FISHERIES SECTION ANNUAL REPORT Fiscal Year 1998 
July 1, 1997- June 30, 1998 
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 
 
 Fisheries Section Activities 
Fishing is the most popular wildlife-related activity in Georgia, enjoyed by every age group. Around 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 with an economic impact of just under $2.3 billion. The ongoing programs of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Wildlife Resources Division (WRD), Fisheries Section (Section) during fiscal year 1998 (FY1998) 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). 
Work was completed in the previous fiscal year on a new trout egg hatching facility at the Summerville Trout Hatchery which has enabled the Section to hatch and raise a portion of its fingerling needs. An estimated 900,000 rainbow and brown trout combined were hatched from 1.3 million eggs incubated at the Summerville facility in FY1998. Summerville's goal is to provide 50% of the 1.2 million four inch fingerlings that had been supplied annually by Federal hatcheries in the past. Summerville's commitment was nearly realized in FY1998 and was considered a great success in its first year of fingerling production. Improvements at the Buford Trout Hatchery continued with additions to a new liquid oxygen delivery system that will supplement mechanical aeration in trout raceways during periods of heavy production. Additions and improvement made at these two facilities and the recent renovations at Lake Burton Trout Hatchery will insure that reliable numbers of "stockable" trout are available for this popular Georgia fishery. More than 838,000 "catchable" size trout were produced and stocked into Georgia waters from state trout hatcheries in FY1998 with an additional 321,000 trout stocked from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service hatcheries. 
Rocky Mountain Recreation and Public Fishing Area, owned by Oglethorpe Power Company and operated by the Section, opened in FY1997. Public use at Rocky Mountain has been high with an estimated 120,075 visitors through June 30, 1998. This 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). Hunters harvested 40 deer and 45 waterfowl from the area in FY1998. Bow-hunting for turkey is also allowed on the area. Other available facilities include hiking trails, picnic areas, campground, and a group shelter. 
The Section's aquatic education efforts continued to develop and grow in FY1998. A total of 497 Kids Fishing Events (KFEs) were held statewide with 33,654 children attending. Thirtythree percent of the children attending were beginners and 71 % caught at least one fish. This represents a 35% increase in the number of KFEs and a 61 % increase in the number of youth attending compared to FY1997 figures. Sixty-three percent (312) were classified as "general" events sponsored by sportsman organizations, churches, local governments, civic organizations, the military, and private individuals. 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 remaining 185 events were sponsored by WRD staff at DNR facilities statewide. In addition to 
1 
 
 Region I - Calhoun 
Region IV Ft. Valley 
 
Region II Gainesville 
Region Ill Social Circle 
 
Grady 
Region V Albany 
 
Region VI Waycross 
 
Region VII Richmond Hill 
 
Figure 1. Fisheries Section regions in Georgia and location of regional offices. 
 
2 
 
 scheduled KFEs, 359 days of fishing were recorded on special ponds at Burton and Buford hatcheries that have been set aside for fishing by families with children. Approximately 2,100 children fished these ponds in FY1998 with just over 10% being first time anglers and 70% catching at least one fish. More than 1250 educators were trained to use Project WILD/Aquatic Project WILD materials in 66 workshops, statewide. 
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 group at the National Science Center's Fort Discovery and the Central Savannah River 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. During FY1998, the Center provided a hands-on learning experience for 15 groups totaling about 500 individuals. Curriculum and technology training was provided by DOE personnel in conjunction with project GRIP (Georgia Statewide Academic and Medical Systems, Rivers Internet Project), a statewide environmental education/technology initiative. Attendees were provided with a real world experience focusing on surface water quality, water and wastewater treatment, groundwater, and natural wetlands. 
"The Trout Streams of Georgia" map continues to be a popular publication. This threecolor 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. Efforts were initiated in FY1998 to contract with the University of Georgia Remote Sensing Laboratory to provide technical expertise in improving and updating the current map. Plans include producing a web-enabled copy of this map that can be accessed and printed by Internet users visiting the Department's web page. 
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 the committee's efforts to protect the only known naturally-reproducing population of robust redhorse, Section 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 26,018 phase I fingerlings, harvested from Georgia WRD hatchery rearing ponds at Walton, McDuffie, Burton, and Richmond Hill in fall 1997, were stocked at seven locations on the Upper Broad River Basin and at two locations on the Ogeechee River. Another 7,393 fingerlings were distributed to various hatcheries in Georgia and South Carolina for advanced-rearing trials. The total fingerling production of 33,411 fish resulted from 182,000 fry (18.4% survival) produced during spring 1997 hatchery spawning. On a special note, four adult female Robust Redhorse were captured in the spring of 1998 by RRCC members sampling in the Savannah River shoals at Augusta, Georgia. 
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 
3 
 
