Fisheries Section annual report, fiscal year 2010

FISHERIES SECTION ANNUAL REPORT
Fiscal Year 2010
July 1, 2009 - June 30, 2010
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

7

Appendices:

A. Facts about fishing in Georgia, fisheries related revenues earned, and

9

Fisheries Section expenditures

B. Private waters management

13

C. Public waters management

15

D. Trout production and distribution

20

E. Warmwater hatchery production and distribution

25

F. Public fishing area operation

30

G. Resource studies

32

H. Maintenance and construction

35

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 16 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 $1.13 billion yearly on fishing in Georgia with an economic impact of more than $1.93 billion generating an estimated 16,881 jobs.
Programs of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Wildlife Resources Division (WRD), Fisheries Section (Section) during fiscal year 2010 (FY2010) 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 to the upper Coosa River system continued in FY2010, in cooperation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). Once a unique component of the diverse Coosa River basin fish assemblage, lake sturgeon were extirpated from the system in the late 1960s. This was probably a combined function of habitat degradation, over-harvest, and dam construction. Goals of the reintroduction program are the re-establishment of a self-sustaining lake sturgeon population and eventual creation of a unique sport fishery for Georgia anglers. A total of 5,975 lake sturgeon fingerlings/juveniles were stocked into the Coosa River system in FY2010. This included a second stocking of lake sturgeon fingerlings into Allatoona Reservoir (upper Etowah River). These fish will have access to historic habitat in the Etowah River above Allatoona Dam. Anglers continue to report sturgeon sightings at several locations in the greater Coosa River system to include Weiss, Neely Henry and Logan Martin Reservoirs in Alabama. This extends the current range of the species to its' known pre-1950 range.
The state's three trout hatcheries combined efforts with the Chattahoochee Forest National Fish Hatchery to stock more than 1.13 million catchable trout and 118,000 fingerling trout into north Georgia streams, small lakes, reservoirs, and their tail-waters. More than 70,000 catchable-sized trout were stocked into Georgia's five '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 14,300 rainbow and 21,500 brown trout were stocked last year to boost this put-grow-and-take fishery. More than 28,200 catchable trout were released into the Toccoa River downstream of Blue Ridge Reservoir dam. Water quality improvements of reservoir discharges from this Tennessee Valley Authority dam have enhanced the potential of this 15-mile long tail-water fishery as evidenced by increased angler catch rates of 9 to 14-inch trout.
Analysis of data related to the 2005 moratorium on brown trout stocking in the Lanier tailwater section of the Chattahoochee River was conducted in FY2010. Successful brown
1

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trout spawning has been documented since the 1990s and the potential for a wild brown trout fishery existed. An angler creel survey was completed in late 2008 to explore the impacts of the moratorium on users fishing this section of the river. Annual standardized sampling for young-ofyear (spring) and adult (fall) brown trout was conducted to measure population-level impacts. The Section has also extensively studied water temperature regimes in the trout fishery between Buford Dam and Peachtree Creek to develop a special temperature criterion that would protect the trout fishery. These analyses will provide important information for the future management of this fishery.
Researchers from Oklahoma State University began working with the Section to evaluate the impact of shoal bass stockings from 2003-2007 in the Chattahoochee River below Morgan Falls Dam. All stocked fish were marked with oxytetracycline for later identification and aging of fish by otolith examination. Research findings will provide information on natural reproduction and the contribution of stocking, shoal bass age and growth, stocking location fitness, and other variables that will assist managers to ensure the future of shoal bass in the Chattahoochee River.
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 2009, 30,483 pounds of American shad were commercially harvested from Georgia rivers. This was a 2 percent decrease from the 31,032 pounds harvested during 2008. An estimated 144,578 American shad returned to the Altamaha River to spawn during 2009, a 1 percent increase from the estimated 142,866 fish returning in 2008. 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 0.198 is also extremely low. Thus, there is no evidence that the population is being overharvested in Georgia waters.
Alabama shad restoration efforts continued in the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint (ACF) River system in FY2010. 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 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 viable 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 FY2010 was estimated at 98,469 fish, an almost four-fold increase from the previous year's estimate. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) evaluated the conservation status of Alabama shad in 2010 and cited this research as one of the reasons not to list this species as "threatened". Study results indicate that 40-70% of the returning population have been able to navigate through 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 continues Atlantic striped bass restoration efforts and population monitoring in Georgia's coastal rivers in hopes of re-establishing this species throughout its historical range. Restoration stocking efforts initiated in the Savannah River in 1990 have been very successful in increasing the number of striped bass. 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
3

