TPWD 1965 F-5-R-12 #972: Fisheries Investigations and Surveys of the Waters of Region I-B: Job No. 3-28 Fish Harvest Regulations

JOB COMPLETION REPORT As required by FEDERAL AID IN FISHERIES RESTORATION ACT TEXAS Federal Aid Project No. F-S-R-12 FISHERIES INVESTIGATIONS AND SURVEYS OF THE WATERS OF REGION l—B Job No. 3-28 Fish Harvest Regulations Project Leader: James Wilcox J. Weldon Watson Executive Director Parks and Wildlife Department Austin, Texas Marion Toole DeJ'Coordinator Eugene Walker Assistant Director, Wildlife September 15, 1965 ABSTRACT Current regulations for the Possum Kingdom and Edwards Plateau regulatory areas were reviewed. A summary of the fishery resources and biological findings for each county in Region I-B was presented. A warden-biologist meeting and public hearings in each of the regulatory counties was attended during the segment to insure practicality, enforceability and public acceptance of the prOposed regulations. Present regulations were found to be uniform, practical and reasonable for the existing game fish supply. However, basic research is needed to determine the effects of specific fishing devices and fishing pressures on game fish populations. Some means is needed, such as the use of metal or plastic tags, to identify thedgwnership of trotlines so they will not be abandoned in public lakes. JOB COMPLETION REPORT State of Texas Project No. F-5-R-12 Name: Fisheries Investigations and Surveys of the Waters of Region l-B Job No. B-28 Title: Fish Harvest Regulations Period Covered: March 1, 1964 ~ February 28, 1965 Objective: To recommend biologically sound and practical fish harvest regulations to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Procedures: Fish pOpulations were sampled with standard gill nets and seines, in accordance 'with job description schedules, except in those special instances noted in the findings. Food habits and indications of reproductive success were recorded for all game fish captured. Water quality data and estimates of fishing pressure were obtained when available. Weather and water conditions were recorded for days when gill nets were used. A wardenfibiologist meeting was attended at Kerrville, Texas on May 4, l964,by Co-Leader Wilcox to discuss the practicality and enforceability of proposed regu- lations. Public hearings were attended for all regulatory counties in Region I-B oy biologists on June 8m10, 1964. PrOposed regulations and their justifications were explained to the sparse gatherings present. These transactions were tape- recorded and presented to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commissioners for their consideration in enacting laws. Findings: Region I-B contains a segment of two regulatory areas. Reagan, Midland, Coke, Mitchell, Nolan and Taylor Counties are in the Possum Kingdom regulatory area; Crockett, Schleicher, Menard, Sutton, Val Verde and Edwards Counties are a part of the Edwards Plateau regulatory area. Fishing_regulations for 1964—1965 were as follows: Possum Kin dom Proclamation Number G-l7 1.04 Finding.of facts ”After having conducted continuous research and investigations of the supply, enviornment and other factors of the wildlife resources of the Possum Kingdom Regulatory District, it is found that a sufficiently ample supply of wildlife resources exists in said district to allow such resources to be taken in accord— ance with the regulations herein set forth.” 1.10 Rough fish contracts and management practices. ”The taking or attempting to take any fish or game in the above named counties by any means other than as hereinafter set forth shall be unlawful -2- except under fish management contracts with the Parks and Wildlife Department for removal of rough fish, as.provided in Article 4050c, V.C.S. However, none of this proclamation shall.apply to the Parks and Wildlife Department of Texas, its agents or employees when in the course, acts or procedures of conservation, removal of rough fish or other practices deemed by said department to be in the best interest of game and fish culture and the preservation of the sport of hunting and fishing.” 7.01 Fish- "It shall be unlawful to take or possess any fish in greater numbers or at any other time than as permitted in Part 7 of this proclamation. EXcept on State or Federal wildlife sanctuaries, there is no closed season on fishing.” 