 predator has on native redbreast sunfish and bullhead populations. Flathead catfish activities of Section staff in FY1998 focused on: 1) continued removal of flatheads from experimental sections of the Altamaha and Ocmulgee rivers, 2) continued removal of flatheads from the Satilla River and monitoring of native sport fish populations, 3) sampling of the St. Marys, Alapaha, and Ohoopee to verify that flatheads have not been illegally moved to these rivers, 4) production of a flathead catfish fishing guide which gives instructions on how and where to fish for flatheads and recipes for cooking them. Removal efforts by the Department and efforts by commercial and sport anglers appear to have stabilized the Altamaha River population and reduced the number of large catfish observed during sampling in an experimental removal zone on the Ocmulgee River. Electrofishing capture rates on the Altamaha River appear to have stabilized around 70 flatheads per hour. 
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. 7 million fish produced at the Section's seven warmwater hatcheries were provided to 2,259 owners of newly constructed or renovated ponds to establish fish populations. The Section had a successful year of producing and stocking striped bass and white bass x striped bass hybrid fingerlings in FY1998. Production goals were exceeded for striped bass and nearly met for hybrid bass fingerlings. Over one million striped bass and two million hybrid bass fingerlings were raised in Georgia hatcheries and stocked into reservoirs, statewide. An additional 42,926 oxytetracycline (OTC) marked, intermediate size (8-inch) striped bass were stocked into the Savannah River as part of a continuing effort to re-establish a striped bass brood fish population in that system. The Ogeechee River was also stocked with 4,815 OTC marked, intermediate size striped bass to enhance a predicted small 1997 year class in that river. 
4 
 
 Appendix A: Tables showing important facts about fishing in Georgia, information on revenue earned, and expenditures for FY1998. 
5 
 
 Table A-1. Important statistics on sport fishing in Georgia. 
 
Item 
Total freshwater resident anglers 16 years and older Total resident anglers 6 to 15 years old Total annual fishing trips by resident anglers (16 years and older) Total annual days spent freshwater fishing (16 years and older) Annual average days spent freshwater fishing (16 years and older) Total annual expenditures by all resident and non-resident anglers 
in Georgia (16 years and older) Economic impact of sport fishing on Georgia's economy Estimated number of jobs generated Estimated state sales tax generated from the sale of sport fishing 
related items 
 
Number 
805,000 a 348,000 a 10,094,000 a 11,591,000 a 
14 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 - Georgia published by the U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in March 
_ 1998. This is the most accurate data currently available. 
b The 1996 Economic Impact of Sport Fishing in Georgia 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 
 
 TableA-2. 
 
Revenue (to the nearest dollar) generated by the Fisheries Section from license sales in license year 1997-1998.a 
 
License Sales License Year 1997-1998 (April 1, 1997 to March 31, 1998) 
 
Type of License 
 
Number 
 
Combination Hunting-Fishing 
 
61,090 
 
Sportsman's 
 
19,972 
 
Resident Fishing 
 
498,122 
 
Resident Trout 
 
103,459 
 
One-Day Fishing 
 
60,742 
 
Non-Resident Season Fishing 
 
9,196 
 
Non-Resident 7-day Fishing 
 
28,382 
 
Non-Resident Season Trout 
 
6,344 
 
Revenue 
b 
531,653 
b 
586,992 4,185,197 
455,446 176,338 215,236 181,735 
78,709 
 
Totals 
 
787,307 
 
$6,411,306 
 
a In addition to license sales shown, the Wildlife Resources Division sold 55,414 resident Wildlife Management Area (WMA) stamps for $1,020,009 and 1,459 non-resident Wildlife Management Area stamps for $104,818. 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 
 
 Table A-3. Fisheries Section expenditures (thousands of dollars) by region and program with total man-days in FY1998. a 
 
PROGRAM 
 
---------- 
HQb 
 
-----------------------COST 
 
TOTAL 
 
TOTAL 
 
II 
 
111 
 
IV 
 
V 
 
VI 
 
VII 
 
COST MAN-DAYS 
 
Private Waters Management 
 
50.7 
 
56.3 
 
17.1 
 
52.4 
 
49.7 43.0 104.7 
 
45.9 
 
419.8 
 
2,207 
 
Public Waters Management 
 
460.8 
 
360.0 507.7 592.7 541.5 413.3 620.1 323.0 3,819.1 
 
15,193 
 
Aquatic Plant Control 
 
6.5 
 
47.3 
 
53.8 
 
81 
 
Trout Production/Stocking 
 
127.9 
 
172.8 759.6 
 
1,060.3 
 
3,645 
 
Warmwater Hatcheries 
 
154.5 
 
48.6 
 
25.5 218.7 
 
19.3 372.3 128.3 313.6 1,280.8 
 
5,506 
 
Aquatic Education 
 
139.3 
 
36.5 
 
48.0 105.5 
 
45.6 86.6 29.2 
 
19.0 
 
509.7 
 
2,100 
 
CX) 
 
Public Fishing Areas 
 
126.0 341.7 
 
73.6 146.3 
 
356.5 
 
1,044.1 
 
5,318 
 
Resource Studies 
 
2.8 
 
20.6 
 
23.4 
 
103 
 
Facility Maintenance and New Construction 
Total 
 
1,487.1 
 
30.2 
 
2.7 
 
42.4 858.1 36.5 44.1 
 
2,555.6 1,046.1 1,381.2 1,085.3 1,707.8 951.7 1,282.9 
 
14.9 2,516.0 
C 
716.4 10,727.0 
 
1,795 35,948 
 
a Figures may differ somewhat from the final 6/98 Fiscal Accounting and Control System (FACS) printout since errors in the FACS 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 specific and prorated Headquarters cost. 
c This total includes $4,443,668 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 FY1998. 
9 
 
 Table B-1. Number of field investigations on private waters in each region in FY1998. 
 
