The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) is considering a regulation change to allow limited harvest of striped bass in the Savannah River beginning in Fall 2005. Currently, no striped bass may be harvested. In 1988, WRD enacted a harvest moratorium for striped bass, with South Carolina DNR doing the same in 1991, as a protection measure after the population experienced drastic declines in the 1980’s. WRD also began an intensive stocking program in 1990, aimed at restoring the population to a self-sustaining level. These stocking efforts have been very successful in increasing the numbers of striped bass in the Savannah River, and current population levels approach historic levels. Anglers have enjoyed the resurgence in the striped bass population over the last several years, and a popular catch and release fishery has developed. WRD fisheries biologists, along with the South Carolina DNR biologists, are considering a two fish daily limit with a 27-inch minimum length on the Savannah River downstream of J. Strom Thurmond Dam beginning in October 2005. Two public meetings are scheduled, Mar. 9, 2005 in Savannah and Mar. 10, 2005 in Augusta, to present and discuss this change.

“Several harvest scenarios were considered in order to develop a regulation that would meet all needs,” says WRD Fisheries Biologist Joel Fleming. “Any change should allow nearly all female striped bass the opportunity to spawn at least once, thus maintaining the reproductive potential necessary to achieve long-term restoration goals for this population as well as give anglers the option to keep a few fish and provide an opportunity to harvest a trophy fish.”

Although the population has increased, most of the striped bass in the river are hatchery-reared fish. Therefore, WRD plans to continue their restoration and management efforts involving striped bass in the Savannah River, which includes supplemental stockings, natural recruitment assessments, and annual population surveys.

“We are very excited about the rebound in striped bass numbers in the Savannah River and are hopeful that the restoration efforts underway over the last decade are starting to take hold,” says

WRD Regional Fisheries Management Supervisor Matt Thomas. “Anglers play a key role by funding recovery efforts through fishing license fees and the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration program which places a surcharge on fishing equipment such as fishing poles and lures.”

WRD would like to gather comments regarding the proposed regulation and management plans for the Savannah River striped bass population. Biologists will explain the proposal in more detail, answer questions, and gather comments and suggestions from anglers at two scheduled public meetings:

· March 9, 2005/7 p.m.-9 p.m./Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum/Savannah

· March 10, 2005/7 p.m. – 9 p.m./Augusta Technical College/Bldg. 600-Room 612/Augusta

In addition, comments also may be sent to WRD by mail (22814 Hwy. 144/Richmond Hill, GA 31324), by email at www.gofishgeorgia.com (select “Contact Us” at the bottom of the site page), or by telephone at (912) 727-2112.

For more information on the striped bass restoration project, proposed regulation change or for fishing information, visit www.gofishgeorgia.com or contact the WRD Fisheries Management Office in Richmond Hill at (912) 727-2112.

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