GEORGIA 2001-2002 SPORT FISHING REGULATIONS DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES WILDLIFE RESOURCES DIVISION COASTAL RESOURCES DIVISION s Warehouse i Outdoor Skills Workshops! Start on a fascinati~ new adventure or polish your present skills. Our inforinative seminars are ~to any outdoor enthusiast. STOP BY THE INFORMAnON DESK OR CALL770-931-1550 TOREGimR! WE'RE EASY TO FIND! Looking for a great deal on a boat? Check out the complete line of Tracke~ boats at Spotsman's Warehouse, or cal/1-888-442-6337 for information. located just minutes north of Atlanta in Duluth! 3825 Shackleford Road Duluth, GA (770) 931 -1550 -Hours: Mon-Sat 9am-1 Oam, Sun 11 am-7pm See Georgia's largest fishing displayover 17,000 rods, reels, lures and accessories to choose from! Browse through a massive hunting selection, with everything from camo to ammo! Check out our Trackerboats ! For more information, calll-888-442-6337. 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BP306331 11 /00 TABLE OF CONTENTS FRESHWATER SECTION Agreements with Bordering States ................. 9-10 Angler Award Program ....................................... 20 Boating Regulations ............................................. 5 Buying Licenses ...................................................4 Commercial Fishing ............................................ 12 Daily Limits ........................................................... 6 Definitions .......................................................... 33 Guidelines for Eating Fish ............................ 23-26 Finding a Place to Fish ....................................... 17 Fish Identification ......................................... 18-19 Fish Kill Reporting .............................................. 10 Fisheries Section Offices & PFAs ...................... 17 Fishing Methods ...................................................8 Free Fishing Days ................................................ 7 Handling & Releasing Fish ................................... 7 Length Limits ........................................................ 7 License Requirements .......................................... 4 Protected Species .............................................. 11 Public Fishing Areas .................................... 21-22 Turn in Poachers ................................................ 33 Sale of Fish ........................................................ 12 Seasons ...............................................................6 State Record Fish .............................................. 20 Trout Fishing ................................................ 13-16 SALTWATER SECTION Bait Minnows ...................................................... 31 Crabs .................................................................. 31 Deflating Your Fish ............................................. 34 Finfish ........................................................... 28-29 Measuring Saltwater Finfish ............................... 29 Shellfish .............................................................. 31 Sport Bait Shrimping ........................................... 30 2001-2002 FRESHWATER AND SALTWATER SPORT FISHING REGULATIONS Roy Barnes, Governor Lonice C. Barrett, Commissioner, Department of Natural Resources David Waller, Director - Wildlife Resources Division Duane Harris, Director - Coastal Resources Division The Wildlife Resources Division designed this guide to help you quickly find and understand regulations for fishing in Georgia. Th~ ~:me_and Fis~ Coqe ap~ ,Department of Natural Resources rules are the final authority on questions of law. Recent '"'w cndnges a.e 1n l1gh, Llde. BOARD OF NATURAL RESOURCES Jamie Reynolds - Chair Bill M. Gilbert - Vice Chair J.D. Caswell - Secretary Sally Bethea James E. Butler, Jr Donald J. Carter Sarah S. Clark Pierre Howard Walter A. Hudson Walter McNeely Ben G. Porter Bob Rutland Glenn E. Taylor Reese Thompson Loyce Turner Thomas W Wheeler, Jr FISHERIES MANAGEMENT OFFICES, PUBLIC FISHING AREAS & HATCHERIES See page 17 for telephone numbers and locations of Fisheries Section offices. MARINE FISHERIES MANAGEMENT OFFICE Brunswick .................. 912/264-7218 I Cover photo provided by G3 Boats Never buy a fishing or hunting license again! For a one time price, Georgia's sportsmen and women can enjoy a lifetime of the state's great fishing and hunting opportunities! Infants under age 2:$200 The lifetime License is now on sale at Wildlife Resources Division Offices Youth ages 2 - 15: $350 or call (770) 414-3333 for Adult ages 16- 65: $500 more information. For a Lifetime License application, go to www.georgiawildlife.com LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICES Boating Safety ............. 770/784-3068 Albany .......................... 229/430-4252 Brunswick ..................... 912/264-7237 Calhoun ........................ 770/769-9680 Calhoun ........................ 706/624-1367 Gainesville ................... 770/535-5499 Macon .......................... 478/751-6415 Manchester .................. 706/846-8448 Metter ........................... 912/685-2145 Social Circle ................. 770/918-6414 Social Circle ................. 706/557-3034 Thomson ...................... 706/595-4211 Thomson (Augusta) ..... 706/737-1480 LE Headquarters ...........770/918-6408 Turn in Poachers ..... 1-800-241-4113 RECENT CHANGES The Chattahoochee River from Sope Creek downstream to US Hwy 41 is now a delayed harvest trout stream. See page 16 for details. The minimum length limit for largemouth bass at Lake Walter F George is now 14 inches. Live blueback herring may now be used for bait at Lake Lanier and Lake Juliette. See page 8 "It is unlawful to:" for details. 2001-2002 Sport Fishing Regulations www .gofishgeorgia.com Page 3 I jtcnsc J{cquircnlcnts THREE CONVENIENT WAYS to Buy a Fishing License: Over 1,000 license dealers LIFETIME LICENSE Lifetime licenses are available NO,NRESIDENT$: Nonresidents 16 or older, regardless of physical condition, must have a statewide including WRD offices, for sportsmen and women of all valid nonresident Georgia fishing major retailers, sporting goods, bait & ages! Infant (under 2 yrs) $200; license to fish in Georgia, except in tackle, marinas, and hardware stores. Youth (2-15yrs) $350; Adult(16- private ponds. Telephone 1-888-748-6887 Internet www.permit.com 65 yrs) $500; Senior (65+) no Nonresidents under 16 do not require charge. Available from the a fishing license except to fish in Telephone and Internet available 24 License Uhit and DNR Law trout streams or to fish for or to hours, 7 days a week. Enforcement offices The possess trout (see TROUT LICENSE). All licenses may be purchased by mail Lifetime License satisifies all Florida residents 65 years of age or from the Department of Natural state license requirements for older-see Agreement with Florida Resources, License Unit, 2189 the life of the purchaser. on page 10. Northlake Parkway, Suite 108, Bldg. 10, Tucker, Georgia 30084. . Res1dent~thatarepermanentl~and College students (US citizens) enrolled full-time who are residing Orders by mail must include name, address, date of birth, weight and height with the proper payment. t~tall~. disabled may ob!am. a D1sa~1hty Hon~rary Co.mbmatlon Hunt1~g and F1~h1ng Llce:nse by within the state may purchase a resident fishing license. A current student 1.0. must be shown when WHO NEEDS A FISHING apply1ng.~o the License Umt. Proof purchasing a residentfishing license. LICENSE? of d1sab1hty must accompany the . . . application Proof of disability may M1htary persons on act1ve status Anglers age 16 and older must have come from the.U.S. Dept. of Veterans station~d.at a mil!tary ba~e in Georgia a current Georgia fishing license in Affairs, Social Security Admin., andthe1nmmed1atefa~1lyme~b~rs their possession while fishing in Railroad Retirement System or may purchase a restdent flshmg fresh or salt water in Georgia, another government agency. license. A current military I. D. must EXCEPT a license is not required to fish in private ponds (does not include ponds owned by governments-city, county, state, or federal) nor by a landowner and their immediate family when Persons that are blind can apply for a Lifetime Honorary Fishing License and must provide a Physician's certification of blindness with the application. ~es.how~whenpurchasingaresident f1sh1ng license. Any violation of Georgia fishing laws or regulations can cause revocation of license. fishing on their land. NOTE: Georgia DNR has Agreements TROUT LICENSE RESIDENTS: . ProofofresidencesuchasaGeorg1a driver's licens. e is. r.equ.ired to purchase a res1dent flsh1ng license. with Alabama, Fl?rida, North Carolina, and South Carolina that allow holders of Georgt.a f'1sh'1ng 11. censes to f'1sh .m thewaters covered WI'thout obtam. m. g a fishing license from the bordering state. All resident anglers ages16 to 64 . must h. ave. a. trou. t license a.nd .a Geo.rgia f1shmg license to f1sh . 