Coast striped bass fingerlings for stocking, the Section began to enhance springs within the Flint River system that serve as critical striped bass habitat. Cool-water springs in or near the river have deteriorated over time due to sediment deposits. The Section secured the necessary permits and began to remove accumulated deposits thereby increasing output and enhancing the habitat value of these springs for striped bass.
The Section's aquatic education efforts continued to grow in FY1997. Kids Fishing Events (KFEs) increased in popularity with 367 events held and 20,938 children attending in FY1997. Approximately 33% 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. More than 1,700 educators were trained to use Project WILD/Aquatic Project WILD at 80 workshops statewide. These educators will teach at least 25 students each about wildlife, wildlife habitat and how human activities can both benefit and harm wildlife.
The McDuffie Environmental Education Center was established in FY1997 through a partnership of the Georgia DNR and the Georgia Department of Education (DOE). Specifically, DOE personnel from the Technology Center at the National Science Center's "Fort Discovery" and the Central Savannah River Area Regional Education Service Agency (RESA) are collaborating with Section personnel at the McDuffie Public Fishing Area and Fish Hatchery to provide a link between the classroom and the environment through technology. DNR will provide classroom/laboratory facilities, a nature center and trails, resource personnel, and four computers linked to the Internet. Curriculum and technology training will be provided by DOE personnel in conjunction with project GRIP (Georgia Statewide Academic and Medical Systems, Rivers, Internet, Project), a statewide environmental education/technology project initiated during the 1996-97 school year. The education center and planned curriculum will provide a student-centered, real world experience focusing on surface water quality, water and wastewater treatment, groundwater, and natural wetlands.
The Section also published a long-anticipated map of "The Trout Streams of Georgia." This three-color publication highlights all trout waters, streams, rivers and reservoirs, roads, cities, camping areas, fish hatcheries, and public lands in north Georgia. The map's objective was to aid trout anglers, both novice and experienced, in locating new fishing opportunities. Other features include a trout stream index based on stocking frequency, trout species identification, fishing tips and techniques, and additional sources of information. Demand and acceptance of this product, as demonstrated by public response, exceeded all expectations. Trout Unlimited, the U.S. Forest Service, and the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service also provided input on this project.
The robust redhorse, an imperiled fish species, was discovered in the early 1990s in the Oconee River below Sinclair Dam. The Fisheries Section, a signatory to a memorandum of understanding establishing the Robust Redhorse Conservation Committee (RRCC), has committed resources and personnel to keep this species from extinction. In conjunction with
3

the committee's efforts to protect the only known naturally-reproducing population of robust redhorse, Fisheries staff have worked to develop spawning and rearing techniques that have resulted in the production of fingerlings suitable for stocking in natural environments. A total of 3, 104 phase II fingerlings (1995 year class) were harvested in November 1996 from
Georgia WRD hatchery rearing ponds at Walton and McDuffie and U. S. Fish & Wildlife
Service ponds at BoGinn and McKinney Lake. Approximately half (1,424) of these fingerlings were stocked at three separate locations in the Upper Broad River Basin in northeast Georgia. Other fingerlings were distributed to various locations for advanced-rearing trials. Of the 98,000 fry produced in 1996, only about 400 fingerlings have survived as of February 1997. These fish were committed to advanced-rearing facilities at Chehaw, South Carolina, and the University of Georgia-Athens. Production of fry in 1997 totaled 182,000 which were stocked into 12 rearing ponds at six separate fish hatcheries in Georgia and South Carolina. Seven scientific studies relating to spawning requirements, <::ulture techniques, natural reproductive and recruitment success, and genetic diversity of natural stocks were proposed and/or approved by the RRCC as of April 1997. Monitoring of fingerlings stocked into the Broad River began in March 1997.
An unauthorized introduction of the flathead catfish into the Ocmulgee River in the late 1970s led to an expansion of this species throughout the Altamaha River system by the early 1990s. 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 FY1997 included: 1) hiring a biologist and day laborer to work primarily on flathead catfish biology and management, 2) completing a management plan that will be used toward achieving section goals of reducing abundance and preventing the spread of flatheads into other coastal rivers, 3) completion of an angler attitude survey concerning flathead catfish management, 4) drafting a plan on the experimental removal of flathead catfish from a 30-mile stretch of the lower Ocmulgee River, 5) drafting a guide on flathead catfishing angling, 6) posting of signs on rivers having little or no flathead catfish that explain their biology and warn against the introduction of exotic fishes, 7) surveying the creel of anglers fishing the Ocmulgee River, and 8) assessing the distribution and abundance of flathead catfish in the Satilla River.
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. Over 4.8 million fish produced at the Section's seven warmwater hatcheries were stocked into 1,437 ponds to establish fish populations in either newly constructed or renovated ponds. The Section had a successful season of producing and stocking striped bass and white bass x striped bass hybrid fingerlings in FY1997. Nearly one million striped bass and over three million hybrid fingerlings were raised in Georgia hatcheries and stocked into reservoirs, statewide. In addition, 39,090 advanced phase II (8-inch) striped bass, reared at Richmond Hill Fish Hatchery, were micro-tagged and stocked into the Savannah River as part of a continuing effort to re-establish a striped bass brood fish population in that watershed. More than 971,000 "catchable" size trout were produced and stocked into Georgia waters from state fish hatcheries with more than 307,000 additional trout stocked from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service hatcheries.
4

