Georgia and South Carolina’s reciprocal freshwater fishing license agreement allows anglers to fish on border waters with a valid fishing license from either state. Border waters include the Chattaooga River to Lake Hartwell and downstream waters such as lakes Russell and Clarks Hill, and the Savannah River.

“Anglers as well as state officials on both sides wanted to continue the fishing license agreement and keep fishing regulations as similar as possible on border waters,” explains John Biagi, Chief of Fisheries Management, Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division. “To minimize confusion, Georgia sport fishing regulations will largely mirror South Carolina laws on border waters.”

Notable changes to fishing regulations covering border waters include:

● a limit of 10 striped bass or hybrid bass or combination on Lakes Hartwell and Clarks Hill, only three may be over 26 inches;

● the limit for trout is 5; and

● the limit for white bass is 10

Anglers should note that South Carolina’s new fishing laws for crappie and bream are different than Georgia’s regulations. (You can keep more in Georgia - 30 and 40 respectively.)

News Source: Georgia DNR - Jun. 28, 2012