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Georgia’s Angler Award program
continues
Each year, the Georgia Department of Natural
Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division recognizes anglers for
outstanding and state record catches. Anglers who catch new state
records or those who catch a fish that meets or beats a specific
weight or length limit for that species (angler award) are eligible
for recognition.
“Georgia has tremendous opportunities for anglers –
making it a great place whether you are just wetting a hook or
trying to reel in a new state record,” says the division’s Fisheries
Management Chief John Biagi.
Fish must be caught in Georgia during the legal
angling season for the species taken in accordance with all fishing
laws and regulations. Fish must be caught on sporting tackle and be
hooked and landed by the entrant. The fish must meet either minimum
weight or length requirements for that particular species, as noted
on the minimum eligible weights chart available online or in print
at any division fisheries office in the state.
In order for a harvested catch to be recognized,
anglers should follow these steps:
• Do not clean or freeze the fish
• Keep fish cool, preferably on ice.
• Weigh the fish as soon as possible on scales
certified accurate to the nearest ounce by the Georgia Department of
Agriculture in the presence of two witnesses who are over the age of
18 (witnesses must provide names/addresses and telephone numbers and
may not be members of the angler’s immediate family).
• Take the fish to a division Fisheries Management
Office as soon as possible and have it positively identified by a
fisheries biologist or technician.
• Complete an application and submit with a clear
side view photo of the whole fish. State record applications must be
received within 90 days of the catch. Angler award applications must
be received by Jan. 15, 2012 for fish caught in 2011.
Complete details and requirements to participate in
the awards program can be found at:
www.gofishgeorgia.com.
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