Georgia 2016 sport fishing regulations

W W W.GOFISHGEORGIA.COM 2016
GEORGIA
SPORT FISHING
R EGUL ATION S
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GEORGIA
SPORT FISHING
REGUL ATIONS
Contents
Commissioner's Message............................................................2 Fisheries Section Offices & Public Fishing Areas...................4 Fish Kill Reporting....................................................................4, 6 Turn in Poachers Contact Information................................4, 28 Definitions......................................................................................6 Protected Aquatic Species...........................................................6 Recent Changes Summary..........................................................7 Free Fishing Days..........................................................................8 License Requirements..................................................................8 Buying Licenses.............................................................................8 Boating Regulations....................................................................15 Wildlife & Sport Fish Restoration Program...........................18 Public Fishing Areas...................................................................19 Get Kids Hooked.........................................................................31 Angler Awards Program............................................................32 Guidelines for Eating Fish.........................................................33 Measuring Fish Length..............................................................43
Freshwater Section.................................... 12
Seasons..........................................................................................12 Length Limits...............................................................................12 Daily Limits..................................................................................13 Fishing Methods..........................................................................14 Agreements with Bordering States .........................................16 Trout Fishing................................................................................22 Commercial Fishing....................................................................25 Sale of Fish....................................................................................25 Freshwater Fish Identification..................................................26 State Freshwater Record Fish...................................................28 Handling & Releasing Fish........................................................48
Saltwater Section....................................... 40
State Saltwater Record Fish.......................................................42 Finfish Limits and Information.................................................43 Saltwater Fish Identification.....................................................44 Sport Bait Shrimping..................................................................46 Crabs..............................................................................................46 Shellfish.........................................................................................47 Bait Minnows...............................................................................47 Recompression Tools..................................................................48

Go Fish Education Center! See page 30.

2016 FRESHWATER AND SALTWATER SPORT FISHING REGULATIONS
Nathan Deal, Governor Mark Williams, Commissioner, Department of Natural Resources
Dan Forster, Director, Wildlife Resources Division Spud Woodward, Director, Coastal Resources Division Eddie Henderson, Colonel, Law Enforcement Division

BOARD OF NATURAL RESOURCES*

Nancy A. Addison

J. Mark Mobley, Jr.

William Bagwell, Jr.

Mike Phelps, Jr.

Dwight Davis

Matthew Sawhill

Dwight H. Evans

Paul Shailendra

Duncan N. Johnson, Jr.

Bodine Sinyard

Phyllis T. Johnson

Brother Stewart

Bill Jones, III

Philip C. Watt

Ray P. Lambert, Jr.

Philip Wilheit, Jr.

Robert D. Leebern, Jr.

Delos Yancey, III

Aaron McWhorter

* List of Board Members was current as of press time. To see a current list of Board Members please go to www.GADNR.org.

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 rules of the Department of Natural Resources are the final authority on questions on law. This publication was partially 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
Shoal Bass on the cover was caught in the Flint River, Georgia

Photo provided by www. davidcannonphotography.com

SPORTFISHING
COMMISSIONER'S MESSAGE
Working With Wildlife For You
On behalf of the Department of Natural Resources, I want to thank all of the sportsmen who support wildlife and wildlife conservation in Georgia. Our state has some of the most diverse natural resources in the country and I want to thank you for your part in guarding these resources. Hunting and fishing is a valued part of the cultural heritage of our state and these are traditions that I'm committed to protecting.
Fishing supports conservation and sportsmen are the original conservationists. Your license purchases, which fund wildlife conservation efforts, make you a partner in all the efforts of this agency. You contribute through the purchase of boat fuel and fishing equipment as a percentage of those sales are dedicated to wildlife conservation. I'm proud to say that Georgia has approximately 1 million acres of land available for public hunting and angling opportunities through our wildlife management areas and other public lands. We could not have gotten here without your help and support. How else can you support wildlife? Give someone special a lifetime hunting and fishing license as a gift. Put a wildlife license plate on your car. Donate to the Wildlife Conservation Fund Tax Check-off on your state income tax form. Or, volunteer your time there are great conservation groups with which to be involved. Thank you for your continued support, and now let's get out there and enjoy all that Georgia has to offer!
Mark Williams Commissioner, Georgia Department of Natural Resources
For more information: www.georgiawildlife.com/conservation/support#License_Plate

About this Guide
This high-quality regulation guide is offered to you by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources through its unique partnership with J.F. Griffin Publishing, LLC.
J.F. Griffin is an award winning publishing house that specializes in producing state fish & wildlife regulation books. J.F. Griffin supports the Georgia Department of Natural Resources' staff in the design, layout and editing of the guides. They also manage the marketing and sales of advertising to appropriate businesses within the book.
The revenue generated through ad sales significantly lowers production costs and generates savings. These savings translate into additional funds for other important fisheries and habitat programs!
If you have any feedback or are interested in advertising, please contact us at 413.884.1001 or online at www.JFGriffin.com

Designers: Jon Gulley, Dane Fay, Evelyn Haddad, Chris Sobolowski

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available online
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5900 Sugarloaf Parkway, Suite 129
Lawrenceville, GA 30043 (678) 847-5500

14045 Abercorn Street, Suite 7
Savannah, GA 31419 (912) 961-4200

5000 Bass Pro Boulevard Macon, GA 31210
(478) 757-7600

TR153663

SPORTFISHING
CONTACT INFORMATION & OFFICES

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 Hunter Education............................................ 770-761-3010
2 Coastal Resources Division Headquarters One Conservation Way, Brunswick, GA 31520 Main Number................................................... 912-264-7218 Coastal Law Enforcement............................... 912-264-7237 Report a Fish Kill............................................ 800-241-4113 Ranger Hotline................................................ 800-241-4113
WRD FISHERIES REGIONAL OFFICES AND FACILITIES
3 Northeast Office 2150 Dawsonville Hwy, Gainesville, GA 30501 Gainesville........................................................ 770-535-5498 Law Enforcement (Gainesville)..................... 770-535-5499 Buford Trout Hatchery
Burton Hatchery 4 Northwest District Office
312 North River St. NW, PO Box 519, Calhoun, GA 30703 Calhoun............................................................. 706-624-1161 Atlanta number................................................ 770-387-4821 Law Enforcement (Calhoun).......................... 706-624-1367 Law Enforcement (Atlanta)............................ 770-769-9680 Rocky Mountain Recreation & Public Fishing Area
Summerville Hatchery 5 West Central Office
1014 MLK Blvd., Fort Valley, GA 31030 Fort Valley......................................................... 478-825-6151 Macon Law Enforcement................................ 478-751-6415 Charlie Elliot Wildlife Center/ Marben PFA..................... 478-825-6151 or 770-784-3063 Big Lazer Creek Public Fishing Area
West Point District Office
Flat Creek PFA 6 East Central Office
2123 US Highway 278, SE Social Circle, GA 30025 Atlanta number................................................ 770-918-6418 Walton Fish Hatchery

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Thomson District Office District Office.................................................... 706-595-1619 Law Enforcement Office................................. 706-595-4211 Augusta Number............................................. 706-737-1480 McDuffie PFA & Hatchery
Go Fish Education Center........................ 478-988-6701 1255 Perry Pkwy., Perry, GA 31069
7 Southwest Office 2024 Newton Road, Albany, GA 31701 Albany............................................................... 229-430-4256 Albany Law Enforcement............................... 229-430-4252 Steve Cocke Hatchery
Cordele Hatchery 8 South Central Office
108 Darling Ave., PO Box 2089, Waycross, GA 31502 Waycross............................................................ 912-285-6094 Metter Law Enforcement................................ 912-685-2145 Ocmulgee PFA
Hugh M. Gillis PFA
Dodge County PFA
Paradise PFA 9 Coastal Office
22814 Highway 144, Richmond Hill, GA 31324 Richmond Hill.................................................. 912-727-2112 Coastal Law Enforcement............................... 912-264-7237 Evans County PFA
Richmond Hill Fish Hatchery
>> See page 19 for a map of Public Fishing Areas.

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SPORTFISHING
2016 DEFINITIONS

Artificial Lure
Any lure which is made completely of natural or colored wood, cork, feathers, hair, rubber, metal, plastic, tinsel, styrofoam, sponge, 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.

Public Fishing Area
Designated areas owned and/or operated by the Department 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 1921.
Resident
Resident means any person who has been domiciled within the state of Georgia for a period of at least three (3) months (declared Georgia their state of legal residence as shown by a GA driver's license or GA ID with a Georgia address). Residents include full-time military personnel on active duty and the dependents of such military personnel for other than Lifetime and Honorary Licenses. Residents also include out-of-state college students living in Georgia. Students may use a current Georgia student ID as documentation.

Game Fish
Fish that are listed under Daily Limits (see pages 13 and 43).
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 pages 13 and 43).

Report Fish Kills
Help protect our valuable fish resources. Report fish kills as quickly as possible.
CALL TOLL FREE: 1-800-241-4113
(24 hours a day, seven days a week)

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

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, eight salamanders, one frog, 28 snails and 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 DNR's 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 more than 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.

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SPORTFISHING
2016 CHANGES
Freshwater Regulation Changes
All mountain trout water is now open to angling year round. Please see regulation changes to Georgia's designated trout waters pages 22 - 25.
Saltwater Regulation Changes
Spotted seatrout minimum length limit has changed from 13 inches to 14 inches.

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Purchase a license online at www.gofishgeorgia.com or by phone 1-800-366-2661

FRESHWATER & SALTWATER
LICENSE REQUIREMENTS

Buying Licenses
You can purchase a Georgia fishing license: Online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
at www.gofishgeorgia.com or www.gooutdoorsgeorgia.com. In person at license dealers statewide including most WRD/CRD regional offices; state parks; marinas; major retailers; and sporting goods, bait and tackle, and hardware stores. A complete list of license agents can be found at gofishgeorgia.com. By telephone at 800-366-2661, 8 a.m. 8 p.m. MF, 9 a.m. 5 p.m. SS. Notes: Social Securit y Number is required for the purchase of all licenses to meet requirements for Georgia Code 19-11-9.1(a.).
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. Additionally, a free SIP is required to fish in saltwater. A temporary authorization number obtained by telephone or internet sale may be used for seven days until the paper copy is received or printed. Conservation Rangers may require photo 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 resident and their immediate family when fishing on their land. See definition of immediate family on page 6.

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 persons domiciled in Georgia (declared Georgia only state of legal residence) 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 and their dependents for purposes other than lifetime licenses. A free hunting and fishing license may be issued once for Georgia resident 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 online at gofishgeorgia.com or from license dealers by furnishing proof of age (driver's lic., birth certificate, etc.) and residency (driver's license). 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. Department of Veterans Affairs, Social Security Admin., Railroad Retirement System

Discover Fishing on Georgia's Free Fishing Days!
June 4, 2016; June 11, 2016; Sept, 24, 2016
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

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or other government agency. Applications are online at www.gofishgeorgia.com. Any resident who is totally blind 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 phys-
ical 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 1617. Nonresidents under 16 do not require a fishing license or trout license.
Georgia Outdoor Recreational Pass (GORP)
Any person, age 1664, entering any designated fee area on state-managed WMAs and PFAs must possess a valid GORP. Persons who possess a valid 3-day hunting & fishing, WMA, Lifetime, Sportsman's, or Honorary license are exempt from this requirement. Designated fee areas are marked with the posting of a sign at the site or area entrance. For a complete list of GORP properties and additional information please go to www.gofishgeorgia.com
Reciprocal Agreements for Bordering States
Georgia DNR has Agreements with Alabama, Florida, 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 1617.
Mountain Trout Licenses
All resident anglers ages 16 and older 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 or GORP License is required to fish for trout in Dawson Forest (North of GA Hwy 53), & Rich Mountain (Cartecay Tract). See page 23 for Waters Creek special regulations. For a full list of properties requiring a GORP please visit www.gofishgeorgia.com.
Resident Senior (65+) Lifetime, Lifetime Sportman's, Sportman's and honorary license holders include the trout fishing privilege.
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. However, those visitors wishing to harvest trout will need to have a trout license in their possession.
See Public Fishing Areas on pages 1921.

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FRESHWATER & SALTWATER
2016 RECREATIONAL FISHING LICENSE FEES

Annual licenses are valid for one full year from date of purchase.