impacts of proposed habitat alteration projects associated with Savannah harbor expansion and channel deepening threatens the progress of population recovery and continues to be a concern. The Section is also conducting striped bass recovery efforts in the Altamaha River system where Georgia's statewide angling record fish of 63 pounds was caught. A 5-year stocking phase came to a close in the fall of 2007 as the Section stocked over 107,000 6-inch hatchery-reared striped bass. Favorable growth and survival of these stocked fish has led the Section to continue stocking 6-inch hatchery reared striped bass into the system with hopes that the population will become self-sustaining.
The genetically unique Gulf strain of striped bass was once common to freshwater rivers entering the Gulf of Mexico. By the 1960's, Gulf strain striped bass had declined significantly due to poor water quality and loss of upstream spawning habitat due to dam construction. The last native population of this species was found to have survived in low numbers in the ApalachicolaChattahoochee-Flint (ACF) river system of Georgia, Florida, and Alabama. For over 25 years, these states and the Federal government have worked together for the protection and restoration of Gulf striped bass in the ACF. As a result of this strong partnership, knowledge of the life history of striped bass has improved, and essential coolwater habitats have been protected or rehabilitated. A large cooperative stocking program was implemented, and anglers have set new records. This work has been a catalyst for striped bass restoration throughout the U.S. Gulf Coast region. A total of seven State and six Federal hatcheries including Georgia's Steve Cocke and Cordele fish hatcheries have produced and stocked over one million fish annually. Additional cooperative species restoration efforts have included cool-water habitat restoration, population monitoring, angler creel surveys, special fishing regulations, tagging and telemetry studies, and research efforts to pass striped above existing dams. Future plans include development of optimum stocking strategies that include producing adequate numbers of fish to meet Gulf-wide stocking goals, protecting the genetic integrity of this species, and expanding habitat restoration efforts to other Gulf states.
The Section continues to introduce youth to fishing through the Kids Fishing Events (KFE) program. Section staff held a total of 259 KFEs statewide with 24,288 youth attending. Twentyfour percent of the attendees were beginners and 56 percent caught at least one fish. One hundred thirty-seven 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 14 WRD facilities sponsored the remaining 122 events. Special ponds at Burton and Buford hatcheries, set aside for fishing by families with children, also provided a quality fishing experience for 3,693 young anglers in FY2010. Beginners comprised 22 percent of this group with an overall fishing success rate of 63 percent.
Aquatic Project WILD training was provided to 795 Georgia educators at 31 workshops conducted statewide. Seventy (70) educators were trained as Aquatic Project WILD facilitators at two workshops in FY2010. Two Advanced Project WILD workshops were also conducted in FY2010 and attended by 54 educators and resource management professionals. A Teacher Conservation Workshop was also conducted for thirty (30) certified teachers. Topics included Pond and stream ecology, stream-side management zones, and the importance of prescribed fire to the quality of riparian habitats. Overall, Fisheries Section staff conducted 84 presentations to more than 6,268 youth on a variety of topics including the importance of aquatic resources, fish identification, fish life history, fish physiology, managing fish populations, fish culture at WRD hatcheries, 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, McDuffie Environmental Education Center, Okefenokee Fair,
4

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 Go Fish Georgia initiative, established by Governor Perdue in 2007, seeks to establish Georgia as a national fishing destination through a three-tiered approach: 1) improving the quality of fishing in Georgia waters; 2) improving access to water bodies for fishing in Georgia; and 3) increasing participation through active promotion and marketing of Georgia's exceptional fishing resources. The purpose of the Go Fish Georgia Initiative is to promote and enhance boating and fishing tourism in Georgia and to boost economic development in communities across the state. This initiative will result in quality fisheries resources statewide, including family-friendly fishing and recreation access points that will increase fishing participation throughout Georgia.
The centerpiece of the state's efforts to promote fishing and increase participation is the Go Fish Education Center located at the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter just off Interstate 75 near Perry, Georgia. The Center's design plans call for a LEED certified "green" building incorporating a 15,000 square-foot public facility with live fish, static displays, theater, indoor and outdoor classrooms, public fishing ponds, and interpretive trails. The Center also includes a state-of-the-art working fish hatchery raising fish for Georgia waters. Fifteen alternate locations were evaluated statewide before this site was selected. Factors considered in choosing the site included infrastructure availability, community support, and initiative-related strategic factors. The Georgia facility is expected to attract more than 65,000 visitors per year and is scheduled for opening in the Fall of 2010.
The McDuffie Environmental Education Center (MEEC) is operated through a partnership between WRD and four area resource and educational agencies. Originally formed in 1996, the MEEC has provided outdoor educational activities for over 50,000 students and teachers in the East-Central Georgia region. McDuffie County Board of Education funded a program coordinator position for all students visiting from McDuffie County. In addition, the WRD Non-game Conservation Section funded a $36,000 grant to support the visitation of all other public, private, and home school groups. Grant funding was administered through the National Science Center at Fort Discovery that also recruited and hired a certified teacher to perform coordinator duties and develop lesson plans aligned with Georgia Department of Education Performance Standards. Funding from the Watson-Brown Foundation was also used to co-host a teacher workshop at the MEEC. WRD staff annually serve on the MEEC Advisory Board and also 'chaired' that body in FY2010. The MEEC Partnership, Watson-Brown Foundation, Clarks Hill Partnership, and McDuffie County continue working toward developing a funding mechanism to construct a new classroom building at the MEEC to replace two trailers purchased from a local school board in 1999.
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. Since that time the Section has coordinated efforts of other state, federal, and privatesector participants in a common goal of restoring the robust redhorse to a significant portion of its historic range in the Southeastern United States. Recent efforts have focused improving instream spawning habitat in the Oconee River. Existing gravel deposits at four locations on the river were augmented with 1,019 tons of new gravel between February 2009 and March 2010. Located in Washington, Wilkinson, Johnson, and Laurens counties, these areas had depths and velocities documented from previous observations to provide optimal robust redhorse spawning habitat. A total of 2.5 acres of habitat was augmented and documented through photo and field observations. Gravel has persisted with resulting robust redhorse spawning habitat quality
5

