Fishing Facts and Sportfish Restoration Program Information

Georgia Freshwater Fishing Overview

Fishing is the most popular wildlife-related activity in Georgia, enjoyed by people of all ages. Around 1.29 million resident anglers fish Georgia's diverse freshwater resources that include more than 4,000 miles of trout streams, 12,000 miles of warm water streams wider than 10 feet, and 500,000 acres of impoundments.

Anglers spend more than $1.1billion yearly on fishing in Georgia with an economic impact of more than $1.9 billion generating an estimated 10,600 jobs. Programs of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Wildlife Resources Division (WRD), Fisheries Section (Section) during fiscal year 2006 (FY2006) included management of public waters, development and management of public fishing areas, technical guidance on private waters, development and maintenance of boating-access facilities, production and stocking of trout and warm water fish, aquatic education services, and survey projects and studies designed to benefit these resources.

The Section's activities are funded primarily through license fees, which are appropriated annually by the Georgia State Legislature from the general fund. The Section's second major source of funding comes from the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Program [1]. Federal Aid dollars, accumulated by a user tax on fishing tackle and motorboat fuels, are apportioned back to states by a formula based on land area and fishing license sales. Detailed information on the Section's activities and expenditures may be found in the Fisheries Section Annual Reports [2]. 

Sportfish Restoration Program - Successful Angler-funded Partnership to Improve Fishing

The Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration (SFR) Program [1] provides one of the most vital sources of funds for managing the nation's recreational fisheries. SFR is a partnership between federal and state government, industry and anglers/boaters. When you purchase sporting goods and motor boat fuel, you pay for excise taxes collected by the U.S. Treasury. This money comes back to state fish & wildlife agencies to support sport fish restoration, preservation, and conservation efforts.

Quick facts from the 2001 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Assocated Recreation [3] (Abobe required)