Appendix A: Tables showing important facts about fishing in Georgia, information on revenue earned, and expenditures for FY 1997.
5

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

Item

Number

Total resident Georgia anglers 16 years old and older. Total resident Georgia anglers 6 to 15 years old. Total annual fishing trips by Georgia anglers (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). Total annual expenditure by all resident and non-resident anglers in Georgia (16 years old and older). Economic impact of sport fishing on Georgia's economy. Estimated number of jobs generated. Estimated state sales tax generated from sale of sport fishing related items.

805,000 a 325,000 a 13,466,000 a
15, 171 ,000 a 17 a
$1,121,278,000 b
$2,290,557,000 b 27,800 b
$44,851,000 b

a 1996 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 November 1997. This is the most accurate data currently available.
b The 1996 Economic Impact of Sport Fishing in the United States published by the American Sportfishing Association. The calculations are based on data from the "1996 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation."

6

Table A-2.

Revenue (to the nearest dollar) generated by the Fisheries Section from license sales in license year 1996-1997.a

License Sales License Year 1996-1997 {April 1, 1996 to March 31, 1997)

Type of License

Number

Combination Hunting-Fishing

65,495

Sportsman's

17,665

Resident Fishing

504,516

Resident Trout

105,317

One-Day Fishing

59,676

Non-resident Season Fishing

9,470

Non-resident 7-day Fishing

29,674

Non-resident Season Trout

6.150

Totals

797,963

Revenue 570,003b 519,153b 4,238,867 463,612 173,247 221,640 190,025
76,296 $6,452,843

a In addition to license sales shown, the Wildlife Resources Division sold 61,379 resident Wildlife Management Area (WMA) stamps for $1,129,872 and 1,695 non-resident Wildlife Management Area stamps for $121,731. These WMA stamps are required to fish on any Public Fishing Area or hunt on any WMA. It is not practical to determine what portion of this revenue is generated by fishing.
b This figure represents only half of the revenue generated by this license. The other half is considered generated by hunters.

7

a
Table A-3. Fisheries Section expenditures (thousands of dollars) and mandays by region and program in FY1997.

PROGRAM

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-
b

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

C

O

ST

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-T-O-T-A--L

TOTAL

Headquarters

I

II

111

IV

V

VI

VII

($) MANDAYS

Private Waters Management

32.3 50.9

11 .1 41.4 39.3 40.9 90.0 46.9

352.8

1,638

Public Waters Management

321.5 388.8 560.1 519.4 498.7 437.4 535.8 252.9 3,514.6 12,774

Aquatic Plant Control

2.5

25.1

27.6

82

Trout Production/Stocking

67.6 126.5 544.8

738.9

3,013

Warmwater Hatcheries

96.3 52.6

27.1 221.6 14.4 270.9 149.5 220.8 1,053.2

4,574

Aquatic Education

co

Public Fishing Areas

165.1 23.3 95.9 353.4

52.7

73.9 38.6 73.6 211.1

84.8

32.2 313.9

22.4

493.0 1,047.9

2,051 3,631

Resource Studies

9.3

14.4 69.5

8.0

101.2

1,274

Facility Maintenance and New Construction
Total

714.4 36.1 121.5 39.1 888.1 119.0 65.1 69.8 2,053.1

2,805

C
1,504.9 1,031.6 1,331.7 1,038.5 1,723.3 953.0 1,186.5 612.8 9,382.3 31,842

a
Figures may differ somewhat from the final 6/97 Fiscal Accounting and Control System (FAGS) printout since errors in the FAGS printout were corrected for this report.
b
Headquarters office expenses and workdays were prorated to all programs as administrative support with the exception of Aquatic Plant Control, Aquatic Education, and Facilities Maintenance and New Construction. These three programs include both specific and prorated Headquarters costs.
C
This total includes $3,314,431 federal funds allocated to Georgia from the Sport Fish Restoration program.