judged from fair to excellent. Initial surveys of robust redhorse use of these areas has been minimal and will continue in FY2011.
The presence of flathead catfish in the Satilla River was confirmed in the summer of 1996. The Section continues to monitor the expansion of this invasive species and conduct removal efforts in the Satilla River in order to protect native fish populations. Public sentiment is overwhelmingly in favor of protecting the premier redbreast sunfish fishery that exists on the Satilla River. Waycross fisheries personnel expended 178 hours of electrofishing effort towards the removal of flathead catfish in FY2010. This effort resulted in the removal of 7,815 pounds of flathead catfish from 90 miles of river habitat. Total poundage removed represented a 17 percent decrease from FY2009 poundage despite a similar amount of electrofishing effort. The average size of flathead catfish removed decreased from 5.8 pounds in FY2008 to 2.9 pounds in FY2009 and 1.4 pounds in FY2010. Flathead catfish have negatively impacted native fish populations in the areas of the Satilla where they have become well established. Redbreast sunfish and native catfish species abundance have been reduced by 65 and 87 percent, respectively, in the lower portion of the Satilla River. Positive redbreast sunfish population response to the flathead catfish removal has not been detected by standard monitoring techniques.
The Stream Survey Team assesses the status of fish communities in wade-able 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 (Iwb) and a visual habitat assessment, are also employed. The IBI, modified Iwb, and habitat assessments provide information about potential sources of stream degradation for those streams found to have impaired fish communities. The Stream Survey Team sampled 69 streams in FY2010 (Figure 2). These streams were located in 12 of Georgia's 14 major river basins across all five of the state's major eco-regions: Blue Ridge (10), Piedmont (8), Ridge and Valley (4), Southeastern Plains (13), and Southern Coastal Plain (34).
Fish bio-monitoring reports on all waters surveyed by the Stream Team are provided to Georgia's Environmental Protection Division (EPD). 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 classifications (fishing, swimming, drinking water, etc.).
Research initiated in FY2007 aimed at mapping and quantifying in-stream habitat through the use of side-scan sonar technology continued in FY2010. Developments in data collection and processing in ArcView GIS software were refined and a manuscript prepared and published in Fisheries magazine (A Novel Technique for Mapping Habitat in Navigable Streams using LowCost Side-scan Sonar). This publication addressed the application of sonar mapping on Ichawaynochaway Creek and results of a comprehensive accuracy assessment study validating the technique for identifying habitat components of streams. A substrate habitat map was also developed for a 20 km section of the Upper Flint River for an ongoing study on habitat use by three sympatric species of bass. An illustrated step-by-step workshop handbook on Geoprocessing Humminbird Sonar Imagery was developed and made available online for use by other researchers interested in this technique. A habitat mapping workshop focusing on these data collection methods and interpretation was also conducted at the annual meeting of the American Fisheries Society in Nashville, TN.
6

(Insert Figure 2) 7

Over 903,000 fingerling fish, produced at the Section's six warm water fish hatcheries, were provided for stocking in 512 privately owned, newly constructed, or renovated ponds to establish fish populations. Over 2.39 million hybrid striped bass fingerlings were produced and stocked into 19 lakes and reservoirs. Also, more than 1.3 million Atlantic and Gulf Coast strain striped bass fingerlings were raised in Georgia hatcheries and stocked into 15 reservoirs. An additional 51,312 six to eight-inch striped bass were also produced and stocked into the lower Savannah, Altamaha, and Flint rivers as part of a management plan aimed at re-establishing selfsustaining populations in those river basins. Also, 5,886 six to eight-inch Gulf striped bass were stocked into Flint River as part of Gulf striped bass management efforts in the ApalachicolaChattahoochee-Flint River system. Walleye fingerlings have been annually stocked into seven North Georgia reservoirs since 2002. These waters again received 671,261 walleye fingerlings in FY2010 and an additional 8,562 fingerlings stocked into Rocky Mountain Public Fishing Area lakes in Floyd County.
8

Appendix A: Tables showing important facts about fishing in Georgia, information on revenue earned, and expenditures for FY2010.
9

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
908,000 a 381,000 a 10,107,000 a 14,742,000 a
16 a $1,132,885,000 b
$1,938,503,000 b 16,881 b
$116,709,000 b

a 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation - Georgia FHW/06-GA published by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Department of Commerce, Census Bureau in January 2008.
b Sportfishing in America: An Economic Engine and Conservation Powerhouse (revised January 2008) published by the American Sportfishing Association. Calculations are based on data from the "2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation."

10

Table A-2. Revenue (to the nearest dollar) generated by the Fisheries Section from license sales in fiscal year 2010.a

Type of License Lifetime (new issues)

License Sales Fiscal Year 2010 (July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010)
Number
2,663

Combination Hunt/Fish

67,751

Combination Hunt/Fish 2-Year

4,499

Sportsman's Combination Hunt/Fish

42,681

Sportsman's Combination Hunt/Fish 2-Year

2,105

Resident Fishing

326,494

Resident Fishing 2-Year

28,555

Resident Trout Fishing

86,779

Resident Trout Fishing 2-Year

5,239

Resident 3-Day Combination Hunt/Fish

16,359

Resident 3-Day Trout Fishing

1,032

Non-Resident Combination Hunt/Fish

20,783

Non-Resident Fishing

18,560

Non-Resident 3-day Combination Hunt/Fish

39,388

Non-Resident Trout Fishing

4,075

Non-Resident 3-Day Trout Fishing

7,222

Revenue 328,835 b 575,884 b
69,735 b 1,173,745 b
110,513 b 2,938,446
456,880 433,895
52,390 57,257 b
3,612 1,039,150 b
835,032 393,880 b
81,493 72,220

Totals

674,185

$ 8,622,967

a In addition to license sales shown, the Wildlife Resources Division sold 42,113 resident Wildlife
Management Area (WMA) stamps for $800,147 and 1,394 non-resident WMA stamps for $101,762. 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.

11

Table A-3. Fisheries Section expenditures (thousands of dollars) by region and program with total staff-days in FY2010.a

PROGRAM

COST BY REGION

TOTAL

TOTAL

HQb

I

II

III

IV

V

VI

VII

COST STAFF-DAYS

Private Waters Management

Public Waters Management General Technical Guidance Habitat Management Surveys and Inventories Aquatic Plant Control Aquatic Education Resource Studies c

1,342.4 241.3 71.6 36.2 464.0
39.5 489.8

482.3 162.8
83.4 18.1 185.8
32.2

518.4 95.3 83.2 55.7
232.7
51.5

554.4 26.8 72.0 19.1
405.4
31.1

614.6 161.7 102.2 102.6 112.0
51.0 85.1

526.7 8.3
58.1 56.9 265.9
13.6 123.9

661.4 227.0
55.3 0.2
338.5
40.4

321.9 129.5
44.8
123.5
24.1

5,022.1 1,052.7
570.6 288.8 2,127.8
283.4 698.8

13,082 2,140 1,813 810 7,332
976 11

Hatchery Production & Stocking Coldwater Hatcheries Warmwater Hatcheries

317.2 146.3 170.9

241.6 227.3
14.3

803.3 792.7
10.6

240.7 240.7

51.9 51.9

413.4 413.4

200.4 200.4

260.7 260.7

2,529.2 1,166.3 1,362.9

6,500 2,856 3,644

Public Fishing Areas

233.0 390.7

177.4 396.9

659.9

1,857.9

6,621

Facility Construction and Maintenance
Capital Outlay & New Construction Operations & Maintenance

