Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 391-4-3-.16 - Use of Minnow Seines and Minnow Traps

(1) It is unlawful to use a minnow seine:

(a) exceeding 20 feet in length.

(b) with a mesh size exceeding three-eighths of an inch square. or in diameter if the mesh is not square.

(2) It is unlawful to use a minnow trap:

(a) exceeding 24 inches in length, 18 inches in width, or 9 inches in height for a rectangular trap; or,

(b) exceeding 24 inches in length or 30 inches in circumference for cylindrical traps; and,

(c) with a round throat (opening) exceeding one (1) inch in diameter, and,

(d) with a bar mesh size smaller than one-quarter (1/4) of an inch square or in diameter if the mesh is not square.

(3) Each minnow trap must have attached thereto a tag bearing the name and address of the trap owner or must have tethered to each trap a float bearing the name and address of the person using such gear.

(4) No individual may deploy more than 2 traps at any time.

(5) No more than 50 nongame fishes can be collected per licensed angler per day and may only be used as bait or released into the waters from which they were taken.

(6) Any species that is not a nongame fish or crayfish taken shall be immediately released unharmed into the waters from which they were taken.

(7) In addition to trout streams, the use of minnow seines or minnow traps is prohibited in the following areas to protect threatened and endangered species:

(a) the mainstem of the Etowah River upstream of Lake Allatoona and all Etowah River tributary streams that enter the Etowah River within or upstream of Lake Allatoona.

(b) Raccoon Creek and its tributary streams in Paulding and Bartow counties

(c) the entire mainstem of the Conasauga River and all Conasauga River tributary streams entering the Conasauga mainstem from the east.

(d) the Coosawattee River and all tributary streams upstream from Carter's Lake Dam and the Coosawattee River between Carters Lake and its confluence with the Conasauga River.

(e) the mainstem of Talking Rock Creek.

(f) the mainstem of South Chickamauga Creek downstream from Swanson Mill dam.

Notes

Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 391-4-3-.16

O.C.G.A. § 27-4-6.

Original Rule entitled "Separation of Salt and Fresh Water" adopted. F. Apr. 11, 1974; eff. May 1, 1974. Repealed: New Rule of the same title adopted. F. Apr. 15, 1975; eff. May 5, 1975. Amended: Rule repealed. F. Mar. 2, 1976; eff. Mar. 22, 1976. Adopted: New Rule entitled "Use of Minnow Seines and Minnow Traps." F. Aug. 26, 2021; eff. Sept. 15, 2021.