LICENSE

TERM

RESIDENT NON-RESIDENT

Fishing license

Annual Two-year

$9.00 $16.00

$45.00 n/a

Annual

$5.00

$20.00

Trout license

Two-year

$10.00

n/a

Three-day

$3.50

$10.00

Wildlife Management Area

Annual Two -year

$19.00 $38.00

$73.00 n/a

Annual

$17.00

$100.00

Hunting & Fishing Combination

Two-year

$31.00

n/a

Three-day*

$3.50

$20.00

Sportsman

Annual

$55.00

n/a

Two-year

$105.00

n/a

One-Day Saltwater Shore-Based Fishing

One-day

$5.00

$5.00

SIP Permit (requirement for fishing in salt water)

Annual**

FREE

FREE

TRANSACTION FEES

Internet Transactions

$2.50

Telephone Transactions

$5.00

Walk-In Transactions

$3.00

GEORGIA OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL PASS (GORP) (See pages 8, 19.)

Individual

Annual Three-day

$19.00 $3.50

Small Group (less than 8 people)

Annual Three-day

$35.00 $10.00

GORP Plus (Includes fish/hunt license)

Three-day

$3.50

$20.00

*Residents and non-residents may purchase the 3-day Combination License, Apprentice 3-day License or a GORP Plus License.

**Expires at the end of February each year.

>>R eprint for FREE! Go to www.gofishgeorgia.com or www.gooutdoorsgeorgia.com and follow the links to print out a replacement for any recreational license.

License Fees Subject to Change

A Lifetime of Fishing and Hunting!
Lifetime Sportsman's Licenses are available for anglers of all ages. The license satisfies all paid state license requirements for the life of the purchaser. This license application is available online at www.gofishgeorgia.com. An application must be completed in order to purchase this license.
Under 2 years old (available to Residents and Nonresidents): $200
Ages 215: $350
Ages 1659: $500
Ages 6064: $95
Ages 65 and older: $0*
Veterans: $400
Shooting Preserve: $75
Under 16 years old non-resident grandchild of resident lifetime license holder: $1000
* $ 10 for a durable, plastic card. Also available online.
For a one-time price, you can enjoy a lifetime of great Georgia fishing and hunting opportunities!
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Georgia Outdoor Recreational Pass (GORP)
The Georgia Outdoor Recreational Pass (GORP) is required to use on any of the 32 designated properties owned by Georgia Wildlife Resources Division. This includes all Public Fishing Areas except for Rocky Mountain PFA. If you are ages 16 to 64, you must have a GORP or one of the following to access the PFA's for non-fishing purposes:
3-Day Fishing/Hunting License Sportsmen's License Lifetime or Honorary License Wildlife Management Area License
Traditionally, these properties--Wildlife Management Areas and Public Fishing Areas--have been supported financially by revenue from hunting and fishing licenses as well as federal funds from the Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program. While WMAs and PFAs are managed primarily for wildlife habitat, uses such as hiking, horseback riding and other activities are also allowed. The GORP offers these users a way to contribute to the upkeep of the properties.
GORP 3-Day: $3.50, GORP Annual: $19 GORP Plus Fishing 3-Day (residents only): $3.50,
non-residents: $20.00 Small Group 3-Day: $10, Small Group, Annual: $35
For a complete list of GORP User Fee Areas, visit georgiawildlife.com. Transaction fees apply.

FRESHWATER
GENERAL REGULATIONS

Freshwater Game Species Daily Limits
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. New: See page 13 for actual creel limts.
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 1617).
Seasons
There is no closed season for fishing in freshwater in Georgia except for the following: Trout Seasons: All designated trout waters
are now open year round. 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: All fishing, including spear fishing, for any species in the marked areas around five fish refuges in Lake Seminole 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.

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," page 43). You must release all fish shorter than the minimum length indicated for that species.
LARGEMOUTH BASS 12 inches statewide except: 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: 14 inches Lake Lindsey Grace: bass between 15 and
22 inches must be released immediately. All others may be kept. In addition, only one bass may be greater than 22 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.
SHOAL BASS Lake Lanier: 14 inches Flint River and its tributaries (below Warwick
Dam): 12 inches Flint River and its tributaries (above Warwick
Dam): 15 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: See agreement with South Carolina
(page 16) 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). See table on page 13 for full details
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
Fishing Gear Must Be Regularly Checked
Attend to gear such as limb lines. (Anglers are encouraged to check all gear within 24 hours)
Make every reasonable effort to retrieve lost gear (including hooks, line and lead sinkers).
Recycle used fishing line. For more information, contact:
Fisheries Section -- (770) 918-6406
Creel and Possession Note to Anglers
Creel and possession limits are per person. 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.
FRESHWATER TURTLES No more than 10 freshwater turtles (any
combination of species) may be possessed without a commercial turtle permit (contact the Special Permit Unit -- 770-761-3044). There is no closed season for the harvest of freshwater turtles, however, taking of species protected by federal or state law is prohibited (for a list of species access: www.georgiawildlife.com/ node/2626#Common_Name). For more information www.georgiawildlife.com/ turtling.

Trout Waters
Trout Waters are now open year-round, see pages 22-25 for a listing of designated trout waters.

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FRESHWATER
GAME SPECIES DAILY LIMITS (See page 19 for special limits on Public Fishing Areas.)

SPECIES

DAILY LIMIT

EXCEPTIONS

Lake Grace (Wayne Co.) -- Only one bass may be greater than 22 inches.

Bass

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

14 inch minimum length limit for largemouth bass from Lake Oconee.

10

12 inch minimum length limit for largemouth bass from the Ocmulgee River

(Macon's Spring Street bridge crossing to confluence with Oconee River).

15 inch minimum length limit for shoal bass from the Flint River and its tributaries upstream of Warwick Dam.

Catfish

Channel and/or Flathead

No limit

--

Crappie

Black and/or White

30

--

Pickerel

Chain, Grass and/or Redfin

15

--

Shad

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 downstream of the GA Hwy 96 bridge

between Houston and Twiggs counties, Altamaha River, St. Mary's River, Satilla

Striped Bass, White Bass
and/or Hybrid White-Striped Bass

--

15, only two of River, and the tributaries to these river sections; and from saltwater is a two fish which can be limit, both of which must be 22 inches in length or longer.

22 inches or Limit taken from the Savannah River and its tributaries downstream of J. Strom

longer.

Thurmond Dam is a two fish limit, both of which must be 27 inches in length or longer.

Limit taken from Lake Richard B. Russell from the Russell Dam to Lake Hartwell

Dam and Lake Secession Dam, all tributaries to Lake Richard B. Russell is two (2)

striped bass per day, only one (1) of which can exceed 34 inches in length.

See the Fishing Regulations for shared waters for Georgia and South Carolina on page 16.

Bluegill, Flier, Redbreast, Redear,

Sunfish or Bream Rock bass, Spotted sunfish,

50

Warmouth and/or Shadow bass

Trout

Brook, Rainbow, and/or Brown trout

8

Bream: See South Carolina Agreement on page 16.
See Amicalola Creek, Chattahoochee River, Chattooga River, Smithgall Woods, Smith Creek, Toccoa River, and Waters Creek on pages 2225. See the new limits for shared waters of Georgia and South Carolina on page 16.

Walleye

--

8

Limit on Blue Ridge Reservoir is 15.

Sturgeon - May not be taken in fresh or saltwater in Georgia.

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13

Purchase a license online at www.gofishgeorgia.com or by phone 1-800-366-2661

FRESHWATER
FISHING METHODS

Hook & Line
There is no restriction on the number of poles and lines used to fish for game fish except: Fishing for trout in designated trout waters: 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
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 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 (year-round) and American and Hickory shad during shad season may be taken with trotlines.
Trotlines are not permitted on Lake Tobesofkee or any State Park Lake.
Use of 51 or more hooks is considered Commercial Fishing (see page 25).

Set Hooks & Jugs
Only catfish and nongame fish (year round) and American and Hickory shad during shad season may be taken with set hooks and jugs.
It is illegal to use jugs and set hooks on Lake Tobesofkee or any State Park Lake.
A sport fishing license is required to fish with set hooks and jugs in Georgia.
There are no other restrictions on the use of set hooks and jugs (number of, dimensions, materials, etc.)
DNR encourages anglers using these methods to check them regularly, remove them at the end of the fishing day, and avoid areas popular with recreational boaters.
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 12.

In Georgia It Is Unlawful To:
Possess or use live blueback herring for bait in all fresh waters except the following: Lakes Bartlett's Ferry, Blue Ridge, Chatuge, Goat Rock, Juliette, Lanier, Nottely, Oliver, and West Point; 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 (this drainage includes Lakes Hartwell, Russell, Clarks Hill, Burton, Tugaloo, and Raburn). For maps of restricted waters go to www.gofishgeorgia.com and see "Freshwater Regulations" section.
It is unlawful to possess and fish with live blueback herring in Alabama waters.
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.
Discard fish caught in public waters.

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 3/8 inch or less mesh (square or diameter).
Minnow seines may not be used in designated trout waters.
Minnow traps are illegal in freshwater. Dip nets and cast nets may be used to take
threadfin shad, gizzard shad, and blueback herring for bait except cast nets may not be used 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 (does not include channel or flathead catfish, see note below) 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. Note: Channel and flathead catfish are game fish, and may not be taken by bow and arrow, except 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
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 in Georgia.
It is illegal to take game fish (other than the catfish species listed above) or any other species of fish by hand.
It is not legal to alter any natural or manmade 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.

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FRESHWATER
BOATING

BOAT REGISTRATION All boats that carry any means of mechanical
propulsion (electric trolling motor and/or gas motor) and all sailboats 12 feet and longer must be registered. A Boat Registration Application can be downloaded from www.goboatgeorgia.com You may register or renew online at www.goboatgeorgia.com Register or renew 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 (boats less than 15' 11" which also includes personal-watercraft, canoes and kayaks). Children under age 13 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. Recreation boaters in coastal waters please note: Tybee, Sea Island, St. Simons, and Jekyll Islands have temporal (May 1 Sept. 30) 1,000 ft. safety zones. Alcohol 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 please visit www.goboatgeorgia.com or obtain the Handbook of Georgia Boating Laws from any DNR Law Enforcement Office. To learn about a boating safety course please visit www.goboatgeorgia.com or

contact the Boating Education Coordinator at 770-918-6414 or any DNR Law Enforcement Office (see page 4).
See www.goboatgeorgia.com for complete boating regulations.

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FishingRegs (GA)_7x4.75.indd 1

W W W.G O F I S H G E O R G I A .C O M

Purchase a license online at www.gofishgeorgia.com or by phone 1-800-366-2661

11/30/15 5:08 PM
15

FRESHWATER
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.

Georgia - South Carolina Border Waters Reciprocal Agreement

SPECIES
Striped bass or hybrid bass or combination
Striped bass or hybrid bass or combination

WATER BODY Lakes Hartwell and Clarks Hill
Lake Russell

POSSESSION LIMIT 10
2

SIZE LIMIT
only 3 may be over 26 inches
only 1 may be over 34 inches

Alabama
WATERS COVERED

Striped bass, hybrid bass, Savannah River downstream of

white bass or combination

Clarks Hill dam

2

27-inch minimum length limit

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,

White bass

All border waters covered

except for Savannah River downstream of Clarks Hill dam

10

(see above for size limit).

no size limit

Goat Rock, Oliver, Seminole, Walter F. George Trout

All border waters covered

5

no size limit

(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

Bass (largemouth, spotted, redeye, smallmouth or combination)
Walleye or Sauger or combination

All border waters covered All border waters covered

12-inch minimum

10

length for

largemouth bass

8

no size limit

tributaries which flow into the Chattahoochee River or its impoundments or the portion of

aggregate of all game fish (does not include catfish)

All border waters covered

40

Lake Seminole covered by the agreement with Florida or Lake Weiss.

All other laws and regulations of Georgia apply in the Georgia portion of waters covered by this agreement.

LICENSES

Note: South Carolina regulations differ for crappie and bream.

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.

South Carolina
WATERS COVERED On the banks and in the waters of all channels

LICENSES All persons meeting the freshwater license
requirements of Georgia or South Carolina may fish from the banks and in the waters covered

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.

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

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.

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 Alabama, however the harvest of shoal bass is prohibited in Alabama. Note: It is illegal to possess and fish with live blueback herring in Alabama waters covered by this agreement.

Hill Reservoir (Strom Thurmond), Richard B. Russell Reservoir, Hartwell Reservoir, Yonah Lake, Tugaloo (Toogaloo) Lake, the New Savannah Bluff Lock and Dam, 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.

LENGTH, CREEL AND POSSESSION LIMITS See GA-SC chart above for the length, creel and possession limits for the border waters covered by this agreement.
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

WWW.GOFISHGEORGIA.COM

in such state more fish than the laws of that state or those of this agreement permit, even though the fish were caught in the waters of

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the other state.

