The new 2009 Georgia Sport Fishing Regulations are now available. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division recently distributed printed versions of the regulations to all division offices and facilities, a number of state parks and fishing license retailers statewide. An online version of the new regulations will be available at www.gofishgeorgia.com.

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 John Biagi. “It contains information that should answer all basic questions for 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.

“We are pleased to offer the fishing regulations to the public at an earlier time of year,” says Biagi. “We hope that this new release date will better assist anglers making fishing plans for the year and with its improved format we hope that anglers find the new regulations easier than ever to use.”

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 2009 regulation changes anglers should be aware of are as follows:

· Licensing Changes: Georgia anglers and hunters who have lost their Georgia recreational hunting/fishing license can reprint them at no cost at www.gofishgeorgia.com. Georgia anglers, boaters and hunters also can now take advantage of new and improved license and boat registration services.

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

For more information about Georgia’s fishing regulations or for information about where and when to go fishing, visit www.gofishgeorgia.com or contact the nearest WRD fisheries management office.

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