Region 
 
Balance 
 
Aquatic Plant 
Control 
 
Fish Prestocking 
 
General 
 
Kill 
 
Checks Management 
 
II 
 
111 
 
_.. 
 
0 
 
IV 
 
V 
 
VI 
 
VII 
 
Statewide Totals 
 
% of Totals 
 
52 28 243 
163 125 
73 17 701 58% 
 
17 
 
6 
 
2 
 
2 
 
49 
 
31 
 
24 
 
12 
 
10 
 
3 
 
60 
 
35 
 
45 
 
14 
 
207 
 
103 
 
17% 
 
8% 
 
1 
 
13 
 
7 
 
25 
 
25 
 
17 
 
29 
 
10 
 
52 
 
1 
 
19 
 
44 
 
155 
 
4% 
 
13% 
 
Region Totals 
 
Regional Percentages 
 
75 46 355 
241 167  230 
96 1210 100% 
 
6% 4% 29% 
20% 14% 19% 
8% 100% 
 
 Table B-2. Total number and acres of private ponds stocked with fingerling largemouth bass, bream and channel catfish in FY1998. 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 
 
77 235 
 
1 
 
1 
 
95,732 24,133 
 
10,994 19,490 
 
34 
 
46 
 
II 
 
51 159 
 
2 
 
2 
 
66,998 14,387 
 
7,824 17,619 
 
23 
 
36 
 
.......... 
 
111 
 
285 1,347 
 
4 
 
2 
 
508,075 117,855 
 
58,505 118,890 
 
154 
 
375 
 
IV 
 
192 1,092 
 
17 
 
17 
 
502,620 101,870 
 
61,808 64,199 
 
56 
 
150 
 
V 
 
263 1,709 
 
8 
 
12 
 
764,200 172,800 
 
88,615 121,145 
 
150 
 
676 
 
VI 
 
581 2,552 
 
1 
 
1 1,009,160 252,290 118,640 221,802 
 
273 
 
711 
 
VII 
 
77 299 
 
Statewide Total 1,526 7,393 
 
109,720 26,930 
 
11,645 28,760 
 
5 
 
6 3,056,505 710,265 358,031 591,905 
 
43 
 
388 
 
733 2,382 
 
 Appendix C: Tables showing information on the Fisheries Section Public Waters Management Program in FY1998. 
12 
 
 Table C-1. Aquatic plant management activities statewide in FY1998. 
 
Body of Water 
 
County 
 
Target Pest 
 
Control Method 
 
Acres 
 
No. of 
 
Cost of 
 
Treated Treatments Treatment 
 
Management Objectives; Treatment Effectiveness 
 
Treatments in Reservoirs and Lakes 
 
Blackshear 
 
Crisp/Worth/ Dooley/Sumter 
 
Alligatorweed, primrose, and water hyacinth 
 
Barrage (2,4-D), 0.5 gal/acre, Nalcotrol, 1.0 qt/acre 
 
31 
 
2 
 
$ 3,160 Improve access; 
 
good success with 
 
control 
 
Blackshear Crisp/Worth/ 
 
American lotus 
 
Dooley/Sumter 
 
Aquakleen, 200 lbs/acre 
 
0.25 
 
1 
 
$ 
 
868 Improve access; 
 
good success with 
 
control 
 
Blackshear Crisp/Worth/ 
 
Lyngbya 
 
Dooley/Sumter 
 
_.. 
 
(,.) 
 
Blackshear Crisp/Worth/ 
 
Lyngbya 
 
Dooley/Sumter 
 
Cutrine Plus, 60 lbs/acre 
Cutrine (liq), 5 gals/acre, Promate,0.5 gal/acre, Malquatic, 1 pint/acre 
 
31 
 
4 
 
$ 6,177 Minimize regrowth; 
 
good success with 
 
control 
 
8 
 
1 
 
$ 2,178 Minimize regrowth; 
 
good success with 
 
control 
 
Reed Bingham State Park 
 
Cook 
 
Hydrilla 
 
Komeen, 16 gals/acre, Promate 0.13 gal/acre 
 
125 
 
1 
 
$ 34,933 Impede invasion, 
 
improve access; 
 
good success with 
 
control 
 
Grand Total 
 
195.3 
 
9 
 
$ 47,316 
 
 Table C-2. Fish kills investigated by the Fisheries Section in FY1998. 
 
Type of Fish Kill 
 
Number of incidents 
 
Fish killed Number 
 
Value 
 
Municipal Pollutionb 
 
8 
 
12,350 
 
$4,097 
 
Industrial Pollution 
 
1 
 
379 
 
$125 
 
Agricultural Pesticide Disease/Natural 
 
1 
 
5,077 
 
$968 
 
3 
 
2,215 
 
NN 
 
Undetermined 
 
11 
 
13,375 
 
$4,418 
 
~ 
 
Total 
 
~ 
 
24 
 
33,396 
 
$9,608 
 
a Fines collected as of June 30, 1998 by the Environmental Protection Division for FY1998 fish kills. 
 
Fines collected 
by DNR8 
$99,300 
NA NA NA NA 
$99,300 
 
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 FY1998. 
 