3,206.4
3,160.7 45.7

52.0
34.1 17.9

12.7
3.4 9.3

40.7 1,196.2
40.7 1,004.6 191.6

47.6
5.4 42.2

58.2
31.2 27.0

34.5
4.1 30.4

4,648.3
4,284.2 364.1

2,246
1,418 828

12

Totals

5,099.0 1,166.6 1,334.4 1,013.2 2,259.6 987.7 1,579.9 617.1 14,057.5 d 28,449

a Figures may differ somewhat from the final June 2010 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 Education,
Resource Studies, and Capital Outlay and New Construction. These four 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 $6,911,672 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 FY2010.
13

Table B-1. Private Waters Program FY2010 fish distribution by Regional location of pond. Fish are provided to pond owners to establish fishable populations in newly constructed or renovated ponds.

14

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

17 44

5.9% 2.3%

18,120

4,530

2,215

3,815

II

12 40

7,160

1,790

1,995

2,070

III

42 137 11.9% 17.4%

72,300 18,075

9,114 20,328

IV

38 89 21.1% 27.3%

54,700 13,675

6,839

9,709

V

72 386

132,838 33,147

18,755 29,300

VI

142 719

260,420 66,770

32,835 38,690

VII

36 65

25,920

6,480

2,900

8,905

5 4 $ 2,488 4 6 $ 1,081 21 42 $ 10,915 12 57 $ 7,257 31 85 $ 18,885 49 265 $ 35,362 17 24 $ 4,129

Statewide totals

359 1,480

3.9% 3.3% 571,458 144,467

74,653 112,817

139 483

$80,117

Appendix C: Tables showing information on the Fisheries Section Public Waters Management Program in FY2010.
15

Table C-1. Public Waters - Surveys and Inventory conducted by the Fisheries Section in FY2010.

Standardized Sampling Waterbody type Reservoirs/lakes/ponds Rivers/streams Public fishing areas

Methodology Electrofishing Gill net Electrofishing Scuba Electrofishing Gill net

Waterbodies surveyed 33 28 9 1 33 3

Total stations
300 268
81 10 134 15

Creel Surveys

Dates surveyed

Angler

Angler

Waterbody

(days of fishing)

trips

hours

Altamaha River Duke's Creek1

03/01/2009 - 10/31/2009 (245) 07/01/2009 - 06/30/2010 (156)

13,888 1,300

66,302 6,310

Satilla River

03/01/2009 - 10/31/2009 (245)

8,636 33,485

Ogeechee River Smith Creek2 Waters Creek3

01/31/2010 - 04/10/2010 (50) 11/01/2009 - 05/14/2010 (195) 03/27/2009 - 10/31/2009 (95)

1,370 339 205

4,977 1,229
926

1 Restricted access trout stream. Fishing allowed Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday year round.

2 Delayed harvest section from Unicoi dam downstream to park boundary only.

3 Restricted access trout stream. Fishing allowed Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday during trout season only.

Miscellaneous Surveys and Collections

Waterbodies

Species

Number Samples

Survey type

surveyed

surveyed

of fish collected

Age & growth Broodstock collection1

5

4

2,317

54

2

3

327

4

Contaminant

11

4

203

14

Food Habits

1

1

44

1

Genetics

6

3

205

6

Population monitoring Public display2

57

25

9,121

399

5

25

150

7

Temperature

30

Water quality

11

40

1 Striped bass, White bass, and Shoal bass.

2 Fish displays at Georgia National Fair, Atlanta and Perry Fisharamas, and Coosa River Basin Initiative Waterfest.

16

Table C-2. Fish kills investigated by the Fisheries Section in FY2010.

Category of cause Transportation

Number of incidents 2

Fish killed

Number

Value

66

NA

Industrial

2

Municipal a

3

Natural / Disease

12

Undetermined

4

Total

23

2,788 18,924 17,885 28,540 68,203

$364.69 $15,615.11
b
NA $1,850.51 $17,830.31

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 rarely reported.

17

Table C-3. Environmental reviews and assessments conducted by the Fisheries Section in FY2010.

Agency and type of review

Number a

Georgia Department of Natural Resources

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

3

Requests to stock fish in trout streams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

14

Environmental Protection Division - Water quality issues . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1

Georgia State Clearinghouse

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

1

U.S. Government Agency Permits, Projects and Plans

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

3

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

3

Tennessee Valley Authority Plans and Projects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1

U.S. Dept of Interior National Park Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Plans and Projects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2

Local & Regional Government Projects

Developments having regional impact . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3

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

32

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.

18

Table C-4. Information - Education activities conducted by the Fisheries Section in FY2010.

Education
Event type Career day Student mentorship Student presentation / workshop

Number of events
6 1 68

Total attendance
1,851 12
6,268

Fishing
Event type Family fishing opportunites Fishing tournaments Handicapped fishing Kids fishing events Nat.Hunting / Fishing Day Senior citizen fishing

Number of events
3 5 5 259 10 5

Attendance
3,923 154 170
24,288 2,482 159

Beginners
821 83 5,776 67 -

Caught a fish
2,462 37
108 13,503
561 88

Information
Event type Fish hatchery / PFA tours Public presentations Special events WRD Public hearing

Number of events
23 55 10
1

Attendance
1,202 3,268 1,082
6

19

Appendix D: Tables showing information on the Fisheries Section Trout Production Program in FY2010.
20

Table D-1. Trout production (lbs), conversion ratios, and costs at state hatcheries in FY2010.

