The deadline to turn in trout tags is approaching – so anglers fishing the 15-mile stretch of the Toccoa River (between Blue Ridge Dam and the Tennessee state line) should get busy and make sure all tags removed from tagged trout are sent in by April 9, 2010. Why? Because thanks to the Blue Ridge Mountain Chapter of Trout Unlimited, one lucky person will win a lifetime license at the drawing to be held on Sat. April 10!
The Fisheries Section of the Division tagged almost 4,000 trout, including hatchery-raised rainbow, captured resident rainbow and even a few brown trout, in the Toccoa River (effort began in March 2009) as part of a study of trout population dynamics. By reporting these tags, anglers will help biologists learn more about survival, growth and movement of stocked trout in the Toccoa River.
These small, green tags, each with a unique number, were attached to the fish just below the dorsal fin. Each tag reported and returned will be eligible for a drawing to win a lifetime sportsman’s license. One angler will be chosen at random on April 10, 2010 (entries must be received by close of business April 9, 2010). Anglers may report and return multiple tags, increasing their odds of winning.
What anglers should do if they catch a tagged trout while fishing the Toccoa River:
Remove the tag by cutting it with a knife, scissors, nippers, etc. as close as possible to the fish's body (if you plan to release the fish do not pull the tag out, as this is likely to injure the fish).
Keep or release the fish as normal in accordance with the 2010 Georgia Sport Fishing Regulations.
Call the Calhoun Fisheries office at (706) 624-1161 to report the tag number.
Mail the tag to the specified address. (Only tags physically received by the office will be eligible for the drawing for the lifetime sportsman’s license.)
If the winner of the drawing is not eligible for a lifetime license (i.e. not a Georgia resident or otherwise not eligible), they will be allowed to give the license to someone else that is eligible (family member, friend or other drawing entry).
Anglers who catch a tagged trout after the drawing deadline are encouraged to continue to report these tags, as the data will still be useful in the study.
For additional information regarding the Toccoa River trout study, contact Fisheries Biologist John Damer at john.damer@dnr.state.ga.us or (706) 624-1161.
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Showing posts with label anglers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label anglers. Show all posts
Friday, March 12, 2010
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
National Saltwater Angler Registry Launches
(NAPSI)-There's important news for America's recreational anglers hooked on saltwater fishing.
Starting Jan. 1, 2010, most U.S. saltwater fishermen will have to be signed up with the National Saltwater Angler Registry before they go fishing.
The good news is that the vast majority of recreational fishermen will not have to take any action to become registered. That's because they live in states that will have an agreement in place with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to automatically register licensed saltwater fishermen.
But fishermen in some states, including Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Virginia, as well as Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, will need to register online or by phone if they:
• Fish for or catch anadromous species in any tidal waters--these are fish such as striped bass, shad and river herring that live in the oceans but spawn in freshwater.
• Fish in federal waters more than three miles from the ocean shore or the mouth of harbors, rivers or bays.
• Don't meet any of the exemptions in the law.
Among the anglers exempted are those who are under 16; fish only on licensed for-hire vessels; hold subsistence fishing or highly migratory species angling permits; are fishing under a valid commercial license; or who live in an exempted state but are not required to have a saltwater fishing license from that state. (For instance, some states exempt seniors, active-duty military or other individuals.)
To get the updated list of exempted states or to learn more about the registry, anglers can visit www.countmyfish.noaa.gov. Beginning Jan. 1, anglers can also register at that site or through a toll-free phone call to 1-888-MRIP411.
Protecting The Seas
The registry is an important tool that will help fishermen and policy makers work together to better account for the contributions and impacts of saltwater anglers on ocean ecosystems and coastal economies.
It is part of a national overhaul of the way NOAA collects and reports recreational fishing data. The goal of the initiative--known as the Marine Recreational Information Program, or MRIP--is to provide the most accurate information possible that can be used to determine the health of fish stocks.
Reliable, universally trusted data will in turn aid anglers, fisheries managers and other stakeholders in their combined efforts to effectively and fairly set the rules that will ensure the long-term sustainability of recreational fishing.
For more information, visit www.countmyfish.noaa.gov.
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Starting Jan. 1, 2010, most U.S. saltwater fishermen will have to be signed up with the National Saltwater Angler Registry before they go fishing.
The good news is that the vast majority of recreational fishermen will not have to take any action to become registered. That's because they live in states that will have an agreement in place with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to automatically register licensed saltwater fishermen.
But fishermen in some states, including Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Virginia, as well as Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, will need to register online or by phone if they:
• Fish for or catch anadromous species in any tidal waters--these are fish such as striped bass, shad and river herring that live in the oceans but spawn in freshwater.
• Fish in federal waters more than three miles from the ocean shore or the mouth of harbors, rivers or bays.
• Don't meet any of the exemptions in the law.
Among the anglers exempted are those who are under 16; fish only on licensed for-hire vessels; hold subsistence fishing or highly migratory species angling permits; are fishing under a valid commercial license; or who live in an exempted state but are not required to have a saltwater fishing license from that state. (For instance, some states exempt seniors, active-duty military or other individuals.)
To get the updated list of exempted states or to learn more about the registry, anglers can visit www.countmyfish.noaa.gov. Beginning Jan. 1, anglers can also register at that site or through a toll-free phone call to 1-888-MRIP411.
