SUMMARY OF RELEASES
1. MAKING YOUR LICENSE PURCHASE SIMPLE: GRAB THE PACKAGE “DEAL”
2. VISIT A PUBLIC FISHING AREA FOR A FUN, FISHING EXPERIENCE
3. SUMMER IS A GREAT TIME TO GO FISH FOR CATFISH
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MAKING YOUR LICENSE PURCHASE SIMPLE: GRAB THE PACKAGE “DEAL”
SOCIAL CIRCLE, GA (July 8, 2016) – Let’s set the scene: Your buddy says that he wants you to come fish with him this coming weekend and all you need is to make sure your fishing license is current. You haven’t been fishing since you were 15 at the family pond behind the house where you grew up. How do you even decide what license you need?
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division has made purchasing the licenses you need even easier. Anglers, or hunters, looking for the licenses that allow them to pursue a specific activity can now choose a compiled license “package.”
Here is how it works:
1. Go to GoOutdoorsGeorgia.com
2. Create an Account or Log In to Your Account
3. Check out the List of Available Packages, Including:
a. Avid Angler
b. Public Lands-Angler
c. Georgia Sportsman
d. Target Shooting
e. Deer/Turkey
4. Click on the Package You Want to Add to Your Account
5. Proceed to Checkout
That is it! Once you are done, you will receive a confirmation email with a printable PDF of your license. Each year, you will get an email notification prior to license expiration date. If you renew before the license expires, you get a discount! You also can set your license package to auto-renew each year.
To purchase a hunting or fishing license package, visit www.GoOutdoorsGeorgia.com.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PUBLIC FISHING AREAS ARE A PERFECT SUMMER PLACE TO VISIT
SOCIAL CIRCLE, Ga. (July 8, 2016) – If a fishing trip is not on your summer list of “things to do,” you need to plan one! How do you pick a spot? You could start with one of Georgia’s available public fishing areas (PFA) to make that happen! PFAs are managed for fishing by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division, but also offer opportunities to entertain the whole family.
“There is a public fishing area located closer to you than you might think, easily within a reasonable drive for most residents,” says John Biagi, Chief of the Fisheries Management Section of the Wildlife Resources Division. “Fishing is the main attraction for most visitors, but Georgia’s PFAs also offer other family-friendly activities such as hiking, bird watching, picnicking and camping.”
Waters on PFAs vary from lakes several hundred acres in size to ponds less than one acre with some designated as kids-only fishing ponds. Anglers can fish from a boat, along the shoreline or from a pier at most locations. Many areas have picnic tables, nature and wildlife observation trails, fish cleaning stations and restroom facilities. Some offer primitive campsites for those wishing to stay overnight on the area, and many facilities are accessible to persons with disabilities.
Make plans to visit one of the following PFAs today:
· Rocky Mountain PFA (Floyd County). Includes two lakes totaling 559 acres. Species: largemouth bass, bluegill and redear sunfish, channel catfish, crappie and walleye.
· McDuffie County PFA (McDuffie County): Includes seven ponds ranging from five to 37 acres, a trophy bass catch and release pond, fish hatchery and an education center. Species: largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish and channel catfish.
· Big Lazer Creek PFA (Talbot County): Includes a 195-acre lake. Species: largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish, and crappie.
· Marben Farms PFA (Jasper/Newton counties): Includes 22 ponds ranging from one to 95 acres, a wildlife management area and an education center. Species: largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, crappie and channel catfish.
· Dodge County PFA (Dodge County): Includes a 104-acre lake. Species: largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, channel catfish and crappie.
· Evans County PFA (Evans County): Includes three lakes ranging from eight to 84 acres. Species: largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and catfish.
· Flat Creek PFA (Houston County): Includes a 108-acre lake. Species: largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, crappie and channel catfish.
· Hugh M. Gillis PFA (Laurens County): Includes a 109-acre lake. Species: largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, channel catfish and crappie.
· Paradise PFA (Berrien County): Includes 60 lakes totaling 525 acres. Species: largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, crappie and channel catfish.
· Ocmulgee PFA (Bleckley County): This PFA currently is closed for renovation, but keep an eye out for information about it re-opening in the future.
Need information about what type of license to have before visiting? Visit www.georgiawildlife.com/PFA/WhatToKnow . Licenses may be bought online or find a list of retail license vendors at www.georgiawildlife.com/licenses-permits-passes or buy it by phone at 1-800-366-2661.
For more information on PFAs in Georgia or for detailed PFA guides and maps, visit www.georgiawildlife.com/fishing/public-fishing-areas .
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FISHING FOR CATFISH IS A SUMMER HIT AND A TASTY TREAT
SOCIAL CIRCLE, Ga. (July 8, 2016) – How about planning to catch your next meal? Fishing for catfish is a great way to put some delicious meals on the table. Whether you are an experienced angler, a newbie or just a casual fisherman, you can find fantastic catfishing opportunities in Georgia, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division.
