Fisheries Section annual report, fiscal year 2002

FISHERIES SECTION ANNUAL REPORT Fiscal Year 2002
July 1, 2001 - June 30, 2002
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,

7

and Fisheries Section expenditures

B. Private waters management

11

C. Public waters management

14

D. Trout production and distribution

18

E. Warmwater hatchery production and distribution

23

F. Public fishing area operation

28

G. Resource studies

30

H. Maintenance and construction

33

Fisheries Section Activities
Fishing is the most popular wildlife -related activity in Georgia, enjoyed by every age. Around 1.29 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 $568 million yearly on fishing in Georgia with an economic impact of more than $1.14 billion generating an estimated 10,600 jobs. Programs of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Wildlife Resources Division (WRD), Fisheries Section (Section) during fiscal year 2002 (FY2002) included management of public waters, development and management of public fishing areas, technical guidance on private waters management and aquaculture operations, 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 by the State Legislature from the general fund. The Section's second major source of funding comes from the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Program. Federal Aid dollars, accumulated by a user tax on fishing tackle and motorboat fuel, are apportioned back to states by a formula based on land area and license sales. 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).
Personnel conducted a fisheries survey on the Oostanaula River using boatmounted electrofishing equipment. The river had not been intensively surveyed since the early 1960s. Smallmouth buffalo, redhorse suckers, freshwater drum, blue catfish and channel catfish dominate the riverine fish community. Over one-third of the smallmouth buffalo collected had eroded fins, superficial lesions, or regenerated scales. The cause for the deformities has not yet been determined.
Summerville Hatchery personnel once again hatched and began grow-out of lake sturgeon in preparation for re-introduction into the Coosa River System. Although this is the fourth year sturgeon were raised at the hatchery, it is the first year sturgeon were converted to commercially prepared feed, which greatly decreases rearing costs. Although fish have not yet been stocked, the reintroduction project advanced considerably this year with presentations and discussions between WRD staff, other agencies and the Board of Natural Resources on the proposed stocking.
Surplus Christmas trees, felled treetops, tons of rock and gravel, and various types of construction materials were used in reservoirs to enhance fish habitat. Spawning structures, called benches, were constructed at selected cove sites in reservoirs where recruitment of largemouth bass was limited by inferior habitat or competitive species, such as blueback herring. Subsequent evaluation indicated that bass spawning benches supported high use during the spawning period. Over 2,000
1

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Christmas trees were submerged in a wide variety of locations, configurations, and depths to attract a wide variety of adult fish species. Trees are expected to provide spawning and nursery habitat for spotted bass, largemouth bass, white bass, crappie, and sunfish. Several tons of gravel were broadcast around public fishing piers to attract sunfish and provide suitable spawning habitat. Visual assessment of the gravel beds indicated very high use by bluegill and redear sunfish during the spawning season. In addition, anglers enjoyed high catch rates as a result of these enhancements.
The robust redhorse (Moxostoma robustum ), an imperiled fish, was discovered in the Oconee River in 1991 during a survey conducted for the relicensing of the Sinclair Hydroelectric Project. The Section has committed significant resources to recovery efforts for this species, and has been instrumental in the establishment of the Robust Redhorse Conservation Committee (RRCC). As the primary recovery vehicle, the RRCC directs the efforts of state, federal, and private sector representatives toward the goal of restoring the robust redhorse to a significant portion of its historic range in the Southeastern United States. The first release of robust redhorse in the Ocmulgee River occurred at sites between Lloyd Shoals and Juliette dams in January 2002 and coincided with the signing of the Ocmulgee River Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances (CCAA) between Georgia Power Company, the U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. The agreement provides assurances that, in exchange for funding conservation actions, Georgia Power Company operations at Lloyd Shoals dam will not be affected if the robust redhorse is listed under the Endangered Species Act. In addition to spawning, rearing, and stocking efforts, other significant recovery efforts included an Ocmulgee River population status survey; installation of aeration systems in robust redhorse rearing ponds; development of plans to re-introduce robust redhorse in South Carolina; and development of protocols for brood fish collection, spawning, and culture.
The Section monitors the population size, age structure, and the commercial and sport harvest of American shad in Georgia's coastal plain rivers with emphasis on the Altamaha River system. These monitoring efforts satisfy Georgia's requirements for Amendment 1 of the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Shad and River Herring developed by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. During 2001, 56,044 pounds of American shad were commercially harvested from Georgia rivers. This was slightly higher than the 53,144 pounds harvested during 2000. An estimated 123,782 American shad returned to the Altamaha River to spawn during 2001, down slightly from 137,207 fish during 2000. The shad population and harvest are lower than their mid-1990's peak, but there is no evidence that the population is being overharvested. Based on previous studies on the Altamaha River, the continuing drought will likely reduce the number of juvenile shad that emigrate to the ocean, but this will not necessarily result in a lower population returning in future years to spawn. In the ocean there are so many variables that affect year class strength that a prediction of future runs is not possible.
3

