Find Out What You Need to Know Before You Fish

SOCIAL CIRCLE, Ga. (March 9, 2007) — The all-new 2007-2008 Georgia Sport Fishing Regulations are just a click away.

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) offers a convenient online version of the updated regulations at www.gofishgeorgia.com.

Printed versions will also be made available at WRD offices and facilities, a number of state parks and over 1,000 fishing license retailers statewide by the second week of March.

WRD advises new and experienced anglers alike to familiarize themselves with the Georgia Sport Fishing Regulations before casting a line.

“Georgia offers so many different fishing opportunities from the coast to the mountains and this booklet is designed to help anglers find great places to fish and to educate them on Georgia’s fishing regulations,” explains WRD Chief of Fisheries Management Chuck Coomer. “It contains information that should answer all basic questions for both new and experienced anglers.”

The guide provides helpful information, including color fish identification charts for both freshwater and saltwater fish, license purchasing information, contact information for WRD Fisheries Management Offices and WRD Law Enforcement Offices, trout stream listings, public fishing area (PFA) information, state record fish listings and complete fishing regulations for Georgia.

The Board of Natural Resources sets Georgia’s fishing regulations based on recommendations made by the Department’s fisheries biologists and field personnel while the Georgia General Assembly sets the laws related to fishing.

The 2007-2008 regulation changes anglers should be aware of are as follows:

· A section of the Toccoa River in Fannin County was added as the newest Delayed Harvest (DH) trout stream. This makes a total of 5 DH streams in Georgia.

· Changes were made to regulation wording related to Delayed Harvest trout streams eliminating the unintended consequence of preventing the harvest of species other than trout. Trout must still be released unharmed on DH streams.

· The DNR License and Boat Registration Unit office has moved to 2065 U.S. Hwy. 278, SE, Social Circle, GA 30025. The new toll free number: 1-800-366-2661.

· A valid Hull Identification Number (HIN) is now required to register a boat in Georgia. For more information, visit www.goboatgeorgia.com.

· At the time of regulations guide printing, legislative and/or regulations changes were pending that may impact some saltwater species. Contact the Coastal Resources Division (CRD) (912-264-7218) for the most up-to-date length and possession limit information. Changes will also be posted online at http://crd.dnr.state.ga.us.

For more information about Georgia’s fishing regulations or where and when to go fishing, visit www.gofishgeorgia.com, contact the nearest WRD Fisheries Management Office or call (770) 918-6406.

Take Me Fishing! * According to a recent national survey, 87 percent of Americans believe fishing and boating have a positive effect on family relationships. So, turn your quality fishing time into quality family time and create a fun, meaningful family tradition.
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Prime time for northeast Georgia walleye fishing

GAINESVILLE, Ga. (March 9, 2007) — The anticipation of spring brings the expectation of mild temperatures, plentiful sunshine and most importantly, walleye spawning runs.

That’s right, Georgia anglers in search of one of the best tasting of all freshwater fish are encouraged to hit Northeast Georgia waters now through late March to take advantage of concentrated walleye fishing opportunities.

According to Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) biologists, once water temperatures hit 50 degrees, annual walleye spawning begins, making mid-to-late March prime time for targeting the species.

For the past six years, Summerville, Burton and Walton County WRD hatchery staffs have made great strides in their efforts to increase walleye stocking numbers.

“WRD has stocked walleye in several north Georgia reservoirs over the past few years and anglers can now enjoy the fruits of those labors,” says WRD Fisheries Biologist Anthony Rabern.

“For bank anglers, shoal areas at the headwaters of lakes Rabun, Hartwell, Seed and Yonah provide excellent shoreline fishing opportunities. For boating anglers, lakes Tugalo, Hartwell, Burton, Blue Ridge and Carters are good bets.”

Golden brown in hue with a white belly, walleye have distinct glassy, marble-like eyes and long, sharp canine-like teeth. The current state record, caught on Richard B. Russell Lake in 1995, weighed 11 lbs. 6 oz. Typical weights range from 2-4 lbs. but a few walleye caught in stocked reservoirs over the past two years have tipped the scales weighing in at 10 lbs.

