Georgia 2009 sport fishing regulations

TURN IN POACHERS NEW LICENSE & BOAT REGISTRATION SYSTEM
2009 GEORGIA REGULATIONS
SPORT FISHING

Sport Fish Restoration Program

Georgia's
FREE
Fishing Days
Season Dates, Size & Creel Limits

www.gofishgeorgia.com
A Publication of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Coastal Resources Division & Wildlife Resources Division

Department of Natural Resources
Coastal Resources Division



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table of contents

2009 GEORGIA REGULATIONS
SPORT FISHING

2009 FRESHWATER AND SALTWATER SPORT FISHING REGULATIONS
Sonny Perdue, Governor Noel Holcomb, Commissioner, Department of Natural Resources
Dan Forster, Director, Wildlife Resources Division Susan Shipman, Director, Coastal Resources Division

BOARD OF NATURAL RESOURCES

Phyllis T. Johnson, Chair William A. Carruth, Vice Chair Jenny Lynn Bradley, Secretary J. David Allen William C. Archer Earl D. Barrs Eugene M. Bishop Warren C. Budd, Jr. Joseph M. Hatfield

Walter A. Hudson Mabel C. Jenkins Ray P. Lambert, Jr. Robert J. Rutland Loyce W. Turner James W. Tysinger James A. Walters Philip C. Watt Thomas W. Wheeler, Jr.

Note: The Wildlife Resources & Coastal Resources Divisions designed this guide to help you quickly find and understand regulations for fishing in Georgia. The Game & Fish Code and Department of Natural Resources rules are the final authority on questions of law. This publication was paid for by the sale of advertising. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources does not necessarily endorse products or services listed. Editor: Keith Weaver (GADNR) Advertising: J.F. Griffin Publishing (413)884-1001
On The Cover
Cover photography: Bass caught at Paradise Public Fishing Area. Picture submitted by Bert Deener.
The red bobber logo found throughout this guide represents the Go Fish Georgia Initiative. This program will promote and improve boating and fishing tourism as a means of enhancing economic development in communities throughout Georgia. Go to www.gofishgeorgia.com for information.

DISCOVER FISHING ON GEORGIA'S FREE FISHING DAYS!
June 6, June 13, and September 26, 2009
No fishing or trout license required All waters of the state Must be a Georgia resident Does not include fees at private lakes No WMA license required to fish on a Public Fishing Area
or Waters Creek trophy trout stream All other Fishing Regulations apply

Photograph provided by Bert Deener
Angler Award Program................................................................ 10 Boating Regulations.................................................................... 19 Buying Licenses............................................................................ 6 Definitions.................................................................................... 4 Fish Kill Reporting................................................................... 2, 6 Fisheries Section Offices & Public Fishing Areas........................... 2 Free Fishing Days.......................................................................... 1 Guidelines for Eating Fish........................................................... 29 How To Use This Guide................................................................ 4 License Requirements................................................................... 6 Measuring Fish Length............................................................... 11 Recent Changes Summary............................................................ 4 Turn in Poachers Contact Information.................................... 2, 33
FRESHWATER SECTION (alphabetical listing)...................... 10 Agreements with Bordering States ........................................ 2627 Commercial Fishing.................................................................... 18 Daily Limits................................................................................ 10 Freshwater Fish Identification............................................... 2223 Fishing Methods......................................................................... 12 Handling & Releasing Fish......................................................... 15 Length Limits............................................................................. 11 Protected Aquatic Species............................................................ 28 Public Fishing Areas.............................................................. 2021 Sale of Fish.................................................................................. 18 Seasons....................................................................................... 10 State Freshwater Record Fish....................................................... 24 Trout Fishing.............................................................................. 14
Saltwater Section (alphabetical listing)........................ 34 Bait Minnows............................................................................. 40 Crabs.......................................................................................... 39 Deflating Your Fish..................................................................... 27 Finfish Limits and Information................................................... 35 Saltwater Fish Identification.................................................. 3637 Shellfish...................................................................................... 40 Sport Bait Shrimping.................................................................. 39 State Saltwater Record Fish......................................................... 38

general fishing

Contact Information & Offices
Refer to the color map to locate offices and facilities by their corresponding numbers. The color codes below correspond to the regional locations of offices and facilities on the map.

Statewide or General Offices
1 Wildlife Resources Division State Headquarters 2070 US Highway 278 SE, Social Circle, GA 30025 Main Number.................................................770-918-6400 Fisheries Management.....................................770-918-6406 Law Enforcement............................................770-918-6408 Game Management.........................................770-918-6404 Nongame Conservation..................................770-761-3035
Wildlife Resources Conservation Center 2065 US Highway 278 SE, Social Circle, GA 30025 Boating Registration.......................................800-366-2661 License Unit....................................................800-366-2661 Boating Education..........................................770-761-3010
2 Coastal Resources Division Headquarters One Conservation Way, Suite 300, Brunswick, GA 31520 Main Number.................................................912-264-7218 Coastal Law Enforcement...............................912-264-7237
Report a Fish Kill..........................................800-241-4113 Turn in Poachers (T.I.P) Statewide................800-241-4113

Regional Offices and Facilities

3 Northwest Regional Office 312 North River St. NW, PO Box 519, Calhoun, GA 30703 Calhoun..........................................................706-624-1161 Atlanta............................................................770-387-4821 Law Enforcement (Calhoun)...........................706-624-1367 Law Enforcement (Atlanta).............................770-769-9680

4

Rocky Mountain Recreation & Public Fishing Area......................................706-802-5087

5 Summerville Hatchery................................706-857-3394

6 Northeast Regional Office 2150 Dawsonville Hwy, Gainesville, GA 30501 Gainesville......................................................770-535-5498 Law Enforcement (Gainesville).......................770-535-5499

7 Buford Trout Hatchery...............................770-781-6888

8 Burton Office & Trout Hatchery...............770-535-5498

9

East Central Regional Office & Walton Fish Hatchery

2123 US Highway 278, SE Social Circle, GA 30025

Social Circle....................................................706-557-3039

Atlanta............................................................770-918-6418

10 McDuffie PFA & Hatchery...........................706-595-1619

11 Thomson District Office District Office.................................................706-595-1619 Law Enforcement Office.................................706-595-4211 Augusta Number.............................................706-737-1480

12 West Central Regional Office 1014 MLK Blvd., Fort Valley, GA 31030 Fort Valley......................................................478-825-6151 Macon Law Enforcement................................478-751-6415

5

3

4

15

8
6 7
9 1 13

Headquarter/Regional Office District Office/Hatchery Public Fishing Area (PFA)
11 10

14

12

21

16

22

18

19

26

17 24

25 23

28 27

20

2

13CMhaarrbleien EPllFiAo.t..W....i.l.d...l.i.f.e...C..e..n...t.e..r../.................... 478-825-6151
14BPuigblLicazFeirshCirnegekArea......................................478-825-6151
15 West Point District Office..........................706-845-4180
16 Ocmulgee PFA...............................................478-783-2557
17 Southwest Regional Office 2024 Newton Road, Albany, GA 31701 Albany............................................................229-430-4256 Albany Law Enforcement................................229-430-4252
18 Cordele Hatchery.........................................229-276-2362
19DStaewvesoCnocOkfeficHea&tchery.................................229-995-4486
20 South Central Regional Office 108 Darling Ave., PO Box 2089, Waycross, GA 31502 Waycross.........................................................912-285-6094 Metter Law Enforcement................................912-685-2145
21 Hugh M. Gills PFA........................................912-285-6094
22 Dodge County PFA.......................................478-374-6765
23 Evans County PFA........................................912-285-6094
24 Paradise PFA.................................................229-533-4792
25 Metter District Office.................................912-685-6424
26 Bowens Mill Office & Hatchery.................229-426-5272
27 Coastal Regional Office 22814 Highway 114, Richmond Hill, GA 31324 Demeries Creek..............................................912-727-2112 Coastal Law Enforcement...............................912-264-7237
28 Richmond Hill Hatchery.............................912-756-3691

Page 2

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Wildlife Resources Division & Coastal Resources Division

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2009 changes & how to use this guide
2009 Changes
Freshwater regulations changes Effective July 1, 2008 Georgia Honorary License holders must possess a Florida nonresident freshwater fishing license to freshwater fish or posses freshwater fish in Florida Waters. Florida Honorary holders must possess a Georgia non-resident fishing license to fish or posses fish in Georgia waters (see page 26).
Licensing changes Georgia anglers and hunters who have lost their GA recreational hunting/fishing license can reprint them at no cost at www.gofishgeorgia.com. Georgia anglers and boaters are able to take advantage of new improved license and boat registration services.
Saltwater regulations changes At the time of printing, legislative and/or regulations changes were pending that may impact some species and licensing issues.
How to Use This Guide
Enjoy your Georgia fishing trip, but be sure that you know the freshwater and saltwater rules before you go. Regulations may vary on different bodies of water so be sure to consult the necessary pages. To use this guide follow these steps:
1. Be familiar with fishing license requirements and know who needs a license. See page 6 for freshwater and saltwater license requirements.
2. Know the daily limits and seasons on page 10 (freshwater) and page 35 (saltwater) and note any exceptions. See freshwater fish length limits on page 11 and legal freshwater fishing methods on page 12.
3. Are you trout fishing or fishing on Public Fishing Areas? See pages 1417 (trout) and pages 20-21 (PFAs).
4. Are you from out of state or fishing border waters? See Agreements with Bordering States on pages 2627. Be aware that each states rules and laws may differ so know license requirements and possession limits.
It is your responsibility to know what regulations apply to where you are fishing.
This Digest is designed and produced by
430 Main Street, Suite 5 Williamstown, MA 01267 www.JFGrif n.com 413.884.1001 Senior Designer: Erin Murphy Associate Designer: Kate Bosco
The DNR allows appropriate advertising in its annual regulations. Advertisers supporting the DNR regulation guides significantly reduce publishing costs to the agency. Promotional advertising does not constitute endorsement by the DNR.
Please call us to inquire about advertising in this publication.

Definitions
Artificial Lure Any lure which is made completely of natural or colored 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 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 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 (see page 10).
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 (see page 10).
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 2021.
Resident Any citizen of the United States who has maintained a legal residence in Georgia for a period of at least three months prior to purchasing a fishing license.

Georgia's New License and Boat Registration System: Faster, Friendlier, Easier

Page 4

Turn In Poachers! 1-800-241-4113

New System Available NOW! Hunting and Fishing Licenses:
*Online: georgiawildlife.com *Phone: 1-800-366-2661 *Participating License Vendors
Boat Registrations: *Online: goboatgeorgia.com *Phone: 1-800-366-2661 *Mail-in: Print application from website (goboatgeorgia.com)
Wildlife Resources Division & Coastal Resources Division

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freshwater and saltwater license requirements

BUYING LICENSES
There are several ways for you to purchase a Georgia fishing license.
Buy in person at license dealers statewide including most WRD/CRD Regional offices; State Parks; marinas; major retailers; sporting goods, bait and tackle, and hardware stores.
Internet sales are also available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at www.gofishgeorgia.com and telephone by calling 800-366-2661.
Note: Social Security Number is required for the purchase of all licenses.

Blind persons may apply for a Lifetime Honorary Fishing License and must provide a Physician's Certification of Blindness with the application.
Nonresidents
Nonresidents 16 or older, regardless of physical condition, must have a valid nonresident Georgia fishing license to fish in Georgia freshwater and saltwater, except in private ponds. See also Agreements for Bordering States on pages 2627).
Nonresidents under 16 do not require a fishing license or trout license.

WHO NEEDS A FISHING LICENSE
Anglers age 16 and older must have a current Georgia fishing license in their possession while fishing in fresh or salt water in Georgia. Conservation Rangers may require identification when checking fishing licenses. Exception: A fishing 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 fishing on their land. (See definition of immediate family on page 4.)

RECIPROCAL AGREEMENTS for BORDERING STATES
Georgia DNR has Agreements with Alabama, North Carolina, and South Carolina allowing holders of Georgia fishing licenses to fish in the waters covered without obtaining a fishing license from the bordering state. See Agreements with Bordering States on pages 2627.
mountain TROUT LICENSES

Residents
Proof of residence, such as a Georgia driver's license, is required to purchase a resident fishing license.
For purposes of buying a fishing license, residents are U.S. citizens living in Georgia for a least three months and includes out-of-state college students living in Georgia. Students may use a current Georgia student I.D. as documentation. Residents also include full-time, active duty military personnel who are stationed in Georgia or who list Georgia as their home of record, and their dependents.
A free hunting and fishing license may be issued once for military veterans discharged from active duty on or after July 1, 2005 who were on ordered Federal duty for a period of 90 days or longer. Valid for 12 months from date of issue. More details may be found under Freshwater and Trout License Requirements at www.gofishgeorgia.com.
Residents 65 years of age or older may fish with the Senior (65+) Lifetime License. This license can be obtained free from license dealers by furnishing proof of age (driver's lic., birth certificate, etc.).
Permanently and totally disabled: Residents may obtain a Disability Honorary Combination Hunting and Fishing License by applying to the License Unit (800-366-2661). Proof of disability must accompany the application. Proof of disability may come from the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs, Social Security Admin., Railroad Retirement System or other government agency.

All resident anglers ages 16 to 64 must have a trout license and Georgia fishing license to fish in designated trout waters and to fish for or to possess trout. A WMA license is not required to fish for trout except for Waters Creek (see page 15).
Resident Senior (65+) lifetime and honorary license holders are not required to have a trout license.
Landowners and their immediate families may fish on their premises without a trout license.
All nonresident anglers, 16 or older, regardless of physical condition, must possess a nonresident fishing license and 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.
See Public Fishing Areas on page 20.
REPORT FISH KILLS
Help protect our valuable fish resources. Report fish kills as quickly as possible.
CALL TOLL FREE: 1-800-241-4113
(24 hrs a day, seven days a week)
LOST YOUR LICENSE?
Go to www.gofishgeorgia.com and follow the links to print out a replacement for any recreational license.

Page 6

Turn In Poachers! 1-800-241-4113

2009 Recreational Fishing License Fees
Licenses are valid for one full year from date of purchase. convenience fees Internet Transactions.....................$2.75 Telephone Transactions.................$4.00 Walk-In Transactions.....................$3.25
Resident Licenses Sportsman's*................................$60.00 Fishing.............................................9.00 One-Day Fishing.............................3.50 Trout. .............................................. 5.00 Combination Hunting & Fishing....17.00 Wildlife Management Area............19.00
Nonresident Licenses Annual Fishing............................$24.00 One-Day Fishing.............................3.50 7-Day Fishing..................................7.00 Trout. ............................................ 13.00 Wildlife Management Area............73.00
* The Annual Sportsman's license is a single license that covers all sport hunting and fishing licenses (except Federal Duck Stamp). Includes: Regular Hunting Lic., Primitive Weapons Lic., Big Game Lic., WMA Lic., GA Waterfowl Lic., Fishing Lic., Trout Lic. and H.I.P. permit.
A Lifetime of Fishing and Hunting!
Lifetime licenses are available for anglers of all ages. The Lifetime license satisfies all state license requirements for the life of the purchaser.
Infants under age 2............$200 Youth ages 215.................$350 Adult ages 1659................$500 Veterans**..........................$400 Senior (6064)....................$95 Senior (65+).......................$0* Non-resident under 16**...$1000
* $10 for a plastic, permanent card ** Special restrictions apply
For a one-time price, you can enjoy a lifetime of great Georgia fishing and hunting opportunities!
Visit www.gofishgeorgia.com or call 800-366-2661 for information on purchasing a Lifetime License.
Wildlife Resources Division & Coastal Resources Division

Special Advertising Feature brought to you by FLW Outdoors

Early Season Spots By Jason Sealock
Landing Coldwater Spotted Bass In Early Spring Can Be Fast-Paced, Rod-Straining Action
(Excerpts from the January 2008 article in FLW Outdoors Magazine)

The steam swirled around like dancing marionettes on the water's surface in the whisking wind. The sun strained to peak out from behind the ridge, and the shadows careened off the sculpted red-clay bank. The constant whisk of the high-speed reel handle turning played like a drum line cadence off in the distance.
The cadence abruptly changed to the sound of stripping drag and pinging monofilament against the eyelets of a doubled-over rod. "Fish," said pro Jimmy Millsaps of Canton, Ga., a regular on the Wal-Mart FLW Tour. He reared back on the rod quickly before letting it flex back to normal as a chunky Lanier spotted bass flew from the water, over the gunwale and into the boat.
Millsaps shares with anglers an unwavering enthusiasm for big spotted bass in early spring. "Lanier, Russell and other lakes in Georgia have some special little deals related to the blueback herring," Millsaps said. "The herring will move into certain areas, and the fish are predictable. You can catch them a number of different ways."
Millsaps is considered an expert in this part of the country, so we decided to pick his brains on how to catch big spots this time of year.

