FISHERIES SECTION ANNUAL REPORT Fiscal Year 2006 
July 1, 2005 - June 30, 2006 
Wildlife Resources Division Department of Natural Resources 
Social Circle, Georgia 
 
 Table of Contents 
 
SUBJECT 
 
PAGE 
 
Overview of Fisheries Section activities 
 
1 
 
Figure 1. Map of Fisheries Section region boundaries 
 
2 
 
Figure 2. Stream Survey Team sampling efforts 
 
6 
 
Appendices: 
 
A. Facts about fishing in Georgia, fisheries related revenues earned, and 
 
8 
 
Fisheries Section expenditures 
 
B. Private waters management 
 
12 
 
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 people of all ages. Each of Georgia's 1.29 million resident anglers fish an average of 14 days in the state's diverse freshwater resources that include more than 4,000 miles of trout streams, 12,000 miles of warm water 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 2006 (FY2006) 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 warm water 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 Georgia legislature from the state's 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 fuels, are apportioned back to states by a formula based on land area and fishing license sales. Detailed information on the Section's activities and expenditures are itemized in Appendices A through H. The Section's programs are administered from WRD headquarters near Social Circle and from seven regional offices (Figure 1). 
Reintroduction of lake sturgeon into the Coosa River basin continued in 2006 with the stocking of 12,910 lake sturgeon fingerlings into the Oostanaula, Etowah, and Conasauga rivers in cooperation with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS). Once an abundant member of a unique fish assemblage, lake sturgeon were extirpated from the Coosa River basin in the late 1960s. This was probably due to habitat degradation, over harvest, and dam construction. Goals of the reintroduction program are the re-establishment of a self-sustaining population and providing another sport fish for Georgia anglers. Anglers continue to report sightings of sturgeon at several locations in the river system and within Lake Weiss in Alabama. Radio telemetry studies conducted by the University of Georgia, School of Forest and Natural Resources indicate that the juvenile lake sturgeon extensively use the Coosa River downstream of Rome and Lake Weiss. Population monitoring by the university indicates that lake sturgeon growth is about four to six inches per year with some individual lake sturgeon up to 30 inches being captured and released. Additional studies are ongoing including food habits, seasonal habitat usage, and survival estimates. 
The state's three trout hatcheries combined efforts with the State of South Carolina and the Chattahoochee Forest National Fish Hatchery to stock more than 1.2 million catchable trout and 239,000 fingerling trout into north Georgia streams, small lakes, reservoirs, and their tailwaters. More than 67,000 catchable trout were stocked into Georgia's four popular `Delayed Harvest' streams where seasonal catch-and-release angling regulations have resulted in excellent catch rates for winter-time anglers. Lake Burton provides Georgia's only reservoir trout fishery where 59,000 brown trout were stocked last year to boost this put-grow-and-take fishery. More than 22,000 catchable and 172,000 fingerling trout were released into the Toccoa River downstream of Blue Ridge Reservoir dam. Water quality improvements of reservoir discharges by the Tennessee Valley Authority have enhanced the potential of this 15-mile long tailwater fishery as evidenced by increased angler catch rates of 9 to 14-inch trout. 
Cooperative monitoring and management efforts with the U.S. Forest Service have maintained and enhanced wild trout habitat on National Forest lands in Georgia. Brook trout genetic samples were obtained as part of an East coast cooperative effort to distinguish and 
1 
 
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 optimally manage genetically distinct populations of southern Appalachian brook trout. Presently, a total of 24 populations of native southern Appalachian brook trout have been identified. Additionally, five brook trout populations of northern (hatchery) origins and 32 populations with a mixture of both northern and southern genes have been identified. Section staff also conducted a population status and threat assessment of all known brook trout watersheds in Georgia in cooperation with other members of the East Coast Brook Trout Joint Venture. Results of this cooperative effort will be released in late-2006. Section staff also worked with Trout Unlimited, North Georgia Tech, and the US Forest Service to measure the acid neutralizing capacity and pH of 38 Georgia brook trout streams in order to evaluate the susceptibility of these waters to impacts from acid precipitation. Research continued on the Lake Lanier tailwater trout fishery to assess the relative contribution of wild fish in a heavily stocked river population. 
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 to Amendment 1 of the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Shad and River Herring developed by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. During 2005, 39,840 pounds of American shad were commercially harvested from Georgia rivers. This was a 5 percent increase from the 37,947 pounds harvested during 2004. An estimated 121,979 American shad returned to the Altamaha River to spawn during 2005, a 3 percent increase from 118,296 fish during 2004. The shad population and harvest are at lower levels than those observed during the population's peak in the mid-1990's. However, the overall exploitation rate of 0.203 is extremely low. Thus, there is no evidence that American shad are being overharvested in Georgia waters. 
Alabama shad restoration efforts continued in the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint (ACF) River system in FY2006. Alabama shad migrate into freshwater streams along the northern Gulf of Mexico. It is thought that loss of critical upstream spawning habitat due to migration barriers has caused a population decline in the ACF system. Woodruff Dam at Lake Seminole presents the first upstream barrier to fish moving upstream to spawn. A navigation lock at the dam provides potential for upstream movement, but whether sufficient numbers of fish actually navigate and pass through the locks during normal operations is unknown. The present study will focus on estimating present population levels of shad and determining how fish interact with the lock. Developing a fish passage plan will be a critical step in the recovery of this and other diadromous species in the ACF system. Alabama shad returning to the Apalachicola River in FY2006 was estimated at approximately 12,000 fish, about half the estimated spawning population that was sampled the previous year. Initial study results indicate that 50-70% of the returning population may be able to navigate the lock structure at Jim Woodruff Dam and move upstream. Cooperators on this project include the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Clemson University, and The Nature Conservancy. 
The Section continued striped bass restoration efforts and population monitoring in Georgia's coastal rivers in hopes of re-establishing depleted stocks. Restoration stocking efforts initiated by the Section in 1990 have been very successful in increasing the number of striped bass in the lower Savannah River. After a 17-year closure, the Savannah River striped bass fishery was re-opened to allow for limited harvest in October 2005. Annual monitoring efforts have indicated that current population numbers are near historic levels. The potential negative impacts of proposed habitat alteration projects associated with harbor expansion and channel deepening threatens the progress of population recovery and continues to be a concern. The Section also initiated striped bass recovery efforts in the Altamaha River system in November 2005 with the release of approximately 11,000 hatchery-reared fish. The Altamaha River system is home to Georgia's striped bass angling record (63 lbs.); however, the population has precipitously declined over the last several decades. The Section has also for many years 
3 
 