Construction at the new Laurens County Public Fishing Area (LCPFA) was completed during FY2002. Facilities constructed include a two-lane boat ramp and service pier, office, metal warehouse, block fertilizer building, well house, and wharf. An area manager and hourly associate were hired to operate the area. The Kids Fishing Event pond was stocked with channel catfish, and the first event was held during spring 2002. Coordinates of bottom structures were recorded (GPS format) to be used in future production of fishing maps. The gates on the dam were closed January 23, 2002, and the lake began filling. Shortly after closing the gates, a significant rainfall event brought the lake level up to about 40 surface acres, and the lake remained at approximately that level through the end of the fiscal year. Largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, and channel catfish were stocked into the lake in anticipation of its filling. The 109-acre lake is anticipated to be open for public fishing beginning late summer 2003.
Research within the experimental flathead catfish management zone on the Ocmulgee and Altamaha rivers continued in FY2002. Flathead catfish were removed from four river sections in the experimental zone. Sampling effort for flatheads (22 hours of pedal time) was less than half that of earlier years due to a biologist vacancy. A total of 1,834 catfish weighing 2,460 lbs. were removed. Average weight of the flatheads removed was 1.34 lbs., the lowest average weight in the five years of removal efforts.
The presence of the non-native flathead catfish in the Satilla River was confirmed in the summer of 1996. The Section continues to monitor and remove flathead catfish from the Satilla River in order to protect native fish populations. Public sentiment is overwhelmingly in favor of protecting the river's premier redbreast fishery. During FY2002, Section staff expended 57 hours of electrofishing effort to remove 1,463 lbs. of flathead catfish from 80 miles of the Satilla River. Despite removal efforts, capture rates of flathead catfish have continued to increase. First pass catch rates (the gauge used to monitor population trends) increased from 7.5 fish per hour pedal time in FY2001 to 17.2 fish per hour in FY2002. Despite the significant increase in catch per hour of electrofishing, no negative impacts on native Satilla River fish populations have been documented.
The Section continued to introduce youth to fishing through the Kids Fishing Events (KFEs) program. Section staff held or co-sponsored a total of 526 KFEs statewide with 28,976 youth attending. Nineteen percent of the youth were beginners and 74% were successful in catching at least one fish. Sportsman organizations, local governments, businesses, civic and youth organizations, private individuals, and the military sponsored 276 KFEs. Sponsors were encouraged to promote the Section's KFE goals: to ha ve fun, learn how to fish safely, follow rules, catch a fish, and touch a fish. Section staff sponsored 250 KFEs at 10 WRD facilities where 9,485 youth attended and 77% were successful at catching at least one fish. In addition, three ponds at the Burton and Buford trout hatcheries set aside for fishing by families with children also provided quality-fishing experiences for 3,223 youth.
4

Aquatic Project WILD training for 695 Georgia educators was provided at 41 workshops. Two facilitator workshops were conducted to "train the trainers" and 60 new facilitators were added to the program. Advanced Project WILD workshops on the "Introduction of Exotic Plants and Animals in Georgia" and "Trout Ecology and Management" were organized and taught by Section personnel and attended by 20 and 19 educators, respectively. Teachers learn a great deal at these workshops and use the materials received directly in their classrooms. Overall, Fisheries Section staff provided instruction to over 18,000 youth in Georgia schools. Section staff also conducted over 45 presentations to approximately 1,200 adults on a variety of topics, including importance of aquatic resources, aquatic resource management issues, sport fishing, striped bass population restoration and management, pond management, erosion and sedimentation, and aquatic weed management.
The stream survey team assesses fish communities in wadeable streams across the state. Indices used to assess stream fish communities include the index of biotic integrity, the modified index of well-being, and a habitat assessment. The index of biotic integrity is a robust measure of 12-13 community attributes and is used in conjunction with the other indices to help identify point and non-point source pollution impacts. In FY2002, the team sampled 142 streams in the Southeastern Plains, Piedmont, and Ridge and Valley eco-regions of the state. Georgia's Environmental Protection Division (EPD) was provided a list of impaired streams and their potential causes of impairment. EPD will establish total maximum daily loads (TMDL) for each pollutant, which should reduce impacts and return the fish community to a level that meets federal Clean Water Act criteria. Improved water quality and habitat after TMDL implementation will result in better angling opportunities in improved streams.
The Board of Natural Resources addressed the issue of water temperature standards for the Chattahoochee River by directing both the Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) and the Environmental Protection Division (EPD) to develop sitespecific criteria. Natural reproduction of trout has been documented in the river for several years and more protective measures are needed to prevent degradation of instream temperatures. Study XXVII, "An Investigation of the Trout Fishery in the Chattahoochee River Below Buford Dam," was completed. Annual survival of stocked trout was low and natural mortality was high. Stocking rates have been increased since the early 1990s in anticipation of increased levels of effort and harvest. However, recent measurements of effort were nearly identical to those documented in 1990. Estimated harvest of stocked trout in 2001 was nearly half of the 1990 estimate. Stocking rates of trout will be adjusted downwards to account for these new findings. The delayed harvest section below Morgan Falls Dam, which was introduced in November 2000, continues to provide quality trout fishing for the Atlanta metro area. In 2001, 1,500 large (18-20 inch) rainbow trout were stocked into the delayed harvest section by Trout Unlimited and Sweetwater Brewery. WRD stocked an additional 15,000 nine -inch trout for a total of 66,500 trout. Fifty-thousand trout ranging from 0.3 to 5 pounds are scheduled to be stocked in this five-mile section of the Chattahoochee River in 2002.
5

