Robert’s Secret Trout Stream ~~ Photograph by Robert Sutherland

As usual, trout season opened in March.  The difference this year is trout season never ends!

Beginning April 21, 2015, state trout streams will remain open all year long, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division.

“The Board of Natural Resources recently approved the lifting of seasonal restrictions on approximately 1,600 miles of trout waters,” said Fisheries Section Chief of the Wildlife Resources Division John Biagi.

He continued, “This decision, which initiated as something that anglers had been requesting for many years, comes after many months of research and analysis and extensive public outreach and we anticipate that trout anglers will eagerly welcome this additional time on the water.”

This change in trout fishing regulations only eliminates the dates of what was known as trout season.

“We are grateful for all the feedback received during the public outreach process. We sought input from anglers through public meetings and surveys and worked closely with trout conservation groups to ensure that we had support of this decision,” said Biagi.  “We feel confident that this change will not negatively impact trout populations, but given the fact that our agency is charged with conserving and managing the wild trout resources of Georgia, we will continue to monitor wild trout stream populations as we have for decades and will respond accordingly to any changes.”

Anglers are reminded to respect private property rights along streams flowing through private lands and to obtain permission before fishing on private property.  The daily limit is eight trout on general regulation trout waters.

Anglers must possess a current Georgia fishing license and a trout license to fish in designated trout waters and to fish for or possess trout.  Anglers must also possess a wildlife management area license or Georgia Outdoor Recreation Pass (GORP) in order to fish on certain WMAs.

Click Here for Why GA’s Trout Season Never Ends

Click Here for GORP Information

Click Here for Georgia Fishing License Info

Purchasing a Trout Unlimited license plate supports Georgia’s trout conservation and management programs.  These efforts impact trout production, stocking and stream restoration throughout north Georgia.  Purchase or find out more at your county tag office.