 played an integral part in a multi-state effort to maintain and enhance the Gulf strain striped bass in the Chattahoochee and Flint river systems. 
The Section continues to introduce youth to fishing through the Kids Fishing Events (KFE) program. Section staff held a total of 334 KFEs statewide with 25,548 youth attending. Sixteen percent of the attendees were beginners and 56 percent caught at least one fish. Two hundred one KFEs were classified as "general" events sponsored by sportsman organizations, local governments, civic organizations, businesses, private individuals, and the military. 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. Staff at 13 WRD facilities sponsored the remaining 133 events. Special ponds at Burton and Buford hatcheries, set aside for fishing by families with children, also provided a quality fishing experience for 3,715 young anglers in FY2006. Beginners comprised 22 percent of this group with an overall success rate of 66 percent. 
Aquatic Project WILD training was provided to 962 Georgia educators at 44 workshops conducted statewide. Thirty-four educators were trained as Aquatic Project WILD facilitators at a workshop in Paulding County in November 2005. Two Advanced Project WILD workshops were conducted in FY2006 and attended by sixty-five educators and resource management professionals. Topics included marsh ecology, marine fish management, tidal cycles and pressing issues facing decision makers and resources professionals on Georgia's Coast, streamside management zones, and the importance of prescribed fire to the quality of riparian habitats. Overall, Fisheries Section staff conducted 46 presentations to more than 1,428 adults on a variety of topics including the importance of aquatic resources, exotic species threats, sport fishing, striped bass, pond management, erosion and sedimentation, and aquatic weed management. The Section also annually sponsors and staffs exhibits at the Turkey Hunting, Fishing & Outdoor Expos in Atlanta and Perry, Georgia National Fair, Trout Fishing Primer, Unicoi Outdoor Adventure Day, Arrowhead Environmental Education Center Outdoor Adventure Day, Okefenokee Fair, National Wild Turkey Federation Jakes Day at Paradise Public Fishing Area, and Long County Wildlife Festival. It is estimated that a combined total of over 150,000 Georgians attended these events. 
The newly completed Ocmulgee Public Fishing Area (PFA) in Pulaski and Bleckley Counties was opened to the public on June 10, 2006. Commissioner Holcomb hosted a dedication with guest speakers including Senator Ross Tolleson and Bruce Henderson, general manager of Bass Pro Shop in Macon. Following the ceremony, a KFE was held on the three-acre special event pond. Attendance for the opening was estimated at 1,995 individuals (anglers and visitors). A total of 600 anglers caught approximately 1,200 bluegill, 700 channel catfish, 81 redear sunfish, and numerous largemouth bass (catch and release only). The Kid's Fishing Event held in conjunction with the grand opening attracted 72 children, of which 16 were first-time anglers. 
The Ocmulgee PFA is located on the state-owned Ocmulgee Wildlife Management Area. Amenities include a 106-acre main lake, a separate three-acre kids fishing lake, boat ramp, two fishing piers, fish cleaning station, office, storage buildings, a pavilion/activity center and parking areas. The main lake has numerous coves and points, creek channels, standing timber and submerged humps for attracting fish. The deepest point at the dam is about 30 feet. The lake will be intensively managed to provide the best possible fishing opportunities for both bank and boat anglers. The area will be open from sunrise to sunset all year long. Anglers 16 years of age or older must possess a current Georgia fishing license and a Wildlife Management Area (WMA) stamp in order to fish. Anglers in possession of a one-day fishing, sportsman's, lifetime, senior (65+), or honorary license do not need to possess a WMA stamp. Anglers may use up to two fishing poles and any outboard motor may be used at idle speed. 
4 
 
 The robust redhorse (Moxostoma robustum), an imperiled fish, was discovered in the Oconee River in 1991 during a survey conducted for the re-licensing 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). The RRCC coordinates the efforts of state, federal, and private-sector participants in a common goal of restoring the robust redhorse to a significant portion of its historic range in the Southeastern United States. A total of 11,743 robust redhorse fry produced in Spring 2005 were stocked into rearing ponds at the Walton and Richmond Hill fish hatcheries and into circular rearing tanks at the Warm Springs Fish Technology Center. A total of 7,204 robust redhorse hatchery-reared fingerlings were stocked into the Ocmulgee and Oconee rivers in Fall 2005. An additional 9,161 fingerlings were produced in Georgia and shipped to RRCC member South Carolina for stocking there. The Ocmulgee River stockings between the Lloyd Shoals and Juliette dams represent a continuation of restoration efforts under a Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances (CCAA) signed in January 2002 by Georgia Power Company, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Georgia DNR. 
Flathead catfish presence in the Satilla River was confirmed in the summer of 1996. Public sentiment is overwhelmingly in favor of protecting the premier redbreast fishery threatened by the expansion of this non-native, predatory catfish in the Satilla River. The Section has responded by monitoring the expansion of flathead catfish numbers and actively capturing and removing catfish, annually. Fisheries staff removed 7,025 pounds of flathead catfish from 90 miles of the Satilla in FY2006 after 40 hours of electrofishing effort. Summer water levels, too high for effective electrofishing, hampered efforts to capture additional catfish and resulted in a 50 percent decrease in overall effort from FY2005. Despite the reduced effort, total poundage removed represented a three percent increase over the previous year's catch. Continued efforts to control the expansion of the flathead catfish population in the Satilla River have not been effective. Species abundance of redbreast sunfish and native catfish species in the lower Satilla River have been reduced by 65% and 87%, respectively, since 1996. 
The Stream Survey Team assesses the status of fish communities in wadeable streams across the state using the fish Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI). This index integrates 12-13 functional and compositional attributes of a fish community at several trophic levels to assess stream health. Two additional assessment tools, the modified index of well-being and a visual habitat assessment, are employed when an aquatic community is found to be impaired. These tools help to provide information that can be used to gain clues about sources of degradation to the stream. The Stream Survey Team sampled 142 streams in FY2006 (Figure 2). Sampled streams were located in 11 of Georgia's 14 major river basins across three of the state's five major ecoregions: Blue Ridge (55), Piedmont (4), and Southeastern Plains (83). 
In addition, reports on 77 streams sampled in a previous fiscal year were provided to Georgia's Environmental Protection Division (EPD) in FY2006. EPD is tasked with establishing Total Maximum Daily Loads for the causative pollutant(s) in impaired streams. By reducing and controlling pollutant loads, healthy fish populations should be able to re-establish and maintain themselves in these streams. The overall goal is to improve fish diversity, abundance, and health by meeting federal Clean Water Act criteria and returning impaired streams to their designated water use classification (fishing, swimming, drinking water, etc.). 
May 30, 2006 saw the culmination of a ten-year effort by Fisheries Section and DNR officials to identify and quantify damages and negotiate a settlement related to PCB (polychlorinated biphenyl) contamination in Lake Hartwell. On this date, a federal court approved a compensation plan that allocates nearly $3.7 million to Georgia for enhancing the recreational fishery in and around Lake Hartwell. PCBs originated from an electrical capacitor manufacturing plant operated by Sangamo-Weston in Pickens County, South Carolina. Public hearings have 
5 
 
