Bradyboy, all rivers and creeks in the state of Ga. belong to the property owners to the center of the creek or river, unless it can be navigated by a commercial vessel. Screwed up I know, but you need to have permission from the land owner to do some gold mining. In the National forest you can pan, but you need to go talk to the local ranger first. I have found that in metal detecting the folks around here are pretty suspicious of everyone and it is hard to be accepted. I was taking to the ranger that gives the talks at the Dahlonega mint last year and he was telling me that you can gold mine under the state and county bridges as the county owns 25 feet in each direction from the center of the bridge. And as far as the state roads go you can mine 50 feet in each direction of the center line of the bridge. Keep in mine that you cannot undermine a bridge piling to do this. Also most farmers have their property fenced into rightaway of state owned property, which could lead into a missunderstanding or you looking down the barrel of a shotgun. I am kinda running 50/50 as far as getting permission here. Not too long ago I was able to hunt a property in Dahlonega that has an open gold mine to it and plan on returning. The Gold and Gem mining company in Cleveland offers all the gold mining you can stand. If you need more info let me know.
