TPWD 1959 F-3-R-6 #440: Basic Survey and Inventory of Fish in Ferrell's Bridge Reservoir (Lake O' the Pines)

Job Completion Report Investigations Project State of TEXAS Project No. Fw3~R~6 Name: Fisheries Investigations and Survexs of the Waters of Region fi-B. JOb No. B-lh Title: Basic Sorrel and lnventorx of Fish 598C188 in Ferrell”s Brid e Reservoir lLake 0' the_Pines;: Period Covered: June 12 l958 through Max 31: 1959 Abstract: Lake 0' the Pines is a newly impounded U: S:.Army Corps of Engineers' lake with a surface area of 18,700 acres at water supply level: A yearmlong basic survey was con— ducted with the use of experimental type gill nets and bag seine: Fortymseven species of fish were collected in the lake including large popnlations of commercial type fish as well as sport fish: The water quality is acid but normal for the area: The lake vel was lowered, during this job, to its minimum pool elevation to facilitate clearing of timer. Recommendations are made to resurrey the lake when it reaches its normal elevation and to change the minimum mesh size to three inches instead of the present three and onewhalf inches: Objectives: To gather fundamental data on the above waters in regard to their physical? chemical and biological aspects: To observe and measure the development and progress of the fish populations in this newly impounded reservoir: Lake History: The Ferrellis Bridge Reservoir is part of the comprehensive reservoirwlevee plan for flood control in the Red River Basin below Denison Dam and is a U. 8: Army Corps of Engineers project:‘ The project was authorised by the do S: dongress in Public Law No: 526, approved July 2h, 19eéo Construction was initiated in January 1955, with the re- location of roads in the area: The entire project; including the dam proper and the relocation of roads and utilities in the reservoirpis schednled for completion in 1959: The earth fill dam is located on Cypress Greek} approximately 9 miles west of Jefferson, and is designed for flood control and manicipal water supply: The dam is a maximum of 97 feet in height above the stream bed and is raptoc feet in length: The crown of the dam has a roadway which connects EM T26 with a scanty road: The downstream slope of the dam is sodded and the upstream slope is protected from erosion by gravel i ripmrap: The reservoir will provide 38,200 surface acres, or 587,200 acre feet of storage space for flood waters, and 18,700 surface acres, or 251,000 acre feet of storage capacity, for water supplyo At water supply pool, the elevation is 228,5'feet msl. There are two, 10 foot diameter conduits through the dam which control the lake level. There is a concrete spillway structure located on the east end of the damn This spill- way is 200 feet wide and has a capacity of 68,200 cofoso The stream was closed and water was diverted through the conduits in August of 1957. The lake began filling and was allowed to reach storage capacity elevation in June 1958, for the dedication ceremonies, After that, the gates were Opened again and the water level rapidly fell to a low in October, This was to facilitate the clearing of additional timber in the lake bedo Table 1, gives the elevations and surface area through the yearo Procedure: Because of the large size of the lake, it was originally planned to make collections twice a month for the duration of the 30b, The lake was divided into three sections and one section would be worked on each trip, However, as the lake was drained, the area was reduced greatly and it was decided that one trip a month would suffice, Data collected included gill netting results, seining collections, water analysis, temperature, turbidity and t ime . ' Netting Methods During the first few trips there were six net sets made up of two gill nets each, or a total of 12 nets: As the water level dropped and the fish became concentrated, this was reduced to eight gill nets, The nets were experimental type 125 feet long, eight feet deep, with bar mesh sizes varying from one inch to three inches, graduated % inch, every 25 feeto All netted fish were saved and were counted and weighed by species and the average weight calculated for each species, Most of the game fish were measured and weighed individually and their individual coefficients of condition were determined, Also, stomach contents and sexual development were spot checked: Seining Collections Seining collections were made with a 26 by 6 foot bag-seine with a % inch mesh: Good seining beaches were usually difficult to locate because of snags