Georgia's Angler Award Program: Qualifying for the Georgia Angler Award

Qualifying for the Georgia Angler Award

Catching a big fish is always a thrill and usually requires exceptional fishing skill. Each year DNR recognizes the achievement of anglers that catch "trophy" fish by presenting the angler with an Angler Award. The fish does not have to be a new state record to qualify. The Angler Award application [1] form and minimum weights for species are also available at any Fisheries Section office. To qualify you must:

Catch your fish by legal sport fishing methods in Georgia.
Unless you are submitting a "catch-and-release" fish or applying by using length and photos, weigh the fish as soon as possible on scales certified accurate by the Georgia Dept. of Agriculture (at grocery & convenience stores) in the presence of two witnesses over the age of 18. Witnesses cannot be members of the immediate family.
The fish must meet the minimum weight or length requirements for that species.
Take the fish to a DNR Fisheries Office and have it positively identified by a fisheries biologist or technician. In some cases a clear side view photo of the fish can be used for identification, but you must discuss this with a fisheries biologist or technician prior to submitting your application.
Complete an application form [1] and submit it with necessary photos of the whole fish and the angler holding the fish to the following address: Wildlife Resources Division/Angler Award Application/2070 U.S. Hwy. 278, SE/Social Circle, GA 30025 .

Minimum Weights Eligible for a Georgia Angler Award

Fish Species	Minimum Weight/Length
Largemouth Bass	10 lbs. / 26in
Shoal Bass	4 lbs. / 20 in
Spotted Bass	5 lbs. / 23 in
Smallmouth Bass	3 lbs. / 19 in
Suwannee Bass	2 lbs. / 16 in
Redeye Bass	1 lbs. / 13 in
Striped Bass	25 lbs. / 36 in
Hybrid Bass	8 lbs. / 25 in
White Bass	2.5 lbs. / 17 in
Bluegill	1.5 lbs. / 13 in
Redear Sunfish (Shellcracker)	1.5 lbs. / 14 in
Redbreast Sunfish	1 lb. / 11 in
Rock Bass	1 lb. / 11 in
Warmouth	1 lb. / 11 in
Shadow Bass	1 lb. / 11 in
Flier	0.5 lb. / 9 in
Spotted Sunfish	0.5 lb. / 9 in
Walleye	4 lbs. / 23 in

Chain Pickerel	3.5 lbs. / 24 in
Redfin Pickerel	1 lb. / 18 in
Brook Trout	0.5 lbs. / 10 in
Brown Trout	4 lbs. / 20 in
Rainbow Trout	4 lbs. / 20 in
Black Crappie	2 lbs. / 15 in
White Crappie	2 lbs. / 15 in
Blue and Flathead Catfish	20 lbs. / 33 in
Channel Catfish	12 lbs. / 32 in
American Shad	4 lbs. / 24 in
Hickory Shad	1.5 lbs. / 18 in
White Catfish	2.5 lbs. / 17 in
Brown Bullhead	2 lbs. / 17 in
Yellow Bullhead	2 lbs. / 17 in
Spotted and Flat Bullhead	2 lbs. / 15 in
Common Carp & Grass Carp	15 lbs. / 31 in
Bowfin	10 lbs. / 30 in
Longnose Gar	10 lbs. / 43 in
Spotted and Florida Gar	5 lbs. / 28 in
Yellow Perch	1 lbs. / 15 in
White Perch	1 lb. / 13 in

Georgia Wildlife Resources Division
2070 U.S. Hwy. 278, SE, Social Circle, GA 30025

Links:
[1] http://georgiawildlife.com/sites/default/files/uploads/wildlife/fishing/pdfs/miscellaneous/AnglerAward_StateRecord_Applic.pdf