The McDuffie Environmental Education Center (MEEC) is operated through a partnership between WRD and nine area resource and educational agencies. Originally formed in 1996, over 20,000 students and 3,000 teachers and paraprofessionals have benefited from its outdoor classroom activities. Four new talking boxes were placed on site during FY2002 as a result of a $4,000 grant from the Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority. The talking boxes feature the calls of 30 birds commonly seen on the area. The bird songs were made available through a $500 grant from McGahee Clearing and Grading Company of Dearing. The Central Savannah River Area Regional Educational Service Agency donated 10 computers to the MEEC's technology activity site. Staff received a grant award of $67,000 from the GA EPD Solid Waste Management Program for facility improvements, a recycling activities site and other supplies and materials. Watchable Wildlife also awarded a $3,375 grant for the improvement and development of signs on the interpretive trails of the MEEC.
The Section continued to provide public service in other areas during FY2002. 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 in Lake West Point was approved and implemented, efforts to control hydrilla in Lake Seminole were continued, experimental introductions of native aquatic plants were evaluated at Lake Oconee, predator introductions to control blueback herring populations in Lake Burton were conducted and spawning benches constructed to enhance largemouth bass spawning habitat in Lake Burton. Over 4.25 million fingerling fish produced at the Section's warmwater hatcheries were provided for stocking 2,125 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 1.55 million hybrid bass fingerlings were stocked into 13 lakes and reservoirs. Also, over 1.32 million Atlantic and Gulf Coast strain striped bass fingerlings were raised in Georgia hatcheries and stocked into eight reservoirs. Striped bass population monitoring and habitat restoration efforts by the Section continued in the lower Savannah River as part of the effort to restore this species in the river. An additional 13,160 oxytetracycline (OTC) marked, 8-inch striped bass were produced and stocked into the Savannah River as part of the continuing effort to re-establish a brood fish population in that system.
6

Appendix A: Tables showing important facts about fishing in Georgia, information on revenue earned, and expenditures for FY2002.
7

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
892,000 a 398,000 a 10,697,000 a 12,555,000 a
14 a $568,712,000 b
$1,140,197,000 b 10,649 b
$19,453,000 b

a 2001 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation - Georgia published by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Department of Commerce, Census Bureau in November 2002.
b Sportfishing in America: Values of Our Traditional Pastime published by the American Sportfishing Association. Calculations are based on data from the "2001 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation."

8

Table A-2. Revenue (to the nearest dollar) generated by the Fisheries Section from license sales in license year 2001-2002.a

License Sales License Year 2001-2002 (April 1, 2001 to March 31, 2002)

Type of License

Number

Lifetime (new issues)

1,491

Combination Hunting-Fishing

56,427

Sportsman=s

36,841

Resident Fishing Resident Trout

495,565 103,742

One-Day Fishing Non-Resident Season Fishing Non-Resident 7-day Fishing Non-Resident Season Trout

70,313 13,352 34,448
8,853

Revenue 287,775 b 463,104 b 1,082,867 b 4,166,058 457,641 204,866 313,096 221,655 110,056

Totals

821,032

$ 7,307,118

a In addition to license sales shown, the Wildlife Resources Division sold 47,919 resident Wildlife Management Area (WMA) stamps for $882,089 and 1,584 non-resident Wildlife Management Area stamps for $113,887. 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.

9

Table A-3. Fisheries Section expenditures (thousands of dollars) by region and program with total man-days in FY2002.a

PROGRAM

COST

HQb

I

II

III

IV

Private Waters Management 40.0 59.4 20.0 82.9 48.5

Public Waters Management Aquatic Plant Control

581.1 6.7

627.4

683.8

524.4

514.3 30.7

Trout Production/Stocking

89.6 146.3 757.0

Warmwater Hatcheries

121.5 64.6 16.0 240.2 28.4

Aquatic Education

252.7 28.1 51.9 80.0 56.8

Public Fishing Areas

124.2 332.9

81.9 186.0

Resource Studies

2.9

23.9

Facility Maintenance and New Construction

565.2 15.8

6.1 30.6 715.8

Total

1,783.9 1,274.5 1,534.8 1,063.9 1,580.5

V

VI

52.1 338.7

92.5 550.7

436.1 27.0
5.7 58.6

146.8 25.6
652.4
50.0

918.2 1,518.0

TOTAL TOTAL VII COST MAN
DAYS
48.3 443.7 1,981

359.8 4,180.2 14,495

37.4

124

992.9 3,294

293.0 1,346.6 5,182

21.0 543.1 1,685

1,377.4 5,879

32.5

104

7.9 1,450.0 1,980

730.0 10,403.8 c 34,724

10

a Figures may differ somewhat from the final 6/01 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 cost.
c This total includes $3,919,304 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 FY2002.
11

Table B-1. Number of field investigations on private waters in each region in FY2002.

