PUBLIC FISHING AREAS = PERFECT FAMILY AREAS

SOCIAL CIRCLE, Ga. (July 28, 2006) - Georgia boasts nine excellent public fishing areas (PFA) where families and friends can enjoy more than just fishing. These areas also provide a variety of outdoor fun and adventure. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) intensively manages PFAs for quality bass, bream, crappie and catfish and provides unique conservation education and kids’ fishing opportunities. Birdwatchers, hikers and other outdoor enthusiasts also enjoy the diverse array of wildlife viewing opportunities.

“PFAs make a great choice for fishing with the family, with a friend or by oneself,” says WRD Chief of Fisheries Management Chuck Coomer. “These areas are located throughout the state and are within a reasonable drive for most Georgia residents. All of the areas offer much more than fishing.”

Waters on PFAs vary from lakes several hundred acres in size to ponds less than one acre - some are even designated as kids’ fishing ponds only. Anglers can fish from a boat, along the shoreline or from a pier at most PFAs. Many areas have picnic tables, nature/wildlife observation trails, fish cleaning stations and restroom facilities. Some offer primitive campsites for those wishing to stay overnight on the area and many facilities are accessible to persons with disabilities.

Make plans to visit one of the following PFAs today:

Rocky Mountain (706-802-5087) Located 16 mi. N. of Rome in Northwest Georgia in Floyd County on 5,000 acres and includes two lakes totaling 559 acres. Species: largemouth bass, bluegill and redear sunfish, channel catfish, crappie and hybrid striped bass.

McDuffie County (706-595-1684) Located 8 mi. E. of Thomson in Georgia’s upper coastal plain on 570 acres and includes 13 ponds from 1-30 acres, a hatchery and an education center. Species: largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish and channel catfish.

Big Lazer Creek (706-845-4180) Located 10 mi. E. of Talbotton in west central Georgia in Talbot County and includes a 195-acre lake. Species: bluegill, channel catfish, crappie and largemouth bass.

Marben Farms (770-784-3059) Located 3 mi. S. of Mansfield in central Georgia in Jasper and Newton counties on 6,400-acres and includes 22 ponds from 1 - 95 acres, a wildlife management area and an education center. Species: largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, crappie and channel catfish.

Dodge County (478-374-6765) Located 4 mi. S.E. of Eastman in Georgia’s middle coastal plain on 444 acres and includes a 104- acre lake. Species: largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, channel catfish and crappie.

Evans County (912-739-1139) Located 9 mi. E. of Claxton in Georgia’s coastal plain on 372 acres and includes three lakes from 8 - 84 acres. Species: crappie, largemouth bass, bluegill and catfish.

Hugh M. Gillis (478-296-6192) Located 12 mi. E. of Dublin in Georgia’s middle coastal plain in Laurens County on 640 acres and includes a 109-acre lake. Species: largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, channel catfish and crappie.

Paradise (229-533-4792) Located 8 mi. E. of Tifton in south central Georgia in Berrien County on 1,250 acres and includes 60 lakes totaling 525 acres. Species: largemouth bass, sunfish, crappie and channel catfish.

Ocmulgee (478-783-2557) Located 8 mi. N. of Cochran within the boundaries of Ocmulgee Wildlife Management Area in Bleckley County, this area offers a 106-acre lake for your fishing enjoyment. Species: largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, redear sunfish and channel catfish.

The Flat Creek PFA (near Perry) broke ground for construction in 2005 and has an anticipated opening date of spring 2007.

All anglers between the ages of 16 and 65 must possess a Georgia recreational fishing license and wildlife management area (WMA) license to fish on PFAs. A one-day fishing license will serve in lieu of a WMA license on a PFA.

Take Me Fishing* A recent national survey indicated that 87 percent of Americans believe fishing and boating have a positive effect on family relationships. So take your family fishing and you will always have something in common.

For more information on PFAs in Georgia, visit www.gofishgeorgia.com .
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Editor’s Note: Take Me Fishing is a national campaign developed by the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation. Information about the campaign is available at www.takemefishing.org , select “Press Room”.

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Take Me Fishing!*
GAR AND PICKEREL - TAKE ON THE CHALLENGE OF FISHING FOR THESE TWO SPECIES

SOCIAL CIRCLE, Ga. (July 28, 2006) - If you have never targeted chain pickerel or gar on a fishing trip - you may be missing out, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division (WRD). Chain pickerel and gar are exceptional fighters when hooked and are tremendous challenges for anglers.

“Anglers - whatever your fishing experience is - will find challenges when they pursue either pickerel or gar,” says WRD Fisheries Management Chief Chuck Coomer. “Neither one of these fish are usually found on a menu, but they are worth a trip to a favorite lake or river for a great day of fishing and enjoying Georgia’s fantastic natural resources.”

Longnose Gar
Gars are a relic from a large group of primitive fish. They are long, slender with toothy mouths and hard, diamond shaped scales. They are most common in warm, sluggish rivers and lakes and feed primarily on other fish. Georgia is home to the longnose gar and one of the best spots in Georgia to fish for them is on Lake Lanier. Gar in Lanier average three pounds, but some individuals can reach up to 20 pounds.

The best summer fishing spots for gar are the back of coves around natural cover, such as downed trees or brush. Major fishing holes are Flat Creek, Wahoo Creek, Little River and upstream from Clarks Bridge to the head of the lake on the Chattahoochee arm. A favorite summer fishing technique is to hook a live 3-4 inch bream on a 6/0 hook on medium to heavy spinning tackle with 10-15 pound test line and fish under a float. Anglers also can purchase jumbo minnows at local bait and tackle stores and at times, gar will even strike at minnow-like artificial lures. A prime time to fish is early and late in the day. These fish, once hooked, will give any angler a fight that includes intense jumping action.

