Fisheries Section annual report, fiscal year 2000

FISHERIES SECTION ANNUAL REPORT Fiscal Year 2000
July 1, 1999 - June 30, 2000
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,

6

and Fisheries Section expenditures

B. Private waters management

10

C. Public waters management

13

D. Trout production and distribution

17

E. Warmwater hatchery production and distribution

22

F. Public fishing area operation

27

G. Resource studies

29

H. Maintenance and construction

32

Fisheries Section Activities
Fishing is the most popular wildlife-related activity in Georgia, enjoyed by every age. Around 1.15 million resident anglers use the State's diverse freshwater fishery that offers more than 4,000 miles of trout streams, 12,000 miles of warmwater streams wider than 10 feet, and 500,000 acres of impoundments. Anglers spend more than $1.12 billion yearly on fishing in Georgia with an economic impact of almost $2.3 billion generating an estimated 27,800 jobs. Programs of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Wildlife Resources Division (WRD), Fisheries Section (Section) during fiscal year 2000 (FY2000) included 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, aquatic education services, and survey projects and studies designed to benefit these resources. The Section's activities are funded primarily through license fees which are appropriated annually from the general fund by the State Legislature and from Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Funds derived from a user tax on fishing tackle and motorboat fuel. Detailed information on the Section's activities and costs are itemized in Appendices A - H. The Section's programs are administered from WRD headquarters near Social Circle and from seven regional offices (Figure 1).
Issues of water quality and quantity continue to be of major concern for the Section. The seriousness of these issues across the state was accentuated in FY2000 due to the continuing drought. The Tri-State Comprehensive Study is the focal point for these issues in the Chattahoochee-Flint and Coosa-Tallapoosa river basins. Ground water use, quantity and quality of spring flows and instream flow are major points of concern in the lower Flint River basin due to the precariously low population of the Gulf Coast strain of striped bass juxtaposed with the increasing demand for water by agricultural, municipal and industrial interests in this basin. Similar issues are being considered as part of the Environmental Protection Division's (EPD) legislatively mandated river basin planning process in other river basins. The Section participated on the Tri-State Comprehensive Study Committee and reviewed and provided information to EPD on the river basin planning process.
The Section is partnering with the U.S. Corps of Engineers by participating on the harbor committee to study striped bass habitat restoration in the lower Savannah River. This once thriving self-sustaining population continues to be seriously impacted by a number of past and present water quality and habitat degradations. Population restoration efforts have recently increased the striped bass population, but recovery continues to be threatened by proposed habitat alteration projects such as harbor channel deepening.
The Section's aquatic education efforts continued to grow in FY2000. Section staff held a total of 538 Kids Fishing Events (KFEs) statewide with 35,177 children attending. Twenty-two percent of the children attending were beginners and 67% caught at least one fish. Three-hundred (56% of the total) "general" events were sponsored by sportsman
1

2

organizations, churches, local governments, civic organizations, the military, and private individuals. 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 238 events were sponsored by WRD staff at DNR facilities. In addition to scheduled KFEs, 290 days of fishing were recorded on ponds at Burton and Buford hatcheries that were set aside for fishing by families with children. Approximately 1,943 children fished these ponds in FY2000 with just over 36% being first time anglers and 74% catching at least one fish.
More than 1,320 educators were trained to use Aquatic Project WILD materials at 67 workshops. Two Advanced Project WILD workshops addressing the topics of "Coastal Ecosystems" and "Okefenokee and Carolina Bay Ecosystems" were conducted during FY2000. These weekend workshops drew a total of 56 educators and resource professionals and provided extensive background information and materials for a variety of hands-on outdoor activities. Six lesson plans were developed by educators at each workshop that are available to anyone interested in educating youth or adults on the ecology of coastal, Okefenokee and Carolina Bay ecosystems. Approximately 19,000 children were educated by Section staff. Students were taught aquatic resources, pond and stream ecology, fish physiology, fish life history, managing fish populations, how fish are raised at WRD hatcheries, where and why they are stocked, sport fishing, and the impacts of human activities on aquatic resources.
The McDuffie Environmental Education Center, established in FY1997, is a partnership of the Georgia DNR, the Georgia Department of Education (DOE) and the Central Savannah River Resource Conservation and Development Council. DOE personnel from the Technology group at the National Science Center's Fort Discovery and the Central Savannah River Regional Education Service Agency 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. Lesson plans are linked to the Georgia Quality Core Curriculum Standards. DNR provides classroom/laboratory facilities, a nature center, interpretive trails, supplies and materials, and computers linked to the Internet. During FY1999, the Center was awarded a 5-year annual grant of $20,000 from the non-game wildlife automobile license tag funds to provide partial salary for an environmental coordinator. Funding was matched by the McDuffie County Board of Education which also solicited funding and participation from six nearby school systems. The center provided a hands-on outdoor learning experience to over 4,600 students and 900 adults/teachers during the 1999-2000 school year.
The robust redhorse (Moxostoma robustum), an imperiled fish, was discovered in the Oconee River below Sinclair Dam during the early 1990s. The Section has committed resources and personnel to prevent this species from becoming extinct and has been instrumental in the establishment of the Robust Redhorse Conservation Committee (RRCC). The committee, composed of representatives from several state, federal, educational and private organizations, directs efforts to restore populations of this fish to sustainable levels. Section staff have developed spawning and rearing techniques that
3