where the brush had been cuto Usually old roads which had been inundated and areas of excavation were used to make seine hauls: Specimens were preserved in formalin solution and taken to the laboratory for identification: Other Data Surface water samples were taken and analysed for pH, alkalinity, chlorides, and dissolved oxygen, Surface water temperatures were taken as well as air temperatures: Light penetration, measured with a sacchi disc, and water color were also noted, LA.) Findings: Stocking The following fish were put in the lake by the Tyler and Huntsville fish hatcheries: Largemouth bass (fry) 390,000 Warmouth t,000 Redear 5,500 Black crappie 10,000 Channel catfish 221,800 Because Lake 0‘ the Pines reached its maximum elevation immediately following the spawning season, the survival rate of the fish was very high, Then, as the lake level dropped, all of these fish became concentrated and made fishing extremely good for a period, Also, some tremendous catches were made by gill nets, Fish Collections A total of #7 species of fish representing fifteen families was collected in Lake the Pines, Table 2 lists the species and families phylogeneticallyo The names are from Hubbs, A.CHECKLIST OF TEXAS FRESHWATER FISHES, dated December 1958, Netting: Table 3 shows the results of all netting conducted on Lake 0“ the Pines during the yearo This table also gives total numbers, weights, and percentage of total numbers and weights for each species and for each collection, it also gives the ratios of game fish to rough fish, In addition, the average weight for each species is given: A total of 3i species was collected by gill nets: By far the most common species were spotted gars (6M6) and black bullheads (6l7}, Smallmouth buffalo {382) and gizzard shad (2&8) followed in abundance, The most commonly collected game fish, and next in order of numbers collected, was the largemouth bass {229}, 0thsr important species are channel catfish, warmouths, luegills, yellow bullhesds and black crappieu Concerning total weight, smallmouth buffalos produced the highest total weight (908,83 lbsa), followed by spotted gar {tgioac lbsa), black bullheads (tc5,31 lbso), channel catfish (181:§0 lbsa), and largemouth.bass {ihtogd late}, Bowfin had the highest average weight (208% lbsol, fo lowed by shortness gars (2:73 lbs ), flathead catfish {2,30 lbsafi, aha carp €1,62 lbsa) I I} A total of 3,5h3 specimens, weighing 3,0l6088 pounds, averaging 0,85 lbso, were collected, These consisted of 36,18i game fish and 63,82% rough fish by numbers, and :006% game fish and 72,94% rough fish'by'weight, All the catfish, except the two bullhead species, were classified as game fish, thus making l5 game fish species and 16 rough fish species, The overall general condition of the game fish in Lake 0' the Pines is good, This is indicated by the condition data given for ten species in Table to It is interesting to note that closely related species such as the black basses, the catfishes, the crappies, and the sunfishes were very close in their average condition factor, The black crappie apparently showed a little better adaptation to the acid water than the white crappie, The stomachs of fish checked contained a wide variety of food items, Therefore, no definite pattern of food habits was discernible, Shad was the most commonly found food item in bass stomachs along with crawfish, sunfish and bugs and beetles found in other stomachs, One flathead catfish stomach contained a bullhead catfish about 10 inches longo Seining: Table 5 gives the results of seiningo Twenty eight species and 2,612 specimens were collected in this manner, There was a decided reduction in numbers of specimens after the water became cold in the winter and the fish remained difficult to locate through May° The most numerous species collected were gizzard shad, sand shiners, silvery minnows, black bullheads, blackstripe topminnows, mosquitofishes and spottail shiners. The sand shiner was collected most consistentlyo Largemouth bass and bluegill sunfish were also collected fairly consistently. Generally speaking, a good number of forage fish are available in the lake. Annotated Checklist of Fish Species l. Lepisosteus platostomus — shortness gar, Only three of this species were collected, Their average weight was 2,73 pounds, 2, ‘L, productus - spotted gar, This was the most commonly netted fish, Three hundred were caught in one netting collection, 3, L, osseus - longnose gar, Their numbers are few, to Amie calva — bowfin, Though not too common, the ones collected