GA DNR Press Releases on Free Fun & Fishing Information!

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From the GA Department of Natural Resources: Get outside and celebrate at fun, free Georgia events for national hunting and fishing day Saturday, September 27th. The second release is regarding changes in fishing regulations effective this month.Press Releases from the GA DNR:

SOCIAL CIRCLE, Ga. (Sept. 10, 2014) –You will find fun events, plenty of activities and recognition geared for outdoor enthusiasts at one of the many FREE celebrations scheduled for National Hunting and Fishing Day, Saturday, Sept. 27, 2014, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division.

“If you participate in outdoor activities, such as hunting, fishing, wildlife watching or if you have an interest in these activities, but don’t know how to get started, you will want to attend one of these events,” said Dan Forster, director of the Wildlife Resources Division. “There will be a variety of things to do, and you will have knowledgeable staff and volunteers who simply want to help you have the best time possible and encourage you to take the activity beyond this one day.”

What is National Hunting and Fishing Day? The U.S. Congress and President Richard Nixon established this day in 1973 to recognize generations of hunters and anglers for the time and money they donate to wildlife conservation programs.

Events offered in Georgia include five kids’ fishing events and five Outdoor Adventure Days (activities will differ at each event – but some highlights include archery and air rifle shooting, trout fishing, snake shows, wildlife programs, exhibits and more). These events are spread out across the whole state – meaning that one is probably near you!

In addition to these events, a FREE fishing day is offered to all Georgia residents on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2014. On this day, residents do NOT need a fishing license or a trout license to fish on any public waters in the state including lakes, streams, ponds and public fishing areas (PFA). In addition, residents do not need to obtain a wildlife management area (WMA) license to fish on a PFA, WMA or on Waters Creek on this day.

For more information on NHF Day in Georgia, including a complete listing of all events in the state, visit www.georgiawildlife.com/get-involved/nhfday .

CHANGES IN FISHING REGULATIONS EFFECTIVE THIS MONTH

SOCIAL CIRCLE, Ga. (Sept. 10, 2014) – Recent proposed changes to Georgia fishing regulations regarding bass length limits were recently approved by the Board of Natural Resources and will become effective as of Sept. 17, 2014. Areas affected include Lake Oconee, the lower Ocmulgee River and upper Flint River.

“We knew, according to research and studies by fisheries biologists, that these length limit changes would better support what anglers desire from their fishing experiences,” said John Biagi, fisheries chief of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division. “Additionally, the public input process – which included public meetings and online surveys – overwhelmingly supported the biological conclusions and helped solidify that the right decisions were being made.”

Approved changes include:
• Replacing the current protective slot-length limit of 11 to 14-inches for largemouth bass on Lake Oconee with a 14-inch minimum length limit.
• Modifying the current 14-inch minimum length limit for largemouth bass from the lower Ocmulgee River (between Macon’s Spring Street Bridge crossing and its confluence with the Oconee River) with a 12-inch minimum length limit.
• Modifying the current 12-inch minimum length limit for shoal bass from the upper Flint River (upstream of Warwick Dam) with a 15-inch minimum length limit.

For more information about the regulation changes, visit www.georgiawildlife.com/Fishing/regulations/recent-changes

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