TPWD 1981 F-30-R-6 #1820: Frio River Fishery Survey, Texas, 1980

Rshsrt W; Zsrr Date Ebrch 2?, 1931 Assistant msnsgsmsnt Supervisor “5—K ”fiCL‘fi ' ' sistsnt Prsg Project F—SO—R ram Directnr Prnjsct F~30~R -2- DESCRIPTIDH 0F STUDY HREA east corner of Real County and flows in les to enter the Hueces River near the had drains 6,9?T square miles. Hondo Creek, the originates in the north ion about 265 mi The Frio River waters the Sabinal River, ascosa River. The Frio River a southeasterly direct town of Three Rivers. Major tributaries include the Dry Frio, Leona River, San Miguel Creek, and the it through the Edwards Plateau Region for about 60 miles before entering the Coastal Plain. In crossing the Balcones Fault the river loses its perennial spring flows, as well as substantial d runoff, through percolation into the he fault zone c ‘ d flow rates v ' re during periods of he ' Zone, amounts of floo Consequently, flow downstream from t runoff. Prolonged droughts are common an during drought periods to 2,000 cfs or mo Average flow for the Frio River at Concan is 108 cfs. rough and broken with a shallow ' n consisting of grasses, forhs, Elm, live oak and other large channels. width of the river was mea accuracy.__Flow re (0) (D) (vs) (roughness con Visual ohserr Information of fish habi A 26—ft n 6—ft, arinch mesh seine wi Average seine width was recor length of drag to determine the area formalin and returned to Specimens collected were recorded as number per 1,000 ft -3- A Smith-Root Type PII electrofisher backpack shocking unit was used during May and July. Collections were preserved in 10% formalin and returned to the laboratory to be identified, counted and measured. Fish collected were recorded as number per fifteen minutes shocking time. Public access and fisherman information needs were evaluated by determining if existing access, facilities and sources of information were adequate to promote maximum utilization of the fishery resource. Fish population information was used to determine needs for changes in harvest regulations. Any public hearings concerning regulation proposals were attended and justifications for these proposals were discussed with the attEnding public. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIDNS Physicochemical Characteristics No deviations from normal area water quality values were found which were considered detrimental to the fish community of the Frio River (Table 2). Fish Habitat Typical stream bed habitat in the study area consists of varying concentra— tions of bedrock, boulders, rubble, gravel, sand, silt and a variety of aquatic vegetation species (Table 3). Habitat seems optimum for reproduction and recruitment; however, the volume of water flow appears to be a primary limiting factor. Flow data for the years 19?0 through 19?9 illustrate the variations in stream flow (Fig. 2). Because of drought conditions during the survey period, flows varied-from 36 cfs to flow rates that were immeasur- able (Table d). Tributaries such as the Dry Frio and Sabinal Rivers were Fish Communities Forage Fishes: a diverse forage base existed in the Nueces River. The bulk of the forage consisted of Texas shiner, blacktail shiner, stoneroller and young—of—the—year sunfish (Tables 5 and 6). fiport Fishes: Large numbers of sport fishes were collected. Sunfish were the most abundant with substantial numbers of channel catfish also being collected. dough Fishes: No problematic rough fish populations were observed. Fisherman Information Distributions of productive means utilisation. -4- Public Access and Facilities Road crossings provide adequate access to the Frio River. Additional access and facilities are provided by Garner State Park. Fish Harvest Regulations Current regulations are adequate. MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDAIIDHS Physicochemical Characteristics Surveys revealed no problematic water quality parameters; therefore, no recommendations are necessary. Fish Habitat Existing habitat is adequate to sustain the fishery in the river; therefore, no recommendations are made. Fish Communities Diversity and quantity of sport fishes within the Frio River are adequate; therefore, no recommendations are made. Public Access and Facilities Access to the Frio River appears adequate; therefore, no recommendations are made. Fisherman Information Distributions of information promoting utilisation of existing fish popula— tions are recommended. Fish Harvest Regulations Existing regulations are adequate; therefore, no recommendations are made. 11 Nueoeslake F1 .- 1‘ F2 4% a l g umos COUNTY 1- N ,. . dr-_E *6: Uvade lngelake fig. ' I? Figure 1. Collection and sampling sites, Frio River, Texas, 1980. woo mmo mac wmo moo nae mmc woo mm: was Hmc Hes me meomm N. wHos HmMHsmm. mnmnHos on Gounod, we so Wwdnnu Haste“ Hmwo nnHocm: Hmum. mam Cubic Feet Per Second HOG mm: moo mmo mac bmc boo mmo woe mmc moo Hmo Hoe mo meofim N Anonn.v. when kum Hmum Hummm D E b h w E k E u m m m D 2 U h w E w E h m P m D E U h m E m E m h h m G E w h w E b E u u b m Hmuu uoc mm: mac mma moo bmo boo mmo moo Cubic Feet Per Second mmo Moo Hmo H00 me D E U h w E.m.3 h h W m D E U h m E b.E h a b m E z D wam Hmwm fiancee w moose.v. Table 1. Checklist of fish species collected from the Frio River, Texas, 1980. Scientific Name Common Name Hotropis leutrensis Red shiner Notropis amabilis Texas shiner Hotropis venustus Blacktail shiner Dionda episcopa Roundnose minnow Campostoma anomalum Stoneroller Notropis stramineus Sand shiner Ictalurus natalis Yellow bullhead Ictalurus punctatus Channel catfish Pylodictis olivaris Flathead catfish Gambusia affinis Mosquitofish Lepomis auritus Redbreast sunfish Lepomis cyanellus Green sunfish Lepomis gulosus Warmouth Lepomis megalotis Longear sunfish Lepomis punctatus Spotted sunfish Micropteus salmoides Largemouth bass Etheostoma lepidum Creenthroat darter Cichlasoma cyanoguttatum Rio Grande perch