Protecting The Seas
The registry is an important tool that will help fishermen and policy makers work together to better account for the contributions and impacts of saltwater anglers on ocean ecosystems and coastal economies.
It is part of a national overhaul of the way NOAA collects and reports recreational fishing data. The goal of the initiative--known as the Marine Recreational Information Program, or MRIP--is to provide the most accurate information possible that can be used to determine the health of fish stocks.
Reliable, universally trusted data will in turn aid anglers, fisheries managers and other stakeholders in their combined efforts to effectively and fairly set the rules that will ensure the long-term sustainability of recreational fishing.
For more information, visit www.countmyfish.noaa.gov.
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Thursday, December 10, 2009
Fishing by the Rules: Sport Fishermen Embrace Sustainable Techniques
/PRNewswire/ -- Unlike commercial fishing, the major player in depleted fish populations, sport fishing makes up less than 12 percent of the global harvest. And though they are equipped with the latest tools and technology to increase their haul, today's sport fisherman embodies a surprising combination of conservation and conquest.
With one eye on environmental responsibility and the other on sportsmanship, most sport fishers have adopted a plethora of sustainable fishing techniques. From reduced-impact gear like lead-free lures to biodegradable bait and hooks, recreational fishermen now have ample opportunities to land their next big catch while preserving big game fish populations for future anglers.
An ardent proponent of aquatic habitat conservation, the International Game Fish Association supports fishermen with guidelines that promote ethical sport fishing practices, including instructions for the best catch-and-release tactics.
"Releasing fish is important, but more important is the way fish are caught and released. Using circle hooks with bait and fish-friendly handling practices that minimize slime loss and damage to the fish help ensure that released fish have the chance to reproduce, and perhaps be caught again," says Jason Schratwieser, Conservation Director for IFGA.
"In my experience, 90 percent of sport fishermen follow the rules," says Captain Lee A. Campbell of the Panama Big Game Fishing Club in Boca Chica, Panama, where sport fishing is a huge draw for serious marine fishermen. In order for the region to maintain its status as a sport fishing hotspot, Panama players like Campbell stress the importance of sustainability.
"Panama is lucky to have a great population of fish, and we want it to stay that way," says Campbell. "If sustainable practices are followed and commercial fishing is banned, Panama could remain one of the best sport fishing destinations in the world. It's too late for many fishing destinations which have already depleted their fish, but for Panama there's still time."
Amble Resorts, an environmentally responsible real estate development company, supports sustainable sport fishing for their new Panama eco resort, The Resort at Isla Palenque. Amble President Ben Loomis notes, "Done correctly, sport fishing is very sustainable. Certainly catch-and-release fishing has a limited impact. But even if we're catching several tuna or Wahoo and taking them back home to share, our impact is nothing compared to commercial fishermen."
Loomis concludes, "Isla Palenque is a great jumping-off point for sport fishing throughout Panama's Gulf of Chiriqui, and we want to protect that. We're less than two hours from famous sites like Hannibal Bank, and we've got a number of other great locations within 45 minutes, like Ladrones or Islas Secas. With sustainable practices, this will remain a fishing paradise for a long time."
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With one eye on environmental responsibility and the other on sportsmanship, most sport fishers have adopted a plethora of sustainable fishing techniques. From reduced-impact gear like lead-free lures to biodegradable bait and hooks, recreational fishermen now have ample opportunities to land their next big catch while preserving big game fish populations for future anglers.
An ardent proponent of aquatic habitat conservation, the International Game Fish Association supports fishermen with guidelines that promote ethical sport fishing practices, including instructions for the best catch-and-release tactics.
"Releasing fish is important, but more important is the way fish are caught and released. Using circle hooks with bait and fish-friendly handling practices that minimize slime loss and damage to the fish help ensure that released fish have the chance to reproduce, and perhaps be caught again," says Jason Schratwieser, Conservation Director for IFGA.
"In my experience, 90 percent of sport fishermen follow the rules," says Captain Lee A. Campbell of the Panama Big Game Fishing Club in Boca Chica, Panama, where sport fishing is a huge draw for serious marine fishermen. In order for the region to maintain its status as a sport fishing hotspot, Panama players like Campbell stress the importance of sustainability.
"Panama is lucky to have a great population of fish, and we want it to stay that way," says Campbell. "If sustainable practices are followed and commercial fishing is banned, Panama could remain one of the best sport fishing destinations in the world. It's too late for many fishing destinations which have already depleted their fish, but for Panama there's still time."
Amble Resorts, an environmentally responsible real estate development company, supports sustainable sport fishing for their new Panama eco resort, The Resort at Isla Palenque. Amble President Ben Loomis notes, "Done correctly, sport fishing is very sustainable. Certainly catch-and-release fishing has a limited impact. But even if we're catching several tuna or Wahoo and taking them back home to share, our impact is nothing compared to commercial fishermen."
Loomis concludes, "Isla Palenque is a great jumping-off point for sport fishing throughout Panama's Gulf of Chiriqui, and we want to protect that. We're less than two hours from famous sites like Hannibal Bank, and we've got a number of other great locations within 45 minutes, like Ladrones or Islas Secas. With sustainable practices, this will remain a fishing paradise for a long time."
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Friday, October 30, 2009
From the Mountains to the Sea, Georgia is Hooked on Bass
Georgia has a diversity of bass that continues to reel in anglers from across the nation. As the only state in the nation with six of the seven black bass species, Georgia stands out as a bass angler’s paradise. This fall, regardless of where you are in the state, bass fishing opportunities abound, and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division is providing anglers with some helpful bass fishing information.