IAgency and Type of Review 
 
Number  1 
 
Georgia Department of Natural Resources 
 
Environmental Protection Division Permits and Variances 
 
Erosion and Sedimentation - 25 ft. Variances .............. . 
 
79 
 
Erosion and Sedimentation - Trout Stream Variances (100 ft.) .. 
 
15 
 
Requests to build ponds on trout streams ................. . 
 
32 
 
River Basin Plans ................................... . 
 
2 
 
West Georgia Regional Reservoir Studies ................ . 
 
2 
 
Trout Stream Temperature Impact Study ................. . 
 
1 
 
lnstream Flow Working Group Recommendations ......... . 
 
1 
 
Water Withdrawal Permits ............................ . 
 
1 
 
Proposed Variance Procedure ......................... . 
 
1 
 
NPDES Permit Application ............................ . 
 
1 
 
Georgia State Properties Commission 
 
Proposed Mineral Lease .............................. . 
 
1 
 
Georgia Ports Authority 
 
Plans for Savannah Harbor Deepening 
 
1 
 
U. S. Government Agency Permits, Projects and Plans 
 
Army Corps of Engineers-Plans and Projects .............. . 
 
5 
 
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission-License Issues ...... . 
 
9 
 
Fish & Wildlife Service-Memorandum of Understanding....... . 
 
1 
 
National Park Service-Environmental Assessment. .......... . 
 
1 
 
Local/Regional Government Projects 
 
Developments of Regional Impact 
 
5 
 
I Total 
 
158 
 
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 FY1998. 
16 
 
 Table D-1. Trout production (lbs), conversion ratios a, and costs at state hatcheries in FY1998. 
 
Hatchery 
 
BROOK 
 
Species RAINBOW 
 
BROWN 
 
Total 
 
Cost b Total 
 
Per lb 
 
Catchables Buford 
 
Net weight gain Conversion ratio 
 
187 4.68 
 
70,984 1.63 
 
61,635 1.28 
 
132,806 1.47 
 
$330,839 
 
$2.49 
 
Burton 
 
Net weight gain Conversion ratio 
 
91,286 1.42 
 
29,269 1.08 
 
120,555 1.34 
 
$290,727 
 
$2.41 
 
Summerville 
 
Net weight gain Conversion ratio 
 
25,415 1.51 
 
3,398 2.22 
 
28,813 1.60 
 
$73,110 
 
$2.54 
 
....>. 
....... 
 
Total 
 
Net weight gain 
 
187 
 
187,685 
 
94,302 282,174 $694,676 
 
$2.46 
 
Conversion ratio 
 
4.68 
 
1.51 
 
1.26 
 
1.43 
 
Cost per pound to stock catchable trout from state hatcheries: Production and distribution costs per pound: 
 
$0.61 $3.07 
 
Fingerlings c 
Summerville Fingerling trout (average length 2.1 inches) production of 901,467 fingerlings (681,818 rainbow and 219,649 brown) weighing 2,920 pounds. 
 
$55,510 d 
 
Grand Total Catchable and Fingerling Costs 
 
$750,186 
 
$3.24 
 
a Conversion ratios used in totals are weighted means. b Costs do not include administrative costs of the Headquarters staff or costs of capital outlay improvements. c Summerville Hatchery began fingerling production in FY98 and is expected to be the state's primary source of fingerling 
trout in the future. Small numbers of fingerlings are also produced at Buford and Burton hatcheries, but production costs were not estimated separately. Cost of federal fingerlings is unknown and not included. ct Fingerling costs include non-capital outlay startup costs that will not be incurred on an annual basis. 
 
 Table D-2. Number and weight (lbs) of each species of trout stocked into Georgia's public waters from state and federal hatcheries during FY1998. 
 
Facility 
 
BROOK Number Weight 
 
RAINBOW 
 
Number 
 
Weight 
 
BROWN 
 
Number 
 
Weight 
 
TOTAL 
 
Number 
 
Weight 
 
STATE HATCHERIES Buford 
catch ables fingerlings 
 
950 1,024 174,177 65,360 
 
66,836 1,969 
 
241,748 50,000 
 
80,387 636 
 
416,875 115,360 
 
148,247 2,605 
 
Burton catchables fingerlings 
 
291,562 
 
97,164 
 
34,929 174,481 
 
13,094 2,628 
 
326,491 174,481 
 
110,258 2,628 
 
Summerville 
 
->. 
CX> 
 
catchables 
 
fingerlings 
 
87,525 
 
33,430 
 
7,700 
 
3,084 
 
95,225 
 
36,514 
 
FEDERAL HATCHERIES Chattahoochee 
catch ables fingerlings 
 
321,290 104,069 
 
321,290 
 
104,069 
 
TOTAL catchables fingerlings 
 
950 1,024 874,554 301,499 284,377 
 
65,360 
 
1,969 224,481 
 
96,565 3,264 
 
1,159,881 289,841 
 
399,088 5,233 
 
 Table D-3. Number and weight (lbs) of catchable trout by species and habitat type stocked from all hatcheries in FY1998. 
 
