TPWD 1970 F-4-R-17 #1322: Region 2-A Fisheries Studies: Job No. B-37, Fishery Management Recommendations, Federal Aid Project No. F-4-R-17

- 333, 7 A930“? 33 {K .2 35: a- ?” JOB PROGRESS REPORT As required by FEDERAL AID IN FISHERIES RESTORATION ACT TEXAS Federal Aid Project No. F~4~R~l7 REGION 2—A FISHERIES STUDIES Job No. B~37z Fishery Management Recommendations Project Leader: Charles T. Menn James U. Cross Executive Director Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Austin, Texas Marion Toole Eugene A. Walker D—J Coordinator Director, Wildlife Services May 7, 1971 SUMMARY During this segment, 14 major public lakes in North Central Texas were checked. From 5 to 15 netting collections were made on each lake. Rough fish Species, in the 14 lakes averaged 55.64% of the number and 73.50% of the weight. They ranged from 55% in Lake Mineral Wells to 94% in Lake Benbrook, by weight. This job should be continued in order to keep abreast of changes in the fish populations. This information will be valuable in managing the fishery resources of this area. Job Progress Report State of Texas Project No. a: Fn4-Rwl7 Name: Job No. B~37 Title: Period Caveredz Januar, 1, 1970 to December 3l._1970 H Baekgrflflfidi Twelve of the 14 lakes checked during this segment were first checked in 1968. Lake Mineral Wells was not checked in 1968, and Lake Granbury, built in 1969, was checked three times in 1969. Even though these data are limited, they were very useful in making stocking recomu mandations, population control recommendations, and recommendations pertaining to the need for a contract fisherman. ijeetives: To determine the need for changes in fish harvest regulations, stocking, population uontrol, vegetation control, and contract fishing in Region 2eA.waters. Prneedures: Proposed fishing regulations for the Possum Kingdom Regulatory Area were discussed at a Game Management OfficereBiologist meeting prior to being presented at public hearings in eaeh county under Regulatory authority. The fishing laws were then presented to the Sommissioners of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission. The regulations which set seasons, bag and possession limits, and means and methods of harvest, were based upon results and findings of surveys and work done in this region. Fourteen major public lakes in the region were divided into 3 groups: less than 5,000 acres, 5,000 to 10,000 acres, and more than 10,000 acres. From 5 to 15 nets, based on the size of the lake, were set overnight in each lake during each quarter, except for Lakes Granbury and Mineral Wells, Monthly collections were made on Lake Granbury, and only three collections were made on Lake Mineral Wells. Experimental gill nets, 150 feet long with varying mesh sizes from 1 to 3% inches, a 20wfoot seine were used to make the fish collections. The game fish species were 'weighed and measured individually. A representative sample of rough fish Species were weighed and measured, and the remainder of them were counted and bulk weighed. Seining collections were made and the number of game fish and rough fish species taken was recorded. Stocking recommendations were based on seining collection data. Gill Netting data were used in considering whether or not a contract fisherman might be beneficial to a lake. 0 stations on Lake Granbury. Insufficient quantities Water quality studies were made at tw us from making monthly analyses as planned. of chemicals or strong winds prevented Table 1 is a checklist of all fish taken in the netting and seining collections during this segment. Common and scientific names used in A List pf Common and Scientific Names ggaFishes from the United States and Canada (Third Edition), American Fisheries Society, Special Publication No. 6 are used in this checklist. Only common names are used in the report. Findings: Lake Benbrook (Tarrant County) in total number and third in total weight of all fish taken in the netting collections. They comprised 35.53% of the total number and 24.47% of the total weight of all fish taken in the netting collections. River carp- suckers, carp, and gizzard shad, in that order, were the next most abundant Species taken. These four Species accounted for 76.54% of the total number and 92.92% of the total weight of all fish taken at Benbrook during this segment. Gill Netting: Spotted suckers ranked first Channel catfish showed a slight increase in percent of total number but a slight decrease in percent of total weight. White bass, largemouth bass, and white Crappie all showed decreases in percent of total number taken since 1968. None of these changes, however, is considered significant. Table 2 shows the netting results. Seining Collections: Five seining stations were set up on Benbrook. Usually two hauls, from 20 to 40 feet in length, were made at each station in conjunction with the quarterly Threadfin and gizzard shad were taken in both April and July collections. and 320 gizzard shad were taken in the July