FISHERIES MANAGEMENT Georgia Freshwater Fisheries
Fishing in Georgia 1.4 million resident anglers fish in Georgia. Fishing in Georgia generates $1.3 billion in retail sales and a $2.1 billion ripple effect each year. Fishing in Georgia is responsible for 15,644 jobs, $622 million in salaries, wages, and earnings, $147 million in federal tax revenues and $109 million in state and local tax revenues.
Fishing and Boating Manufacturing Jobs for Georgia The manufacturing of boats, fishing tackle, electronics, and accessories is big business in Georgia creating 1,000s of jobs and billions in economic activity. From Mom and Pop operations turning lures in their garages to multimillion dollar giants, each has found a reason to call the Peach State Home!
Fishing in Georgia Georgia Fisheries Management Section Produce and stock about 10 million fish each year in Georgia waters, including more than 1 million trout. Manage 2100 acres of water on Public Fishing Areas that provides about 175,000 fishing trips each year. Monitor and manage fish populations, investigate fish kills, and protect and enhance fish habitat on 500,000 acres of impoundments, 4,000 miles of trout streams, and 12,000 miles of large warm water streams and rivers (wider than ten feet). Operate and maintain 150 boating access sites (boat ramps) each year. Provide fish for and/or host about 300 Kids Fishing Events each year where 15,000 to 25,000 kids go fishing, many for the first time.
Management research, surveys, inventories Monitor trends in sportfish populations Relative abundance Effects of Regulations Stocking efforts Life history information (age & growth, recruitment, mortality, movement) Used in formulating regulations
World Records! Largemouth, Shoal www.bassslam.com 10 recognized species of native black bass; Catch 5 for the Georgia Bass Slam!
Trophy bass management - Female bass only ponds, strict limits, supplemental forage Genetics assess hatchery contributions, hybridization, clarify strain of Largemouth bass Experimental LMB stockings Allatoona West Point
1987 1989 1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015 Smallmouth bass native in Georgia, reservoirs Blue Ridge, Chatuge, and Nottely 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Percentage Total Black Bass CPUE Electrofishing LMB SPB SMB Broodfish have been collected and held at Go Fish hatchery. The first smallmouth bass were stocked in Blue Ridge in 2017!
Number removed 16000 14000 12000 10000 8000 6000 4000 2000 0 2016 Season 7,747 Flatheads removed or > 20,000 lbs. 915 42 289 227 359 284 2442 1933 3182 1028 1319 5788 6289 4399 4725 3285 3469 2861 16681 8637 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Year
Warmwater Hatcheries 7 warmwater hatcheries - 2017: 12 species, 6 million fish
Warmwater Hatcheries Walleye, Striped Bass, Hybrid Striped Bass, Channel Catfish, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, And Shoal Bass
Public Fishing Areas Public Fishing Areas family-friendly fishing quality fishing (bank & boat) intense management > 200,000 fishing trips
Boating Access Program 150 boating access sites Repairs and Maintenance New construction Amenities (service piers, improved parking, lighting, restrooms)
Go Fish Education Center What We Offer Education Programs Aquariums Hatchery Public Days Events Meetings
Education Program School field trips Our programs align with Georgia s Educational Performance Standards (The Georgia Performance Standards) We develop specific programs for classes from pre-k to high school. Our field trip matrix includes pre-k through college, however, general visitation numbers are largely elementary schools.
Education Program Homeschool Very popular stays full Toad-ally Toddlers! Instant Success Started in August 2015, 10 people signed up prior 91 mothers and toddlers showed up the day of the program
Meetings and Events The Go Fish Education Center hosts numerous public and private events: Perry Chamber Legislative Appreciation Reception Perry Rotary - Bass Tournament Weigh-In Dogwood Festival Kids Fishing Event State Fish Art Expo Host Birthday Parties
Aquarium The Go Fish Aquarium is designed to take visitors on a journey through Georgia Guests start in the mountains and wind up in the blackwater swamp.
Hatchery
Fishing Participation R3 (Recruitment, Retention, Reactivation) > 1 million freshwater anglers > 100,000 fans 177,000 views 1.2 million Education Fishing Awareness Campaign Marketing using Social Media tools Monitoring participation First-time license buyer retention study
Trout Program - 150,000+ trout anglers - Significant economic impact Coldwater hatcheries - 3 state and 1 federal - > 1 million catchable trout annually Trout Management (hatchery production and supported streams, wild trout/habitat management, angler use)
Kids Fishing Events ~300 events 23,000 attendance
Questions?