have resulted in the production of fingerlings suitable for stocking in natural environments. A total of 26,919 fingerling robust redhorse were harvested in the fall of 1999 from rearing ponds at eight state fish hatcheries in Georgia and South Carolina. These fingerlings were produced from Oconee and Savannah river brood stock captured and spawned in the spring of 1999. Of the fingerlings harvested, 11,426 were stocked at locations in the Oconee River and Ogeechee River basins in Georgia. Other fish were distributed to hatcheries and rearing ponds in Georgia and South Carolina for advanced rearing. Adult robust redhorse were captured by RRCC members sampling in Savannah River shoals at Augusta in the spring of 1998, 1999, and 2000. A major robust redhorse spawning site was located in the Savannah River downstream of the New Savannah River Bluff Lock and Dam.
Unauthorized introduction of 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. Since then, the Section has aggressively sought a solution that will please anglers but protect resident fish populations impacted by the invasion of this non-native species. Public concerns have focused on the reduced numbers of redbreast sunfish and bullheads. Activities of staff in FY2000 focused on: 1) removal of flatheads from experimental sections of the Altamaha and Ocmulgee rivers, 2) monitoring of redbreast sunfish populations in the Altamaha-Ocmulgee experimental section to determine if removal of flatheads is having a positive impact, 3) removal of flatheads from the Satilla River and monitoring of native sport fish populations, 4) monitoring of flathead catfish and other fish populations in the lower Altamaha River system. Removal efforts by the Section, increased fishing pressure by anglers, and the effects of drought appear to have reduced the Altamaha River flathead catfish population to 1988 population levels. Electrofishing capture rates of flathead catfish on the Altamaha River decreased from 74 fish per hour in 1998 to 55 fish per hour in 1999 to 44 fish per hour in 2000. The number of large catfish observed during sampling of the Ocmulgee River continues to decrease.
The stream survey team assesses stream fish communities across the state. Indices used to assess the community include the index of biotic integrity, a modified index of well-being and a habitat assessment. The index of biotic integrity, a robust measure of 12 community attributes, is capable of detecting the impacts of point and nonpoint pollution. Results were used to identify water quality and habitat problems in 91 streams with impaired fish communities. This year, the team sampled 140 stream segments. EPD was provided with a list of impaired streams and the likely causes of impairments so they may establish total maximum daily loads (TMDL) for each pollutant to return fish community integrity to acceptable levels. The cause of nearly 90% of the impaired fish communities sampled in Piedmont streams was attributed to sediment. Improved water quality and habitat after TMDL implementation will result in better angling opportunities within and downstream of improved stream segments. In related efforts, regional fisheries staff provided EPD more than 881 tissue samples representing 22 species from 25 bodies of water. These samples were provided to EPD for contaminant screening and establishment of fish consumption advisories.
4

The Section expanded the Delayed Harvest trout fishing program this year in cooperation with the National Park Service Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. A 4.75-mile segment of the Chattahoochee River bordering Cobb and Fulton counties was heavily stocked and placed under catch-and-release regulation between November 1 and May 14. This program has proven very popular based upon the feedback we have received from the fishing public. Anglers especially liked the chance to catch a "trophy" (18 to 20-inch) fish, as a portion of the stocking consisted of retired brood fish. Based on the success of this program and continued angler support, the Section will consider expanding Delayed Harvest to other streams as conditions warrant.
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 continued. As a result of these activities, a reduction in the legal harvest length for largemouth bass was proposed for Lake Walter F. George, efforts were begun to control hydrilla in Lake Seminole and experimental introductions of native aquatic plants were being evaluated at Lake Oconee. Over 4.5 million fingerling fish produced at the Section's warmwater hatcheries were provided for stocking 2,179 privately owned, newly constructed, or renovated ponds to establish fish populations. The Section had another successful year of producing and stocking white bass x striped bass hybrid fingerlings. Over 3.3 million hybrid bass fingerlings were stocked into 23 lakes and reservoirs. Also, over 1.8 million Atlantic and Gulf Coast strain striped bass fingerlings were raised in Georgia hatcheries and stocked into 11 reservoirs. An additional 30,380 oxytetracycline (OTC) marked, 8 inch striped bass were produced and stocked into the Savannah River as part of a continuing effort to re-establish a brood fish population in that system. Monitoring and rehabilitation efforts continued in the lower Savannah River to restore the primary striped bass hatchery broodfish source to historic levels.
5

Appendix A: Tables showing important facts about fishing in Georgia, information on revenue earned, and expenditures for FY2000.
6

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. These are the most accurate data 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."