BROOK 
 
Habitat 
 
Number Weight 
 
STREAMS BY COUNTY 
 
Bartow 
 
Catoosa 
 
Chattooga 
 
Cherokee 
 
Dade Dawson 
 
Fannin 
 
100 108 
 
Floyd 
 
Gilmer 
 
Gordon 
 
Habersham 
 
Haralson Lumpkin 
 
150 161 
 
Murray 
 
Paulding 
 
Pickens 
 
Polk 
 
Rabun 
 
Stephens 
 
50 
 
54 
 
Towns 
 
50 
 
54 
 
Union 
 
Walker 
 
White 
 
150 161 
 
RAINBOW Number Weight 
 
10,125 1,750 3,850 1,150 150 
13,890 73,162 18,225 45,223 
2,350 19,231 
7,300 65,700 18,950 
4,100 6,800 1,700 110,563 24,650 59,115 76,124 11,550 72,822 
 
3,893 686 
1,475 401 52 
4,527 24,490 
7,084 14,541 
883 6,358 2,671 22,070 7,375 1,598 2,260 
654 37,687 
8,341 20,278 24,497 
4,493 23,813 
 
Sub-Total 
TAILWATERS Blue Ridge Hartwell Lanier 
 
500 538 648,480 220,127 
 
50 
 
54 20,121 
 
6,345 
 
5,600 
 
1,991 
 
400 432 136,083 51,877 
 
Sub-Total 
SMALL LAKES Black Rock Conasauga Dockery Nancytown Rock Creek Vogel Winfield Scott 
 
450 486 161,804 60,213 
 
3,900 1,375 11,750 10,000 10,850 3,700 22,695 
 
1,278 508 
3,791 3,416 3,621 1,150 7,395 
 
BROWN Number Weight 
 
1,100 
 
444 
 
200 
 
80 
 
200 
 
82 
 
9,925 25 
1,500 
 
3,416 8 
598 
 
18,253 600 
25,975 2,300 500 210 100 
20,055 24,965 13,796 
5,990 1,200 44,570 
171,464 
 
6,337 243 
9,166 916 202 65 41 
6,889 8,823 4,695 2,094 
478 14,993 
59,570 
 
4,400 105,013 
109,413 
 
1,509 34,389 
35,898 
 
3,000 
 
920 
 
500 
 
177 
 
TOTAL Number Weight 
 
11,225 1,950 4,050 1,150 150 
23,815 73,287 19,725 45,223 
2,350 37,484 
7,900 91,825 21,250 
4,600 7,010 1,800 130,618 49,665 72,961 82,114 12,750 117,542 
820,444 
 
4,337 766 
1,557 401 52 
7,943 24,606 
7,682 14,541 
883 12,695 
2,914 31,397 
8,291 1,800 2,325 
695 44,576 17,218 25,027 26,591 
4,971 38,967 
280,235 
 
20,171 10,000 241,496 
271,667 
 
6,399 3,500 86,698 
96,597 
 
3,900 1,375 11,750 13,000 10,850 4,200 22,695 
 
1,278 508 
3,791 4,336 3,621 1,327 7,395 
 
Sub-Total GRAND TOTAL 
 
950 1,024 
 
64,270 21,159 874,554 301,499 
 
3,500 284,377 
 
1,097 
 
67,770 
 
96,565 1,159,881 
 
22,256 399,088 
 
19 
 
 Table D-4. Number and weight (lbs) of fingerling trout by species and habitat type stocked from all hatcheries in FY1998. 
 
Locations Stocked 
 
RAINBOW Number Weight 
 
STREAMS BY COUNTY Dawson Habersham Rabun Stephens 
Subtotal 
 
TAILWATERS Lanier 
 
65,360 
 
GRAND TOTAL 
 
65,360 
 
1,969 1,969 
 
BROWN Number Weight 
 
100,248 3,693 
59,462 11,078 
174,481 
 
143 1 
2,481 3 
2,628 
 
50,000 224,481 
 
636 3,264 
 
TOTAL Number Weight 
 
100,248 3,693 
59,462 11,078 
174,481 
 
143 1 
2,481 3 
2,628 
 
115,360 289,841 
 
2,605 5,233 
 
20 
 
 Appendix E: Tables showing information on the Fisheries Section Warmwater Hatchery Production Program in FY1998. 
21 
 
 Table E-1. Total numbers and cost per fish of warmwater species produced at state hatcheries in FY1998. 
 
Species 
Bluegill Fingerling 
Redearsunfish Fingerling 
Largemouth bass Fingerling 
Channel catfish Fry Fingerling Intermediate Harvestable 
Striped bass Fry Fingerling Intermediate 
Hybrid striped-white bass Fry Fingerling 
Hybrid white-striped bass Fry Fingerling 
Shoal bass Fingerling Intermediate 
Robust redhorse Fry Fingerling Intermediate 
 
Acres 
23.17 
6.44 
10.64 
10.00 20.00 19.40 
9.11 
b 
12.51 5.80 
b 
0.80 
b 
21.85 
4.40 0.40 
b 
5.58 0.25 
 
Number 
4,467,329 
1,023,529 
794,688 
2,411,250 1,009,990 
567,834 68,636 
4,921,000 1,460,610 
47,878 
700,000 72,404 
16,458,000 2,041,561 
88,970 35 
14,702 34,402 
2 
 
