Georgia Department of Natural Resources Urges Caution on the Water
KILGORE, Texas, Sept. 13 /PRNewswire/Low lake levels across the Southeastern United States have not affected
bass populations, yet, butofficials from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources are hoping forrain, and urging anglers and boaters alike to use caution while on the water.
Skeeter Products, Inc., one of the nation's leading bass boat companies, returns to J. Strom Thurmond Lake at Clarks Hill along the Georgia-South Carolina boarder for a second straight year to host one of its Owner's Tournaments, and company officials
participants will follow lake safety regulations and use common sense while
on the lake, which is eight feet below normal.
The company is anticipating more than 200 boats and approximately 400
anglers for the September 21-23 weekend event. "We are encouraging our tournament participants to use caution to protect themselves and fellow
anglers and boaters by understanding the dangers of low water levels," says
Daren Cole of Skeeter Products, Inc.
"We want our owners to have a good and
safe time fishing in our tournament," Cole added.
Cole indicated that Skeeter selected Wildwood Park in Columbia County,
just north of Augusta, Georgia, for its capabilities
of handling and event of this size. Wildwood Park operates eight boat ramps on J. Strom Thurmond Lake at Clarks Hill, including a six-mega ramp system.
Columbia Countyofficials extended the length of the park's boat ramp
system just last year to better accommodate the low water level on the
"J. Strom Thurmond Lake at Clarks Hill is currently between eight and
nine feet below our normal summer level pool, but these low water levels
have not affected this year's black bass
population," says Ramon Martin,
Fisheries Program Regional Supervisor for the Georgia Department of Natural
"The lake is a premier black bass fishery within the state of Georgia,
and while the current population is strong, if these extreme drought
conditions continue well into this winter, it could have an impact on
next spring's spawn," says Martin.
Martin added that the Georgia DNR has an
provides information about water levels, lake conditions, fishing license
information, and fishing tips for lakes
Sergeant Doyle Chaffin, a Supervisor
with the Law Enforcement Division
of the Georgia DNR encourages anglers to
"fish slow." "Clarks Hill is
dangerous to the unsuspecting angler or
boater right now," says Chaffin.
"Folks who visit the lake should be aware of its conditions, particularly
humps of extremely shallow water," says Chaffin.
He recommends that people
slow down, always wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation
device, stay within channel markers, and use common sense. "GPS and electronic depth gauges are important, but do
not depend completely on this information," Chaffin
added. For more information about Skeeter Products, Inc., visit