7

Table A-2. Revenue (to the nearest dollar) generated by the Fisheries Section from license sales in license year 1999-2000.a

License Sales License Year 1999-2000 (April 1, 1999 to March 31, 2000)

Type of License

Number

Combination Hunting-Fishing

61,120

Sportsman's

30,453

Resident Fishing

498,989

Resident Trout

102,688

One-Day Fishing

65,947

Non-Resident Season Fishing

12,032

Non-Resident 7-day Fishing

33,650

Non-Resident Season Trout

8,116

Revenue 501,504 b 895,087 b 4,194,053 452,733 191,732 281,892 215,867 100,889

Totals

812,995

$6,833,757

a In addition to license sales shown, the Wildlife Resources Division sold 49,158 resident Wildlife Management Area (WMA) stamps for $904,720 and 1,373 non-resident Wildlife Management Area stamps for $98,708. 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.

8

Table A-3. Fisheries Section expenditures (thousands of dollars) by region and program with total man-days in FY2000.a

PROGRAM

COST

TOTAL

TOTAL

HQb

I

II

III

IV

V

VI VII COST MAN-DAYS

Private Waters Management

41.6

62.8

15.0

65.5 49.0 38.9

98.6 35.9

407.3

1,840

Public Waters Management

616.1 345.1 629.1 518.8 538.3 397.8 656.5 303.5 4,005.2

15,288

Aquatic Plant Control

3.6

31.4

35.0

140

Trout Production/Stocking

110.9 202.1 773.9

1,086.9

3,501

Warmwater Hatcheries

145.6

44.9

40.1 268.0 12.3 404.2 158.7 352.3 1,426.1

5,165

Aquatic Education

141.2

37.8

34.7

80.2 49.7 41.2

36.3 26.7 447.8

1,803

Public Fishing Areas

101.7 290.2

88.6 118.9

397.4

996.8

4,704

Resource Studies

9.6

43.2

41.4

94.2

503

Facility Maintenance and New Construction
Total

698.1

24.2

21.4

82.5 753.9 65.5

27.7 23.3 1,696.6

1,868.4 1,007.1 1,514.2 1,146.8 1,553.5 989.0 1,375.2 741.7 10,195.9 c

1,691 34,635

9

a Figures may differ somewhat from the final 6/00 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 Public Waters Management, Aquatic Plant Control, Aquatic Education, and Facilities Maintenance and New Construction. These four programs include both specific and prorated Headquarters costs.
c This total includes $3,633,007 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 FY2000.
10

Table B-1. Number of field investigations on private waters in each region in FY2000.

Region

Aquatic Plant

Prestocking

General

Region Regional

Balance

Control

Fish Kill Checks

Management Totals Percentages

11

I

51

1

4

II

16

2

3

III

162

33

15

IV

123

25

19

V

99

11

3

VI

61

46

25

VII

25

18

25

Statewide Totals 537

136

94

% of Totals

53%

13%

9%

56

5%

12

33

3%

27

14

251

25%

12

49

228

22%

4

33

150

15%

10

90

232

23%

1

69

7%

53

199

1,019

100%

5%

20%

100%

Table B-2. Total number and acres of private ponds stocked with fingerling largemouth bass, bream and channel catfish in FY2000. Fish provided to pond owners to establish fishable populations in newly constructed or renovated ponds.

Region

Bass-bream ponds stocked
Number Acres

Percent stocked at fertilized rate
Number Acres

Number and species stocked

Bluegill

Redear Largemouth Channel

sunfish

bass

catfish

Catfish only ponds stocked
Number Acres

12

I II III IV V VI VII Statewide Totals

77

513

54

134

232

974

0.9% 0.6%

168

715 14.3% 12.9%

283 1,646

6.0% 6.1%

521 3,031

0.6% 0.6%

98

391

1,433 7,402

1.0% 0.4% 3.5% 3.1%

203,260

50,815

53,240

13,310

363,760

91,140

272,120

68,030

660,870 155,530

1,267,760 260,940

164,420 2,985,430

41,355 681,120

7,694 33,456 5,537 14,774 45,155 92,305 38,787 45,015 82,720 126,355 145,510 222,380 13,945 36,475 339,348 570,760

34

30

22 49

134 304

44 133

166 726

293 675

53 125 746 2,042

Appendix C: Tables showing information on the Fisheries Section Public Waters Management Program in FY2000.
13

Table C-1. Aquatic plant management activities conducted statewide during FY2000.

