Guide to Fishing the Oostanaula River Fishing Tips The Oostanaula River forms northeast of Calhoun where the Catfish offer the best chances for success on the Oostanaula with Coosawattee River meets the Conasauga River. From there it blue catfish and channel catfish being the most abundant. A few flows 49 miles southwest before meeting the Etowah River at blue catfish exceed 40 pounds and are generally found in deep Rome to form the Coosa River. There are five public boat ramps holes. Many trophy-fish anglers fish at night using large, live or on or near the river to provide boat access. Common fish species dead fish as bait. Those less interested in trophies will often find in the Oostanaula include: carp, smallmouth buffalo, redhorse catfish in shoals or other shallow habitat during the morning and suckers, blue catfish, channel catfish, flathead catfish, redbreast evening hours. Anglers fishing for catfish may catch a lake sunfish, bluegill, longear sunfish, redear sunfish, spotted bass, sturgeon but they must be released unharmed immediately after largemouth bass and freshwater drum. Anglers wishing to being caught. Lake sturgeons are being reintroduced by the DNR consume their catch should pay attention to the fish consumption into the Coosa River system and cannot be harvested. Sturgeon can guidelines as described in the sport fishing regulations or at be identified by its rounded snout, a toothless mouth on the bottom www.dnr.state.ga.us/dnr/environ/. of its head, four “whiskers” in front of its mouth; bony plates on the √ Boating Check List side of its body and its shark-like tail. Anglers can help this • Each person on board must have a readily accessible U.S. Coast reintroduction effort by reporting any sturgeon they see by calling Guard (USCG) approved Type I, II, III, or V (hybrid) Personal the Calhoun Fisheries office at 706-624-1161. More information Floatation Device (life jacket) in good condition (no rips/tears). on this reintroduction project can be found at www.gofishgeorgia.com Type V (hybrid) devices are acceptable only when worn and securely fastened. Each vessel, except for Class A vessels, canoes, White bass and striped bass are a popular quarry on the lower and kayaks must be equipped with at least one type IV (throwable) river in early spring when they leave Weiss Reservoir for their device. All children under age 10 must wear an appropriately annual spawning run. A few small striped bass are found year- sized USCG approved life jacket while on a moving boat, whether round but the fishery is generally limited to the March-April it is by drifting, sailing, or mechanical power. spawning run. • Boats with enclosed areas that may trap gas or vapors are required to be equipped with a USCG approved fire extinguisher. Bass, bream and crappie inhabit the river year round but fishing • Carry your fishing license and boat registration with you. is best in the cooler waters of spring and fall. Spotted bass is the most prevalent black bass species and bluegill is the most abundant • Check your boat’s trailer, navigation lights, and fuel before bream species. leaving home. • Carry a first aid kit, insect repellent, sunscreen, extra clothing, Tips on using the map food, and drinking water. • The map is most useful if viewed in color. • Be aware of, and abide by all fishing regulations. • Maps in this series (Coosa, Oostanaula, Etowah, Coosawattee • Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to and Conasauga rivers) are of the same scale so they can be return. pasted together if desired. • The mileage labels represent distance from the river’s mouth. BE AN ETHICAL ANGLER! • Boaters can use a GPS and the following GPS coordinates to estimate their position on the river. Ethical anglers fish responsibly, consider the rights of others, portray a positive image, and help to protect and Mile Lat Lon Mile Lat Lon conserve our natural resources. Be an ethical angler, the 0 N 34 15.221 W 85 10.603 26 N 34 27.208 W 85 01.889 2 N 34 16.736 W 85 10.328 28 N 34 28.599 W 85 01.508 future depends on it. 4 N 34 17.810 W 85 09.290 30 N 34 28.104 W 84 59.659 6 N 34 18.386 W 85 07.420 32 N 34 29.461 W 85 00.740 Ethi cal Angl ers: 8 N 34 19.957 W 85 07.361 34 N 34 31.024 W 85 00.787 # Know and obey the fishing # Report violations and 10 N 34 20.001 W 85 08.568 36 N 34 31.372 W 84 59.165 12 N 34 20.876 W 85 06.877 38 N 34 30.628 W 84 57.421 regulations. pollution. 14 N 34 22.437 W 85 07.545 40 N 34 31.964 W 84 58.181 # Keep only the fish they can # Do not litter! 16 N 34 22.990 W 85 05.957 42 N 34 32.863 W 84 57.168 18 N 34 23.992 W 85 04.989 44 N 34 33.957 W 84 57.468 use and release all others. # Dispose of fishing line 20 N 34 24.847 W 85 06.459 46 N 34 34.438 W 84 55.757 # Pass on the tradition by prope rly. 22 N 34 25.691 W 85 04.761 48 N 34 33.239 W 84 54.663 24 N 34 25.910 W 85 02.754 taking a child fishing. # Do not tresspass. # Leave a place cleaner than # Are courteous of others. Units are in degrees and decimal minutes it was found. # Lend a helping hand. # Do not transfer fish or plants between bodies of water. 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 . 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