Overview

The Go Fish Education Center is part of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division (Fisheries Management Section).

Wildlife Resources Division mission: To protect, conserve, manage and improve Georgia's wildlife and freshwater fishery resources; managing and conserving protected/endangered wildlife and plants; administering and conducting the mandatory hunter safety program; regulating the possession and sale of wild animals; and administering and enforcing the Georgia Boat Safety Act.

One of the goals of the Wildlife Resources Division is to maintain and manage the freshwater fishery, fish habitat and the recreation supported by these resources so as to provide quality recreational fishing for the present and future generations, and working with other divisions assure water quality and water quantity is supportive of a healthy freshwater fishery.

Go Fish Initiative

Go Fish Georgia is a $30 million initiative that will leverage $19 million in state funds with private donations and financial support from local communities.  Governor Sonny Perdue proposed the initial $19 million for the Go Fish Georgia Initiative in his 2007-2008 state budget.

“Fishing is an important part of my childhood and an activity that I still enjoy today.  The Go Fish Georgia Initiative encourages families to spend time outdoors together making memories that will last a lifetime,” said Governor Sonny Perdue.  “It also will allow us to improve our fishing resources and boat access, drawing more tourists and professional anglers into our state to fish which will have a positive economic impact in many rural areas.”  

The Go Fish Georgia Initiative, a program expected to boost economic development and tourism across the state, will make Georgia more competitive by seeking to establish the state as a national fishing  destination through a three-tiered approach: 

1. improving the quality of fishing in Georgia waters;
2. improving access to water bodies for fishing in Georgia; and
3. increasing participation through active promotion and marketing of Georgia’s exceptional fishing resources.

The Go Fish Georgia Initiative promotes fishing as a family-friendly, fun activity that thousands of people across the state already enjoy and encourages others to get outside with their children and give fishing a try.  Furthermore, it stands to attract major fishing tournaments currently held in other states with the promise of catching another world-record bass in our state.

Each year, Georgia gains hundreds of thousands of new citizens. Preserving the quality of the environment and recreational resources, especially those involving water, are important factors in maintaining a high quality of life and attracting visitors and new residents. 

The Bass Trail

The Georgia Bass Trail is a statewide system of large boating access areas capable of supporting large tournament events and normal boating and fishing activities on major water bodies. This trail has numerous sites, each providing its own unique bass fishing experience.

Economic Impact

A system of large access sites serving the needs of tournament anglers has a considerable economic impact. For example: A single large tournament can contribute several million dollars to a local economy. A major bass fishing tournament can have a $4-5 million economic impact on the local community. A championship event can have a $27 million economic impact.

Bass Trail Boat Ramps

The trail consists of 17 tournament style boat ramps throughout the state.  At present, 6 Bass Trail ramps have been completed; 6 are under construction and 5 are in the permitting phase.    For a map of the Bass Trail, click here.  (Adobe Acrobat Reader required).

Completed Ramps

• Laurel Park-Lake Lanier (Hall County)
• Gum Branch-Lake Hartwell (Franklin County)
• Tugaloo State Park-Lake Hartwell (Franklin County)
• Wildwood Park-Clarks Hill (Columbia County)
• Early May Boat Basin-Lake Seminole (Bainbridge)
• Pyne Road Park-West Point (Troup County / LaGrange) 

Ramps Under Construction

• Richard B. Russell State Park-Richard B. Russell (Elbert County)
• Robert Baurle Ramp-Savannah River (Augusta / Richmond County)
• Burton's Ferry Boat Landing-Savannah River (Screven County)
• Tuckasee King-Savannah River (Effingham County)
• Houlahan Bridge-Savannah River (Port Wentworth)
• Veterans Memorial State Park- Lake Blackshear (Crisp County)

Ramps In Permitting Process

• Altamaha Park-Altamaha River (Glynn County)
• Jaycee Landing-Altamaha River (Jesup)
• Buckeye Landing-Oconee River (Laurens County)
• Reynolds Landing-Lake Seminole (Seminole County)
• George Bagby State Park-Walter F. George (Clay County)