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

Giant Cutgrass, Alligatorweed, Water Hyacinth, Primrose, and American Lotus

Rodeo, 0.8 gal/acre; Wind Break/Exactrol-
More, 0.2 gal/acre

40.6

3

Blackshear

Same as above

Spiny Naid

Aquathol K, 3.0 gal/acre

27.6

2

Blackshear

Same as above

Lyngbya

Cutrine Plus, 40 lbs/acre

15.0

1

Blackshear

Same as above

Lyngbya

K-Tea, 10 gal/acre

5.0

1

Blackshear

Same as above

Chara

Cutrine Plus, 40 lbs/acre

4.0

1

Blackshear

Same as above

Milfoil, Spatterdock, and various emergents

AquaKleen, 175 lbs/acre

1.3

1

Agrirama Lake
(Tifton)

Tift

Willow trees and various emergents

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

9.3

1

Private pond Gwinnett

Giant Salvinia

Reward (Diquat): 1.0 gal/acre

2.0

1

Reed

Bingham

Cook

Hydrilla

Nautique, 10 gal/acre 10.0

1

State Park

Reed

Bingham

Cook

Hydrilla

Sonar, 40 lbs/acre

60.0

1

State Park

Reed

Bingham

Cook

Hydrilla

Nautique, 4 gal/acre 100.0

1

State Park

$5,243

Impede invasion, improve access; good success with control

3,027 1,404 1,030 1,342 968
1,000 150 4,089 2,715
8,052

Impede invasion, improve access; good success with control
Improve access; good success with control
Improve access; good success with control Improve access; good success with control Impede invasion, improve access; good success with control
Impede invasion, improve access; good success with control
Eradicate; excellent success and no regrowth observed
Impede invasion, improve access; good success with control Impede invasion, improve access; good success with control
Impede invasion, improve access; good success with control

Treatments in Streams

Diquat, 2 gal/acre;

Eradicate; excellent success and

Edie Creek Lamar

Giant Salvinia

Exactrol-More, 0.5

2.0

2

2,341 no regrowth observed

gal/acre

Grand Total

276.8

16

$31,361

14

Table C-2. Fish kills investigated by the Fisheries Section in FY 2000.

Category of Cause Agricultural b

Number of Incidents 2

Fish Killed

Number

Value

19,410 $3,019.18

Industrial d

5

51,278 27,164.69

Municipal e

9

15,234

5,080.18

Transportation f

1

2,482

998.33

Other g

3

514

151.79

Undetermined

8

11,052

8,846.76

Total

28

99,970 $45,260.93

Fines Collected By DNR a NA c NA NA NA NA NA

15

a Fines collected as of June 30, 2000 by the Environmental Protection Division for FY2000 fish kills. b Animal wastes and flow depletion. c Information not available at time report compiled. d Contaminated effluent, fuel spills, and heated effluent from power plants. e Sewage line overflows, chlorine from swimming pools and water systems, and pesticide runoff. f Acid spill from overturned tanker truck. g Blasting and spills of newly poured concrete.

Table C-3. Environmental reviews and assessments commented on by the Fisheries Section in FY2000.

Agency and Type of Review

a
Number

Georgia Department of Natural Resources

ACT/ACF Compact issues. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2

Environmental Protection Division Permits and Variances

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

43

Stream buffer issues. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2

Surface mining application. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2

Trout stream impoundment impact analysis. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3

Wastewater discharge permits. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1

Georgia State Clearinghouse

Project reviews. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

4

U. S. Government Agency Permits, Projects and Plans

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

5

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

10

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

3

Forest Service proposed rules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2

Marine Corps Logistics Base resource management plan . . . . . . . . . . .

1

Local/Regional Government Projects

Developments of Regional Impact. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3

Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

81

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.

16

Appendix D: Tables showing information on the Fisheries Section Trout Production Program in FY2000.
17

Table D-1. Catchable trout production (lbs), conversion ratios, and costs at state hatcheries in FY2000.

Hatchery

Species

RAINBOW

BROWN

Total

Cost a

Total

Per lb

Catchables Buford

Net weight gain Conversion ratio

149,242 1.50

25,509 1.30

174,751 1.47

$347,314

$1.99

Burton

Net weight gain Conversion ratio

126,690

15,282

141,972

296,808

2.09

1.28

1.03

1.25

Summerville Net weight gain Conversion ratio

24,801 1.26

24,801

91,059

3.67

1.26

Total

Net weight gain Conversion ratio b

300,733 1.39

40,791 1.20

341,524 1.37

$735,181

$2.15

18

Cost per pound to stock catchable trout from state hatcheries: Production and distribution costs per pound:
Fingerlings c Summerville Production of 988,277 fingerling rainbow trout (2.9 inches average
length) totaling 13,154 pounds in weight.