Hatchery

Species RAINBOW BROWN

Total

Cost a

Total

Per lb

Catchables Buford

Net weight gain Conversion ratio

143,556 1.26

20,595 1.15

164,151 1.24

$385,957

$2.35

Burton

Net weight gain Conversion ratio

55,913 1.27

74,922 1.10

134,635 1.18

$246,888

$1.83

Summerville

Net weight gain Conversion ratio

25,442 0.99

25,442 0.99

$74,282

$2.92

21

Total

Net weight gain Conversion ratio b

224,911 1.23

95,517 1.11

324,228 1.19

$707,127

$2.18

Fingerlings c Summerville

Cost per pound to stock trout from state hatcheries: Total production and distribution costs per pound:
Production of 159,563 fingerling rainbow trout (3.4 inch mean length) weighing 10,965 pounds.

$79,935

$0.49 $2.67
$7.29

Grand Total Catchable and Fingerling Costs

$787,062

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.

$2.84

Table D-2. Species, number, and weight (lbs) of trout stocked into Georgia's public waters from state and federal hatcheries during FY2010.

Facility

______B_R_O__O_K______ Number Weight

_____R_A__IN_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 fingerlings

15,050 5,518

347,353 42,550

133,100 6,504

173,840 18,376

68,380 2,325

64,702

26,131

41,327 204,369

15,297 74,826

388,680 42,550

148,397 6,504

393,259 18,376

148,724 2,325

64,702

26,131

FEDERAL HATCHERY
Chattahoochee Forest catchables fingerlings

286,944 57,000

99,528 400

286,944 57,000

99,528 400

22

TOTAL
catchables fingerlings

15,050 5,518

872,839 117,926

327,139 9,229

245,696

90,123

1,133,585 117,926

422,780 9,229

Table D-3. Species, number, and weight (lbs) of catchable trout by habitat stocked from all hatcheries in FY2010.

Locations stocked

BROOK Number Weight

RAINBOW Number Weight

BROWN Number Weight

TOTAL Number Weight

STREAMS BY COUNTY

Bartow

Catoosa

Chattooga

Cherokee

Dawson

550 159

Fannin

Floyd

Gilmer

Gordon

Habersham

940 349

Haralson

Lumpkin

950 342

Murray

800 296

Paulding

Pickens

Polk

Rabun

5,238 1,938

Stephens

1,080 400

Towns

1,020 378

Union

Walker

--W---h--it-e---------- ----3--,-6-0--8-- --1--,-3--3-6--

--T--o--t-a-l---------- ---1-4--,-1-8--6-- --5--,-1--9-8--

10,600

3,532

4,175 4,915

1,724 2,117

800

239

29,541 10,910

90,667 32,524

34,378 13,378

18,514

6,413

500 19,830

149 7,292

7,664

3,005

58,393 20,187

9,505

3,560

6,100

2,348

7,250

2,285

1,964 66,187

841 26,141

22,331

9,079

21,749

8,172

64,200 22,290

9,079

3,654

----6--4-,-4--2--3- -----2--3--,-9-4--7-

--5--5--2-,-7--6--5- ----2-0--3--,-7-8--7-

2,350

807

427

149

800

280

1,693 6,444

592 2,433

10,078

3,729

17,276 9,327

6,406 3,442

1,000

336

75,836 12,655 20,903
6,024

27,206 4,721 7,578 2,243

----2--7--,-2-1--8- -------9--,-7-3--8---1-9--2--,-0-3--1- -----6--9--,-6-6--0-

12,950

4,339

4,175 5,342

1,724 2,266

1,600

519

30,091 11,069

90,667 32,524

36,071 13,970

24,958

8,846

500 30,848

149 11,370

7,664

3,005

76,619 26,935

19,632

7,298

6,100

2,348

8,250

2,621

1,964 147,261

841 55,285

36,066 14,200

43,672 16,128

70,224 24,533

9,079

3,654

--------9-5--,-2-4--9- -----3--5--,-0-2--1-

------7--5-8--,-9-8--2- ----2-7--8--,-6-4--5-

TAILWATERS Blue Ridge Hartwell Lanier
--M---o-r-g--a--n--F--a--ll-s ------------ ----------
--T--o--t-a-l---------- ------------ ----------

24,972

8,379

40,650

8,758

216,694 81,265

----3--7-,-6--3--7- -----1--6--,-6-2--2-

--3--1--9-,-9--5--3- ----1-1--5--,-0-2--4-

3,324 12,703

1,050 3,501

----1--2--,-7-7--5- -------5--,-5-7--6----2--8--,-8-0--2- -----1--0--,-1-2--7-

28,296

9,429

53,353 12,259

216,694 81,265

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

------3--4-8--,-7-5--5- ----1-2--5--,-1-5--1-

RESERVOIRS AND SMALL LAKES

Black Rock

Burton

Dockery

Nancytown

864 320

Rock Creek

Seed

Vogel

Winfield Scott

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

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

GRAND TOTAL 14,186 5,198

1,870 14,315
6,405 3,546 8,100

671 2,800 2,577 1,348 3,028

1,125

382

12,845

5,140

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

48,206 15,946 ------------- --------------

920,924 334,757

21,513

9,020

2,000

830

1,350

486

------------- -------------24,863 10,336
------------- -------------245,696 90,123

1,870

671

35,828 11,820

6,405

2,577

4,410

1,668

8,100

3,028

2,000

830

2,475

868

12,845

5,140

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

73,933 26,602 ---------------- --------------

1,181,670 430,398

23

Table D-4. Species, number, and weight (lbs) of fingerling trout by habitat stocked from all hatcheries in FY2010.

Locations stocked

RAINBOW Number Weight

STREAMS BY COUNTY

Fannin

57,000

400

Rabun

7,000

860

Total

64,000 1,260

TAILWATERS Hartwell Lanier

25,600 16,950

3,977 2,527

Total

42,550 6,504

RESERVOIRS AND SMALL LAKES

Burton

11,376 1,465

Total GRAND TOTAL

11,376 117,926

1,465 9,229

BROWN Number Weight

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

TOTAL Number Weight

57,000 7,000
64,000

400 860
1,260

25,600 3,977

25,600 3,977

11,376
11,376 100,976

1,465
1,465 6,702

24

Appendix E: Tables showing information on the Fisheries Section Warmwater Hatchery Production Program in FY2010.
25

Table E-1. Total numbers and cost per fish of warmwater species produced at state hatcheries in FY2010.