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 been held and a Georgia compensation plan has been drafted that presently includes enhancing shoreline fishing access at three sites and adding large capacity boating access facilities at two other sites. 
The Section continued to provide public service in other areas during FY2006. 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, regulation changes went into effect on October 1, 2005 allowing limited striped bass harvest in the lower Savannah River, shoal bass fingerlings were stocked in the upper Chattahoochee River to restore an endemic population below Morgan Falls dam, introductions of native aquatic plants were evaluated in lakes Bartlett's Ferry and Sinclair, trout stream habitat improvements in Bryant, Burnette, Johns, Noontootla, Ramey, Smith and Waters creeks were completed, and bottom springs were enhanced in the lower Flint River and Lake Blackshear to improve thermal refuge capacity for striped bass in summer. 
Northwest Georgia Fisheries staff continued an aggressive fish attractor program in FY2006, placing over 1500 fish attractor units at 42 locations in Allatoona, Blue Ridge, Carters, and Weiss reservoirs. Fish attractors were constructed from a diverse array of unique materials to include PVC and plastic shipping pallets, both of which have a greater longevity than attractors constructed from wood. More than 75 percent of the materials and man-power required to construct and deploy these structures were donated. Contributors include: Georgia Power, Alabama Power, Tennessee Valley Authority, United States Army Corp of Engineers, Bo's Pallets, Dupont, Blue Ridge High School, Bart's Bait and Tackle, Wildlife Action, Fannin County High School and individual local anglers. Maps showing locations of attractors were also created and are available as downloadable portable document files (PDFs) on the DNR website. This program continues to be popular with many anglers reporting increased fishing success over these structures. 
Over 1.43 million fingerling fish, produced at the Section's six warm water hatcheries, were provided for stocking in 728 privately owned, newly constructed, or renovated ponds to establish fish populations. Over 1.89 million hybrid striped bass fingerlings were produced and stocked into 20 lakes and reservoirs. Also, more than 1.46 million Atlantic and Gulf Coast strain striped bass fingerlings were raised in Georgia hatcheries and stocked into 12 reservoirs. An additional 31,500 six to eight-inch striped bass were also produced and stocked into the lower Savannah and Altamaha rivers as part of a management plan aimed at re-establishing selfsustaining populations in those river basins. Walleye fingerlings have been annually stocked into eight North Georgia reservoirs since 2002 and these waters again received 299,000 fingerlings in FY2006. 
7 
 
 Appendix A: Tables showing important facts about fishing in Georgia, information on revenue earned, and expenditures for FY2006. 
8 
 
 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." 
 
9 
 
 Table A-2. Revenue (to the nearest dollar) generated by the Fisheries Section from license sales in calendar year 2006.a 
 
Type of License 
 
License Sales Calendar Year 2006 (January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2006) 
Number 
 
Lifetime (new issues) Combination Hunting-Fishing Sportsman=s Resident Fishing Resident Trout One-Day Fishing Non-Resident Season Fishing Non-Resident 7-day Fishing Non-Resident Season Trout 
 
2,360 57,555 41,741 428,774 93,655 65,032 18,323 36,917 11,036 
 
Revenue 333,140 b 472,035 b 1,226,364 b 3,602,819 412,354 189,453 429,335 236,880 137,020 
 
Totals 
 
755,393 
 
$ 7,039,400 
 
a In addition to license sales shown, the Wildlife Resources Division sold 39,641 resident Wildlife Management Area (WMA) stamps for $729,468 and 1,656 nonresident WMA stamps for $118,958. A WMA stamp is required to fish on any Public Fishing Area or hunt on any WMA. It is not practical to calculate the portion of this revenue generated by anglers. 
b This figure represents only half of the revenue generated by this license. The other half is considered generated by hunters. 
 
10 
 
 Table A-3. Fisheries Section expenditures (thousands of dollars) by region and program with total staff-days in FY2006.a 
 
PROGRAM 
 
COST BY REGION 
 
HQb 
 
I 
 
II 
 
III 
 
IV 
 
V 
 
VI 
 
VII 
 
Private Waters Management 
 
11.3 
 
21.6 
 
2.6 
 
23.8 
 
27.1 
 
20.0 
 
42.4 
 
18.0 
 
Public Waters Management General Technical Guidance Habitat Management Surveys and Inventories Aquatic Plant Control Aquatic Education Resource Studies c 
 
940.5 258.7 
33.6 14.5 351.9 
7.1 98.8 175.9 
 
488.5 95.7 
112.1 31.8 
205.8 
43.1 
 
657.0 241.6 
65.2 16.8 287.8 
45.6 
 
497.7 78.4 
130.1 36.3 
215.4 
37.5 
 
634.4 302.4 
41.7 91.5 74.4 29.8 83.9 10.7 
 
305.0 53.2 54.6 23.7 
127.4 
35.1 11.0 
 
526.4 159.1 
36.7 
294.8 
35.8 
 
356.7 97.2 23.0 
186.1 
45.4 5.0 
 
Hatchery Production & Stocking Coldwater Hatcheries Warmwater Hatcheries 
 
145.5 63.9 81.6 
 
248.2 187.9 
60.3 
 
714.9 693.4 
21.5 
 
211.8 211.8 
 
28.1 28.1 
 
380.5 380.5 
 
163.5 163.5 
 
259.8 259.8 
 
Public Fishing Areas 
 
124.8 358.9 
 
163.8 552.3 
 
647.3 
 
Facility Construction and Maintenance 
Capital Outlay & New Construction Operations & Maintenance 
 
1,052.9 
1,032.2 20.7 
 
76.8 
23.6 53.2 
 
14.5 
4.1 10.4 
 
53.1 
23.5 29.6 
 
831.2 
769.7 61.5 
 
72.9 
5.7 67.2 
 
72.4 
28.6 43.8 
 
25.6 
5.5 20.1 
 
TOTAL 
 
TOTAL 
 
COST STAFF-DAYS 
 
166.8 
 
751 
 
4,406.2 1,286.3 
497.0 214.6 1,743.6 
36.9 425.2 202.6 
 
14,519 2,615 1,833 676 7,571 123 1,582 119 
 
2,152.3 945.2 
1,207.1 
 
7,520 2,917 4,603 
 
1,847.1 
 
7,062 
 
2,199.4 
 
2,367 
 
1,892.9 306.5 
 
1,498 869 
 
11 
 
Totals 
 
2,275.0 1,194.0 1,389.0 950.2 2,073.1 778.4 1,452.0 660.1 10,771.8 d 32,219 
 
a Figures may differ somewhat from the final June 2006 Fiscal Accounting and Control System (FACS) printout since errors in the FACS printout were corrected for this report. b Headquarters office expenses and staff-days were prorated to all programs as administrative support with the exception of Public Waters Management, Aquatic Plant Control, 
Aquatic Education, Resource Studies, and Capital Outlay and New Construction. These five programs include both specific and prorated Headquarters cost. c This category includes contracted studies in addition to Resource Studies conducted by Section personnel. d Total includes $4,271,863 in funding from the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration program. 
 