were fairly large, 5, Dorosoma petenense w threadfin shad, These fish showed up in relatively good numbers through November and then became less abundant in the collections, 6, D, cepedianum w gizzard shad, This is the most common fish in the lake, til: 7, Esox americanus a grass pickerel, Though collected both by seining and netting, their numbers are fewo 8, E. niger a chain pickerel, Only a few were collected by netting, 9, Ictiobus bubslus - smallmouth buffalo, This is a very important fish in the lake, It was third in total numbers netted and in average weight, and it was first in total weight° loo .Moxostoma poecilurum — blacktail redhorseo A few of these were collected in the fall and wintero ll. Minytrema melanops m spotted suckero Though not caught in large numbers, they were consistently collectedo 120 Erimyson sucetta m lake chubsuckero These fish appeared in collections in their greatest numbers in February and Marcho Even then, only a few were caught. 130 Cyprinus carpio — carpa Though not too common, the ones collected were fairly 1&0 Notemigonus crysoleucas - golden shinero Only two specimens were collected during the yearly nettingu Quite a few were collected by seiningo 15° Notropis fumeus w ribbon shinero This species was collected only four times during the early part of the job. 160 E? vennstus - spottail shinero This is a fairly common shiner in the lake, 170 E3 lutrensis - redhorse shinero This good bait fish is not too common in this lakes 180 E} stramineus » sand shinero Second only to shed in numbers collected, it was “he most commonly collected of the "minnows”o 19° IE6 volucellus m mimic shinero Only eight specimens of this species were collectedo 200 Eybognathus nuchalis m silvery minnomo This species and the sand shiner were collected in almost equal numberso 21a Pimephales vigilax m parrot minnowo Gnly two specimens of this species were collectedo 220 Ictalurns panctatas w channel catfishfi This is a very important fish in the lakeo They are present in good numbers and average approximately one pound in weighta 230 E3 forcatus w blue catfisho Though not so numerous as the channel cat, the blue cat is fairly abundanto 2kg lo melas_w black bullheado Collected only three times by seining, the black bullhead was second only to spotted gar in numbers and third in weight in netting cola lectionso 250 if natalis m yellow'ballheado Though not as numberons as black bullheads, they are present in good numberso 26a Pylodictns olivaris w flathead catfishe A good many of this species are present “n the lake and they are relatively large in siaeo 270 Fandnlns chrysotus m redspot topminnowo Only one specimen of this species was collectedo 28. E, notatus - blackstripe topminnow. This fish was quite numerous in the col- lections during early part of the Job. ' 29. Gambusia affinis - mosquitofish. This is a fairly common species. 30. Aphredoderus sayanus - pirate perch. Only one specimen of this species was collected. 31. Labidesthes sicculus - brook silversides. Few were collected. 32. 'Roccus chrysops m white bass. Though not in large numbers, this popular game fish was consistently collected. 33. Micropterus punctulatua m spotted bass. This species is present in fairly good numbers. 3h. g, salmoides - largemouth base. This is the most abundant game fish present in the lake. 35. Chaendbryptus gulcsus n warmouth. This popular fish is quite abundant and was collected consistently. 36. Lepomis cyanellus - green sunfish. Only one specimen of this species was collected. 37. L. punctatus - spotted sunfish. Spotted sunfish are not too common in the lake 38. l? microlophus w redear sunfish. This species was collected fairly consistently in small numbers. 39. L. macrochirus _ bluegill sunfish. Bluegills were consistently collected in fairly large numbers. to. .g. auritus - yelloubelly sunfish. This species was collected only on the first three trips. #1. L. megalotis e longear sunfish. Longears were rarely collected. “:3 b2. Pomoxis annularis m White crappie. This species is present in good numbers and attains fairly large size. M3. P. nigromaculatus a black crappie. This species was consistently taken in collections. at. Centrarchus macropterus a flier. Only one flier was collected by seining. #5. Hadropterus maculatus w blackside darter. The blackside darter was found only on one occasion. #6. Porcine caprodes e logperch. The logperch is not too common in this lake. -h7. Aplodinotus grunniens m freshwater drum. Only two were collected by netting. Water Quality and water Levels Surface