Appendix B: Tables showing information on the Fisheries Section Private Waters Management Program in FY1997.
9

Table B-1. Number of field investigations on private waters in each region in FY1997.

Region

Balance

Aquatic Plant
Control

Fish Prestocking

General

Kill

Checks Management

Region

Regional

Totals Percentages

II

111

IV

....

0

V

VI

VII

53

7

3

1

64

7%

10

3

3

6

22

2%

148

30

21

8

25

232

24%

156

27

11

24

29

247

26%

51

2

6

35

94

10%

61

39

37

27

44

208

22%

35

25

3

3

22

88

9%

Statewide Totals % of Totals

514 54%

133

84

62

14%

9%

6%

162 17%

955 100%

100%

Table B-2. Total number and acres of private ponds stocked with fingerling largemouth bass, bream, and channel catfish in FY1997. 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

55

228

2

< 1

85,335

21,335

16,158

11,355

17

53

II

40

143

48,872

12,218

7,157

15,242

26

34

Ill

........

IV

268

1,241

176

766

3

3

491,040 126,060

43,610 112,030

15

18

349,640

87,780

41,043

45,383

151

303

40

151

V

242

1,659

3

2

631,410 149,070

80,890 116,015

152

739

VI

608

4,178

1,425,633 347,170

203,930 236,535

277

727

VII

48

181

71,880

17,970

8,810

16,270

23

37

Statewide Totals 1,437

8,396

3

3 3,103,810 761,603

401,598 552,830

686 2,044

Appendix C: Tables showing information on the Fisheries Section Public Waters Management Program in FY1997.
12

Table C-1. Aquatic plant management activities statewide during FY1 997.

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/ Dooley/Sumter

Smart weed, Alligatorweed, Primrose, Giant cutmass

Rodeo, 0.8 gal/acre, Exactrol-More, 0.2 gal/acre

17.3

2

2,148 8 Stop invasion, improve

access; good success with

control

Blackshear

Crisp/Worth/

Primrose,

Barrage (2,4-D), 0.5

60

Dooley/Sumter Alligatorweed,

gal/acre

Smartweed

3

5, 199 8 Stop invasion, improve

access; good success with

control

Blackshear

Crisp/Worth/

Lyngbya

Dooley/Sumter

Cutrine Plus, 60 lbs/acre

3

1

1,824 Minimize re-growth; good

success with control

Blackshear

Crisp/Worth/

Lyngbya

Dooley/Sumter

Aquatic plant introductions

(,J
Worth

Dougherty

Giant cutgrass, Water hyacinth

Rodeo, 0.8 gal/acre, Exactrol-More, 0.2 gal/acre

5 13.3

1

3,422 Replace Lyngbya with more

desirable species; survival of

introduced plants was fair

1

1,730 8 Stop invasion, improve

access; good success with

control

Jackson

Butts/Newton

Giant cutgrass, Alligatorweed

Rodeo, 0.8 gal/acre, Exactrol-More, 0.2 gal/acre

13.3

1

1,742 8 Stop invasion, improve

access; good success with

control

Oliver

Muscogee

Spiny naiad, Chara, Lyngbya

Komeen, 14 gals/acre

15.1

1

7,371 Improve access; good

success with control

Sinclair

Hancock

Giant cutgrass

Rodeo, 0.8 gal/acre,

6.6

Exactrol-More, 0.2

gal/acre

1

1,622 8 Stop invasion, improve

access; good success with

control

Grand Total

133.6

11

25,058

Chemical costs not included. Chemicals were purchased in FY1996 using 50% U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' funds.

Table C-2. Fish kills investigated by the Fisheries Section in FY1997.

Type of Fish Kill Municipal Pollutionb Industrial Pollution Agricultural Pesticide Undetermined Total

Number of incidents
3 5 2 5 15

Fish killed Number
545 13,578
1,069 4,558 19,750

Value
$146 $2,748
$369 $1,877 $5,140

Fines collected by DNRa
$3,000
$13,354
$1,418
NA
$17,772

a Fines collected as of June 30, 1997, by the Environmental Protection Division for FY1997 fish kills.

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

Table C-3. Environmental reviews and assessments commented on by the Fisheries Section in FY1997.