 Appendix B: Tables showing information on the Fisheries Section Private Waters Management Program in FY2006. 
12 
 
 Table B-1. Private Waters Program FY2006 fish distribution by Regional location of pond. Fish are provided to pond owners to establish fishable populations in newly constructed or renovated ponds. 
 
13 
 
Bass-bream ponds stocked Region Number Acres 
 
Percent stocked at fertilized rate 
Number Acres 
 
Species and number stocked 
 
Bluegill 
 
Redear Largemouth Channel 
 
sunfish 
 
bass 
 
catfish 
 
Catfish only ponds stocked Number Acres 
 
Revenue generated 
 
I 
 
24 68 
 
26,825 
 
6,706 
 
2,958 
 
6,456 
 
II 
 
20 47 
 
16,880 
 
4,220 
 
1,140 
 
4,610 
 
III 
 
87 345 
 
2.3% 1.7% 132,940 33,235 
 
16,530 28,250 
 
IV 
 
70 312 
 
5.7% 3.5% 125,776 31,444 
 
15,870 18,763 
 
V 
 
99 538 
 
1.0% 0.2% 204,380 51,095 
 
26,816 33,096 
 
VI 
 
179 1,029 
 
383,440 95,860 
 
47,960 66,135 
 
VII 
 
50 81 
 
32,520 
 
8,130 
 
4,045 12,185 
 
13 44 $ 2,798 6 6 $ 1,750 
38 56 $ 13,308 15 39 $ 11,500 52 333 $ 19,385 60 326 $ 35,972 15 37 $ 3,810 
 
Statewide totals 
 
529 2,421 
 
1.1% 0.7% 922,761 230,690 115,319 169,495 
 
199 840 
 
$88,522 
 
 Appendix C: Tables showing information on the Fisheries Section Public Waters Management Program in FY2006. 
14 
 
 Table C-1. Aquatic plant management activities conducted statewide during FY2006. 
 
15 
 
Body of water 
 
County 
 
Target pest(s) 
 
Control method 
 
Acres 
 
No. of 
 
treated treatments 
 
Cost of treatment 
 
Management objectives; treatment effectiveness 
 
Lake Blackshear Lake Blackshear 
 
Crisp; Worth Crisp; Worth 
 
Alligatorweed; Giant cutgrass; Naiad; Water hyacinth 
Lyngbya; Chara 
 
Rodeo 0.8 gal/acre @ 1% mix; Aquathol K 2 gal/acre 
Cutrine Plus 60 lbs/ac 
 
32.0 
 
4 
 
19.0 
 
2 
 
$6,350 
 
Impede invasion, improve access; good success w/control 
 
$4,492 Improve access; good control 
 
Banks Lake NWR Lanier 
 
Water hyacinth 
 
Rodeo 0.8 gal/ac @ 1% mix 
 
32.0 
 
3 
 
Grand Bay WMA Lanier 
 
Water hyacinth 
 
Rodeo 0.8 gal/ac @ 1% mix 
 
9.5 
 
2 
 
Reed Bingham State Park 
 
Cook 
 
Alligatorweed; 
 
Rodeo 0.8 gal/ac @ 1% mix; 
 
Ludwigia; Water 
 
Rennovate 3 0.75 gal/ac@1`% 
 
hyacinth; Maidencane mix; 2,4-D 0.4 gal/ac 
 
17.5 
 
2 
 
Georgia Agrirama Tift 
 
Alligatorweed; Cattail; Rodeo 0.8 gal/ac @ 1% mix; 2,4Ludwigia; Maidencane D 0.4 gal/ac; 
 
8.0 
 
1 
 
Lake Worth 
 
Dougherty Hydrilla 
 
Komeen 4 gal/ac; Reward 0.2 gal/ac 
 
25.0 
 
1 
 
Moody AFB Pond Lowndes 
 
Water hyacinth 
 
Rodeo 0.8 gal/ac; Rennovate 3 2 gal/ac 
 
6.0 
 
1 
 
Wisdom Pond 
 
Bibb 
 
Giant salvinia 
 
Reward 1.25 gal; Rodeo 0.75 gal 
 
1.8 
 
1 
 
$5,093 $2,321 $4,051 
 
Impede invasion, improve access; good success w/control 
Impede invasion, improve access; good success w/control 
Impede invasion, improve access; good success w/control 
 
$1,378 Improve access; good success w/control 
 
$3,975 $1,049 $1,127 
 
Impede invasion, improve access; good success w/control 
Impede invasion; improve access; good success w/control 
Impede invasion, stop expansion in system; excellent control 
 
Grand Total 
 
150.8 
 
17 
 
$29,836 
 
 Table C-2. Fish kills investigated by the Fisheries Section in FY2006. 
 
Category of cause Agricultural 
 
Number of incidents 1 
 
Fish killed 
 
Number 
 
Value 
 
100 
 
$8.00 
 
Transportation 
 
1 
 
137 
 
$17.81 
 
Industrial 
 
2 
 
Municipal a 
 
2 
 
Natural / Disease 
 
15 
 
Undetermined 
 
6 
 
Total 
 
27 
 
135 8,358 13,098 2,432 24,260 
 
$124.23 $5,095.02 
b 
$0.00 $192.95 $5,438.01 
 
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. 
 
16 
 
 Table C-3. Environmental reviews and assessments conducted by the Fisheries Section in FY2006. 
 
Agency and type of review 
 
Number a 
 
Georgia Department of Natural Resources 
 
Requests to build ponds on trout streams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
 
10 
 
Requests to stock fish in trout streams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
 
14 
 
Statewide Water Management plan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
 
1 
 
Georgia State Clearinghouse 
 
Project reviews. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
 
3 
 
U.S. Government Agency Permits, Projects and Plans 
 
Army Corps of Engineers - Plans and projects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
 
5 
 
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission - License Issues . . . . . . . . . . . . 
 