12

Region

Aquatic Balance Plant Control Fish Kill

Prestocking General Check Management

Region Totals

Regional Percentages

I

45

9

3

2

59

6%

II

17

6

3

1

15

42

4%

III

179

77

20

2

42

320

32%

IV

110

41

26

19

29

225

22%

V

75

15

8

1

39

138

14%

VI

31

44

28

67

170

17%

VII

22

20

11

53

5%

Statewide Totals

479

212

99

23

194

1007

100%

% of Totals

48%

21%

10%

2%

19%

100%

Table B-2. Total number and acres of private ponds stocked with fingerling largemouth bass, bream, and channel catfish in FY2002. 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

13

I II III IV V VI VII Statewide Totals

81 287 52 178 226 892 193 798 275 1,672 512 2,557 113 535 1,452 6,919

127,716

31,929

15,964 16,771

71,040

17,760

8,380 11,360

3%

4%

368,488

96,217

43,143 98,894

15% 12%

319,316

76,979

42,968 48,518

4%

3%

619,212 152,278

81,188 99,936

1%

1% 1,015,580 236,145 114,568 192,968

278,880

27,020

13,845 30,175

4%

3% 2,800,232 638,328 320,056 498,622

20

13

18

18

143

483

53

231

133

688

252

702

54

102

673 2,238

Appendix C: Tables showing information on the Fisheries Section Public Waters Management Program in FY2002.
14

Table C-1. Aquatic plant management activities conducted statewide in FY2002.

15

Body of water Blackshear Blackshear
Blackshear
Blackshear
Blackshear
Big Lazer PFA

County
Crisp / Dooley Sumter / Worth
Crisp / Dooley Sumter / Worth
Crisp / Dooley Sumter / Worth
Crisp / Dooley Sumter / Worth
Crisp / Dooley Sumter / Worth Talbot

Target pest
Lyngbya
Lyngbya
American Lotus, Ludwigia, Parrots Feather, Milfoil &
Alligatorweed Water Hyacinth, American Lotus, Ludwigia, Giant Cutgrass & Alligatorweed Potamogeton, Bladderwort, Milfoil & Parrots Feather
Lyngbya

Control method Cutrine Plus, 60 lbs / acre
K-Tea, 6.8 gal / acre
Barrage, 2,4-D 0.5 gal / acre
Rodeo, 0.8 gal / acre Exactrol More / Wind Brake, 0.25 gal / acre Aquathol, 160 lbs / acre
K-Tea, 6.8 gal / acre

Acres treated
10.0 4.7 4
26.5
1.25 2.5

No. of applications
2 1 2
3
1 1

GSP Tifton

Tift

Ludwigia, Alligatorweed Rodeo, 0.8 gal / acre

2.0

1

& assorted grasses

Exactrol More / Wind

Brake, 0.25 gal / acre

Reed

Cook

Hydrilla

Sonar AS, 0.035 gal /

200

1

Bingham

acre

State Park*

Reed

Cook

Hydrilla

Sonar PR, 16 lbs / acre

75

2

Bingham

State Park*

Reed

Cook

Hydrilla

Komeen, 10 gal / acre

112.5

1

Bingham

State Park*

Reed

Cook

Ludwigia, Alligatorweed, Rodeo, 0.8 gal / acre

12

1

Bingham

Water Hyacinth &

2,4-D, 0.5 gal / acre

State Park*

Spatterdock

(tank mix)

Grand Total

450.45

16

Cost of treatment
4,144

Management objectives; treatment effectiveness
Improve access: good success with control

2,025

Improve access: good success with control

3,410

Impede invasion, improve access: good success with control.

7,020

Impede invasion, improve access: good success with control.

1,990 1,870 1,835 1,688 3,376 1,688 1,688
$30,734

Impede invasion, improve access: good success with control.
Impede invasion, improve access: good success with control.
Impede invasion, improve access: good success with control.
Impede invasion, improve access: good success with control.
Impede invasion, improve access: good success with control.
Impede invasion, improve access: good success with control.
Impede invasion, improve access: good success with control.

* DNR Parks, Recreation, and Historic Sites Division spent an additional $31,559.25 on chemicals for treatment of Reed Bingham State Park lake.

Table C-2. Fish kills investigated by the Fisheries Section in FY2002.

Category of cause Agricultural Industrial Municipal a
Natural / Disease Transportation Undetermined c Total

Number of incidents 2 4 5 4 1 10 26

Fish killed

Number

Value ($)

22,274

4,191.44

2,604

358.47

2,457 325

403.45 0.00 b

820

143.63

187,320

84,433.03

215,800

$89,530.02

16

a Includes fish kills caused by sewage discharges from county or city waste treatment facilities. b 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 fish are, therefore, rarely calculated. c Most of these fish were from one blueback herring kill in Lake Lanier.