Twitter.com/GeorgiaWild

Florida

YouTube.com/GeorgiaWildlife GeorgiaWildlife.wordpress.com Public.GovDelivery.com/accounts/GADNR/subscriber

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

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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 (please see map at www.gofishgeorgia.com).
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. 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 13) apply.
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.

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Savannah, GA Office 912.897.4921 Fax 912.897.3460

W W W.G O F I S H G E O R G I A .C O M

17

Purchase a license online at www.gofishgeorgia.com or by phone 1-800-366-2661

Your dollars at work for Georgia!
Successful Angler-funded Partnership to Improve Fishing

Your purchase of fishing tackle and motorboat fuels, along with fishing license sales, helps fund sport fish restoration in Georgia. This provides opportunities for fishing and other wildlife-associated recreation. It is only by purchasing a fishing license that these excise tax dollars paid by manufacturers come back to Georgia!
Your license fees and Sport Fish Restoration dollars at work:
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
These programs pay for freshwater and saltwater activities to benefit these resources.

Better fishing, boating, hunting & wildlife-
associated recreation.
State agencies implement programs & projects.
States receive grants.

Anglers, hunters, boaters purchase fishing/
hunting equipment & motor boat fuels.
Manufacturers pay excise tax on that equipment and boaters pay
fuel taxes.

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service allocates funds to state fish & wildlife agencies.

To learn more about Sport Fish Restoration in Georgia, visit www.fws.gov and www.gofishgeorgia.com

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All Personal Injury Medical Malpractice Nursing Home Negligence Product/Prescription Liability

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Free Initial Consultation Statewide Lawyer www.jaylee-law.com 870 College Street Macon, GA

Lake Chatuge is an actively managed, 7,050-acre TVA reservoir in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Georgia and Western North Carolina. A world record hybrid bass --
weighing 25 lbs., 8 oz. -- was landed here in 1994.
Spotted Bass Bluegill Largemouth Bass Catfish Hybrid Bass Carp
Hiawassee & Young Harris
w w w. M o u n t a i nTo p G A . c o m 800.984.1543

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FRESHWATER
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 Read Before Fishing a PFA
LICENSES: Anglers 16 years of age and older must possess
a valid fishing license and a valid Wildlife Management Area (WMA) 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, Lifetime license, 3-Day Hunting/Fishing License, 3-Day GORP Plus, Senior Lifetime license or Honorary license you are NOT required to have a WMA license to fish on a PFA. To access a PFA for non-fishing activities, visitors age 1664 must have one of the following; Georgia Outdoor Recreational Pass (GORP), 3-day hunting/fishing license, WMA license, and Sportsman's, Honorary (resident disability license or resident one-time veteran's license) or Lifetime license. Please see box on page 10 for full details on (GORP).

Not all PFAs have the ability to sell licenses on site. Please call each PFA for details. Licenses can also be obtained online or by phone.
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 (unless otherwise posted)..... 5 Bream or sunfish (of any one species or a combination)............... 15 Channel catfish......................................................... 5 All other species.................................... see page 13
Grass carp must be released immediately.
HOURS OF OPERATION Public Fishing Areas hours of operation are Wednesday through Sunday, sunrise to sunset.
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. A GORP Pass may be required on some areas.
Fishing Without Permission
It is unlawful to fish on someone else's 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 (gastateparks.org) as long as all applicable state regulations are followed.
To find a PFA location refer to the map on this page.
BIG LAZER CREEK Talbot County, 478-825-6151 Fish Species: Largemouth bass, Bluegill and Redear sunfish, Channel catfish, Crappie. Live fish (minnows) are allowed for bait.
Water: 195 acre lake.

PUBLIC FISHING AREAS

DNR ARCHERY AND SHOOTING RANGES
McDuffie PFA Flat Creek
Charlie Elliott PFA Dodge PFA
Big Lazer Creek Evans PFA

Facilities: Concrete two-lane boat ramp, fishing pier, fish cleaning station, shooting range, restrooms, 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 Jasper/Newton Counties, 478-825-6151 or 770-784-3063 Fish Species: Largemouth bass, Bluegill, Redear sunfish, Crappie, Channel catfish. Live fish (minnows) are allowed for bait.

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, shooting and archery ranges, and 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 GAHwy 11 for 2.7 mi.; left on Marben Farm Rd. Follow signs.

Continued on page 20...

Downloadable PFA Guides available at:
www.gofishgeorgia.com

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Purchase a license online at www.gofishgeorgia.com or by phone 1-800-366-2661

FRESHWATER
PUBLIC FISHING AREAS

DODGE COUNTY 478-374-6765 or 912-285-6094 Fish Species: Largemouth bass, Bluegill, Red ear sunfish, Channel catfish, Crappie. Live fish (minnows) are allowed for bait.
Water: 104 acre lake.
Facilities: Concrete boat ramps, fishing pier, fish cleaning station, 3-D archery range, 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 Evans County PFA has reopened: 912-739-1139 or 912-727-2112 Fish Species: Largemouth bass, Bluegill, Redear sunfish, Channel catfish, Crappie, Brown bullhead. Live fish (minnows) are allowed for bait.
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.
FLAT CREEK Houston County, 478-825-6151 Fish species: Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear sunfish, Channel catfish, Crappie. Live fish (minnows) are allowed for bait.
Water: 102 acre lake and Kids Only special event pond.
Facilities: Concrete two-lane boat ramp, fish cleaning station, restrooms, picnic tables, grills, pavilion, bank fishing, archery range and some facilities accessible to persons with disabilities.
Directions from I-75: Take I-75 to exit 134 (South Perry Parkway), Turn west onto South Perry Parkway, Travel approx. 0.25 miles and turn left (South) on Georgia Highway 41, Drive about 2 miles and turn left into Flat Creek Public Fishing Area.
HUGH M. GILLIS Laurens County, 478-296-6192 or 912-285-6094 Fish species: Largemouth bass, Bluegill, Red ear sunfish, Channel catfish, Crappie.
Water: 109 acre lake and two 1 acre KFE ponds. Live fish (minnows) are allowed for bait.

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 McDuffie County, 706-595-1619 Fish Species: Largemouth bass, Bluegill, Red ear sunfish, Channel catfish.
Water: 7 ponds varying in size from 5 to 37 acres. Rodbender Lake is open the 1st through the 15th 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), archery range, and 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.
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20

| 2 0 1 6 G E O R G I A S P O R T F I S H I N G R E G U L A T I O N S

W W W.G O F I S H G E O R G I A .C O M

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.
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.
Consume alcoholic beverages except at campsites on the area. No alcoholic beverages are allowed anywhere on Rocky Mountain PFA.
Operate personal watercraft (jet skis), sailboats, or sailboards.
Allow children under 14 years of age to be on PFA without adult supervision.
Fish at night, unless otherwise posted.

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.
Ride horses in restricted areas or areas not designated as open to equestrian use.

PARADISE Berrien County, 229-533-4792 or 912-285-6094 Fish Species: Largemouth bass, Bluegill, Redear sunfish, Channel catfish, Crappie, Brown bullhead. Live fish (minnows) are allowed for bait.
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; pay a drop box; no reservation needed; first come first serve), group camp ($20 per night; 20 person minimum; call for reservations), 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 Floyd County, 706-802-5087 Fish Species: Largemouth bass, Bluegill, Redear sunfish, Channel catfish, Black crappie, Walleye. Live fish (minnows) are allowed for bait.
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, biking trails, swimming beach, 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.

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W W W.G O F I S H G E O R G I A .C O M

21

Purchase a license online at www.gofishgeorgia.com or by phone 1-800-366-2661

FRESHWATER
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.

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Trout Season
All designated trout waters are now open year round (see pages 2425 for stream listings).
Trout Fishing Hours
Fishing 24 hours a day is allowed on all trout streams and all impoundments on trout streams except those in the next paragraph.
Fishing hours on Dockery Lake, Rock Creek Lake, the Chattahoochee River from Buford Dam to Peachtree Creek, the Conasauga River watershed upstream of the GeorgiaTennessee state line and Smith Creek downstream of Unicoi dam are 30 minutes before sunrise until 30 minutes after sunset. Night fishing is not allowed.
See page 23 for fishing hours of Waters Creek.
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.
It is unlawful to use live fish for bait in trout streams. Seining bait-fish is not allowed in any trout stream.
Impoundments On Trout Streams
ANGLERS CAN: Fish for fish species other than trout without
a trout license on Dockery and Rock Creek lakes. Fish at night, except on Dockery and Rock Creek lakes. See Trout Fishing Hours for details.
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. State park visitors are not required to have a trout license to fish in the impounded waters of the Park. However, those visitors wishing to harvest trout will need to have a trout license in their possession.
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 6). 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 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 US Forest Service property. 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
Available Online
Trout stocking lists, county stream maps, easily accessible sites, and NE and NW Georgia Fishing Guides are available at GoFishGeorgia.com.

22

| 2 0 1 6 G E O R G I A S P O R T F I S H I N G R E G U L A T I O N S

W W W.G O F I S H G E O R G I A .C O M

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 right-of-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.
WATERS CREEK Waters Creek, located on the Chestatee WMA, is managed for trophy trout. Waters Creek and its tributaries are open on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays 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: Must have a Georgia resident
fishing license, trout license, and WMA license. Lifetime, 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.

W W W.G O F I S H G E O R G I A .C O M

23

Purchase a license online at www.gofishgeorgia.com or by phone 1-800-366-2661

FRESHWATER
TROUT STREAMS DESTINATIONS BY COUNTY

All Trout Streams are open to fishing

DAWSON COUNTY

HARALSON COUNTY

throughout the year.

Amicalola Cr. watershed upstream from GA Flatwood Cr. watershed; Lassetter Cr. water-

Watershed: the stream and all its tribu- Hwy 53; Anderson Cr. watershed; Long Swamp shed; Mann Cr. watershed upstream from

taries (streams flowing into that stream).

Cr. watershed; Nimblewill Cr. watershed; Haralson Co Rd. 162; Tallapoosa Cr. water-

Abbreviations used throughout this section: Shoal Cr. watershed upstream from the mouth shed; Tallapoosa R. watershed upstream from

Cr. = Creek and R. = River

of Burt Cr.; Sweetwater Cr. watershed.

Co Rd. 222.

NOTE: The following trout streams have

special regulations (see pages 2223 before FANNIN COUNTY

HART COUNTY

fishing): Amicalola Cr., Chattahoochee R., Charlie Cr. watershed; Flat Cr. watershed; Savannah R. from Hartwell Dam downstream

Chattooga R., Coleman R., Conasauga R., Hoods Rock Cr. Lake; Star Cr. watershed; Wilscot to Richard B. Russell Reservoir.

Cr., Jones Cr., Moccasin Cr., Mountaintown Cr., Cr. watershed; and all other streams or parts

Noontootla Cr., Smithgall Woods-Dukes Cr., of streams not listed above except: Toccoa R. LUMPKIN COUNTY

Smith Cr., Stanley Cr., Toccoa R., Walnut Fork watershed below the mouth of Stanley Cr. to Amicalola Cr. watershed; Cane Cr. water-

Cr., and Waters Cr.

Blue Ridge Reservoir and tributaries of Blue shed upstream from the GA Hwy 52 bridge;

Ridge Reservoir not listed above.

Cavender Cr. watershed; Chestatee R. water-

BARTOW COUNTY

shed upstream from the mouth of Tesnatee

Boston Cr. watershed upstream from GA FLOYD COUNTY

Cr.; Dockery Lake; Etowah R. watershed

Hwy 20; Connesena Cr. watershed; Dykes Cr. Dykes Cr. watershed; Johns Cr. watershed upstream from Castleberry Bridge; Shoal Cr.

watershed; Pine Log Cr. watershed; Pyle Cr. upstream from Floyd Co Rd. 212; Kings Cr. watershed; Yahoola Cr. watershed upstream

watershed; Salacoa Cr. watershed; Spring Cr. watershed; Lavender Cr. watershed upstream from GA Hwy 52.

watershed; Stamp Cr. watershed upstream from Floyd Co Rd. 893; Little Cedar Cr. water-

from Bartow Co Rd. 269; Toms Cr. watershed shed; Mt. Hope Cr. watershed; Silver Cr. water- MURRAY COUNTY

upstream from Bartow Co Rd. 82; Two Run Cr. shed upstream from GA Hwy 1E (Floyd Co Rd. Conasauga R. watershed upstream from the

watershed; Ward Cr. watershed.