"The herring will run to the backs of pockets that have sanded in over the years because those bays and pockets seem to warm up the fastest," Millsaps said. "The herring will migrate to the very backs of the pockets at night because the sun has heated the sand during the day. The spotted bass will move in and set up on the first break or drop out from the sandy flat in the back. The next morning when the herring migrate out of the pockets, the spotted bass move in for the kill, and it can be a slugfest. A lot of

the tournaments you see won this time of year with spots are won that way."
As the season migrates from late winter to spring, Millsaps will hunt for spotted bass around boat docks that line bays and pockets where bass will spawn. Bass will suspend under the docks until the water temperature rises to a comfortable spawning level, triggering them to move to the banks.
But day in and day out, Millsaps depends on chunk-rock and red-clay points and banks near good springtime areas.
Jimmy Millsaps likes to target cold-weather spotted bass along shallow chunk-rock banks on Georgia's many great spotted bass fisheries.

Finding the Fish
Of course, as with any other time of year, finding fish is the key to success with latewinter or early spring spotted bass. While not all lakes and reservoirs that hold spotted bass are exactly the same, there are some common types of areas where Millsaps can always find spots.
Millsaps finds points to be dynamite areas to target in late winter and early spring in this part of the country. "It depends on the weather and how quickly the weather warms up," Millsaps said. "In January, they start moving from deep-water haunts to chunk-rock and red-clay banks and points leading to spawning areas. Usually, the first couple of points leading into a creek or bay are the most productive."
The spots are shallower than most people assume. Millsaps often catches spotted bass burning a spinnerbait or casting a shakyhead worm in water less than 15 feet deep. Millsaps also pointed out that lakes like Lanier have a special occurrence based on the movements of the body's primary forage, blueback herring.

Page 8

Article provided courtesy of FLW Outdoors www.flwoutdoors.com

A wide array of baits will tempt Georgia spotted bass, and here are some of the pro's favorite options.

"If I know a great area where the bass spawn later in the spring," Millsaps said, "I will start looking for those red-clay and chunk-rock banks nearby and just keep working out until I find where the fish are holding."
Choosing the Tools
Millsaps believes lure selection is a combination of power and finesse. He uses light jigheads and worms around the docks and when fishing out on the ends of points in calm water. He likes 1/8-ounce heads for shallow water and goes a bit heavier as he fishes deeper points. He sometimes goes as light as 1/16 ounce if he's targeting bass suspended under docks.
"You've got to use 6- or 8-pound line on those light jighead worms so it can cut through the water easily and fall naturally because those fish are suspended under there," Millsaps said. "The slow fall of a light worm means everything."
His favorite way to catch big spots, however, is burning a spinnerbait over points and chunk-rock banks. This is power fishing at its finest -- heavy line, a big spinnerbait and reeling as hard and fast as he can muster. For that, he likes a 1/2-ounce spinnerbait with downsized blades and a high-speed reel so he can reel it faster without the bait rolling over on its side. He'll also cast a 3/8-ounce jig on the points and work them out a bit deeper with 12- to 15-pound monofilament or fluorocarbon line, especially if there is brush on the ends of the points and when he first starts hunting for spots early in the season.
Playing the Wind
Millsaps knows fishing in the wind and spotted bass go together like peanut butter and bananas. Not everyone is willing to try it, but those that do, know just how good it can be.
Millsaps likes to go shallow with his spinnerbaits. "As long as you have the combination of chunk rock and wind, you'll catch spots with that spinnerbait," he said. "The wind will put the bait up on the bank, and you can really bust the spotted bass then. You don't want bluffs. You just want it to have chunky rocks, whether it's a main-lake point, a bluff-end or channel swing bank, a main-lake pocket or even the first couple of secondary points going into a creek arm."
The cool thing about spotted bass is they always bite. It doesn't matter how cold it is. They are a fun fish because they are super-aggressive, and that's what makes them so popular. When it gets warmer and the spawn is over they will start migrating to rocky shorelines with deep water close by. By the time summer rolls around they are suspending and chasing schools of bait making for more fun action with topwaters and swimbaits. They are a truly year-round fish, but for the really big trophies, bundle up and head out to the water when the temperatures are cold and the wind is howling.
If you enjoyed this article, get more detail-oriented features like this with a subscription to FLW Outdoors Magazine.

Article provided courtesy of FLW Outdoors www.flwoutdoors.com

Page 9

freshwater fishing

Freshwater Game Species Daily Limits (See page 20 for special limits on Public Fishing Areas.)

It is unlawful to take in one day or to possess at any one time, except at a residence or commercial storage facility, more than the daily limit for each species. It is unlawful to possess more than a total of 50 individuals of all the game fish listed in this section, except channel and flathead catfish.

Once the daily limit for a particular species is taken, it is unlawful to continue to fish for that species.
Exception: Daily limits differ on certain waters shared by Georgia and South Carolina. See Agreements with Bordering States (pages 2627).

Bass Catfish Crappie Pickerel Sauger Shad
Striped Bass, White Bass and/or Hybrid White-Striped Bass
Sturgeon Sunfish or Bream
Trout Walleye

Species

Daily Limit

Exceptions

Largemouth, Redeye (Coosa), Shoal, Smallmouth, Spotted (Kentucky), and/or Suwannee bass

10

--

Channel and/or Flathead

No limit

--

Black and/or White

30

--

Chain, Grass and/or Redfin

15

--

--

8

--

American and/or Hickory

8

--

Limit taken from the North Newport River, Medway River including

Mount Hope Creek, Little Ogeechee River, Ogeechee River, Oconee

River downstream of GA Hwy 22 in Milledgeville, Ocmulgee River

15, only two of downstream of the GA Hwy 96 bridge between Houston and Twiggs

which can be counties, Altamaha River, St. Mary's River, Satilla River, and the tribu-

--

22 inches or taries to these river sections; and from saltwater is a two fish limit,

longer.

both of which must be 22 inches in length or longer.

Limit taken from the Savannah River and its tributaries downstream of J. Strom Thurmond Dam is a two fish limit, both of which must be 27 inches in length or longer.

See South Carolina Agreement on page 26.

May not be taken in fresh or saltwater in Georgia

Bluegill, Flier, Redbreast, Redear, Rock bass, Spotted, Warmouth and/or Shadow bass

50

Bream: See South Carolina Agreement on page 26.

Brook, Rainbow, and/or Brown trout

8

See Amicalola Creek, Chattahoochee River, Chattooga River, Smithgall Woods, Smith Creek, Toccoa River, and Waters Creek on pages 1415.

--

8

Limit on Blue Ridge Reservoir is 15.

Seasons

There is no closed season for fishing in freshwater in Georgia except for the following:
Trout Season: Trout streams that are designated as seasonal trout streams are OPEN to fishing for any species from March 28October 31, 2009 and
March 27October 31, 2010. Seasonal trout streams are CLOSED to fishing for all fish species at all other times. See pages 1417 for trout stream designations.
Flint, Chattahoochee and Spring Creeks: 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 and 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 1October 31 each year.
Lakes Seminole and Blackshear: 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 1October 31 each year.
Coosa River: The season for taking lake sturgeon from the Coosa River and its tributaries is CLOSED. See www.gofishgeorgia.com for more information on this closure and how to identify this fish.

Noodling or Grabbling: The season is open March 1July 15 statewide in freshwater.
Creel and Possession Note to Anglers
Creel and possession limits are per person. In order for Conservation Rangers to correctly determine compliance with these limits, each individual should keep trout or other fish on separate stringers or in separate creels. It is unlawful for one individual to possess more than the legal limit of any fish species.

GeorgiA Angler Recognition/State Record Catches

Catching a big fish is always a thrill and usually requires exceptional fishing skill. Each year DNR recognizes the achievement of anglers who catch "trophy" fish by presenting them with an Angler Award. Fish do not have to be a new state record to qualify. Applications, minimum weights/lengths for species, and full program details are available at any Fisheries office and at www.gofishgeorgia.com. To qualify you must:
Catch your fish by legal sport fishing methods in Georgia (see page 12).
Meet the minimum weight or length requirements for that species.
Take the fish to a DNR Fisheries Office and have it positively identified. A clear side

view photo of the fish can now be used for identification in the case of "catch-and-release." Please call before coming to an office to make sure that someone will be available to identify your fish (list on page 2).
Complete application and submit it with a clear side view photo of the whole fish to the address listed on the form.
If you think you, or someone you know, caught a new state freshwater record, follow these steps:
Do not clean or freeze the fish.
Keep the fish cool, preferably on ice.
Weigh the fish to the nearest ounce as soon as possible on scales certified accurate by the Georgia Dept. of Agriculture (at

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Fisheries Section offices and businesses that sell products by weight) in the presence of two witnesses over the age of 18. Witnesses cannot be members of the immediate family. Estimated weights are not accepted. Take the fish to a DNR Fisheries Office as soon as possible and have it positively identified by a DNR fisheries biologist or technician. Please call the office before you come (list on page 2). Complete an application and submit with a clear side view photo of the whole fish within 90 days of the catch. Freshwater Records see page 24 Saltwater Records see page 38
Wildlife Resources Division & Coastal Resources Division

freshwater fishing

length limits

Note: There are no minimum length limits on freshwater game fish unless they are listed below. All lengths are Total Length (see "How to Measure Fish" to the right). You must release all fish shorter than the minimum length indicated for that species.
Largemouth Bass
12 inches statewide except:
Bear Creek Reservoir (Jackson County): bass between 16 and 22 inches must be released immediately. All others may be kept.
Lake Blackshear: 14 inches
Lake Blue Ridge: no minimum (0 inches)
Lake Burton: no minimum (0 inches)
Lake Juliette: no minimum (0 inches)
Lake Lanier: 14 inches
Lake Oconee: bass between 11 and 14 inches must be released immediately. All others may be kept.
Ocmulgee River from the Spring Street bridge crossing in Macon downstream to the confluence of the Ocmulgee River and the Oconee River: 14 inches
Lake Walter F. George: 14 inches
West Point Reservoir: 14 inches
Public Fishing Area lakes operated by the Department of Natural Resources: 14 inches. This limit will not apply to lakes which have been posted as having a different length limit for largemouth bass.

How to Measure a Fish
Freshwater fish are measured as Total Length (TL). Minimum sizes for saltwater finfish are measured in two ways: Total Length (TL) and Fork Length (FL). Methods for measuring fish are described below:

Freshwater and saltwater finfish TOTAL LENGTH: Place the fish on its side with the
jaw closed Squeeze the tail fin lobes together Measure in a straight line from the tip
of the snout to the extreme tip of the tail
Saltwater fish FORK LENGTH: Fork Length (FL) is used to measure
fish with deeply forked tails. Measure the straight line distance
from the tip of the snout to the fork of the tail. For either method, you must release all fish shorter than the minimum length indicated for that species.

Total Length Fork Length

Shoal bass Lake Lanier: 14 inches Flint River and its tributaries: 12 inches

Spotted bass Lake Lanier: 14 inches

Striped bass, White bass, & Hybrid white-striped bass
You may only keep two fish of the total limit that are 22 inches or longer, except:
The minimum length for all fish is 22 inches on the North Newport River, Medway River including Mount Hope Creek, Little Ogeechee River, Ogeechee River; Oconee River downstream of GA Hwy 22 in Milledgeville; Ocmulgee River downstream of GA Hwy 96 bridge between Houston and Twiggs counties; Altamaha River, Saint Mary's River, Satilla River, and the tributaries to these river sections; and from saltwater.
The minimum length is 27 inches on the Savannah River and its tributaries downstream of J. Strom Thurmond Dam (2 fish limit).

Trout No minimum length limit for trout except: Waters Creek:
Brown and rainbow trout: 22 inches Brook trout: 18 inches Noontootla Creek and its tributaries on Blue Ridge WMA All trout: 16 inches

2009 Sport Fishing Regulations

Purchase fishing licenses at www.gofishgeorgia.com

Page 11

freshwater fishing

Fishing Methods

The following are legal methods for freshwater fishing.

hook and line
There is no restriction on the number of poles and lines to fish for game fish except:
Fishing for trout: 1 pole
Fishing on Public Fishing Areas: 2 poles
Sport shad fishing: 2 poles
Anglers using more than two poles and lines to fish for shad must abide by commercial shad regulations.
Landing nets may be used to land fish legally caught.
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.
sport trotlines & jugs
A "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 DNR. 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.
Use of 51 or more hooks is considered Commercial Fishing (see page 18).
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 secured to the weapon or the person using the weapon.
Only nongame fish, and catfish as described below, may be speared in freshwater and are not to be sold or used for commercial purposes.
The taking of flathead and channel catfish by spear may be done any time day or at night by light in the Savannah River and its tributaries and impoundments in the Savannah River Basin only.
All spears must have barbs or other devices to recover fish and must be attached to a line secured to the person using the weapon.

A sport fishing license is required to spear fish in Georgia.
The person spearing fish must be completely submerged.
Note: See Seasons on page 10.
seines, cast nets, bow 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 unharmed into the water.
A minnow seine must be less than 20 feet in length and have a / 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 nets are considered sport shad fishing gear and shall have a minimum legal size of 3 inches stretched mesh.
bow fishing
Nongame fish and catfish in Savannah system 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 or exploding arrowheads are illegal.
Arrows cannot be discharged into the water closer than 150 feet to anyone engaged in any other means of recreation.
Legal hours for fishing with bow and arrow are from sunrise to sunset, except that fish (nongame) 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 of taking fish illegally.
Catfish (channel and flathead): Fish may be taken in the Savannah River and its tributaries and impoundments in the Savannah River basin by bow and arrow any time during the day or at night by the use of a light.

noodling or grabbling Flathead, channel and blue catfish may
be taken by hand, without the aid of any device, hook, snare, net or other artificial element and without the use of any scuba equipment, air hose or other artificial breathing apparatus. Noodling is legal in the fresh waters of the state from March 1July 15 each year. A sport fishing license is required to noodle (grabble) in Georgia. It is illegal to take game fish (other than the catfish species listed above) and all other species of fish by hand. It is not legal to alter any natural or man-made features in order to attract or capture fish by hand. It is not legal to raise any part of a natural or artificial device out of the water to aid in the hand capture of enclosed fish.
In Georgia It Is Unlawful To:
Possess or use live blueback herring for bait in all fresh waters except the following: Lakes Chatuge, Juliette, Lanier, and Nottely; and the Altamaha River watershed downstream of the following: Juliette dam on the Ocmulgee River, Lake Juliette dam on Rum Creek, Lake Tobesofkee dam on Tobesofkee Creek, Lake Sinclair dam on the Oconee River; and watersheds of all other streams that flow directly into the Atlantic Ocean. For maps of restricted waters go to www.gofishgeorgia.com and see "Freshwater Regulations" section.
Fish for game fish, except American shad, hickory shad, channel catfish, blue 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 except the water from which it was taken.

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Wildlife Resources Division & Coastal Resources Division

Sport Fish Restoration Program
Successful Angler-funded Partnership to Improve Fishing

The Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration (SFR) Program provides one of the most vital sources of funds for managing the nation's recreational fisheries. SFR is a partnership between federal and state government, industry and anglers/boaters.
History Established in 1950 by the Sport Fish Restoration Act (Dingell-Johnson Act), the program was created to restore and better manage America's declining fisheries resources. Over the past half century the program has provided more than $4.7 billion to states to improve recreational fishing and boating opportunities!
User Pay / User Benefit Today anglers spend $45.0 billion annually on fishing-related activities. These purchases generate an additional $600 million for the SFR program making it one of the most effective "user-pay/user-benefit" programs in the nation.

When you purchase sporting goods and motor boat fuel, you pay for excise taxes
collected by the U.S. Treasury.
This money comes back to state fish and wildlife agencies to support sport fish restoration, preservation, and conservation efforts.

Funding
SFR authorizes a 10% federal excise tax on fishing rods, reels, and lures.
In 1984 the act was amended to include motor boat fuels.
This money is disbursed to states based on land/water area and number of licenses sold--over $340 million was disbursed to states in 2008.
SFR at Work in Georgia
Georgia's share is approximately $5.5 million annually.
SFR and your license fees have funded: management of public waters, production of sport fish for stocking in public waters, development and management of Public Fishing Areas, aquatic education programs, development and maintenance of boating-access facilities...and more.
SFR and license fees pay for freshwater and saltwater programs and activities to benefit these resources.