Table C-3. Environmental reviews and assessments conducted by the Fisheries Section in FY2002.

Agency and type of review

Number a

Georgia Department of Natural Resources

Environmental Protection Division Permits and Variances

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

25

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

2

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

3

Water allocation and withdrawal permits. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2

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

1

Wildlife Resources Division

Natural Heritage Section Project review. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1

Georgia State Clearinghouse

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

3

University of Georgia

Research Proposals Fish culture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2

Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission

Permit Review Lake Oconee water withdrawal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1

U. S. Government Agency Permits, Projects and Plans

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

3

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission-License issues. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

5

Fish & Wildlife Service Coordination Act reports. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1

Federal Installation Integrated Mangt. Resource Management Plans . . . . . . .

2

Military Installations Envir. Assessmt. & Impact Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2

Tennessee Valley Authority - Environmental Assessments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1

Environmental Protection Agency Review of 303d GA waters. . . . . . . . . . . .

1

Local & Regional Government Projects

City of Atlanta Project reviews . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1

Public Sector and Private Industry

Georgia Power Company Project & report review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3

American Fisheries Society Fish kill guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1

Inter. Assoc. Fish & Wildl. Agencies Plan review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1

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

61

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 on which the Section prepared comments were included in these numbers. Numerous other documents were reviewed with no comments made.
17

Appendix D: Tables showing information on the Fisheries Section Trout Production Program in FY2002.
18

Table D-1. Trout production (lbs), conversion ratios, and costs at state hatcheries in FY2002.

Hatchery

Species

RAINBOW

BROWN

Total

Cost a

Total

Per lb

Catchables Buford

Net weight gain Conversion ratio

126,810 1.63

25,661 1.27

152,471 1.57

$349,603

$2.29

Burton

Net weight gain Conversion ratio

88,226

8,867

97,093

273,423

2.82

1.59

1.21

1.56

Summerville

Net weight gain Conversion ratio

21,864 1.52

21,864

65,081

2.98

1.52

19

Total

Net weight gain Conversion ratio b

236,900 1.61

34,528 1.26

271,428 1.56

$688,107

$2.54

Fingerlings c Summerville

Cost per pound to stock catchable trout from state hatcheries: Production and distribution costs per pound:
Production of 726,766 fingerling rainbow trout (3.0 inch mean length) weighing 8,061 pounds.

$65,231

$0.43 $2.97
$8.09

Grand Total Catchable and Fingerling Costs

$753,338

$3.13

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. Species, number, and weight (lbs) of trout stocked into Georgia public waters from state and federal hatcheries during FY2002.

Facility

________R_A_I_N_B_O__W_______ ________B_R_O__W_N_______

Number

Weight

Number

Weight

_________T_O_T_A_L________

Number

Weight

STATE HATCHERIES Buford
catchables fingerlings
Burton catchables fingerlings
Summerville catchables fingerlings

493,072 125,000
320,208 145,446
67,250

153,405 10,743
94,502 7,937
21,493

75,979 49,500
41,023 40,000

20,889 2,405
14,030 445

569,051 174,500
361,231 185,446
67,250

174,294 13,148
108,532 8,382
21,493

20

FEDERAL HATCHERIES Chattahoochee
catchables fingerlings

320,483

107,305

320,483

107,305

TOTAL catchables fingerlings

1,201,013 270,446

376,705 18,680

117,002 89,500

34,919 2,850

1,318,015 359,946

411,624 21,530

Table D-3. Species, number, and weight (lbs) of catchable trout by habitat stocked from all hatcheries in FY2002.

RAINBOW

Habitat

Number Weight

STREAMS BY COUNTY

Bartow

12,188

3,435

Catoosa

6,200

1,872

Chattooga

38,879 12,034

Cherokee

83,155 28,974

Dade

17,300

5,197

Dawson

27,817

9,079

Fannin

3,000

816

Floyd

43,987 12,645

Gilmer

79,295 24,420

Gordon

28,516

8,810

Habersham

10,200

3,213

Haralson

154,709 47,615

Lumpkin

42,639 12,678

Murray

49,855 15,688

Paulding

86,776 29,500

Pickens

9,700

3,124

Polk

3,100

891

Rabun

96,452 29,322

Walker

15,650

4,801

Sub-total

809,418 254,114

TAILWATERS

Blue Ridge

20,527

7,147

Hartwell

10,593

3,637

Lanier

246,100 71,985

Morgan Falls

45,852 16,576

Sub-total

323,072 99,345

RESERVOIRS

Lake Burton

4,560

1,572

Lake Seed

500

172

Tugalo Lake

2,388

823

Sub-total

7,448

2,567

SMALL LAKES

Black Rock

2,500

809

Dockery

13,800

4,603

Nancytown

15,000

4,837

Rock Creek

8,000

2,733

Vogel

3,075

988

Winfield Scott

18,700

6,709

Sub-total

61,075 20,679

GRAND TOTAL

1,201,013 376,705

BROWN Number Weight

TOTAL Number Weight

1,100
500
3,266
764 8,977 1,455
16,512 2,500 450 3,699
11,989
51,212

224
102
872
155 2,706
298
4,633 740 109 967
3,597
14,403

13,288 6,200
39,379 83,155 17,300 31,083
3,000 44,751 88,272 29,971 10,200 171,221 45,139 50,305 90,475
9,700 3,100 108,441 15,650 860,630