Number Per Acre 
192,807 
158,933 
74,689 
241,125 50,500 29,270 7,534 
b 
116,755 8,255 
b 
90,505 
b 
93,435 
20,220 88 
b 
6,165 8 
 
Cost Pe~ Fish($) 
0.038 
0.060 
0.118 
0.033 0.089 0.278 1.110 
0.009 0.039 1.468 
0.009 0.112 
0.009 0.073 
0.444 
C 
d d d 
 
Totals (all sizes) 
 
150.35 
 
36,182,820 e 
 
93,709 
 
0.075 1 
 
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 Incidental production, no costs assigned. d A total of $32,022 was expended on the experimental culture of this species. Georgia is 
the first state to attempt the hatchery culture of this potentially threatened species. e 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. 1 Weighted means. Striped bass, hybrid striped-white bass, hybrid white-striped bass, and robust redhorse (all phases) are not included. 
 
22 
 
 Table E-2. Number of each warmwater fish species produced at state hatcheries in FY1998. 
 
Species 
 
Summerville Burton Walton McDuffie Cordele 
 
Steve Bowens Richmond 
 
Cocke 
 
Mill 
 
Hill 
 
Total 
 
Bluegill Fingerling 
 
164,000 
 
475,243 822,900 10,000 1,123,666 1,126,880 
 
744,640 4,467,329 
 
Redear sunfish Fingerling 
 
53,812 
 
83,520 234,300 
 
205,010 219,220 
 
227,667 1,023,529 
 
Largemouth bass Fingerling 
 
91,480 170,950 
 
121,777 213,403 
 
197,078 794,688 
 
Channel catfish Fry Fingerling Intermediate Harvestable 
 
9,873 
 
370,000 315,300 
28,037 
 
2,041,250 52,199 
327,079 28,099 
 
300,268 187,566 
12,500 
 
219,327 
 
122,896 43,316 
 
2,411,250 1,009,990 
567,834 68,636 
 
Striped bass 
 
I\) 
 
Fry 
 
w 
 
Fingerling 
 
Intermediate 
 
808,097 
 
246,204 
 
4,921,000 406,309 47,878 
 
4,921,000 1,460,610 
47,878 
 
Hybrid striped-white bass Fry Fingerling 
 
700,000 72,404 
 
700,000 72,404 
 
Hybrid white-striped bass Fry Fingerling 
 
123,639 
 
202,333 
 
16,458,000 16,458,000 495,242 1,220,347 2,041,561 
 
Shoal bass Fingerling Intermediate 
 
74,076 35 
 
14,894 
 
88,970 35 
 
Robust redhorse Fry Fingerling Intermediate 
 
3,491 28,800 2 
 
14,702 332 
 
1,779 
 
14,702 34,402 
2 
 
Total (all sizes) 217,812 3,493 812,555 2,764,618 2,735,071 2,211,885 2,274,072 25,163,314 36,182,820 
 
 Table E-3. Cost per fish (dollars) for warmwater fish speci~s produced at state hatcheries in FY1998.8 
 
Species 
 
Summerville 
 
Walton 
 
McDuffie 
 
Cordele 
 
Steve Cocke 
 
Bowens Richmond 
 
Mill 
 
Hill 
 
Statewide averages 
 
Bluegill Fingerling 
 
0.127 
 
0.020 
 
0.016 
 
0.040 
 
0.034 
 
0.057 
 
0.038 
 
Redearsunfish Fingerling 
 
0.134 
 
0.117 
 
0.036 
 
0.069 
 
0.058 
 
0.041 
 
0.060 
 
Largemouth bass Fingerling 
 
0.164 
 
0.056 
 
0.076 
 
0.210 
 
0.077 
 
0.118 
 
Channel catfish Fry Fingerling Intermediate Harvestable 
 
0.906 
 
0.025 0.068 
1.502 
 
0.034 0.284 0.288 0.578 
 
0.069 0.177 1.425 
 
0.088 
 
0.111 0.500 
 
0.033 0.089 0.278 1.110 
 
Striped bass 
 
I\) ~ 
 
Fry 
 
Fingerling 
 
Intermediate 
 
0.028 
 
0.016 
 
0.009 0.075 1.468 
 
0.009 0.039 1.468 
 
Hybrid white-striped bass Fry Fingerling 
 
0.052 
 
0.239 
 
0.062 
 
0.009 0.052 
 
0.009 0.112 
 
Hybrid striped-white bass Fry Fingerling 
 
0.009 0.112 
 
0.009 0.073 
 
Shoal bass Fingerling 
 
0.151 
 
1.898 
 
0.444 
 
a A total of $32,022 was also expended as part of an experimental effort to determine how to culture the potentially threatened Robust Redhorse sucker at Burton, McDuffie, Richmond Hill and Walton hatcheries. 
 
 Table E-4. Number of warmwater fish distributed from state hatcheries in FY1998. Totals include fish provided by federal 
 
hatcheries, surplus brood stock, and fish available as by-products of other programs. 
 
