A Voice for Georgia’s Anglers
Recreational fishing is one of Georgia’s favorite pastimes, not only as a sport but also as a way to relax, spend time with family and friends, and enjoy the outdoors. But the enjoyment we experience as recreational anglers is increasingly impacted by policies, laws and regulations seemingly beyond our control. GAFF exists to give anglers a voice in that conversation.
Georgia’s Fishing Future is at Stake
While the basic right to fish is guaranteed by the Georgia Constitution, elected officials decide how, when, and where you can exercise that right.
GAFF helps those officials make wise decisions to ensure a healthy and abundant fish population, clean waters, and generous access through reasonable regulations and well-maintained infrastructure.
Simply put, our fishing future is at stake. It’s our responsibility as anglers to support, aid, and educate those who share our vision of fishing for the future.
For Every Angler in Georgia.
GAFF stands for every angler in Georgia and the thousands of local businesses that depend on our fishing community for their livelihoods. Whether it’s the millions of dollars recreational fishing contributes to our economy or the priceless memories and bonds fishing fosters in our communities, GAFF works to steward our fishing resources and ensure a healthy future.
What GAFF Does
GAFF is a Political Action Committee (PAC) organized under the laws of the state of Georgia. We advance our mission through three core actions:
Political Contributions
We support candidates for public office who commit to fight for aquatic and marine resource conservation and sportfishing in Georgia. This allows us to build and maintain essential relationships with those who influence policies that affect our fishing future.
Education
We educate both anglers and decision makers on the most reliable methods for gathering data, the most responsible conservation and fishing practices, and the real impact of policies on the water.
Coalition
We use our voice to influence decisions that affect recreational angling in Georgia. Our most impactful work happens when we come together and work with other organizations on responsible fisheries management and policy.
Recent Wins: Anglers in Action
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Red Snapper
Frustrated with the poor data from a federal survey used to manage red snapper in federal waters, Georgia’s anglers worked with the governor’s office and legislature to enhance the ability of Georgia DNR to collect better data on offshore fishing. That data led to more access and better red snapper population management for Georgia’s recreational anglers. -
Specialty Auto Tags
Specialty wildlife auto tags are now available for voluntary purchase in Georgia. Sales of these tags provide significant additional funding to enhance fishing opportunities for black bass, cold water trout, and saltwater species such as redfish and king mackerel. Georgia anglers were instrumental in the creation and authorization of these tags. -
Flint River Access
In 2022 a property owner along a portion of the Flint River asserted its exclusive right to control fishing from the shoreline to the center of the stream and banned fishing there. Due to ambiguity in the law regarding navigable waters, Georgia DNR was forced to confirm their right and uphold the ban. Anglers organized and brought the issue to the attention of the governor’s office and the legislature. Based on their collective action the right of the public to fish that portion of the river was restored.
Board of Directors
Join the Mission
Join us in our advocacy, educating anglers and policy-makers, and building effective coalitions. Together we can give recreational anglers a voice in every policy decision that affects Georgia’s fishing future.