IAgency and Type of Review

Number

Georgia Department of Natural Resources

Environmental Protection Division Permits and Variances

Erosion and Sedimentation - 25 ft. Variances . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

167

Erosion and Sedimentation - Trout Stream Variances (100 ft.) . .

23

Requests to build ponds on trout streams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

35

Water Withdrawal Permits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1

Proposed Modifications to Water Withdrawal Permit Rules . . . .

1

Chattahoochee River Modeling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1

Chattahoochee/Flint River Basin Plans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1

Lake Hartwell PCB Damage Assessment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1

Wildlife Resources Division

Division Management Plan-Draft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1

U. S. Government Agency Permits, Projects and Plans

Army Corps of Engineers-Permits ...................... .

2

Army Corps of Engineers-Plans and Projects ............... .

3

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission-License Issues ........ .

7

Fish & Wildlife Service-Coordination Act Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2

Fish & Wildlife Service-Resource Conservation Plans ......... .

1

Federal Register-Acts and Proposed Rules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2

Tennessee Valley Authority

Shoreline Management Initiative-Draft EIS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1

Total

249

15

Appendix D: Tables showing information on the Fisheries Section Trout Production Program in FY1997.
16

a Table D-1. Trout production (lbs), conversion ratios, and costs at state hatcheries in FY1997.

Hatchery Buford

Net Weight Gain Conversion ratio

Burton

Net Weight Gain Conversion ratio

Species

BROOK RAINBOW BROWN

1,174 2.10

108,720 1.40

87,589 1.26

64,274 1.44

3,401 1.31

Total
197,483 1.34
C
67,675 1.44

Cost

Total $287,260

Per lb $1.45

$162,207

$2.40

Summerville Net Weight Gain Conversion ratio

39,199 1.17

39,199 1.17

$77,678

$1.98

Total

Net Weight Gain Conversion ratio

1,174 2.10

212,193 1.35

90,990 1.26

304,357 1.33

Cost per pound to stock trout from state hatcheries:
Total production and distribution costs per pound:
a Conversion ratios used in totals are weighted means.
b
Costs do not include administrative costs of the Headquarters staff.
C
Trout production capacity was reduced by 50% during a six month period due to raceway reconstruction.

$527,145

$1.73
$0.39 $2.12

Table D-2. Number and weight (lbs) of each species of trout stocked into Georgia's public waters from state and federal hatcheries during FY1997.

Facility

BROOK

Number

Weight

RAINBOW

Number

Weight

BROWN

Number

Weight

TOTAL

Number

Weight

STATE HATCHERIES Buford catch ables fingerlings

Burton catchables fingerlings

Summerville

catchables

.....
00

fingerlings

109

288 295,421 117,508 285,557

98,087 581,087 215,883

50,000

2,691

50,000

1,164 100,000

3,855

196,794 10,000

68,788 1,379

47,034 24,950

15,558 1,126

243,828 34,950

84,346 2,505

146,662

60,223

146,662

60,223

FEDERAL HATCHERIES Chattahoochee catch ables fingerlings

273,495

95,594

33,820 25,000

9,764 127

307,315 25,000

105,358 127

TOTAL catchables fingerlings

109

288 912,372 342,113 366,411 123,409 1,278,892 465,810

60,000

4,070

99,950

2,417 159,950

6,487

Table D-3. Number and weight (lbs) of catchable trout by species and habitat type stocked from all hatcheries in FY1997.

Locations Stocked

BROOK

RAINBOW

BROWN

Number Weight Number Weight Number Weight

TOTAL Number Weight

STREAMS BY COUNTY

Bartow

Catoosa

Chattooga

Cherokee

Dade

Dawson

Fannin

Floyd

Gilmer

Gordon

Habersham

Haralson

Lumpkin

109 288

Murray

Paulding

Pickens

Polk

Rabun

Stephens

Towns

Union

Walker

--W-h-i-te------- ------ ------

-T--o-ta-l------- ----1-09- ---2-8-8-

TAILWATERS
Blue Ridge
Hartwell
--L-a-n-ie-r------ ------ ------
-T--o-ta-l------- ------ ------

SMALL LAKES Black Rock Conasauga Dockery Nancytown Rock Creek Vogel Winfield Scott
------------ ------ ------T--o-ta-l------- ------ ------
GRAND TOTAL 109 288

16,650 6,941

3,000 1,226

6,900 2,795

1,850

735

150

60

12,975 5,008

65,365 23,910

35,105 14,662.