Learn more about the Sport Fish Restoration Program at www.fws.gov and www.gofishgeorgia.com

trout fishing

WRD uses special regulations (see below) and stocking to provide quality trout fishing in Georgia. More than one million rainbow trout and brown trout are stocked each year from March through mid-September. 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 stocking and the Trout Streams of Georgia Map are available from WRD offices and at www.gofishgeorgia.com. The map 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 bounded by private property. It is your responsibility to know when you cross a property line. Obtain permission from the landowner before fishing on private property.
Note: While fishing any 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 fish was caught.

TROUT SEASON
Trout season on seasonal streams is from March 28October 31, 2009 and from March 27October 31, 2010. Many trout streams are open to fishing year-round (see pages 1617 for stream listings).
TROUT FISHING HOURS
Fishing hours on seasonal trout streams, except Waters Creek (page 15), are 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. Night fishing is not allowed.
Fishing 24 hours a day is allowed on yearround trout streams, except those in next paragraph, and on all impoundments on trout streams, except Dockery and Rock Creek lakes.
Fishing hours on the Chattahoochee River from Buford Dam to Peachtree Creek, the Conasauga River watershed upstream of the Georgia-Tennessee state line and Smith Creek downstream of Unicoi dam are 30 minutes before sunrise until 30 minutes after sunset. Night fishing is not allowed.
TROUT FISHING RULES
Trout anglers are restricted to the use of one pole and line which must be hand held. No other type of gear may be used in trout streams.
Live bait-fish may not be used in any trout stream, except live bait-fish may be used on the Chattahoochee River downstream of the Roswell Road bridge (GA Hwy 9). Seining bait-fish is not allowed in any trout stream.
It is unlawful to fish for any fish species in a seasonal trout stream when the season is closed.
IMPOUNDMENTS ON TROUT STREAMS
Anglers can:
Fish for fish species other than trout without a trout license, except on Dockery and Rock Creek lakes.
Fish year-round, except on Dockery Lake.
Fish at night, except on Dockery and Rock Creek lakes.
Impoundment notes:
If you fish for or possess trout, you must possess a trout license. If you catch a trout and do not possess a trout license you must release the trout immediately.

Visitors fishing impoundments on State Parks can fish for and possess trout without a trout license. State Park visitors fishing trout streams must possess a trout license.
DELAYED HARVEST STREAMS
Anglers fishing delayed harvest streams must release all trout immediately and use and possess only artificial lures with one single hook per lure from Nov. 1May 14 annually. The use of additional "dropper" lures on one line is permitted as long as each lure contains one single hook. These restrictions do not apply from May 15Oct. 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).
Chattooga River from GA Hwy 28 bridge upstream to the mouth of Reed Creek.
Smith Creek on Unicoi State Park from Unicoi Dam downstream to the Unicoi State Park property boundary.
Toccoa River on U.S. Forest Service land from 0.4 miles above the Shallowford Bridge upstream to a point 450 feet upstream of the Sandy Bottom Canoe Access.
Visit www.gofishgeorgia.com to see maps of Delayed Harvest Streams and learn more about this program.
ARTIFICIAL LURES ONLY
In streams listed here only artificial lures may be used. It is unlawful to possess any other type bait on an "artificial lures only" stream (see definitions on page 4).
Chattahoochee River from GA Hwy 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 its junction with the Tallulah River upstream to Forest Service Bridge No. 54.
Conasauga River and its tributaries (except Jacks River watershed) upstream of the Georgia-Tennessee state line are restricted to using only artificial lures from

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Nov. 1 through the last Saturday in March of each year. Natural baits may be used during trout season.
Hoods Creek and its tributaries on the Warwoman WMA.
Jones Creek and its tributaries on the Blue Ridge WMA.
Mountaintown Creek and its tributaries upstream of Mountaintown Creek Watershed Structure No. 2 (Hills Lake).
Noontootla Creek and its tributaries on Blue Ridge WMA. Note: All trout less than 16 inches in length caught from this section of Noontootla Creek must be released immediately.
Stanley Creek and its tributaries on the Rich Mountain WMA.
Walnut Fork Creek and its tributaries on the Warwoman WMA.
OTHER trout stream REGULATIONS
Moccasin Creek
That portion of Moccasin Creek between Lake Burton Hatchery water intake and a sign marking the approximate normal pool level of Lake Burton is restricted to anglers under 12 years of age and holders of Honorary Licenses.
Smithgall Woods-Dukes Creek
Conservation Area
Dukes Creek and its tributaries within the Dukes Creek Conservation Area are open to fishing year round by reservation only. For reservations call 706-878-3087.
Only artificial lures with barbless hooks may be used or possessed on the portion of Dukes Creek and its tributaries in White County on the Conservation Area, including the GA Hwy 75 Alternate rightof-way. Possession of any bait, lure, or gear not legal for use on the stream is unlawful.
All fish caught from Dukes Creek and its tributaries in White County on the Conservation Area, including the GA Hwy 75 Alternate right-of-way, must be immediately released where caught.
No trout may be possessed while fishing on any stream on the Conservation Area or the GA Hwy 75 Alternate right-of-way.
Wildlife Resources Division & Coastal Resources Division

trout fishing

WATERS CREEK
Waters Creek, located on the Chestatee WMA, is managed for trophy trout. Waters Creek and its tributaries are open during the trout season on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays only between 6:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (7:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Saving Time) with the following restrictions:
Artificial lures with a single barbless hook no larger than a #6 must be used. Only one lure can be used at a time. You cannot possess lures that do not meet these criteria while on the area.
Landing nets may not exceed two (2) feet in length.
Possession of any bait, lure, landing nets or gear not legal for use on the stream is unlawful.
No night fishing.
License requirements for Waters Creek:
Residents: Georgia resident fishing license, trout license, and WMA license. Senior (65+) Lifetime, Honorary and Sportsman's license holders do not need a WMA license.
Nonresidents: Nonresident Georgia fishing license, nonresident trout license and nonresident WMA license.
Size and possession limits:
Size limits: 22 inches for brown and rainbow trout and 18 inches for brook trout. It is a violation to possess a trout smaller than these limits while fishing on Waters creek.
Possession limit: One (1) trout may be possessed daily. No person may take more than three (3) trout per season.

Handling & Releasing Fish
When releasing a fish, you can give the fish a better chance of survival by following these guidelines:

Play and release the fish as rapidly as possible.
Try not to take the fish out of water.
Handle the fish gently with bare, wet hands. Do not squeeze the fish, put your fingers in the gills or cause scale loss.
Remove the hook quickly using needlenose pliers. If the fish is hooked in the stomach or throat, cut the line and leave the hook. The hook will dissolve without harming the fish.

Wet your measuring board before measuring the fish.
Hold the fish in an upright position and move it gently back and forth so water runs over the gills. Release the fish when it is able to swim.
Operate live well aerators continuously when holding fish that you plan to release.

You Give, They Live. Buy A Tag!
Georgia residents who purchase a wildlife license plate for their vehicle help support the conservation of many plant and animal species in the state.
These tags are available at any county tag office (or by checking the wildlife license plate box on your mail-in registration form) and they can be purchased for a one-time fee of $25.
The Trout Unlimited tag benefits the Fisheries Management trout conservation and management program.
The bald eagle and hummingbird plates support the Nongame Conservation Section. This section works to conserve Georgia's nongame and endangered wildlife.
The Bobwhite Quail and deer plate supports the Bobwhite Quail Initiative.
Learn more at www.georgiawildlife.com

2009 Sport Fishing Regulations

Help Stop The Spread of Aquatic Nuisance Species
Don't release live bait fish, or move live fish, aquatic plants, or mussels!
It is unlawful to stock or release fish into 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 and clean your boat and equipment thoroughly before launching into new waters.
Learn more about Aquatic Nuisance Species at www.gofishgeorgia.com

Purchase fishing licenses at www.gofishgeorgia.com

Page 15

georgia's trout streams by county

Seasonal Trout Streams (S) are open March 28October 31, 2009 and March 27October 31, 2010 Year-round Streams (YR) are open to fishing throughout the year and are designated in italic type. Watershed: the stream and all its tributaries (streams flowing into that stream).
Abbreviations used throughout this section: Cr. = Creek and R. = River
NOTE: The following trout streams have special regulations (see pages 1415 before fishing): Amicalola Cr., Chattahoochee R., Chattooga R., Coleman R., Conasauga R., Hoods Cr., Jones Cr., Moccasin Cr., Mountaintown Cr., Noontootla Cr., Smithgall Woods-Dukes Cr., Smith Cr., Stanley Cr., Toccoa R., Walnut Fork Cr., and Waters Cr.

BARTOW COUNTY (S) Boston Cr. watershed upstream from GA Hwy 20.
(YR) Connesena Cr. watershed; Dykes Cr. watershed; PineLog Cr. watershed; Pyle Cr. watershed; Salacoa Cr. watershed; Spring Cr. watershed; Stamp Cr. watershed upstream from Bartow Co. Rd. 269; Toms Cr. watershed upstream from Bartow Co. Rd. 82; Two Run Cr. watershed; Ward Cr. watershed.
CARROLL COUNTY (YR) Tallapoosa R. watershed north of I-20, not including Little Tallapoosa R. watershed.
CATOOSA COUNTY
(S) Hurricane Cr.. watershed upstream from Peters Branch.
(YR) Dry Cr. watershed (part of East Chickamauga Cr. watershed) upstream of Catoosa Co. Rd. 257; Little Chickamauga Cr. watershed upstream from Catoosa Co. Rd. 387; Tiger Cr. watershed upstream from GA Hwy 2.
CHATTOOGA COUNTY (YR) Allgood Branch watershed; Chappel Cr. watershed; Chelsea Cr. watershed; East Fork Little R. watershed including Gilreath Cr.; Hinton Cr. watershed; Kings Cr. watershed; Little Armuchee Cr. watershed upstream from Co Rd 326; Mt. Hope Cr. (Coon Cr.) watershed; Perennial Spring watershed; Raccoon Cr. watershed upstream from GA Hwy 48; Ruff Creek watershed; Storey Mill Cr. watershed; Taliaferro Cr. watershed.
CHEROKEE COUNTY (S) Boston Cr. watershed.
(YR) Bluff Cr. watershed upstream of Cherokee Co Rd 114; Pine Log Cr. watershed; Salacoa Cr. watershed; Soap Cr. watershed upstream of Cherokee Co Rd 116; Stamp Cr. watershed; Wiley Cr. watershed.
COBB COUNTY (YR) Chattahoochee R. downstream to the mouth of Peachtree Cr.
DADE COUNTY (S) East Fork Little R. watershed; Rock Cr. watershed.
(YR) Allison Cr. watershed; Lookout Cr. watershed upstream from Dade Co Rd 197.
DAWSON COUNTY (S) Amicalola Cr. watershed upstream from Dawson Co Rd 192 (Steele Bridge Rd) which is first bridge upstream from GA Hwy 53; Amicalola Cr. tributaries from GA Hwy 53 upstream to Dawson Co Rd 192 (Steele Bridge Rd); Nimblewill Cr. watershed; Shoal Cr. watershed upstream from the mouth of

Burt Cr.; Sweetwater Cr. watershed.
(YR) Amicalola Cr. from Dawson Co Rd 192 (Steele Bridge Rd) downstream to GA Hwy 53; Anderson Cr. watershed, Long Swamp Cr. watershed.
FANNIN COUNTY (S) Charlie Cr. watershed; Etowah R. watershed; Jacks R. watershed; Owenby Cr. watershed; Persimmon Cr. watershed; South Fork Rapier Mill Cr. watershed; Star Cr. watershed; Toccoa R. tributary watersheds entering the river downstream from Blue Ridge Reservoir to the GA-Tennessee state line and upstream from the mouth of Stanley Cr. except those listed as yearround; Tumbling Cr. watershed; Wilscot Cr. watershed.
(YR) Conasauga R. watershed (except Jacks R. watershed); Ellijay R. watershed; Fightingtown Cr. watershed; Mountaintown Cr. watershed; Noontootla Cr. watershed; Rock Cr. watershed; Rock Cr. Lake; Toccoa R. downstream from Lake Blue Ridge to the GA-Tennessee state line and upstream from the mouth of Stanley Cr. (does not include tributaries unless listed).
FLOYD COUNTY (S) Johns Cr. watershed upstream from Floyd Co Rd. 212.
(YR) Dykes Cr. watershed; Kings Cr. watershed; Lavender Cr. watershed upstream from Floyd Co Rd. 893; Little Cedar Cr. watershed; Mt. Hope Cr. watershed; Silver Cr. watershed upstream of GA Hwy 1E (Floyd Co Rd. 631); Spring Cr. watershed (flows into Etowah R.) Toms Cr. watershed.
FORSYTH COUNTY (YR) Chattahoochee R.
FULTON COUNTY (YR) Chattahoochee R. downstream to the mouth of Peachtree Cr.
GILMER COUNTY (S) Harris Cr. watershed; Johnson Cr. watershed; Tails Cr. watershed; and all other streams or parts of streams not listed as yearround except: Coosawattee R. downstream from Old GA Hwy 5 (Gilmer Co Rd. 239); Talking Rock Cr.; and tributaries to Carters Reservoir not listed as year-round (these may be fished year-round without a trout license).
(YR) Ball Cr. watershed; Cartecay R. watershed; Conasauga R. watershed (except Jacks R. watershed); Coosawatee R. from confluence of Cartecay and Ellijay rivs. downstream to old GA Hwy 5 bridge (Gilmer Co Rd. 239); Ellijay R. watershed; Fightingtown Cr. watershed; Mountaintown Cr. water shed; Noontootla Cr.

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watershed; Sevenmile Cr. watershed; Town Cr. watershed; Wildcat Cr. watershed.
GORDON COUNTY (S) Johns Cr. watershed; Pin Hook Cr. watershed upstream from Gordon Co Rd. 275.
(YR) Pine Log Cr. watershed upstream from GA Hwy 53; Rocky Cr. watershed upstream from Gordon Co Rd. 210; Salacoa Cr. watershed upstream from US Hwy 411; Snake Cr. watershed.
GWINNETT COUNTY (YR) Chattahoochee R.
HABERSHAM COUNTY (S) Amy's Cr. watershed upstream from GA Hwy 17; Chattahoochee R. tributaries downstream to GA Hwy 255 (except Amy's Cr. downstream from GA Hwy 17 and Sautee Cr. downstream from GA Hwy 255 Alternate bridge); Left Fork Soque R. upstream of GA Hwy 356 and all tributaries to the entire Left Fork Soque R.; Nancytown Cr. watershed upstream from Nancytown Lake; Right Fork Soque R. upstream of Wilson Falls and tributaries to the entire Right Fork Soque R.; Soque R. tributaries that enter the river from the confluence of the Left Fork and Right Fork Soque rivs. downstream to the mouth of Deep Cr.
(YR) Chattahoochee R. downstream to GA Hwy 255; Left Fork Soque R. downstream of GA Hwy 356 except tributaries; Liberty Cr. watershed; Middle Fork Broad R. watershed; North Fork Broad R. watershed; Panther Cr. watershed; Right Fork Soque R. downstream of Wilson Falls except tributaries; Roberts Branch watershed; Sautee Cr. downstream from GA Hwy 255 Alternate bridge; Soque R., except tributaries downstream from the confluence of Left Fork and Right Fork Soque rivs., to the mouth of Deep Cr.; Toccoa Cr. watershed.
HARALSON COUNTY (YR) Flatwood Cr. watershed; Lassetter Cr. watershed; Mann Cr. watershed upstream from Haralson Co Rd. 162; Tallapoosa Cr. watershed; Tallapoosa R. watershed upstream from Co Rd. 222.
HART COUNTY (YR) Savannah R. from Hartwell Dam downstream to Richard B. Russell Reservoir.
LUMPKIN COUNTY (S) Amicalola Cr. watershed; Bryant Cr. watershed; Cane Cr. watershed upstream from GA Hwy 9-52 bridge; Cavender Cr. watershed; Chestatee R. tributaries upstream from the mouth of Tesnatee Cr., except for the Frogtown Cr. watershed; Dockery
Wildlife Resources Division & Coastal Resources Division