Species

Acres

Number

Number per acre

Cost pera fish ($)

Bluegill Fingerling
Channel catfish Fry Fingerling Intermediate Harvestable
Golden shiner Fingerling
Goldfish Fingerling Intermediate
Hybrid white-striped bass Fry Fingerling
Lake chubsucker Fingerling Intermediate
Lake sturgeon Fingerling
Largemouth bass d Fry Fingerling Adv. Fingerling Intermediate
Redear sunfish Fingerling
Shoal bass Fingerling
Striped bass Fry Fingerling Intermediate
Walleye Fingerling Intermediate

13.07
7.10 8.17 21.07 12.69
1.35
1.05 5.39
b
22.30
0.96 0.77
c
1.32 5.21 0.71 1.56
3.74
1.00
b
17.17 12.25
10.20 0.80

2,673,959
1,993,738 652,421 514,373 86,372
5,874
24,447 22,644
9,000,000 2,390,487
36,233 5,571
5,936
510,070 356,440
38,050 679
434,972
15,000
7,840,000 1,521,873
75,403
691,004 379

204,588
280,808 79,856 24,413 6,806
4,351
23,283 4,201
b
107,197
37,743 7,235
c
386,417 68,415 53,592 435
116,303
15,000
b
88,636 6,155
67,745 474

0.045
0.036 0.166 0.390 1.210
2.237
0.364 3.257
0.003 0.026
0.400 0.993
7.287
0.005 0.031 0.047 33.110
0.127
0.213
0.003 0.028 1.484
0.045 13.439

Totals (all sizes)

147.88

28,895,925 e

82,889 f

0.086 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 692,010 largemouth bass F1 hybrids (Florida x northern) raised at
Walton fish 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 mean. Striped bass fry, hybrid striped-white bass fry, hybrid white-striped bass fry,

walleye fry, and lake sturgeon (all phases) are not included.

26

27

Table E-2. Number of each warmwater fish species produced at state hatcheries in FY2010.

Bowens

Species

Mill

Bluegill

Fingerling

658,377

Channel catfish

Fry

Fingerling

80,337

Intermediate

Harvestable

9,618

Golden shiner

Adv. Fingerling

5,874

Goldfish

Fingerling

Intermediate

21,832

Hybrid white-striped bass

Fry

Fingerling

Burton

Cordele

1,600,000 263,714 187,600 33,000

142,291

McDuffie
392,100
393,738 130,166
30,666 23,925

Richmond Hill
422,745
58,924 94,235
6,300

24,447
9,000,000 1,276,323

Steve Summer-

Cocke

ville

606,278

119,280 177,325
13,529

971,873

Walton 594,459
24,547
812

Lake chubsucker Adv. Fingerling Intermediate
Lake sturgeon a Fingerling
Largemouth bass b
Fry Fingerling Adv. Fingerling Intermediate
Redear sunfish Fingerling
Shoal bass Fingerling
Striped bass c Fry Fingerling Intermediate
Walleye Fingerling Intermediate

36,233
510,070 88,930 38,050
157,361
434,868

29,329

5,571

5,936

99,000

113,550

125,310

89,244

259,872 61,734

7,840,000 759,058 52,012

54,960 679
63,057 15,000

68,075 23,391
100,163

499,778 379

Total (all sizes) 2,041,550 29,329 2,226,605 1,522,082 19,736,838 2,112,768 106,099 1,120,654
a Production of sturgeon for species restoration stockings in the Coosa River. Fish were raised in concrete trout raceways.
b Numbers produced include 692,010 F1 hybrid (Florida x northern) largemouth bass raised at Bowens Mill and Steve Cocke Hatcheries.
c Numbers produced include 91,466 Gulf Coast strain striped bass raised at Steve Cocke Hatchery.

Total
2,673,959
1,993,738 652,421 514,373 86,372
5,874
24,447 22,644
9,000,000 2,390,487
36,233 5,571
5,936
510,070 356,440
38,050 679
434,972
15,000
7,840,000 1,521,873
75,403
691,004 379
28,895,925

28

Table E-3. Cost per fish (dollars) for warmwater fish species produced at state hatcheries in FY2010.

Species

Bowens Mill

Burton

Cordele

McDuffie

Richmond Hill

Steve Cocke Summerville

Bluegill Fingerling
Channel catfish Fry
Fingerling Intermediate Harvestable
Hybrid white-striped bass Fry
Fingerling
Golden shiner Adv. Fingerling
Goldfish Fingerling
Intermediate
Lake chubsucker Adv. Fingerling Intermediate
Lake sturgeon Fingerling
Largemouth bass a
Fry Fingerling Adv. Fingerling Intermediate
Redear sunfish Fingerling
Shoal bass Fingerling
Striped bass Fry
Fingerling Intermediate
Walleye
Fingerling Intermediate

0.044 0.219 3.059
2.238 3.254 0.400
0.005 0.040 0.047 0.130
0.027

0.249

0.036 0.093 0.248 0.644
0.086

0.046 0.039 0.230 0.607 1.603
0.993
0.008 0.061
0.032 0.039

0.050 0.273 0.448 1.205 0.003 0.020
0.364
0.033
0.059
0.003 0.023 1.452

0.065 0.166 0.349 0.582 0.025
0.052 0.351 0.213 0.075 1.556

7.288 0.088

a Numbers produced include 181,940 F1 hybrid (Florida x northern) largemouth bass fingerlings raised at Bowens Mill Fish hatchery.

