Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 391-4-3-.13 - Fishing Methods

(1) The following streams are artificial-lure streams:

(a) That portion of the Chattahoochee River from Georgia Highway 20 downstream to the boat ramp at the National Park Service Medlock Bridge Park immediately upstream of Georgia Highway 141;

(b) Noontootla Creek and its tributaries on the Blue Ridge Management Area;

(c) Coleman River and its tributaries from the junction with Tallulah River upstream to Forest Service Bridge No. 54;

(d) Jones Creek and its tributaries on U.S. Forest Service property upstream from the junction with the Etowah River;

(e) Mountaintown Creek and its tributaries above Mountaintown Creek Watershed Structure No. 2;

(f) Stanley Creek and its tributaries on the Rich Mountain Management Area;

(g) Hoods Creek and its tributaries on the Warwoman Management Area;

(h) Walnut Fork and its tributaries on the Warwoman Management Area; and

(i) Conasauga River upstream of the Georgia-Tennessee state line and its tributaries to that portion of the river; provided, however, Conasauga River and its tributaries shall not be artificial-lure streams from the last Saturday in March through October 31 of each year.

(2) It is lawful to fish with or possess only artificial lures with barbless hooks in that portion of Dukes Creek and its tributaries in White County on the Smithgall Woods-Dukes Creek Conservation Area, including the Georgia Highway 75 Alternate right-of-way.

(3) It is lawful to fish with or possess only artificial lures with single hooks on the following waters; provided, however, this restriction does not apply to said waters from May 15 through October 31 of each year:

(a) Amicalola Creek from County Road 192 (Steele Bridge Road) downstream to Georgia Highway 53;

(b) Chattahoochee River from Sope Creek (off Columns Drive) downstream to US Highway 41 (Cobb Parkway);

(c) Chattooga River (in Rabun County) from Georgia Highway 28 upstream to the mouth of Reed Creek (Georgia);

(d) Smith Creek on Unicoi State Park from Unicoi Dam downstream to the Unicoi State Park property boundary; and

(e) Toccoa River on U.S. Forest Service land from 0.4 miles above the Shallowford Bridge upstream to a point 450 feet upstream of the Sandy Bottom Canoe Access.

(4) Use of live blueback herring for bait and possession of live blueback herring is prohibited in all freshwaters of the state; provided, however, this provision shall not apply to the following waters:

(a) Lake Allatoona;

(b) Lake Bartlett's Ferry;

(c) Lake Blue Ridge;

(d) Lake Chatuge;

(e) Lake Goat Rock;

(f) Lake Juliette;

(g) Lake Lanier;

(h) Lake Nottely;

(i) Lake Oliver;

(j) Lake West Point;

(k) Altamaha River watershed downstream of the following dams:

1. Juliette on the Ocmulgee River;

2. Lake Juliette on Rum Creek;

3. Lake Tobesofkee on Tobesofkee Creek; and

4. Lake Sinclair on the Oconee River;

(l) watersheds of all other streams that flow directly into the Atlantic Ocean. The penalties of this paragraph are enforceable by all penalties applicable, including civil penalties.

Notes

Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 391-4-3-.13

O.C.G.A. §§ 27-4-12, 27-4-36, 27-4-51.

Original Rule entitled "Sale of Game Fish from Private Ponds" 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: F. Mar. 2, 1976; eff. Mar. 22, 1976. Amended: New Rule entitled "Fishing Methods" adopted. F. Sept. 11, 1996; eff. Oct. 1, 1996. Amended: F. Sept. 3, 1998; eff. Sept. 23, 1998. Amended: F. Sept. 17, 1999; eff. Oct. 7, 1999. Amended: F. Aug. 19, 2002; eff. Sept. 8, 2002. Amended: F. Aug. 24, 2006; eff. Sept. 13, 2006. Amended: F. Sept. 1, 2010; eff. Sept. 21, 2010. Amended: F. June 8, 2021; eff. June 28, 2021. Repealed: New Rule of same title adopted. F. Dec. 19, 2022; eff. Jan. 8, 2023.