$82,962

$0.36 $2.51
$6.31

Grand Total Catchable and Fingerling Costs

$818,143

$2.67

a Costs do not include administrative costs of the Headquarters staff or costs of capital outlay improvements. b Conversion ratios used in totals are weighted means. 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. The cost of fingerlings & fry received from federal hatcheries is unknown and not included.

Table D-2. Number and weight (lbs) of species of trout stocked into Georgia public waters from state and federal hatcheries during FY2000.

Facility

RAINBOW

Number

Weight

BROWN

Number

Weight

TOTAL

Number

Weight

STATE HATCHERIES Buford catchables fingerlings Burton catchables fingerlings Summerville catchables

345,174 50,000
373,703
131,261

136,261 1,885
128,966
42,243

67,633 40,000
37,475 125,300

24,089 2,273
12,834 1,453

412,807 90,000
411,178 125,300
131,261

160,350 4,158
141,800 1,453
42,243

19

FEDERAL HATCHERIES Chattahoochee catchables

264,874

86,542

264,874

86,542

TOTAL catchables fingerlings

1,115,012 50,000

394,012 1,885

105,108 165,300

36,923 3,726

1,220,120 215,300

430,935 5,611

Table D-3. Number and weight (lbs) of catchable trout by species and habitat type stocked from all hatcheries in FY2000.

RAINBOW

Habitat

Number Weight

STREAMS BY COUNTY

Bartow

17,849

Catoosa

2,320

Chattooga

7,568

Cherokee

1,192

Dade

100

Dawson

32,982

Fannin

80,835

Floyd

32,318

Gilmer

22,301

Gordon

2,388

Habersham

25,945

Haralson

9,035

Lumpkin

93,936

Murray

30,393

Paulding

5,280

Pickens

7,896

Polk

2,137

Rabun

139,760

Stephens

44,070

Towns

49,381

Union

83,340

Walker

18,126

White

88,964

Whitfield

400

5,979 703
2,287 379 27
12,152 26,904 10,003
7,886 882
8,964 2,832 31,425 10,450 1,632 2,676
690 49,159 15,387 17,519 27,858
5,507 31,014
133

Sub-total

798,516 272,448

TAILWATERS Blue Ridge Hartwell Lanier

24,400 15,180 215,247

8,039 5,853 86,445

Sub-total

254,827 100,337

RESERVOIRS Burton Seed
Sub-total SMALL LAKES
Black Rock Conasauga Dockery Nancytown Rock Creek Vogel Winfield Scott

2,475 609
13,085 9,825
11,900 2,075
21,700

867 234 4,468 3,465 4,140 780 7,273

Sub-total

61,669 21,227

GRAND TOTAL 1,115,012 394,012

BROWN

TOTAL

Number Weight Number Weight

2,655 50
1,415 3,200 7,295
550 3,730 1,450 1,905 8,920
31,170

1,030 96
545 1,143 2,729
191 1,337
505 770 3,366
11,712

17,849 2,320 7,568 1,192 100
35,637 80,885 32,318 23,716
2,388 29,145
9,035 101,231
30,393 5,280 7,896 2,137
140,310 47,800 50,831 85,245 18,126 97,884 400
829,686

5,979 703
2,287 379 27
13,182 27,000 10,003
8,431 882
10,107 2,832
34,154 10,450
1,632 2,676
690 49,350 16,724 18,024 28,628
5,507 34,380
133
284,160

420 53,618
54,038

195 18,184
18,379

24,400 15,600 268,865
308,865

8,039 6,048 104,629
118,716

14,000 2,400
16,400
2,500 1,000 3,500 105,108

4,868 836
5,704

14,000 2,400
16,400

4,868 836
5,704

781 347
1,128 36,923

2,475 609
13,085 12,325 11,900
3,075 21,700
65,169
1,220,120

867 234 4,468 4,246 4,140 1,127 7,273
22,355
430,935

20

Table D-4. Number and weight (lbs) of fingerling trout by species and habitat type stocked from all hatcheries in FY2000.

Locations Stocked

RAINBOW Number Weight

STREAMS BY COUNTY Rabun Stephens White
Sub-total

TAILWATERS Lanier
GRAND TOTAL

50,000 50,000

1,885 1,885

BROWN Number Weight

75,000 50,000
300 125,300

1,399 13 41
1,453

40,000 165,300

2,273 3,726

TOTAL Number Weight

75,000 50,000
300 125,300

1,399 13 41
1,453

90,000 215,300

4,158 5,611

21

Appendix E: Tables showing information on the Fisheries Section Warmwater Hatchery Production Program in FY2000.
22

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

state hatcheries in FY2000.