“Bass are a favorite species for anglers, and while people are most familiar with largemouth bass, it is by no means the only bass angling opportunity in the state,” says John Biagi, the division’s chief of Fisheries Management. “We encourage all anglers, beginners and experienced, to get out this fall, enjoy the weather and fish for bass – and don’t forget to take a kid fishing!”
Several species of black bass are fall favorites, including largemouth, smallmouth, shoal and spotted bass. Redeye and Suwannee round out the six available black bass species here in Georgia.
The knowledge of where to go is just part of the ammunition necessary to becoming a successful bass angler – having the right equipment is the other component for success. For species such as largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, the division recommends using a six-foot medium action, spinning outfit spooled with 8-10 lb. test line. Next, you need to determine if you will be fishing top-water or deep-water. The top-water bite typically is best in the early morning and late evening.
During fall, bass key in on shad forage while feeding up for the winter. Floating or shallow running baits resembling small shad, minnows or blueback herring will entice bites from all three bass species. For deep-water bass angling, use 1/4 - 3/8 oz. jigheads with your favorite plastic curly-tailed grub or plastic shad lure skewered on it (recommended colors: green pumpkin and watermelon seed), Texas or Carolina rigged plastic worms and lizards, jigging spoons, deep diving crankbaits, live nightcrawlers or minnows. Deep-water angling can be utilized year-round, but can be especially effective in summer and winter when fish move offshore in a lake or reservoir.
Another fall favorite, striped bass, often confused as one of Georgia’s six black bass species, actually belong to the temperate bass family. Anglers can find some exceptional striped bass fishing in Georgia, including native coastal river populations.
When fishing for striped bass in Georgia’s estuaries, one should come equipped with a medium-heavy spinning outfit (20-30 lb. class) with one of the new small diameter superlines. This will assist in getting the bait to the bottom where striped bass are feeding on shrimp (Oct.-Nov.). Effective lures include 1/2 - 3/4 oz. bucktail jigs, 1 oz. rattle traps and 1 oz. swim shads.
For bass fishing throughout Georgia, the division recommends the following fishing spots and the species to pursue at each:
· Lakes Hartwell, Nottely and Lanier – Oct.-Dec. is a great time to catch spotted and largemouth bass on these major impoundments. Anglers should target deeper offshore areas of 10-30 ft. of water and structures such as standing timber, submerged islands with woody cover (brush and stumps) and rocks. Bass will often suspend over open water at these depths, feeding on shad and blueback herring.
· Chattahoochee River (below Morgan Falls Dam) – Fall provides excellent largemouth, spotted and shoal bass fishing on the Chattahoochee. Anglers can take many approaches – jon boats, wading and float tubes to get close to their favorite species. Fly-fishing also is a productive method for bass on the river.
· Lake Oconee – Largemouth bass are plentiful during fall on this reservoir. Anglers should concentrate on tributary arms such as Sugar Creek, Lick Creek, Sandy Creek and the upper ends of the three major tributary arms (Oconee River, Apalachee River and Richland Creek). Concentrate on depths less than five feet.
· Lake Richard B. Russell – Largemouth and spotted bass fishing is excellent during the fall when water temperature drops into the 60s. Concentrate on major creek arms where you’ll find bass following schools of baitfish (threadfin shad) as they migrate into creeks.
· Lakes Varner and Black Shoals – The upper half of these reservoirs are great spots to fish for largemouths, though there is no one particular hot spot. Light line and smaller lures are more effective at Black Shoals as the water tends to be clearer.
· West Point Lake – Serious largemouth bass anglers need to head to this lake to test their skills. As water temperatures cool, areas to target include creek mouths and points, the upper end of the lake and around the numerous blown down trees in the water.
· Big Lazer Public Fishing Area (PFA) – If you like fishing for largemouth on a smaller lake, give this 195-acre PFA a try. It’s intensely managed to produce extra pounds of bass. In the fall, bass often are caught in shallow to medium-depth water near structure and drop-offs in the coves or off the main channel.
· Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center/Marben Farms PFA – Bass fishing always picks up in the fall as bass become more aggressive when the water temperature drops. Bennett and Fox lakes are the best place for “lunker” size bass and anglers should concentrate on fishing flooded timber and calm waters in the mornings for their best chance at this PFA.
· Ocmulgee PFA – This new PFA is well on the way to developing into a trophy bass destination. Some of the bass in the reservoir have grown to more than 10 pounds in just about three years! Currently, the average size bass is 6.5 pounds. The standing timber left in the lake during construction and the aeration system, which creates a current for the lake, concentrates bass for anglers. Points, underwater high spots, standing timber and thicker cover will be good areas for anglers to target. Top-water baits fished around the edges of thicker brush are recommended for early morning while fishing swimming lures around the brush edges or pitching weedless baits into the thick brush may be best for later in the day.
· High Falls Lake – This 650-acre lake is an untapped resource for largemouth bass – quality bass catches are frequent, with an occasional “lunker” reeled in as well. Buck Creek is the most popular spot for largemouth anglers and fishermen are encouraged to target boat docks and aquatic vegetation mats.
· Coastal Rivers – Fall is the best time to fish for stripers in Georgia’s coastal rivers as they are moving down river as water temperatures drop, feeding on the abundantly available bait, such as shrimp and menhaden, in estuaries. Anglers should concentrate on fishing the upward current side of any bridge piling or structure. Most strikes occur within one ft. of some sort of structure, so get lines in there tight to get a bite.