During the day, walleye retreat to deep water downstream of rocky, shallow areas where they spawn, so WRD personnel recommend trolling Shad Raps or live nightcrawlers near the bottom. In the evening, they shift upstream, so floating Rapalas or curly-tailed grubs should be most effective for nighttime fishing.

For anglers who happen to miss the spawning run of walleye, there are still excellent fishing opportunities in April. April walleye anglers should try trolling Shad Raps and nightcrawlers in 10-feet of water in the upper reaches of lakes Rabun, Seed, Tugalo, Yonah and even Hartwell.
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Georgia’s fresh catch of the month

SOCIAL CIRCLE, Ga. (March 9, 2007) - What’s on the menu for Georgia anglers this month? White bass fishing. According to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Wildlife Resources Division (WRD), white bass begin spawning runs up several Georgia rivers in late February through early April, making March the perfect time to hit the waters. WRD recommends targeting the Oconee, Apalachee, Coosa and Chattahoochee (near Franklin).

“Fishing for white bass during the spring spawning run is a great deal of fun, and trips taken during that time will likely turn into fond memories,” says WRD Fisheries Chief Chuck Coomer. “The good news is that even if the white bass action slows, don’t fret because the white bass’ bigger cousins — stripers and hybrids — are also out there waiting to be caught.”

Silvery in hue, white bass have several faint horizontal side stripes. They travel in schools and can be found in large streams, rivers and lakes. The current state record was caught on Lake Lanier in 1971, weighing in at 5 lbs., 1 oz. Typical weights range from ? to 2 lbs.

WRD personnel recommend the following lures for white bass fishing; white, chartreuse or shad patterned jigs with small to medium size heads that can handle the current and manage not to sink too fast; small crankbaits, curly tail grubs, rooster tails and Little George’s.

The best live bait are minnows and small shad. Anglers should hone in on creek mouths and fallen trees with good water flow around them on the main river. Sandy bars and banks are also excellent white bass fishing locations.

Where to go:

· Coosa River: White bass congregate in the upper Coosa as they make their annual upstream spawning run from Lake Weiss. The area around Mayo’s Bar Lock and Dam is a prime fishing spot and is perfect for the family as there is also a county park with bait, supplies, restrooms and camping. This area has a paved boat ramp and is good for the boat and bank angler alike. Good white bass fishing can also be found from the lock and dam down to the Georgia Hwy. 100 crossing.

· Oconee & Apalachee River: Once water temperatures reach 50 degrees in March and April, white bass begin to make spawning runs up the Oconee and Apalachee. Anglers can access the Oconee River at the Dyar’s Pasture boat ramp and the SR 15 boat ramp, both in Greene County, and work their way upstream. There is bank access at the Dyar’s Pasture site. The Apalachee can be accessed at the Swords boat ramp in Morgan County. The upper reaches of these rivers may be shallow, so exercise caution.

· Clarks Hill Lake: White bass fishing in the Little and Broad rivers of this lake is excellent this time of year. Anglers can access Little River (by boat or bank) at the Hwy. 78 crossing (note: fallen trees may limit boat access). There is also bank access at the Hwy. 80 crossing on the Clarks Hill Wildlife Management Area (WMA). Access for Broad River can be found at Broad River Campground, Gill Point Recreation Area, Cooter Creek and Bobby Brown State Park. Fish tend to congregate around Anthony Shoals, located about two miles upstream of Hwy. 79, and anglers can fish by boat or bank (note: use caution boating upstream of Hwy. 79 as the river channel is narrow).

· Chattahoochee River: A hot spot on this river is in the upper reaches of West Point Reservoir near the town of Franklin. Anglers should target the mouth of New River and work their way up towards Franklin. As the flows and temperatures begin to rise, the fish move upriver towards the shoals above Franklin. Boat anglers can access this area by running upriver from West Point or put in at the boat ramp located on the west side of the river off SR 100 (U.S. Hwy. 27). There is also bank fishing access at this boat ramp.
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