631); Spring Cr. watershed, which flows into Georgia-Tennessee state line (includes Jacks

Etowah R.; Toms Cr. watershed.

R. watershed); Holly Cr. watershed upstream

CARROLL COUNTY

from the mouth of Dill Cr., including Dill Cr.

Tallapoosa R. watershed north of I-20, not FORSYTH COUNTY

watershed; Mill Cr. watershed upstream from

including Little Tallapoosa R. watershed.

Chattahoochee R..

Murray Co Rd. 27; Mill Cr. (Hasslers Mill Cr.)

watershed, which is within Holly Cr. water-

CATOOSA COUNTY

FULTON COUNTY

shed; North Prong Sumac Cr. watershed; Rock

Dry Cr. watershed, which is a part of the Chattahoochee R. upstream from the mouth Cr. watershed, the most southern of two Rock

East Chickamauga Cr. watershed, upstream of Peachtree Cr..

Cr. watersheds which are in the Holly Cr.

of Catoosa Co Rd. 257; Hurricane Cr. water-

watershed, upstream from Murray Co Rd. 4;

shed upstream from Peters Branch; Little GILMER COUNTY

Rock Cr. watershed, the most northern of two

Chickamauga Cr. watershed upstream from Harris Cr. watershed; Johnson Cr. watershed; Rock Cr. watersheds which are in the Holly Cr.

Catoosa Co Rd. 387; Tiger Cr. watershed Mountaintown Cr. watershed; Tails Cr. water- watershed, upstream from Murray Co Rd. 301;

upstream from GA Hwy 2.

shed; and all other streams or parts of streams Sugar Cr. watershed upstream from Murray

not listed above, except: Coosawattee R. down- Co Rd. 4; Sumac Cr. watershed upstream from

CHATTOOGA COUNTY

stream from old GA Hwy 5 (Gilmer Co Rd. 239), Coffey Lake.

Allgood Branch watershed; Chappel Cr. Talking Rock Cr., and tributaries to Carters

watershed; Chelsea Cr. watershed; East Fork Reservoir not listed above.

PAULDING COUNTY

Little R. watershed, including Gilreath Cr.;

Possum Cr. watershed upstream from Paulding

Hinton Cr. watershed; Kings Cr. watershed; GORDON COUNTY

Co Rd. 64; Powder Cr. (Powder Springs Cr.)

Little Armuchee Cr. watershed upstream from Johns Cr. watershed upstream of Floyd Co watershed; Pyle Cr. watershed; Pumpkinvine

Co Rd. 326; Mt. Hope Cr. (Coon Cr.) water- Rd. 212; Pin Hook Cr. watershed upstream Cr. watershed upstream from Paulding Co

shed; Perennial Spring watershed; Raccoon from Gordon Co Rd. 275; Pine Log Cr. water- Rd. 231; Raccoon Cr. watershed upstream

Cr. watershed upstream from GA Hwy 48; shed upstream from GA Hwy 53; Rocky Cr. from State Route 2299 (Paulding Co Rd. 471);

Ruff Cr. watershed; Storey Mill Cr. watershed; watershed upstream from Gordon Co Rd. 210; Tallapoosa R. watershed; Thompson Cr. water-

Taliaferro Cr. watershed.

Salacoa Cr. watershed upstream from US Hwy shed; Ward Cr. watershed.

411; Snake Cr. watershed.

CHEROKEE COUNTY

PICKENS COUNTY

Bluff Cr. watershed upstream from Cherokee GWINNETT COUNTY

Amicalola Cr. watershed; Ball Cr. watershed;

Co Rd. 114; Boston Cr. watershed; Pine Log Chattahoochee R..

Bluff Cr. watershed; Cartecay R. watershed;

Cr. watershed; Salacoa Cr. watershed; Soap

Cove Cr. watershed upstream from Pickens Co

Cr. watershed upstream from Cherokee Co Rd. HABERSHAM COUNTY

Rd. 294; Fausett Cr. watershed; Fisher Cr. water-

116; Stamp Cr. watershed; Wiley Cr. watershed. Amy's Cr. watershed upstream from GA Hwy shed; Hobson Cr. watershed; Little Scarecorn

17; Chattahoochee R. watershed upstream from Cr. watershed; Long Swamp Cr. watershed,

COBB COUNTY

GA Hwy 255 crossing of the Chattahoochee including Darnell Cr. watershed, upstream

Chattahoochee R. upstream from the mouth R.; Liberty Cr. watershed; Middle Fork Broad from Cove Cr.; Mud Cr. watershed; Pin Hook

of Peachtree Cr..

R. watershed; Nancytown Cr. watershed Cr. watershed; Rock Cr. watershed; Salacoa Cr.

upstream from Nancytown Lake; North Fork watershed; Scarecorn Cr. watershed upstream

DADE COUNTY

Broad R. watershed; Panther Cr. watershed; from GA Hwy 53; Sevenmile Cr. watershed;

Allison Cr. watershed; East Fork Little R. water- Roberts Branch watershed; Soque R. watershed Sharp Mountain Cr. watershed; Soap Cr. water-

shed; Lookout Cr. watershed, upstream from upstream from the mouth of Deep Cr.; Toccoa shed; Talking Rock Cr. watershed upstream

Dade Co Rd. 197; Rock Cr. watershed.

Cr. watershed.

from S1011 (GA Hwy 136); Town Cr. watershed;

Wildcat Cr. watershed.

24

| 2 0 1 6 G E O R G I A S P O R T F I S H I N G R E G U L A T I O N S

W W W.G O F I S H G E O R G I A .C O M

POLK COUNTY

TOWNS COUNTY

Cr.; Furnace Cr. watershed; Gulf Cr. watershed;

Cedar Cr. watershed upstream from Polk Co Rd. Bearmeat Cr. watershed; Bell Cr. watershed; Harrisburg Cr. watershed, including Dougherty

121; Little Cedar Cr. watershed; Pumpkinpile Bugscuffle Branch watershed (Allen Mill Cr.); Cr. watershed, upstream from Dougherty Cr.;

Cr. watershed upstream from Polk Co Rd. 437; Burch Branch watershed; Fodder Cr. watershed; Johns Cr. watershed; Left Fork Coulter Branch

Silver Cr. watershed; Spring Cr. watershed; Hightower Cr. watershed; Hiwassee R. water- watershed; Little Chickamauga Cr. watershed;

Tallapoosa R. watershed; Thompson Cr. water- shed downstream to Towns Co Rd. 87; Hog Cr. Rock Cr. watershed, including Sawmill Branch,

shed upstream of Polk Co Rd. 441.

watershed; Shake Rag Branch watershed; and upstream from Sawmill Branch; Ruff Cr. water-

all other streams or parts of streams not listed shed; Snake Cr. watershed; West Armuchee Cr.

RABUN COUNTY

above, except: Hiwassee R. downstream from watershed; West Chickamauga Cr. watershed

Bad Branch watershed Bad Cr. watershed; Crow Towns Co Rd. 87 and tributaries to Chatuge upstream from Walker Co Rd. 107.

Cr. watershed (includes Slick Shoal Cr.); Dicks Reservoir not listed above.

Cr. watershed; Dickenson Branch; Falls Branch

WHITE COUNTY

watershed; Flat Cr. watershed; Joe Cr. watershed; UNION COUNTY

Chattahoochee R. watershed upstream from

LaCounts Cr. watershed; Moccasin Cr. water- Bracket Cr. watershed; Camp Cr. watershed; the GA Hwy 255 crossing of the Chattahoochee

shed; Popcorn Cr. watershed; Seals Cr. watershed; Conley Cr. watershed; Coosa Cr. watershed; Ivylog R.; Little Tesnatee Cr. watershed (includes

Timpson Cr. watershed; Wildcat Cr. watershed; Cr. watershed; Kiutuestia Cr. watershed; Low Cr. Turner Cr watershed) upstream from the mouth

Worse Cr. watershed; and all other streams watershed; Nottely R. watershed upstream from of Turner Cr.; Town Cr. watershed upstream

or parts of streams not listed above, except: Nottely Reservoir; Youngcane Cr. watershed; and from the mouth of Jenny Cr.

Tallulah R. downstream from Lake Burton all other streams or parts of streams not listed

Dam, Chattooga R. below Warwoman Cr., and above, except: Butternut Cr. watershed, Nottely R. WHITFIELD COUNTY

tributaries to Burton, Seed, Rabun, Tallulah Falls, downstream from Nottely Dam, and tributaries Coahulla Cr. watershed upstream from

Tugaloo and Yonah reservoirs not listed above. to Nottely Reservoir not listed above.

Whitfield Co Rd. 183;.Dry Cr. watershed, which

is a part of East Chickamauga Cr. watershed;

STEPHENS COUNTY

WALKER COUNTY

Snake Cr. watershed; Spring Cr. (Deep Spring

Little Toccoa Cr. watershed; Middle Fork Broad Chappel Cr. watershed; Chattanooga Cr. water- Cr.) watershed; Swamp Cr. watershed upstream

R. watershed upstream from NRCS flood shed upstream from Walker Co Rd. 235; Concord from Whitfield Co Rd. 9; Tiger Cr. watershed.

control structure No.44; North Fork Broad R. Cr. watershed; Duck Cr. watershed; East Fork

watershed upstream from NRCS flood control Little R. watershed, which flows into Dade

structure No. 1; Panther Cr. watershed; Toccoa County; East Fork Little R. watershed, which

Cr. watershed upstream from Toccoa Falls. flows into Chattooga County, including Gilreath

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 information on fish baskets, including usage, construction, and licensing contact the nearest Fisheries
Section office or visit our website at www.gofishgeorgia.com For a complete copy of the freshwater commercial fishing regulations visit www.gofishgeorgia.com For saltwater commercial fishing information contact the Coastal Resources Division or visit www.CoastalGADNR.org
Sale of Fish & Aquaculture

Game Fish
It is unlawful for any person to sell or purchase any game fish except under the following conditions:

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 of the fish.

Domestic Fish

Aquaculturists (fish farmers) must register with the Department of Natural Resources in order to sell domestic fish.

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

770-761-3044. Find Aquaculture information under the Fishing Regulation section of the WRD website.

Domestic fish are lawfully obtained farmed fish which are held in confinement 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 domestic 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.

25

FRESHWATER
GEORGIA FRESHWATER FISH

LARGEMOUTH BASS Upper jaw extends beyond eye Spiny and soft dorsal fin separate or nearly so Tongue normally smooth, tooth patch rare World Record 22 lb. 4 oz.

WHITE BASS Seldom exceeds 3 pounds Tongue with one tooth patch Stripes often faint 2nd anal spine 2/3 or more the
length of 3rd anal spine State Record 5 lb. 1 oz.

SMALLMOUTH BASS Upper jaw extends to about middle of eye Usually has vertical stripes along body 3 short spines on anal fin State Record 7 lb. 2 oz.
SPOTTED BASS Upper jaw not past rear of eye Spiny and soft dorsal fin clearly connected Tooth patch on tongue State Record 8 lb. 2 oz.
SHOAL BASS Found in Chattahoochee,
Flint, and Ocmulgee Rivers Vertical bars on fish of all sizes No tooth patch on tongue Light golden color World Record 8 lb. 3 oz.

HYBRID WHITE-STRIPED BASS Back arched, body deep Stripes distinct and usually broken Tongue with two tooth patches 2nd anal spine 2/3 or more the length of
3rd anal spine State Record 25 lb. 8 oz.
STRIPED BASS Body slender Stripes distinct, occasionally broken Tongue with two tooth patches 2nd anal spine or less the length
of 3rd anal spine State Record 63 lb.
REDEYE BASS Small tooth patch found
on tongue Sides olive to brown in
coloring; dark vertical bars; prominent dark spot on the gill cover White margin on tail State Record 3 lb. 7 oz.
FLATHEAD CATFISH Head wide and flat Body dark in color Tail not forked State Record 83 lb.

CHAIN PICKEREL (JACKFISH) Elongated body with chain-like markings Sharp needle-like teeth World Record 9 lb. 6 oz.
26

WALLEYE Sharp teeth No spots on dorsal fin Dark area at base of dorsal fin White spot at bottom of tail State Record 11 lb. 6 oz.
W W W.G O F I S H G E O R G I A .C O M

BLACK CRAPPIE 78 dorsal spines Body color pattern irregular arranged spots State Record 4 lb. 4 oz.

RAINBOW TROUT Small black dots throughout the body
that extend into the tail Red stripe along side on silvery body State Record 17 lb. 8 oz.