1n designated trout waters and to ftsh Residents 65 years of age or older See Agreements with Bordering States . for or to possess trout. may fish with the Senior (65+) Lifetim~ License. Th~s license can beobtamedfreefromhcensedealers ~Y furnish.ing pro?! of age (driver's on pages 9_10. PUBLIC FISHING AREAS Se~ page 21 for license requirements Resident Senior (65+) lifetime and hon~rary license holder.s are not requ1red to have a trout license. Landowners and their immediate license, b1rth cert1f1cate, etc.) . to f1sh on a PFA. families may fish on their premises 2001-2002 RECREATIONAL FISHING LICENSE FEES without a trout license. All nonresident.anglers, ~~gardless of age or phys1cal cond1t1on, must License Year: Apri/1, 2001- March 31,2002 possess a nonresident fishing license and nonresidenttrout license RESIDENT LICENSES: NONRESIDENT LICENSES: to fish for or possess trout or to fish Sportsman's ......... ............ $60.00 Annual Fishing ................. $24.00 in designated trout waters. 0Finshei-nDga.y...F...1.s..h..1'.n..g.......... ... ....... .. .. ....... .... .. . 9.00 3.50 Trout .. .................. ............... .. 5.00 Combination Hunting and Fishing ........ ............... 17.00 Wildlife Management Area ... 19.00 0 ne-Day F1' shm' g .. ......... .... ... 3.50 7-Day Fishing ............. .......... 7.00 Trout ..... .............................. 13.00 Wildlife Management Area . 73.00 Florida residents, regardless of age, must possess a nonresident trout license to fish for or possess trout or to fish in designated trout waters. STATE PARK VISITORS are not required to have a trout license to fish in the impounded waters of the park. Page 4 1-888-748-6887 for licenses Rc~.:t nl Law C. hangcs Wildlife Resources Di vision & Coastal Resources Division Boating Boat Registration Personal Flotation Devices No motor in excess of 25 hp may be All boats that carry any means of mechanical propulsion and all sailboats 12 feet and longer must be registered. A Boat Registration Application can be obtained from any office of the Wildlife Resources Division, or from most marine dealers and marinas or by writing to: Georgia Department of Natural Resources, License & Boat Registration Unit, 2189 Northlake Parkway,Building 1O,Suite 108,Tucker, Georgia 30084 or from the internet, www.gofishgeorgia.com For more information, call the Boat Registration Unit at 770-414-3337 A wearable personal flotation device (PFD) is required for each person aboard a vessel. PFDs must be readily accessible to all occupants, in good and serviceable condition, legibly marked with the US Coast Guard approved number, and of appropriate size for the occupants. One Type IV throwable device must also be on board. Children under age 10 must wear a PFD when the vessel is under way, unless the child is within a fully enclosed cabin. PFDs must be worn by each person aboard a vessel in an area marked as "hazardous area" operated on Lake Juliette or Lake Tugalo. Georgia State Park lakes often have boat and motor restrictions. Check with the Park Office at each park for details. Boating Safety No vessel may be operated over idle speed within 100 feet of any moored or anchored vessel, vessel adrift, or any wharf, pier, piling, or persons in the water, or shoreline next to a full-time or part-time residence, public park, public beach, public swimming area, marina, restaurant, or other public use area. Booze and boats do not mix! It is Georgia honors all other states' Outboard Motor Restrictions unlawful to operate a boat while under registrations, provided the boat is No motor in excess of 9.9 hp may be the influence of alcohol or drugs. not used in excess of 60 consecutive operated on the Ogeechee River To learn more about requirements days in Georgia. upstream of State Hwy 119. for operating your boat obtain the Handbook of Georgia Boating Laws from any WRD Law Enforcement Why Should You Buy Office. a Fishing License? To learn about a boating safety course, contact the Boating Safety Your purchase of a fishing license helps support the following Fisheries Section programs. If you want to support fisheries management and Coordinator at (770) 784-3068 or any WRD Law Enforcement Office (see page 3 for contact information). conservation, buy a fishing license in 2001! Management: Fish populations are monitored and managed in over 500,000 acres of reservoirs and small lakes, 12,000 miles of streams and Lost Your License? rivers, and over 4,000 miles of trout streams. Hatcheries: 7 warmwater hatcheries produce largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish, striped bass, hybrid striped bass, and other species to stock reservoirs, rivers, and ponds; 3 trout hatcheries stock over 1 million trout in trout streams. Public Fishing Areas: Almost 2,000 acres of water on eight PFAs provide quality fishing for bass, bream, crappie, and catfish. PFAs are perfect areas for family recreation. License sales help build new PFAs. If you bought your license over the internet, you can replace it by printing out another if you bookmarkedyouroriginal.lfyou bought your license by telephone, call1-888-748-6887 for replacement. Pond Management guidance is provided to pondowners through consultation and on site visits. If you bought your license at a license dealer, obtain a Boat Ramps: 150 boat ramps are maintained statewide. New ramps are built each year to provide better access for anglers. Aquatic Education: Over 30,000 kids are introduced to fish and fishing at over 500 Kids Fishing Events each year. Over 1,200 educators are trained each year to teach youth about Georgia's aquatic resources. "Request for Replacement/ Refund" form from a license dealer and mail to the License Unit. There is a $3 replacement fee for each form submitted. Publications: Reservoir and South River Fishing Prospects, Small To fish immediately, you must Lakes Open to Public Fishing, Pond Management book, Trout Streams of purchase a new license and Georgia map, Fishing Regulations, River Fishing Guides, and many request a refund for the second others are sent to thousands of anglers each year license by submitting a "Request Fish Kills in public waters are investigated and polluters fined. for Replacement/Refund" form. 2001-2002 Sport Ftshmg Regulattons www .gofishgeorgta.com Page 5 Fresh\vater Gan1e Species l)aily l..~ilnits It is unlawful to take in one day or to SAUGER ....................................... 8 possess at any one time, except at SHAD ...~................................... 8 a residence or commercial storage American and/or Hickory facility, more than the daily limit for each species. It is unlawful to STRIPED BASS, WHITE BASS possess more than a total of 50 andlor HYBRID WHITE-STRIPED individuals of all the game fish listed BASS (see Note & Exceptions)..15 in this section, except channel and Only two of which can be 22 inches flathead catfish. or longer (there is no length Once the daily limit for a particular restrictioninwaterscoveredinSouth species is taken, it is unlawful to Carolina agreement) continue to fish for that species. Note: The season for taking striped Exception: Dailylimitsdifferoncertain . bass and hybrid white-striped bass waters shared by Georgia and South from the Savannah River and its tri- Carolina. See Agreements Section butariesdownstreamofNewSavannah (page 9). Bluff Lock and Dam is closed. BASS .......................................... 10 SUNFISH or BREAM Largemouth, Redeye (Coosa), (see exception) ............. 50 Shoal, Smallmouth, Spotted Bluegill, Flier, Redbreast, Redear, (Kentucky), and/or Suwanee bass Rock bass, Spotted, Warmouth and/ CATFISH ........................... No Limit or Shadow bass Cha.nnel and/or Flathead TROUT (see exception) ......... 