Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 391-4-3-.06 - Size Limits

(1) Pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 27-4-10 and in keeping with sound principles of wildlife research and management, fish of the following sizes may not be taken.

(a) It shall be unlawful to take or possess largemouth bass as follows:

1. Less than fourteen inches (14") in total length from Lake Oconee;

2. Less than fourteen inches (14") in total length from West Point Reservoir;

3. Less than fourteen inches (14") in total length from all public fishing areas operated by the department; provided, however, this shall not apply to lakes at public fishing areas which have been posted as having a different length limit for largemouth bass;

4. Less than fourteen inches (14") in total length from Walter F. George Reservoir;

5. Less than fourteen inches (14") in total length from Lake Blackshear;

6. Less than fourteen inches (14") in total length from Lake Lanier; and

7. From fifteen inches (15") to twenty-two inches (22") in total length from Lake Lindsay Grace in Wayne County.

8. Less than twelve inches (12") in total length from all other waters of this state; provided, however, there shall be no limitations on the sizes of largemouth bass taken from lakes Burton, Juliette on the Rum Creek Wildlife Management Area, and Blue Ridge.

(b) It shall be unlawful to take or possess spotted bass less than fourteen inches (14") in total length from Lake Lanier.

(c) It shall be unlawful to take or possess shoal bass from fifteen inches (15") to twenty inches (20") in total length from the Flint River or any of its tributary streams downstream of Warwick Dam (Lake Blackshear).

(d) It shall be unlawful to take or possess shoal bass less than fifteen inches (15") in total length from the waters of this State except for the portion of the Flint River or any of its tributary streams below Warwick Dam.

(e) It shall be unlawful to take or possess brook trout less than eighteen inches (18") in total length or rainbow or brown trout less than twenty-two inches (22") in total length from Waters Creek upstream from its junction with Dick's Creek.

(f) It shall be unlawful to take or possess mountain trout less than sixteen inches (16") in total length from Noontootla Creek or its tributaries within the Blue Ridge Wildlife Management Area.

(2) Except as otherwise provided by law, rule or regulation, there shall be no other size limits on freshwater fish species listed in O.C.G.A. § 27-4-10.

Notes

Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 391-4-3-.06

O.C.G.A. §§ 27-1-3, 27-1-4, 27-4-10, 27-4-11, 27-4-11.1, 27-4-12.

Original Rule entitled "Fishing Hours" adopted. F. Apr. 11, 1974; eff. May 1, 1974. Repealed: New Rule of same title adopted. F. Apr. 15, 1975; eff. May 5, 1975. Repealed: New Rule entitled "Commercial Fish Hatcheries" adopted. F. Mar. 2, 1976; eff. Mar. 22, 1976. Repealed: New Rule entitled "Size Limits" adopted. F. Apr. 6, 1977; eff. Apr. 26, 1977. Repealed: F. Jan. 28, 1980; eff. Feb. 17, 1980. Amended: New Rule entitled "Size Limits" adopted. F. Mar. 27, 1980; eff. Apr. 16, 1980. Amended: F. Apr. 3, 1981; eff. Apr. 23, 1981. Repealed: New Rule of same title adopted. F. Mar. 31, 1983; eff. Apr. 20, 1983. Repealed: New Rule of same title adopted. F. Feb. 2, 1989; eff. Feb. 22, 1989. Amended: F. Jun. 5, 1992; eff. Jun. 25, 1992. Repealed: New Rule of same title adopted. F. Sept. 11, 1996; eff. Oct. 1, 1996. Amended: F. Jan. 29, 1997; eff. Feb. 18, 1997. Amended: F. Apr. 23, 1997; eff. May 13, 1997. Repealed: New Rule of same title adopted. F. Sept. 3, 1998; eff. Sept. 23, 1998. Amended: F. Oct. 11, 2000; eff. Oct. 31, 2000. Amended: F. Aug. 19, 2002; eff. Sept. 8, 2002. Amended: F. Aug. 28, 2013; eff. Sept. 17, 2013. Amended: F. Aug. 28, 2014; eff. Sept. 17, 2014. Repealed: New Rule of same title adopted. F. June 25, 2024; eff. July 15, 2024.