Chain Pickerel
Chain pickerel are an attractive olive green on the back and a creamy yellow color on the belly. They have distinct chain-like or interwoven marking on their sides and an elongated body shape. They can reach weights of nearly 10 pounds, but 1-3 pounds is average. In Georgia, chain pickerel can be found in many lakes and stream, including several Northeast Georgia lakes (Burton, Seed and Rabun) and in south Georgia in the Okefenokee Swamp (Billy’s Lake, located in the Okefenokee Park, is a famous pickerel destination) and Banks Lake (near Lakeland). Medium action spinning and spincasting equipment spooled with 8-10 pound test line is ideal for pickerel fishing. Recommended lures are King Jack Spinners and other in-line spinners as well as 1/16 and 1/8 oz. beetlespins in white or yellow and minnow-like artificial lures. As pickerel move to deeper water in mid-summer, trolling with spoons and crankbaits can be effective. Additional tips include casting out and reeling in quickly - the flash of the lure entices the strike.

Anglers attempting to reel in a pickerel using live bait (such as large minnows or sunfish) should allow sufficient time for the pickerel to swallow the bait. Pickerel often grab live bait and “run” with it, then pause as they turn it to swallow it headfirst, which is the time to set the hook. Pickerel do have an excellent flavor and texture, but are very bony. The bones can be removed with a little practice and they do make a fine meal. One of the highlights of catching a pickerel is to see the acrobatics this fish can perform - they have a savage strike and tend to jump and thrash at the surface once hooked.

Take Me Fishing* A recent national survey indicated that 87 percent of Americans believe fishing and boating have a positive effect on family relationships. So take your family fishing and you will always have something in common.
For more information on pickerel or gar fishing in Georgia, visit www.gofishgeorgia.com .
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Editor’s Note: Take Me Fishing is a national campaign developed by the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation. Information about the campaign is available at www.takemefishing.org , select “Press Room”.

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Take Me Fishing!*
FISHING FOR CATS
Catfish Angling Appeals to Broad Audience

SOCIAL CIRCLE, Ga. (July 28, 2006) - Wherever you are in Georgia - there probably is a great catfishing opportunity located near you! Angling for catfish has a broad appeal because there are elements that can attract and “hook” a novice or an expert, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division (WRD). In order to attract those who are unfamiliar with catfish - or to give those experienced anglers a new view - WRD has put together information on where to fish, recommended equipment, techniques and more.

“Trying to reel in a catfish is a favorite pastime of many anglers in Georgia, and we are fortunate that we have so many locations where this experience can be enjoyed,” says WRD Chief of Fisheries Management Chuck Coomer. “Catfish typically are found in waters close to home, require relatively simple gear and taste great on the dinner table - all leading to good reasons to get out and fish!”

Georgia is home to several species of catfish, including channel, white, blue, flathead and bullheads (consisting of several similar species - yellow, brown, snail, spotted and flat). Following is a breakdown of some catfish hot spots in Georgia:

· Lake Nottely - Contains good populations of channel and white catfish (averaging one pound or less) and fewer (but larger) flathead catfish (weighing up to 40 pounds).

· Lake Tugalo - Contains an abundant population of white catfish.

· Lake Marbury (Fort Yargo State Park) - Supports an excellent population of channel catfish.

· Lake Oconee - Supports high numbers of channel, blue, flathead, white and bullhead species of catfish.

· Flint River - Great location for flathead (5-30 pounds) or channel catfish.

· Andrews Lock and Dam (Chattahoochee River) - Best location in southwest Georgia for catching a flathead catfish over 20 pounds. The current state record blue catfish (67 lbs. 8 oz.) was caught here.

· Lake Seminole - Good catches of channel catfish available throughout the summer.

· Lake Blackshear - Excellent channel catfish spot. Best places are the main lake and below Warwick Dam.

· Altamaha River - Great location for flathead catfish - current state record (83 lbs.) caught here. The current state record channel catfish (44 lbs. 12 oz.) also was caught on this river.

· Satilla River - Excellent fishing available for channel catfish, white catfish and several species of bullheads.

· Southeast Georgia Public Fishing Areas (including Evans Co. PFA, Paradise PFA, Hugh M. Gillis PFA and Dodge Co. PFA) - Some of the best locations for channel catfish in southeast Georgia.

WRD recommends that anglers use a medium weight rod with either a spincasting or a spinning reel. The species and the size of catfish should dictate the fishing line used. For example - if channel and white catfish are your species of choice, WRD recommends 8-14 pound test line and medium size hooks (6 or 8) under a bobber and fished on the bottom. For anglers who are trying to land a large flathead, heavy tackle is a must - large spinning or casting tackle with at least 20-50 pound test line with heavy weights to keep bait on the bottom. Baits that work best for channel, bullheads and white catfish include: worms, liver, live minnows, cut bait and stink bait. Recommended flathead bait includes: live goldfish, bream and shiners.

Anglers who fish in rivers should target deep holes that contain rock or woody structures during the day and shallow sandbars and shoals near these deep holes at dusk, dawn and night. They are active most of the time - but the best summer fishing is going to be at dusk and during the night. The best time of the year to fish for all catfish species is from early spring until the peak of summer.

Take Me Fishing* A recent national survey indicated that 87 percent of Americans believe fishing and boating have a positive effect on family relationships. So take your family fishing and you will always have something in common.
For more information on fishing for catfish in Georgia, visit the WRD website at www.gofishgeorgia.com . ###

Editor’s Note: Take Me Fishing is a national campaign developed by the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation. Information about the campaign is available at www.takemefishing.org , select “Press Room”.