8 CRAPPIE .................................... 30 Brook, Rainbow, and/orBrowntrout Black and/or White WALLEYE (see exception) ......... 8 PICKEREL .................................. 15 STURGEON may not be taken in fresh Chain, Grass and/or Redfin or saltwater in Georgia. EXCEPTIONS: BREAM: see South Carolina Agreement onpage9. STRIPED BASS, WHITE BASS and/ or HYBRID WHITE-STRIPED BASS: Limit taken from the North Newport River, Medway River including Mount Hope Creek, Little Ogeechee River, Ogeechee River, Oconee Riverdownstream of GA Hwy 22 in Milledgeville, Ocmulgee River downstream of the GA Hwy 96 bridge between Houston & Twiggs counties, Altamaha River, St. Mary's River, Satilla River, and the tributaries to these river sections; and from saltwater is a two fish limit. both must be 22 inches in length or longer. See South Carolina Agreement on page 9. TROUT See Amicalola Creek, ChattahOochee River, Smithgall Woods, Smith Creek, and Waters Creek on page 16. WALLEYE: Limit on Blue Ridge Reservoir is 15. Seasons There is no closed season for fishing in freshwater in Georgiaexcept for the following: Trout streams that are designated as seasonal trout streams are OPEN to fishing for any species from MARCH 31 - OCTOBER 31, 2001. Seasonal trout streams are closed to fishing for all fish species at all other times. The Flint River and its tributaries from the Georgia Power Co. dams at Albany to the US Hwy. 84 bridge; the Chattahoochee River and its tributaries from the Columbia Lock & Dam to the GA Hwy. 91 bridge; and Spring Creek and its tributaries. downstream to GA Hwy. 253 are closed to striped bass fishing and spear fishing from May 10ctober31. All fishing, including spear fishing, for any species in the marked areas around five fish refuges in Lake Seminole and in three fish refuges in Lake Blackshear.is prohibited from May 1- October 31. The season for taking striped bass and hybrid white-striped bass from the Savannah River and its tributaries downstream of New Savannah Bluff Lock and Dam is closed . Don'treleaselivebaitfishormovelivefish,aquaticplants, or mussels! Moving live fish, aquatic plants, or mussels from.one lake or stream to another is against the law and may harm native fish and wildlife. Plants, fish, and other animals should be disposed of in bags and placed in proper receptacles. Live fish and other animals should not be released. * It is unlawful to stock or rete;, ;e fish in waters within the state without a permit from DNR, except for lawfully obtained fish of legal species stocked in private ponds. * Never release live bait fish. aquarium fish. or aquatic plants into our waters. * Dispose of bait fish after fishing so that they cannot enter a lake, river. or stream. * Remove all plant fragments and mussels from your boat, motor, trailer, live well, and nets before leaving the launch site. * Clean your boat and equipment thoroughly before launching into new waters. Page 6 1-888-748-6887 for licenses Rct:ent Law Changes Wildlife Resources Division & Coastal Resources Division Length Limits There are no minimum length limits on freshwater game fish unless listed below: Largemouth bass 12 inches statewide except: Public Fishing Area lakes operated Medway River including Mount Hope by the Department of Natural Creek, Little Ogeechee River, Lake Blackshear-14 inches Resources-14 inches. This limit will Ogeechee River; Oconee River Lake Blue Ridge-no minimum (0 in.) not apply to lakes which have been downstream of GA Hwy 22 in Lake Burton-no minimum (0 in.) posted as having a different length Milledgeville; Ocmulgee River Lake Juliette-no minimum (0 in.) limit for largemouth bass. Lake Lanier-14 inches . Lake Oconee-bass between 11 and 14 inches must be released Shoa1bass.. Lake Lanier-14 inches downstream of GA Hwy 96 bridge betweenHoustonandTwiggscounties; Altamaha R"1ver, Sam t Mary's R"1ver, SatillaRiver,andthetributariestothese immediately. All others maybe kept. Flint River and its tributaries- river sections; and from saltwater Ocmulgee River from the Spring 12 inches Trout - No minimum length limit for Street bridge crossing in Macon Spotted bass: Lake Lanier-14 inches trout other than: downstream to the confluence of Striped bass, White bass, Hybrid Waters Creek-brown and rainbow the Ocmulgee River and the Oconee white-striped bass-You may only trout-22 inches; brooktrout-18 inches River-14 inches. keep two fish that are 22 inches or Noontootla Creek and its tributaries Lake Walter F. George-14 inches longer, exceptthe minimum length is on Blue Ridge WMA-16 inches for West Point Reservoir-16 inches 22 inches on the North Newport River, all trout How to Measure a Freshwater Fish 1. Place the fish on its side with the jaw closed 2. Squeeze the tail fin lobes together 3. Measure in a straight line from the tip of the snout to the extreme tip of the tail 4. You must release all fish shorter than the minimum length indicated for that species. Lake Oconee's Largemouth Bass Slot Limit Make it Work by Harvesting Small Bass Keeping bass less than 11" will improve bass growth! Keeping bass larger than 14" is your choice. Discover Fishing on Georgia's Free Fishing Bass between 11" and 14" must be released. For information or comments, call 770-918-6418 Days!" June 2 & 9, 2001 and Handling and Releasing A Fish September 22, 2001 No fishing or trout license When releasing a fish, you can give the fish is hooked in the stomach or the fish a better chance of survival by throat, cut the line and leave the following these guidelines: hook. The hook will dissolve without Play and release the fish as rapidly harming the fish. as possible. Wet your measuring board before Whenever possible, do not take the measuring the fish. fish out of the water. Hold the fish in an upright position Handle the fish gently with bare, wet and move it gently back and forth so hands. Do not squeeze the fish, put water runs over the gills. Release your fingers in the eyes or gills or the fish when it is able to swim. cause scale loss. Operate live well aerators Remove the hook as quickly as continuously when holding fish that possibl~ using needlenose pliers. If you plan to release. required All waters of the state Must be a Georgia resident Does not include fees at private hikes No WMA license required to fish on a Public Fishing Area or Waters Creek trophy trout stream All other Fishing Regulations apply 2001-2002 Sport Ftshmg Regulations www .gofishgeorgta.com Page7 Fishing \lethods HOOK AND LINE Game fish may be used as live bait (where live bait is legal) if they are taken legally and you do not exceed daily creel and possession limits. There is no restriction on the number of poles and lines to fish for game fish except: fishing for trout - one pole; fishing on Public Fishing Areas - two poles; and sport shad fishing two poles. Landing nets may be used to land fish legally caught. Anglers using more than two poles and lines to fish for shad must abide by commercial shad regulations. Bow nets are considered sport shad fishing gear and shall have a minimum legal size of 31/2 inches stretched mesh. SPORT TROTLINES Sport trotline is one line or a combination of lines using less than 51 hooks. Sport trotlines must be: 1 marked with the owner's name and address and with visible buoys 2. submerged at least three (3) feet below the surface of the water 3. attended regularly and removed after the completed fishing trip. Unmarked or unattended trotlines will be confiscated by DNA. It is unlawful to use any sport trotline within one-half mile below any lock or dam. Only catfish and nongame fish (yearround) and American and Hickory shad during shad season may be taken with trotlines. Trotlines and jugs are not permitted on Lake Tobesofkee or any state park lake. SPEAR FISHING "Spearing" is the use of a handheld spear or similar device and the use of a weapon, other than a firearm, which propels the spear to which a wire, rope, line, etc. is attached and securedto the weapon orthe person using the weapon. Only nongame fish may be speared in freshwater and are not to be sold or used for commercial purposes. It is illegal to spear game fish and all species of catfish. A sport fishing license is required