Walton 0.023 1.287
3.338
33.110
0.025 13.439

Total
0.045
0.036 0.166 0.390 1.210
0.003 0.026
2.237
0.364 3.257
0.340 0.993
7.288
0.005 0.031 0.047 33.110
0.127
0.213
0.003 0.028 1.484
0.045 13.439

Table E-4. Warmwater fish distributed from state hatcheries in FY2010. 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

Bluegill

Fingerling 24,960

571,458 630,689 395,545

162,120

Channel catfish

Fingerling

5,770

112,817 230,305

74,357

25,001

Adv. Fingerling 90,350

1,700

Intermediate 253,256

10,166

2,000

75,800

Harvestable 36,652

5,170

17,793

6,329

Golden shiner

Fingerling

5,874

Goldfish

Fingerling

24,447

Adv. Fingerling

3,000

Intermediate

812

Harvestable

21,832

Grass carp

Intermediate

415

Harvestable

838

Lake chubsucker

Intermediate

42,804

Lake sturgeon

Fingerling

1,000

Adv. Fingerling

Largemouth bass

Fingerling

74,653

10,240

114,515

Adv. Fingerling

156

254

Intermediate

100

277

400

Redear sunfish

Fingerling

1,240

144,467

48,448

44,030

Shoal bass

Fingerling

Striped bass - Atlantic strain

Fry

1,200,000

Fingerling

809,413

Intermediate

Striped bass - Gulf strain

Intermediate

17,505

Striped-white bass hybrid

Fingerling

1,990,113

White-striped bass hybrid

Fry

283,270

Fingerling

9,500

8,581

Adv. Fingerling

1,497

Walleye

Fingerling

8,194

671,261

Adv. Fingerling

368

Total (all sizes) 421,828 1,498,606 903,395 999,882 612,673

3,835,358

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

Rivers & streams 196,533
90,381
4,936 39
35,000 13,000 57,198
397,087

Totala
1,981,305
538,631 92,050
341,222 65,944
5,874
24,447 3,000 812
21,832
415 838
42,804
5,936 39
234,408 410 777
238,185
13,000
1,200,000 809,413 57,198
17,505
1,990,113
283,270 18,081 1,497
679,455 368
8,668,829

29

Appendix F: Tables showing information on the Fisheries Section Public Fishing Area Program in FY2010.
30

Table F-1. Public Fishing Area operational costs for FY2010.

Region

Area

Ownership

I

Rocky Mountain a

III McDuffie

IV Big Lazer

IV Flat Creek

IV Ocmulgee

IV Marben Farms

VI Dodge County

VI Evans County

VI Hugh M. Gillis

VI Paradise

Total

Private State State State State State State State State State

Number of
lakes

Acres open to public fishing

Total operating
cost ($)

2

559.0

390,673

7

109.0

177,396

2

196.0

37,537

1

108.0

95,887

1

106.0

99,649

14

279.3

163,785

1

104.0

109,360

3

122.0

129,643

1

109.0

131,817

60

525.0

289,088

92

2,217.3

1,624,835

a Operational costs of public fishing area, campground, and swimming beach is annually funded through a contract with Oglethorpe Power Corporation.

29

Appendix G: Tables showing information on the Fisheries Section Resource Studies in FY2010.
32

Table G-1. Expenditures on resource studies and contracts by Region during FY2010.

Region West Central (IV)
West Central (IV) & Southwest (V) Headquarters Headquarters Headquarters Headquarters Headquarters Headquarters Headquarters Headquarters
Headquarters Headquarters
Headquarters Headquarters
Headquarters

Study Title / Work Contracted
Relations Between Shoal Bass and Sympatric Congeneric Black Bass Species in Georgia Rivers with Emphasis on Movement Patterns, Habitat Use, and Recruitment
Alabama Shad/Gulf Striped Bass in the Chattahoochee/Flint River Basins
Dr. Carl Quertermus - compilation and analysis of B.A.S.S. tournament fishing data
Auburn University, SE Cooperative Fish Disease project diagnostic services, workshops and consultant services
Auburn University - Southeastern Cooperative Fish Genetics, Genetics and Breeding of Fish in Georgia
University of Georgia, Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit - research and education of fishery students
University of Georgia - Limnological classification on sportfish production in lakes on Georgia's public fishing areas
University of Georgia Research Foundation - Center for Remote Mapping Science - electronic mapping and database services
MARIS Cooperative Agreement - for monies granted, provide fish sampling database records in format specified by MARIS
Dr. Carol Johnson - verification of less common minnows and darters captured and identified by Fisheries Section Stream Team crews
Southeast Aquatic Resources Partnership (SARP) - support of Southeastern States coordinator
Boating Infrastructure Grant - Cooperative project for the purpose of constructing a floating dock as part of the Savannah Riverwalk extension and dredging at Delegal Creek Clean Vessel--cooperative agreement to fund the installation of sewage pumps at marinas
Waldon, Ashworth & Accociates, Inc. - Water Supply Reliability and Walleye Culture Facility Study-engineering services to evaluate options for the addition of a Walleye culture facility at the Walton fish hatchery and water supply reliability in support of hatchery expansion
Administrative project review and support services

Cost 85,058
123,914 2,780
12,000 20,000 13,334
9,999 21,830
9,450 2,546
126,339 173,725
56,371 11,500
29,971

Total

$698,817

33

Table G-2. Final reports and publications completed by the Fisheries Section in FY2010.

Author
Bahn, R., J. Fleming, D. Harrison, and B. Deener

Publication
The Anchored Gill Net Shad Fishery of the Altamaha River, Georgia. Proc. Ann. Conf. SEAFWA 63:183-187.

Bonvechio, T., D. Harrison, Population Changes of Sportfish Following Flathead Catfish

and B. Deener

Introduction in the Satilla River, Georgia. Proc. Ann. Conf.

SEAFWA 63:133-139.

Evans, J.

Preliminary Results of Gravel Augmentation Projects on the Oconee River, Georgia. Proc. Ann. Conf. SEAFWA 63:204.

Hakala, J.

Angler Catch and Exploitation of Spotted Bass in Allatoona Reservoir, Georgia. Proc. Ann. Conf. SEAFWA 63:210.

Ingram, T., J. Tannehill, and Age, Growth, Fecundity, Abundance, and Passage of

J. Isely

Alabama Shad in the Apalachicola, Chattahoochee, and

Flint River System. Proc. Ann. Conf. SEAFWA 63:212.