38,525 13,110

3,250 1,271

22,138 7,985

10,550 4,358

50,740 17,877

31,057 12,786

6,750 2,805

6,430 2,487

2,800 1,115

100,064 35,911

35,586 13,239

57,215 19,657

61,010 21,471

19,675 8,085

-7-9-,-8-3-3- -2-9-,-2-0-7-

6-6-7-,-6-1-8- 2-4-6-,-7-0-1-

6,100 2,037

2,800

671

10,485 3,193

11,942 3,905

40,920 14,006

630

182

21,435 18,979 12,805 13,165

7,200 6,398 4,239 4,109

--1-4,-8-4-9- --4-,-9-8-2-1-5-4,-1-1-0- -5-0-,-9-2-2-

16,650 6,941

3,000 1,226

6,900 2,795

1,850

735

150

60

19,075 7,045

68,165 24,581

35,105 14,662

49,010 16,303

3,250 1,271

34,080 11,890

10,550 4,358

91,769 32,171

31,057 12,786

6,750 2,805

7,060 2,669

2,800 1,115

121,499 43,111

54,565 19,637

70,020 23,896

74,175 25,580

19,675 8,085

---9-4-,6-8-2- -3-4-,-1-8-9-

--8-2-1-,8-3-7- 2-9-7-,-9-1-1-

14,465 4,923 10,200 3,846
-1-5-2,-5-6-4- -6-4-,-3-6-61-7-7-,-2-2-9- -7-3-,-1-3-5-

2,950

716

2-0-2-,-3-5-1- -6-9-,-7-7-12-0-5-,-3-0-1- -7-0-,-4-8-7-

17,415 5,639 10,200 3,846
--3-5-4-,9-1-5- -1-3-4-,1-3-7--3-8-2-,5-3-0- 1-4-3-,-6-2-2-

3,250 1,132

2,625

999

12,000 3,259

10,500 3,082

10,850 4,256

2,950 1,043

25,350 8,506
------- -------

-6-7-,-5-2-5- -2-2-,-2-7-7-

912,372 342,113

2,000

611

1,000

263

4,000 1,126
------- --------7-,-0-0-0- --2-,-0-0-0-
366,411 123,409

3,250 1,132

2,625

999

14,000 3,870

11,500 3,345

10,850 4,256

2,950 1,043

29,350 9,632
-------- -------

---7-4-,5-2-5- -2-4-,-2-7-7-

1,278,892 465,810

19

Table D-4. Number and weight (lbs) of fingerling trout by species and habitat type stocked from all hatcheries in FY1997.

Locations Stocked

RAINBOW Number Weight

BROWN Number Weight

TOTAL Number Weight

STREAMS BY COUNTY

Rabun
----------------- ------- -------

Total
----------------- ------- -------

TAILWATERS

Blue Ridge

Lanier

50,000 2,691

Nottely

10,000 1,379

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

Total

60,000 4,070

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

GRAND TOTAL

60,000 4,070

24,950 1,126
------- -------
24,950 1,126
------- -------

25,000 50,000

127 1,164

------- -------
75,000 1,291
-------- -------
99,950 2,417

24,950 1,126
-------- -------
24,950 1,126
-------- -------

25,000

127

100,000 3,855

10,000 1,379
-------- -------

135,000 5,361
-------- -------

159,950 6,487

20

Appendix E: Tables showing information on the Fisheries Section Warmwater Hatchery Production Program in FY1997.
21

Table E-1. Total numbers and cost per fish of warmwater species produced at state hatcheries in FY1997.

Species

Acres

Number

Number Per Acre

a
Cost Per
Fish($)

Bluegill Fingerling

23.68

5,363,648

226,505

0.033

Redear sunfish Fingerling

6.19

1,226,364

198,120

0.054

Largemouth bass Fingerling

13.79

895,138

64,912

0.119

Channel catfish Fry Fingerling Intermediate Harvestable

7.80 20.97 20.20
8.27

2,716,555 885,796 439,756 60,269

348,276 42,241 21,770 7,288

0.018 0.110 0.366 1.125

Striped bass Fry Fingerling Intermediate

b
11.21 5.90

4,535,000 1,255,895
42,318

b
112,033 7,173

0.011 0.048 1.165

Hybrid white-striped bass Fry Fingerling

b
24.49

13,815,500 3,063,952

b
125,110

0.011 0.063

Shoal bass Fingerling

4.80

35,504

7,397

1.262

Robust redhorse Fry Fingerling Intermediate

b

71,870

b

d

4.19

3

1

d

0.95

2,225

2,342

d

Totals (all sizes)

152.44

C
34,409,793

e 104,862

e 0.067

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 transport mortalities, the use of surplus fish as forage
to maintain spawning stocks, and the stocking of fish produced on federal hatcheries.
d
A total of $23,070 was expended as part of an experimental effort to determine how to culture
this species. Georgia is the first state to attempt the hatchery culture of this potentially
threatened species. e
Weighted means. Striped bass fry, hybrid white-striped bass fry, and robust redhorse (all
phases) are not included.