to spear fish in Georgia. The person spearing fish must be completely submerged. NOTE: SEE SECTION ON SEASONS SEINES AND CAST NETS Only nongame fish less than 5 inches in length may be taken using a minnow seine and are not to be sold or used for commercial purposes. All other fish and eels taken in minnow seines must be released immediately unh~rmed into the water A minnow seine must be less than 20 feet in length and have a 3/e inch or less mesh (square or diameter). Minnow seines may not be used in designated trout waters. Dip nets and cast nets may be used to take threadfin shad, gizzard shad, and blueback herring for bait except in state park lakes. BOW FISHING Only nongame fish may be taken by bow and arrow from freshwater under the following conditions: Possession of a sport fishing license is required to bow fish in Georgia. Arrows must be equipped with barbs or similar devices for recovering fish and must be attached to the person or bow by a line sufficient for recovering the arrow and fish. Poisonous orexploding arrowheads are illegat Arrows cannot be discharged into the watercloserthan 150feetto any person. Legal hours for fishing with bow and arrow are from sunrise to sunset, except nongame fish may be taken at night while using a light in reservoirs over 500 acres in size. Any game fish with an open wound possessed,by a person bow fishing will be considered evidence oftaking fish illegally. A ~- ~~~ EXPEDITJ&)N- Ck+lh~,~ Great Selections at Both Our LOCiltions: SNELLVILLE, GA GAINESVILLE, GA 888-4362737 8002329620 www.campingtime.com Page 8 l-888-748"6887 for licenses IT IS UNLAWFUL TO: Possess or use live blueback herring for bait in all freshwaters except the following: Lakes Chatuge, ,Juliette, Lanier, and Nottely; and the Altamaha Riverwatershed downstream ofthe following: Juliettedam ontheOcmulgee River, Lake Juliette dam on Rum Creek, Lake Tobesofkee dam on Tobesofkee Creek;Lake SinclairdamontheOconee River; and watersheds of all other streams that flow directly into the Atlantic Ocean. Maps illustrating restricted waters are available at gofishgeorgia.com Fish for game fish, except american shad, hickory shad, channel catfish, or flathead catfish, by any means other than pole and line. Take any fish from public freshwater by any method other than the methods listed on this page. Snagging fish is illegal. Use electronic devices, explosives, poisons, or firearms to take fish. Stock or release fish or bait into any public waters exceptthe water from which it was taken. Re~;ent Law Changes Wildlife Resources Division & Coastal Resources Division ,\grctnH:nts "it h Bordering Statts Agreements with bordering states allow holders of Georgia fishing licenses to fish in the waters covered without obta~ning a fishing license fromthe bordering state. Regulations under these agreements may differ from Georgia's general laws and regulations. If this is the case, the laws and regulations of the agreement explained in this section are to be followed. AGREEMENT WITH ALABAMA Waters Covered: Chattahoochee River arm of the Minim~m Length Limit$: The banks and waters of only that reservoir The waters covered by Largemouth bass: portion of the Chattahoo.chee River forming the boundary between Georgia and Alabama and L~kes Bartletts Ferry (Harding), George this agreement do not include other streams or tributaries which flow LLaakkee WWaelstet rPFJ,JiGnte-o1r6gein-c1h4e.1snc.hes into the Chattahoochee River or its All other fishing laws and r~ulations impoundments orthe portion of Lake of the State of Georgia apply in W. Andrews, Goat Rock, Oliver, Seminole covered bythe agreement Georgia waters covered by this Seminole, Walter F George with Florida or Lake Weiss. agreement. (Eufaula)and West Poinl; howeveF, Creel and Possession Limits: Licenses: this agre~ment does not include. All creel and possession limits on All persons meeting the sport fishing thatportton of West Point Reservoir waters covered. by 'this agt;eement requirements of Georgia or Alabama lying upstream {north) of Georgia are the same as Georgia'sstateWide may fish on the banks and waters Hwy . 109 . bridge on the limits. covered Without having to obtain any other license. AGREEMENT WITH SOUTH CAROLINA . This agreement does not apply to commercial fishing orsaltwatersport fishing. Carolina state l.ine (35th parallel of No person rna.y ~ave. a rifle .in their to North latitude at Ellicott's Rock). possession or In a. boat on South This agreement aiSQ applies all Carolina wat~rs. ..A South. Cafoljl)a saltwater.fishing the waters and banks of Clarks Hill All other laws and regulations of :.license isrequi~ when fishing from Reservoir (Strom Thurmond), Georgia apply inthe Georgiaportion :a boat on the SC side of the Richard 13. RusseiiReservoir, e>fwatel'$covereclbythisagreement. Savannah River downstream of Hartwell Reservoir, Yonah La~e. There is, no length limit for .striped where tl\6 CSX Railroad trestle , Tugaloo (Toogal) Lake, the New bass a~ hybr.id bass talass, Spotted bass, and/or Rede.~~(Co~sa) bass ...... 10 Trout......~,,...~:.~ ....;....::.,............... 8 Bream (all species) ..................... 30 Walleye ......................................... 8 Sauger ...........,..............,............., ...... 8 Crappie (Black and/or White) ...... 30 from its.mouth to the junction of the Length Limit: White bass .............~ .................... 30 Tugaloo (Toogaloo) and Seneca Largemouth bass caught in the Striped bass and/or .Rivers; ,the Tugaloo River from its Georgia portion of the waters Hybrid \4fhlte-striped bass ............. 1o mouth to the junction.oftheTugaloo covered by this agreement that are It is unlawful topossess a total of and Chattooga Rivers; and the Chatto.Pga River to the North shorter than 12 inches in length must be released immediately. lmisotre~dJ,aho~oPvefp..rty (40)of aU species 2001-2002 Sport Fishing Regulations Rel.'flll Luw Change~ www .gofishgeorgia.com Page9 AGREEMENT WITH FLORIDA AGREEMENT Waters covered The waters and the banks of the St. and Chattahoochee Rivers, west of WITH NORTH CARQ~I~A Spring Creek; and Oilthe north by the Waters covered: ,. . MarysRiver,notincluclingitstributaries. HermanTalmadgeBridgeacro8sthe Lake Chatuge and .~lLJributary The waters and banks of Lake Chattahoochee River Seminole, bounded on the west by . Creel and Possession Limits: on Florida State Road No. 271; Jhe The limitfor striped b~ss; white bass, branches lying inGeo~gtaqr Nor1tl Carolina which ar~ aecessible qy boat fr~m the ma1n body of the south by the Jim Woodruff Dam; on anq hybrid white-striped bass on _reservoir the east by the line immediately east the St. Mary's River is two fish which Licenses: . of the Chattahoochee Marina (also must be 22 inches or longer, Holders of a valid Georgia or Nortn known as the BoOster Club) ~nning For all other species in.the waters C~rolina fish in~ li?ense may fisr northwest across the reservotrto the covered, Georgia's statewide creel w1th hook and line tn Lake Chatug~ tiD oUand at the junction of the Flint andpossessionlimits(page6)apply. only from boats. Boats may n~t . All other fishing regulations of the anchored to the sh?re or to a pier qr :'~ StateofGeorgiaapplyontheGeorgia boa~ d~~'ip~nectmg to the _shor~. m side of the St. Mary's River and the ., ,emorc1t1zen and youth license us Amy eorp. Georgia portion of Lake Seminole. exemptions authorized by eith~r ofEnglneere Florida laws and regulations ~ply on state are honored by both states on SevliMih Dlllrlct ~..f.0.ur.tif.ec::~~ .' t>.JsJ89ie8Wh~areeitt)e,r.., ~.r:nercial fishing! .c~:>ntact the numberandpo\:Ji'ldsof each species indigenou~ to ~~.o.rgia,or hav~ . b. .n.;..coa~al Resources DIVISIOn. 