Fishing News

New Fishing Regs Book Available

The Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) invites you to kick off the brand new year by using the 2021 Georgia Sport Fishing Regulations Guide as you make all your fishing plans. “Anglers, new or experienced, should always begin with this publication,” said Scott Robinson, Assistant Chief with the WRD Fisheries Management Section. “Biologists and staff work to make sure this guidebook has the most current and accurate information on regulations and new opportunities, and anglers can access it in multiple ways, including online, from our Outdoors GA app or in the printed copy.”

The 2021 Georgia Sport Fishing Regulations Guide provides information such as a color fish identification chart for both freshwater and saltwater fish, license purchasing information, contact information for Wildlife Resources Division and Coastal Resources Division fisheries management offices and DNR Law Enforcement offices, trout stream listings, public fishing area information, state record fish listings, fishing regulations for Georgia and more.

The 2021 Georgia Sport Fishing Regulations may be found online at www.eregulations.com/georgia/fishing/, or through the Outdoors GA app (free app for iPhone or Android users). Anglers also can pick up a printed copy at any Wildlife Resources Division fisheries management or DNR Law Enforcement office, or at fishing license vendors throughout Georgia.

Where else can you find fishing information? The Angler Resources page on the WRD website, georgiawildlife.com/fishing/ angler-resources, is a great place for new or experienced anglers and includes information about taking kids fishing, reservoir and river fishing tips, fish ID info and much more. If you are looking for the latest fishing tips, check out the weekly Georgia Fishing Report (georgiawildlife.blog).

Shrimp Season Extends into 2021

Commercial and recreational shrimpers have more time this season to harvest food shrimp now that GADNR has extended the shrimping season.

The fishery normally closes Dec. 31, but the Commissioner of Natural Resources can lengthen the season if data show shrimp are abundant and likely to rebound the following year, explained Eddie Leonard, a biologist with DNR’s Coastal Resources Division (CRD), which manages marine fisheries in Georgia.

“The data we collected in December indicates there is a still a good number of large shrimp in state waters off Georgia’s beaches,” Leonard said. “We also saw a good number of shrimp inshore, especially in creeks � and in rivers, as well. Those inshore populations will be able to spawn in the spring and move offshore in April or May to support next year’s shrimping season.”

CRD biologists will continue to survey the shrimp population in coming weeks and will monitor data to determine when a shrimp fishery closure is appropriate. The Commissioner has the authority to extend the season through February if data show the fishery is healthy enough to rebound the next year.

For more information, visit www.CoastalGaDNR.org or call (912) 262-3140.

Whelk and Shad Seasons Open

Georgia's whelk trawl harvest season and shad season both opened Jan. 1, 2021, and will close on Wednesday, March 31, 2021. Whelk are a sea snail common along Georgia’s coast and frequently used as food. They can be found in shallow waters, including bays, beaches and estuaries. The outer shell is graywhite and tan with some dark brown streaks. The inner shell is yellow, orange or red. The darkly colored soft body incudes a head, visceral mass and small foot. The knobbed whelk has been the state shell of Georgia since 1987. For more information on regulations associated with the whelk fishery, please call the Coastal Resources Division at (912) 264-7218. “We had a good run of American shad and hickory shad last year, and for many of our fishermen it proved to be a good season,” said Jim Page, WRD Senior Fisheries Biologist. “We are certainly hopeful and optimistic that this season will be a favorable one as well.” Georgia’s commercial fishing regulations require that fishermen must report the harvest of all American shad, regardless if they are sold or kept for personal consumption, to the CRD via Trip Tickets. Fishermen can obtain Trip Tickets by contacting CRD’s Julie Califf at (912) 264-7218.