· Toccoa River – The Toccoa River watershed is the best place to hook a homegrown smallmouth. They are present in the river just upstream (south) from Lake Blue Ridge, in the reservoir itself, and in the warmer, lower half of the lake's tailwater near McCaysville. Tossing a herring-imitating crankbait or a live crawfish toward rocky banks and points in the reservoir is a best bet for Georgia bassers wanting to add this species to their list of caught fish. More information is available in the Lake Blue Ridge fishing prospects, www.gofishgeorgia.com .
· Ochlockonee River – As the rarest of Georgia’s black bass species, Suwannee bass are most abundant in the Ochlockonee River in south Georgia. (They are also present in the Withlacoochee and Alapaha Rivers). Anglers wishing to pursue these feisty fish would be advised to use light tackle with plastic worms or small spinnerbaits. Anglers fishing for Suwannee bass on the Ochlockonee River should concentrate on areas south of Thomasville. Canoes and kayaks are the preferred craft for maneuvering the small, black, tree-laden waters of the Ochlockonee. Three boat ramps are located in this stretch of the Ochlockonee: Hwy. 19 in Thomasville; Hwy. 93 below Cairo; and Hadley’s Ferry off of Midway Rd.
· Flint River – Shoal bass are one of the signature species of the Flint River. Shoal bass can reach weights of over eight pounds and are an exciting challenge in the swift water. Shoal bass can be caught on a wide variety of lures, and some of the favorites are small swimming minnows, spinner baits, top water poppers and Texas-rigged worms and lizards. A favorite technique involves floating or motoring to a major shoal and then wade-fishing the pools and swift runs with spinning tackle or fly rod. Wading the shoals is particularly suited to fly-fishing. Just bring your six to eight weight bass or trout rod and plenty of wooly buggers and poppers.
· Ocmulgee River – Shoal, largemouth and spotted bass provide excellent fall fishing in the Ocmulgee River both upstream and downstream of Macon. Shoal and spotted bass are more common above Macon, though shoal bass also are found below the Fall Line and are fairly common as far south as Warner Robins. Preferred shoal bass lures are small to medium swimming minnows, spinner baits, poppers and artificial worms. Largemouth are the predominate black bass below Macon and good catches are possible using the right techniques. Most of the larger snags along the bank, particularly in areas of low current velocities, are home to one or more largemouth bass and they can be fooled with a lightly weighted plastic worm or lizard cast as close to the structure as possible. Spinner baits, medium Rapala-type crank baits, and plastic jerk baits are also effective but the key is triggering the fish to leave the cover to hit your bait.
· Savannah River – Largemouth bass are abundant in this river downstream of New Savannah Bluff Lock and Dam to the estuary. When the river’s flow is low, good numbers of fish can be found around woody debris along the banks and diversion structures within the main channel. As the river’s flow increases and water fills backwater areas of the flood plain, fish tend to occupy sloughs and tributary creeks where water current is quite slower than in the main channel. When fishing these backwater areas, smaller lures and plastic worms tend to be effective, as a more subtle approach more often triggers strikes in these quiet, slow-moving spots.
· Ogeechee River – The Ogeechee is home to a very healthy largemouth bass population. Methods used in other coastal rivers will be effective here but anglers must scale down the size of their vessel and equipment in order to access a large portion of river above the tidal area. With many sand bars and fallen trees extending across almost the entire river, a lightweight, shallow-draft boat is essential in order to find the many miles of remote stretches of river that exist in this system. Also, with a low tree canopy reaching out over the river in many spots, a shorter fishing rod can be quite advantageous when trying to make that perfect cast.
For more information on each of the six species of black bass, check out Georgia’s Black Bass brochure online at www.gofishgeorgia.com . Also, log on for more bass fishing tips, fishing destinations and other bass-related information.
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.
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“Bass are a favorite species for anglers, and while people are most familiar with largemouth bass, it is by no means the only bass angling opportunity in the state,” says John Biagi, the division’s chief of Fisheries Management. “We encourage all anglers, beginners and experienced, to get out this fall, enjoy the weather and fish for bass – and don’t forget to take a kid fishing!”
Several species of black bass are fall favorites, including largemouth, smallmouth, shoal and spotted bass. Redeye and Suwannee round out the six available black bass species here in Georgia.
The knowledge of where to go is just part of the ammunition necessary to becoming a successful bass angler – having the right equipment is the other component for success. For species such as largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, the division recommends using a six-foot medium action, spinning outfit spooled with 8-10 lb. test line. Next, you need to determine if you will be fishing top-water or deep-water. The top-water bite typically is best in the early morning and late evening.
During fall, bass key in on shad forage while feeding up for the winter. Floating or shallow running baits resembling small shad, minnows or blueback herring will entice bites from all three bass species. For deep-water bass angling, use 1/4 - 3/8 oz. jigheads with your favorite plastic curly-tailed grub or plastic shad lure skewered on it (recommended colors: green pumpkin and watermelon seed), Texas or Carolina rigged plastic worms and lizards, jigging spoons, deep diving crankbaits, live nightcrawlers or minnows. Deep-water angling can be utilized year-round, but can be especially effective in summer and winter when fish move offshore in a lake or reservoir.
