GEORGIA BASS SLAM | PAGE 39 2019 GEORGIA SPORT FISHING REGUL ATIONS Supports Marine Habitats Supports Trout Streams GEORGIA SPORT FISHING REGULATIONS Contents Commissioner's Message ...........................................................2 Wildlife & Sport Fish Restoration Program ............................2 Fisheries Section Offices & Public Fishing Areas ..................4 Georgia Bass Slam Definitions .....................................................................................6 See page 39. Protected Aquatic Species ..........................................................6 Free Fishing Days .........................................................................8 2019 FRESHWATER AND SALTWATER License Requirements .................................................................8 SPORT FISHING REGULATIONS Buying Licenses ............................................................................8 Brian P. Kemp, Governor Recreational License Prices ......................................................10 Mark Williams, Commissioner, Department of Natural Resources Boating Regulations ...................................................................15 Fish Kill Reporting .....................................................................18 Rusty Garrison, Director, Wildlife Resources Division Turn in Poachers Contact Information ...................................18 Doug Haymans, Director, Coastal Resources Division Public Fishing Areas ..................................................................19 Thomas Barnard, Colonel, Law Enforcement Division Get Kids Hooked ........................................................................31 BOARD OF NATURAL RESOURCES* Angler Awards Program ...........................................................32 First District Tenth District Guidelines for Eating Fish ........................................................33 Alfred W. “Bill” Jones, III Ray P. Lambert, Jr. Measuring Fish Length .............................................................43 Second District Eleventh District Jeff “Bodine” Sinyard Robert D. Leebern, Jr. Freshwater Section ................................... 12 Third District Twelfth District Seasons .........................................................................................12 Aaron McWhorter Duncan N. Johnson, Jr. Length Limits ..............................................................................12 Fourth District Thirteenth District Dwight H. Evans Billy E. New, Jr. Daily Limits .................................................................................13 Fifth District Fourteenth District Fishing Methods .........................................................................14 Paul Shailendra Delos H. Yancey, III Agreements with Bordering States ........................................16 Sixth District Coastal District Trout Fishing ...............................................................................22 Dwight J. Davis Nancy A. Addison Commercial Fishing ...................................................................25 Seventh District Members-At-Large Sale of Fish ...................................................................................25 Thomas M. “Mike” Phelps, Jr. Joe Hatfield Winburn E. “Brother” Stewart, Jr. Freshwater Fish Identification .................................................26 Eighth District Miki Thomaston J. Mark Mobley, Jr. State Freshwater Record Fish...................................................28 Tim Lowe Handling & Releasing Fish .......................................................48 Ninth District William A. Bagwell, Jr. Saltwater Section ......................................40 * List of Board Members was current as of press time. To see a State Saltwater Record Fish ......................................................42 current list of Board Members please go to www.GADNR.org. Finfish Limits and Information ................................................43 Note: The Wildlife Resources & Coastal Resources Divisions Saltwater Fish Identification ....................................................44 designed this guide to help you quickly find and understand Sport Bait Shrimping .................................................................46 regulations for fishing in Georgia. The Game & Fish Code and rules Crabs .............................................................................................46 of the Department of Natural Resources are the final authority on Shellfish ........................................................................................46 questions on law. This publication was partially paid for by the Bait Minnows ..............................................................................47 sale of advertising. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources Recompression Tools .................................................................48 does not necessarily endorse products or services listed. Handling & Releasing Fish ......................................................48 Editor: Sarah Hanson, Georgia DNR Advertising: J.F. Griffin Publishing (413) 884-1001 On The Cover Tarpon, Megalops atlanticus, caught in the Golden Isles Photo provided by Greg Hildreth SPORTFISHING COMMISSIONER'S MESSAGE Creating More Fishing Opportunities Thanks to Georgia’s incredible natural re- sources, outdoor recreation and sporting is a fundamental part of our Georgian heritage. Fishing, in particular, sits near the top of the list as one of my favorite outdoor activities. As Commissioner of DNR, it is my duty to pro- tect and conserve these resources so that the sportsmen and women today, as well as future generations, can continue to appreciate them for years to come. Considering that Georgia is Williamstown, MA | Birmingham, AL home to well over a million licensed anglers, I know I am not alone in my appreciation and passion for this amazing sport. Here at DNR, we are so thankful to have such an ardent and unwavering community of supporters who do so much to keep fishing and other outdoor recreational activities alive. While a significant portion of our duties at DNR involve conserving the resources we currently About This Guide have, we are always simultaneously searching for new ways to accommodate greater public access to state lands and waterways. Your continuous support through your license purchases allow us to continue these efforts. This high-quality guide is offered to you We have been putting your license dollars to hard work. Every year, we stock around 1 by the Georgia Department of Natural million catchable trout in north Georgia. This year our goal was to target larger sized trout as Resources through its unique partnership part of our efforts and we have been successful with stocking more large fish than ever before. with J.F. Griffin Publishing, LLC. Additionally, we have expanded access on Public Fishing Areas by offering 24 hour-a-day access, giving anglers an opportunity to try their hand at night-time fishing. Also, this year we have The revenue generated through ad sales added an additional fishing area, Silver Lake PFA, which is located at the southwest corner significantly lowers production costs and of the state. Georgia boasts some of the most diverse and respected fishing opportunities in generates savings. These savings translate the country due to its unique landscape. We anticipate these efforts will allow the public even into additional funds for other important greater access to such a fantastic past time. agency programs. There are many ways you can support our efforts aside from your purchase of a license. Public awareness and action towards litter and other debris in our waterways is a crucial part of keeping If you have any feedback or are inter- our wildlife and its habitats pristine. There are also numerous opportunities to donate or volunteer ested in advertising, please contact us at with conservation organizations. We are so thankful for your continued support and appreciate 413.884.1001 or at www.JFGriffin.com you allowing us to fulfill DNR’s mission. I’m excited to see you all out on the water! Graphic Design: Mark Williams Jon Gulley, Dane Fay, John Corey, Commissioner, Georgia Department of Natural Resources Evelyn Haddad, Chris Sobolowski Your dollars at work for Georgia! Successful Angler-funded Partnership to Improve Fishing When you purchase a fishing Better fishing, Anglers, hunters, license, excise tax dollars boating, hunting & boaters purchase paid by manufacturers come wildlife-associated fishing/hunting back to Georgia!! recreation. equipment & motor boat fuels. Your license fees and Sport Fish Restoration dollars at work: State agencies Management of public implement waters, production of sport programs & projects. Manufacturers fish for stocking in public pay excise tax on waters, development and that equipment management of Public States receive grants. and boaters pay Fishing Areas, aquatic educa- fuel taxes. tion programs, development U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service allocates and maintenance of boating funds to state fish & wildlife agencies. access facilities and more. This guide is also These programs pay for freshwater and saltwater activities to benefit these resources. available online at To learn more about Sport Fish Restoration in Georgia, visit www.fws.gov and www.gofishgeorgia.com 2 2019 | GEORGIA SPORT FISHING REGULATIONS WWW.GOFISHGEORGIA.COM SPORTFISHING CONTACT INFORMATION & OFFICES STATEWIDE OR GENERAL OFFICES 1 Wildlife Resources Division