georgia's trout streams by county

Lake; Etowah R. watershed upstream from Hightower Church Road (County Road 72) Bridge; Etowah R. tributaries from Castleberry Bridge upstream to Hightower Church Road (County Road 72) Bridge; Shoal Creek watershed; Yahoola Creek watershed upstream from the mouth of Bryant Cr.
(YR) Chestatee R. upstream from the mouth of Tesnatee Cr.; Etowah R. from Castleberry Bridge upstream to Hightower Church Road (County Road 72); Frogtown Cr. watershed; Yahoola Cr. watershed from the mouth of Bryant Cr. downstream to GA Hwy 52.
MURRAY COUNTY (S) Jacks R. watershed upstream from Georgia-Tennessee state line; North Prong Sumac Cr. watershed; Rock Cr. watershed upstream from Murray Co Rd. 4 (most southern of two Rock Crks. which are in the Holly Cr. watershed); Sugar Cr. watershed upstream from Murray Co Rd. 4; Sumac Cr. watershed upstream from Coffey Lake.
(YR) Conasauga R. watershed upstream from the GA-Tennessee state line (except Jacks R. watershed); Dill Cr. watershed; Holly Cr. watershed upstream from Dill Cr.; Mill Cr. watershed upstream from Murray Co Rd. 27; Mill Cr. (Hasslers Mill Cr.) watershed that is in the Holly Cr. watershed; Rock Cr. watershed (most northern of two Rock Crks. within Holly Cr. watershed) upstream from Murray Co Rd. 301.
PAULDING COUNTY (S) Pumpkinvine Cr. watershed upstream from Paulding Co Rd. 231; Raccoon Cr. watershed upstream from SR 2299 (Paulding Co Rd. 471).
(YR) Possum Cr. watershed upstream from
Paulding Co Rd. 64; Powder Cr. watershed;
Thompson Cr. watershed; Ward Cr. watershed.
PICKENS COUNTY
(S) Amicalola Cr. watershed upstream from Dawson Co Rd. 192; Cove Cr. watershed upstream from Pickens Co Rd. 294; Fisher Cr. watershed; Pin Hook Cr. watershed.
(YR) Ball Cr. watershed; Bluff Cr. watershed; Cartecay R. watershed; Darnell Cr. watershed; Hobson Cr. watershed; Little Scarecorn Cr. watershed; Long Swamp Cr. watershed upstream from Cove Cr.; Mud Cr. watershed; Rock Cr. watershed; Salacoa Cr. watershed; Scarecorn Cr. watershed upstream from GA Hwy 53; Sevenmile Cr. watershed; Sharp Mountain Cr. watershed; Soap Cr. watershed; Talking Rock Cr. watershed upstream from S1011 (GA Hwy 136); Town Cr. watershed; Wildcat Cr. watershed.
POLK COUNTY (S) Lassetter Cr. watershed; Pumpkinpile Cr. watershed upstream from Polk Co Rd. 437.
(YR) Cedar Cr. watershed upstream from Polk Co Rd. 121; Little Cedar Cr. watershed; Silver Cr. watershed; Spring Cr. watershed; Swinney Cr. watershed; Thomasson Cr. watershed;

Thompson Cr. watershed upstream of Polk Co Rd. 441.
RABUN COUNTY
(S) Bad Branch watershed (flows into Lake Seed); Bad Cr. watershed (flows into Tugaloo); Bridge Cr. watershed; Crow Cr. watershed (flows into Seed); Dickenson Branch (flows into Burton); Dicks Cr. watershed (flows into Burton); Falls Branch watershed (flows into Rabun); Flat Cr. watershed; Joe Cr. watershed (flows into Rabun); LaCounts Cr. watershed (flows into Seed); Moccasin Cr. watershed, except Moccasin Cr. from the Lake Burton hatchery water intake downstream to the sign marking the approximate normal pool level of Lake Burton; Popcorn Cr. watershed; Seals Cr. watershed (flows into Seed); Slick Shoal Cr. (flows into Seed); Timpson Cr. watershed; Wildcat Cr. watershed; Worse Cr. watershed (flows into Tugaloo); and all other streams or parts of streams not listed as year-round except: Tallulah R. downstream from Lake Burton Dam and tributaries to Burton, Seed, Rabun, Tallulah Falls, Tugaloo and Yonah lakes not listed as year-round (may be fished year-round without a trout license).
(YR) Chattooga R. upstream from the mouth of Warwoman Cr.; Little Tennessee R. downstream from US Hwy 23-441 bridge; Moccasin Cr. from the Lake Burton hatchery water intake downstream to the sign marking the approximate normal pool level of Lake Burton; Overflow Cr. watershed; Stekoa Cr. watershed; Tallulah R. downstream to Lake Burton; Warwoman Cr.; West Fork Chattooga R.
STEPHENS COUNTY
(YR) Little Toccoa Cr. watershed; North Fork Broad R. watershed upstream from NRCS flood control structure No. 1; Middle Fork Broad R. watershed upstream from NRCS flood control structure No. 44.; Panther Cr. watershed; Toccoa Cr. watershed upstream from Toccoa Falls.
TOWNS COUNTY
(S) Bearmeat Cr. watershed; Bell Cr. watershed; Bugshuffle Branch watershed (Allen Mill Cr.); Burch Branch watershed; Fodder Cr. watershed; Hog Cr. watershed; Shake Rag Branch watershed; and all other streams or parts of streams not listed as year-round except: Hightower Cr. downstream from Towns Co Rd. 88; Hiwassee R. downstream from Towns Co Rd. 87; and tributaries to Chatuge Reservoir not listed below as yearround (may be fished year-round without a trout license).
(YR) Brasstown Cr. watershed downstream from US Hwy 76 bridge; Charlies Cr. watershed; Hightower Cr. downstream from US Hwy 76 bridge to Towns Co Rd. 88; Hiwassee R. downstream to Towns Co Rd 87; Tallulah R.
UNION COUNTY
(S) Arkaqua Cr. watershed; Bracket Cr. watershed; Butler Cr. watershed; Camp Cr. watershed; Conley Cr. watershed; Kiutuestia

Cr. watershed; Low Cr. watershed; and all other streams or parts of streams not listed below as year-round except: Butternut Cr. watershed; Nottely R. downstream from Nottely Dam and tributaries to Nottely Reservoir not listed as year-round (these may be fished year-round without a trout license).
(YR) Brasstown Cr. watershed downstream from US Hwy 76 bridge; Coosa Cr. watershed; Ivylog Cr. watershed; Noontootla Cr. watershed; Nottely R. from US Hwy 129-19 bridge downstream to Nottely Reservoir; Rock Cr. watershed; Toccoa R. (does not include tributaries unless listed); Youngcane Cr. watershed.
WALKER COUNTY
(S) Furnace Cr. watershed; Johns Cr. watershed; Rock Cr. watershed upstream from Sawmill Branch; Sawmill Branch;
(YR) Allen Cr. watershed; Chappel Cr. watershed; Chattanooga Cr. watershed upstream from Walker Co Rd. 235; Concord Cr. watershed; Dougherty Cr. watershed; Dry Cr. watershed (tributary to East Armuchee Cr.); Duck Cr. watershed; East Fork Little R. watershed (flows into Dade County); East Fork Little R. watershed (flows into Chattooga County); Gilreath Cr.; Gulf Cr. watershed; Harrisburg Cr. watershed upstream from Dougherty Cr.; Left Fork Coulter Branch watershed; Little Chickamauga Cr. watershed; Ruff Cr. watershed; Snake Cr. watershed; West Armuchee Cr. watershed; West Chickamauga Cr. watershed upstream from Walker Co Rd. 107.
WHITE COUNTY
(S) Chattahoochee R. watershed upstream from GA Hwy 75 Alternate bridge; Chattahoochee R. tributaries from GA Hwy 75 Alternate bridge downstream to GA Hwy 255 bridge except Dukes Cr. watershed downstream from the US Forest Service property boundary, Sautee Cr., and Smith Cr. watershed upstream to Unicoi dam; Town Cr. watershed upstream from the mouth of Jenny Cr.
(YR) Chattahoochee R. downstream from the GA Hwy 75 Alternate bridge to the GA Hwy 255 bridge; Dukes Cr. watershed downstream from the US Forest Service property boundary; Little Tesnatee Cr. watershed upstream from the mouth of Turner Cr.; Sautee Cr.; Smith Cr. downstream of Unicoi dam; Turner Cr. watershed (one nearest to Cleveland City limits).
WHITFIELD COUNTY
(YR) Coahulla Cr. watershed upstream from Whitfield Co Rd. 183; Dry Cr. watershed (part of East Chickamauga Cr. watershed); Spring Cr. (Deep Spring Cr.) watershed; Swamp Cr. watershed upstream from Whitfield Co Rd. 9; Tiger Cr. watershed.

2009 Sport Fishing Regulations

Purchase fishing licenses at www.gofishgeorgia.com

Page 17

commercial fishing & sale of fish

Commercial Fishing
It is unlawful to fish commercially except in waters opened for commercial fishing by regulation of the DNR Board.
It shall be unlawful to engage in commercial freshwater fishing without having a valid commercial fishing license.
It is unlawful for any person to sell or purchase any game fish, however American shad, hickory shad, channel catfish, and flathead catfish taken while commercial fishing may be sold as described in the Game and Fish Code.
For a complete copy of the freshwater commercial fishing regulations contact the nearest Fisheries Section office or visit www.gofishgeorgia.com
For saltwater commercial fishing information contact the Coastal Resources Division or visit http://crd.dnr.state.ga.us
Fishing Without Permission
It is unlawful to fish on someone elses' property without permission. Conservation Rangers and other law enforcement officers are charged with enforcing this law. Always ask permission before entering private land. Permission is not required to fish in the Chattahoochee or Oconee National Forests, on Wildlife Resources Division Public Fishing Areas (PFAs) or Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs), or in Georgia State Parks.

Sale of Fish/Aquaculture

Game Fish

It is unlawful for any person to sell or purchase any game fish except under the

following conditions:

See Commercial Fishing above.

Game fish may also be sold by properly licensed commercial fish hatcheries,

wholesale and retail fish dealers, and

pond owners (see following paragraph) who conform to the Game and Fish Code.

Game fish may be sold from a pond when the owner has obtained a valid permit

from DNR Law Enforcement Section

(2 weeks required to process). Note: The permit must be displayed at the pond and the fish must be packaged

and labeled for transport from the pond with the permit number and the number and pounds of each species contained

in the package. Fish must remain so

packaged until processed or released into another pond.

Note: A permit will be issued only once annually and limits the time for taking

fish from the pond to 15 days.

Game fish shipped into Georgia may be

lawfully transported, sold, and resold provided each person in possession of said

game fish has an authentic bill of sale or

lading which details the source of the fish and the species, number and pounds ofC

the fish.

M

Domestic Fish

Y

Aquaculturists (fish farmers) must regisCtMer

with the Department of Natural Resourc-

es in order to sell domestic fish.

MY

Registration applications are available CY from any Fisheries Section office, at
CMY
www.gofishgeorgia.com, or by calling

770-761-3044. Find Aquaculture infor-K mation under the Fishing Regulation

section of the WRD website.

Domestic fish are lawfully obtained farmed fish which are held in confine-

ment in private ponds, but only if they are fish species which are either indigenous to Georgia or have been recognized

prior to 1992 as having an established

population in public waters in Georgia. White perch is not recognized as a domes-

tic fish. Persons in possession of domestic

fish from registered aquaculturists must have an authentic bill of sale or lading which identifies the seller, the date of

transaction and at least two of the following for each fish species: number, weight, or average length.

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Wildlife Resources Division & Coastal Resources Division

Boating
Boat Registration
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 downloaded from www.goboatgeorgia.com
You may also register your boat online at www.goboatgeorgia.com
Register by phone at 800-366-2661.
Georgia honors all other states' registrations, provided the boat is not used in excess of 60 consecutive days in Georgia.
Personal Flotation Devices 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 all vessels except Class A vessels (which includes personal-watercraft, canoes and kayaks). 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."
Outboard Motor Restrictions No motor in excess of 9.9 hp may be
operated on the Ogeechee River upstream of State Hwy 119. No motor in excess of 25 hp may be 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 unlawful to operate a boat while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. To learn requirements for operating your boat, obtain the Handbook of Georgia Boating Laws from any WRD Law Enforcement Office. To learn about a boating safety course contact the Boating Education Coordinator at 770-761-3010 or any WRD Law Enforcement Office (see page 2 for contact information). See www.goboatgeorgia.com for complete boating regulations.
The Georgia Dept. of Natural Resources receives Federal Aid in Sport Fish & Wildlife Restoration funds. Under Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, 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 disability. If you believe that you have been discriminated against in any program, activity, or facility as described above, or if you desire further information please write:
Office for Human Resources, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 4040 N. Fairfax Drive, Room 300 Arlington, VA 22203

2009 Forestry for Wildlife Partners
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division, proudly honors the 2009 Forestry for Wildlife Partners for their outstanding accomplishments in incorporating fish and wildlife conservation practices as an integral part of their overall land management goals.

2009 Sport Fishing Regulations

Purchase fishing licenses at www.gofishgeorgia.com

boating
Page 19

public fishing areas

Public Fishing Areas (PFAs) are great places for family outings! You can fish from the bank or a boat, picnic, hike, watch wildlife, and enjoy the outdoors. Good bank fishing opportunities are available at all PFAs and many of them have special kids fishing areas for young anglers. Please call each PFA for details.
Please Read Before Fishing a PFA Licenses: Anglers 16 years of age and older must
possess a valid Wildlife Management Area (WMA) license and a current fishing license to fish, except a WMA license is not required to fish at Rocky Mountain Recreation and Public Fishing Area. If you have a Sportsman's license, OneDay Fishing license, Senior Lifetime license or Honorary license you are not required to have a WMA license to fish a PFA.
Length and Daily Limits: Unless a pond or lake has been posted as having a different length limit or daily limit, the following apply:
Length limit: Largemouth bass: 14 inches minimum
Daily limits: Largemouth bass..................................... 5 Bream or sunfish (of any one species or a combination).................................. 15 Channel catfish....................................... 5 All other species...................... see page 10
Grass carp must be released immediately.
Hours of Operation: PFAs are open yearround, seven days a week from sunrise to sunset.
To find a PFA location refer to the map on page 2. Find each of the following PFAs by the numbers indicated in parentheses (#).
BIG LAZER CREEK (#14) Talbot County, 478-825-6151 Fish Species: Largemouth bass, Bluegill and Redear sunfish, Channel catfish, Crappie. Water: 195 acre lake. Facilities: Concrete two-lane boat ramp, fishing pier, fish cleaning station, rest rooms, picnic tables, primitive camping, some facilities accessible to persons with disabilities. Directions from Talbotton: East on US Hwy 80 for 4 mi.; left on Po Biddy Road for 6.4 mi.; left on Bunkham Road; left into area.
CHARLIE ELLIOTT WILDLIFE CENTER/ MARBEN PFA (#13)
Jasper/Newton Counties, 478-825-6151 Fish Species: Largemouth bass, Bluegill, Redear sunfish, Crappie, Channel catfish.

On Public Fishing Areas IT IS UNLAWFUL to:

Operate boats on ponds or lakes posted as closed to boats.
Operate gas outboard motors unless lake is posted as being open to the use of outboard motors. NOTE: Gas motors, if allowed, must be operated at idle speed only.
Consume alcoholic beverages except at campsites on the area. No alcoholic beverages are allowed anywhere on Rocky Mountain PFA.
Fish in a pond or lake that has been posted "closed."
Fish with any gear other than pole and line.
Fish with more than two poles and lines.
Use or possess live fish (minnows) for bait, unless otherwise posted.

Operate personal watercraft (jet skis), sailboats, or sailboards.
Drive on any closed road or block any gate.
Camp any place other than designated camping areas. NOTE: Contact the PFA before visiting for regulations regarding camping.
Swim, except at Rocky Mountain Recreation and PFA beach.
Allow children under 14 years of age to be on PFA without adult supervision.
Ride horses in restricted areas or areas not designated as open to equestrian use.
Fish at night.