8 
 
U.S. Park Service  Management plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
 
1 
 
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service  Plans and projects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
 
4 
 
National Marine Fisheries Service -Plans and projects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
 
1 
 
Local & Regional Government Projects 
 
Developments having regional impact. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
 
3 
 
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
 
50 
 
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 are included in these numbers. Numerous other documents were reviewed on which comments were not prepared. 
 
17 
 
 Appendix D: Tables showing information on the Fisheries Section Trout Production Program in FY2006. 
18 
 
 Table D-1. Trout production (lbs), conversion ratios, and costs at state hatcheries in FY2006. 
 
Hatchery 
 
Species RAINBOW BROWN 
 
Total 
 
Cost a 
 
Total 
 
Per lb 
 
Catchables Buford 
 
Net weight gain Conversion ratio 
 
144,380 1.25 
 
19,368 1.12 
 
163,748 1.23 
 
$307,595 
 
$1.88 
 
Burton 
 
Net weight gain Conversion ratio 
 
103,723 1.27 
 
30,530 1.08 
 
134,253 1.23 
 
$226,762 
 
$1.69 
 
Summerville 
 
Net weight gain Conversion ratio 
 
18,591 0.97 
 
18,591 0.97 
 
$89,044 
 
$4.79 
 
19 
 
Total 
 
Net weight gain Conversion ratio b 
 
266,694 1.24 
 
49,898 1.09 
 
316,592 1.21 
 
$623,401 
 
$1.97 
 
Fingerlings c Summerville 
 
Cost per pound to stock trout from state hatcheries: Total production and distribution costs per pound: 
Production of 751,670 fingerling rainbow trout (3.4 inch mean length) weighing 11,656 pounds. 
 
$80,778 
 
$0.45 $2.42 
$6.93 
 
Grand Total Catchable and Fingerling Costs 
 
$704,179 
 
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. 
 
$2.60 
 
 Table D-2. Species, number, and weight (lbs) of trout stocked into Georgia's public waters from state and federal hatcheries during FY2006. 
 
Facility 
 
_______R_A_I_N_B_O__W______ 
 
Number 
 
Weight 
 
________B_R_O_W__N_______ 
 
Number 
 
Weight 
 
________T_O__T_A_L_______ 
 
Number 
 
Weight 
 
STATE HATCHERY 
Buford catchables fingerlings 
Burton catchables fingerlings 
Summerville catchables 
 
404,251 
 
159,113 
 
331,900 54,665 
49,427 
 
133,010 3,777 
17,013 
 
58,347 34,890 
75,999 66,555 
 
21,124 1,302 
35,247 530 
 
462,598 34,890 
407,899 121,220 
49,427 
 
180,237 1,302 
168,257 4,307 
17,013 
 
20 
 
FEDERAL HATCHERY 
Chattahoochee Forest catchables fingerlings 
SOUTH CAROLINA 
Walhalla fingerlings 
 
297,381 20,000 
 
110,673 1,110 
 
62,887 
 
806 
 
15,886 
 
7,770 
 
313,267 20,000 
 
118,443 1,110 
 
62,887 
 
806 
 
TOTAL 
catchables fingerlings 
 
1,082,959 137,552 
 
419,809 5,693 
 
150,232 101,445 
 
64,141 1,832 
 
1,233,191 238,997 
 
483,950 7,525 
 
 Table D-3. Species, number, and weight (lbs) of catchable trout by habitat stocked from all hatcheries in FY2006. 
 
Locations stocked 
 
RAINBOW 
 
Number 
 
Weight 
 
BROWN 
 
Number 
 
Weight 
 
TOTAL 
 
Number 
 
Weight 
 
STREAMS BY COUNTY 
 
Bartow 
 
11,600 
 
4,076 
 
Catoosa 
 
2,600 
 
903 
 
Chattooga 
 
4,186 
 
1,470 
 
Cherokee 
 
2,000 
 
695 
 
Dawson 
 
34,062 
 
12,887 
 
Fannin 
 
80,033 
 
32,317 
 
Floyd 
 
29,500 
 
10,487 
 
Gilmer 
 
25,949 
 
9,557 
 
Gordon 
 
1,800 
 
616 
 
Habersham 
 
26,157 
 
10,256 
 
Haralson 
 
7,200 
 
2,355 
 
Lumpkin 
 
80,257 
 
29,025 
 
Murray 
 
28,958 
 
10,509 
 
Paulding 
 
7,800 
 
2,604 
 
Pickens 
 
7,600 
 
2,767 
 
Polk 
 
2,000 
 
674 
 
Rabun 
 
147,060 
 
58,818 
 
Stephens 
 
40,442 
 
15,251 
 
Towns 
 
48,045 
 
18,620 
 
Union 
 
70,891 
 
28,568 
 
Walker 
 
13,671 
 
4,744 
 
--W---h--it-e------------ --------9--6-,-9--1--2 --------3--7-,-4--5--9 
 
--T--o--t-a-l------------ ------7--6--8-,-7--2--3 ------2--9--4-,-6--5--8 
 
650 
 
200 
 
7,855 
2,626 
2,175 
7,755 5,382 
 
3,846 
875 
866 
2,416 1,837 
 
15,248 
 
5,663 
 
3,659 5,801 
 
1,229 2,480 
 
----------1-,-0--1--5 ------------4--8--1 --------5--2-,-1--6--6 --------1--9-,-8--9--3 
 
12,250 
 
4,276 
 
2,600 4,186 
 
903 1,470 
 
2,000 
 
695 
 
34,062 
 
12,887 
 
87,888 
 
36,163 
 
29,500 
 
10,487 
 
28,575 
 
10,432 
 
1,800 28,332 
 
616 11,122 
 
7,200 
 
2,355 
 
88,012 
 
31,441 
 
34,340 
 
12,346 
 
7,800 
 
2,604 
 
7,600 
 
2,767 
 
2,000 162,308 
 
674 64,481 
 
40,442 
 
15,251 
 
51,704 
 
19,849 
 
76,692 
 
31,048 
 
13,671 
 
4,744 
 
--------9--7-,-9--2--7 --------3--7-,-9--4--0 
 
------8--2--0-,-8--8--9 ------3--1--4-,-5--5--1 
 
TAILWATERS Blue Ridge Hartwell Lanier 
--M---o-r-g--a--n--F--a--ll-s-- 
--T--o--t-a-l------------ 
 
