Anglers Receive Honors from Georgia Wildlife Resources Division

By Georgia DNR, Wildlife Resources Division

Published: March 15, 2010

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division recently awarded 32 anglers with a 2009 angler award for reeling in an outstanding catch (or catches!) last year. The angler award program recognizes those who catch fish that meet or exceed a specific weight for that particular species. 

“Presenting angler awards to those who made some great catches last year is a great time to not only applaud the award recipients, but it’s also a wonderful time to recognize the great fishing opportunities available to everyone in the state,” says Wildlife Resources Division Fisheries Management Chief John Biagi.

The Wildlife Resources Division presents 2009 angler award recipients with a certificate signed by division Director Dan Forster and an embroidered baseball cap that reads, “Georgia Angler Award 2009” and is customized to include the species and weight of the fish caught by each winner along with the angler’s name. Qualifications for angler awards include:

- Catching the fish by legal hook and line sport fish methods in Georgia,

- Meeting or exceeding the minimum weight OR length requirements,

- Taking the fish to a division fisheries biologist for positive species identification OR including a clear, side view photo of the fish for identification purposes,

- Completing and submitting an angler award application to:  Wildlife Resources Division/Angler Award Application/2070 U.S. Hwy. 278, SE, Social Circle, GA 30025.
Other Fishing Recognition Programs

State Records: In addition to the angler award program, the division also maintains a freshwater fish state record program for anglers who land a catch that exceeds the existing record catch weight by one ounce or more.  State record fish award winners also receive a certificate of recognition and an embroidered baseball cap that reads, “Georgia State Record Holder,” and includes the award winner’s name, the species, the weight and the date caught.
Kids First Fish Certificate: That’s not all, though - the division also is helping to recognize children across the state for catching their first fish with the online kid’s first fish award certificate available at http://www.gofishgeorgia.com (select “Fishing” and then “Kids Fishing”). 
For more information, visit http://www.gofishgeorgia.com or contact the nearest Wildlife Resources Division Fisheries Management office. 

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