Water: 20 ponds, totaling 293 acres, ranging in size from 1 to 95 acres.
Facilities: Kids only ponds, concrete boat ramps (6 lakes), boat docks, restrooms, fishing piers, fish cleaning station, picnic areas, primitive camping, some fishing areas accessible to persons with disabilities.
Note: Check information board for lakes that are open for fishing when you visit.
Directions From Mansfield: South on GA Hwy 11 for 2.7 mi.; left on Marben Farm Rd. Follow signs.
DODGE COUNTY (#22)
478-374-6765 or 229-426-5272
Fish Species: Largemouth bass, Bluegill, Redear sunfish, Channel catfish, Crappie.
Water: 104 acre lake.
Facilities: Concrete boat ramps, fishing pier, fish cleaning station, restrooms, picnic tables, nature trail, some facilities accessible to persons with disabilities.
Directions From Eastman: South on US Hwy 23/341 for 3 mi.; left on County Rd. 49 for 0.6 mi. to lake.
EVANS COUNTY (#23)
912-739-1139 or 912-285-6094 Fish Species: Largemouth bass, Bluegill, Redear sunfish, Channel catfish, Crappie, Brown bullhead. Water: Three ponds encompassing 122 acres (8, 30, 84 acres).
Facilities: Concrete boat ramps, fishing piers, fish cleaning station, restrooms, picnic tables, primitive camping, some facilities accessible to persons with disabilities.

Directions From Claxton: East on US Hwy 280 for 8.5 miles; right on Old Reidsville-Savannah Road for 1 mile; left on Old Sunbury Road (dirt), PFA 0.3 miles on right marked by Wildlife Resources sign.
HUGH M. GILLIS (#21)
Laurens County,
478-296-6192 or 912-285-6094
Fish Species: Largemouth bass, Bluegill, Rede ar sunfish, Channel catfish, Crappie. Water: 109 acre lake and two 1 acre KFE ponds. Facilities: Concrete boat ramps, fishing pier, fish cleaning station, restrooms, picnic tables, some facilities accessible to persons with disabilities. Directions From East Dublin: East on US Hwy 80 for 10 mi.; left on Keens Crossing Rd. for 1.4 mi., PFA entrance on right.
McDUFFIE (#10)
McDuffie County, 706-595-1619
Fish Species: Largemouth bass, Bluegill, Rede ar sunfish, Channel catfish.
Water: 7 ponds varying in size from 5 to 37 acres. Rodbender Lake is open the 1st7th of each month.
Facilities: Concrete boat ramps, courtesy docks, restrooms, picnic tables, tent and RV camping in designated areas (fee is $1525 per site per night), some facilities accessible to persons with disabilities.
Directions From Thomson: South on Hwy 17 to US Hwy 278; left (east) for 5.6 mi.; right on Ellington Airline Road for 2.8 mi.; right on Fish Hatchery Road for 0.8 mi.

Page 20

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Wildlife Resources Division & Coastal Resources Division

public fishing areas

OCMULGEE (#16)
Bleckley/Pulaski Counties, 478-783-2557
Fish Species: Largemouth bass, Bluegill, Redear sunfish, Crappie, Channel catfish.
Note: Fishing for largemouth bass is catchand-release only.
Water: 106 acre lake and one special event pond.
Facilities: Concrete two-lane boat ramp, fishing piers, fish cleaning station, restrooms, picnic areas, some facilities accessible to persons with disabilities
Directions From Hawkinsville: Travel north on Upper River Rd. for approximately 7 mi.; Left on Magnolia Rd. (PFA sign located at turn); travel approx. 2 mi. PFA entrance on right.
PARADISE (#24)
Berrien County,
229-533-4792 or 912-285-6094
Fish Species: Largemouth bass, Bluegill, Redear sunfish, Channel catfish, Crappie, Brown bullhead.
Water: 68 lakes encompassing 525 acres of water.
Facilities: Restrooms, fish cleaning station, picnic area, concrete boat ramps, tent camping ($10 per site per night), group camp ($20 per night; 20 person minimum) fishing pier, boat dock, some facilities accessible to persons with disabilities.
Directions From Tifton: East on US Hwy 82 for 8 mi. to Whitley Road near Brookfield; follow signs from US Hwy 82 to the area.
ROCKY MOUNTAIN RECREATION
& PUBLIC FISHING AREA (#4)
Floyd County, 706-802-5087
Fish Species: Largemouth bass, Bluegill, Redear sunfish, Channel catfish, Black crappie, Hybrid white-striped bass.
Water: Two lakes (202 and 357 acres). Heath Lake is open the 1st10th of each month only.
Facilities: Concrete boat ramps, fishing jetties, restrooms, picnic shelters, scenic overlooks, hiking trails, tent and RV camping, group primitive camping, group picnic area, some facilities accessible to persons with disabilities Fee: Daily or annual Rocky Mtn. PFA parking permit required (one per vehicle) WMA license not required. Restrictions:
It is illegal to possess alcoholic beverages.
No one may rappel, rock climb or hang glide.
Directions From Rome: North on US Hwy 27 for 10.4 mi.; left on Sike Storey Road 0.4 mi.; left on Big Texas Valley Road 5.4 mi. to entrance.

Hunting On Public Fishing Areas
There are hunting opportunities available at several PFAs located around the state. Refer to the Hunting Regulations Guide for a complete list of PFA hunting opportunities and regulations or visit www.gohuntgeorgia.com.

Fishing On Wildlife Management Areas
Unless otherwise posted, fishing is allowed on WMAs according to statewide regulations. Alcohol use is prohibited on WMAs except in designated camping areas. Refer to the Hunting Regulations Guide for a complete list of WMA regulations.

we're

so you can be.

envir ment.
Few places on earth match Georgia for natural beauty, and we plan to keep it that way. We're doing our part by investing almost $5 billion on environmental controls to help improve Georgia's air quality. By 2015, our investments will have decreased emissions of sulfur dioxide by 93 percent and nitrogen oxides by 85 percent from 1990 levels. We're on so you can be.

2009 Sport Fishing Regulations

georgiapower.com Purchase fishing licenses at www.gofishgeorgia.com

Page 21

freshwater fish

Largemouth Bass Upper jaw extends beyond eye Spiny and soft dorsal fin separate or nearly so Tongue normally smooth, tooth patch rare

White Bass
Seldom exceeds 3 pounds
Tongue with one tooth patch
Stripes often faint 2nd anal spine or more the
length of 3rd anal spine

Smallmouth Bass Upper jaw extends to about middle of eye Usually has vertical stripes along body 3 short spines on anal fin

Hybrid
White-Striped Bass Back arched, body deep Stripes distinct and usually broken Tongue with two tooth patches 2nd anal spine or more the length
of 3rd anal spine

Spotted Bass Upper jaw not past rear of eye Spiny and soft dorsal fin clearly connected Tooth patch on tongue
Shoal Bass Found in Chattahoochee,
Flint, and Ocmulgee Rivers Vertical bars on fish of all sizes No tooth patch on tongue Light golden color

Striped Bass Body slender Stripes distinct, occasionally broken Tongue with two tooth patches 2nd anal spine or less the length
of 3rd anal spine
Flathead Catfish Head wide and flat Body dark in color Tail not forked Large mouth; lower jaw
extends past upper jaw

Chain Pickerel (Jackfish) Elongated body with chain-like markings Sharp needle-like teeth

Page 22

Turn In Poachers! 1-800-241-4113

Walleye Sharp teeth No spots on dorsal fin Dark area at base of dorsal fin Eyes with milky cornea White spot at bottom of tail
Wildlife Resources Division & Coastal Resources Division

freshwater fish

Black Crappie 78 dorsal spines Body color pattern irregular arranged spots
Redear Sunfish (Shellcracker) Red edge on operculum ear flap Spotted body
Redbreast Sunfish Long, dark ear flap Blue lines on head Ear flap (operculum) not wider than eye
Blueback Herring Pointed snout Small dorsal fin Lower jaw sloped upward Body not as deep as gizzard shad

Rainbow Trout Small black dots throughout the
body that extend into the tail Red stripe along side on silvery body
Brown Trout Black and red-orange spots
inside light circles on brown body Caudal fin (tail) square
Brook Trout Light, wormlike markings
on dark upper body White leading edge on lower
fins (pectoral, pelvic and anal)
Bluegill Black spot on soft dorsal fin Vertical bars on body

Gizzard Shad Mouth below end of snout Elongated dorsal fin ray Deep body Blunt snout

Threadfin Shad Mouth at end of snout Elongated dorsal fin ray Pointed snout Yellow tail fin
Fish identification pictures: Duane Raver and Joseph Tomelleri

georgia's freshwater fish records

SPECIES

WEIGHT

ANGLER

Bass, Hybrid

25 lbs. 8 oz.

David Hobby

Bass, Largemouth

22 lbs. 4 oz

George Perry

Bass, Redeye

3 lbs. 7 oz.

Steve Williams

Bass, Shoal

8 lbs. 3 oz.

David Hubbard

Bass, Smallmouth

7 lbs. 2 oz.

Jack Hall

Bass, Spotted

8 lbs. 2 oz.

Wayne Holland

Bass, Striped

63 lbs.

Kelly Ward

Bass, Suwanee

3 lbs. 9 oz.

Laverne Norton

Bass, White

5 lbs. 1 oz.

J.M. Hobbins

Bowfin

16 lbs.

Charles Conley

Bullhead, Brown

5 lbs. 8 oz.

James Andrews

Bullhead, Yellow

4 lbs. 15 oz.

Glenn Settles

Carp, Common

35 lbs. 12 oz.

Donald Clark

Catfish, Blue

75 lbs. 8 oz.

Tyler Dodson

Catfish, Channel

44 lbs. 12 oz.

Bobby Smithwick

Catfish, Flathead

83 lbs.

Carl Sawyer

Catfish, White

8 lbs. 10 oz.

James Sanders

Crappie, Black (tie)

4 lbs. 4 oz.

Shirley Lavender

Crappie, Black (tie)

4 lbs. 4 oz.

Steve Cheek

Crappie, White

5 lbs.

Theresa Kemp

Gar, Longnose

30 lbs. 4 oz.

Chad Leonard

Muskellunge

38 lbs.

Rube Golden

Perch, Yellow

2 lbs. 8 oz.

Charles Poole

Pickerel, Chain

9 lbs. 6 oz.

Baxley McQuaig Jr.

Pickerel, Redfin

2 lbs. 10 oz.

Gene Brantley

Pike, Northern

18 lbs. 2 oz.

Keith Gragg

Sauger

4 lbs. 3 oz.

Stuart Bowers

Shad, American

8 lbs. 3 oz.

Henry Baxley

Shad, Hickory

1 lb. 15 oz.

Mark Bowers

Sunfish, Bluegill

3 lbs. 5 oz.

P.F. Gumm

Sunfish, Flier

1 lb. 4 oz.

Curt Brooks

Sunfish, Green

1 lb. 7 oz.

Jeff Sumner

Sunfish, Redbreast

1 lb. 11 oz.

Emory Walden

Sunfish, Redear

4 lbs. 2 oz.

Pat Lawrence

Sunfish, Warmouth

2 lbs.

Carlton Robbins

Sunfish, Spotted

10 oz.

Mike Markovcic

Trout, Brook

5 lbs. 10 oz.

Russell Braden

Trout, Brown

18 lbs. 6 oz.

Charles Ford

Trout, Rainbow

17 lbs. 8 oz.

Mark Cochran

Walleye

11 lbs. 6 oz.

Neal Watson

Blue type denotes a World Record Fish (either IGFA or NFFHF)

Page 24

Turn In Poachers! 1-800-241-4113

LOCATION Lake Chatuge Montgomery Lake Lake Hartwell
Flint River Lake Chatuge Lake Burton Oconee River Ochlocknee River Lake Lanier Stephen Foster State Pk. O.F. Veal Pond Ogeechee River Lake Jackson Private Pond Altamaha River Altamaha River Savannah River Acree's Lake Lake Spivey Bibb Co. Pond Alapaha River Blue Ridge Lake Lake Burton
Homerville Lewis' Pond Lake Rabun Clarks Hill Reservoir Savannah River Ogeechee River Shamrock Lake Lowndes Co. Pond Private Pond Coweta Co. Pond Richmond Co. Pond Private Pond Brier Creek Waters Creek Chattahoochee River Soque River Richard B. Russell Lake

DATE May 1995 June 1932 April 2004 Oct 1977 March 1973 Feb 2005 May 1967 Oct 1984 June 1971 May 1976 May 1978 Oct 2003
1972 Dec 2007 May 1972 June 2006 June 1996 June 1971 March 1975 April 1984 Sept 2008 June 1957 Feb 1980 Feb 1961 July 1982 June 1982 April 1986 April 1986 April 1995 July1977 Feb 1996 Feb 2006 April 1998 June 1995 May 1974 Sept 2003 March 1986 Nov 2001 May 2004 Sept 1995

Wildlife Resources Division & Coastal Resources Division

Planning your fishing trip just got EASIER.
Georgia's new and improved fishing prospects offer maps, local weather forecasts, best bets and species-specific techniques and tips all in one convenient location.
Plan your trip today. Visit www.gofishgeorgia.com.
Look to the 2009 river and reservoir fishing prospects guides for the following information:
Maps Boat ramps Local weather Best fishing times Species-specific information, including technique, areas to target, bait recommendations and stocking information
Also visit www.gofishgeorgia.com for:
Fish Attractor Locations Regional Fishing Guides Kids Fishing Information Public Fishing Area Reports Trout Stream Maps & Delayed Harvest Stream Guides

agreements with bordering states

Agreements with bordering states allow holders of Georgia fishing licenses to fish in the waters covered without obtaining a fishing license from the bordering state. Note: 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.
ALABAMA
Waters Covered
The banks and waters of only that portion of the Chattahoochee River forming the boundary between Georgia and Alabama and Lakes Bartletts Ferry (Harding), George W. Andrews, Goat Rock, Oliver, Seminole, Walter F. George (Eufaula) and West Point; however, this agreement does not include that portion of West Point Reservoir lying upstream (north) of Georgia Hwy. 109 bridge on the Chattahoochee River arm of the reservoir. The waters covered by this agreement do not include other streams or tributaries which flow into the Chattahoochee River or its impoundments or the portion of Lake Seminole covered by the agreement with Florida or Lake Weiss.

laws of that state or those of this agreement permit, even though the fish were caught in the waters of the other state.
No person may have a rifle in their possession or in a boat on South Carolina waters.
Waters Covered
On the banks and in the waters of all channels of the Savannah River from its mouth to the junction of the Tugaloo (Toogaloo) and Seneca Rivers; the Tugaloo River from its mouth to the junction of the Tugaloo and Chattooga Rivers; and the Chattooga River to the North Carolina state line (35th parallel of North latitude at Ellicott's Rock). This agreement also applies to all the waters and banks of Clarks Hill Reservoir (Strom Thurmond), Richard B. Russell Reservoir, Hartwell Reservoir, Yonah Lake, Tugaloo (Toogaloo) Lake, the New Savannah Bluff Lock and Dam (see Note under Length Limits below), and Stevens Creek Lake (except that portion on the Stevens Creek arm upstream of South Carolina Hwy 53). The agreement does not apply to any flowing portions of tributary streams to these impoundments nor to tributary streams of the Savannah, Tugaloo and Chattooga Rivers.

