Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 391-2-4-.01 - Eel Fishing

(1) Purpose. The purpose of these Rules is to implement the authority of the Board of Natural Resources to promulgate rules and regulations based on sound principles of wildlife research and management, establishing the commercial and recreational seasons, days, and places; methods of fishing and disposition; and size, creel, and possession limits for eel.

(2) Areas Open to Commercial Eel Fishing. It shall be lawful to fish commercially for adult eels in the following areas:

(a) In any salt waters of this state except as specifically prohibited below;

(b) In the Savannah River from the saltwater demarcation line to a point one-half mile below the Stevens Creek Reservoir Dam;

(c) In the Ogeechee River from the saltwater demarcation line to the U.S. Highway 25 bridge at Millen;

(d) In the Altamaha River from the saltwater demarcation line to the confluence of the Oconee and Ocmulgee Rivers provided; however, it shall be unlawful to fish commercially for eel in the North Altamaha River, except on the ocean side (downstream) of the mouth of, but not including, Lewis Creek. Such fishing shall also be unlawful in the South Altamaha River, except on the ocean side (downstream) of the uppermost entrance of Hammersmith Creek;

(e) In the Oconee River from the confluence of the Oconee and Ocmulgee Rivers to a point one-half mile below Lake Sinclair Dam;

(f) In the Ocmulgee River from the confluence of the Oconee and Ocmulgee Rivers to a point one-half mile below Juliette Dam;

(g) In the Satilla River from the saltwater demarcation line to the U.S. Highway 84 bridge at Waycross;

(h) In the St. Marys River from the saltwater demarcation line to Georgia Highway 94 bridge near St. George;

(3) Seasons. Fishing for eels shall be open year-round.

(4) Gear for Taking Eels. It shall be lawful to fish commercially for adult eels as follows:

(a) With rectangular pots no larger than 24 inches x 24 inches x 15 inches or with cylindrical traps no larger than 15 inches nor smaller than 9 inches in diameter and no greater than 36 inches in length. Each gear type must have:

1. A mesh size no smaller than 1 inch x 1/2 inch, except for the throat or muzzle and the end opposite the throat or muzzle of cylindrical traps;

2. A round opening, the size of which shall be limited by a steel ring 2 inches in diameter securely attached to the material of which the muzzle or throat is constructed; and

3. Attached thereto a tag bearing the name, address and commercial fishing license number of the person using such pot or trap and non-green colored float bearing the corresponding commercial fishing license number in one inch letters of contrasting color.

(5) Possession of Fish Other than Eels. All fish other than eels, caught in any trap set for eels shall be returned to the waters of the state immediately after and at the place the trap has been fished. Possession of any fish other than adult eels shall be prima-facie evidence of fishing illegally.

(6) Commercial Harvest Limits. Commercial harvest of eels is limited to adult eels which shall mean eels at least nine inches in length. Except as otherwise provided, there shall be no commercial creel limit for the harvest of adult eels.

Notes

Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 391-2-4-.01

O.C.G.A. Title 12, Secs. 27-1-4, 27-4-12, 27-4-71.

Original Rule entitled "Closing and Reopening of Certain Salt Waters to Fishing with Power-Drawn Nets" adopted as R. 391-4-8-.01. F. Aug. 26, 1977; eff. Sept. 15, 1977. Repealed: R. renumbered to 391-2-4-.01 by Certification. F. Dec. 28, 1979; eff. Jan. 17, 1980. Repealed: F. Apr. 17, 1981; eff. May 7, 1981. Adopted: New Rule entitled "Eel Fishing." F. Dec. 18, 2012; eff. Jan. 7, 2013. Amended: F. Dec. 13, 2013; eff. Jan. 2, 2014.