water analyses revealed the water to be moderately acid, fairly low in alkalinity, normal for the area in chlorides, and normal in dissolved oxygen. The water was fairly clear at high water level elevations but became muddied when the water level receeded. Table 6 gives the results of water analyses during the study period. There was no great fluctuation in the water quality over the year. Vegetation At this time there is no known undesirable aquatic vegetation in the lake. However, there still remains several hundred acres of inundated timber and brush. Some of this Commercial Fishing A three and one half inch square mesh net law prevails in the Marion County portion of the lake and, though there is some commercial fishing done on the lake, insufficient numbers of fish are taken to provide a living for those fishing. It would be an advantage to change the mesh size to three inches and encourage contract fishing on the lake to remove rough species. Lake 09 the Pines will support a good legal commercial operation under a three inch mesh law. Conclusions and-Recommendations: Considering the findings of this survey, Lake 0* the Pines should support a good sport fisheries as well as a good commercial fisheries. The water quality is adequate for fish life and there is a sufficient population of forage fish available in the lake. No additional survey on the lake is recommended until the lake level reaches normal elevation. Additional population development studies might then be considered. It would be to an advantage to change the present mesh size laws to three inches in Marion County. Prepared by John N. Dorchester Approved by H__ ff/ _ (W_ eljg “fl _ __‘_M Assistant Project leader Director Inland Fisheries Division Date September 29, 1959 Table 1. Lake Level Elevations and Areas by months. Elevation Surface in Ft. (msl.) Area in Acres June 230 19,780 * July 220 12, 380 August 209 5,170 September 208 h,560 September 210 5,820 October 205 2,710 * November 206 3,310 February 208 u, 560 April 212 7,080 May 207 3;?”0 * Indicates the extreme elevations and areas. Table 2. A Checklist of Lake 0* the Pines Fish Species I. Family: LEPISOSTEIDAE — Cars 1. Lepisosteus platostomus - shortnose gar 2. 'E. productus - spotted gar 3. L. osseus w longnose gar II. Family: AMIIDAE w Bowfins h. Amie calva m bowfin III. Family: CLUPEIDAE . Earrings 5. Dorosoma petenense — threadfin shad 6. ‘2. cepedianum - gizzard shad IV. Family: ESOCIDAE ~ Pickerels 7. Esox americanus w grass pickerel 8. pg. niger a chain pickerel V. Family: CATOSTOMIDAE 1 Suckers and buffalofishes 9. Ictiobus bubalus w smallmouth buffalo 10. Moxostomam peocilurum — blacktail redhorse ll. Minytrema melanops - spotted sucker l2. Erimyson sucetta e lake chubsucker VI. Family: CYPRINIDAE 1 Shiners and minnows l3. Cyprinus carpio a carp 1t. Notemigonus crysoleucas 1 golden shiner l5. Notropis fumeus a ribbon shiner 16. N. venustus m spottail shiner 17. E. lutrensis . redhorse shiner 18. E. stramineus 1 send shiner 19. N. volucellus 1 mimic shiner 20. Hybognathus nuchalis m silvery minnow 21. Pimephales vigilax m parrot minnow VII. Family: AMEIURIDAE e Freshwater catfishes 22. Ictalurus punctatus w channel catfish 23. I. furcatus — blue catfish 2h. ‘I. males w black bullhead 25. I3. natalis e yellow bullhead 26. Pylodictus olivaris 1 flathead catfish Table 2. VIII. IXO XI. XII. XIII. XIV. XV. 10. (Continued) A Checklist of Lake 0' the Pines Fish Species Family CYPRINODONTIDAE . Killifishes and topminnows 27. 28. Fundulus chrysotus — redspot topminnow E, notatus - blackstripe tepminnow Family: POECILIIDAE - Mosquitofishes 29. Gambusia_effinis 1 mosquitofish Family: APEREDCDERIDAE - .Pirate perch 30. AphredOderus sayanus - pirate perch Family: ATEERINIDAE ~ Silversides 31. Iabidesthes sicculus - brook silversides Family: SERRANIDaE ~ Basses 32. Roccus chrysops 1 white bass Family: CENTRARCHIDAE - Black basses and sunfishes 33. 3h. 35. 36. 37. 38. .Micropterus punctulatus 1 spotted bass M. salmoides 1 largemouth bass Chaenbbryttus gulosus w warmouth Lepomis cyanellus - green sunfish .£° punctatus_- spotted sunfish I? microlophus ~ redear sunfish ‘é. macrochirus 1 bluegill sunfish ‘L. auritus_m yellowbelly sunfish I? megalotis — longear sunfish Pomoais annularis m white crappie .nigromaculatus m black crappie Centrarchus macropterus - flier Family: PERCIDAE e Perches and darters M5. 46. Hadropterus maculatus a blackside darter Percina caprodes a log perch Family: SCIAENIDAE - Croakers, drums and weakfishes #7. Aplodinotus grunniens - freshwater drum