Go Fish Georgia
In 2007, the Go Fish Georgia Initiative launched with the mission to promote and enhance boating and fishing tourism and boost economic development. Leveraging public and private support, the initiative is improving access, quality and awareness of fishing in Georgia through:
- Interactive education about Georgia’s diverse aquatic life, their natural habitats and the wise stewardship of these resources through the Go Fish Education Center in Perry.
- Quality fisheries supported by state-of the-art indoor/outdoor warm water fish hatchery.
- Construction of the Georgia Bass Trail, 14 tournament-style mega boat ramps to improve access for local anglers and help communities attract major bass fishing tournaments. Two more ramps are in the permitting or construction stages.
Georgia Bass Trail
These tournament-style ramp facilities include multiple boat ramp lanes, extra capacity parking lots and weigh-in areas for tournaments.
Local communities aid in the planning and development and then assume responsibility for the maintenance.
Communities market the ramps to local, regional and national fishing groups for tournaments and other events. It’s a win-win for the community as locals have full access for recreational boating and fishing
year-round.
Did you know?
People
- 1.1 million people fish in Georgia
- 136,000 of those are from out of state
- 17 million days are spent fishing in Georgia annually
Economics
- Fishing is responsible for 16,881 jobs and $522 million in wages
- Fishing produces $116 million in state and local tax revenues.
- Fishing generates $1.1 million in retail sales.
- A major bass fishing tournament can have a significant economic impact on the community.
SOURCES: Georgia Department of Natural Resources, American Sportfishing Association
Regulations in red are new this year.
Purple text indicates an important note.
