Community Corner
Fishy Tales: Some Changes in Georgia/SC Border Fishing Regulations
New Georgia/South Carolina Fishing Agreement goes into effect July 1. Although the Georgia Fishing License is still valid in border waters, there are some new rules.
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resource Division in Social Circle, is asking fishermen, and women, to take note of some new regulations for fishing in border waters, effective July 1.
In a press release, the DNR announced that as a result of some changes to South Carolina's fishing regulations, the reciprocal freshwater fishing license agreement had to be renewed. The new agreement, however, still allows anglers to fish on border waters with a valid fishing license from either state. Border waters include the Chattaooga River to Lake Hartwell and downstream waters such as lakes Russell and Clarks Hill, and the Savannah River.
“Anglers as well as state officials on both sides wanted to continue the fishing license agreement and keep fishing regulations as similar as possible on border waters,” said John Biagi, Chief of Fisheries Management, Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division. “To minimize confusion, Georgia sport fishing regulations will largely mirror South Carolina laws on border waters.”
DNR officials gave the following notable changes to fishing regulations covering border waters:
- a limit of 10 striped bass or hybrid bass or combination on Lakes Hartwell and Clarks Hill, only three may be over 26 inches;
- the limit for trout is 5; and
- the limit for white bass is 10
Anglers should note that South Carolina’s new fishing laws for crappie and bream are different than Georgia’s regulations. (You can keep more in Georgia - 30 and 40 respectively.)
For more details, visit www.gofishgeorgia.com/fishing/regulations.