22

Table E-2. Number of each warmwater fish species produced at state hatcheries in FY1997.

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

N w

Harvestable

Striped bass

Fry

Fingerling

Intermediate

Hybrid white-striped bass Fry Fingerling

Shoal bass Fingerling

Robust redhorse Fry Fingerling Intermediate

152,129 481,836 572,050

1,402,214 1,712,000 1,043,419 5,363,648

101,041 111,480 215,500

205,010 408,171

185,162 1,226,364

150,168 191,260

247,372 187,755

118,583

895,138

123,470 12,041

250,000 210,800
31,610

2,466,555 16,950
226,716 17,326

169,435 142,210
11,333

266,717

98,424 58,789

2,716,555 885,796 439,756 60,269

648,294

273,776

4,535,000 333,825 42,318

4,535,000 1,255,895
42,318

335,018

729,949

13,815,500 13,815,500 762,711 1,236,274 3,063,952

29,401

6,103

35,504

2,193

71,870 3
32

71,870 3
2,225

Totals (all sizes)

253,170 1,216,206 2,191,419 3,486,897 2,457,453 3,337,354 21,467,294 34,409,793

Table E-3. Cost per fish (dollars) for warmwater fish species produced at state hatcheries in FY1997.

Species

Summerville

Walton McDuffie Cordele

Steve Cocke

Bowens Richmond

Mill

Hill

Statewide averages

Bluegill Fingerling

0.126

0.021

0.020

0.039

0.023

0.040

0.033

Redear sunfish Fingerling

0.066

0.095

0.041

0.080

0.037

0.048

0.054

Largemouth bass Fingerling

0.102

0.067

0.023

0.303

0.134

0.119

Channel catfish Fry Fingerling Intermediate Harvestable

rs.>
~

Striped bass

Fry

Fingerling

Intermediate

0.072 0.736

0.038 0.080
1.164

0.015 0.362 0.360 0.933

0.126 0.325 1.311

0.046

0.024

0.103

0.170 0.413
0.011 0.073 1.165

0.018 0.110 0.366 1.125
0.011 0.048 1.165

Hybrid white-striped bass Fry Fingerling

0.029

0.099

0.052

0.011 0.058

0.011 0.063

Shoal bass Fingerling

0.322

5.792

1.262

Robust redhorse Fry Fingerling Intermediate

a

a

a

a

a

a

a

a

a A total of $23,070 was expended as part of an experimental effort to determine how to culture this species at Walton, McDuffie, and Richmond Hill hatcheries. Georgia is the first state to attempt the hatchery culture of this potentially threatened species.

Table E-4. Number of warmwater fish distributed from state hatcheries in FY1997. 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

3,103,810

767,514 511 I 187

11,200 4,393,711

Redear sunfish Fingerling

761,603

35,500 208,760

2,800 1,008,663

Largemouth bass Fingerling

401,598

159,872

72,412

21,305

13,400

668,587

Channel catfish

Fry

N

Fingerling

(J1

Intermediate

Harvestable

550,630

13,750

74,561 19,846

71,676 76,000 308,796 23,389 36,880

369,677 7,400

369,677 718,017 404,642
60,269

Striped bass Fry Fingerling Intermediate

992,575

400,000 39,090

79,820

400,000 1,072,395
39,090

Striped-white bass hybrid Fingerling

3,008,785

2,500

14,404

3,025,689

Shoal bass Fingerling

35,054

35,054

Robust redhorse Fry Fingerling Intermediate

1,424

505

57,660 3
32

57,660 3
1,961

Total

4,817,641 4,174,982 475,568 972,838 926,721 345,676

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

541,992 12,255,418

Appendix F: Tables showing information on the Fisheries Section Public Fishing Area Program in FY1997.
26

Table F-1. Public Fishing Areas cost data for FY1997.