Licenses All persons meeting the sport fishing
requirements of Georgia or Alabama may fish from the banks and in the waters covered without having to obtain any other license.
Minimum Length Limits Largemouth bass:
Lake West Point: 14 inches Lake Walter F. George: 14 inches All other fishing laws and regulations of the State of Georgia apply in Georgia waters covered by this agreement.
Creel and Possession Limits All creel and possession limits on waters
covered by this agreement are the same as Georgia's statewide limits. Note: Anglers fishing in waters covered by reciprocal agreement may fish for and possess shoal bass for tournament weigh-in purposes in Alamaba, however the harvest of shoal bass is prohibited in Alabama.
SOUTH CAROLINA
General Notes Any person using baskets, jugs, minnow
seines, or trot lines in the waters covered must comply with the laws, rules and regulations of the state in which the baskets, jugs, minnow seines, or trot lines are fished, regardless of their residence. No person may carry to either state or possess in such state more fish than the

Licenses
All persons meeting the freshwater license requirements of Georgia or South Carolina may fish from the banks and in the waters covered without having to obtain any other license.
This agreement does not apply to commercial fishing or saltwater sport fishing.
A South Carolina saltwater fishing license is required when fishing from a boat on the SC side of the Savannah River downstream of where the CSX Railroad trestle crosses the Back River.
Length Limits
Largemouth bass caught in the Georgia portion of the waters covered by this agreement that are shorter than 12 inches in length must be released immediately.
All other laws and regulations of Georgia apply in the Georgia portion of waters covered by this agreement.
Note: Effective Oct. 1, 2005 there is now a length limit for striped bass, white bass and hybrid white-striped bass taken from some of the waters covered by this agreement.
Creel and Possession Limits
Limits for taking fish from the waters covered by this agreement are:
Largemouth bass, Spotted bass, and/or Redeye (Coosa) bass................ 10
Trout...................................................... 8
Bream (all species)............................... 30

Page 26

Turn In Poachers! 1-800-241-4113

Walleye................................................... 8
Sauger.................................................... 8
Crappie (Black and/or White)............ 30
White bass..........................................30*
Striped bass and/or
Hybrid white-striped bass..................10*
* Except: Limit taken from the Savannah River and its tributaries downstream of J. Strom Thurmond Dam is a (2) two fish limit, both of which must be 27 inches in length or longer. This applies to striped bass, white bass, and hybrid white-striped bass.
It is unlawful to possess a total of more than forty (40) of all species listed above.
FLORIDA
Waters covered
The waters and the banks of the St. Mary's River, not including its tributaries.
The waters and banks of Lake Seminole, bounded on the west by Florida State Road No. 271; on the south by the Jim Woodruff Dam; on the east by the line immediately east of the Chattahoochee Marina (also known as the Booster Club) running northwest across the reservoir to the tip of land at the junction of the Flint and Chattahoochee Rivers, west of Spring Creek; and on the north by the Herman Talmadge Bridge across the Chattahoochee River.
Licenses
Any person who has a valid fishing license and properly issued permits or licenses, or both, required by Georgia or Florida in their possession may sport fish for freshwater fish in the waters covered.
Georgia Honorary Disability License is not recognized by Florida under this agreement.
Effective July 1, 2008, the reciprocal licensing agreement between Georgia and Florida regarding sportsmen 65 years and older was terminated. Georgia Honorary Lifetime License holders are no longer able to fish in freshwater in Florida without charge, and Florida Senior citizens are no longer able to fish in freshwater in Georgia without charge.
A nonresident fishing license is required to fish, castnet, seine, crab, gig, sport bait trawl, or harvest shell fish in saltwater in Georgia.
A Florida saltwater fishing license is required to fish for or to possess saltwater fish on the Florida side of the St. Mary's River.
Creel and Possession Limits
The limit for striped bass, white bass, and hybrid white-striped bass on the St. Mary's River is two fish which must be 22 inches or longer.
For all other species in the waters covered, Georgia's statewide creel and possession limits (page 10) apply.
Wildlife Resources Division & Coastal Resources Division

agreements with bordering states

All other fishing regulations of the State of Georgia apply on the Georgia side of the St. Mary's River and the Georgia portion of Lake Seminole. Florida laws and regulations apply on the Florida side of the St. Mary's River and the Florida portion of Lake Seminole.
NORTH CAROLINA
Waters covered
Lake Chatuge and all tributary branches lying in Georgia or North Carolina which are accessible by boat from the main body of the reservoir.
Licenses
Holders of a valid Georgia or North Carolina fishing license may fish with hook and line in Lake Chatuge only from boats. Boats may not be anchored to the shore or to a pier or boat dock connecting to the shore.
Senior citizen and youth license exemptions authorized by either state are honored by both states on Lake Chatuge.
All other laws and regulations of Georgia apply to the Georgia portion of Lake Chatuge. All other laws and regulations of North Carolina apply to the North Carolina portion of Lake Chatuge.

TAGGED FISH
The Dept. of Natural Resources (DNR) periodically tags fish for research purposes. Anglers who catch tagged fish are encouraged to return the tag to DNR. In past years, some individuals have placed their own personal tags on fish which were then released. This activity has created confusion among anglers over the purpose for the tagging and the organization responsible for it. Tagging by an inexperienced person can result in the needless death of the fish. For these reasons, DNR urges anglers not to tag fish in public waters unless they are cooperating in a recognized scientific tagging program.
Visit www.gofishgeorgia.com or contact the CRD office at 912-264-7218 for more information about DNR-sponsored tagging studies.

Spud Woodward

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. 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 cavity. If released in this buoyant condition, the fish cannot descend and may float away and die. Swim bladder over-expansion can cause everted 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 escape, 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. Insert the needle only as far as needed to allow the gas to escape. Squeeze gently to help push the gas out. 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.

Swim Bladder

Everted Stomach

Underneath a Scale

Distended Intestines

Deflated Stomach
Credit: Florida Sea Grant, 1995

2009 Sport Fishing Regulations

Purchase fishing licenses at www.gofishgeorgia.com

Page 27

Picture provided by Bert Deener

CELEBRATE NATIONAL HUNTING & FISHING DAY
Saturday, September 26, 2009

The U.S. Congress and President Nixon established National Hunting & Fishing (NHF) Day 35 years ago to recognize hunters and anglers for the time and money, more than a billion dollars each year, they donate to wildlife conservation programs.
NHF Day events provide opportunities for outdoor-oriented people and urbanites alike to learn more about outdoor skills and activities.

To find out about Georgia events visit www.gofishgeorgia.com

Now Hiring!

Employment Opportunities in our Georgia stores!

In the Sportsman's Lodge, our sales team includes avid fishermen, hunters and campers who are highly knowledgeable about their respective sports and the local terrain.

Positions include:
Salaried Lodge Sales Manager Hourly Lodge Sales Leader Part-time & Full-time Hourly Associates
Why Work for DICK'S Sporting Goods?
Love for Sports Competitive Pay Excellent benefits
DICK'S Sporting Goods is on an expansion kick, with new stores and unbeatable opportunity for career advancement. If you live and breathe sports, there's no better time to join this winning team!

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Learn more at www.DicksSportingGoods.jobs EOE

Page 28

Turn In Poachers! 1-800-241-4113

PROTECTED SPECIES MAY BE ENCOUNTERED WHILE FISHING
Many rare and protected species live in or near water and may be encountered while fishing. There are 57 fish, 8 salamanders, 1 frog, 28 snails and/or mussels, 20 crayfish and 13 turtles on Georgia's protected species list. It is unlawful to capture, kill, or harm any protected species. However, any crayfish can be used for fishing bait as long as they are not collected from crayfish burrows or exported from the state of Georgia. If you accidentally capture a protected species while fishing release it unharmed immediately. For more information contact the Nongame Conservation Section at 770-918-6411 or visit www.georgiawildlife.com.
MAP TURTLE Aquatic turtle with prominent spiny keel on midline of shell. Found in large streams, rivers in Northwest and Southwest portions of state.
ALLIGATOR SNAPPING TURTLE Huge aquatic turtle that may weigh over 100 lbs. Occurs in large streams, rivers, reservoirs in the Southwest corner of the state. Jaws are powerful --keep a safe distance!
Up to 29" in length, 1120" typical
EASTERN HELLBENDER Large, harmless salamander found in clear, rocky mountain streams such as trout streams.
Wildlife Resources Division & Coastal Resources Division

guidelines for eating fish from georgia waters

The Health Benefits of Eating Fish
Sport fish caught in Georgia are generally good quality and safe to eat. Fish provide a high protein, low fat diet which is low in saturated fats. Fish may have substantial health benefits when they replace a high fat source of protein in the diet.
What are the Guidelines?
Georgia DNR samples fish from water bodies each year to test for contaminants such as PCBs, chlordane, and mercury. Many of the fish tested have few or no contaminants and are safe to eat. Waters where fish have been tested and found to be clean are listed at the bottom of this page. Fish from waters listed in the tables had some level of contaminants so you should restrict the amount of fish you eat from these waters. Recommendations are made to limit how often you eat a meal of fish from these sources to either once per week or month. A meal of fish is about 4 to 8 ounces. These guidelines are based on eating fish from a listed area for at least 30 years. That is because it would take months or years of regularly eating contaminated food to accumulate levels in your body that would affect your health.
"One meal per week" means that eating a 4- to 8-ounce serving no more than once per week should cause no significant health risks.
Special Notice for Pregnant Women,
Nursing Mothers and Children
If you are pregnant or a nursing mother, or plan to become pregnant soon, you and also

children under 6 years of age are sensitive to the effects of some contaminants. Women and children in these categories may wish to eat fish less often than recommended in the tables.
How to Reduce Your Health Risk Eat smaller fish and vary the kind of fish you eat. Contaminants build up in top predators (bass), bottom feeders (catfish), and older (larger) fish to a greater extent than panfish, such as bream and crappie. Clean and cook fish properly. Some chemicals have a tendency to concentrate in the fatty tissues of fish. By removing the fish's skin and trimming the fat, you can substantially reduce contaminants. Cook fish so fat drips away. Broil, bake, or grill fish and do not use the drippings. Deep-fat frying removes some contaminants, but discard the oil once you have cooked the fish. Pan frying removes few contaminants.
Guidelines for Georgia The following tables list the current guidelines for eating fish for lakes and rivers in Georgia. Please note: Lakes and rivers listed at the bottom of this page have been tested and the fish found to contain little or no contamination. If the lake or

"These guidelines are non-binding recommendations EPD determines based on the body of water a fish comes from, the species of fish and the amount of fish a person consumes. The purpose of these guidelines is to provide detailed information in an understandable format for people who eat fish. Waters listed in the fish consumption guidelines are not necessarily assessed as impaired using USEPA guidelines for Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act."
More details on fish contaminant testing are available in the publication "Guidelines for Eating Fish from Georgia Waters" available at: www.gaepd.org
Call for a copy or more information:
Environmental Protection Division 404-656-4713
Coastal Resources Division 912-264-7218
Wildlife Resources Division 770-918-6406
stream where you fish is listed in the following tables (on pages 2933), it is safe to eat the amount listed for a given species from that body of water. Water bodies are listed alphabetically.

Fish have been tested from the following water bodies and NO RESTRICTIONS ON CONSUMPTION ARE RECOMMENDED:

Lakes
City of Adairsville pond; Allen Creek WMA Ponds A and B; Brasstown Valley Kid Fish Pond; Bowles C. Ford Lake (Savannah); Carters; Clayton Co. Water Auth. lakes; Dodge Co. PFA; Fort Yargo State Park; Hard Labor Cr. State Park (Rutledge); High Falls Lake; Juliette; Mayer; McDuffie PFA (East); Nancy Town Lake; Lake Oconee; Olmstead; Paradise PFA (Patrick and Horseshoe 4); Payton Park Pond; (Valdosta); Rocky Mountain PFA Lakes Antioch (East and West) and Heath; Seed; Shepherd and Margery (CEWC); Sinclair; and Walter F. George.

Rivers and Creeks
Alcovy River; Boen Creek (Rabun Co.); Brasstown Creek (Towns Co.); Broad River; Buffalo Creek (Carroll Co.); Butternut Creek (Union Co.); Cane Creek (Lumpkin Co.); Chattahoochee River (Chattahoochee, Early and Stewart Cos.); Chattanooga Creek; Chattooga River (NW Ga.); Chickasawhatchee Creek; Coleman River; Conasauga River in Cohutta Forest; Dukes Creek; Daniels Creek (Cloudland Canyon State Park); East/South Chickamauga Creek; Goldmine Branch; Jacks River; Jones Creek; Little Dry Creek (Floyd Co.); Little Tallapoosa River; Little Tennessee River; Mill Creek (Whitfield Co.); Moccasin Creek (Lake Burton Trout Hatchery); Mud Creek (Cobb Co.); Nickajack Creek;

Noonday Creek (Cobb Co.); Ocmulgee River (Butts, Monroe, Houston and Pulaski Cos.); Oconee River (below Barnett Shoals to Lake Oconee, Laurens Co. and Milledgeville to Dublin); North and Middle Oconee Rivers; Ogeechee River (Ft. McAllister); Olley Creek; Ponder Branch (Walker Co.); Proctor Creek (Cobb Co.); Slab Camp Creek (Oconee Co.); South River (Hwy. 36, Butts Co.); Spirit Creek; Stamp Creek (Pine Log WMA); Stekoa Creek; Yahoola Creek; Yellow River; Sewell Mill Creek (Cobb Co); Tallulah River; Upatoi Creek; Tributary to Cedar Creek (Hart County WMA); Headwaters of Chestatee River (Turner's Corner); and Hayner's Creek (Savannah).

2009 Sport Fishing Regulations

Purchase fishing licenses at www.gofishgeorgia.com

Page 29

guidelines for limiting the fish you eat from rivers & creeks

Bass, Largemouth Bass, Other Bass, Shoal Bass, Spotted Bass, Striped Bass, White Bluegill Bowfin Buffalo Bullhead Carp Catfish, Blue Catfish, Channel Catfish, Flathead Catfish, White Mullet, Striped Pickerel, Chain Redbreast Redhorse Redear Sucker Sunfish, Other

NO RESTRICTIONS ONE MEAL PER WEEK ONE MEAL PER MONTH
DO NOT EAT NO DATA

Alapaha River

Alapahoochee River

Allatoona Creek (Cobb Co.)

Altamaha River

Altamaha River (below US Route 25)

Apalachee River

Beaver Creek (Taylor Co.)

Brier Creek (Burke Co.)

Canoochee River

Casey Canal

Chattooga River (NE Ga., Rabun Co.)

Chattooga River (Helen to Lk. Lanier)

Chatahoochee River (Buford Dam to Morgan Falls Dam)

Chatahoochee River (Morgan Falls Dam to Peachtree Crk.)

Chatahoochee River (Peachtree Crk. to Pea Crk.)

Chatahoochee River (Pea Crk. to West Point Lk., below Franklin)

Chatahoochee River (Morgan Falls Dam to West Pt. Lk.)

*

Chatahoochee River (Oliver Dam to Upatoi Crk.)

Chatahoochee River (West Point dam to I-85)

Chestatee River (below Tesnatee Riv.)

Chickamauga Creek (West)

Cohulla Creek (Whitfield Co.)

Conasauga River (below Stateline)

Coosa River (Rome to Hwy 100, Floyd Co.)

Coosa River (Hwy 100 to Stateline, Floyd Co.)

RIVERS and CREEKS

Coosa River (Zero River Mile to Stateline)

Coosa River (Coosa, Etowah below

<20"

Thompson-Weinman dam, Oostanaula)

20"

Coosawattee River (below Carters)

Etowah River (Dawson Co.)

Etowah River (above Lake Allatoona)

Etowah River (below Lake Allatoona dam)

Flint River (Spalding/Fayette Cos.)

Flint River (Meriwether/Upson/Pike Cos.)

Flint River (Taylor Co.)

Flint River (Macow/Dooly/Worth/Lee Cos.)

Flint River (Doughterty/Baker Mitchell Cos.)

Gum Creek (Crisp Co.)

Holly Creek (Murray Co.)

Ichawaynochaway Creek

Page 30

Turn In Poachers! 1-800-241-4113

<18" 1832" >32"
Wildlife Resources Division & Coastal Resources Division

Bass, Largemouth Bass, Other Bass, Shoal Bass, Spotted Bass, Striped Bass, White Bluegill Bowfin Buffalo Bullhead Carp Catfish, Blue Catfish, Channel Catfish, Flathead Catfish, White Mullet, Striped Pickerel, Chain Redbreast Redhorse Redear Sucker Sunfish, Other

RIVERS and CREEKS (continued)

NO RESTRICTIONS ONE MEAL PER WEEK ONE MEAL PER MONTH
DO NOT EAT NO DATA

Kinchafoonee Creek (above Albany)

Little River (above Clarks Hill Lake)

Little River (above Ga. Hwy 133, Valdosta)

Mill Creek (Murray Co.)

Muckalee Creek (above Albany)

Ochlockonee River (near Thomasville)

Ocmulgee River (below Macon, Bibb Co.)

Ocmulgee River (Telfair/Wheeler Cos.)

Oconee River (above Barnett Shoals)

Ogeechee River (all to Ft. McAllister)

Ohoopee River (Emanuel/Toombs Cos.)

Okefenokee Swamp (Billy's Lake)

Oostanaula River (Hwy. 156, Calhoun)

Oostanaula River (Hwy 140 to Coosa Riv.)

Patsiliga Creek (Taylor Co.)

Pipemaker Canal

Satilla River (Waycross, Ware/Pierce Cos.)
Satilla River (near Folkston, Camden Co.)
Savannah River (above & below New Sav. Bluff Lock & Dam)

<30" >30" **

Savannah River (Chatham/Screven Cos.)

Savannah River (Effingham Co.)

Savannah River (Tidal Gate)

Savannah River (New Savannah Bluff Lock & Dam to Savannah Estuary)

27" **

Short Creek (Warren Co.)

South River (Panola Shoals, Rockdale Co.)

South River (Henry Co., Snapping Shoals)

Spring Creek (Seminole/Decatur/Miller Cos.)

St. Mary's River (Camden Co.)

St. Mary's River (Charlton Co.)

Sugar Creek (Murray Co.)

Sumac Creek (Murray Co.)

Suwannee River

Swamp Creek (Redwine Cove Road)

Talking Rock Creek

Tallapoosa River

Trib. To Hudson River (Alto, Banks Co.)