REDEAR SUNFISH (SHELLCRACKER) Red edge on operculum ear flap Spotted body State Record 4 lb. 2 oz.
REDBREAST SUNFISH Long, dark ear flap Blue lines on head Ear flap (operculum) not wider than eye State Record 1 lb. 11 oz.
BLUEGILL Black spot on soft dorsal fin Vertical bars on body State Record 3 lb. 5 oz.

BROWN TROUT Black and red-orange spots
inside light circles on brown body Caudal fin (tail) square State Record 18 lb. 6 oz.
BROOK TROUT Light, wormlike
markings on dark upper body White leading edge on lower fins
(pectoral, pelvic and anal) State Record 5 lb. 10 oz.
CHANNEL CATFISH Numerous small, black
spots present Deeply forked tail fin State Record 44 lb. 12 oz.
BLUEBACK HERRING Pointed snout Small dorsal fin Lower jaw sloped upward Body not as deep as gizzard shad

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

27

Fish identification pictures: Duane Raver and Joseph Tomelleri

FRESHWATER
FRESHWATER FISH RECORDS

North Georgia's
FLYSHOP
&
OUTFITTER

SPECIES

WEIGHT

ANGLER

LOCATION

Bass, Hybrid

25 lb. 8 oz.

David Hobby

Lake Chatuge

Bass, Largemouth

22 lb. 4 oz

George Perry

Montgomery Lake

Bass, Redeye

3 lb. 7 oz.

Steve Williams

Lake Hartwell

Bass, Shoal

8 lb. 3 oz.

David Hubbard

Flint River

Bass, Smallmouth

7 lb. 2 oz.

Jack Hall

Lake Chatuge

Bass, Spotted

8 lb. 2 oz.

Wayne Holland

Lake Burton

Bass, Striped (tie)

63 lb.

Kelly Ward Terry McConnell

Oconee River Lake Richard B.
Russell

Bass, Suwanee

3 lb. 9 oz.

Laverne Norton

Ochlocknee River

Bass, White

5 lb. 1 oz.

J.M. Hobbins

Lake Lanier

Bowfin

16 lb. 3 oz.

Jimmy Tucker

Suwannee River

Bullhead, Brown

5 lb. 8 oz.

James Andrews

O.F. Veal Pond

Bullhead, Yellow

4 lb. 15 oz.

Glenn Settles

Ogeechee River

Carp, Common

35 lb. 12 oz. Rev. Donald Clark

Lake Jackson

Catfish, Blue

80 lb. 4 oz.

Earnest Timpson

Lake Walter F. George

Catfish, Channel

44 lb. 12 oz. Bobby Smithwick

Altamaha River

Catfish, Flathead

83 lb.

Carl Sawyer Jim Dieveney

Altamaha River Altamaha River

Catfish, White

8 lb. 10 oz.

James Sanders

Savannah River

Crappie, Black (tie)

4 lb. 4 oz.

Shirley Lavender Steve Cheek

Acree's Lake Lake Spivey

Crappie, White

5 lb.

Theresa Kemp

Bibb Co. Pond

Gar, Longnose

30 lb. 13 oz.

Gerald Kennedy

Lake Lanier

Muskellunge

38 lb.

Rube Golden

Blue Ridge Lake

Perch, Yellow

2 lb. 9 oz.

Thomas Lewis

Savannah River

Pickerel, Chain

9 lb. 6 oz.

Baxley McQuaig Jr.

Homerville

Pickerel, Redfin

2 lb. 10 oz.

Gene Brantley

Lewis' Pond

Pike, Northern

18 lb. 2 oz.

Keith Gragg

Lake Rabun

Sauger

4 lb. 3 oz.

Stuart Bowers

Clarks Hill Reservoir

Shad, American

8 lb. 3 oz.

Henry Baxley

Savannah River

Shad, Hickory

1 lb. 15 oz.

Mark Bowers

Ogeechee River

Sunfish, Bluegill

3 lb. 5 oz.

P.F. Gumm

Shamrock Lake

Sunfish, Flier

1 lb. 4 oz.

Curt Brooks

Lowndes Co. Pond

Sunfish, Green

1 lb. 7 oz.

Jeff Sumner

Private Pond

Sunfish, Redbreast

1 lb. 11 oz.

Emory Walden

Coweta Co. Pond

Sunfish, Redear

4 lb. 2 oz.

Pat Lawrence

Richmond Co. Pond

Sunfish, Spotted

10 oz. 10 oz.

Mike Markovcic Ryan Kersey

Brier Creek Satilla River

Sunfish, Warmouth

2 lb.

Carlton Robbins

Private Pond

Trout, Brook

5 lb. 10 oz.

Russell Braden

Waters Creek

Trout, Brown

20 lb. 14 oz.

Chad Doughty Chattahoochee River

Trout, Rainbow

17 lb. 8 oz.

Mark Cochran

Soque River

Walleye

11 lb. 6 oz.

Neal Watson

Richard B. Russell Lake

RED indicates new record! Blue type denotes a World Record Fish (either IGFA or NFFHF)

DATE
May 1995 June 1932 April 2004 Oct 1977 March 1973 Feb 2005 May 1967
April 2009
Oct 1984 June 1971 June 2014 May 1978 Oct 2003
1972
Feb 2010
May 1972 June 2006 July 2010 June 1996 June 1971 March 1975 April 1984 Sept 2013 June 1957 Feb 2013 Feb 1961 July 1982 June 1982
April 1986
April 1986 April 1995 July 1977 Feb 1996 Feb 2006 April 1998 June 1995 Sept 2003 June 2014 May 1974 March 1986 July 2014 May 2004
Sept 1995

770.606.1100
www.CohuttaFishingCo.com 39 S. Public Square | Cartersville,GA
Caylor Custom Flies
caylorcustomflies.com 850-957-4071
roger@caylorcustomflies.com

Someone's Stealing Georgia's Wildlife
Poaching is the illegal fishing and hunting of wildlife. Poachers rob you of hunting opportunities. Poachers steal everyone's wildlife. Poachers give ethical anglers and hunters a bad name. Rewards are paid if an arrest is made. Anonymity is respected.

Go Ahead and Make Their Day--
Turn In Poachers

RangerHotline@dnr.state.ga.us 1-800-241-4113
WE ARE AVAILABLE 247365

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W W W.G O F I S H G E O R G I A .C O M

SAVE TODAY. SMOOTH WATER TOMORROW.
See how much you could save on boat insurance.

for your boat
geico.com | 1-800-865-4846 | local office

Some discounts, coverages, payment plans and features are not available in all states or all GEICO companies. Boat and PWC coverages are underwritten by Seaworthy Insurance Company, a GEICO company.

GEICO is a registered service mark of Government Employees Insurance Company, Washington, D.C. 20076; a Berkshire Hathaway Inc. subsidiary. GEICO Gecko Image 1999-2016. 2016 GEICO

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HUGE AQUARIUMS: FISH & ALLIGATORS STOCKED OUTDOOR FISHING POND EXHIBITS AND SIMULATORS
PRICING KIDS $3 SENIORS $4 ADULTS $5
HOURS FRISAT 9AM5PM (SUMMER: WED-SAT) SUN 15PM

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ON I-75 TAKE EXIT 134 THEN HEAD EAST
ENTRANCE ON THE LEFT GPS:
N 32.43340 W 83.74360

GOFISHEDUCATIONCENTER.COM/GOFISHCAM LIVE DAILY FROM 7AM7PM
Watch fish and other creatures in the Piedmont Reservoir Exhibit, a 15-foot-deep aquarium that represents aquatic life in Georgia's waters.

1255 PERRY PKWY, PERRY | GOFISHEDUCATIONCENTER.COM | (478) 988-6701

GetKids
Hooked!

KIDS FISHING EVENTS An easy way to get kids hooked is by going to a kids fishing event. Georgia events are offered during the spring and summer throughout the state. It's a great way for kids to have a fun experience and takes the pressure off of parents and grandparents to ensure they hook a fish.
These events are often staffed by experienced volunteers and held at ponds and other spots that are stocked for kids. Georgia Wildlife Resources Division supports most events by providing channel catfish and trout to improve their chances and educational materials.
To find an event, visit www.georgiawildlife.com/fishing/kids-fishing

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS Ask about field trips at your child's school. Wildlife Resources Division has seven regional wildlife educational centers throughout the state. The Go Fish Education Center in Perry offers programs for all grade levels on fishing and conservation.
The Go Fish center offers educational programs that include on-site classroom programs, public workshops and seminars. Classroom programs are interactive, hands-on lessons that align to the Georgia Performance Standards. Live fish and wildlife exhibits, fishing simulators, educational displays and a theater offer several options for teaching conservation. For more information, visit gofishgeorgia.com/fishing/kids-fishing.

SUMMER CAMPS Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center (hour east of Atlanta) offers numerous day and overnight summer camps on conservation and outdoor recreation for ages 6-15. Activities include fishing, canoeing, hiking, pond studies, orienteering and more. Visit gofishgeorgia.com/CharlieElliott/Camps.

MORE INFO ONLINE Visit www.gofishgeorgia.com/fishing/kids-fishing for links to: Find a Kids' Fishing Event Places to Take Kids Fishing Tips for Fishing with Kids "My First Fish" Certificate - download

BEST GIFT FOR A YOUNG ANGLER It's never too early! Buy a lifetime license for a child and save hundreds.
Lifetime licenses are full privilege sportsman's licenses ($55 annually), and include all state paid recreational hunting and fishing privileges. Lifetime licenses include hunting, big game, Wildlife Management Area (WMA), alligator, Georgia waterfowl conservation, salt and freshwater fishing and mountain trout licenses.

Consider the savings:
Age Under 2 years old
Ages 2-15 16 and older

Lifetime License Cost $200 $350 $500

W W W.GOFISHGEORGIA.COM

31

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BRAGGING BOARD

Angler Awards Program

Catching a big fish is always a thrill and usually requires exceptional If you think you, or someone you know, caught a new state freshwater

fishing skill. Each year DNR recognizes the achievement of anglers record, follow these steps:

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:

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 Department of Agriculture (at

Catch your fish on legal sport fishing tackle in Georgia (see page 14).
Meet the minimum weight or length requirements for that species.

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 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 4).
Complete application and submit it with a clear side view photo of the whole fish to the address listed on the form.

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 4).
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 28
Saltwater Records see page 42

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W W W.G O F I S H G E O R G I A .C O M

FRESHWATER
FISH CONSUMPTION GUIDELINES: 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 to the right. 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.

No Restrictions
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); Clayton Co. Water Auth. lakes; Dodge Co. PFA; Flat Creek (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); Reed Bingham State Park; Rocky Mountain PFA Lakes Antioch (East and West) and Heath; Seed; Shepard, Margery, and Bennett (CEWC); Sinclair; and Walter F. George; Silver Lake WMA.
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).

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 on this page (above) have been tested and the fish found to contain little or no contamination. If the lake or stream where you fish is listed in the following tables (on pages 3437), it is safe to eat the amount listed for a given species from that body of water. Water bodies are listed alphabetically.

"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

W W W.G O F I S H G E O R G I A .C O M

33

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FRESHWATER
FISH CONSUMPTION GUIDELINES: 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 Crappie 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 (Hwy 192 to Lotts Cr.) Ogeechee River Basin Casey Canal Chattooga River (NE Ga., Rabun Co.) Chattahoochee River (Helen to Lk. Lanier) Chattahoochee River (Buford Dam to Morgan Falls Dam) Chattahoochee River (Morgan Falls Dam to Peachtree Crk.) Chattahoochee River (Peachtree Crk. to Pea Crk.) Chattahoochee River (Pea Crk. to West Point Lk., below Franklin) Chattahoochee River (Morgan Falls Dam to West Pt. Lk.) Chattahoochee River (West Point dam to I-85) Chattahoochee River (Oliver Dam to Upatoi Crk.) Chestatee River (below Tesnatee Riv.) Chickamauga Creek (West) Cohulla Creek (Whitfield Co.) Conasauga River (below Stateline)
Coosa River (River Mile Zero to Hwy 100, Floyd Co.)
Coosa River (Hwy 100 to Stateline, Floyd Co.)
Coosa River (Coosa, Etowah below Thompson-Weinman dam, Oostanaula) 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.)

*
<20" 20" <20" 20" <20" 20"

<18" 18 32"
>32" <18" 18 32" >32"
<16" 1630"
>30"

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W W W.G O F I S H G E O R G I A .C O M

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 Crappie 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
Holly Creek (Murray Co.) Ichawaynochaway Creek 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) Oconee River (at I-16) Ogeechee River (all to Ft. McAllister) Ohoopee River (Emanuel/Toombs Cos.) Okefenokee Swamp (Billy's Lake)
Oostanaula River (Floyd/Gordon Counties) 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) Savannah River (Chatham/Screven Cos.) Savannah River (Effingham Co.) Savannah River (Tidal Gate) Savannah River (New Savannah Bluff Lock & Dam to Savannah Estuary) 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.)

