Free use of fishing areas ends

By Al Hackle

Statesboro Herald

With the new year, people who hike, picnic or camp — but don’t fish — no longer have free use of Georgia’s 32 public fishing areas.

Either an annual fishing license with a wildlife management area stamp or a special short-term fishing license was already required to fish in Georgia’s public fishing areas. But previously, no license or fee had been required for other uses. Effective Jan. 1, the Department of Natural Resources is issuing a new permit called the Georgia Outdoor Recreational Pass, or GORP, and requiring that non-anglers who use fishing areas possess either a GORP or a fishing license.

Besides the seven affected public fishing areas, the Georgia Outdoor Recreational Pass is now required to access certain facilities at 25 wildlife management areas, according to a list on the DNR website.

An annual GORP costs $19, which is the same as the fee to add a wildlife management area stamp to an annual fishing or hunting license. Another option is a three-day GORP for $3.50, and Georgia residents can make this a “GORP Plus” with three-day fishing privileges for no additional charge.