Fishing Access To Rivers Public Meetings Continue

The Georgia State Representatives on the House Study Committee looking into fishing access on rivers and streams are some of the most influential members of the House.

Upcoming meetings to be conducted by the Fishing Access to Freshwater Resources House Study Committee include:
• Oct. 25: Ogeechee River, 12 noon at Georgia Southern University, Statesboro.

The issue of fishing access and which rivers and streams are considered navigable or non-navigable waters may have come to a head on Flint River at Yellow Jacket Shoals, but the issue could affect fishing access across the state. On Oct. 12, at 9 a.m., the Georgia House of Representatives Study Committee looking into fishing access to rivers and streams met in Clarkesville, in the heart of trout waters including the privately held Soque River, where fly fishermen can spend big money to landowner/outfitters for trophy trout fishing access.

The meeting was held at the Habersham EMC Community Room in Clarkesville. The Clarkesville meeting can be viewed on livestream through the link below, and a video of the meeting will be available for the public to view after the fact.

Clarkesville Public Meeting Video

Clarkesville Meeting Video – Part 2

The House Study Comment and public meetings are looking into the issue of public fishing access to streams and rivers, which is determined by whether a waterway is considered navigable. Currently, Georgia law states: “the term ‘navigable steam’ means a stream which is capable of transporting boats loaded with freight in the regular course of trade either for the whole or a part of the year. The mere rafting of timber or the transporting of wood in small boats shall not make a stream navigable.” The law also says “the rights of the owner of lands which are adjacent to navigable streams extend to the low-water mark in the bed of the stream.” For streams that are not navigable, the landowner’s rights extend to the centerline of the stream bed with exclusive fishing rights, or if they own property on both sides of the waterway, the entire stream bed.”

The House Study Committee held its first public meeting last week in Meriwether County near the Flint River. A video of that meeting including public comments can be viewed below.

Upcoming meetings to be conducted by the Fishing Access to Freshwater Resources House Study Committee include:
• Oct. 18: Toccoa River, 8:30 a.m. at Old Toccoa Farm, Mineral Bluff.
• Oct. 25: Ogeechee River, 12 noon at Georgia Southern University, Statesboro.

Members of the House Study Committee on Fishing Access to Freshwater Resources
Rep. James Burchett (House District 176 – Waycross), Study Committee Chairman
Rep. Trey Rhodes (House District 124 – Greensboro)
Rep. Mack Jackson (House District 128 – Sandersville)
Rep. David Jenkins (House District 136 – Grantville)
Rep. Victor Anderson (House District 10 – Cornelia)
Rep. Will Wade (House District 9 – Dawsonville)
Rep. Al Williams (House District 168 – Midway)
Rep. Rob Leverett (House District 123 – Elberton)
Rep. Lynn Smith (House District 70 – Newnan)
Rep. Vance Smith (House District 138 – Pine Mountain)
Rep. Stan Gunter (House District 8 – Blairsville)
Rep. David Knight (House District 134 – Griffin)