Region Area

Ownership

Number of Lakes

Acreage Open to Fishing

Total Operating Cost($)

Arrowhead Rocky Mountain

State State

2

25.3

2

559.0

41,844 a
311,570

Ill

McDuffie

State

13

118.0

73,648

IV

Baldwin Forest

State

5

42.0

43,324

N

-..J

IV

Big Lazer

State

1

195.0

13,490

IV

Marben Farms

State

22

226.5

154,323

VI

Dodge County

State

1

104.0

84,857

VI

Evans County

State

3

114.0

65,178

VI

Paradise

State

60

409.0

161,850

VI

Treutlen County

Private

1

189.0

2,000

Total

1,981.8

952,084

a Cost of operation includes campground and swimming beach. Total cost funded through contract with Oglethorpe Power Corporation.

Appendix G: Tables showing information on the Fisheries Section Resource Studies in FY1997.
28

Table G-1 . Cost for resource studies in each region during FY 1997.

Region Northeast (II)
East Central (Ill)
West Central (IV) Headquarters Total

Study Title
Evaluation of Walleye Introductions into Lakes Burton and Seed Standardized Sampling of Wild Trout Streams 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 Administrative

Cost($) 5,779
8,657 8,383
61,132 8,000
9,258 101,209

29

Table G-2. Final reports and publications completed by the Fisheries Section in FY1997.

Author David Partridge
Russ England and James Evans
Russ England

Publication
Effects of Hydrilla on Water Quality in Lake Seminole. Final report on Federal Sport Fish Restoration Projects.
Recommended Flows to Protect Aquatic Habitat in Georgia Streams. Proceedings of 1997 Georgia Water Resources Conference.
Economic Growth and Natural Resources Protection: How long can we have both? Proceedings of the 1997 Georgia Water Resources Conference.

30

Appendix H: Table showing the Fisheries Section maintenance and construction projects in FY1997.
31

Table H-1. Facility maintenance and construction projects statewide during FY1997

Project

Project Description

Total Cost

Summerville Fish Hatchery

Architectural design modifications to plans for and outfitting of new fish hatching/holding house, raceway repairs and modifications, and paving of hatchery access roads.

141,763

Buford Fish Hatchery Hatchery water intake pump replacement and installation of liquid oxygen storage tank. Hatchery residence bedroom and garage addition.

81,021

Burton Fish Hatchery

Renovations to hatchery trout production raceways, water intake lines, and vehicle fueling station including replacement of underground storage tanks and construction of 8'x 8' storage building to support new underground fueling system.

318,588

McDuffie Public Fishing Area

Survey and purchase of Jones tract adjacent to existing public fishing area property. Contracted hydrological/hydraulic study of earthen embankment dams on property.

42,900

w

Public Fishing

N

Area/Hatchery

Engineering evaluation changes proposed for new Summerville fish hatching/holding house. Materials and labor to replace siding on Buford Hatchery facility. Replacement of air

Repairs (statewide) conditioning unit at Buford Hatchery residence. Re-paving of access roads on Walton Fish

Hatchery. Installation of storm windows, replacement of heat pump, and other repairs at the

Fort Valley (Region Ill) office.

61,281

Boat Ramps Repairs & Maintenance (Statewide)

Fisheries Section personnel inspected 153 boat ramps statewide under the responsibility of the Wildlife Resources Division. These ramps were inspected and maintained on a regular basis. The existing Little River boat ramp slab was replaced and a paved approach added (Reed Bingham State Park). Parking area improvements were made at the Dyar Pasture ramp on the Oconee River and the Houston County ramp on the Ocmulgee River. Six floating piers were ourchased for future installation at existina boat ramps around the state.

512,276

Table H-1 (continued). Facility maintenance and construction projects statewide during FY1997.

Project

Project Description

Total Cost

Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center (Marben Public Fishing Area) Development

Constructed concrete parking pads and walkways at Fox and Boar Lakes in compliance with the American Disabilities Act. Constructed a fishing berm with stone rip-rap stabilization on Fox Lake and a picnic shelter (30'x44') with restrooms on Boar Lake (work on this project will be completed in FY1998). Parking areas were constructed or improved at lakes Clubhouse, Margery, and Raleigh which also serve Hillside and Bennett lakes. Angler access was also improved at the following sites: construction of a concrete log boat ramp and angler access trail with bridge at Whitetail Lake, improvements and/or addition of service and fishing piers at Margery Lake, improvements on service roads to Raleigh lakes and on existing roads throughout the area. Siphon systems for water control were installed at Stump, Crossroads, and Upper Raleigh lakes. Engineering for and renovations of dams at lakes Margery and Bennett were completed.