Jamison, N. and R. Weaver Evaluation of the Supplemental Stocking of Largemouth Bass fingerlings into Lake Nottely, Georgia. Proc. Ann. Conf. SEAFWA 63:119-124.

Kaeser, K. and T. Litts

A Novel Technique for Mapping Habitat in Navigable Streams using Low-Cost Side Scan Sonar. Fisheries 35(4):163-174.

Kaeser, K. and T. Litts

Sonar Imagery Geo-processing Workbook - An Illustrated Guide to Geo-processing Low-Cost, Side Scan Sonar Imagery Obtained with the Humminbird Side Imaging System. Georgia Dept. Nat. Resources 12 pp.

Kaeser, K. and T. Litts

A Low-Cost Approach for Capturing and Processing Side Scan Sonar Imagery to Map Habitat in Navigable Rivers and Streams. Proc. Ann. Conf. SEAFWA 63:205.

Kaeser, K. and T. Litts

An Assessment of Shoal Habitat throughout the Lower Flint River using Low-cost Side Scan Sonar and GIS. Proc. Ann. Conf. SEAFWA 63:206.

Marcinek, P.

Development of a Fish Index of Biotic Integrity within the Coosa and Tennessee Basins of Blue Ridge Ecoregion, Georgia. Proc. Ann. Conf. SEAFWA 63:214.

34

Appendix H: Table showing the Fisheries Section maintenance and construction projects in FY2010.
35

Table H-1. Facility maintenance and construction projects statewide during FY2010

36

Project Boat Ramp Construction (statewide)
Boat Ramp Repair and Maintenance (statewide)
Rocky Mountain PFA Buford Fish Hatchery

Project Description
Planning and coordination activities were conducted on a number of potential sites around the state. A 16'X90' concrete boat ramp, a 30'X8' service pier and a single access handicap parking space were constructed at Panic Pond on Silver Lake WMA in Decatur County. In addition, a 14'X85' concrete ramp and 20'X8' service pier were also constructed at Frog Pond on Silver Lake WMA. Engineering services were contracted to prepare plan and secure project permits for the Oostanaula River boat ramp at SR156 in Gordon County. Gravel was also purchased for this ramp. Electrical service to an out-building, a drinking fountain, chiller, exhaust ventilation system, and single access concrete handicap parking space were installed at Flat Creek PFA in Houston County.
Inspections were completed on all ramps statewide no less than once during the year. Routine inspections included mowing grass, trash collection and removal. Replaced existing ramp with a 20'X110' concrete ramp and double-access handicap parking space on the Satilla River at SR121 in Pierce County. Replaced existing ramp on the St. Marys River in St. George/Charlton County with a 20'X110' concrete ramp. A 120'X15' concrete ramp and 30'X8' service pier were installed at Dairy Pond and a 80'X20' concrete ramp and 30'X 8' service pier were installed at Shepherd Pond on Marben PFA in Jasper County. Repairs were made to a section of the existing ramp at Burton Fish Hatchery. A 20'X8' service pier was installed at Dodge County PFA. Service piers were additionally installed at both Fox Lake (60'X8') and Margery Lake (40'X8') at CEWC. At the Richard B Russell Lake Dry Fork Ramp a one acre graveled parking lot was paved. Handicap parking spaces were striped at several lakes and facilities at the CEWC, including Margery, Fox, and Shepherd Ponds; and at the fish cleaning station and at Education Building. The parking spaces at the newly paved lot at the Richard B. Russell Dry Fork boat ramp was also striped. The Flat Creek PFA parking lot and handicap parking was striped as well as the Lake Harding/Bartlett's Ferry Ramp parking area. Storm damage repairs were made on the Chattahoochee River/Campbellton Ramp in Fulton County that included repairing a pipe and driveway damaged by floodwaters. Storm damage repairs were also made on the Altamaha River/Eason's Bluff boat ramp in Appling County where a drainage ditch was repaired. Gravel was added to projects at McDuffie PFA, Paradise PFA, CEWC, Flat Creek PFA, Ocmulgee PFA, Silver Lake WMA, Oconee River/SR112 in Baldwin County, Oconee River/below Sinclair Dam in Baldwin County, Altamaha River/Eason's Bluff in Appling County, Savannah River/Ebenezer Creek in Effingham County, St. Mary's River/Traders Hill in Charlton County, and the Ocmulgee River/SR83 in Jasper County. Concrete sidewalks were constructed at Margery Lake to connect a service pier and fishing pier to handicap parking, at Flat Creek PFA to connect the restroom and fish cleaning station to handicap parking, and at Fox Lake (CEWC) to connect the restroom and service pier to handicap parking.
Steel pole barn for equipment storage at Rocky Mtn. PFA. New structure measures 40'x100'x16'. The project was awarded to and constructed by Georgia Steel Buildings, Inc. and 100 percent funded by Oglethorpe Power Company.
Repairs on the septic system at Buford Fish Hatchery.

Total Cost 179,459
897,666
21,525 20,000

Table H-1 (continued). Facility maintenance and construction projects statewide during FY2010.

Project Hartwell Boating/Fishing Access
McDuffie Fish Hatchery
Go Fish Center
HQ Administrative costs Total Expenditures

Project Description
Two boating access facilities and a fishing pier constructed on Lake Hartwell with funding from the Sangamo PCB settlement.

Total Cost 2,352,284

Removal and replacement of kitchen cabinets in Assistant Manager's residence ($6,975). Prather house demolition - Asbestos abatement and structural removal ($6,450). Resurfacing of two driveways; Manager's and Assistant Manager's residences ($11,400).
Go Fish Center Construction (Phase II) development , production, and installation of interior exhibits to include galleries, interactive displays and educational activities, fish mountings and an outdoors walkthrough exhibit of Georgia aquatic habitats highlighted by a 180,000 gallon aquarium.

24,825 627,244

Pro-rated expenses of headquarters staff to manage capital outlay repairs and maintenance projects.

161,128

$4,284,131

37