7.02 Bag and possession limits: ”(a) It shall be unlawful to take more largemouth, smallmnuth_or spotted black bass of any species in one day than fifteen (15), or to possess more than thirty (30)- "(b) The bag limit on channel, blue and flathead catfish is twenty-five (25) per day and the possession limit if fifty (50). There is no possession limit in Borden, Mitchell, Nolan, Coke, Reagan, Midland and Taylor Counties. ”(c) There is no possession limit on minnows, bream and perch. ”(d) There are no bag or possession limits on white bass or crappie, except that in Borden County the daily bag limit is twenty-five (25) each. ”(e) There are no bag or possession limits on other species of fish." 7.03 Rough fish. ”The following are rough fish: carp, suckers, buffalo, gar, shad, Rio Grande perch and drum (gaspergou).” 7.04 Means and methods. "Except in Borden County (which is governed by a special law), it is unlawful to take any fish by any means or method except as Specifically allowed in this section. Only the following means or methods of taking fish may be used: ”(a) Not more than one hundred (100) hooks altogether which may be used in any combination of the following: Pole and line, rod and reel, artificial and natural baits,. hand line, set line or throw line and not more than two (2) trotlines with not more than fifty (50) hooks each; hooks on throw lines and trotlines must be Spaced not less than three (3) horizontal feet apart. ”(b) 'Minnow seines not more than twenty (20) feet in length for taking only minnows, bream, perch or rough fish ” Exceptionz” {not applicable to counties under consideration in this report) ”(c) A common fruit jar-type trap or its metallic counterpart not longer than twenty-four (24) inches with throat no larger than one (1) inch in diameter, dip nets, cast nets or umbrella nets, constructed of non—metallic materials for taking only minnows, bream or perch and rough fish. All other fish must be immediately released in the water from which taken. -3- ”(d) A spear gun and spear or bow and arrows for taking only rough fish, but it shall be unlawful to possess any fish other than a rough fish when using a spear gun and spear or bow and arrow.” Edwards Plateau (proclamation Number A-162 Parts 1.04, 1.10, 7.01 and 7.03 are the same as the Possum Kingdom Proclamation. ”7.02 Bag and possession limits: (a) It shall be unlawful to take more largemouth, smallmouth or spotted black bass of any species in any one day than fifteen (15) but there is no possession limit. (b) The bag limit on channel, blue and flathead catfish is twenty-five (25) and there is no possession limit. (c) The possession limit on minnows, bream and perch is 200 each, except that there are no limits on minnows taken from Burnet, Menard, Llano and Crockett Counties or from minnow hatcheries.” (d) (not applicable to counties under consideration in this report) "(e) There are no bag or possession limits on other species of fish. 7.04 Means and methods. any combination of the following: pole and line, rod and reel, artificial and natural baits, non-metallic hand line, set line or throw line and not more than two (2) non-metallic trotlines with not more than fifty (50) hooks each; hooks on throw lines and trotlines must be spaced not less than three (3) horizontal feet apart. No trotline may be placed or set in the vicinity of any boat dock, or bathing pier, or bathing beach, or any place commonly used as a swimming or bathing area. Exception (i):" (not applicable to counties under consideration in this report) minnows, bream, perch or rough fish. Exception2' (not applicable) ”(c) A common fruit jar type trap or its metallic counterpart no longer than twenty~four (24) inches with throat no larger than one (1) inch in diameter, dip nets, cast nets or umbrella nets, constructed of non—metallic materials for taking only minnows, bream or perch and rough fish (all other fish must be immediately released in the water from which taken). (d) A spear gun and spear or bow and arrows for taking only rough fish, but it shall be unlawful to possess any fish other than a rough fish when using a -4- spear gun and spear or bow and