Guide to Fishing the Lower Etowah River

Guide to Fishing the Lower Etowah River
The Lower Etowah River runs westward from Lake Allatoona to
the confluence with the Oostanaula River at Rome. Powerboats
do not easily travel these 48 miles of river. Numerous shoals
make this river most navigable by canoe or kayak. Although there
is a boat ramp just below Allatoona Dam, another dam just
downstream limits boating from this access. There are no other
public boat ramps on this stretch of stream. Common fish species
in the lower Etowah include: carp, smallmouth buffalo, redhorse
suckers, blue catfish, channel catfish, striped bass, redbreast
sunfish, bluegill, redear sunfish, redeye bass, spotted bass,
largemouth bass and freshwater drum. Anglers wishing to
consume their catch should pay attention to the fish consumption
guidelines as described in the sport fishing regulations or at
www.dnr.state.ga.us/dnr/environ/.
√ Boating Check List
• Each person on board must have a readily accessible U.S. Coast
Guard (USCG) approved Type I, II, III, or V (hybrid) Personal
Floatation Device (life jacket) in good condition (no rips/tears).
Type V (hybrid) devices are acceptable only when worn and
securely fastened. Each vessel, except for Class A vessels, canoes,
and kayaks must be equipped with at least one type IV (throwable)
device. All children under age 10 must wear an appropriately
sized USCG approved life jacket while on a moving boat, whether
it is by drifting, sailing, or mechanical power.
• Boats with enclosed areas that may trap gas or vapors are
required to be equipped with a USCG approved fire extinguisher.
• Carry your fishing license and boat registration with you.
• Check your boat’s trailer, navigation lights, and fuel before
leaving home.
• Carry a first aid kit, insect repellent, sunscreen, extra clothing,
food, and drinking water.
• Be aware of, and abide by all fishing regulations.
• Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to
return.
BE AN ETHICAL ANGLER!
Ethical anglers fish responsibly, consider the rights of
others, portray a positive image, and help to protect and
conserve our natural resources. Be an ethical angler, the
future depends on it.
Ethical Anglers:
Know and obey the fishing
regulations.
# Keep only the fish they can
use and release all others.
# Pass on the tradition by
taking a child fishing.
# Leave a place cleaner than
it was found.
# Do not transfer fish or
plants between bodies of
water.
#
Report violations and
pollution.
# Do not litter!
# Dispose of fishing line
properly.
# Do not tresspass.
#
Are courteous of others.
# Lend a helping hand.
#
Fishing Tips
Catfish are common in the river with channel catfish being the
most abundant and blue catfish next in abundance. A few flathead
catfish are also occasionally caught. Catfish up to 10 pounds are
commonplace. Anglers fishing for catfish may catch a lake
sturgeon but they must be released unharmed immediately after
being caught. Lake sturgeons are being reintroduced by the DNR
into the Coosa River system and cannot be harvested. Sturgeon can
be identified by its rounded snout, a toothless mouth on the bottom
of its head, four “whiskers” in front of its mouth; bony plates on the
side of its body and its shark-like tail. Anglers can help this
reintroduction effort by reporting any sturgeon they see by calling
the Calhoun Fisheries office at 706-624-1161. More information
on this reintroduction project can be found at
www.gofishgeorgia.com
Striped bass use the river seasonally as a cool water refuge and the
best fishing is from May to September. The remainder of the year,
cooler water temperatures allow the fish to disperse downstream
into Lake Weiss and very few fish remain in the river.
Bass, bream and crappie inhabit the river year round but fishing
is best in the cooler waters of spring and fall. Spotted bass are the
most prevalent black bass species, however, there are also fair
numbers of redeye and largemouth bass present. Bluegill are the
most abundant pan fish but there are also good numbers of
redbreast sunfish, green sunfish, and redear sunfish.
Freshwater drum are abundant in the river, although few
Georgians pursue them. This species is popular in other parts of
the country and is an underutilized fishery in the Etowah. Anglers
can best catch drum using live worms, crayfish or small minnows
fished on the bottom.
Tips on using the map
•
The map is most useful if viewed in color.
•
Maps in this series (Coosa, Oostanaula, Etowah, Coosawattee
and Conasauga rivers) are of the same scale so they can be
pasted together if desired.
•
The mileage labels represent distance from the river’s mouth.
•
Boaters can use a GPS and the following GPS coordinates to
estimate their position on the river.
Mile
Lat
Lon
Mile
Lat
Lon
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
22
24
N 34 15.221
N 34 15.420
N 34 14.205
N 34 13.752
N 34 14.202
N 34 12.845
N 34 13.855
N 34 14.655
N 34 13.584
N 34 12.863
N 34 13.929
N 34 12.467
N 34 11.880
W 85 10.603
W 85 09.502
W 85 08.593
W 85 06.712
W 85 04.759
W 85 04.338
W 85 03.280
W 85 01.713
W 85 01.183
W 84 59.826
W 84 58.882
W 84 58.711
W 84 57.565
26
28
30
32
34
36
38
40
42
44
46
48
N 34 11.251
N 34 11.336
N 34 09.827
N 34 08.241
N 34 08.561
N 34 07.708
N 34 08.862
N 34 07.824
N 34 07.255
N 34 08.262
N 34 09.318
N 34 09.768
W 84 56.503
W 84 55.470
W 84 54.994
W 84 55.501
W 84 53.949
W 84 52.580
W 84 51.124
W 84 50.763
W 84 48.903
W 84 47.260
W 84 46.184
W 84 44.441
Units are in degrees and decimal minutes
For more fishing information visit the Georiga DNR website at www.gofishgeorgia.com or call (706) 624-1161.
T.I.P (Turn in Poachers): To report game/fish law violations, fish kills, or hazardous spills: call (800) 241-4113
.
GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES / WILDLIFE RESOURCES DIVISION / FISHERIES SECTION
2070 U.S. HIIGHWAY 278 SE / SOCIAL CIRCLE, GEORGIA 30025
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