Community Corner

No Fishing Pole, No Tackle? No Problem

Georgia Department of Natural Resources Fishing Tackle Loaner Program provides fishing poles and stocked tackle boxes to visitors, for free.

by Sharon Swanepoel (Editor)

Want to give fishing a try, but don't have the right equipment? That's not a problem, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. In a press release from the Social Circle office, Georgia DNR officials said if you're attending one of Georgia's state parks or historic sites, fishing equipment can be borrowed. 

According to the release, whether you are planning to visit a Georgia state park or historic site or you just happen to stop by one on a whim, they have the equipment to help you “cast” away your worries. 

The Fishing Tackle Loaner Program, offered by the Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division and State Parks and Historic Sites, provides loaner fishing poles and stocked tackle boxes to visitors, for FREE! 

"This program provides budding anglers a way to try out fishing without having to purchase any equipment,” said John Biagi, fisheries chief of the Wildlife Resources Division. “It also encourages fishing activities at these nearby resource areas and helps remind visitors that Georgia has some great places to fish!”

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Visitors can inquire about the program at park offices where they can check out the equipment for the day. Children under age 16 do not need a fishing license.  However, interested anglers age 16 and up will need to purchase a license. You can buy the license online at the Park office, purchase it online (www.georgiawildlife.com/licenses-permits-passes) or buy it by phone at 1-800-366-2661.

According to DNR officials, funding to supply the participating Parks and Historic Sites with the equipment is provided by the Sport Fish Restoration Program. The program allows funds accumulated from a federal excise tax on fishing equipment and related items to be directed to activities that benefit recreational anglers. According to the release, a portion of these funds is provided to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources based on several factors, which include the number of paid sporting licenses. 

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More information about the 25 state parks and historic sites can be found at www.georgiawildlife.com/Fishing/TackleLoaner.


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