“Georgia has abundant opportunities to throw out a line for catfish,” says John Biagi, chief with the Wildlife Resources Division Fisheries Management Section. “They require relatively simple gear and are a great way to introduce someone new to fishing, especially kids, so get out and go fish!”
Georgia’s public waterways are home to several species of catfish, including channel, white, blue, flathead and bullheads (consisting of several similar species – yellow, brown, snail, spotted and flat). The larger species, blue catfish and flathead catfish, can grow to exceed 100 pounds.
With summertime getting closer to its peak, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division highlights hot weather hot spots and offers tips on technique and equipment for anglers of all skill levels:
Lake Nottely – near Blairsville, contains good populations of channel catfish (averaging one pound or less) and fewer, but larger flathead catfish (weighing up to 40 pounds).
Lake Lanier – supports good numbers of small channel catfish (1-2 lb) lake wide and fewer flathead catfish (10-40 lb), which can be found up the Chattahoochee and Chestatee arms of the lake.
Lake Marbury (Fort Yargo State Park), near Winder, supports an excellent population of channel catfish.
Carters Lake-Home to good numbers of keeper-size channel catfish. Blue and flathead catfish are present in lower numbers, but can exceed 20 pounds. Rocky areas in the Coosawattee River arm of the lake are best.
Lake Oconee, near Madison – Supports high numbers of channel, blue, flathead, white and bullhead species of catfish.
Flint River – Great location for catching five to 30-pound flathead catfish or channel catfish, though most channel cats will weigh between two and five pounds.
Chattahoochee River above West Point Lake – in the last few years, the number and size of flathead catfish caught above West Point has increased significantly.
Goat Rock Lake – this lake constantly produces good numbers of harvestable-size channel cats.
Big Lazer PFA – staff are seeing many large channel cats currently being caught at the dam area.
Andrews Lock and Dam (Chattahoochee River) – Best location in southwest Georgia for catching a flathead or blue catfish exceeding 20 pounds.
Lower Chattahoochee River near GA Hwy. 91 southwest of Donalsonville – Recent surveys conducted during summer months indicate that channel, blue and flathead catfish can be found here in abundance.
Lake Seminole, near Donalsonville – Good catches of channel catfish available throughout the summer. The new Florida state record flathead catfish came from this section of the Chattahoochee this year.
Lake Blackshear, near Cordele – Excellent channel catfish spot. Best places are the main lake and below Warwick Dam.
Lake Walter F. George, near Columbus – Excellent fishing for channel catfish in the main lake and in the upper end (above Florence Marina) for both channel and blue catfish. The state record blue catfish (80 pounds, 4 ounces) was caught in the tailrace of this lake by Ernest Timpson in February 2010.
Altamaha River – Great location for several species of catfish, including flathead, channel and an expanding population of blue catfish. The Altamaha boasts two state record fish: an 83 pound flathead, which is a tie weight (one caught by Carl Sawyer in 2006, one by Jim Dieveney in 2010); and channel cat (44 pounds, 12 ounces) caught by Bobby Smithwick in 1972.
Satilla River – Excellent fishing available for channel catfish, white catfish and several species of bullheads.
Southeast Georgia public fishing areas (including Evans County PFA, Paradise PFA, Hugh M. Gillis PFA and Dodge County PFA) – Some of the best locations for channel catfish in southeast Georgia. Medium weight rod with either a spincasting or spinning reel recommended.
St. Marys River – Healthy populations of channel and white catfish are available.
As a rule, the species and size of catfish dictate the fishing line used. If targeting channel and white catfish, fisheries biologists recommend eight to 14-pound test line and medium-sized hooks (size 2 to 1/0) under a bobber or fished on the bottom.
For anglers trying to land a large flathead, heavy tackle is a must – large spinning or casting tackle with at least 20 to 50-pound test line, large hooks (3/0 to 7/0), and heavy weights to keep bait on the bottom.
Best baits for channel, bullheads and white catfish are worms, liver, live minnows, cut bait and stink bait. Recommended flathead baits are live bream and shiners.
In general, anglers should target rocky shorelines, rip-rap areas and points. When fishing rivers during the day, anglers should look to deep holes containing rocky or woody cover. During dusk, dawn and at night, anglers should concentrate on shallow sandbars and shoals nearby the deep holes fished during the day, as catfish frequently move shallow to feed during low light conditions.
Though most species of catfish are active throughout the day, the best summer fishing is at dusk and during the night, and while catfish can be caught year-round, the peak bite typically is from early spring through the peak of summer.
Anglers must possess a current Georgia fishing license to fish in public waters. Where can you get a license? Buy it online or find a list of retail license vendors at www.georgiawildlife.com/licenses-permits-passes or buy it by phone at 1-800-366-2661.
For more information on fishing in Georgia, visit the www.gofishgeorgia.com/fishing .