More 4th Activities, Proposed Change to Walleye Regulations

We had about 5/8″ rain at our place on Monday, and we’ve had a string of absolutely beautiful days since then. Temperatures have been much more seasonal, starting out around 65 with afternoon temperatures on the porch around 75, with nice breezes.

I covered most of the 4th of July activities in my last post, but here’s the rundown on Ducktown. On the 1st, the Miner’s Homecoming begins at 4:00 with music at the Hoist House, a beauty contest at 6:00 on the City Hall parking lot, and more music afterwards. On July 2nd, there is a pancake breakfast at the Hoist House at 7:00, a 5K fun run/walk in memory of Mike Kimsey, a parade at 10:15, and an open house at Glen Springs closing. Then there’s a bean soup dinner at the Masonic Lodge, gospel music, the traditional rubber duck race, and a classic car show. Fireworks are around 9:30. There’s free admission at the Ducktown Basin Museum all day Saturday. 423.496.3546.

There is a proposed change to the walleye regulations for Lake Blue Ridge. Here’s the rationale, from the DNR press release: “The Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division is proposing a change to walleye fishing regulations at Lake Blue Ridge in Fannin County. This change would adjust the current walleye creel and possession limit from fifteen (15) to eight (8) fish. “The current creel and possession limit of fifteen walleye at Lake Blue Ridge was established in the 1970’s and no longer meets management objectives,” says John Biagi, chief of the Fisheries Management Section. “This change would adjust the walleye creel and possession limit to the statewide limit of 8 fish, further simplifying fishing regulations for Georgia anglers.” There is one meeting scheduled for public comment, on July 14, 2016; 7:00 PM, Fannin County Chamber of Commerce: Welcome Center, 152 Orvin Lance Drive, Blue Ridge, GA 30513.

There are also the following options for comments:

Comment Period
During the comment period (July 1-31, 2016), interested individuals and parties can comment by attending the scheduled public hearing or by submitting verbal or written comment as specified below:

Submit via email to jeff.durniak@dnr.ga.gov with subject line “Proposed Walleye Regulations”
Call the Gainesville Office at: 770-535-5498
Mail written comments to: GA DNR, Wildlife Resources Division, Fisheries Management Section; Attn: Thomas Litts; 2065 U.S. Highway 278, S.E.; Social Circle, Georgia 30025
All comments must be provided by July 31, 2016.

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