BY THE NUMBERS
5 Number of delayed-harvest trout streams in Georgia
12.2 Estimated number of miles of DH trout water in the state.
50,000 Approximate number of trout stocked in the Chattahoochee River DH section annually.
The first crisp fall mornings bring excitement to Georgia’s outdoor-sports enthusiasts. The deer-hunting seasons are now open, calling the state’s hunters into the woodlands.
Anglers are not left out of the equation either. The delayed-harvest trout season begins in Georgia a week from Saturday.
Delayed-harvest streams are heavily stocked with trout just before opening day, which is Nov. 1 each year. The waters then are open to catch-and-release fishing until May 14. Anglers may use only artificial lures with single hooks.
The DH regulations provide for fast fishing action during the fall and winter months. Anglers often catch 15 to 25 trout per day on these waters. Those trout often are larger because they have several months to grow.
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources stocks 8- to 10-inch trout in most general-regulation creeks. Those fish usually are caught within a few days of release. In contrast, trout of 12 to 15 inches are common on DH waters.
Streams chosen for DH regulations are marginal trout water. The creeks and rivers have water cold enough to support trout in the cooler months, but get too hot in the summer.
The streams revert to general statewide trout regulations after May 14. Natural baits then are allowed and anglers may harvest eight fish per day.
The DH regulations maximize the recreational value of the waters and the fish, but the trout eventually can end up on anglers’ dinner tables as well.
Amicalola Creek in Dawson County, the Chattooga River in Rabun County, Smith Creek in White County and the Toccoa River in Fannin County all have stretches managed as DH waters.
Locally the Chattahoochee River between Cobb and Fulton counties is open using DH regulations from the mouth of Sope Creek downstream to the U.S. 41 bridge on Cobb Parkway.
Complete delayed-harvest regulations are available at georgiawildlife/fishing/trout.
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