Public y 
 
Owned 
 
Public 
 
Kid's 
 
Other 
 
Private 
 
Rivers & 
 
Small 
 
Fishing 
 
Fishing 
 
Fisheries 
 
Species 
 
Waters Reservoirs Streams 
 
Lakes 
 
Areas 
 
Events 
 
Agencies 
 
Bluegill 
 
Fingerling 
 
3,056,505 
 
37,104 
 
65,200 
 
241,666 
 
3,500 
 
Harvestable 
 
600 
 
Total8 
3,403,975 600 
 
Redear sunfish Fingerling 
 
710,265 
 
16,776 
 
1,300 
 
20,500 
 
10,000 
 
500 
 
759,341 
 
Largemouth bass Fingerling 
 
358,031 
 
50,000 
 
184,779 
 
31,250 
 
250 
 
624,310 
 
Channel catfish Fry Fingerling Intermediate Harvestable 
 
591,905 
 
32,450 8,750 
 
126,250 60,541 84,430 10,000 
 
91,917 52,790 24,313 
 
2,300 363,885 
35,223 
 
4,250 3,000 
 
126,250 783,363 512,855 
69,536 
 
I\) 
 
Striped bass 
 
01 
 
Fry 
 
Fingerling 
 
Intermediate 
 
1,850,181 
 
511,000 47,741 
 
1,885 
 
511,000 1,852,066 
47,741 
 
Striped-white bass hybrid Fingerling 
 
71,904 
 
71,904 
 
White-striped bass hybrid Fry Fingerling 
 
2,025,387 
 
6,789 
 
5,150,000 5,150,000 2,032,176 
 
Shoal bass Fingerling Intermediate 
Walleye Fingerling 
 
35,306 
 
87,883 35 
 
87,883 35 
35,306 
 
Robust redhorse Fry Fingerling 
Total (all sizes) 
 
4,716,706 4,077,858 
 
26029 722,688 
 
532,500 
 
469,825 411,408 
 
6,650 1,381 5,171,416 
 
6,650 27,410 16,102,401 
 
a Totals do not include fry or fingerlings distributed to other state hatcheries for later production phases. 
 
 Appendix F: Tables showing information on the Fisheries Section Public Fishing Area Program in FY1998. 
26 
 
 Table F-1. Public Fishing Areas cost data for FY1998. 
 
Region 
 
Area 
 
Ownership 
 
Number of Lakes 
 
Acreage Open to Fishing 
 
Total Operating Cost($) 
 
Rocky Mountain 
 
Private 
 
2 
 
559.0 
 
341,684 a 
 
111 
 
McDuffie 
 
State 
 
13 
 
118.0 
 
73,596 
 
IV 
 
Big Lazer 
 
State 
 
1 
 
195.0 
 
13,112 
 
N -.J 
 
IV 
 
Marben Farms 
 
State 
 
22 
 
251.6 
 
162,479 
 
VI 
 
Dodge County 
 
State 
 
1 
 
104.0 
 
93,826 
 
VI 
 
Evans County 
 
State 
 
3 
 
122.0 
 
85,123 
 
VI 
 
Paradise 
 
State 
 
60 
 
409.0 
 
175,578 
 
VI 
Total 
 
Treutlen County 
 
Private 
 
1 
 
189.0 
 
2,000 
 
1,947.6 
 
947,398 
 
8Cost 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 FY1998. 
28 
 
 Table G-1. Cost for resource studies in each region during FY1998. 
 
Region 
 
Study Title 
 
Northeast (II) 
 
Evaluation of Walleye Introductions into Lakes Burton and Seed 
 
East Central (Ill) Richard B. Russell Tailwater Creel Survey 
 
Headquarters Total 
 
Administrative 
 
a Funded by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers 
 
Cost($) 20,637 44,777 a 2,803 68,217 
 
29 
 
 Table G-2. Final reports and publications completed by the Fisheries Section in FY1998. 
 
Author Biagi and Brown 
 
Publication 
Upper Temperature Tolerance of Juvenile and Adult Brown and Rainbow Trout Tested Under Flowing Conditions 
 
Durniak, Keefer and Ruddell Standardized Sampling of Wild Trout Streams 
 
Pierce and Van Den Avyle 
 
Hybridization between Introduced Spotted Bass and Smallmouth Bass in Reservoirs 
 
30 
 
 Appendix H: Table showing the Fisheries Section maintenance and construction projects in FY1998. 
31 
 
 Table H-1. Facility maintenance and construction projects statewide during FY1998. 
 
Project 
 
Project Description 
 
Total Cost($) 
 
Charlie Elliot Wildlife Center (Marben PFA) Development 
 
Construction of a 30' x 64' shelter with enclosed classroom, restrooms, and open picnic area at the central location of Lake Margery, Lake Bennett, and Dairy Lake was begun. Fencing for traffic management at Fox Lake and Margery Lake was constructed. A fishing pier was built and placed at Lower Raleigh lake. The disabled accessible parking pad, picnic area, and fishing walkway at Margery Lake were completed. The disabled accessible fishing station, concrete walkway, and picnic area at Fox Lake were also completed. The trails at the Raleigh lakes and Bennett Lake were improved by removing trees, brush, and other vegetation and widened to increase angler access. A siphon system was installed at Lower Raleigh Lake. The siphon systems for Whitetail and Little Raleigh lakes were purchased. The disabled accessible restroom for Shepherd Lake was purchased. 
 