1-88 8- CALL GPC- LAKE to find out about some of the best getaways in the state of Georgia . We have a wealth of forested parks and over I,350 miles of unspoiled sho reline for you to explore. And you thought we were only good at maintaining the environment in your home. GEORGIA POWER A SOUTHI!RN COMPANY Page 12 1-888-748-6887 for licenses Recent Law Changes Wildlife Resources Division & Coastal Resources Division Trout Fishing in Georgia The Wildlife Resources Division uses special regulations (page 16) and stocking to provide quality trout fishing in Georgia. More than one million rainbow, and brown are stocked each year from March through midSeptember. The number of trout stocked and the stocking frequency depend on a stream's fishing pressure, public access, and water conditions. Streams with greater public access are stocked more often with more trout. General information about trout stockings is available on the internet at the WRD web site. The Trout Streams of Georgia Map is available from WRD and includes Georgia's trout streams, roads, and a list of recommended streams. Trout need clean, cold water to survive. Georgians can be good trout managers by using proper land use practices. Trees and other vegetation left along stream banks provide shade to keep water cold and help prevent soil from washing into the stream. Many trout streams are located on private property. The landowner controls access to, and fishing rights in, such streams. It is your responsibility to know when you cross a property line. Obtain permission from the landowner before fishing on private property. TROUT SEASON Tennessee state line and Smith IMPOUNDMENTS ON Trout season is from March 31 - Creek downstream of Unicoi dam TROUT STREAMS October31, 2001. Manytrout streams are open to fishing year-round. (see list below) TROUT FISHING HOURS are 30 minutes before sunrise until 30 minutes after sunset. Nightfishing is not allowed. TROUT FISHING RULES ANGLERS CAN: Fish for fish species other than trout without a trout license, except on Dockery and Rock Creek lakes. Fishing hours on seasonal trout Trout anglers are restricted to the Fish year-round, except on Dockery streams, except Waters Creek use of one pole and line which must Lake. (page 16), are 30 minutes before be hand held. No other type of gear Fish at night, except on Dockery sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. may be used in trout streams. and Rock Creek lakes. Night fishing is not allowed. Live bait-fish may not be used in any If you fish for or possess trout, you Fishing 24 hours a day is allowed on trout stream, except live bait-fish must possess a trout license. If you year-round trout streams, except may be used on the Chattahoochee catch a trout and do not possess a those in next paragraph, and on all River downstream of the Roswell trout license you must release the impoundments. on trout streams, Road bridge(GA Hwy 9). Seining trout immediately. except OocketyilfldRockCreek lakes. bait-fish is not allowed in any trout Visitors fishing impoundments ._on .Fish;ng t)ours on the Chattahooqhee stream. State Parks canfish for & possess River from Buford Dam to' Peach- tree Creek, the Conasauga River wate.r~hed up~tre~""! of the G~or~ia- It is unlawful to fish .tor any fish trout without a trout license. State a. specie~ in s.easonal trout str~arn ._P,ark .visitors fishing trout streams when the season is'closed..' . ,_. - - - . .' ' .. --~ . . - '' . ".. . . 'ii --\-" . . ,... ....._. : must pos~ss .a trout license~ (~~- , )<~-~- 1~~- ~- --- _-_-_\: - -_ ~'- . .:- .::.. ft':~-;: ,:GJ;ORG;IA'S..TROlJT _ sTFh~'AM~:- e.~c,dut.Jt~r -._.:{ . ... :;~:' ;;:~'-- ~~q(lal Trput Str~arn~ (~) .~re ~pen Marq~.-3,,-~-:0'ct~~t-~;~,:~~l - ~ \ .. ~: ve&t-rOflnd ~~'ftRJ~afei~l~fiSn1~fouglibUt.tfier~rahif~"~sig'ttatl@ln 'Cnee River, Coleman River, Conasauga River, Hoods Creek, Jones Creek, Moccasi'n 'Cr~ek,,~taintown Creek, f'JJpo.'}t8otla.Creek, SmithgaJJ Vl(oods~Dukes Creek, Smith Creek, Stanley Creek, Walnut Fork C(~~* ~atersCreek. BARTOW CoUNTY . ..i . .CATOOSA COUNTY watershed (Coon Creek);:P~rennial ,_ Spring S-Boston.Cr~ek watershed upstream from . S-Hurricane Creek watershed upstream from watershed; Raccoon Creekwatershedupstream GA Hwy ~O;,lQI'T.lS,yreekwatershed upstre~m . Peters Branch. . . .. .. _ from GA Hwy 48; Ruff Creek watershed. from Bartow CoRd 82. . . . .. YR-Dry Creek watershed,(Pacrtof East, .YR-Little ArmuchtHf Cree#r watershed YR-c~~: P~ watershed; Dykes Chickamauga CtJek ~ihtidJ'-rtof" upsiielunitfjip~'Rd326;StCH'eyMittCreek CreekwatefS/Jed;PtneLogCreekwatershed; catoosa Co RcJ257; Little ctiCkamaugs Creek wateishid; 1'iJiiifertocreelc watershed. s c Pyle Creek w~tershed; Salacoa Creek watershed upstream from Catoosa Co Rd CHEROKEE COUNTY watershed; Sprmg Creek watershed; Stamp Creek watershed upstream from Bartow Co Rd 269; Two Run Creek watershed; Ward 3G8A7.'HTwigye2rCreek watershed upstream from - 8oston YR-Biuff k t h d Crreeeekwwaaetresrsehe.~ upstream of Creek watershed. CHATTOOGA COUNTY Cherokee Co Rd 114; Pme Log Creek ~~~~alOlLaLpCooOsUaNRTiYver watershednorth ofI ~&a-Atlelg~oeodd._ BCrhaenlscehawCart~ekrswhaetde;rsChheda,~ElasCtFreoerkk Cwraeteerksh~eatde; rSsahtaecdouapCstrreeeakmwoafte~rhsehreodk;eSeoCapo 20, not including Little,Tallapoosa River L~leRIVer watershed; Htnton Creek ~tershed; Rd116, StapPCt,eekwatershed, WileyCreek watershed. , .-.. Kmgs Creek watershed; Mt. Hope Creek . .watershed. (Continues em next 2 pages) 2001-2002 Sport Fishing Regulations Recent L51ream from Pok Co Rd 437. YR-CedarCreekwatershedupstreamfrom Polk CoRd 121; Little Cedar Creek watershed; Silver Creek watershed; Spring Creek watershed; Swinney Creek watershed; eo Thomasson Creek watershed; Thompson Creek watershed upst1eam ofPolk Rd441. fromTownsCoRd87;andtributariestoChatuge Reservoir not listed below as year-round (may be fished year-round without a trout license). YR-BrasstownCreekwatersheddownstream from US Hwy 76 bridge; Charlies Creek watershed; Hightower Creek downstream from US Hwy 76 bridge to Towns CoRd 88; Hiwassee River downstream from Brown Briclge(secondbriclgeaboW:USHwy~onGA Hwy 75) to Towns CoRd~ Tallulah Rtver. UNION COUNTY S-Arkaqua Creek watershed; Bracket Creek watershed; Butler Creek watershed; Camp Creek watershed; Conley Creek watershed; the GA Hwy 75 A/tsmate bridge to theGA Hwy 255 bridge; Dukes Creek watershed downstream from the US Forest Service property boundary; Little Tesnatee Creek watershedupstream from the mouth dTimef Creek; Sautee Creek; SmithCteekdownstiMn ofUnicoidam; TumerCreekwatersiJed(one nearest to Cleveland City limits). WHITFIELD COUNTY $-Snake Creek watershed; Swamp Creek watershed upstream from Whitfield Co Rd 9. YR-coahulla Creek watershed upstream from Whitfield Co Rd 183; Dry Creek Kiutuestia Creek watershed; Low Creek watershed{part ofEast Chickamauga Creek RABUN COUNTY . S-Bad Branch watershed (flows Into L~ke watershed; and all other streams or parts of streamsnotlistedbelowasyear-roundexcept: watershed); Spring Creek (Deep Spring Creek) watershed; Tiger Creek watershed. Seed); Bad .creek watershed (flows mto Butternut Creek watershed; Nottely River Tugaloo); Bndge Cre7k watershe.d; Crow downstream from Nottely Dam & tributaries to Creek watershe~ (flows 1nto Seed).; Dickenson Nottely Reservoirnot listed as year-round (these Branch (flows m!o Burton); D1cks Creek maybefishedyear-roundwithoutatroutlicense). watershed (flows 1nto Burton); Falls Branch YR-Brasstown Creek watershed watershed (flows into Rabun); Flat Creek downstream from US Hwy 76 bridge; Coosa watershed; Joe Creek watershed (flows into Creek watershed; lvylog Creek watershed; Rabun); LaCounts Creek watershed (flows into Seed); Moccasi'l Creek watershed; Popcorn Creek watershed; Seals Creek watershed (flows into Seed); Slick Shoal Creek (flows into Noontootla Creek watershed; Nonely River from US Hwy 129-19 bridge downstream to Nonety Reservoii; Rock Creek watershed; Toccoa River {does not include tributaries ~~ FLOATING OOCKS ALUMINUM RAMPS . ~~~}; :~~~: Seed); Timpson Creek watershed; Wildcat unless listed); YoungcaneCreekwatersiJed. + Pressure lreated pile + Sleel hardware Creek watershed; Worse Creek watershed WALKER COUNTY and lumber (flows into Tugaloo); and all other streams or $-Allen Creek watershed; Chappel Creek parts of streams not listed as year-round except: watershed; Dougherty Creek watershed; Dry Tallulah River downstream from Lake Burton Creek watershed (tributary to East Armuchee Dam & tributaries to Burton, Seed, Ra.bun, Creek);EastForkUttleRiverwatershed(flows + Encapsulated floats + Pile guides + Pile caps + Cleats + Dock boxes + Aluminum ramps Tallulah Falls, Tugaloo &Yonah lakes not listed as year-round (may be fished year-round without a trout license). YR-chanooga River upstr~am from the mouthofWarwomanCreek; Little Tennessee into Dade County); East Fork Little River watershed (flows into Chattooga County); Furnace Creek watershed; Gilreath Creek; Harrisburg Creek watershed upstream from Dougherty Creek; Johns Creek watershed; + Fenders + V10yl decking, fencing and handrail + FiHercloth for erosion + Lighting + Swim ladders + Boat and jet ski lifts River downstream from US Hwy 23-441 LeftForkCou~erBranchwatershed; Rock Creek Located 1mile off of 1-95 at exit 13 Midway, GA bridge; Overflow Creek watershed; Stekoa watershed upstream from Sawmill Branch; Ruff Tuesday Saturday 8 a.m. to 4:30p.m. Creek watershed; Tallulah Riverdownstream to Lake Burton; WestForkChanoogaRiver. STEPHENS COUNTY $-Middle Fork Broad River watershed upstream Creek watershed; Sawmill Branch; Snake Creek watershed; West Chickamauga Creek watershed upstream from Walker CoRd 107 YR-chananooga Creek watershed upstream ~~l!Plvl'PO!.Ci!I'( PHONE 912-884-3443 FAX TR~~IQP\LYlEi*. 