Another fall favorite, striped bass, often confused as one of Georgia’s six black bass species, actually belong to the temperate bass family. Anglers can find some exceptional striped bass fishing in Georgia, including native coastal river populations.
When fishing for striped bass in Georgia’s estuaries, one should come equipped with a medium-heavy spinning outfit (20-30 lb. class) with one of the new small diameter superlines. This will assist in getting the bait to the bottom where striped bass are feeding on shrimp (Oct.-Nov.). Effective lures include 1/2 - 3/4 oz. bucktail jigs, 1 oz. rattle traps and 1 oz. swim shads.
For bass fishing throughout Georgia, the division recommends the following fishing spots and the species to pursue at each:
· Lakes Hartwell, Nottely and Lanier – Oct.-Dec. is a great time to catch spotted and largemouth bass on these major impoundments. Anglers should target deeper offshore areas of 10-30 ft. of water and structures such as standing timber, submerged islands with woody cover (brush and stumps) and rocks. Bass will often suspend over open water at these depths, feeding on shad and blueback herring.
· Chattahoochee River (below Morgan Falls Dam) – Fall provides excellent largemouth, spotted and shoal bass fishing on the Chattahoochee. Anglers can take many approaches – jon boats, wading and float tubes to get close to their favorite species. Fly-fishing also is a productive method for bass on the river.
· Lake Oconee – Largemouth bass are plentiful during fall on this reservoir. Anglers should concentrate on tributary arms such as Sugar Creek, Lick Creek, Sandy Creek and the upper ends of the three major tributary arms (Oconee River, Apalachee River and Richland Creek). Concentrate on depths less than five feet.
· Lake Richard B. Russell – Largemouth and spotted bass fishing is excellent during the fall when water temperature drops into the 60s. Concentrate on major creek arms where you’ll find bass following schools of baitfish (threadfin shad) as they migrate into creeks.
· Lakes Varner and Black Shoals – The upper half of these reservoirs are great spots to fish for largemouths, though there is no one particular hot spot. Light line and smaller lures are more effective at Black Shoals as the water tends to be clearer.
· West Point Lake – Serious largemouth bass anglers need to head to this lake to test their skills. As water temperatures cool, areas to target include creek mouths and points, the upper end of the lake and around the numerous blown down trees in the water.
· Big Lazer Public Fishing Area (PFA) – If you like fishing for largemouth on a smaller lake, give this 195-acre PFA a try. It’s intensely managed to produce extra pounds of bass. In the fall, bass often are caught in shallow to medium-depth water near structure and drop-offs in the coves or off the main channel.
· Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center/Marben Farms PFA – Bass fishing always picks up in the fall as bass become more aggressive when the water temperature drops. Bennett and Fox lakes are the best place for “lunker” size bass and anglers should concentrate on fishing flooded timber and calm waters in the mornings for their best chance at this PFA.
· Ocmulgee PFA – This new PFA is well on the way to developing into a trophy bass destination. Some of the bass in the reservoir have grown to more than 10 pounds in just about three years! Currently, the average size bass is 6.5 pounds. The standing timber left in the lake during construction and the aeration system, which creates a current for the lake, concentrates bass for anglers. Points, underwater high spots, standing timber and thicker cover will be good areas for anglers to target. Top-water baits fished around the edges of thicker brush are recommended for early morning while fishing swimming lures around the brush edges or pitching weedless baits into the thick brush may be best for later in the day.
· High Falls Lake – This 650-acre lake is an untapped resource for largemouth bass – quality bass catches are frequent, with an occasional “lunker” reeled in as well. Buck Creek is the most popular spot for largemouth anglers and fishermen are encouraged to target boat docks and aquatic vegetation mats.
· Coastal Rivers – Fall is the best time to fish for stripers in Georgia’s coastal rivers as they are moving down river as water temperatures drop, feeding on the abundantly available bait, such as shrimp and menhaden, in estuaries. Anglers should concentrate on fishing the upward current side of any bridge piling or structure. Most strikes occur within one ft. of some sort of structure, so get lines in there tight to get a bite.
· Toccoa River – The Toccoa River watershed is the best place to hook a homegrown smallmouth. They are present in the river just upstream (south) from Lake Blue Ridge, in the reservoir itself, and in the warmer, lower half of the lake's tailwater near McCaysville. Tossing a herring-imitating crankbait or a live crawfish toward rocky banks and points in the reservoir is a best bet for Georgia bassers wanting to add this species to their list of caught fish. More information is available in the Lake Blue Ridge fishing prospects, www.gofishgeorgia.com .
· Ochlockonee River – As the rarest of Georgia’s black bass species, Suwannee bass are most abundant in the Ochlockonee River in south Georgia. (They are also present in the Withlacoochee and Alapaha Rivers). Anglers wishing to pursue these feisty fish would be advised to use light tackle with plastic worms or small spinnerbaits. Anglers fishing for Suwannee bass on the Ochlockonee River should concentrate on areas south of Thomasville. Canoes and kayaks are the preferred craft for maneuvering the small, black, tree-laden waters of the Ochlockonee. Three boat ramps are located in this stretch of the Ochlockonee: Hwy. 19 in Thomasville; Hwy. 93 below Cairo; and Hadley’s Ferry off of Midway Rd.