114,466

w w

Ft. Valley office (Region IV)

Replacement of roof, vinyl siding, soffit, fascia, and floor coverings was completed, and the interior was painted.

19,059

New boat ramp construction (statewide)

Five new boat ramps were completed, or nearly so. These were located on the Chattahoochee River at Campbellton Road (Fulton Co.), on the Ocmulgee River at State Road 182 (Ben Hill Co.), on Turner's Creek off State Road 257 (Chatham Co.), on the Alapaha River off State Road 94 (Echols Co.), and on Ebenezer Creek off State Road 257 ( Effingham Co.). Gravel access roads and parking areas were also constructed or improved at each new ramp, except at the Ben Hill County site, which was paved with concrete. Preliminary surveys and plans were completed for eight new sites: the Flint River at State Highway 128 bridge (Taylor Co.), the Ellijay River at State Highway 5 (Gilmer Co.), the Ocmulgee River near U. S. Highway 280 (Wilcox Co.), the Ocmulgee River at the old Macon Water Authority Plant (Bibb Co.), the Altamaha River (Wayne Co.), the Little River (Brooks Co.), the Flint River at Punk's Landing (Mitchell Co.), and the Flint River at Norman's Landing (Baker Co.).

361,086

Cordele Fish Hatcherv

Installation of concrete steps in and electrical service to hatchery production ponds was comoleted.

103,077

Table H-1 (continued). Facility maintenance and construction projects statewide during FY1997.

Project

.

Project Description

Total Cost

Paradise Public Fishing Area

One mile of road between Horseshoe 3, Lake Russell, and Horseshoe 5 lakes was improved. Work included removal of trees and stumps, widening, filling, grading, and finishing roadbed. Additional gravel was purchased for improvements to other public fishing area access roads in FY1998. Construction was initiated on a new fish cleaning station (20'x28') along main entrance road to area. Only the concrete slab has been completed at this time. Cleaning station will be completed in FY1998.

40,704

Evans Public Fishing Area fishing pier

New construction on a T-shaped fishing pier (40'X60'), accessible to the physically-challenged, was completed on the 84-acre area lake.

9,600

Richmond Hill Fish Hatchery

Funds were obligated for renovating and upgrading the striped bass egg-hatching, fry rearing hatchery facilities. Work will be completed in FY1998.

59,492

Headquarters

Time and expenditures of headquarters staff to manage capital outlay projects.

Administrative Costs

I I Total Expenditures

187,801
I I 2,053,114

Appendix I: Narrative description of Fisheries Section programs.
35

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 wider than 10 feet, and half a million acres of impoundments. Anglers spend over $1 . 1 billion yearly on fishing in Georgia which generates an estimated 27,800 jobs and has a total economic impact of nearly $2.3 billion. 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
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 environmental agencies, cities, counties, and military bases. Tasks such as these account for about 43% of the Section's annual expenditures. Some examples of these activities are:
Fish Kill Investigations. Technical Assistance. and Environmental Reviews
Fisheries personnel in Georgia investigate, on average, 45 fish kills involving about 200,000 total fish mortalities per year. Pollution-related fish kills 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 Georgia DNR Parks, Recreation and Historic Sites Division, the Jekyll Island and Stone Mountain authorities, city and county governments, 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 protect
1The 1996 Economic Impact of Sport Fishing in the United States published by the American Sportfishing Association. The calculations are based on data from the 1996 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 November 1997.
36

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 1,500 educators are trained annually to use APW in their classrooms. Wildlife Resour-ces 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 Fisharamas. 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 (KFEs) 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. KFEs 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. KFEs are also conducted by fisheries staff at fish hatcheries and PFAs.
Aquatic Plant Control
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
37

average of six water bodies, typically large reservoirs in the southern half of the state, are chemically treated 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, anglers, 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 19% 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
38

bass and striped bass hybrids are also raised for stocking in reservoirs to 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 having 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 one federal hatchery work cooperatively to produce the trout needed. Through their combined efforts, approximately 1. 1 million trout are stocked into north Georgia each year.
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 and for Kids Fishing Events. 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 11 % 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, and the impacts of reservoir water level fluctuations on fish, 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 1% of the Section's annual expenditures.
39

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 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 22% 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 the annual fishing pressure has been exerted on small lakes and ponds. In Georgia, small lakes and ponds number about 63,000 with a combined surface area of about 312,000 acres. 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, and other management concerns often can be solved through communication with our biologists and technicians. In addition to numerous phone and office contacts for information, over 900 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.
40