collections. The following fish, along with the approximate number, were taken during the year. Brook silverside, 150; golden Shiner, 200; blacktail Shiner, ll0; red Shiner, 90; and bullhead minnow, 90. Five largemouth bass, from 2 to 5 inches (T.L.), were also taken in the April and July collections. Vegetation: Pondweeds (Potamogeton sp.) are becoming a problem around the clear, shallow shoreline. Also, American lotus Nelumbo Sp.) were noted in two creeks on the south side of the lake, but it is not a problem at this time. netting checks. in April, 33 threadfins were taken, Discussion and_Recommendations: Deepite the apparent large number of rough fish in this lake, Benbrook continues to be a popular fishing lake. According to the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, more than 2 million people visited the lake in 1970, and more than half of them fished. No creel census data are available but some fishermen report good strings of crappie at various times of the year. Channel catfish and largemouth bass fishing, reportedly good years ago, is only fair. Table 1 Checklist of Fish Species Common Name Spotted gar Longnose gar Shortnose gar Gizzard shad Threadfin shad Carp Golden shiner Red shiner Blacktail shiner Fathead minnow Bullhead minnow River carpsucker Smallmouth buffalo Spotted sucker Gray redhorse Blue catfish Black bullhead Channel catfish Flathead catfish BlasKStripe topminnow .Starhead.topminnow Blackspotted tOpminnow Mosquitofish Brook silverside White bass Green sunfish Warmouth Orangespotted sunfish Bluegill Longear sunfish Redear sunfish Spotted bass Largemouth White crappie Black crappie Logperch Freshwater drum Scientific Name Lepisosteus oculatus ‘L. osseus L. platostomus Dorosoma cepedianum ‘Q. petenense Cyprinus carpio Notemigonus crysoleucas Notrogis lutrensig N. venustus Rimephales promelas Bo risilsr. Carpiodes carpio Ictiobus bubalus Minytrema melanon Moxostoma congestum Ictalurus furcatus ;; melas ;, punctatus Pylodictis olivaris Fundulus notatus ‘E. notti E. olivaceus Gambusia affinis Labidesthes sicculus Morone chrysops Lepomis cyanellus k. gulosgg .E" humilis L. macrochirus ‘g. megalogis L. microloghus Micropterus punctulatus Mw eslneiisa Egmoxis annularis ‘E. nigromaculatus Percina caprodes Aplgdinotus grunniens Hmon N flown monouoow ZmeHom wmmownu I Mono House monomofl om Homow Seaman nouooom zcaomu House zssoon awesome momma HHH Hm.NM em.©@ e.Hw wwcmu concucQWoua Hon wo.Mw swu.om mm.om moonwmm snowmen Nam wm.mw www.bw No.ow coupe we HH.mN www.q© Nw.mw mowmmo anemone Hm H.um m.om o.wu monsoow common? Ho H.ww we.HN H.Nu Eamon some mw o.mm Hm.mm w.wm roommsooer owns 0 o.wm m.wo o.mm momma seamen: w o.sH o.mm 0.0m modems acumen: m o.mo w.mo O.Hn wwommwww mm m.oo m.mm ®.um roomoou seamen: m o.pH o.wo 0.0m zrwmm ouovuwo ww e.mw He.mm M.Mm meoW museums H ®.He o.mu 0.6m muomssowmu moose m o.m© Hw.ww H.wo Henwwm wmw Hoo.oo Huwww.om Hoo.oo mocmr new? mom no.0H geomo.a© mo.wm mean was: Hmw No.o© ow.mw m.oH : Homwomwom scam: mam: mcmowmm In view of the large number of rough fish species taken in the netting collections, Ben- brook is a candidate lake for some fisheries management work. Gizzard shad, river carp- sucker, Spotted sucker and carp comprised more than 75% of the total number and more than 90% of the total weight of all fish taken in the netting collections. Either a partial rotenone treatment or the stocking of some suitable predator species is recommended. Lake Cisco (Eastland County) Gill Netting: Nearly half (41.46%) of the fish taken in the netting collections in Lake Cisco were gizzard shad. Rough fish species, gizzard shad, river carpsucker, carp and golden shiners, comprised nearly 58% of the total number and nearly 60%.of the total weight of all fish taken (Table 3). Bluegill, white crappie, channel catfish and largemouth bass were the most frequently taken game species. Together, they comprised 39% of the total number of all fish taken in the netting collections. Other species of game fish taken included flathead catfish, green and redear sunfish, and one black crappie. Seining Collections: Collections were made at five stations on this lake. Largemouth bass and bluegill dominated the August and November collections. The base, which ranged from 1 to 3 inches (T.L.), indicated successful reproduction. Golden shiners, blacktail shiners, and red shiners were taken during the year. Also, bullhead minnows, blackstripe topminnows, green, redear and longest sunfish, logperch, and white crappie were taken in the seining collections. Vegetation: Aquatic vegetation is not a problem in this relatively clear water lake. The fluctuating water level probably prevents the development of a serious vegetation problem. Lgpcussion”andwgecommeggations: For some unknown reason this is not a very productive lake. For example, only 0.06 pounds of fish per foot of net was taken in Lake Cisco, and 0.28 pounds of fish per foot of net was taken in nearby Lake Leon. Still, the game fish- rough fish