912-884-2461 from NRCS flood control structure No. 44. from Walker Co Rd 235; Concord Creek YR Little Toccoa Creek watershed; North watershed; Duck Creek watershed; Gulf Creek 1-800-279-6656 ForkBroadRiverwatershedupstreamfrom watershed; Little Chickamauga Creek NRCS flood control structure No. 1; Panther watershed; West Annuchee Creek watershed. WWW OOCKSUPPLYINC COU 2001-2002 Sport Fishing Regulations www.gofishgeorgia.corn Page 15 Special Trout Strcan1 Regulations While fishing specially regulated waters with a minimum size limit, it is unlawful to possess a trout which is less than the specified minimum size regardless of where the fi~h was caug.ht. The f?llowing trou~ st~eams and P?~ions of trout streams have special management programs and regulations to prov1de a vanety of trout f1sh1ng opportumt1es: DELAYED HARVEST STREAMS Anglers fishing delayed harvest streams must release all trout immediately and use and possess only artificial lures with singlehooksfromNov.1-May14annually. These restrictions do not apply from May 15-0ct. 31 of each year The following streams are delayed harvest streams: AMICALOLA CREEK from County Road 192 (Steele Bridge Road) downstream to GA Hwy 53. CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVER from Sope Creek (off Columns Drive) downstream to US Hwy 41 (Cobb Parkway). SMITHCREEKonUnicoiStateParkf~o~ Unicoi Dam downstream to the Umco1 State Park property boundary. ARTI~ICIAL LURES O~L.Y In streams hste.d here only art1f1c1allures may be used. It IS unlawful to possess any other type bait on an "artificial lures only" stream (see definitions on page 33). CHATTAHOOCHEERIVERfromGAHwy 20 to the boat ramp at the National Park Service Medlock Bridge Park immediately upstream of GA Hwy 141 COLEMAN RIVER and its tributaries from itsjunctionwiththeTallulahRiverupstream tCoOFNorAeSstASUeGrvAice~IBVriEdgReaNndo..15ts4t.n.butan.es (exceptJac~Riverwatershed)u~stream of the Georg1a-Tennessee state hne are restrictedtousingonlyartificiallures from Nov. 1through the last Saturday in March of each year. Natural baits may be used during trout season. . . . HOODS CREEK and 1ts tnbutanes on the Warwoman WMA. . . . JONE~CREEKand1tstnbutanesonthe Blue R1dge WMA. MOUNTAINTOWN CREEK and its tributaries upstream of Mountainto'!'Vn Creek Watershed Structure No. 2 (H1IIs Lake). . N.OON.TOOTLA Hill Reslllvoir Shad, American 8 lbs. 3 oz. Henry Baxley . ~!)vannah River Shad, Hickory 1 lbs. 15 oz. Mark Bowers Ogeechee River Sunfish, Btvegill 31bs. 5 oz. P.F. Gumm Shamrock Lake Sunfish, Flier 1 lb. 4 oz. Curt Brooks Lowndes Co. pond Sunfish, Green 1 lb. 1 oz. Kevin BfYant Gordon Co. pond Sunfish, Redbreast 1 lb. 11 oz. Emory Walden Coweta Co. pond Sunfish, Redear 4 lbs. 2 oz. Pat Lawrence Richmond Co. pond Sunfish, Warmouth 2 lbs. Carlton Robbins private pond Trout, Brook 51bs. 10 oz. Russell Braden Waters Creek Trout, Brown 181bs. 2 oz. William Lowery Rock Creek Trout, Rainbow 151bs. E.B. Watkins White Co. pond Walleye 11 lbs. 6 oz. Neal Watson Richard B. Russell Lake Date 5/1/95 6/2132 2127/99 1o123m 3/28n3 5/20/85 5/30/67 10/6/84 6/16n1 5/25n6 5/22n8 1972 9/12n9 5/18n2 5/24/00 6/10/96 6/1n1 3n5 4/10/84 1/28/95 6/57 2123/80 2161 ?n/82 6/27/82 4/5/86 4/5/86 4/2195 mm 2126/96 5/17198 4/16/98 6/6/95 5/4/74 3/29/86 5/6/67 4/18/85 9/11/95 Page 20 1-888-748-6887 for licenses OUTDOOR GROUP, INC. DISCLAIMER The Georgia Department of Natural Resources allows appropriate advertising in its annual regulations to help offset increasing costs of printing. Many states have adopted a similar strategy. Promotional advertising does not cqnstitute endorsement by the Department or Outdoor Group; Inc. To inquire about regulation information, contact: The Georgia Dept. of Natural ResourceJ 770-918-6418 To inquire about placing an ad, contact: Outdoor Group, Inc. 1-800-564-6818 Rel:l'lll La\\' Cl1 16", White bass Bennett CEWC PFA LMB > 12" Black Shoals CCF < 12" CCF 12-16" LMB 12-16" Big Lazer PFA LMB 12-16", CCF LMB > 16" Blue Ridge CCF< 1r LMB < 1 " White b~ss & LMB 12-16" CF > 16" Burton LMB 6-12.., CCF Bluegill LMB > 16" "larks Hill catfish< 11?". Blgck ::rfcPie, Redear, White perch, Striped ass, potted sucker, HB Catfi~h > 16" LM > 12" Evans County PFA CCF, LMB 12-16" LMB > 16" ~oat Rock Black crappie, LMB 12-16", Spotted sucker HB < 12" , CCF 12-16" HB~CCF & LMB > 16" ite bass < 16" ~rtlett's Feny Crappie HB < 12", LMB > 12", CCF < 16" HB & CCF > 16" truurgtwaelolloAnn) Black crappie, ~brid/Striped bass< 12", CF< 16 LMB < 16" Carp> 16" DO NOT EAT Hybrid and Striped bass> 161nches In length Hybrid/Strif3-d bass 12- 6" CCF & LMB > 16" ~rtwell main body lake DO NOT EAT ~d and Striped bass . ( S C Dept. Health and Env ronmental Control1-888-8497241) LMB, CCF ~lgh Falls HB, CCF & LMB < 16", Crappie, Redear sunfish CCF & LMB > 16" ~ackson Crappie,Redear sunfish, catfish & LMB < 16" Catfish & LMB > 16" ~nler catfish & Striped bass< 16" Bluegill, Crappie LMB, Spott~h~~e.triped ba~ & Carp> 16" ~ulgeeSt.Pk. Brown bullhead 12-16" LMB > 16" ~cDuffle PFA West ~ottely CCF CCF. Black crappie LMB Largemouthbass > 12"Striped bass> 16" LMB < 16", catfish, Crappie,HB LMB > 16" Oliver Striped bass< 12", CCF < 16", Redear, Bluegill LMB > 12", CCF > 16" Rabun LMB 12-16" Bluegill, White catfish< 16" White catfish & LMB > 16" RMd Bingham S.P. LMB > 12"Catfish > 16" .~...- - B. Russell LMB 12-16", Crappie, Bluegill, White perch, catfish Seminole Bullhead< 12", LMB 12-16" CCF LMB > 16" Bullhead > 12", LMB > 16" Stone Mountain Catfish LMB > 16" Tobesotkee Tre~PFA CCF, LMB 12-16" LMB > 16" Lake chubsucker < 12" LMB > 16" Tugalo White catfish 12-16", Bluegill LMB > 12" WestPoint Black crappie, HB < 12" CCF & HB > 12" LMB > 16" Worth LMB <16", Flathead catfish,CCF < 16" CCF & LMB > ~6" = - - - - -- - Abbreviations: < means less than, > means more than, LMB largemouth bass, HB Hybrid bass, CCF Channel catfish Due to space limitations this Is not a complete list of lakes that have been tested Only large and/or popular water bodies are listed here. A complete list Is available by calling EPD at (404) 656-4713 or on the Internet at www.dnr.state.ga.us/dnr/environ/ Page 24 l-888-748-6887 for licenses Re;:,'nl Law Ch 800~24.1 --4113. 2001-2002 Sport FishmgRegulattons Ren~nl Law Change;; www .gofishgeorgia.com Page 31 Georgia's State Record Saltwater Fish Species Weight Angler Location Qlm Ambe~ack ............... 921bs, 1oz .............. Ben Key, Jr ..................... J Reef .......................................... ens Barracuda ................ S41bs, Boz .............. Wayne Hall ...................... East of R2 Tower ......................... 6/99 Black Sea Bass ....... Sibs, 11 oz .............. J. C. Hadden, Jr.............. Navy Tower R2 ........................... 4/94 Bluefish .................... 171bs, 12oz .....,...... Gary Altman .................... G Reef ......................................... 4/80 Cobia ....................... 881bs, 12oz ............ Jeff Clark ......................... A Buoy ......................................... SIBS Croaker .................... Sibs, 12oz .............. David Flynt ............~........~Lanier Bridge ............................... 3n7 Dolphinfish ............... 67lbs, 6oz .............. Michael Sheppard ............ East of Navy Tower RB ................ S/97 Drum, Black ............. 861bs, Boz ..,........... Timothy Belcher............... Cumberland Sound ...................... 4/98 Drum, Red ............... 