TROUT STREAMS ARE READY AND WAITING ON ANGLERS

TROUT STREAMS ARE READY AND WAITING ON ANGLERS-Delayed Harvest Trout
Streams Open Nov. 1

SOCIAL CIRCLE, Ga. (October 21, 2011) - Fishing and leaf-viewing
opportunities combined - what a great way to combine fun fall
activities! The Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife
Resources Division has five delayed harvest streams available to anglers
beginning Nov. 1.

“Georgia trout streams are designated as seasonal, year-round or
delayed harvest, and different streams offer varying populations of
rainbow, brown and brook trout,” says the Division’s Trout Stocking
Coordinator Perry Thompson. “The delayed harvest streams have special
regulations from November 1 - May 14. Since these delayed harvest
streams are regularly stocked and the trout are caught and released,
catch rates remain high, making them a great destination for new and
seasoned anglers alike.”

The five trout streams managed under delayed harvest regulations are:

● Toccoa River located on U.S. Forest Service land upstream of
Lake Blue Ridge in Fannin County (from 0.4 miles above Shallowford
Bridge to 450 feet above the Sandy Bottom Canoe Access).

● Amicalola Creek on the Dawson Forest Wildlife Management Area
(from Steele Bridge Road downstream to Georgia Hwy. 53).

● Smith Creek downstream of Unicoi Lake (Unicoi State Park).

● Chattahoochee River in Atlanta (Sope Creek, downstream of
Johnson Ferry Road, downstream to the Hwy 41 bridge).

● A portion of the Chattooga River (from Ga. Hwy. 28 upstream to
the mouth of Reed Creek) on U.S. Forest Service land bordering South
Carolina.

“Remember, these streams are catch and release only during the
delayed harvest season and also are restricted to artificial lures with
one single hook from Nov. 1 - May 14,” Thompson adds. “When May 15
rolls around, harvest is allowed under the general regulations
pertaining to designated trout water.”

In addition to the excellent fall fishing opportunities delayed harvest
streams provide, a number of Georgia streams offer ample year-round
trout fishing opportunities. These designated streams are:.

● Noontootla Creek Watershed: This watershed offers high-quality,
year-round fishing for wild brown and rainbow trout, with many of its
tributaries offering a chance at a wild brook trout (a real plus since
most other brook trout waters are closed to fishing after Oct. 31). Both
Noontootla and its tributaries are managed under an artificial lure only
regulation and have a 16” minimum size limit in order to “recycle”
the 8”-12” trout that make up most of the population.

● Dukes Creek: This stream, located on the Smithgall Woods-Dukes
Creek Conservation Area offers year-round trout fishing by reservation
(706-878-3087). All fish caught here must be released immediately and
anglers must only use artificial lures with barbless hooks. The stream
offers a great chance at a trout over 20 inches, so bring your camera
for a quick shot before release. Best time to fish is after a rain
discolors the water.

● Chattahoochee River: For good trout fishing close to metro
Atlanta, the Chattahoochee River downstream of Buford Dam offers
family-friendly, year-round fishing for stocked rainbow and brown trout
and wild brown trout. The Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
parks offer good bank, wading and boating opportunities. The river will
be stocked through the fall months to keep angler catches high.
Year-round harvest is legal from Buford Dam to Sope Creek. Best fishing
is at low flow when the river is clear to slightly stained.

Some additional notable year-round trout streams include the Toccoa
River downstream of Lake Blue Ridge, Tallulah River and the Chattooga
River.

Anglers must possess a current Georgia fishing license and a trout
license to fish in designated trout waters. Where can you get a
license? Buy it online or find a list of retail license vendors at
www.georgiawildlife.com/recreational-licenses or buy it by phone at
1.800.366.2661.

For free Georgia trout stream maps, trout fishing tips and other trout
fishing information, visit www.gofishgeorgia.com .

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