Stocking Fish

It is unlawful to release any wildlife, including fish or exotic fish, within this state except under permit from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. This does not apply to the stocking of legally possessed fish into private ponds.

It is unlawful to move fish from one body of water to another.

Do not release bait fish alive! Dispose of bait fish, such as blueback herring, shad, and golden shiners, so they cannot enter a stream, pond, or lake.

Georgia’s sport fish funds are approximately $6 million annually. Your license fees have funded: management of public waters, production of sport fish for stocking in public waters, development and management of Public Fishing Areas, aquatic education programs, development and maintenance of boating access facilities and more. License fees pay for freshwater and saltwater programs and activities to benefit these resources.