Outstanding Anglers Recognized by DNR: Start Submitting Now for 2013
More than 20 anglers were recently recognized by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division with a 2012 angler award for reeling in an outstanding catch. The award program recognizes those who catch fish that meet or exceed a specific weight or length for that particular species.
“These awards spotlight the fact that Georgia has great fishing opportunities across the state,” says John Biagi, chief of Fisheries Management for the Wildlife Resources Division. “Award winners reeled in everything from a 56-pound striped bass to a 7-pound walleye. And the winners ranged in age from 10 years old to 69 years old.”
The Wildlife Resources Division presented 2012 angler award recipients with a certificate and a hat embroidered with the angler’s name and the species and weight of the fish caught.
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. The application is available at www.georgiawildlife.com/fishing/angler-resources.
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.
Kids First Fish Certificate: The division wants to recognize children across the state for catching their first fish with the online kid’s first fish award certificate available at www.georgiawildlife.com/fishing/kids-fishing.
To view the complete list of 2012 award winners and learn about award criteria, visit www.georgiawildlife.com/fishing/angler-resources or contact the nearest Wildlife Resources Division Fisheries Management office.