arrow. (e) A wire loop for taking rough fish, but when using a wire 100p, one may not possess any crappie, bass or catfish.” (f) (not applicable) A summary of the biological findings for each of the 12 regulatory counties is presented below. Only general comments, instead of factual records, were available concerning the degree of utilization of fishery resources. Limited water quality data exists and those data examined did not appear to contain any adverse or unusual situations except in the case of the Pecos River in Crockett County. This Special situation is discussed in the biological findings for that county. Since a summation of available water quality data for the entire region is presented in Job D—2 for this segment, no records are included in this report. No definite indications of reproductive deficiency were encountered, and since ample hatchery fish are usually available to meet any suSpected deficiencies, the voluminous sexual maturity records obtained under this job are not included. Common food items, such as shad, minnows and insects were found in the stomachs of the game fish Opened. Since these data do not appear to have any Special bearing on the formation or evaluation of fishing regulations they are omitted. Field records on sexual development and stomach contents will be retained for future reference. Reagan County-The only public water is Big Lake, which was dry during the first part of the year. In September 1964, the lake filled up. While full, the deepest water was only 4 feet. Large populations of c0pepodan and malacostracan crustaceans were soon established. Since no fish were captured in 6 netting and 3 seining collections, the lake was stocked with largemouth bass fingerlings. However, by the end of the segment the lake was again very low. Because Big Lake is very unstable and no other public fishing waters exist, fishing regulations for Reagan County should continue to be the same as the rest of the regulatory district. Midland County-No public waters exist in this county. The practical policy for Midland County is to make the fishing regulations conform to the regulatory counties near it. If all restrictions were lifted a Special case would result which might lead to confusion and law enforcement difficulties in nearby counties. Coke County-The Colorado River, Mountain Creek Reservoir, Oak Creek Reservoir and 01d Robert Lee Lake are the public waters existing in Coke County. No time was Spent sampling the Old Robert Lee Lake because it is small, has light fishing pressure and would not be important enough to influence regulations for the entire_ county even if an unusual fishery situation were discovered. The data shown in Tables 1,2,3 and 4 were gathered during the year under this job and Job D-2 as a basis for altering or supporting existing regulations. Water temperature 79°F. Precipitation .12 General turbidity 3 inches Relative humidity 20%- 63% Air temperature 790-1040F. Barometric pressure 27.69- 27.81 inches Wind speed & direction 13. 9 mph. , S.S.WeSt Moon phase first % + 7 days Cloud cover 80% Per Cent Total Wt. Avg. Wt. PerfiCent Average Species Number by No. Pounds Pounds by Wt. "K" Longnose gar 12 12.37 23. 87 1.99 23.54 .42 Gizzard.shad 19 19.58 17.07 .90 16. 85 1.89 Carp l 1.03 6. 50 6.50 6. 41 2.43 River carpsucker 34 35.06 18. 33 - .54 18.12 2.07 Channel catfish 17 17.52 8.60 ' .50 8.49 1.52 Flathead catfish 7 7.22 25.00 3.57 24.66 1. 85 Bluegill 1 l. 03 .20 .20 .20 3. 77 Longear sunfish 5 5.15 .38 .08 .37 3. 84 FreShwater drum 1 1.04 1.37 1.37 1. 36 2.70 Totals 97 100.00 101.36 100.00 Table 2. Results of Eight Seinlng Collections Pram the Colorado River in Coke County on August 20,1964. (One collection with a 100~fou£ straight Seine, 10 feet deep with 1- -inch mesh) (seven .collections with a 10—-£oot common Sense seine, 4 feet dean with 1/8- inch mesh) - S ecies Number ' Size Ran e in Inches Longnose gar I 17 ' I 16-28 Gizzard shad 30 2-14 Stoneroller 96 ” %-2% Red Shiner 91 %-1% River carpsucker 58 -11 2 Channel catfish 12 1% Mosquitofish 11 .