Withlacoochee River (Berrien/Lowndes Cos.)

* This striped bass population migrates annually between West Point Lake and Morgan Falls Dam.
**Women who are pregnant or nursing and young children may wish to further restrict their consumption due to the variable mercury levels in these fish.

2009 Sport Fishing Regulations

Purchase fishing licenses at www.gofishgeorgia.com

Page 31

Bass, Hybrid Bass, Large Mouth Bass, Spotted Bass, Striped Bass, Other Bluegill Carp Crappie Catfish, Blue Catfish, Channel Catfish, Flathead Catfish, Other Suckers Sunfish, Redear Walleye

guidelines for limiting the fish you eat from lakes

LAKES

NO RESTRICTIONS ONE MEAL PER WEEK ONE MEAL PER MONTH
DO NOT EAT NO DATA
Albany By-Pass Pond Acworth Allatoona Andrews Banks Bartlett's Ferry Bear Cr. Reservoir Bennett CEWC PFA Black Shoals (Randy Poynter) Blackshear Big Lazer PFA Blue Ridge Burton Pond N. Bush Field (Augusta) Chatuge Clarks Hill Evans County PFA
Goat Rock
Hamburg
Hartwell (Tugaloo Arm)
Hartwell (main body of lake) Hugh M. Gillis PFA Jackson Ken Gardens Kolomoki Mounds S.P. Kolomoki L. Kolomoki Mounds S.P. Yohola L. Lanier Little Ocmulgee S. P. McDuffie PFA, West Nottely Oliver Rabun Reed Bingham S.P. Richard B. Russell Seminole
So. Slappy Blvd. Off-ramp (Albany)
Stone Mountain Tobesofkee Tugalo Tribble Mill Pk. Pond (Gwinnett Co.) Varner West Point Worth (Chehaw Reservoir) Worth (Flint Reservoir) Yonah
Page 32

>16"

>16" >16" >16"

>12"

>12"

>16" >16" >12" >16"

<16"

>12"

12-16"

>12"

>16"

12-16"

12-16"

>16" 12-16"

12-16"

12-16"

>16"

>16" <12"
>16" >12"
12-16" 12-16" >16" >16" >16"

12-16" >16"

12-16"

>12" >12" >12"
>16" >16"

>12"

>16"

>12"

>16"

>12"

>12"

>12" 12-16" >16" >16"

>12"

>12"

12-16"

>12"

>16"

12-16"

>12"

12-16"

Turn In Poachers! 1-800-241-4113

>12"
>16" >16"

>12"
>12" >12"
>16" >16"

12-16" >16"

>16"

>16"

>16" 12-16"
>16" >16" >16"
>16"
>16" >16"
12-16" Wildlife Resources Division & Coastal Resources Division

COASTAL RIVERS and CREEKS Altantic Croaker Bass, Striped Bivalves* Blue Crab Drum, Black Drum, Red Flounder Sheepshead Southern Kingfish (Whiting) Spot Spotted Seatrout Striped Mullet Shrimp Shrimp, White Yellowtail (Silver Perch)

guidelines for limiting the fish you eat from coastal rivers & creeks

NO RESTRICTIONS ONE MEAL PER WEEK ONE MEAL PER MONTH
DO NOT EAT NO DATA

Turtle River System (Purvis, Gibson Crks.), See page 49

Turtle & Buffalo Rivers (upriver Hwy 303)

Turtle River (Hwy 303 to Channel Marker 9)

Turtle River (C. Marker 9 & So. Brunswick River to Dubignons & Parsons Creeks)

Terry Creek (South of Torras Causeway to Lanier Basin)

Terry & Dupree Creeks (North of Torras Causeway to Confluence w/ Back River)

Back River (1 mi. above Terry Creek to Confluence with Torras Causeway)

Back River (South of Torras Cswy. to St. Simons Sound)

Floyd Creek

Academy Creek

Altamaha Estuary

Hayner's Creek (Savannah)

North Newport (Upper), incl. Cay/Peacock

Savannah Estuary

27"

* Bivalves are all clams, mussels and oysters; Shellfish ban under National Shellfish Sanitation Program.

KING MACKEREL SPECIAL JOINT STATE CONSUMPTION GUIDANCE ISSUED BY GEORGIA, NORTH CAROLINA, SOUTH CAROLINA AND FLORIDA FOR SOUTH ATLANTIC OCEAN

SIZE RANGE (Fork Length, Inches)

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MEAL CONSUMPTION OF KING MACKEREL CAUGHT OFFSHORE GEORGIA COAST

24 to less than 33 inches

No Restrictions

33 to 39 inches

1 meal per month for pregnant women, nursing mothers and children age 12 and younger 1 meal per week for other adults

Over 39 inches

Do Not Eat

TURN IN POACHERS (TIP) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
TIP Hotline:
1-800-241-4113 or *DNR (cellular for AT&T customers)
Via E-mail:
Turninpoachers@dnr.state.ga.us
A poacher is a thief who steals fish and wildlife that belongs to all Georgians. Poachers rob you of recreational opportunities that you pay for through license fees. You can be paid for turning in a poacher! If your tip leads to an arrest, you will receive reward money-- even if you wish to remain anonymous. If you see or learn of a violation, try to write down: a description of the violator and their vehicle, the location, and type of violation.
Turn In Poachers, Inc. (TIP) is a non-profit Georgia conservation organization whose mission is to protect wildlife by increasing public support for wildlife law enforcement. Contributions to the TIP reward program are greatly needed and appreciated. Donations (made payable to TIP) are tax deductible and can be sent to:
Turn In Poachers, Inc., 3423 Piedmont Road, N.E., Suite 110, Atlanta, GA 30305

2009 Sport Fishing Regulations

Purchase fishing licenses at www.gofishgeorgia.com

Reporting Violations
TO REPORT VIOLATIONS DNR Law Enforcement in
Brunswick 912-264-7237 Toll-Free 24-hour Hot Line
800-241-4113
TO REPORT VIOLATIONS IN FEDERAL WATERS U.S. Coast Guard stations in
Brunswick 912-267-7999 and Tybee Island 912-786-5440 NOAA's toll-free, 24-hour Fisheries Enforcement hotline 800-853-1964 DNR LE 800-241-4113
Page 33

georgia recreational saltwater fishing

Fishing Licenses: See page 6 for information on license requirements.
Licenses are required for hook and line fishing, castnetting, seining, crabbing, gigging, sport bait trawling, and harvesting shellfish.
A Georgia Fishing license is required for anglers returning to Georgia ports or transiting Georgia waters with recreational catches from federal waters beyond the state's 3-mile territorial sea.
Reciprocal agreements with Alabama, South Carolina, and Florida currently do not apply to saltwaters.

Georgia saltwater fishing guides have the option of purchasing a blanket fishing license to cover their customers. Anglers booking a trip with a Georgia saltwater fishing guide should inquire if they will need a Georgia fishing license or whether they will be covered by the guide's license. Persons interested in purchasing a Saltwater Guides License should call the DNR Coastal Regional License Office at 912-264-7237.

Saltwater Fishing Information
Georgia Saltwater
Fishing Regulations
For information and updates on licenses, regulations, and fishing in Georgia's inshore and offshore saltwaters contact:
Georgia DNR Coastal Law Enforcement One Conservation Way, Suite 201 Brunswick, GA 31520-8687 912-264-7237 or fax 912-262-3166
Coastal Resources Division Marine Fisheries Section One Conservation Way, Suite 300 Brunswick, GA 31520-8687 912-264-7218 or fax 912-262-2318 www.CoastalGADNR.org
Federal Saltwater
Fishing Regulations
For information and updates on recreational fishing regulations in federal waters (3200 miles offshore), contact:
South Atlantic Fishery Management Council 4055 Faber Place Dr., Suite 201 Charleston, SC 29405 843-571-4366 or 866-SAMFC-10 www.safmc.net
For information and updates on federal regulations and required permitting for tunas, billfish, and sharks, contact:
National Marine Fisheries Service HMS Management Division 1315 East-West Hwy Silver Spring, MD 20910 301-713-2347 www.nmfspermits.com
For information on the Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary contact:
Gray's Reef Sanctuary Program 10 Ocean Science Circle Savannah, GA 31411 912-598-2345 www.graysreef.nos.noaa.gov
Wanton Waste
Sort or cull your catch on the water. Return undersized or unwanted wildlife to the water alive. When you throw away wildlife, you are not only wasting valuable resources, but you are also breaking the law!

Artificial Reefs
Georgia maintains 15 inshore and 22 offshore artificial reefs located from inside the estuary to 80 miles offshore. Most are designated as Special Management Zones (SMZ) by the Federal Government. Within SMZs, only handheld hook-andline and spear fishing gear may be used. For more information, coordinates and updates go the www.CoastalGADNR.org.
Boating Safety Zones
Boating safety zones have been established off Jekyll, Tybee, St. Simons, and Sea islands. These zones extend from the northernmost point to the southernmost point of each of these islands and from the highwater mark to a distance 1,000 feet seaward. From May 1 through September 30, power boats, jet skis, and other motorized craft are prohibited in these zones.
SALTWATER FINFISH
Landing Requirements/
Transfer Prohibition
All saltwater finfish (including sharks) under state or federal regulation must be landed with head and fins intact. Anglers must make catches available for inspection by government officials. Saltwater finfish subject to size and bag limits cannot be transferred to another person or vessel on the water. Commercial licenses are required to sell recreationally caught finfish.
Gear
A seine may not be used as a gill net (a net constructed of single webbing attached to a float line and lead line and fished in a stationary manner to ensnare or entangle fish in the meshes). Only flounder may be taken with a gig (any handheld shaft with single or multiple points, barbed or barbless). All seasons, hours, creel limits, minimum size limits, and other regulations applicable to saltwater finfish apply regardless of the gear used.
Related Definitions
Minimum Size: the specific size in length below which it is unlawful to take that finfish species.
Open Season: that specified period of time during which one may take certain finfish species from any waters of the state.

Page 34

Turn In Poachers! 1-800-241-4113

Daily Creel Limit: the lawful amount of a species of finfish that a person may take in one day. Possession Limit: the lawful amount of a species of finfish that a person can legally have at any one time.
saltwater demarcation line
This line is established in this state as the separation point between saltwaters and freshwaters for commercial fishing and sport fishing. The saltwater demarcation line is defined below: The point at which U.S. Highway 17
crosses the following bodies of water and their tributaries shall be the line of demarcation for them: St. Mary's River, Satilla River, South Altamaha River, Champney River, Butler River, Darien River, Little Ogeechee System (except Salt Creek), North Newport River, Medway River, Big Ogeechee River, and the point at which Georgia Highway 25/ South Carolina 170 crosses the Savannah River and its tributaries. All water seaward of these points shall be considered saltwater. The following streams and their tributaries are designated as salt water for their entire length: Crooked River, Little Satilla River, South Brunswick River, Turtle River, Sapelo River, South Newport River, Salt Creek (Little Ogeechee System), and all other rivers, streams, and tributaries in the six coastal counties which are not enumerated in this subsection. For purposes of crabbing, that portion of the St. Mary's River and the Satilla River System (including the Satilla River and White Oak Creek) which is seaward of the points at which the Seaboard Coastline Railroad crosses such streams and that portion of the Altamaha River System which is seaward of the points at which U.S. Highway I-95 crosses the streams of that system shall be considered salt water. It shall be unlawful to place any crab trap in the waters of this state other than that described as salt water in Code Section 27-4-1 or by this subsection.
Wildlife Resources Division & Coastal Resources Division

saltwater finfish: seasons, limits, sizes

All limits per person unless specified. FL = fork length, TL = total length

SPECIES

OPEN SEASON

DAILY LIMIT and POSSESSION LIMIT MINIMUM SIZE (inches)

Billfish (Blue marlin, White marlin, Sailfish) Tarpon (no sale)
Amberjack (no sale 4/14/30) Cobia

3/1611/30 3/1612/31 3/1611/30

Catch and Release Only 1 1 2

68 FL 28 FL 33 FL

Dolphin

All year

10 (Not to exceed 60 per boat, except for headboats which are allowed
10 per paying customer.

20 FL

King mackerel Spanish mackerel
Sheepshead Atlantic sturgeon
Bluefish Black sea bass

All year 3/1611/30
All year
3/1611/30 All year

3 15 15 No Harvest 15 15

24 FL 12 FL 10 FL
12 FL 12 TL

Gag grouper

(no sale 3/14/30; Changes pending in 2009)

All year

2

24 TL

Red drum (Channel bass, Spottail bass, Redfish)

All year

5

14 TL (23 TL maximum))

Black drum

All year

15

10 TL

Weakfish

All year

6

13 TL

Flounder

All year

15

12 TL

Whiting

All year

No Creel or Possession Limit

10 TL

Spot

All year

25

8 TL

Atlantic croaker

All year

25

8 TL

Tripletail

All year

2

18 TL

Red snapper

All year

2

20 TL

Spotted seatrout

All year

15

13 TL

Striped bass (See Savannah River information on page 10.)

All year

2

22 TL

Red Porgy (no sale 1/14/30)

All year

3

14 TL

The following shark regulation changes are expected to take effect March 1, 2009. Contact the Coastal Resources Division at 912-264-7218 or www.CoastalGADNR.org for more information. See page 37 for help with shark identification.

Small shark composite (SSC) (Atlantic sharpnose, Bonnethead, Spiny dogfish)

All Year

1

30 FL

Sharks (all sharks other than the SSC and Prohibited Sharks)

All Year

1 per angler or boat, whichever is less

54 FL

Prohibited Sharks (NO HARVEST)

Sand tiger, Sandbar, Silky, Bigeye sand tiger, Whale, Basking, White, Dusky, Bignose, Galapagos, Night, Reef, Narrowtooth, Caribbean sharpnose, Smalltail, Atlantic angel, Longfin mako, Bigeye thresher, Sharpnose sevengill, Bluntnose sixgill, and Bigeye sixgill

Sea Turtles and Marine Mammals
It is unlawful to harm, harass, or disturb any sea turtle adult, hatchling, eggs, nest, carcass, or skeletal remains under both State and Federal law. It is also unlawful to offer for sale, sell, or possess any sea turtle, or sea turtle parts. If any accidental capture occurs, release immediately either by direct release or by cutting any hook and line as close to the turtle as possible. Report any dead or injured sea turtles to the Georgia DNR Nongame Conservation Section, Endangered Wildlife Program 1-800-2-SAVE-ME.
It is unlawful for any person to display, feed, net, trap, harpoon, molest or otherwise interfere with the wellbeing or normal activity of marine mammals including bottle-nose and spotted dolphin, manatee, and any species of whale. Report sightings of dead or injured marine mammals to 1-800-2-SAVE-ME.

2009 Sport Fishing Regulations

Purchase fishing licenses at www.gofishgeorgia.com

Page 35

saltwater fish
Atlantic Croaker

Dorsal fin spotted

Tiny barbels

Notch

Brownish spot on the shoulder
Spot

Black Seabass

Short white tabs on tail

Southern Kingfish Whiting
Barbels

Black Drum (Young)
Loses vertical bars with age

Sheepshead
Keeps vertical bars throughout life

Distinctly forked tail fin
78 diagonal dusky bands

Barbels Flounders
Summer

2 Spines Five eye-like spots

No barbells
Large flat incisor teeth

3 Spines Dark spot or spots

Southern

Red Drum

Weakfish (Summer Trout)

No spots on fins

Indistinct dark freckles on upper body

Spotted Seatrout

Spots on fins

Distinct dark spots on upper body

Page 36

Turn In Poachers! 1-800-241-4113

Wildlife Resources Division & Coastal Resources Division

Lacks black patch

Dull gold spots in young fish

King Mackerel Up to 60 lbs.

Lateral line drops sharply

saltwater fish
Bright gold spots

Spanish Mackerel Averages 24 lbs.