293,096 
 
Boat Ramp Repair & Boat ramp inspections were conducted at all state-owned sites no less than once during FY1998 with many 
 
Maintenance 
 
being inspected more often. Major repair of parking lots was completed at boat ramps on the Flint River at 
 
(statewide) 
 
State Route 49 (Macon Co.), the Oconee River at Dyar Pasture (Greene Co.), the Canoochee River at State 
 
Route 30 (Bryan Co.), the Little River at Reed Bingham State Park (Cook Co.), and the Ogeechee River off 
 
(.,.) 
 
N 
 
U.S. 1 (Jefferson Co.). Docks bought in previous segments were installed and concrete walkways 
 
constructed at the boat ramp sites on Lake Walter F. George at Sandy Branch (Clay Co.) and on the St. 
 
Marys River off State Route 121 (Charlton Co.). The existing service pier at Rotary Park on the 
 
Chattahoochee River (Muscogee Co.) was extended . Contracts were let to Elbert County for major repairs 
 
to four Richard B. Russell Reservoir boat ramp parking lots, to Jasper County for paving the parking area of 
 
the Ocmulgee River ramp at State Route 83, and to Bryan County for paving the parking area of the 
 
Ogeechee River ramp at State Route 204. A composting restroom was purchased for installation in FY99 
 
443,954 
 
at the Idle Hour Park site on Bartlett's Ferry Lake (Harris Co.). Minor repairs to parking lots and ramps were also made at a number of access sites statewide. 
 
Boat Ramp Construction 
 
Completed plans and negotiated a lease for a boat ramp site at Lake Sinclair (Putnam Co.). Continued road construction for two Savannah River sites on the Tuckahoe Wildlife Management Area (Screven Co.). Purchased road construction materials for a new site at Big Hammock Wildlife Management Area (Tattnall Co.). Plans were completed and materials purchased for ramps on the Little River (Cook Co.) and the Ogeechee River (Jefferson Co.). Drafted plans for a new site on Lake Seminole (Seminole Co.). New concrete boat ramps were constructed in FY1998 at four sites. These were located on the Chattahoochee River at Hollingsworth Road (Heard Co.), on the Ocmulgee River at Abbeville (Wilcox Co.), on Walter F. George at Sandy Branch (Clay Co.), and on the Savannah River downstream of the New Savannah Bluff Lock and Dam (Richmond Co.). Gravel parking areas were also constructed at three of these sites and two acres of paved parking added to the existing lot at the Richmond County site. Additional aggregate was applied to the parking area of a Canoochee River site (Bryan Co.) constructed in FY1997. 
 
274,145 
 
 Table H-1. Facility maintenance and construction projects statewide during FY1998. 
 
Project 
 
Project Description 
 
Summerville Fish Hatchery Buford Fish Hatchery 
 
Drainage system installed to eliminate surface water problems. Change order cost and engineering fees associated with construction of fish holding house. Materials and installation of piping for liquid oxygen system to trout raceways. 
 
Total Cost($) 51,055 
33,100 
 
Walton Fish Hatchery 
McDuffie Public Fishing Area 
 
Purchase and installation of new septic system for hatchery residence and re-paving of access roads on hatchery. Construction and engineering fees for the renovation of the West Valley dams on four lakes to include refitting of drainage structures with siphon systems, re-sloping of earthen dams, installation of emergency spillways and the purchase of 3.3 acres of an adjacent property to allow for spillway construction. 
 
Burke County Public Fishing Area 
 
Cost associated with three land appraisals and two surveys done in preparation to the purchase of the Mead Farms tract as mitigation lands for the planned Burke County Public Fishing Area lake to be constructed on High Head Creek on the Yucchi Wildlife Management Area, Burke County. 
 
Marben Public Fishing Purchase and installation of new septic tank. Drilling and installation of a new well. 
 
Area v1eve l-OCKe r-1sn 
Hatchery 
 
Electrical re-wiring of the two employee residences on Steve Cocke Fish Hatchery. 
 
Cordele Fish Hatchery Paving of access roads on hatchery. Appraisal of property adjacent to hatchery and under consideration for purchase. 
 
Paradise Public Fishing Area 
 
Engineering fees and costs to renovate earthen dams at Lake Patrick and Lake Bobben. Costs cover grading and re-sloping of earthen dams and refitting or replacement of drainage control and overflow structures to comply with safe-dam standards. Road improvements, to include removal of trees and stumps, widening, applying aggregate rock, grading and finishing, were completed at Cypress Pond (0.3 miles), Horseshoe #3 (0.4 miles), and from Duck Pond to Lake Bobben boat ramp (0.4 miles). Also, a 20' by 20' shelter with attached 8' by 20' enclosed structure were constructed over the fish cleaning station. 
 
Evans County Public Drilling and installation of deep well for use by the public visiting the area. 
 
Fishing Area 
 
Laurens County Public Legal advertisement in the Atlanta Journal Constitution to solicit bids for an engineering firm to oversee the 
 
Fishing Area 
 
Laurens County PFA construction project. 
 
Headquarters 
 
Time and expenditures of headquarters staff to manage capital outlay projects. 
 
Administrative Costs 
 
I !Total Expenditures 
 
I 
 
43,81S 391,172 
13,338 5,736 
10,090 4,658 801,144 
8,928 582 
141,184 $2,516,0011