% Bluegill 3 2 Longear sunfish 33 1 -6- Table 3. Results of 11 Standard Nets Set in Mountain Creek Reservoir on July 9 and September 17, 1964. July 9, 1964 Water temperature - 73% Precipitation None General turbidity 36 inches ' Relative humidity 15%-64% Air temperature 770-103OF. Barometric pressure 29.80-29.98 inches Wind speed & direction 8mph. S.S.West Moon phase New Cloud cover 15% ' September 17, 1964 Water temperature 73°F. Precipitation .23 inches General turbidity 24 inches Relative humidity 29%-87% Air temperature 630-870F. . Barometric pressure 27.92-28.05 inches Wind Speed & direction 2.2 mph, S.S.East' Moon phase First % + 4 days Cloud cover 90% n ' Per Cent Total Wt. Avg.-Wt. Per Cent Average S ecies Number b No. Pounds_ Pounds b Wt- "K” Golden Shiner 3 .83 .59 .20 1.17 2.00 Black bullhead 2 .55 1.62 .81 3.22 2.46 Warmouth 8 2.22 1.63 _ .20 3.25 3.87 Green sunfish 4 1.11 .73 .18 1.45 2.96 Orangespotted sunfishl+ 1.10 .31 , .08 .62 3.50 Bluegill 258 71.47 25.51 .10 - 50.77 3.47 Redear.sunfish l .28 .68 .68 1.36 4.10 Largemouth bass 6 1.66 7.87 1.31 15.66 2.50 White crappie 75 20.78 11.30 .15 22.50 2.26 Totals 361 100.00 50.24 100.00 WM -7- __m__um____n____i_____i________w___i_m________________i_mm___i*______m_________fl Table 4. Results of 19 Standard Nets Set in Oak Creek Reservoir on March 27 and September 16, 1964. March 27, 1964 Water temperature 57oF. Precipitation None General turbidity 18 inches Relative humidity 11%-59% Air temperature 530-810F. Barometric pressure 27.80-27.91 inches Wind Speed & direction" 10 mph., N.N.East Moon phase Full Cloud cover 80% September 16, 1964 Water temperature 74oF. Precipitation None General turbidity 18 inches Relative humidity 42%-84% Air temperature 680-93OF. Barometric pressure 27.83-28.02 inches Wind Speed & direction 10.2 mph., North Moon phase First % + 3 days Cloud cover 70% “WW Per Cent Total Wt. Avg. Wt. Per Cent Average Species Number by No. Pounds Pounds by Wt. l'K” Gizzard shad 337 52.00 63.93 .19 11.98 1.76 Carp 141 21.76 209.55 i 1.49 39.27 2.83 Golden Shiner l .15 .19 .19 .04 1.76 River carpsucker 62 9.57 67.62 1.09 12.67 2.51 Black bullhead 3 .47 1.85 .62 .35 2.30 Channel catfish 11 1.69 18.55 1.69 3.47 1.71 Flathead catfish 19 2.94 114.12 6.01 21.39 2.20 White bass 1 .15 1.00 1.00 .19 3.18 Warmouth 3 .46 .90 .30 .17 3.50 Green sunfish 1 .16 .15 .15 .03 4.78 Bluegill 16 2.47 2.88 .18 .54 3.59 Largemouth bass 17 2.62 24.74 1.46 4.63 2.47 White crappie 36 5.56 28.08 .78 5.27 2.88 __H__H___u__mm_____________m___m___________________mn_____________________________ Totals 648 100.00 533.56 100.00 In view of the foregoing findings the bag limit on largemouth bass and channel catfish seems reasonable and biologically justified. The 100-hook limit on trot- lines provides the fisherman ample Opportunity to capture his bag limit and at the same time prevents an excessive ”lacing” of the lakes with trotlines which might be obstructive to other fishing activities. Certainly no limit on sunfish, crappie or white bass is needed in this area where excessive numbers of these fish usually occur. Mitchell County-Lake Colorado City and Champion Creek Reservoir are both highly utilized public fishing waters in Mitchell County. The following fish pOpulation data were obtained from these lakes (Tables 5, 6 and 7). -8- Table 5. Results of 18 Standard Nets Set in Lake Colorado City on May 28 and Septem- ber 23, 1964. May 28, 1964 Water temperature 73°F. Precipitation None General turbidity 28 inches Relative.humidity 34%-84% Air temperature 66°F.-95OF. Barometric pressure 27.82-28.03 inches Wind speed & direction 11.2 mph., North Moon phase: Full + 2 days Cloud cover 80% September.23, 1964 Water temperature 72°F. Precipitation .23 inches General turbidity 24 inches Relative humidity 74%-90% Air temperature 680-79OF. Barometric pressure 28.00-28:09 inches Wind speed & direction 4.5 mph., North Moon phase Full + 2 days Cloud cover 100% Per Cent Total Wt. Avg. Wt. Per Cent Average Species Number by No. Pounds _ Pounds by Wt. "K” Gizzard shad 34 12.78 5.20 .16 1.27 1.52 Carp 17 6.39 47.29 2.78 11.63 2.30 River carpsucker 84 31.58 106.79 1.27 26.26 2.33 Channel catfish 47 17.67 59.03 . 1.26 14.51 1.45 Flathead catfish 21 7.89 126.32 6.02 31.06 1.98 White bass 5 1.88 7.03 1.41 1.73 3.04 Bluegill 2 .75 .16 .08 .04 3.58 Redear sunfish 1 .38 .06 .06 .02 2.90 Largemouth bass 31 11.65 38.86 1.25 9.55 2.45 White crappie 24 9.03 15.96 .67 3.93 2.61 Totals 266 100.00 406.70 _ 100.00