<20" 20"
27"

<30" >30"

* 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.

W W W.G O F I S H G E O R G I A .C O M

35

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

FRESHWATER
FISH CONSUMPTION GUIDELINES: 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) Carters Lake 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

>16"

>16" >16" >16"

>12"

12-16"

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

<16"

>12"

12-16"

>12"

>16"

12-16"

12-16"

>16" 12-16"

12-16"

>16" >16"

12-16"

>16"

>16"

<12" >12"

>16"

12-16"

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

12-16" >16"

12-16"

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

>16"

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

>16"

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

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

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W W W.G O F I S H G E O R G I A .C O M

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

>16" >16"
>16"

SALTWATER
FISH CONSUMPTION GUIDELINES: COASTAL RIVERS & CREEKS

Atlantic 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)

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

Turtle River System (Purvis, Gibson Crks.)

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

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) reduces the risk of consuming PCBs.

Good Fishing Depends on Clean Water
Many of our rivers, lakes, and coastal areas are experiencing algae blooms that cover our favorite fishing spots with green slime and cause fish kills and "dead zones" where no aquatic life can survive. The cause is usually nitrogen and phosphorus pollution that comes from farm and lawn fertilizers, septic systems, animal waste, and sewage treatment plants. Here's what you can do to keep the water clean:

Take care not to over fertilize
Pick up pet waste and properly manage waste from livestock

Use green practices: rain barrels, rain gardens, and permeable pavements
Maintain septic systems
Encourage your community to invest

Supporting water quality protection supports great fishing!
Learn more at: www.epa.gov/nutrientpollution/

W W W.G O F I S H G E O R G I A .C O M

37

Purchase a license online at www.gofishgeorgia.com or by phone 1-800-366-2661

Fishing. Family. Fun.
View our online state parks guide!

Camping & Yurts Outdoor Adventures Equipment Rentals

Georgia State Parks offer some of the best fly fishing,

bass fishing and trout fishing in the country. So whatever

type of fishing you prefer, there's something for

everyone. Haul in that very first, exciting catch or pursue

your lifetime passion. And, enjoy your favorite pastime

G a St at e Park s.org with loads of other fun activities for the entire family.

80 0 -864 -7275 Hike a forest path or canyon trail, pack a picnic, spend

38

reservations

2016

|

the night in a lakeside yurt or a cozy cabin. There's

GE W

W O RWpG.lIGeAnOStFyPI

OoSfHRfTGisEFhIOinSRHgG,I NfIaAGm. CRilEyOGM aUnLdAfTuInO

NatS Georgia

State

Parks.

Georgia Bass Trail
These tournament-style ramp facilities include multiple boat ramp lanes, extra capacity parking lots and weigh-in areas for tournaments. All 15 mega boat ramps improve access for local anglers and help communities attract major bass fishing tournaments. One more ramp is in the permitting or construction stages.
Local communities aid in the planning and development and then assume responsibility for the maintenance.
Communities market the ramps to local, regional and national fishing groups for tournaments and other events. It's a win-win for the community as locals have full access for recreational boating and fishing year-round.
Go Fish Georgia Initiative
The Go Fish Georgia Initiative seeks to promote and enhance boating and fishing tourism and boost economic development. Leveraging public and private support, the initiative is improving access, quality and awareness of fishing in Georgia through:
Interactive education about Georgia's diverse aquatic life, their natural habitats and the wise stewardship of these resources through the Go Fish Education Center in Perry
Quality fisheries supported by stateof-the-art indoor/ outdoor warm water fish hatcheries
The Georgia Bass Trail tournament ramps

Did you know?
1.4 million resident anglers fish in Georgia. Fishing in Georgia generates $1.3 billion in retail sales and
a $2.1 billion ripple effect each year. Fishing in Georgia is responsible for 15,644 jobs, $622
million in salaries/wages/earnings, $147 million in federal tax revenues and $109 million in state and local tax revenues.
SOUCRES: Georgia Department of Natural Resources, American Sportfishing Association

W W W.G O F I S H G E O R G I A .C O M

39

Purchase a license online at www.gofishgeorgia.com or by phone 1-800-366-2661

SALTWATER
FISHING IN GEORGIA

From the deep waters of the Gulf Stream across a wide expanse of open Atlantic Ocean through winding tidal rivers to remote marshes, coastal Georgia offers a diversity of inviting places for the saltwater angler. Whether you fish from the surf, a fishing pier, or a boat, there is always something ready to tug on your line.

Each year, thousands of anglers take to Georgia's coastal waters in search of spotted seatrout, or speckled trout as they are known to many. The popularity of the species stems from its tenacious fight when hooked, its superb quality as table fare, and its accessibility to anglers fishing from shore and boat. However, this popularity makes the species vulnerable to overharvest. Thus, there are harvest regulations for spotted seatrout to ensure that adequate numbers of juvenile fish, especially females, reach adulthood and spawn at the level necessary to perpetuate the species. Each year, Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) staff monitors spotted seatrout populations through surveys of angler catches and direct sampling with specialized nets providing a solid foundation of science-based information on the status of the species.
In 2012, the Finfish Advisory Panel (FAP) was created to advise DNR on saltwater finfish management. Membership includes saltwater fishing guides and anglers from throughout the coastal area with representation from inland areas, as well. The FAP members met with DNR staff several times over the past three years learning about the biology, population trends, and management goals for spotted seatrout. During these discussions, DNR informed the FAP members of the following benefits of increasing the minimum size limit from 13 to 14 inches:
Greater egg production from female trout a 14-inch female trout produces 20% more eggs each time she spawns as compared to a 13-inch female trout. Allowing the fish to reach an older age also allows it more opportunities to spawn. Increased egg production means, on average, a greater abundance of spotted seatrout in Georgia waters.
More, larger quality trout in the population a 14-inch trout weighs 23% more than a 13-inch trout. Most of this increase in weight is in the edible portion of the fish (i.e. the fillet).
More resiliency of the seatrout population to the effects of periodic environmental extremes such as abnormally cold winters. There is evidence that larger, older trout can withstand colder water temperatures better than younger, smaller trout. Having more larger fish in the population can expedite a recovery after such an event.
Studies show that approximately 90% of spotted seatrout survive the process of being caught on hook-and-line gear and released.
After hearing this information from DNR staff and discussing it amongst themselves, a majority of the FAP members recommended that DNR ask the Board of Natural Resources to change Georgia's saltwater fishing regulations to increase the spotted seatrout minimum size. At its October 2015 meeting, after considering public comment provided through two public hearings and email, the Board members unanimously approved the increase of the minimum-size regulation for spotted seatrout from 13 inches to 14 inches, total length with an effective date of January 1, 2016.

Attention Anglers: Be Counted, Be Heard
During 2015, almost a quarter million anglers acquired a Saltwater Information Program (SIP) permit helping Georgia DNR to better manage saltwater fishing in our state. The no-cost SIP permit is an effective way to document who is fishing in saltwater so scientific surveys of saltwater fishing catch and effort can be most accurate.
Do your part: Be Counted, Be Heard!
In addition to a Georgia fishing license, a FREE SIP permit, valid from March 1 to February 28, is required for anyone age 16 and over who fishes in saltwater in Georgia.
SIP Permits are available from:
Your local license vendor. To locate a vendor, visit www.CoastalGADNR.org/SIP; By calling 800-366-2661
(MonFri 8a8p and SatSun 9a5p) Online at www.CoastalGADNR.org/SIP
IMPORTANT: Permit renewal begins March 1, 2016, just in time for the kickoff of saltwater fishing season!
For more information go to www.CoastalGADNR.org/SIP or call 800-366-2661.

40

| 2 0 1 6 G E O R G I A S P O R T F I S H I N G R E G U L A T I O N S

W W W.G O F I S H G E O R G I A .C O M

SALTWATER
RECREATIONAL FISHING

Fishing Licenses: See page 8 for informa- For information on the Gray's Reef National All seasons, hours, creel limits, minimum

tion on license requirements.

Marine Sanctuary contact:

size limits, and other regulations applicable

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

Gray's Reef Sanctuary Program 10 Ocean Science Circle Savannah, GA 31411 912-598-2345 www.graysreef.nos.noaa.gov

to saltwater finfish apply regardless of the gear used.
Sharks: Recreational harvest of sharks is limited to hook and line gear only.
RELATED DEFINITIONS

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

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!

Maximum Size: the specific size in length above which it is unlawful to take that finfish species.
Minimum Size: the specific size in length below which it is unlawful to take that finfish species.
Open Season: that specified period of time

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 Guide's License should call the DNR Coastal Regional License Office at 912-264-7237.
Saltwater Fishing

ARTIFICIAL REEFS Georgia maintains 15 inshore and 22 offshore artificial reefs located from inside the estuary to 80 miles offshore. The 19 reefs beyond 3 miles offshore are designated as federal Special Management Zones and as such, only allow hand-held hook-n-line and spear fishing gear. For more information, coordinates and updates go to georgiaoutdoormap.com.

during which one may take certain finfish species from any waters of the state.
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.
Bushel: 9.3 gallons or approximately 37 quarts.

Information

GEORGIA SALTWATER FISHING REGULATIONS For information and updates on licenses, regulations, and fishing in Georgia's inshore and offshore saltwaters contact:

Saltwater Demarcation Line
This line is established in this state as the separation point between saltwaters and freshwaters for commercial fishing and sport fishing. Shallow FWoartmeroBrelaicnkfoorumt iastiaonnuanbdoeurtwater "faintT"hdeuesatlotwater demarcation line is defined a lack sohfaollxoywgewnattoerthbelabckraoiuntbgrootuoght on by hboeldloinwg:

Georgia DNR Coastal

shaylolouwr bwreaatethrbfolarclkonogutpperreiovdesntoifotnim.oer.gWithouTthe point at which U.S. Highway 17 crosses

Law Enforcement

immediate rescue, the swimmer quickly drownthse. following bodies of water and their tribu-

fBBwCF99mMOFFOi11orrsIEonnwia22uuhSrlaee--rDenni22iwHisnsnCC66nssEt.gIowwf44eooCaoNRf--nnlrFii77froccGesAssm22Riakkhsgee13Lsh,,earro8u7RtGGvvtesrlaoioSreaaEoaoAAril)rtttuAne,GGiiiffoosoc33raaLaAUonn11cnSxxTn55neseDLWW229d9tsWc10a0i1ANtaanuD2c2--iATyyo88-t-pR2f,,:2i66nTIedv6S6.88OdoE2a2iu77s--etrNiR23eitgro31esSa16nl2o860wn1aretecrrsea(t3io2n0a0lSohvahpearpllATToaeSBpttttBLtoShnohhhwnfehoosRlAWOfaeerSyHlSftINlwdwWaeiaehtiosossWWJAyanNsaheohAtBshulaeepevuddreaiaoitteretrBBleynkeNsDnTpdlrgibzbtrirwi.mtptSiasysvthgzarscsBhooIowSeIeetETpaatllNFolemhnNaannemSalnaAnoaisFasrS,tcrtntronhthesiLsnGaLkuhhlGtototseTaatEestoshocmebaelfndtotloe.puyas.alssipeeerocbodtnRttrSstopaRbtootsptwnignisvfeak1eeesmryetiteceAeraeoirhnMW,xEamnvPnoresmr0eeoa.nuesptzioFFsoarnf,p0dQoRehrtmobrdiotortieunee0SeadiEscnfzhpinefsn:nrOUeenhmsatainhoefdrewAf,TaryBs.melmirledsnnIrtHwul(odhSusofoa3foegYRei.sfinecwtcntininne0mnritcIhrtphnkom.mgahseEo,BrsctorncaZlshheasaimfsrulamparotehmasMetouIvmheot,Ohfl.haaoTnaellifesysdeteottswepowwettEnNwsvideIiieslasheavb,OniwnrvpadnehNeclvrtaEesaeeeagoilgesrervoaNinrrtwn.endTeiSsgetnmtfi.psobdr/niprdr.nstlhb.oSohieiahohpmnremlcFttfwaroegiaeSooa/vyroecrtlagestrodenetkhsaohhnrnk,tsoeeafitimiatez,ucosebleietbr)dijvdaprriseinaeltrMudiallsitevemclsmastvynohdehasaehnfedankrouyfsedbtnswiiroeisiotidnoksis1.vrdftmnse.,y.rmowsoraefgliresmkxiacAlT(appttRRlMCOiSnlmeeeteahdrsohoorsiialxsng.reevevdteuiiercciiagStmdeennevraeodterWfrmersetrwtthsbliorpe,:h,si,socBbaSslnDBanatSsa:hslutiolhyaohtrlghSCaetu.wuwaa1anaRarerMtln7irhllhaoilieRtl0ivnsStiaoenNbebcwCiecygrskvhdeerRrey.sries,eowcte'cAitGatdBsrsevkhore,sspimeleeRkengRRelCosora)iss,)aOiiwr,lvrmh,ivvLittlgdNentahgeaeRiasiretmerewetrao,nitr,ae,evlSrSeToadHrnpeLcetadautfdhhnrsiOveit,tragdeesieratSttlgNlaaehylhelnlafleeewalowmeRelnteRtoRrwiSwRaaicarCavtiaitrhhyaivrhvtphretdvcrteeeieReroe2eeiale,errbroil5rrirt,,akrav.S,/tufiSnBoreyeSS(tRRatiLrdnuansoohvpiitiarttuuevtveteefiilnthsttoerremeelldhhoeeeessrrrr,,,