18,025 
 
6,225 
 
19,000 
 
7,436 
 
173,845 
 
71,926 
 
--------4--7-,-2--5--2 --------1--9-,-0--7--6 
 
------2--5--8-,-1--2--2 ------1--0--4-,-6--6--3 
 
4,700 9,000 
 
2,305 2,881 
 
--------1--9-,-8--9--8 ----------7-,-8--9--0 --------3--3-,-5--9--8 --------1--3-,-0--7--6 
 
22,725 
 
8,530 
 
28,000 
 
10,317 
 
173,845 
 
71,926 
 
--------6--7-,-1--5--0 --------2--6-,-9--6--6 
 
------2--9--1-,-7--2--0 ------1--1--7-,-7--3--9 
 
RESERVOIRS AND SMALL LAKES 
 
Black Rock 
 
1,250 
 
577 
 
Burton 
 
Dockery 
 
10,125 
 
3,792 
 
Nancytown 
 
11,164 
 
3,880 
 
Rock Creek 
 
11,000 
 
3,844 
 
Seed 
 
Vogel 
 
2,675 
 
960 
 
Winfield Scott 
 
19,900 
 
7,435 
 
-------------------- ---------------- ---------------- 
 
Total 
 
56,114 
 
20,488 
 
-------------------- ---------------- ---------------- 
 
GRAND TOTAL 
 
1,082,959 419,809 
 
625 59,607 
 
219 29,401 
 
1,836 
 
612 
 
2,000 
 
800 
 
400 
 
140 
 
---------------- ---------------- 
 
64,468 
 
31,172 
 
---------------- ---------------- 
 
150,232 
 
64,141 
 
1,875 
 
796 
 
59,607 
 
29,401 
 
10,125 
 
3,792 
 
13,000 
 
4,492 
 
11,000 
 
3,844 
 
2,000 
 
800 
 
3,075 
 
1,100 
 
19,900 
 
7,435 
 
---------------- ---------------- 
 
120,582 
 
51,660 
 
---------------- ---------------- 
 
1,233,191 483,950 
 
21 
 
 Table D-4. Species, number, and weight (lbs) of fingerling trout by habitat stocked from all hatcheries in FY2006. 
 
Locations stocked 
 
RAINBOW Number Weight 
 
STREAMS BY COUNTY 
 
Rabun 
 
7,000 
 
Total 
 
7,000 
 
1,087 1,087 
 
TAILWATERS Blue Ridge 
 
120,658 4,451 
 
Total 
 
120,658 4,451 
 
RESERVOIRS AND SMALL LAKES 
 
Burton 
 
9,894 
 
155 
 
Total GRAND TOTAL 
 
9,894 137,552 
 
155 5,693 
 
BROWN Number Weight 
 
50,000 
 
30 
 
50,000 
 
30 
 
51,445 51,445 
 
1,802 1,802 
 
101,445 1,832 
 
TOTAL Number Weight 
 
57,000 57,000 
 
1,117 1,117 
 
172,103 172,103 
 
6,253 6,253 
 
9,894 
9,894 238,997 
 
155 
155 7,525 
 
22 
 
 Appendix E: Tables showing information on the Fisheries Section Warmwater Hatchery Production Program in FY2006. 
23 
 
 Table E-1. Total numbers and cost per fish of warmwater species produced at state hatcheries in FY2006. 
 
Species 
 
Acres 
 
Number 
 
Number per acre 
 
Cost pera fish ($) 
 
Bluegill 
Fingerling 
Channel catfish 
Fry Fingerling Intermediate Harvestable 
Goldfish 
Fingerling 
Hybrid white-striped bass 
Fry Fingerling 
Lake sturgeon 
Fry Fingerling 
Largemouth bass d 
Fingerling Adv. Fingerling Intermediate Harvestable 
Redear sunfish 
Fingerling 
Robust redhorse 
Fry Fingerling 
Shoal bass 
Fingerling 
Striped bass 
Fry Fingerling Intermediate 
Walleye 
Fingerling 
 
16.96 
6.30 6.35 20.10 9.95 
0.45 
b 
25.55 
b c 
5.39 4.26 3.98 3.59 
3.34 
1.63 
6.50 
b 
16.20 8.25 
4.22 
 
3,796,892 
1,995,400 584,021 390,520 54,487 
95,134 
6,692,500 1,845,133 
5,000 11,331 
433,195 141,363 
1,043 1,038 
634,179 
6,487 15,356 
18,943 
8,056,000 1,596,687 
38,055 
269,585 
 
223,873 
316,730 91,972 19,429 5,476 
211,409 
b 
72,217 
b c 
80,370 33,184 
262 289 
189,874 
9,421 
2,914 
b 
98,561 4,613 
63,883 
 
0.027 
0.025 0.104 0.414 1.543 
0.017 
0.005 0.028 
0.298 2.497 
0.052 0.118 17.382 29.688 
0.040 
0.002 1.003 
3.692 
0.005 0.037 1.544 
0.066 
 
Totals (all sizes) 
 
143.02 
 
26,682,349 e 
 
83,328 f 
 
0.071 f 
 
a Cost of each production phase includes cost of previous phase. b Not applicable, these fry were hatched in jars and placed in aquaria and/or vats. c Sturgeon fingerlings were raised in trout raceways at Summerville Hatchery. d Numbers produced include 68,436 largemouth bass F1 hybrids (Florida x northern) and 
133 Florida largemouth bass raised at McDuffie and Walton hatcheries. 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. f Weighted means. Striped bass fry, hybrid striped-white bass fry, hybrid white-striped bass fry, walleye fry, and lake sturgeon (all phases) are not included. 
 
24 
 
 25 
 
Table E-2. Number of each warmwater fish species produced at state hatcheries in FY2006. 
 