3,659 1,872 12,136 28,974 5,197 9,951
816 12,800 27,126
9,108 3,213 52,248 13,418 15,797 30,467 3,124
891 32,919
4,801 268,517

8,293
38,393 9,156
55,842

1,795
9,256 4,705 15,756

28,820 10,593 284,493 55,008 378,914

8,942 3,637 81,241 21,281 115,101

6,560 1,000 2,388 9,948

3,139 478
1,143 4,760

11,120 1,500 4,776
17,396

4,711 650
1,966 7,327

117,002

34,919

2,500 13,800 15,000
8,000 3,075 18,700 61,075 1,318,015

809 4,603 4,837 2,733
988 6,709 20,679 411,624

21

Table D-4. Species, number, and weight (lbs) of fingerling trout by habitat stocked from all hatcheries in FY2002.

Locations stocked

RAINBOW Number Weight

STREAMS BY COUNTY

Rabun White Sub-total

24,070 500
24,570

1,976 21
1,997

TAILWATERS
Blue Ridge Lanier Morgan Falls GRAND TOTAL

120,876 50,000 75,000
270,446

5,940 5,029 5,714
18,680

BROWN Number Weight

TOTAL Number Weight

24,070 1,976

500

25

1,000

46

500

25

25,070 2,022

64,000
25,000 89,500

1,955
870 2,850

184,876 50,000
100,000 359,946

7,895 5,029 6,584 21,530

22

Appendix E: Tables showing information on the Fisheries Section Warmwater Hatchery Production Program in FY2002.
23

Table E-1. Total numbers and cost per fish of warmwater species produced at state hatcheries in FY2002.

Species

Acres

Number

Number per acre

Cost pera fish ($)

Bluegill
Fingerling

23.12

5,383,872

232,866

0.036

Channel catfish
Fry Fingerling Intermediate Harvestable

6.50 9.00 20.19 8.63

2,314,000 841,676 353,766 40,313

356,000 93,520 17,522 4,671

0.029 0.135 0.545 2.185

Hybrid white-striped bass
Fry Fingerling

b
25.19

9,180,500 2,628,172

b
104,334

0.012 0.067

Largemouth bass
Fingerling

11.07

628,330

56,760

0.130

Largemouth F1 hybrid
Fingerling

0.95

140,291

147,675

0.014

Redear sunfish
Fingerling

6.45

1,029,777

159,655

0.068

Robust redhorse
Fry Fingerling Intermediate

b

17,005

b

c

2.55

9,841

3,859

c

1.06

655

618

c

Shoal bass
Fingerling

4.10

97,653

23,818

0.665

Striped bass
Fry Fingerling Intermediate

b
12.66 5.75

5,760,000 1,375,131
13,161

b
108,620 2,289

0.012 0.043 4.600

Walleye
Fingerling

0.25

366

1,464

1.464

Totals (all sizes)

137.47 29,814,509 d

207,050 e

0.045 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 $25,522 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 on federal hatcheries. e Weighted means. Striped bass, hybrid striped-white bass, hybrid white-striped bass, and robust redhorse
(all phases) are not included.

24

25

Table E-2. Number of each warmwater fish species produced at state hatcheries in FY2002.

Bowens

Species

Mill

Bluegill

Fingerling

1,463,994

Channel catfish Fry

Fingerling

274,673

Intermediate

Harvestable

Hybrid white-striped bass

Fry

Fingerling

504,735

Largemouth bass a

Fingerling

167,000

Redear sunfish

Fingerling

237,835

Robust redhorse

Fry

Fingerling

Intermediate

Shoal bass

Fingerling

Intermediate

Striped bass Fry

Fingerling

Intermediate

Walleye

Fingerling

Total (all sizes) 2,648,237

Burton

Cordele

1,834,000 75,114
144,522 6,058
847,818

518 70,479

McDuffie

Richmond Hill

Steve Cocke

756,508 1,315,019 1,067,000

480,000 218,807
12,260 23,640

112,082 46,111

161,000 137,973
10,615

9,180,500 1,195,209

80,410

192,850

45,000

211,000

335,351

172,372

173,000

17,005 137

27,174

736,398

5,760,000 367,401 13,161

146,132

366

884

2,977,991 2,772,956 18,206,855 2,014,304

a Numbers include 140,291 F1 hybrid largemouth bass (Florida x northern) raised at McDuffie and Walton fish hatcheries.