South Atlantic Fishery Management Council

dioxisdetaintean oattremfpetdtoetarkaelinrmeogreuolxaygteinoanndmstauy dsotwbn leonlgaern. dHoewdever, it isshtirgehalemvelss, and tributaries in the six coastal eolfsCoOfwC2, Ointo2httolohtweelllaethvdeelabsoondfydotxofyibgnreensa,ttihhn,attthtaericdgitgv.eerArtchanengbsotladeyyr'dssonwmenedutotsootblormneagta.h.kHWeetihthenou"tfasciunoftfsui"cinuennttdileeervs- which are not enumerated in this

4055 Faber Place Dr., Suite 201

watercaantdcdhroewsnas vifahielias bnolet refsocrueidnimspmeedcitatieolyn. by government subsection.

North Charleston, SC 29405

SWBocfafnichaipaplesn.toSaanlytowneahtoeldrinfgitnhefiirsbhreasthufborjeexctetndtoed speirzioedsaonf tdime,espeFcioalrly pthouserposes of crabbing, that portion of

843-571-4366 or 866-SAFMC-10

who pbraacgticelicmomiptestiticvae,nrenpeotitivbe ebretartha-hnosldfiengrrbeecdausteotheaynaroetmhoererlikely tothbeepuSshti.ngMary's River and the Satilla River

www.safmc.net

tdhievierrpslimaeriertssthaoenndonsetoasyrminovgstdelosiwksenleyllotnoogbener.sttFrhiivtnienegswstolealveetnlegirtsh.neonCttahoefmiarcdtomivreaestirtmhceei.maElovsetnfiNt sawvSiymySmsEteAersLm/s a(riencluding the Satilla River and White

For information and updates on federal tions and required permitting for tunas, and sharks, contact:

breilglfuislhacd-,oenpsthtclaionacftulewygnamtheosrnte, ietfsovireneandfraiiensbahtrtrha.eintuqinbugwbiherecreaeudasedtitvhoeerysmaerieglhaltt GEAR

hrieghcerreriaskt.ioAnndaSlWlyB
be practicing his breath

can haOppeankinCanryeek) which is seaward of the points holdinagtskwillsh. ich the Seaboard Coastline Railroad
crosses such streams and that portion of the Altamaha River System which is seaward of

National Marine Fisheries Service

A seine may not be used as a gill net (a net the points at which I-95 crosses the streams

HMS Management Division

constructed of single webbing attached to a of that system shall be considered salt water.

1315 East-West Hwy

float line and lead line and fished in a stationary It shall be unlawful to place any crab trap

Silver Spring, MD 20910

manner to ensnare or entangle fish in the in the waters of this state other than that

301-713-2347

meshes).

described as salt water in Code Section 27-4-1

www.nmfspermits.com

Only flounder may be taken with a gig (any or by this subsection.

handheld shaft with single or multiple points,

barbed or barbless).

W W W.G O F I S H G E O R G I A .C O M

41

Purchase a license online at www.gofishgeorgia.com or by phone 1-800-366-2661

SALTWATER
GEORGIA'S SALTWATER GAMEFISH RECORDS

SPECIES
Amberjack, Greater Barracuda, Great
Bass, Black Sea (tie)
Bluefish* Cobia Croaker, Atlantic Dolphin Drum, Black Drum, Red (Channel Bass)* Flounder (Composite) Grouper, Gag Grouper, Goliath* Grouper, Red Grouper, Scamp Grouper, Warsaw Jack, Crevalle Kingfish (Whiting) Ladyfish Mackerel, King Mackerel, Spanish Marlin, Blue* Marlin, White* Mullet, Striped Pinfish Pompano, Florida Porgy (Composite) Porgy, Red Runner, Rainbow Sailfish* Seatrout,Spotted Shark, Blacktip Shark, Bonnethead Shark, Bull Shark, Dusky* Shark, Hammerhead Shark, Lemon Shark, Mako Shark, Nurse Shark, Sandbar (Brown)* Shark, Sand Tiger* Shark, Spinner Shark, Thresher Shark, Tiger Sheepshead Snapper, Cubera Snapper, Gray Snapper, Red Snapper, Yellowtail Snook Spadefish, Atlantic Swordfish Tarpon Triggerfish, Gray Tripletail Tuna, Blackfin Tuna, Yellowfin Tunny, Little Wahoo Weakfish (Summer Trout)

WEIGHT 92 lb. 1 oz. 54 lb. 8 oz.
5 lb. 11 oz. 5 lb. 12 oz. 17 lb. 12 oz. 88 lb. 12 oz. 5 lb. 12 oz. 67 lb. 6 oz. 92 lb. 0 oz. 47 lb. 7 oz. 15 lb. 8 oz. 38 lb. 0 oz. 124 lb. 0 oz. 19 lb. 8 oz. 27 lb. 2 oz. 252 lb. 0 oz. 38 lb. 8 oz. 2 lb. 12 oz. 3 lb. 12 oz. 75 lb. 12 oz. 8 lb. 4 oz. 491 lb. 8 oz. 49 lb. 12 oz. 9 lb. 3 oz. 1 lb. 9 oz. 5 lb. 4 oz. 15 lb. 14 oz. 5 lb. 6 oz. 17 lb. 12 oz. 65 lb. 0 oz. 9 lb. 7 oz. 131 lb. 0 oz. 22 lb. 8 oz. 455 lb. 0 oz. 272 lb. 8 oz. 770 lb. 0 oz. 375 lb. 0 oz. 228 lb. 8 oz. 244 lb. 0 oz. 158 lb. 8 oz. 290 lb. 0 oz. 145 lb. 6 oz. 116 lb. 0 oz. 794 lb. 0 oz. 14 lb. 14 oz. 10 lb. 0 oz. 12 lb. 9 oz. 37 lb. 8 oz. 5 lb. 0 oz. 10 lb. 2 oz. 13 lb. 2 oz. 205 lb. 8 oz. 161 lb. 0 oz. 11 lb. 3 oz. 38 lb. 14 oz. 38 lb. 10 oz. 249 lb. 2 oz. 19 lb. 4 oz. 123 lb. 3 oz. 6 lb. 8 oz.

MEN'S RECORD MALE ANGLER (year) Ben W. Key. Jr. (1975) Wayne Hall (1999) J.C. Hadden, Jr. (1994) Willie J. Oakman (1998) Gary Q. Altman (1980) Jeffrey Clark (1985) David Flynt (1977)
Michael Sheppard (1997) John H. Thomas Jr. (2010)
Richard Price (1986) Walter C. Hewitt (1982)
David Sapp (2002) James Chumley (1976)
John Wren (2012) Jakob Hallstrom (2014) Gene Whitehurst (1981) Lex Bazemore (2001)
Harold Guinn (1975) Dwight Thornton (1977)
Joe H. Bell (2004) James I. Geiger (1991) John C. Howard, Jr. (1985) Thomas Hester (1986) Steve Middleton (1994)
Will Ricks (2012) Bill Knightbuford (2002)
Louis F. Jiran (1988) Jimmy Ginn (1980) Tyler Bond (1984) Vann Downs (1981) Tommy Hall (1976) Albert Lee Boyd (1978) Zachery Gross (2009) Mark D. Noble (1978) Bill Hunter (1978) Charlie Marshall (1973) Thomas Winslow (1974) Harry Wooley (1975) Bill Watson (1981) Chet Lee Kirby (1979) Billy Castle (1977) Edward J. Hawie (2009) Mark D. Noble (1976) Chuck Hall (1975) Ralph V. White (2002) Chris Gray (2012) David Blackshear (2011) Bill Shearin, Jr. (1988) Eddie N. Vanmeter II (2014) Lester Rooks (1990) Shahram Zare (2004) Brendin A. Page (2014) C. Edwards (1995) Dean Williams (1989) Kyle Thigpen (2005) Teddy Elrod (2005) Ken Cooper (1980) John Smits (2010) Michael Stefanick (2000) Frank Taylor (1976)

WEIGHT 72 lb. 8 oz. 47 lb. 8 oz.

WOMEN'S RECORD FEMALE ANGLER (year) Tricia L. Nicosia (1986) Marie Franklin (1999)

4 lb. 8 oz.

Evelyn B. Carter (1983)

14 lb. 4 oz.

Kathy Sikes (1986)

68 lb. 5 oz.

Wanda Carroll (1999)

2 lb. 11 oz.

Caroline Hicks (2014)

54 lb. 8 oz.

Romona Arsenault (1977)

80 lb. 0 oz.

Jennifer Swenson (2009)

38 lb. 13 oz.

Sandra Price (1986)

15 lb. 10 oz.

Janice Youmans (1990)

20 lb. 0 oz.

Joyce L. Richards (1984)

Harvest prohibited, therefore record no longer allowed.

23 lb. 6 oz.

Kathy Wash (1987)

Harvest prohibited, therefore record no longer allowed.

30 lb. 6 oz.

Ann Allen (1981)

2 lb. 4 oz.

Lois E. Guinn (1975)

5 lb. 0 oz.

Marjorie Nighbert (1978)

42 lb. 0 oz.

Joyce Richards (1982)

7 lb. 14 oz.

Ida Knight (1988)

178 lb. 0 oz.

Susan D. Meek (1985)

Harvest prohibited, therefore record no longer allowed.

Minimum weight: 4 lbs.

1 lb. 7 oz.

38 lb. 5 oz. 7 lb. 8 oz.
148 lb. 0 oz. 22 lb. 11.5 oz. 121 lb. 9 oz. 6 lb. 2 oz. 10 lb. 0 oz.
322 lb. 0 oz.

124 lb. 0 oz. 212 lb. 6 oz.

190 lb. 0 oz. 12 lb. 9 oz.

10 lb. 4 oz. 29 lb. 8 oz.

10 lb. 6 oz. 11 lb. 5 oz.

139 lb. 11 lb. 22 lb. 30 lb.
165 lb. 20 lb. 77 lb.

0 oz. 5 oz. 7 oz. 8 oz. 4 oz. 0 oz. 0 oz.

Laura A. Cheek (1982) Minimum weight: 3 lbs. Minimum weight: 4 lbs. Minimum weight: 5 lbs.
Laura Hammond (1992) Amanda Wooten (1990)
Allison Gerber (2008) Amanda Page (2012) Jennifer Swenson (2011) Wendy Mead (1982) Katherine Bullis (1985) Deborah Carpenter (2011) No minimum weight Minimum weight: 50 lbs. Dorothea Bays (1985) Clara Adams (1984) Minimum weight: 50 lbs. Minimum weight: 50 lbs.
Pam Page (2012) Linda Carroll (2003) -- Becky Manley (2015) Phyllis Thompson (1989) -- Marlene Patton (2008) Deidra H. Jeffcoat (2003) No minimum weight Wendy A. Mead (1986) Elizabeth Zeagler (1987) Joan Thigpen (1994) Penny Morgan-Turner (1999) Anne Smith (1973) Str. Mary Clarice (1973) Linda Li-Chao Yang (1988) Minimum weight: 3 lb.

For more information on Saltwater records, go to Coastal Resources Division at 912-264-7218 RED indicates new record! * Current regulations require the immediate release of these fish and therefore are not eligible for state records. Due to the maximum 23 inch size limit on
Red Drum, a state record cannot be submitted.