Species 
 
Bowens Mill 
 
Burton 
 
Cordele 
 
McDuffie 
 
Richmond Hill 
 
Bluegill Fingerling 
 
929,374 
 
Channel catfish Fry Fingerling Intermediate Harvestable 
 
115,253 4,162 
 
Goldfish Fingerling 
 
Hybrid white-striped bass Fry Fingerling 
Lake sturgeon a Fry Fingerling 
Largemouth bass b Fingerling Adv. Fingerling Intermediate Harvestable 
 
40,408 69,753 
549 
 
Redear sunfish Fingerling 
 
Robust redhorse Fry Fingerling Intermediate 
 
Shoal bass Fingerling 
Striped bass c Fry Fingerling Intermediate 
 
165,686 
 
Walleye Fingerling 
 
991,100 144,750 110,169 
27,575 
 
828,700 
1,004,300 197,252 31,696 14,750 
 
706,546 
55,648 63,864 
 
455,018 
 
6,692,500 1,385,259 
 
9,161 27,564 
 
12,218 
 
68,920 824 
238,700 6,487 
 
82,509 280 
153,627 
3,910 
 
882,457 
 
8,056,000 368,379 38,055 
 
Total (all sizes) 
 
1,325,185 
 
36,725 
 
1,740,830 
 
3,274,086 17,606,577 
 
a Production of sturgeon for species restoration stockings in the Coosa River. Fish were raised in concrete trout raceways. 
 
b Numbers produced include 67,612 F1 hybrid (Florida x northern) largemouth bass raised at Walton Hatchey. 
 
c Numbers produced include 54,995 Gulf Coast strain striped bass fingerlings raised at Steve Cocke Hatchery. 
 
Steve Cocke 
 
Summerville 
 
722,280 
 
71,118 174,536 
8,000 
 
4,856 
173,832 42,200 275 
168,845 
 
5,000 11,331 
214 
 
6,725 54,995 
1,427,662 
 
32,200 48,745 
 
Walton 
 
Total 
 
609,992 10,255 95,134 
67,526 29,410 
219 73,007 
2,285 
125,170 209,821 1,222,819 
 
3,796,892 
1,995,400 584,021 390,520 54,487 
95,134 
6,692,500 1,845,133 
5,000 11,331 
433,195 141,363 
1,323 1,038 
634,179 
6,487 11,446 
3,910 
18,943 
8,056,000 1,596,687 
38,055 
269,585 26,682,629 
 
 26 
 
Table E-3. Cost per fish (dollars) for warmwater fish species produced at state hatcheries in FY2006. 
 
Species 
 
Bowens Mill 
 
Burton 
 
Cordele 
 
McDuffie 
 
Richmond Hill 
 
Bluegill Fingerling 
Channel catfish Fry 
Fingerling Intermediate Harvestable 
Hybrid white-striped bass Fry 
Fingerling 
Goldfish Fingerling 
Lake sturgeon Fry 
Fingerling Largemouth bass a 
Fingerling Adv. Fingerling 
Intermediate Harvestable 
Redear sunfish Fingerling 
Robust redhorse Fry 
Fingerling 
Shoal bass Fingerling 
Striped bass Fry 
Fingerling Intermediate 
Walleye Fingerling 
 
0.029 0.153 8.301 
0.054 0.149 34.299 
0.163 
 
1.102 0.220 
 
0.045 0.098 0.709 0.998 0.024 
2.909 
 
0.007 0.005 0.043 0.331 1.139 
0.028 8.305 0.013 0.002 
0.020 
 
0.024 0.195 0.369 0.005 0.019 
0.073 
0.025 0.733 
0.005 0.019 1.544 
 
a Numbers produced include 67,612 F1 hybrid (Florida x northern) largemouth bass raised at Walton hatchery. 
 
Steve Cocke Summerville 
0.052 
0.135 0.229 0.653 
2.745 
 
0.043 0.079 26.304 
0.088 
 
0.298 2.497 
22.206 
 
5.115 0.063 
 
0.245 
 
Walton 0.024 0.927 
0.017 
0.074 0.100 51.534 0.053 1.069 
0.027 0.019 
 
Total 
0.027 
0.025 0.104 0.414 1.543 
0.005 0.028 
0.017 
0.298 2.497 
0.048 0.118 60.172 29.688 
0.040 
0.002 1.003 
3.692 
0.005 0.037 1.544 
0.066 
 
 Table E-4. Warmwater fish distributed from state hatcheries in FY2006. Totals include fish provided by federal hatcheries, surplus 
 
brood stock, and fish available as by-products of other programs. 
 
Species 
 
Kid's fishing events 
 
Other fisheries agencies 
 
Private waters 
 
Public fishing areas 
 
Publicly owned 
small lakes 
 
Reservoirs 
 
Rivers & streams 
 
Totala 
 
Bluegill 
 
Fingerling Harvestable 
 
3,300 
 
922,761 
 
110,240 
 
280 
 
78,400 
 
162,582 
 
1,277,283 280 
 
Channel catfish Fingerling 
Intermediate Harvestable 
 
13,016 282,865 
57,063 
 
1,800 
 
169,495 
 
14,355 66,535 
9,756 
 
15,018 94,292 
 
12,000 7,420 
 
40,343 
 
266,027 451,112 
66,819 
 
Lake sturgeon 
 
Fry Fingerling 
 
5,000 
 
12,910 
 
5,000 12,910 
 
Largemouth bass 
 
Fingerling 
 
250 
 
Adv. Fingerling 
 
Intermediate 
 
Harvestable 
 
118 
 
75 
 
115,319 
 
780 7,506 
811 
 
28,601 77 
 
160,103 142,920 
157 
 
305,128 150,426 
77 1,086 
 
Redear sunfish 
 
Fingerling 
 
150 
 
230,690 
 
1,560 
 
32,389 
 
17,000 
 
281,789 
 
Robust redhorse Fingerling 
Adv. Fingerling Shoal bass 
Fingerling 
 
9,161 
 
705 3,890 
18,943 
 
9,866 3,890 
18,943 
 
Striped bass - Atlantic strain 
 
Fry Fingerling Intermediate 
 
2,600 
 
1,318,416 
 
1,000,000 31,535 
 
1,000,000 1,321,016 
31,535 
 
Striped bass - Gulf strain Fingerling 
 
148,542 
 
148,542 
 
27 
 
Striped-white bass hybrid 
Fingerling White-striped bass hybrid 
Fingerling Walleye 
Fingerling 
Total (all sizes) 
 
2000 358,762 
 
87,099 
 
103,415 
 
1,438,265 
 
22,300 233,843 
 
5,500 256,877 
 
56,480 
1,726,291 
299,192 4,051,103 
 
1,108,326 
 
56,480 
1,843,190 
299,192 7,550,591 
 
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 FY2006. 
28 
 
 Table F-1. Public Fishing Area operational costs for FY2006. 
 