· Flint River – Shoal bass are one of the signature species of the Flint River. Shoal bass can reach weights of over eight pounds and are an exciting challenge in the swift water. Shoal bass can be caught on a wide variety of lures, and some of the favorites are small swimming minnows, spinner baits, top water poppers and Texas-rigged worms and lizards. A favorite technique involves floating or motoring to a major shoal and then wade-fishing the pools and swift runs with spinning tackle or fly rod. Wading the shoals is particularly suited to fly-fishing. Just bring your six to eight weight bass or trout rod and plenty of wooly buggers and poppers.
· Ocmulgee River – Shoal, largemouth and spotted bass provide excellent fall fishing in the Ocmulgee River both upstream and downstream of Macon. Shoal and spotted bass are more common above Macon, though shoal bass also are found below the Fall Line and are fairly common as far south as Warner Robins. Preferred shoal bass lures are small to medium swimming minnows, spinner baits, poppers and artificial worms. Largemouth are the predominate black bass below Macon and good catches are possible using the right techniques. Most of the larger snags along the bank, particularly in areas of low current velocities, are home to one or more largemouth bass and they can be fooled with a lightly weighted plastic worm or lizard cast as close to the structure as possible. Spinner baits, medium Rapala-type crank baits, and plastic jerk baits are also effective but the key is triggering the fish to leave the cover to hit your bait.
· Savannah River – Largemouth bass are abundant in this river downstream of New Savannah Bluff Lock and Dam to the estuary. When the river’s flow is low, good numbers of fish can be found around woody debris along the banks and diversion structures within the main channel. As the river’s flow increases and water fills backwater areas of the flood plain, fish tend to occupy sloughs and tributary creeks where water current is quite slower than in the main channel. When fishing these backwater areas, smaller lures and plastic worms tend to be effective, as a more subtle approach more often triggers strikes in these quiet, slow-moving spots.
· Ogeechee River – The Ogeechee is home to a very healthy largemouth bass population. Methods used in other coastal rivers will be effective here but anglers must scale down the size of their vessel and equipment in order to access a large portion of river above the tidal area. With many sand bars and fallen trees extending across almost the entire river, a lightweight, shallow-draft boat is essential in order to find the many miles of remote stretches of river that exist in this system. Also, with a low tree canopy reaching out over the river in many spots, a shorter fishing rod can be quite advantageous when trying to make that perfect cast.
For more information on each of the six species of black bass, check out Georgia’s Black Bass brochure online at www.gofishgeorgia.com . Also, log on for more bass fishing tips, fishing destinations and other bass-related information.
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Thursday, October 29, 2009
Delayed Harvest Trout Streams Open Nov. 1
North Georgia offers few better ways to observe fall foliage beauty than a trip to a trout-filled delayed harvest mountain stream. With more than 4,000 miles of trout streams and three species of trout, there are fishing and simultaneous leaf-viewing opportunities closer than you think. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division highlights the five delayed harvest streams available to anglers beginning Nov. 1.
“Georgia trout streams are designated as seasonal, year-round or delayed harvest, and different streams offer varying populations of rainbow, brown and brook trout,” says the division’s Trout Stocking Coordinator Perry Thompson. “The delayed harvest streams have special regulations from November 1 – May 14. Since these delayed harvest streams are regularly stocked and the trout are caught and released, catch rates remain high, making them a great destination for new and seasoned anglers alike.”
The five trout streams managed under delayed harvest regulations are the Toccoa River located on U.S. Forest Service land upstream of Lake Blue Ridge in Fannin County (from 0.4 miles above Shallowford Bridge to 450 feet above the Sandy Bottom Canoe Access), Amicalola Creek on the Dawson Forest Wildlife Management Area (from Steele Bridge Road downstream to Georgia Hwy. 53), Smith Creek at Unicoi State Park, the Chattahoochee River in Atlanta (Sope Creek, downstream of Johnson Ferry Road, downstream to the Hwy 41 bridge) and a portion of the Chattooga River (from Ga. Hwy. 28 upstream to the mouth of Reed Creek) on U.S. Forest Service land bordering South Carolina.
“Remember, these streams are catch and release only during the delayed harvest season and also are restricted to artificial lures with one single hook from Nov. 1 – May 14,” Thompson adds. “When May 15 rolls around, harvest is allowed under the general regulations pertaining to designated trout water.”
In addition to the excellent fall fishing opportunities delayed harvest streams provide, there also are ample year-round trout fishing opportunities in a number of Georgia streams. These designated year-round streams are open to fishing throughout the year.
Blue Ridge Tailwater: This tailwater is actually a stretch of the Toccoa River located downstream of Blue Ridge Lake in Fannin County and in many trout fishing circles is considered both blue-ribbon trout fishing and Georgia’s best kept secret. Anglers will find good numbers of both rainbow and brown trout, with an occasional trophy-sized fish caught. Most anglers prefer to float from shoal to shoal and then get out and wade to fish. Ultralight spinning gear and small spinners, such as rooster tails and panther martins, are best bets. Anglers should keep safety in mind – high water and strong currents can occur when the dam’s turbines are on. Keep a close eye on the water level and return to boats immediately if it starts to rise.
Noontootla Creek Watershed: This watershed offers some high quality year-round fishing for wild brown and rainbow trout, with many of its tributaries offering a chance at a wild brook trout (a real plus since most other brook trout waters are closed to fishing after Oct. 31). Both Noontootla and its tributaries are managed under an artificial lure only regulation and have a 16” minimum size limit in order to “recycle” the 8”-12” trout that make up most of the population.