Number

Cost Pera

Species

Acres

Number

Per Acre

Fish ($)

Bluegill Fingerling

23.66

5,053,632

213,594

0.040

Channel catfish Fry

7.10

2,178,000

306,761

0.036

Fingerling Intermediate

9.59 18.10

960,139 505,525

100,119 27,930

0.123 0.340

Harvestable

8.17

Hybrid white-striped bass

Fry

b

Fingerling

25.34

Largemouth bass

45,727
11,835,000 3,556,860

5,597
b
140,365

1.813
0.012 0.056

Fingerling Redear sunfish
Fingerling Robust redhorse
Fry Fingerling Intermediate
Harvestable Shoal bass

12.06
6.94
b
2.84 1.46 1.13

701,981
1,052,119
33,255 15,858
2,997 3

58,207
151,602
b
5,584 2,053
3

0.131
0.070
c c c c

Fingerling Striped bass
Fry Fingerling Intermediate

4.40
b
12.89 5.75

128,001
5,728,000 2,183,362
33,207

29,091
b
169,384 5,775

0.505
0.012 0.039 2.880

Totals (all phases) 139.43

34,013,666 d

122,377 e

0.077 e

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 A total of $55,313 was expended on the experimental culture of this species.
Georgia is the first state to attempt the hatchery culture of this potentially threatened species. d 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 at federal hatcheries. e Weighted means. Striped bass fry, hybrid white-striped bass fry and all phases
of robust redhorse are not included.

23

24

Table E-2. Number of each warmwater fish species produced at state hatcheries in FY2000.

Bowens

Species

Mill

Bluegill

Fingerling

1,490,040

Channel catfish

Fry

Fingerling

243,657

Intermediate

Harvestable

Hybrid white-striped bass

Fry

Fingerling

330,956

Largemouth bass

Fingerling

285,000

Redear sunfish

Fingerling

224,760

Robust redhorse

Fry

Fingerling

Intermediate

Harvestable

Shoal bass

Fingerling

Striped bass

Fry

Fingerling

Intermediate

Total

2,574,413

Burton

Richmond

Cordele McDuffie

Hill

Steve Cocke Summerville

939,075 941,499 1,086,000

95,738

2,178,000 207,252 275,203 4,391

206,500 31,348

132,730 31,035

170,000 189,400
9,988

1,696,367

11,835,000 938,516

591,021

69,400

96,398 161,963

269,835 210,072 193,000

43,052

1,455 1,220

31,800
385 3

3,268

86,378

41,623

2,675

4,447,591

5,728,000 769,348 673,155
33,207 2,317,694 20,622,880

536,145 2,979,140

138,790

Walton

Total

501,280 5,053,632

9,887

2,178,000 960,139 505,525 45,727

11,835,000 3,556,860

89,220 701,981

111,400 1,052,119

11,370 2,612

33,255 15,858
2,997 3

128,001

204,714 930,483

5,728,000 2,183,362
33,207 34,013,666

Table E-3. Cost per fish (dollars) for warmwater fish species produced at state hatcheries in FY2000.a

25

Species

Bowens Mill

Bluegill

Fingerling

0.033

Channel catfish

Fry

Fingerling

0.129

Intermediate

Harvestable

Hybrid white-striped bass

Fry

Fingerling

0.149

Largemouth bass

Fingerling

0.167

Redear sunfish

Fingerling

0.064

Shoal bass Fingerling

Cordele
0.031 0.117 0.365 2.393 0.030
0.348

Richmond Steve

McDuffie

Hill Cocke

0.021 0.055 0.050

0.112 1.731

0.146 0.593

0.118 0.209 1.818

0.012 0.094 0.016

0.160 0.222 0.045

0.039

0.063 0.090 0.833

Summerville 0.148
0.114

Walton 0.027 1.340
0.052 0.120

Statewide Weighted Average
0.040
0.036 0.123 0.340 1.813
0.012 0.056
0.131
0.070
0.505

Striped bass

Fry

0.012

0.012

Fingerling

0.048 0.044 0.022

0.040

0.039

Intermediate

2.880

2.880

a

A total of $55,313 was also expended as part of an experimental effort to determine how to culture the potentially

threatened robust redhorse at Burton, McDuffie, Richmond Hill, and Walton hatcheries.

Table E-4. Number of warmwater fish distributed from state hatcheries in FY2000. Totals include fish provided by federal hatcheries, surplus brood stock and fish available as by-products of other programs.