471bs, 7oz .............. Richard Price ................... KC Reef ..................................... 11/86 Flounder .................. 1Sibs, 10oz ............ Janice Youmans .............. Jekyll Pier .................................. 11/90 Grouper, Gag .......... 341bs, 8oz .............. Mike Parmalee ................. 67mi E of St. Simons Is ............... 4/86 Jack Crevalle ........... 361bs ...................... Byron Williams ................. Wassaw Sound ............................ 6/96 ana Ladyfish ................... Sibs ........................ Ma~orie Nighbert ............. Cumberland Island ....................... Mackerel, King ......... 631bs, 8oz .............. Hal Waters; Jr.................. Brunswick Snapper Banks ........... 8/90 Mackerel, Spanish ... Bibs, 4oz ................ James Geiger .....;............ Smi E of Buoy YS ........................ S/91 Marlin, Blue ............. 4911bs, Boz ............ John Howard, Jr.............. Gulfstream, off Brunswick ............ 6/BS Marlin, White ........... 491bs, 12oz ............ Thomas Hester ................ Gulfstream east of St. Catherines .. 6/86 Striped Mullet .......... 9lbs, 3oz ................ Steve Middleton ..............~ Darien River ............................... 12/94 Florida Pompano ..... 41bs, 1Soz .............. Gary Altman .................... Christmas Creek ........................ 11/98 Sailfish ..................... 6Sibs ...................... Vann Downs .................... NOAA Buoy ................................. 6/81 Scamp ..................... 261bs ...................... Wayne Hall ...................... East of R2 Tower ....................... 11 /9S Spotted Seatrout ..... 9lbs; 7oz ................ Tommy Hall ..................... Christmas Creek ....,..................... 7n6 Shark, Black Tip ...... 1311bs .................... Albert Boyd ...................... Wassaw Channel ......................... sna 1na Shark, Bull ............... 4SSibs .................... Mark Noble ...................... STS Buoy .................................... on Shark, Dusky ........... 2721bs, Boz ............ Bill Hunter ........................ STS Buoy .................................. 1 a Shark, Hammerhead 7701bs .................... Charlie Marshall ............... Little Cumberland ..,...................... an3 Shark, Lemon .......... 37Sibs .................... Thomas Winslow ............. St. Andrew Sound .............. .......... 7n4 Shark; Mako ............ 2281bs, Boz ............ Harry Woolley .................. Off Savannah ............................... sns Shark, Nurse ........... 2441bs .................... Bill Watson ...................... Sapelo Channel ........................... 8/81 Shark, Sandbar ....... 1581bs, Boz ............ Chat Lee Kirby ................. Jekyll Pier .................................... 4n9 Shark, Sand Tiger ... 2901bs .................... Billy Castle ....................... Ossabaw Island ........................... sn7 Shark,Thresher ......: 1161bs .................... MarkNoble ...................... C Reef ...::..................;.................. 3n6 Shark, Tiger ............. 7941bs .................... Chuck Hall ....................... STS Buoy .................................... ens Sheepshead ............ 141bs, 4oz .............. Harry Scott, Sr................. Wilmington River .......................... 1/00 Red Snapper ........... 371bs, 8oz .............. Bill Shearin, Jr ................ Savannah Snapper Banks ........... 9/88 Snook ...................... 1Olbs, 2oz .............. Lester Rooks ................... Kings Creek ................................. 3/90 Spadefish ................ 111bs, 12oz ............ Ken Murray ...................... G Reef ......................................... 5/81 Swordfish ................. 861bs ...................... W.H. Lippitt ...................... Gulfstream, E. of Savannah ......... 5/80 Tarpon ..................... 1611bs .................... Christopher Edwards ....... Buttermilk Sound ......................... 7/95 Little Tunny .............. 201bs ...................... Sister Mary Clarice .......... East of St. Catherines .................. 7n3 Triggerfish ............... 111bs, Soz .............. Elizabeth Zeagler ............. Savannah Snapper Banks ......... 11/87 Tripletail ................... 281bs, 7oz .............. Jeff Anderson .................. S. Brunswick River ...................... 7/93 Tuna, Blackfin .......... 301bs, Boz .............. Penny Morgan-Turner ..... Navy Tower RS ............................ 6/99 Tuna, Yellowfin ........ 2491bs, 2oz ............ ken Cooper ..................... Gulfstream ................................... 5/80 Wahoo ..................... 1231bs, 3oz ............ Michael Stefanick ............ Triple Ledges ............................... 6/00 Weakfish .................. 61bs, aoz ................ Frank Taylor .................... Troupe Creek ............................... 3n6 Whiting .................... 21bs, 12oz .............. Harold Guinn ...:............... Mackay River ............................... 2n5 For more information on Saltwater Gamefish Records contact the Coastal Resources Division. Page 32 l-888-748-6887 for licenses Rt:;:,nt Lt\\ Clwnges Wildlife Resources Division & Coastal Resources Division llcti 11 itio 11 s Artificial lure- any lure which is made completely of natural orcolored wood, cork, feathers, hair, rubber, metal, plastic, tinsel, styrofoam, sponge, or string, or any combination of such materials, in imitation of or as a substitute for natural bait. This does not include any item sprayed with or containing scented or chemical attractants. Daily limit- means the number of fish that may be taken, caught, or killed during any one day. Fishing_ catching, capturing, taking, or killing fish, mussels and all seafood TURN IN POACHERS TIP Hotline: 1-800-241-4113 or *DNA (Cellular for BeiiSouth Mobility Customers) (7 days a week /24 hours a day) A poacher is a thief who Turn In Poacher, Inc. (TIP) steals fish and wildlife that belongs to all Geor- ~ ~~~:::::::::;~1~ is a non-profit Georgia conservation organiza- gians. Poachers rob you tion whose mission is to of recreational opportu- protect wildlife by in- nities that you pay for through license fees. You can be paid for turning in a poacher! If your tip creasing public support for wildlife law enforcement. Contributions to the leads to an arrest, you Will TIP reward program are great- receive reward money - even if you ly needed and appreciated. Dona- wish to remain anonymous. If you tions (made payable to TIP) are tax see orlearn of a violation, try to write decuctable and can be sentto: Turn down: a description .of the violator In Poachers, Inc., 3423 Piedmont and their vehicle; the location and Road, N.E., Suite 110, Atlanta, Geor- type of violation. gia30305. and includes all lesser acts such as attempting to catch, capture, or kill by any device or method and directly assisting any person in catching or attempting to catch fish or seafood. Game fish -fish that are listed under Daily Limits. (page 6) Immediate Family- all persons living in one household under one head of household and bearing a blood or dependent relationship to the head of household. Non-game fish - any fish not designated as game fish under Daily Limits. (page 6) Public Fishing Area - designated areas owned and/or operated by the Dept. of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division, Fisheries Section for the primary purpose of fishing and are open to the public. These are listed on pages 21-22. Resident - any citizen of the United States who has maintained a legal residence in Georgia for a period of at leastthree months prior to purchasing a fishing license. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources receives Federal Aid in Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration funds. Under Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the U.S. Department of the Interior prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex, or handicap. If you believe that you have been dicriminated against in any program, activity, or facility as described above, or if you desire further information, please write to: The Office for Human Resources, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, Washin ton, D.C. 20240. For the boating enthusiast or the professional boat builder, the qualified technicians at Fiberglass Coatings can supply you with all the materials you need. Epoxies, Polyesters, Reinforcements, Abrasives, Adhesives, Coatings, Foams, Fillers, Putties, Tapes, Tools, Solvents and containers- We Have It All! One of the oldest fiberglass suppliers, with new innovative products! 