DNR releases new bass fishing regulations in state

SOCIAL CIRCLE — The Georgia Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division recently announced new regulations being implemented regarding shoal bass length limits and creel limits for several black bass species.

Shoal Bass: The statewide minimum length limit for shoal bass will be 15 inches. The 15-inch minimum length limit will apply to all state waters, including Lake Lanier, where the limit was previously 14 inches. The exception to this rule is on the Flint River and its tributaries downstream of Warwick Dam, where it will be illegal to possess shoal bass between 15-20 inches. This will help manage the population for trophy potential and protect larger fish from overharvest. The 15-inch minimum length limit will still apply to the Flint River above Warwick Dam.

Black Bass Creel Limits: The new regulation keeps the creel limit at 10 for largemouth, spotted bass, and Alabama bass, but reduces the number of other black bass species that can be in possession. In the 10-fish creel limit, only five can be of the following species: Altamaha, Bartram’s, Chattahoochee, Redeye, Shoal, Smallmouth, Suwannee or Tallapoosa bass. This change helps provide conservation for species with limited range in Georgia to help ensure they are there for future generations.

The 15- to 20-inch length slot will impact those fishing in southwest Georgia not only on the Flint River but also the following waterways:

· Muckalee Creek

· Kinchafoonee Creek

· Itchauwaynochaway Creek

· Pachitla Creek

· Spring Creek

These regulation changes come as a result of fisheries research, sampling efforts, and angler responses to an online survey and public comment period, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources wildlife Division. Many anglers I talked to during this survey period support these changes, while others were hoping for more stringent regulations in regard to shoal bass.