Region 
 
Area 
 
Ownership 
 
I 
 
Rocky Mountain a 
 
III McDuffie 
 
IV Big Lazer IV Flat Creekb 
 
IV Ocmulgee 
 
IV Marben Farms 
 
VI Dodge County 
 
VI Evans County 
 
VI Hugh M. Gillis 
 
VI Paradise 
 
Private State State State State State State State State State 
 
Number of 
lakes 
 
Acres open to public fishing 
 
2 
 
599.0 
 
4 
 
60.0 
 
1 
 
195.0 
 
N/A 
 
1 
 
106.0 
 
16 
 
278.5 
 
1 
 
104.0 
 
3 
 
122.0 
 
3 
 
111.0 
 
68 
 
525.0 
 
Total operating 
cost ($) 
358,945 163,801 
61,225 28,123 284,841 170,205 103,351 128,592 159,573 263,702 
 
Total 
 
99 
 
2,100.5 
 
1,722,358 
 
a Operational costs of public fishing area, campground, and swimming beach is annually funded through a contract with Oglethorpe Power Corporation. 
b Under construction. Projected opening Summer 2008. 
 
29 
 
 Appendix G: Tables showing information on the Fisheries Section Resource Studies in FY2006. 
30 
 
 Table G-1. Expenditures on resource studies and contracts by Region during FY2006. 
 
Region 
Northeast (II) West Central (IV) 
& Southwest (V) Coastal (VII) Headquarters Headquarters 
Headquarters Headquarters Headquarters 
Headquarters Headquarters Headquarters Headquarters Headquarters Headquarters 
Headquarters 
 
Study Title / Work Contracted 
Hydroacoustic sampling and analysis to monitor blueback herring populations in Lakes Burton, Rabun, Tugalo and Yonah. 
Alabama Shad/Gulf Striped Bass Study (staff personal services) 
Diadromous Species Project (staff personal services) 
Dr. Ron Brooks - preparation, reading and analysis of otoliths from fish collected statewide. 
Auburn University, SE Cooperative Fish Disease Project provides for diagnostic services, workshops and consultant services. University of Georgia, Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Unit provides for research and education of fishery students. 
Dr. Carol Johnson - Auburn University - Fish identification services (Stream Survey Team) 
Dr. Carl Quertermus - State University of West Georgia Statistical Services - compilation and analysis of B.A.S.S. tournament fishing data. Auburn University - Southeastern Cooperative Fish Genetics, Genetics and Breeding of Fish in Georgia. 
University of Georgia Research Foundation - Reintroduction of Lake Sturgeon in the Coosa River. 
University of Georgia Research Foundation - Center for Remote Mapping Science - electronic mapping and database services. 
University of Georgia Research Foundation - Effects of Trout Stocking on Native Non-Game Fish Communities. 
Auburn University - Dept. of Fisheries & Allied Aquacultures Population Dynamics of Sunfish in Georgia Rivers. 
Historic Preservation Division - History of Navigability of the Upper and Middle Sections of the Chattahoochee River and entire Toccoa River Study (cost share). Administrative project review and support services 
 
Cost 
1,600 21,677 
5,016 3,535 12,000 
13,333 792 
2,000 
16,000 54,676 
8,350 16,514 42,894 
2,244 
1,934 
 
Total 
 
$202,565 
 
31 
 
 Table G-2. Final reports and publications completed by the Fisheries Section in FY2006. 
 
Author 
Long, James M., Lisa A. Klein, and Bubba C. Mauldin, II 
 
Publication 
Length, Weight, Age, and Growth of Young-of-year Shoal Bass Raised in a Southwest Georgia Hatchery Pond. Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies 58:40-46. 
 
32 
 
 Appendix H: Table showing the Fisheries Section maintenance and construction projects in FY2006. 
33 
 
 Table H-1. Facility maintenance and construction projects statewide during FY2006. 
 
34 
 
Project 
Boat Ramp Construction (statewide) 
Boat Ramp Repair and Maintenance (statewide) 
Ocmulgee Public Fishing Area Wildlife Resources Conservation Center 
 
Project Description 
Planning and coordination activities were conducted on a number of potential sites around the state. Construction of a new entrance road for the proposed boat ramp on the Oconee River below the Sinclair Dam in Baldwin County began during this segment. The construction of the boat ramp and parking area are planned for the next segment. Construction of a double lane ramp and gravel parking lot was completed on the Flat Creek Public Fishing Area in Houston County this segment. Floating service piers were purchased for this site and will be installed next segment. Construction of a double lane ramp and canoe launch at the Town Bluff WMA on the Altamaha River in Jeff Davis County was completed this 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 collected and removed and mowing was accomplished routinely on these visits. Two double lane ramps at the Reid Bingham State Park were renovated this segment. Concrete sidewalks and service pier foundations were completed at five boat ramps at Lake Richard B. Russell in Elbert County. Floating service piers will be installed next segment. Floating service piers were purchased for five additional ramps and will be installed next segment. New fish cleaning stations were completed at Big Lazer Public Fishing Area in Talbot County and Ocmulgee Public Fishing Area in Bleckley County this segment. A new restroom facility, steps and sidewalks were completed at Big Lazer Public Fishing Area in Talbot County this segment. Smaller repairs to parking lots, signs, service piers and ramps were made on a number of other WRD boating access sites statewide. 
Emergency repair to dam ($364,484), archeological data recovery ($73,549), roadway extension ($10,967), road evaluation ($1,040), instrumentation data reduction ($1,903), downstream area clearing ($4,995), and road construction ($125,000). 
Fisheries Section share of the cost to build the $3,000,000 office complex next to the Walton Fish Hatchery in Walton County. This was the Sport Fish Restoration total from a multi-year Federal Aid grant (FWT-1) 
 
Summerville Fish Hatchery 
 
Repair on spring pool supplying water critical to hatchery trout production. 
 
Evans County Public Fishing Area 
 
Engineering fees for dam safety evaluations of fishing lakes (3). 
 
Buford Trout Hatchery 
 
Rip-rap for erosion abatement ($6,172); Water intake pump repair ($12,000) 
 
Total Cost 242,235 
493,503 
581,938 451,101 
5,600 7,706 18,172 
 
 35 
 
Table H-1 (continued). Facility maintenance and construction projects statewide during FY2006. 
 
Project 
Arrowhead Environmental Education Center 
 
Project Description Engineering fees for dam safety evaluation of former Public Fishing Area lake. 
 
McDuffieFish Hatchery 
 
Water filtration system ($2,750); hatchery residence window replacement ($7,196) 
 
Steve Cocke Fish Hatchery 
 
Galvanized piping ($873); clearing of drainage ditch ($1,250); concrete for hatchery residence addition ($2,500); lumber for residence addition ($795) 
 
Demeries Creek Regional Office Replacement of regional office roof. 
 
Paradise Public Fishing Area 
Headquarters administrative costs 
Total Expenditures 
 
Paint for comfort station 
Prorated expenses of headquarters staff to manage capital outlay repairs and maintenance projects. 
 
Total Cost 2,035 
9,946 5,418 9,880 3,000 62,366 $1,892,900