26

Species

Forage

Bluegill

Fingerling

Channel catfish

Fingerling

20,000

Intermediate

Harvestable

Gizzard Shad

Fingerling

Grass carp

Harvestable

Hybrid white-striped bass

Fingerling

Largemouth bass

Fingerling

Redear sunfish

Fingerling

Robust redhorse

Fry

Fingerling

Advanced Fingerling

Intermediate

Harvestable

Shoal bass

Fingerling

Striped bass - Atlantic Strain

Fry

Fingerling

Intermediate

Striped bass - Gulf Strain

Fingerling

Walleye

Fry

Total (all sizes)

20,000

Kid's Fishing Events
29,000
5,676 290,049
33,214

Other Fisheries Agencies
6,000

Private Waters
2,985,430
570,760

8,000

105,729
18,120 1,600 45

339,348 681,120

153,750

365,939

285,244 4,576,658

Public Fishing
Areas 157,920
4,365 71,380 14,280
3,585 35
12,967 10,725 38,730
313,987

Publicly Owned
Small Lakes
713,080
98,617 64,509
6,160

Reservoirs
180,000
14,857 21,250

15,581 11,250 83,300

3,192,398 56,000

5,127 533

1,448,013

998,157

712,989
2,800,000 8,425,507

Rivers & Streams

Total a

4,065,430

720,275 447,188
53,654

3,585

35

3,326,675

417,323

811,150

7,890 1,219
968 93

18,120 14,617
1,219 1,546
93

127,978

127,978

505,000 30,380

505,000 1,448,013
30,380

866,739

2,800,000 673,528 15,659,020

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 FY2000.
27

Table F-1. Public Fishing Areas cost data for FY2000.

Region

Area

Ownership

Number of Lakes

Acreage

Total

Open to Operating

Public Fishing Cost ($)

I Rocky Mountain

Private

2

559.0

290,235 a

III McDuffie

State

13

66.0

88,594

IV Big Lazer

State

1

195.0

10,238

IV Marben Farms

State

22

265.5

108,679

VI Dodge County

State

1

104.0

106,906

VI Evans County

State

3

92.0

82,036

VI Paradise

State

60

409.0

206,923

VI Treutlen County

Private

1

189.0

1,520

Total

1,879.5

895,131

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

28

Appendix G: Tables showing information on the Fisheries Section Resource Studies in FY2000.
29

Table G-1. Cost for resource studies in each region during FY2000.

Region East Central (III)

Study Title
Investigation of the Trout Fishery in the Chattahoochee River Below Buford Dam

Southwest (V)

Effects of Flouridone Treatment on Largemouth Bass Movement in Lake Seminole

Headquarters

Administrative

Total

Cost ($) 43,233
41,442 9,600
$94,275

30

Table G-2. Final reports and publications completed by the Fisheries Section in FY2000.

Author
Dr. David Toburen, Virginia King Brady, Jerome F. Germann and Ann Matherly

Publication
Infusing Education Technology into an Environmental Education Program

31

Appendix H. Table showing the Fisheries Section maintenance and construction projects in FY2000.
32

Table H-1. Facility maintenance and construction projects statewide during FY2000.

33

Project Boat Ramp Construction
Boat Ramp Repair and Maintenance (statewide)
Buford Trout Hatchery

Project Description
A double lane concrete ramp approximately 20 feet wide and 200 feet long was constructed on the Altamaha River at Big Hammock Wildlife Management Area in Tattnall County. A gravel parking lot sufficient for 15-20 vehicles adjacent to the ramp and a gravel entrance road approximately 2 -1/2 miles long were constructed. Another new ramp approximately 30 feet wide by 200 feet long was constructed on Lake Seminole in Seminole County. A parking area sufficient to accommodate 50 car-trailer units with four paved spaces for disabled parking and additional unpaved area of 2 acres for overflow parking was constructed. Two floating service piers were installed at the site. Another new ramp approximately twenty feet wide and 150 feet long was constructed on the Flint River in Macon County. A paved parking area sufficient to accommodate 20 car-trailer units and one handicapped space was constructed here. Minor landscaping work and paving of the parking area on the new ramp on the Altamaha River off State Route 169 in Wayne County were continued into this fiscal year. Gravel was spread at the new parking lots of the three boat ramps constructed in Screven County during the last fiscal year. Draft plans have been completed for the site on the Etowah River in Floyd County, the site on Lake Sinclair in Putnam County, the site on Little River in Lowndes County, and on the site on Brier Creek in Burke County.
Inspections were completed on all ramps statewide no less than once during the year with most inspected a number of times. A major renovation of the boating access area on the Savannah River at Tuckasee King in Effingham County was nearly completed. A new boat ramp, entrance road, and parking lot were constructed. The parking lot and entrance road were paved. A boat ramp was renovated at Traders Hill on the St. Marys River in Charlton County. The ramp was replaced, the 2-acre parking lot was re-graded and graveled, and a service pier was installed. The boat ramp at Sandy Branch on Lake Walter F. George in Clay County was extended an additional 30 feet because of problems associated with extremely low reservoir levels. The same type of extension was added to the boat ramp on Fox Lake in Jasper County. The boat ramp at Poor Robin Landing on the Savannah River in Screven County was replaced. The old ramp had been rendered useless by a change in the river channel. The gravel parking lot was renovated at this location as well. A new floating service pier was installed at the boat ramp on Bartlett's Ferry Lake in Harris County. A contract with Harris County for expansion of the parking lot at this location was signed. Smaller repairs to parking lots and ramps were made on a number of other state -owned boating access sites statewide.
Replace hatchery water supply pump.