Dukes Creek: This stream, located on the Smithgall Woods-Dukes Creek Conservation Area offers year-round trout fishing by reservation (706-878-3087). All fish caught here must be released immediately and anglers must only use artificial lures with barbless hooks. The stream offers a great chance at a trout over 20 inches, so bring your camera for a quick shot before release. Best time to fish is after a rain discolors the water.
Chattahoochee River: For good trout fishing close to metro-Atlanta, the Chattahoochee River downstream of Buford Dam offers family-friendly and close-to-home, year-round fishing for stocked rainbow and brown trout and wild brown trout. Despite the recent rains, fishing in the Chattahoochee River will continue to be good and Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area parks offer good bank, wading and boating opportunities. Be aware that some National Park Service parks downstream of Morgan Falls Dam are closed due to recent flooding. Contact CRNRA (678-538-1200) to learn about park closures. The river will be stocked through the fall months to keep angler catches high. Year-round harvest is legal from Buford Dam to Sope Creek. Best fishing is at low flow when the river is clear to slightly stained.
Some additional notable year-round trout streams include the Conasauga River, Tallulah River and the Chattooga River.
To download free Georgia trout stream maps and other trout fishing tips, or for additional trout fishing information, visit www.gofishgeorgia.com . Anglers must possess a current Georgia fishing license and a trout license to fish in designated trout waters.
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.
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“Georgia trout streams are designated as seasonal, year-round or delayed harvest, and different streams offer varying populations of rainbow, brown and brook trout,” says the division’s Trout Stocking Coordinator Perry Thompson. “The delayed harvest streams have special regulations from November 1 – May 14. Since these delayed harvest streams are regularly stocked and the trout are caught and released, catch rates remain high, making them a great destination for new and seasoned anglers alike.”
The five trout streams managed under delayed harvest regulations are the Toccoa River located on U.S. Forest Service land upstream of Lake Blue Ridge in Fannin County (from 0.4 miles above Shallowford Bridge to 450 feet above the Sandy Bottom Canoe Access), Amicalola Creek on the Dawson Forest Wildlife Management Area (from Steele Bridge Road downstream to Georgia Hwy. 53), Smith Creek at Unicoi State Park, the Chattahoochee River in Atlanta (Sope Creek, downstream of Johnson Ferry Road, downstream to the Hwy 41 bridge) and a portion of the Chattooga River (from Ga. Hwy. 28 upstream to the mouth of Reed Creek) on U.S. Forest Service land bordering South Carolina.
“Remember, these streams are catch and release only during the delayed harvest season and also are restricted to artificial lures with one single hook from Nov. 1 – May 14,” Thompson adds. “When May 15 rolls around, harvest is allowed under the general regulations pertaining to designated trout water.”
In addition to the excellent fall fishing opportunities delayed harvest streams provide, there also are ample year-round trout fishing opportunities in a number of Georgia streams. These designated year-round streams are open to fishing throughout the year.
Blue Ridge Tailwater: This tailwater is actually a stretch of the Toccoa River located downstream of Blue Ridge Lake in Fannin County and in many trout fishing circles is considered both blue-ribbon trout fishing and Georgia’s best kept secret. Anglers will find good numbers of both rainbow and brown trout, with an occasional trophy-sized fish caught. Most anglers prefer to float from shoal to shoal and then get out and wade to fish. Ultralight spinning gear and small spinners, such as rooster tails and panther martins, are best bets. Anglers should keep safety in mind – high water and strong currents can occur when the dam’s turbines are on. Keep a close eye on the water level and return to boats immediately if it starts to rise.
Noontootla Creek Watershed: This watershed offers some high quality year-round fishing for wild brown and rainbow trout, with many of its tributaries offering a chance at a wild brook trout (a real plus since most other brook trout waters are closed to fishing after Oct. 31). Both Noontootla and its tributaries are managed under an artificial lure only regulation and have a 16” minimum size limit in order to “recycle” the 8”-12” trout that make up most of the population.
Dukes Creek: This stream, located on the Smithgall Woods-Dukes Creek Conservation Area offers year-round trout fishing by reservation (706-878-3087). All fish caught here must be released immediately and anglers must only use artificial lures with barbless hooks. The stream offers a great chance at a trout over 20 inches, so bring your camera for a quick shot before release. Best time to fish is after a rain discolors the water.
Chattahoochee River: For good trout fishing close to metro-Atlanta, the Chattahoochee River downstream of Buford Dam offers family-friendly and close-to-home, year-round fishing for stocked rainbow and brown trout and wild brown trout. Despite the recent rains, fishing in the Chattahoochee River will continue to be good and Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area parks offer good bank, wading and boating opportunities. Be aware that some National Park Service parks downstream of Morgan Falls Dam are closed due to recent flooding. Contact CRNRA (678-538-1200) to learn about park closures. The river will be stocked through the fall months to keep angler catches high. Year-round harvest is legal from Buford Dam to Sope Creek. Best fishing is at low flow when the river is clear to slightly stained.
Some additional notable year-round trout streams include the Conasauga River, Tallulah River and the Chattooga River.
To download free Georgia trout stream maps and other trout fishing tips, or for additional trout fishing information, visit www.gofishgeorgia.com . Anglers must possess a current Georgia fishing license and a trout license to fish in designated trout waters.
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.
