Guide to Fishing the Lower

The Lower Etowah River runs westward from to Fishing Tips the confluence with the at Rome. Powerboats Catfish are common in the river with channel catfish being the do not easily travel these 48 miles of river. Numerous shoals most abundant and blue catfish next in abundance. A few flathead make this river most navigable by canoe or kayak. Although there catfish are also occasionally caught. Catfish up to 10 pounds are is a boat ramp just below Allatoona , another dam just commonplace. Anglers fishing for catfish may catch a lake downstream limits boating from this access. There are no other sturgeon but they must be released unharmed immediately after public boat ramps on this stretch of . Common fish species being caught. Lake sturgeons are being reintroduced by the DNR in the lower Etowah include: carp, smallmouth buffalo, redhorse into the system and cannot be harvested. Sturgeon can suckers, blue catfish, channel catfish, striped bass, redbreast be identified by its rounded snout, a toothless mouth on the bottom sunfish, bluegill, redear sunfish, redeye bass, spotted bass, of its head, four “whiskers” in front of its mouth; bony plates on the largemouth bass and freshwater drum. Anglers wishing to side of its body and its shark-like tail. Anglers can help this consume their catch should pay attention to the fish consumption reintroduction effort by reporting any sturgeon they see by calling guidelines as described in the sport fishing regulations or at the Calhoun Fisheries office at 706-624-1161. More information www.dnr.state.ga.us/dnr/environ/. on this reintroduction project can be found at www.gofishgeorgia.com √ Boating Check List • Each person on board must have a readily accessible U.S. Coast Striped bass use the river seasonally as a cool water refuge and the Guard (USCG) approved Type I, II, III, or V (hybrid) Personal best fishing is from May to September. The remainder of the year, Floatation Device (life jacket) in good condition (no rips/tears). cooler water temperatures allow the fish to disperse downstream Type V (hybrid) devices are acceptable only when worn and into Lake Weiss and very few fish remain in the river. securely fastened. Each vessel, except for Class A vessels, canoes, and kayaks must be equipped with at least one type IV (throwable) Bass, bream and crappie inhabit the river year round but fishing device. All children under age 10 must wear an appropriately is best in the cooler waters of spring and fall. Spotted bass are the sized USCG approved life jacket while on a moving boat, whether most prevalent black bass species, however, there are also fair it is by drifting, sailing, or mechanical power. numbers of redeye and largemouth bass present. Bluegill are the • Boats with enclosed areas that may trap gas or vapors are most abundant pan fish but there are also good numbers of required to be equipped with a USCG approved fire extinguisher. redbreast sunfish, green sunfish, and redear sunfish. • Carry your fishing license and boat registration with you. Freshwater drum are abundant in the river, although few • Check your boat’s trailer, navigation lights, and fuel before Georgians pursue them. This species is popular in other parts of leaving home. the country and is an underutilized fishery in the Etowah. Anglers • Carry a first aid kit, insect repellent, sunscreen, extra clothing, can best catch drum using live worms, crayfish or small minnows food, and drinking water. fished on the bottom.

• Be aware of, and abide by all fishing regulations. • Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to Tips on using the map return. • The map is most useful if viewed in color. • Maps in this series (Coosa, Oostanaula, Etowah, Coosawattee BE AN ETHICAL ANGLER! and Conasauga rivers) are of the same scale so they can be pasted together if desired. Ethical anglers fish responsibly, consider the rights of • The mileage labels represent distance from the river’s mouth. others, portray a positive image, and help to protect and • Boaters can use a GPS and the following GPS coordinates to conserve our natural resources. Be an ethical angler, the estimate their position on the river. future depends on it. Ethi cal Angl ers: Mile Lat Lon Mile Lat Lon 0 N 34 15.221 W 85 10.603 26 N 34 11.251 W 84 56.503 # Know and obey the fishing # Report violations and 2 N 34 15.420 W 85 09.502 28 N 34 11.336 W 84 55.470 regulations. pollution. 4 N 34 14.205 W 85 08.593 30 N 34 09.827 W 84 54.994 6 N 34 13.752 W 85 06.712 32 N 34 08.241 W 84 55.501 # # Keep only the fish they can Do not litter! 8 N 34 14.202 W 85 04.759 34 N 34 08.561 W 84 53.949 use and release all others. # Dispose of fishing line 10 N 34 12.845 W 85 04.338 36 N 34 07.708 W 84 52.580 # 12 N 34 13.855 W 85 03.280 38 N 34 08.862 W 84 51.124 Pass on the tradition by prope rly. 14 N 34 14.655 W 85 01.713 40 N 34 07.824 W 84 50.763 taking a child fishing. # Do not tresspass. 16 N 34 13.584 W 85 01.183 42 N 34 07.255 W 84 48.903 18 N 34 12.863 W 84 59.826 44 N 34 08.262 W 84 47.260 # Leave a place cleaner than # Are courteous of others. 20 N 34 13.929 W 84 58.882 46 N 34 09.318 W 84 46.184 it was found. # Lend a helping hand. 22 N 34 12.467 W 84 58.711 48 N 34 09.768 W 84 44.441 # Do not transfer fish or 24 N 34 11.880 W 84 57.565 plants between bodies of water. Units are in degrees and decimal minutes

For more fishing information visit the Georiga DNR website at www.gofishgeorgia.com or call (706) 624-1161. T.I.P (Turn in Poachers): To report game/fish law violations, fish kills, or hazardous spills: call (800) 241-4113 . DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES / WILDLIFE RESOURCES DIVISION / FISHERIES SECTION 2070 U.S. HIIGHWAY 278 SE / SOCIAL CIRCLE, GEORGIA 30025 F o

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