Total Cost $352,040
463,881
15,045

Table H-1 (continued). Facility maintenance and construction projects statewide during FY2000.

Project Charlie Elliot Wildlife Center (Marben PFA) Development
Cordele Fish Hatchery Cordele Fish Hatchery

Project Description
The work plan for FY 2000 was completed and consisted of the following items: constructed ADA parking pad and pathway at Pigeonhouse Pond; piers for fishing, fertilizing, and water quality checks were constructed at Little Raleigh, Upper Raleigh, Allen, Greenhouse, and Hillside ponds; constructed a pavilion with concrete floor at Greenhouse Pond; added aggregate to roads as needed; improved angler access trails at Greenhouse, Allen, Bennett and Lower Raleigh ponds; picnic tables were relocated from Bennett and Hillside ponds to Greenhouse and Fox ponds. Items completed in addition to the work plan include: installed 300' of fencing on Margery Lake spillway; limed and fertilized Fox, Bennett, Margery dams; built and installed gates at Dove, Otter and Pigeonhouse Ponds; built a shelter over ADA picnic platform at Margery Lake; restored electrical service to the tile storage barn and two adjacent structures; poured a concrete pad adjacent to the shop facility for vehicle and equipment maintenance; extended the boat ramp at Fox Lake to forty feet in length; worked with AT&T volunteers to construct a trail from visitor center to Pigeonhouse Pond, general trail improvements in other areas; installed pressure-assisted toilets in activity center; installed fencing to protect archeologically-significant rock wall at activity center; installed hand railing with ADA sections on Clubhouse fishing pier; constructed trail from Pigeonhouse Pond to Greenhouse Pond; and built elevated walkway over siphon structure on Upper Raleigh dam to minimize erosion.
Completed the bedroom, bathroom, and closet addition to hatchery manager's residence. Remodeled two existing bedrooms, added new windows, remodeled the kitchen, relocated and expanded an existing bathroom, replaced the electrical wiring, installed a new septic system, replaced the sheetrock, replaced the siding and the roof of the hatchery manager's residence .
Procured engineering assistance for pond construction and water supply work at th e hatchery. Placed riprap below a dam and repaired walls of water supply spring.

Total Cost 66,087
24,962 20,182

34

Dodge County Public Fishing Area

Construction of a pavilion with kitchen, bathrooms, and seating for 100 persons was completed.

Evans County Public Fishing Area An office building and public use facility were constructed at this state-owned area.

20,961 50,000

Table H-1 (continued). Facility maintenance and construction projects statewide during FY2000.

Project Laurens County Public Fishing Area McDuffie Public Fishing Area McDuffie Public Fishing Area
Paradise Public Fishing Area Richmond Hill Fish Hatchery
Headquarters Administrative Costs Total Expenditures

Project Description
Funds were obligated to purchase mitigation property at Big Dukes Pond for this proposed public fishing area. A contract for a pre-engineered metal storage building was signed for construction on the site of the proposed Laurens County Public Fishing Area.
A bedroom, bathroom, closet, and concrete steps were added to the existing manager's residence.
The Prater Tract adjacent to this State owned area was purchased which included the appraisals, appraisal review, survey, and environmental review. Engineering services were hired and supplies purchased to repair a dam on the area. Engineering services were procured and a contract awarded to the McDuffie County Commissioner's Office for the design, reconstruction, or repair of facilities on the area.
Earthworks were repaired on the dams of lakes Charles, Mallard's Rest, and Heron.
Replaced leaking skylights in warehouse and repaired deep well pump and motor for supplying water to hatchery ponds.
Prorated time and expenses of headquarters staff to manage capital outlay projects.

Total Cost 216,315 44,100 255,054
42,300 12,174 113,494 $ 1,696,595

35