Gradually sloping lateral line

small shark composite
Scattered white spots on the body

Spine

Spine

Spiny Dogfish

White spots

Offshore in winter

No anal fin

Evenly rounded edge with no indentations

Atlantic Sharpnose

White on rear edge

Second dorsal fin begins above middle of anal fin

Bonnethead Shovel or bonnet-shaped head

BLACKTIP Color dark to
bluish-grey with a Z-shaped pattern
Pointed snout

White anal fin

Sharp, pointed irregular teeth

Sand Tiger Harvest prohibited

shark anatomy (view from above)
Pectoral fins

First dorsal fin Second dorsal fin

Interdorsal ridge: raised line on the dorsal (top) midline between the two dorsal fins of some sharks.
Fish identification pictures by: Duane Raver

Snout shorter than width of mouth
SANDBAR Harvest prohibited Color brownish-grey
above white below
Similar in size

Interdorsal ridge

SHARKS FOUND IN GEORGIA WATERS THAT CAN BE HARVESTED (not including small shark composite above)

Blacknose

Blacktip

Bull

Finetooth

Lemon

Nurse

Scalloped Hammerhead

Smooth Hammerhead

Thresher

Tiger (has interdorsal ridge)

Most all sharks with an interdorsal ridge caught in Georgia waters will be included in the "prohibited" or "no harvest" categories. If you are not sure of the species and whether you may keep it, release it.

See the complete Seasons, Limits, Sizes list on page 35.

georgia's saltwater gamefish records

SPECIES

WEIGHT

ANGLER

LOCATION

DATE

Amberjack

92 lbs. 1 oz.

Ben W. Key, Jr.

"J" Reef

Barracuda

54 lbs. 8 oz.

Wayne Hall

Tower R2

Black Sea Bass

5 lbs. 11 oz.

J.C. Hadden, Jr..

Tower R2

Bluefish

17 lbs. 12 oz.

Gary Q. Altman

"G" REEF

Cobia

88 lbs. 12 oz.

Jeffery Clark

Buoy "A" Ese Tybee Is.

Croaker

5 lbs 12 oz.

David Flynt

Lanier Bridge

Dolphin

67 lbs. 6 oz.

Michael Sheppard

Tower R8

Drum, Black

86 lbs. 8 oz.

Timothy Blecher

Cumberland Sound

Drum, Red

47 lbs. 7 oz.

Richard Price

"KC" Reef

Flounder

15 lbs. 10 oz.

Janice Youmans

Jekyll Pier

Grouper, Gag

38 lbs. 0 oz.

David Sapp

Tower R2

Grouper, Goliath**

124 lbs. 0 oz.

James Chumley

Savannah Snapper Banks

Grouper, Scamp

26 lbs. 0 oz.

Wayne Hall

50 miles E. of Sapelo

Grouper, Warsaw

252 lbs. 0 oz.

Gene Whitehurst

62 miles off Savannah

Jack, Crevalle

38 lbs. 8 oz.

Lex Bazemore

Off Little Tybee Island

Kingfish (Whiting)

2 lbs. 12 oz.

Harold D. Guinn

Mackay River

Ladyfish

5 lbs. 0 oz.

Marjorie Nighbert

Off Cumberland Island

Mackerel, King

75 lbs. 12 oz.

Joe H. Bell.

Grays Reef

Mackerel, Spanish

8 lbs. 4 oz.

Jamie I. Geiger

5 miles east of Bouy "YS"

Marlin, Blue**

491 lbs. 8 oz.

Jon C. Howard, Jr.

Gulfstream off Brunswick

Marlin, White**

49 lbs. 12 oz.

Thomas Hester

Gulfstream off St. Catherines

Mullet, Striped

9 lbs. 3 oz.

Steve Middleton

General's Cut Darien Rvier

Pompano, Florida

5 lbs. 4 oz.

Bill Knight

2 miles east of Sapelo Sound

Porgies

15 lbs. 14 oz.

Louis F. Jiran

Savannah Snapper Banks

Porgy, Red

5 lbs. 6 oz.

Jimmy Ginn

Triple Ledges

Runner, Rainbow

17 lbs. 12 oz.

Tyler Bond

Savannah Snapper Banks

Sailfish**

65 lbs. 0 oz.

Vann Downs

NOAA Bouy Gulfstream

Shark, Blacktip*

148 lbs. 0 oz.

Allison Gerber

Savannah River Channel

Shark, Bull

455 lbs. 0 oz.

Mark D. Noble

Buoy "STS"

Shark, Dusky

272 lbs. 8 oz.

Bill Hunter

Buoy "STS"

Shark, Hammerhead

770 lbs. 0 oz.

Charlie Marshall

St. Andrew Sound

Shark, Lemon

375 lbs. 0 oz.

Thomas Winslow

St. Andrew Sound

Shark, Mako

228 lbs. 8 oz.

Harry Wooley

Off Savannah

Shark, Nurse

244 lbs. 0 oz.

Bill Watson

Sapelo Channel

Shark, Sandbar

158 lbs. 8 oz.

Chet Lee Kirby

Jekyll Island Pier

Shark, Sand Tiger**

290 lbs. 0 oz.

Billy Castle

Ossabaw Island

Shark, Thresher

116 lbs. 0 oz.

Mark D. Noble

"C" Reef

Shark, Tiger

794 lbs. 0 oz.

Chuck Hall

Buoy "STS"

Sheepshead

14 lbs. 14 oz.

Ralph V. White

Delegal Creek

Snapper, Red

37 lbs. 8 oz.

Bill Shearin, Jr.

Savannah Snapper Banks

Snook

10 lbs. 6 oz.

Marlene Patton

Salt Pond, Wassaw Sound

SpadeFish

13 lbs. 2 oz.

Shahram Zare

"KC" Reef

Spotted Seatrout

9 lbs. 7 oz.

Tommy Hall

Christmas Creek

Swordfish

86 lbs. 0 oz.

W.H. Lippit

Gulfstream East of Savannah

Tarpon

161 lbs. 0 oz.

C. Edwards

Buttermilk Sound

Triggerfish, Gray

11 lbs. 5 oz.

Elizabeth Zeagler

Savannah Snapper Banks

Tripletail

38 lbs. 14 oz.

Kyle Thigpen

Hampton River

Tuna, Blackfin

38 lbs. 10 oz.

Teddy Elrod

South Ledges

Tuna, Yellowfin

249 lbs. 2 oz.

Ken Cooper

Tower R "2W"

Tunny, Little

19 lbs. 3 oz.

Jerry Duncan, Jr.

East of St. Cahterines

Wahoo

123 lbs. 3 oz.

Michael Stefanick

West of Triple Ledges

Weakfish

6 lbs. 8 oz.

Frank Taylor

Troupe Creek

For more information on Saltwater records, go to coastal Resources Division at 912-264-7218 ** Current regulations require the immediate release of these fish and therefore are not eligible for state records * RED indicates new record!

June 1975 June 1999 April 1994 April 1980 May 1985 March 1977 May 1997 April 1998 Nov 1986 Nov 1990 July 2002 April 1976 Nov 1995 Feb 1981 Aug 2001 Feb 1975 Aug 1978 June 2004 May 1991 June 1985 June 1986 Dec 1994 Aug 2002 Dec 1988 May 1980 Oct 1984 June 1981 June 2008 July 1978 Oct 1978 Aug 1973 July 1974 May 1975 Aug 1981 April 1979 May 1977 March 1976 Sept 1975 March 2002 Sept 1988 Oct 2008 July 2004 July 1976 May 1980 July 1995 Nov 1987 June 2005 May 2005 May 1980 June 1997 June 2000 March 1976

Page 38

Turn In Poachers! 1-800-241-4113

Wildlife Resources Division & Coastal Resources Division

shrimp and crabs

A Georgia Fishing license is required to recreationally fish for any seafood, whether for personal consumption or bait. The sale of recreationally harvested seafood or bait is prohibited.
SHRIMP
"Baiting" Shrimp It is unlawful to place, deposit, distribute, or scatter any bait of any kind in, on, or over any waters so as to lure, attract, or entice shrimp toward the bait or to cause shrimp to congregate in the area where bait is placed. It is illegal to knowingly fish for shrimp in baited waters.
Food Shrimping Season The season for the recreational harvest of food shrimp is the same as that established for commercial shrimping. The Commissioner of DNR may open the season from May 15 through the end of February; however, it is generally opened mid-June through mid-January. The opening and closing of the food shrimping season is announced via coastal media outlets, posted at marinas, and at www.CoastalGADNR.org (click on Coastal Resources.)
SPORT BAIT SHRIMPING
WITh POWER-DRAWN NETS Gear: Power-drawn nets 10 feet or smaller may be used in saltwaters to harvest shrimp for bait. Information on the specific net dimensions is available from DNR offices in Brunswick and Demeries Creek (Richmond Hill).
Bait Zones: A 10-foot sport bait trawl may be used to take shrimp only in rivers and creeks or portions thereof that have been opened to bait shrimping by DNR. Charts of established "Bait Zones" are also available at DNR offices in Brunswick and Demeries Creek.
Seasons and Hours: Unless otherwise designated, bait zones are open year-round for sport bait shrimping. Sport bait shrimping is legal only between the hours of hour before official sunrise to hour after official sunset.
Harvest Limit: A sport bait shrimper may not possess at any time more than two (2) quarts of shrimp, no more than pint of which may be dead, and may not take more than four (4) quarts of shrimp within a 24-hour period. When two or more persons occupy the same boat, there may be no more than four (4) quarts of shrimp on board the boat at any time; no more than one pint of which may be dead, and no more than eight (8) quarts of shrimp may be taken within a 24-hour period.
SEINING FOR SHRIMP Gear and Areas: Seines equal to or smaller than 12 feet long, with a maximum depth of four feet, and a maximum stretch mesh of one (1) inch may be used throughout the
2009 Sport Fishing Regulations

year and throughout Georgia's saltwaters. Seines up to 100 feet long and with a minimum stretch mesh of 1 inch may be used on sand beaches of any barrier island in Georgia. Seines from 100 to 300 feet long and with a minimum mesh size of 2 inches may be used only on the oceanfront sides of beaches. The use of seines over 12 feet long in any inlet or tidal slough is prohibited. Seines over 300 feet long are also prohibited. It is unlawful to use any seine in saltwaters such that it blocks more than of the entrance of any tidal river, creek, slough, or inlet to the ocean.
Hours: During the open season, seines may be used at any time of day.
Harvest Limits: No one person taking shrimp solely by means of a seine, whether such person is acting alone or in a group of persons, may possess more than 24 quarts of shrimp with heads on or 15 quarts of tails taken by such seine in any 24-hour period. If any person or group of persons occupying the same boat is in possession of a cast net and a seine, such person or persons shall be subject to the limits imposed for shrimp taken by cast net.
CAST NETTING FOR SHRIMP
It is unlawful for any person to sell or otherwise dispose of, for human consumption, any shrimp taken as bait.
Gear: Georgia law defines a cast net as a cone shaped net with a weighted circumference thrown and retrieved by hand without mechanical assistance. Two types of cast nets are further defined: a "Bait shrimp cast net" having a minimum bar mesh of / inch and a "Food shrimp cast net" having a minimum bmaersmh wesihlloinf creainsechto(th/eimncihniomnuMmabrcahr 1, 2009.) Bait shrimp cast nets cannot be used to take shrimp for personal consump-tion; however, food shrimp cast nets may be used to take bait. There are no restrictions on the length of a bait or food shrimp cast net. Bait and food shrimp cast nets can be modified with the addition of duct tape or other materials to enhance performance.
FOOD SHRIMP
Hours and Areas: During the open season, cast netting for personal consumption may be conducted at any time of day in all the state's saltwaters.
Harvest Limits: No person taking shrimp for personal consumption with a cast net may possess more than 48 quarts of heads-on shrimp or 30 quarts of shrimp tails in any day. When one or more persons occupy the same boat, there may be no more than 48 quarts of heads-on shrimp or 30 quarts of shrimp tails on board at any time. No vessel owner shall allow the vessel to be used to take more than the allowable catch limits in any day.
BAIT SHRIMP
Season, Hours and Areas: There is no

closed season for cast netting for bait. Cast netting for bait may be conducted at any time of day in all of Georgia's saltwaters.
Harvest Limits: Recreational cast netters collecting bait shrimp are limited to two quarts per person at any time, provided that person may take a maximum of four quarts of bait shrimp per day. When two or more persons occupy the same boat, there may be no more than four quarts of bait on board the boat at any time, and the persons occupying the boat may take no more than eight quarts of bait shrimp per day. Bait shrimp taken with a cast net may be live or dead.
CRABS
Areas, Seasons, Hours
Unless otherwise designated, the saltwaters of Georgia are open year-round for recreational crabbing at any time of the day.
Gear
Traps: Up to six standard size crab traps (2 x 2 feet or smaller) may be used recreationally. Two unobstructed escapement rings (2/ inch inside diameter) must be installed on an outside vertical wall. Each trap must be marked with a fluorescent green or lime green float bearing the owner's name and address in one-inch letters. Traps should be sufficiently weighted to prevent loss in strong tidal currents. It is unlawful to place or set crab traps in the channel of any stream with a lawfully established system of waterway markers. Disposal of crab traps in public waters is a violation of State and Federal laws.
Other Gear: Subject to other restrictions outlined in these regulations, legal crabs may be taken with other legal fishing gear such as seines, cast nets, hand-lines, and lift rings.
Size and Harvest Limits
It is unlawful to take or possess any crab less than 5 inches from spike to spike across the back (other than a "peeler" or a "mature adult female" crab). Peelers must measure at least 3 inches from spike to spike across the back. No sponge (eggbearing) crabs are allowed. Recreational crabbers may take no more than one bushel of crabs during any 24-hour period. No more than two bushels may be taken recreationally or possessed during a 24hour period on a boat with more than one person aboard.
Terrapins in Crab Traps: Recent studies have investigated the effectiveness of excluder devices for preventing the capture of diamond-back terrapins in commercial-style crab traps. Terrapins that enter crab traps cannot escape and often drown. Experimental excluder devices are available for any recreational crabber interested in installing them in their traps. Go to www.gadnr.org and click on Coastal Resources to find out where to pick them up.

Purchase fishing licenses at www.gofishgeorgia.com

Page 39

shellfish and bait minnows
SHELLFISH
Season and Hours
Saltwaters may be opened for taking shellfish between January 1 and December 31. Prior to harveseting any shellfish, check with the DNR-Coastal Resources Division (www.CoastalGADNR.org) for any seasonal closures that may be in effect during the calendar year) Shellfish must be harvested between the hours of hour before official sunrise and hour after official sunset.
Gear
Shellfish may only be taken with handheld implements.
Areas
Updated charts of approved public picking areas for shellfish should be obtained from Coastal Resources Division's Ecological Services Section or at www.CoastalGADNR.org (click on Coastal Resources). It is illegal to recreationally harvest shellfish except in designated public picking areas, unless authorized in writing by a private property owner with legal harvest rights to an area. Private property owners wishing to harvest recreational quantities of shellfish or to issue permission to others must notify and provide DNR with specific information. It is unlawful to give permission to take shellfish from a closed area. Harvesters taking shellfish from private property must have on their person proof of ownership or permission.
Size and Harvest Limits Oysters must measure no less than three inches from hinge to mouth, unless the oyster cannot be removed from a legal-sized oyster without destroying it. For clams, the maximum depth from one shell half to the other must be at least inch thick. Recreational quantity limits are up to two bushels of oysters and one bushel of clams per person per day, with a maximum limit of six bushels of oysters and one bushel of clams per boat per day.
BAIT MINNOWS
Season, Hours and Areas Bait minnows may be harvested year-round. Bait minnows may not be trapped in freshwater.
Gear No more than two traps may be used recreationally, except that a licensed saltwater fishing guide may use a maximum of four traps. Maximum dimensions for rectangular traps may not exceed 24" x 8" x 9". Cylindrical traps may not exceed 24" in length and 30" in circumference. Recreational bait minnow traps shall have a mesh size of no smaller than inch bar mesh. The throat opening of the funnel shall not exceed inch in diameter. Each trap must have attached a tag or float bearing the name and address of the person using the trap. Subject to specific gear design criteria, sizes, time of day, and area restrictions outlined in these regulations, bait minnows may also be taken recreationally year-round in seines and cast nets.
Possession Limits No individual recreationally harvesting bait minnows may possess more than two quarts of bait minnows at any given time. A licensed saltwater fishing guide may possess not more than 10 quarts at any given time.

Saltwater Advisory
Harmful toxins called PCBs are stored in the hepatopancreas ("the green gland" also known as the mustard, tomalley, or liver) found in the body section of blue crabs. Recent studies have shown that crabs in the Middle Turtle River and Purvis and Gibson Creeks contain high levels of PCBs. While the crab meat may still be eaten in recommended amounts, the hepatopancreas should not be eaten because of the high PCB levels. If crabs are cooked whole, the juice should not be consumed. Because PCBs are transferred to cooking liquid, crab cooking liquid should also be discarded. Cleaning crabs before you cook them ("backing" the crabs and rinsing out the guts and the gills) removes any risk of consuming PCBs.
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2009 Sport Fishing Regulations

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Page 41

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