Walton

Total

781,351 5,383,872

12,900

2,314,000 841,676 353,766 40,313

9,180,500 2,628,172

152,771

768,621

111,219 1,029,777

9,841

17,005 9,841 655

97,653

125,200

5,760,000 1,375,131
13,161

366 1,193,282 29,814,509

Table E-3. Cost per fish (dollars) for warmwater fish species produced at state hatcheries in FY2002.a

Bowens

Species

Mill

Bluegill

Fingerling

0.030

Channel catfish

Fry

Fingerling

0.098

Intermediate

Harvestable

Hybrid white-striped bass

Fry

Fingerling

0.075

Largemouth bass

Fingerling

0.301

Redear sunfish

Fingerling

0.057

Shoal bass

Fingerling

Striped bass

Fry

Fingerling

Intermediate

Walleye

Fingerling

Burton 1.464

Richmond Steve

Cordele McDuffie

Hill

Cocke

0.018

0.036

0.061

0.031 0.224 0.717 1.772

0.022 0.142 0.340 2.053

0.151 0.397

0.133 0.424 1.059

0.076

0.012 0.055

0.099

0.010

0.356

0.049

0.041

0.062

0.123

0.330

1.534

0.038

0.012 0.055 4.600

0.028

Walton 0.029 0.647
0.031 0.096
0.057

Statewide weighted average
0.036
0.029 0.135 0.545 1.749
0.012 0.067
0.108
0.068
0.665
0.012 0.043 4.600
1.464

a A total of $25,522 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 fish hatcheries.

26

Table E-4. Number of warmwater fish distributed from state hatcheries in FY2002. Totals include fish provided by

federal hatcheries, surplus brood stock, and fish available as by-products of other programs.

Species

Kid's fishing

events

Bluegill

Fingerling 277,800

Channel catfish

Fingerling 18,859

Intermediate 172,168

Harvestable 36,205

Largemouth bass

Fingerling

Redear sunfish

Fingerling

6,000

Robust redhorse

Fingerling

Intermediate

Shoal bass

Fingerling

Intermediate

Striped bass - Atlantic strain

Fry

Fingerling

Intermediate

Striped bass - Gulf strain

Fingerling

White-striped bass hybrid

Fry

Fingerling

Walleye

Fingerling

Total (all sizes)

511,032

Other fisheries agencies

Private waters

Public fishing areas

Publicly owned
small lakes

Reservoirs

Rivers & streams

Totala

2,800,232 109,000 1,012,412

4,199,444

6,000 2,000

498,622

13,522 200 800

46,455 15,000

583,458 189,368
37,005

320,056 638,328

16,500 21,800

25

77,446 24,520

60,500
9,041 137
97,653

474,502
690,648
9,041 137
97,653 25

1,100,000

1,200,516 121,700

13,161

1,100,000 1,200,516
13,161
121,700

250,000 224,790

2,520

4,250 1,549,438

250,000 1,780,998

1,582,815 4,257,238

26,142 164,342 1,180,083 2,958,296

26,142 119,992 10,773,798

27

a Totals do not include fry or fingerlings distributed to other Georgia hatcheries for later production phases.

Appendix F: Tables showing information on the Fisheries Section Public Fishing Area Program in FY2002.
28

Table F-1. Public Fishing Areas cost data for FY2002.

Region

Area

Number of
Ownership lakes

Acreage open to public fishing

Total operating cost ($)

I

Rocky Mountain

Private

2

559.0 332,892 a

III

McDuffie

State

13

61.0

81,877

IV

Big Lazer

State

1

195.0

8,947

IV

Marben Farms

State

22

265.0 177,040

VI

Dodge County

State

1

104.0 117,942

VI

Evans County

State

3

92.0

77,528

VI

Laurens County b

State

1

109.0 217,341

VI

Paradise

State

60

409.0 237,713

VI

Treutlen County

Private

1

189.0

1,835

Total

1,983.0 1,253,115

a Cost of operation includes campground and swimming beach. Total cost funded through contract with Oglethorpe Power Company.
b
New facility to be named Hugh M. Gillis Public Fishing Area is set to open to the public in August 2003.

29

Appendix G: Tables showing information on the Fisheries Section Resource Studies in FY2002.
30

Table G-1. Cost for resource studies in each region during FY2002.

Region

Study Title

East Central (III)

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

Southwest (V)

Movement and habitat use of Gulf Sturgeon adults stocked into Lake Seminole

Headquarters Administrative project review and support services

Total

Cost 23,889
5,734 2,937 $32,560

31

Table G-2. Final reports and publications completed by the Fisheries Section in FY2002.

Author Alfred C. Mauldin II, Tim Barrett, and John M. Grizzle
Rex Dunham, Huseyin Kucuktas, Zhanjiang Liu, Lee Keefer, and Michael Spencer

Publication
Use of a Sodium Chloride Refuge to Improve Survival of Larval Morone Species during Transfer to Rearing Ponds. North American Journal of Aquaculture 64:85-89, 2002.
Biochemical Genetics of Brook Trout in Georgia: Management Implications. Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies 55:63-80.