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| 2 0 1 6 G E O R G I A S P O R T F I S H I N G R E G U L A T I O N S

W W W.G O F I S H G E O R G I A .C O M

SALTWATER
FINFISH

SEASONS, LIMITS, SIZES
All limits per person unless specified. FL = fork length, TL = total length (see "How to Measure a Fish," page 43)

SPECIES

OPEN SEASON

DAILY LIMIT AND POSSESSION LIMIT

MINIMUM SIZE (inches)

Amberjack*

All year

1

28 FL

American Eel

All year

25

9 TL

Atlantic croaker

All year

25

Atlantic sturgeon

No Harvest

Billfish (Blue marlin, White marlin, Sailfish)*

Catch and Release Only

Black drum

All year

15

14 TL

Black sea bass*

All year

15

12 TL

Bluefish

All year

15

12 FL

Cobia*

All year

2

33 FL

Dolphin*

All year

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

20 FL

Flounder

All year

15

12 TL

Gag grouper*

All year

2

24 TL

King mackerel*

All year

3

24 FL

Red drum (Channel bass, Spottail bass, Redfish)

All year

5

14 TL (23 TL maximum)

Red porgy*

All year

3

14 TL

Red snapper*

All year

2

20 TL

Sharks (other than Hammerheads, SSC and Prohibited Sharks)*

All Year

1 per angler or boat, whichever is less

54 FL

Sharks: Hammerheads (Great, Scalloped, and Smooth)

All Year

1 per angler or boat, whichever is less

78 FL

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

All Year

1 per angler

30 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

Sheepshead

All year

15

10 FL

Spanish mackerel*

All year

15

12 FL

Spot

All year

25

Spotted seatrout

All year

15

14 TL

Striped bass (Saltwater)

All year

2

22 TL

Striped bass (Savannah River)

All year

2

27 TL

Tarpon

All year

1

68 FL

Tripletail

All year

2

18 TL

Weakfish

All year

1

13 TL

*These species are also federally managed from 3 to 200 miles offshore. Go to www.safmc.net for federal regulations.

Tagged Fish
Coastal Resources Division (CRD) biologists are conducting long-term studies on the growth, migration and fishing exploitation rates of red drum, tarpon, and tripletail. If you catch a tagged fish, please record and report the following information: 1) your name, address, and phone number, 2) fish species, 3) date caught, 4) tag number, 5) total length and location, and 6) whether the fish was kept or released. To report a tagged fish call (912) 264-7218. If released, please do not remove the tag.
If kept, please return the tag to GADNR/CRD, One Conservation Way, Brunswick, GA 31520. If the tag number is not legible lightly scrape the tag with your fingernail or similar flat object.
Tripletail with tag ID beginning with the prefix "TT" contain surgically implanted acoustic transmitters. Anglers who catch these tagged fish are encouraged to release them with the tag intact, then call and report the catch.
If you are an angler who practices catch and release and would like to become a cooperative angler please contact the Cooperative Angler Tagging Program at 912-264-7218.

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:

Fork Length

Total Length

W W W.G O F I S H G E O R G I A .C O M

43

Purchase a license online at www.gofishgeorgia.com or by phone 1-800-366-2661

SALTWATER
GEORGIA SALTWATER FISH

ATLANTIC CROAKER

Dorsal fin spotted

Brownish spot on the shoulder

Tiny barbels

Notch

SPOT

BLACK SEA BASS
BLACK DRUM (Young) Loses vertical bars
with age

Short white tabs on tail

SOUTHERN KINGFISH (WHITING)
Barbels

SHEEPSHEAD Keeps vertical bars
throughout life

Distinctly forked tail fin
78 diagonal dusky bands

Barbels TRIPLETAIL

2 Spines

No barbels
Large flat incisor teeth

3 Spines Dark spot or spots

WEAKFISH (Summer Trout)

No spots on fins

Indistinct dark freckles on upper body

RED DRUM

Spots on fins

Distinct dark spots on upper body

SPOTTED SEATROUT

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| 2 0 1 6 G E O R G I A S P O R T F I S H I N G R E G U L A T I O N S

W W W.G O F I S H G E O R G I A .C O M

Lacks black patch

Dull gold spots in young fish

Bright gold spots

KING MACKEREL Up to 60 lbs.
SMALL SHARK COMPOSITE
Scattered white spots on the body

Lateral line drops sharply

SPANISH MACKEREL Averages 24 lbs.

Spine

Spine

Gradually sloping lateral line

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

Snout shorter than width of mouth

Interdorsal ridge

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

White anal fin
Pointed snout

SANDBAR Harvest prohibited Color brownish-grey
above white below
Similar in size

SHARK ANATOMY (view from above)
Pectoral fins

Sharp, pointed irregular teeth

SAND TIGER Harvest prohibited

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

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

Blacknose Bull Lemon Scalloped Hammerhead Thresher

Blacktip Finetooth Nurse Smooth Hammerhead Tiger (has interdorsal ridge)

Most 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 43.

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Purchase a license online at www.gofishgeorgia.com or by phone 1-800-366-2661

SALTWATER
SHRIMP, CRAB, SHELLFISH & BAIT MINNOWS

A Georgia Fishing license is required to recreationally fish for any seafood, whether for personal consumption or bait. It is illegal to sell any seafood or bait harvested with a recreational license!
Shrimp
It is unlawful for any person to sell or otherwise dispose of, for human consumption, any shrimp taken as bait.
SHRIMP "BAITING" PROHIBITED 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.
SHRIMPING SEASON Unless otherwise designated, there is no closed season for the harvest of bait shrimp, regardless of the approved gear used. 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.
TRAWL NETS (Sport Bait Shrimping)
Gear: Power-drawn trawl nets 10 feet or smaller may be used in saltwaters to harvest shrimp for bait. Information on the specific net dimensions for bait trawls is available from DNR offices in Brunswick.
Areas: Unless designated otherwise, a 10-foot sport bait trawl may be used at any season 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 georgiaoutdoormap.com.
Hours: Trawling for bait shrimp 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.
Commercial licenses are required to use trawl nets (power-drawn or hand-retrieved) to harvest shrimp for food. Trawling for food shrimp may only be conducted in the waters seaward of the sound boundary when those waters are open to the harvest of food shrimp.
SEINES 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 Georgia's saltwaters. The use of seines over 12 feet long in any inlet or tidal slough is prohibited. Seines less than 100 feet long and with a minimum stretch mesh of 1 1/4 inches 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 1/2 inches may be used only on the oceanfront sides of beaches. Seines over 300 feet long are also prohibited. It is unlawful to use any seine in saltwaters such that it blocks more than 1/2 of the entrance of any tidal river, creek, slough, or inlet to the ocean.
Hours: Unless otherwise designated, seines may be used any time of day during the open season for bait shrimp and food shrimp.
Harvest Limits: Recreational seiners collecting bait shrimp are limited to two quarts per person at any time and no more than four quarts per person per day, or a maximum of four quarts per group at any time or eight quarts per day. No one person taking food 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 NETS Gear: A cast net is a cone shaped net with a
weighted circumference thrown and retrieved by hand without mechanical assistance. Two types of cast nets are defined: a "Bait shrimp cast net" having a minimum bar mesh of 3/8 inch and a "Food shrimp cast net" having a minimum bar mesh of 5/8 inch. Bait shrimp cast nets cannot be used to take shrimp for personal consumption; however, food shrimp cast nets may be used to take bait. There are no length restrictions on either net and cast nets can be

modified with the addition of duct tape or other materials to enhance performance.
Areas and Hours: During the open season and unless designated otherwise, cast nets may be used to harvest bait or food shrimp 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 onboard 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 may be alive or dead when caught with a cast. No person taking food shrimp 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.
Stone Crabs
Georgia does not regulate the harvest of stone crab; however, the harvest of the whole crab is discouraged. It is recommended that only one claw measuring at least 2 3/4 inches from the elbow to the tip of the lower, immovable finger be removed. A properly removed claw should not have meat from the body attached.
Blue 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 3/8 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 (egg-bearing) 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 24-hour 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 commercialstyle crab traps. Terrapins that enter crab traps cannot escape and often drown. To learn how to build your own terrapin excluder visit www.terrapinconservation.org.
Shellfish
SEASON AND HOURS Saltwaters may be opened for taking shellfish between January 1 and December 31. Prior to harvesting 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 georgiaoutdoormap.com. 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.
Whelk (conch)
Recreational harvest of whelk is limited to 1 bushel/person. There is no minimum size, closed season or closed area. A recreational fishing license is required, including hand harvest from the beach.
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 inches. Cylindrical traps may not exceed 24 inches in length and 30 inches 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.

Guidelines for Sea Turtle Protection
If you hook or entangle a sea turtle while fishing, contact Georgia DNR Hotline: 1-800-2-SaveMe.
Keep hands away from turtle's mouth and flippers.
Do not lift the turtle by the hook or by pulling on the line.
Safely land the turtle using a net or by walking it to shore.
Leave the hook in place as removing it can cause more damage.
Keep the turtle out of direct sunlight and cover with damp towel.
Use non-stainless, barbless hooks when possible.
If you cannot reach Georgia DNR, cut the line as short as possible and release the turtle.
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.

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TRIM

HANDLING & RELEASING FISH

SAFETY

GENERAL GUIDELINES

Many marine fish have gas-filled organs called swim bladders. These organs control buoyancy and allow the fish to maintain depth. When some fish are brought quickly to the surface, the gas in the swim bladder can over-expand and rupture the bladder, a condition known as "barotrauma." Escaping gas fills the gut cavity which can lead to everted stomachs or intestines. If released in this condition, the fish cannot descend and may float away and die. Generally, fish caught deeper than 30 feet will suffer some effects of barotrauma. Recompression. The best and first choice
for release should be to return fish to the depth from which they are caught, a technique known as recompression. A variety of recompression tools are on the market, including descender devices, release weights, and release baskets (see www.fishsmart.org). Fish should be returned to the depth of capture when practical. If catching fish at great depth, returning them to at least 60 to 100 feet will dramatically improve survival. Venting. If recompression is not possible, venting is a second option. Venting helps the gas escape and allows the fish to descend. A simple venting tool can be made by mounting a sharpened football needle in a 1" x 3" dowel rod with a hole drilled lengthwise through the rod to allow gas to pass. Hold the fish gently on its side. Insert a 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 puncture a protruding stomach or try to push the stomach back into the throat. Remember a knife is not a proper venting tool!
By developing a few simple habits, anglers can greatly increase the chances that the fish they release will survive. Try these tips the next time you go fishing. Plan Ahead. Before you go, decide whether
you might release fish on your trip and prepare the equipment necessary to do so. Avoid Encounter. If catching fish that you don't want or cannot keep due to regulation, change your fishing depth, move to a different area, or use different bait. Use Appropriate Gear. Use non-stainless steel hooks that dissolve quickly. Use nonoffset circle hooks when fishing with natural bait to avoid gut-hooking. Flatten barbs so they can be removed with less damage to a fish. Don't Exhaust the Fish. Use gear and line strength to minimize playing time, landing fish as quickly as possible. If possible, leave fish in the water rather than bringing them on board. If you must handle, use knotless rubberized landing nets, rubberized gloves, or wet towels or wet hands to avoid removing the slime layer. Make sure to wet your measuring board or boat deck. Don't put your fingers in the gills. Support the Body When Lifting Large Fish. The lower jaw is not meant to support the full weight of any fish.

Ranger Hotline
TO REPORT VIOLATIONS
Please refer to call out box on page 28.
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
Time is of the Essence! Release fish as soon as practical and do not keep them out of the water longer than necessary. Have your camera always on the ready.
Some Fish May Need a Little Assistance. If the fish does not immediately swim away, support the fish horizontally in the water and gently move it back and forth so that water runs over the gills. Release the fish when it is able to swim away on its own.

Recompression Tools

Fish Descender

Seaqualizer

Wildlife Violator Compact
Georgia, along with 44 other states, is a member of the Wildlife Violator Compact (WVC). This allows Wildlife Officers to treat non-residents hunting in WVC member states (shown below in green) as if they were a resident of that state in regards to wildlife violations. All wildlife law violators will be held more responsible due to the fact that their illegal activities in one state can affect their hunting privileges in all WVC member states.

Recompression Tool

Weighted Milk Crate

WILDLIFE COMPACT MEMBER STATES

MEMBER STATES Member (44) In Process (4) No (2)
As of August 5, 2015
For more information visit georgiawildlife.com

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W W W.G O F I S H G E O R G I A .C O M

SAFETY

LEGENDARY BOAT PROTECTION.
1.800.PROGRESSIVE / PROGRESSIVE.COM

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