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Monday, May 11, 2009
Target Carp in Northeast Georgia
Fishing for carp may not be an angler’s first choice, but according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division, targeting carp can make for a fun-filled, action-packed day on the water. Get started with know-how, including recommended hot spots, equipment and techniques.
“Northeast Georgia has some great places to pursue carp,” says Wildlife Resources Division Fisheries Biologist Nick Jamison. “Carp fishing requires little preparation and only basic equipment, making it perfect for children and beginner anglers.”
Lake Lanier supports an abundant population of carp averaging three pounds, with some reaching 20 pounds. Major carp fishing holes include, Flat Creek, Wahoo Creek and upstream from Clarks Bridge to the head of the lake on the Chattahoochee arm.
A large carp population also exists on Lake Nottely located near Blairsville. Carp on Nottely average two pounds, with some reaching 15 pounds. Anglers should target Ivy Log Creek, Young Cane Creek and Kiutuestia Creek.
Located on the North Carolina border, Lake Chatuge also supports a rich carp population, with an average catch weighing two pounds and the occasional 15-pound catch. Major fishing holes are Bell Creek, Long Bullet Creek and upstream from the Hwy. 76 bridge to the head of the lake on the Hiawassee River arm.
Lake Jackson in central Georgia currently holds the state record catch of 35 pounds, 12 ounces, caught in 1972.
The Wildlife Resources Division recommends medium to heavy spinning tackle spooled with 10-15 pound test line. The best baits are worms, doughballs (moistened bread), corn and prepared carp baits that anglers can purchase at local bait and tackle shops. Place the bait on a medium size hook (size 6-8) and fish on the bottom of recommended lakes.
During late spring and early summer, carp are concentrated in water less than 10 feet deep in search of spawning sites. The best fishing spots are in the backs of coves around natural cover (downed trees and brush).
For more information on carp fishing in Georgia, visit www.gofishgeorgia.com .
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.
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“Northeast Georgia has some great places to pursue carp,” says Wildlife Resources Division Fisheries Biologist Nick Jamison. “Carp fishing requires little preparation and only basic equipment, making it perfect for children and beginner anglers.”
Lake Lanier supports an abundant population of carp averaging three pounds, with some reaching 20 pounds. Major carp fishing holes include, Flat Creek, Wahoo Creek and upstream from Clarks Bridge to the head of the lake on the Chattahoochee arm.
A large carp population also exists on Lake Nottely located near Blairsville. Carp on Nottely average two pounds, with some reaching 15 pounds. Anglers should target Ivy Log Creek, Young Cane Creek and Kiutuestia Creek.
Located on the North Carolina border, Lake Chatuge also supports a rich carp population, with an average catch weighing two pounds and the occasional 15-pound catch. Major fishing holes are Bell Creek, Long Bullet Creek and upstream from the Hwy. 76 bridge to the head of the lake on the Hiawassee River arm.
Lake Jackson in central Georgia currently holds the state record catch of 35 pounds, 12 ounces, caught in 1972.
The Wildlife Resources Division recommends medium to heavy spinning tackle spooled with 10-15 pound test line. The best baits are worms, doughballs (moistened bread), corn and prepared carp baits that anglers can purchase at local bait and tackle shops. Place the bait on a medium size hook (size 6-8) and fish on the bottom of recommended lakes.
During late spring and early summer, carp are concentrated in water less than 10 feet deep in search of spawning sites. The best fishing spots are in the backs of coves around natural cover (downed trees and brush).
For more information on carp fishing in Georgia, visit www.gofishgeorgia.com .
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.
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Wednesday, April 15, 2009
New Hours Offer Chattahoochee Trout Anglers More Opportunity
Previously open to anglers from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Georgia Power now has extended its access hours for the Morgan Falls Dam area of the Chattahoochee River from dawn to dusk. The new hours allow anglers more convenient times to hook a string of rainbow or brown trout.
Trout fishing in this section reportedly can be excellent during this time of year. Catches of 20-30 trout are common, and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division will continue to stock this section of the Chattahoochee River with trout through the end of the month.
The Morgan Falls Dam area is outside the delayed harvest section, from Sope Creek to Hwy. 41, so anglers can harvest trout year-round. Natural bait and artificial lures with more than a single hook are allowed. Anglers can cast for trout, shoal bass, largemouth bass, striped bass, yellow perch, sunfish and catfish here.
Visit www.gofishgeorgia.com , “Fishing,” “Fishing Opportunities,” “River Fishing Information” for the 2009 prospects for fishing the Chattahoochee River from Morgan Falls Dam to Peachtree Creek.
For information regarding river conditions below Morgan Falls Dam, contact Georgia Power at (404) 329-1455.
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Trout fishing in this section reportedly can be excellent during this time of year. Catches of 20-30 trout are common, and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division will continue to stock this section of the Chattahoochee River with trout through the end of the month.
The Morgan Falls Dam area is outside the delayed harvest section, from Sope Creek to Hwy. 41, so anglers can harvest trout year-round. Natural bait and artificial lures with more than a single hook are allowed. Anglers can cast for trout, shoal bass, largemouth bass, striped bass, yellow perch, sunfish and catfish here.
Visit www.gofishgeorgia.com , “Fishing,” “Fishing Opportunities,” “River Fishing Information” for the 2009 prospects for fishing the Chattahoochee River from Morgan Falls Dam to Peachtree Creek.
For information regarding river conditions below Morgan Falls Dam, contact Georgia Power at (404) 329-1455.
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