ratio is comparatively good. A recommendation was made to stock channel catfish; 60,000 were stocked in the fall of 1970. Lake Leon (Eastland County) gill Nettigg: In 1970, 332 fish of 13 epeices were taken in the netting collections (Table 4). Since the 1968 survey, game fish species declined both in percent of total number and total weight. The reason for this is due to the decline in the number of white crappie. In 1968, 1l9 (36.95%)'white crappie were taken; in l970, only 49 (l4.76%) were taken. Despite this apparent decline, the average weight of the crappie has increased from 152 grams in 1968 to 215 grams in 1970. Also, the average “K” factor has increased from 1.79 to 2.68. No other significant changes were noted among the game fish. Hmowo 0 bone nemoo Zoneeom womowmo u Houo Howmw wmuooDm 0m Hommw Smwmwm monomnm mmmowom zssoma Hoomw zoavma _wosnomo om 20% we mwmnmmm owmme HON ow.90 be.mw wo.mw meson commemowoee a H.0w .Ho.w0 0.H0 noose WM n.00 00.00 mo.u0 mowoon unenmae we 0.u0 n.0n 0.00 Qrmnomw onnmwmw we 0.0w H0.m0 0.0o mwmwwoem omnmwmr a H.00 mw.u0 ww.0o fimwmosooew ammo we m.00 H0.00 o.wu memos acumen: H 0.00 0.ww 0.0 mmommu monmwmr N 0.0M 0.00 0.NN stomeH ow Ho.om n.00 p.00 firwno onmoowo MN 0.00 wm.mm u.om meow onooowm H 0.aH 0.ww 0. 0 Hommwm New H00.00 www.mm H00.00 moon: was: How mo.uw H00.0N m0.m0 mono memo Hoe om.wo “0.00 00.00 e Hnowomwmm woomw meow momowmm Hmvwm 0 000m boon Zonnwom momownm a 0000 H0000 womooon om Henna 2m0000 venomnm MED“. awesome. as at. stage eggshell 00.00000 mvonnmm 0000 m 0.00 H0.H0 0.0m Hoomnomo meme 0 0.00 00.00 0.00 mwnnmom areas 00 00.00 0.00 0.00 memwwaoomr 00000000 0HH 00.00 000.00 00.00 Eweoe anUmSonoe 00 0.00 000.00 00.00 means HH 0.00 00.00 0.00 0000000 onmmwm: 00 00.00 00.00 0.00 wwnnrmmm omwmwmw 0 0.00 0.0% 0.00 woewos 0o000omms 0 0.00 0.00 0.00 Hme0ososmr 000m 00 0.00 00.00 0.00 002m00HH 00 0.00 0.00 0.00 20000 onncnwo 00 H0.M0 00.00 0.00 Wummfieomou muses H 0.00 0.00 0.00 Homowm 000 000.00 000.00 000.00 meow: 00m? 00% 00.00 000.00 00.00 omen Wemw 000 00.00 H00.00 00.00 a Homwoommm 00000 mwmr mumowmm - g _ Smallmouth buffalo continued to rank first by number as well as by weight. A Slight increase in the river carpsucker population was noted since the 1968 survey. This change could be attributed to a netting error. Seining Collections: White crappie, from 4 to 6 inches T.L., dominated the seining collections. In all, 174 crappie were taken during the year, most of them in the May collections. It is interesting to note this sizable number of crappie since the number taken in the netting collection declined. Also, none was taken in the 1968 seining collections. In addition to the crappie, 50 largemouth bass were taken in the seining collections. They ranged from 1 to 6 inches in total length. Most of the bass were taken in the August collections. The important forage Species included gizzard shad, blacktail.and red shiners. Fifty- three blacktail and 43 red shiners were taken during the year. Sunfish, such as bluegill, longear and redear, were taken less frequently. Also, a few fathead and bullhead minnows were taken as well as a few mosquitofish, and black spotted, black striped and starhead topminnows. Vegetation: Aquatic vegetation was not a problem in Lake Leon. Cattails and pondweeds were noted in several still, backwater areas, but it was not a problem. Discussion and Recommendations: Despite the large number of smallmouth buffalo, Lake Leon is still considered by many fishermen to be one of the better lakes. The largest largemouth bass taken in the netting collections weighed more than 7 pounds and the largest white crappie weighed more than 2 pounds. Ample evidence of reproduction of both largemouth bass and white crappie was found. No specific recommendation is made at this time; however, some consideration for a commercial fisherman might be given at a later date. Lake Gra swine (DentonnTarrant Counties) Gill Netting: Rough fish Species (shortnose, Spotted and longnose gar, threadfin and gizzard shad, smallmouth buffalo, river carpsucker, carp, and freshwater drum) declined both in percent of total number and total weight. Decreases were noted among small- mouth buffalo, carp, freshwater drum, and river carpsucker. The latter decreased from 127 (1968) to 68 (1970), a 46% decrease. However, gizzard shad increased from 85 to 151, a &4% increase. Table 5 shows the 1970 netting results. Overall, game fish species increased both in percent of total number and total weight. In 1968, they comprised 42.16% by number and 12.23% by weight as compared with 46.22% by number and 21.31% by weight in l970. Channel catfish, white bass, largemouth bass,_ and bluegill all Showed increases. White bass increased approximately 33% since 1968. A slight decrease in white crappie was noted; ll9 in l968, and lO& in 1970. However, the auerage weight of the crappie increased from 229 grams to.285 grams: the average ”K" factor increased from 2.68 to 2.92. No other changes were noted.