Cold-water north Georgia streams are receiving plenty of trout stockings in time for the opening day of seasonal trout streams on Saturday, March 30. In all, more than one million trout will be stocked by the end of this year, thanks to efforts by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
“Hatchery conditions have been good this winter and we have great quality trout, including some beautiful brook trout thanks to both state and federal hatcheries, ready to help us meet our goal of replenishing stocked streams before opening day,” said John Lee Thomson, trout stocking coordinator for the Wildlife Resources Division. “Recent rains are contributing to good stream flows and will give us the opportunity to spread fish out, making way for another excellent opening week of the Georgia trout season.”
Some popular seasonal streams include Cooper Creek in Union County, Wildcat Creek in Rabun County, Dicks Creek in Lumpkin County and Johns Creek in Floyd County. It should be noted that Wildcat Creek in Rabun County will be stocked and open for camping this year. The Boggs Creek area in Lumpkin County will also be stocked, but open for day-use only.
The daily limit is eight trout on general regulation trout waters. Anglers are reminded to respect private property rights along streams flowing through private lands and to obtain permission before fishing on private property.
Anglers must possess a current Georgia fishing license and a trout license to fish in designated trout waters and to fish for or possess trout. Anglers must also possess a wildlife management area license or Georgia Outdoor Recreation Pass (GORP) in order to fish on certain WMAs. Find a list of designated areas at www.georgiawildlife.com/Georgia-Outdoor-Recreational-Pass .
Licenses can be bought online, find a list of retail license vendors at www.georgiawildlife.com/licenses-permits-passes, or bought by phone at 800 366-2661.
For more on trout fishing, download a free Georgia trout stream map and other trout fishing tips from the Wildlife Resources Division at www.georgiawildlife.com/Fishing/Trout or call (770) 535-5498.