32

Appendix H: Table showing the Fisheries Section maintenance and construction projects in FY2002.
33

Table H-1. Facility maintenance and construction projects statewide during FY2002.

34

Project Boat Ramp Construction
Boat Ramp Repair and Maintenance (statewide)

Project Description
Planning and coordination activities continued at State Route 1 Loop in Floyd County on the Etowah River, on McGraw Ford Wildlife Management Area in Cherokee County on the Etowah River, below Sinclair Dam in Baldwin County on the Oconee River, at State Route 38 in Decatur County on Spring Creek, on Joe Kurz WMA in Meriwether County on White Oak Creek, and at State Route 36 in Upson County on the Flint River. Land acquisition on the Ocmulgee River off State Route 87 in Dodge County was unsuccessful. At Lake Sinclair in Putnam County a second double lane boat ramp was completed. Two floating aluminum service piers were installed. A gravel parking lot accommodating up to 60 vehicles with boat trailers and three paved parking spaces for handicapped boaters was completed. A third double lane ramp and associated amenities are planned for this site in the next segment. A new double lane concrete boat ramp and gravel parking lot were completed on the Flint River at SR128 in Crawford County. A single lane concrete ramp approximately 12 feet wide and 60 feet long was constructed on Brier Creek on State Route 56 in Burke County. A gravel parking lot sufficient for 15-20 vehicles was constructed adjacent to the ramp. A new single lane concrete boat ramp and gravel parking lot were completed on the Kinchafoonee Creek at State Route 45 in Webster County. A new double lane concrete boat ramp and gravel parking lot were completed on the Altamaha River at State Route 38 in Long County. A new double lane concrete boat ramp and gravel parking lot were completed on the Little Satilla River at Zirkle Landing in Pierce County. Construction of a double lane boat ramp on the Altamaha River at Pig Farm Landing in Wayne County, begun during the previous segment, was completed. Construction of a parking area for 60 car / trailer units also began at this ramp and is expected to be completed during the next segment.
Inspections were completed on all ramps statewide no less than once during the year and most were inspected on a number of occasions. Litter and trash were removed and mowing was accomplished routinely on these visits. Extensive repairs were made to the paved parking area at Upper Wayne County Landing on the Altamaha River. The boat ramp and parking area on the Savannah River at Brighams Landing in Burke County and Carter Bight on the Altamaha River in Appling County were completely renovated during the segment. A site at Deen's Landing on the Altamaha River in Appling County was leased from the county and completely renovated. The boat ramp at State Route 96 on the Ocmulgee River in Houston County was extended into the river approximately 30 feet. The parking lot at Idle Hour Park on Bartletts Ferry Lake in Harris County was expanded to accommodate an additional 120 vehicles. A new service pier was purchased for installation at Poor Robin Landing on the Savannah River in Screven County. It will be installed during the next segment. Additional revetment was installed on the riverbank adjacent to the boat ramp on Big Hammock WMA on the Altamaha River in Tattnall County to prevent serious erosion. Smaller repairs to parking lots, signs, service piers and ramps were made on a number of other WRD boating access sites statewide.

Total Cost 370,771
428,7 78

Table H-1 (continued). Facility maintenance and construction projects statewide during FY2002.

Project Laurens Public Fishing Area
West Point District Office
Summerville Fish Hatchery
Cordele Fish Hatchery
Dawson Fish Hatchery Dawson Fish Hatchery Burton Fish Hatchery
Paradise Public Fishing Area
West Central Regional Offices Headquarters Administrative Costs Total Expenditures

Project Description
Engineering fees, power line installation, and water service fees expended in the construction of this new public fishing area.
Construction materials and fees associated with establishment of the West Point district fisheries office on the West Point Wildlife Management Area after the closure of the Manchester district office.
Purchase of the Downes tract including appraisal and attorney's fees, title insurance, and environmental assessment. Funds for the completion of repairs to Williams Dam resulting from 1998 flood: removal of rock dam in Gum Creek, replacement of retaining wall around spring, construction of two ponds, and installation of pipes and pump for filling ponds.
Expansion of fish holding house, installation of three concrete vats and an overhead hoist system.
Replaced heat pump on hatchery manager's residence.
Cost of materials for the renovation of exterior siding, window trim, soffit and facia on hatchery office and feed storage buildings. Installed by hatchery personnel. Repair of spillways on Lakes Beaver, Russell, Horseshoe 3, and Horseshoe 4 at Paradise PFA. Poly-Triplex Technologies was contracted to do this work. Their system uses epoxy resin, a fiberglass sleeve, and a pressurized bladder to seal the inner lining of the primary spillway. Activities associated with the maintenance of regional and district facilities. Activities include landscaping, grounds and office maintenance, upkeep of structures, etc.
Prorated time and expenses of headquarters staff to manage capital outlay projects.

Total Cost 338,580 51,342 70,652 9,468 35,244 3,372 13,719 25,633 14,713 87,708
$1,449,980

35