40 Years in business. Knowledgeable, helpful sales staff. Quality product<~ at affordable prices! Fiber&lass Inc. Calf for FREE Comprehensive Catalog... including technical data and "How To" Section. www.fgci.com 800-272-7890 ~ Fax: 727-327-6691 l:VJSA!PJ P.O. Box 60457, St. Petersburg, FL 33784 We Shi World-Wide - Competitive Pricin INTRODUCING! NEXT GENERATION SPORTSMAN A nonprofit organization created by sportsmen to pass the family heritage of hunting and fishing from ne generation to the next. For more information on: YOUTH DREAM HUNTS -NGS gave 40 plantation deer, duck, and~ pheasant parent/child hunts toyoung hunters last year. GEORGIA YOUTH DEER CONTEST OTHER EVENTS, OUTINGS AND OPPORTUNITIES CALL 1-Sn-6412955 or www.nextgenerationsportsman.com 2001-2002 Sport Fishing Regulations www .gofishgeorgia.com Page 33 Deflating Your Fish Many marine reef fish have gas-filled organs called swim bladders. These organs control buoyancy and allow the fish to maintain a certain depth in the water column. Swim Bladder When some fish are brought quickly to the surface, the gas in the swim bladder can over-expand and rupture the bladder Escaping gas fills the gut c~yity. If rel~ased in this buoyant cond1t1on, the f1sh cann?t de~cend and may float aw~y and d1e. Sw1m bladder over-expansion can cause everted Everted Stomach / ~ Distended Intestines stomachs or intestines, as shown here. If a fish is unable to submerge, be prepared to vent the fish's gut cavity and get the fish back into the water as quickly as possible if you wish to release it. Venting helps the gas ascape, allows the fish to descend, and improves survival. Use wet gloves to handle the fish and have a deflating tool on hand. A simple deflating tool can be made by mounting a sharpened football needle in a 1"x3" dowel rod. A center hole is drilled lengthwise through the rod to allow gas to pass from the needle through the rod. Hold the fish gently on its side. Insert the needle through the thin lower body wall below the rear end of the pectoral fin. Insertthe needle only as far as needed to allow the gas to escape. Squeeze gently to help push the gas out. Underneath a Scale Do not try to push the stomach back into the throat. Revive the fish in the water and release it when it can swim upright. BE AN ETWCAL ANGLER Ethical anglersfish responsibly and considerthe rights ofothers. Theyportray apositive image and help protect and conserve our natural resources. Be an ethical angler; the future of fishing depends on it. Ethical anglers: r know and obey the fishing regulations. report violations and pollution. keep only the fish they can use and release all others properly so they will survive. don't transfer fish or plants between bodies of water. Non-native species can adversely affect existing populations. pass on the tradition by taking a child fishing. appreciate the environment by not littering, dispose offishing line property, and leave aplace cleaner than they found it. show courtesyto others,lend ahelping hand wheneverpossible and always ask permission before fishing on private property. Treat your favorite little angler to an unforgettable weekend at one of Georgia's State Parks. You'll find outstanding fishing for beginners as well as trophy fishermen. State parks also offer camping, cottages, and activities for the whole family. Call today for a free brochure. Geo~n-- STATE PARKS 6 HISTORIC SITES Deflated Stomach Florida Sea Grant, 1995 IDEAL SPORTS AND TACKLE SINCE 1980 Old Town Canoes River Hawk Fishing Boats Gary Yamamoto Stren Custom Baits Zoom All-Star Abu-Garcia Shimano Falcon Rods Rocky Boots Charlie Brewer's Slider We also do Custom Embroidery. Call for Special Prices on Jackets, Shirts and Caps for Bass Clubs. www.gastateparks.org TJ0-38cr7275 1-Soo-864-7275 CartcrsYillk. GA (77()) 382-399~ Page 34 1-888-748-6887 for licenses Rl~l,~n : Law C'h:liif!eo. Wildlife Resources Division & Coastal Resources Division GEORGIA OUTDOOR GUIDES AND SERVICES DIRECTORY BAIT/TACKLE Broadway Bait & Tackle, Rod & Reel FISHING VEHICLES EUROTRUCKIMPORTERS Sales of Swiss Army Surplus: Mercedes-Benz Unimogs Steyr-Puch Pin zgauers P.O. Box 18 10 Flowery Branch, GA 30542 770-965-3311/www.e uro tru ck -importers.com MARINAS EWNRUDE JOHNSON STRATOS P/aybuoy SANGER JAVELIN PONTOONS SKI BOATS SEWELL MARINE, INC. 172 Temple Av e. Newman , Ga. 30263 Fax: 770-254-9908 770-253-7996 Great Prices On "RiVer .-Hawk Boats Tohatsu Outboard Motors 1730 Broad St. , Augusta, GA 30904 (706) 73 8-8848 www. broad waytack Ie. com broadwaytackl BOAT DEALERS BRANTLEY MARINE & GUN, INC. wwww.brantleymarine.com Hours: Monday tllil..l Satu rday 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Phone: (BOO} 962-1465 _ -~ PR0175 .. WIM125ELPT O ~ : _J~J~ERCURY,..., ~ ThwHW,_.o..n. .,.., ~ ~ -- FISHING CHARTER HYBRIDS STRIPERS LAKE HARTWELL SOUTH CAROLINA Charles Bolt Fishing Charters PROFESSIONAL GUIDES TOTALING 60 YEARS EXPERIENCE CHARLES BOLT BOATS AVAILABLE (864) 338-8036 7 DAYS A WEEK IWFFISHING EQUIPMENT PeWrhcoylesTaalectoklPeubIlnicc. FREE SHI PPING Flies, Rods, Reels , Gadgets , Nets www.percysflies.com For Guns & Hunting Products: www.llcote.com for a free catalog: (800) 287-7700 PO Box 190, Errol, NH 03579 FLY FISHING River North Fly Fishing in North Georgia Soque River Trout Fishing at its best! Robert Williams 706-754-1740 Mobile: 404-317-9002 Eddie Michael 706-839-6621 Mobile: 404-403-2808 ww.rivernorthflyfishing.com Email: flyfish@america.net GUIDES/OUTFITTERS Bill Vanderford's Guide Service Georgia 's Oldest & Most Ex perienced Service l11du ctee of th e Natio11al Freshwater Fishi11g Hall of Fam e as a Lege11dary Guide c Lanier (770) 962-1241 www.fiShinglanier.com Chattahoochee River JFISHSI @aol.com Doug Youngblood (770)945-0797 Professional Guide Year round fishing charter4 on Lake Lan1er. Stripers Bass Crappie . . _;9; ~ '' . www.fishlanier.com ., '' Instructional Video's Available RV PARKS/CAMPGROUNDS Full Service RV Parking & Campgrounds adjacent to Evans County & Fort Stewart Public Fishing areas. (912)739-3136 bmhennessee @g-net. net TAXIDERMY Broderick Head's Taxidermy Exceptional Award Winning Mounts "Only GOD Can Do Them Better" (770) 537-3529 wvvw.headstaxidermy. com 103 Deer Run Lane Bremen , GA 30110 F~'1-T~ (706) 754-7391 695 Coolsprings Circle Clarkesville , GA 30523 F~ C!..wK/. Full Time Taxidermist LAKE MANAGEMENT Glenn Morrison's Lake Lanier Guide Service Book your trip TODAY STRIPER BASS ~ 770-962-8738 ~ www .georgiafishing .com AQUATIC ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES Fish Population Analysis (Electroshock) Pond Supplies----Water Quality Analysis Fish Stocking & Trophy Bass Management 770-735-3523 website: www.lakework.com BEACH SEINES Shrimp seines 50751 00' Save SSS on seafood Fish seines up to 300' Educational Fun for entire family Locally owned & operated Brunswick, GA (912) 2642893 ~ ~ Crappie &Hybrid Fishing Bait &Tackle Furnished ~ TOM SHAPARD Lake Walter F. George Professiona l Guide Service U.S.C.G. License 894883 (229} 439-2608 (912} 881-4788 YOU COULD REACH 700,000 ANGLERS NEXT YEAR BY ADVERTISING! FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL OUTDOOR GROUP INC. 1-800-564-6818 Black Drum (young) Loses vertical bars with age Weakfish (Summer Trout) Sheepshead ~~~f1L 3 spines keeps vertical bars throughout life Spotted Seatrout indistinct dark freckles on upper body King Mackerel distinct dark spots on upper body Spanish Mackerel up to 60 lbs. Atlantic Sharpnose averages 2-41bs. bright gold spots Spiny Dogfish smooth-edged ~/ curved teeth ~ tooth u to 48" TL. Bonnethead Shark shovel or bonnetshaped head up to 48" TL. offshore in winter Sand Tiger Shark pointed snout I _.. . up to 48" TL. W' . . evenly rounded edge with no indentations underside of head young often with yellow-brown spots ;r, \ ~--sharp, pointed irregular teeth I underside of head up to 10' TL.