TPWD 1959 F-3-R-6 #459: Segment Completion Report: Fisheries Investigations and Surveys of Dam 'B' Reservoir White Bass Stocking Experiment, Project No. F-3-R-6

Segment Completion Report State of TEXAS Project No. F-3wR-6 Name: Fisheries Investigations and Surveys ' of the waters of Region 5-B. Job No. E-3 Title: Dam "B" Reservoir White Bass Stocking Experiment. ' Period Covered: June 12 1958 through May 312 1959 Abstract: During the early part of this jOb, gill net and seining collections were made in Dam "B" Reservoir to determine if there was a suitable place for white bass in the fish population. It was determined from these studies that white bass would be an asset to the lake, not only from a biological viewpoint but also to the economy of the surrounding area. Original plans called for catching the white bass in the fall from below the Texarkana Dam but this source of bass failed to materialize. Other known sources also fell through until the white bass began making their spring "runs" in'Caddo Lake. Hoop nets were set and over a period of fifteen-nights (covering about 2% weeks) and some 317 brood white base were caught and successfully transferred to Dam "B". Further work will be done next segment to determine if these brood white bass made a successful spawn this spring in Dam "B". Objectives: To determine if Dam "B" Reservoir will support a white bass (Roccus chrysops) if conditions are found to be favorable,they will be introduced. Procedures: During the first six months of this project four collections were made with a 26 by 6 foot by % inch mesh bag seine to determine if there was enough forage fish available for white bass. Also, experimental type gill nets were set to determine if there was a place in the fish population for an additional sport fish. The results of these cola lections are shown in Tables 1 and 2. Visual observations were made to determine spawning areas. Physical characteristics of the reservoir were also considered. The brood white bass were collected by hoop nets in Bois 'd Arc Pass of Caddo Lake when the fish made their annual spring runs upstream. Attempts to catch the white bass by rod and reel yielded insufficient numbers to make it worthwhile. The fish-were trans~ ported from Caddo Lake to Dam "B" in a lhO gallon water tank and upon arrival at Dam "B" the fish were dipped in a malachite green solution for about thirty seconds to reduce possible fungus infection (Figure l). The fish were released near the US 190 bridge over the Reches River channel passing through the lake (Figure 2). Prior to transporting the left pectoral fin of each fish was clipped for identification purposes. Findings: Seining collections showed that a large number of gizzard shad (Dorosoma cepedianum) are available in the lake and tributary rivers. Also, there are various Notropis s2. present in good numbers for food. Gill net collections and interviews with fishermen and other persons connected with the lake show a definite need for an additional good sport fish. The main sport fishing now is for catfish, crappie, and some bass. Since both the Angelina and Neches Rivers, with their many sandbars and strong currents, converge on Dam "B" suitable spawning grounds are available for the white bass. The only factors that would possibly be against a white bass fishery are the characteristics of the lake proper, that is, shallow water depth, fairly high turbidity and abundant vegetation in some areas. Since the average depth of the lake is only about five feet it becomes quite turbid due to high winds and wave action. However, the river channel is sufficiently deep. After it was decided to go ahead with the stocking of white bass in Dam "B” the next problem was to find the fish in sufficient numbers to collect and transfer. Several trips were made to the Sulphur River below Texarkana Dam“, Cypress Bayou below Ferrell‘s Bridge Dam, Lake 0' the Pines, and Cypress Bayou above Caddo Lake in attempts to catch white bass with sport fishing equipment. Only one white bass was collected in this manner. Finally on March 18, 1959, hoop nets were set in Bois 'd Arc Pass on Caddo Lake. The next morning there were #3 white bass in the nets. These fish were immediately trans- ported to Dam "B" and were the first white bass to be introduced into the Neches River System. The complete stocking record is as follows: Date Released Number Released Total Released to Date March 19, 1959 ' 1+3 1.3 March 20, 1959 29 72 March 25, 1959 - 1+5 117 March 27, 1959 63 180 April 3, 1959 81+ ' 261:. April. 9. 1959 53 317 The size of these white bass ranged from approximately seven inches in total length to sixteen inches in total length. It was suspected that nearly all of the fish released at first were males. Their milt flowed with very little pressure on the abdominal walls. Later, a few females showed up as indicated by eggs flowing so both sexes were definitely released. It is hoped that their sexual development was not too far along so as not to be influenced by the transfer to a new environment.- The clipped left pectoral fin makes it possible to identify the stocked fish when later studies are made to determine their establishment. Recommendations: Now that white bass have successfully been stocked in Dam “B" it is recommended that follow up studies be made to determine survival, reproduction and establishment. This will be done by netting, seining and interviews with fishermen. ‘ /—\ Prepared by John N. Dorchester Approved by ¢2>¥HC4¢H7L/.we/é}7¢’(i:" Assistant Project Leader Director Inland Fisheries Division Date September 9, l959 Species Dorosoma cepedianum Moxostoma poecilurum Notropisufumeus N. amnish N. venustus E. lutrensis jg. stramineus HZ . volucellus_ Hybognathus nuchalis Pimephales vigilax Fundulus chrysotus F. notatus Gambusia affinis Iabidesthes sicculus Micropterus punctulatus .M. salmoides Lepomis_punctatus .£° microlophus, L. macrochirus __ Pomoxislannularis 'P. nigromaculatus Etheostoma chIOrosomum Total Number of hauls Table 1. June 18 15 12 15 19 99 1+. Seining Results in Dam "B". July 27 QWQW—Q 21 12 107 September 167 1 21 39 28 l2 13 368 November 11: 32 12 81 Total 60 27 #1 16 68 2O 3O Species Lepisosteus spatula Mu . platostomus k4 . productus us . 0838118 Amie calva Dorosoma cepedianum_ Ictiobus bubalus_ Carpiodes carpio Moxostoma poecilurum Minytrema melanops_ Erimyzon sucetta Cyprinus carpio Ictalurus punctatus '1. furcatus 'l. natalis Pylodictus olivaris Micropterus_punctulatus M. salmoides Chaenobryttus_gulosus Lepomis microlophus L. macrochirus. 'L. megalotis Pomoxis annularis P. nigromaculatus Aplodinotus grunniens Totals Table 2. June 21:. 10 90 8h 2h 29 29 33 12 372 Netting Results in Dam "B“. July 25 93 66 17 10 10 10 18 21 21 17 338 August September October 29 .16 he 10 13 17 2h #6 22 13 1127 37 10 8h 2O 19 19 115 November 19 52 13 11 191 Total 71 61 316 310 17 33 10 he 57 88 185 51 1,527 -Figure 1. White bass were dipped in.ma1achite green solution prior to releasing in_Dam "B" Reservoir. Figure 2. White bass.being released in Dam "B" Reservoir. ,.