TPWD 1965 F-5-R-12 #994: Fisheries Investigations and Surveys of the Waters of Region I-B: Job No. B—32 Fisheries Reconnaissance

. J OB COMPLETION REPORT As required by FEDERAL AID IN FISHERIES RESTORATION ACT TEXAS Federal Aid Project No. F-E-R-IZ FISHERIES INVESTIGATIONS AND SURVEYS OF THE WATERS OF REGION I-B Job No. 3—32 Fisheries Reconnaissance Project Co-Leader: James F. Wilcox J. Weldon Watson Executive Director Parks and Wildlife Department Austin, Texas Marion Toole Eugene A. Walker D-J Coordinator Director for Program Planning June 30, 1965 ABSTRACT Fish populations were sampled at San Angelo Reservoir, New Winters Lake, Lake Talpa and Valley Creek Reservoir. These investigations indicated a need for pepulation improvement at all four lakes. A selective rotenone treatment to control gizzard shad and heavier contour or area applications to reduce river carpsuckers was recommended for San Angelo Reservoir. A complete eradication of existing fish pOpulations and restocking program was recommended for New Winters Lake.. This program was completed during the segment by using State funds. No recommendations have been made for Lake Talpa, pending more favorable hydrological conditions and additional documentation of the existing fishery. Management recommendations for Valley Creek Reservoir have also been post- poned until a more intensive survey can be obtained. JOB COMPLETION REPORT State of Texas Project No. F-5-R-12 Name: Fisheries Investigations and Surveys of the Waters of Region I-B Job No. B—32 Title; Fisheries Reconnaissance Period Covered March 1, 1964 — February 28, 1965 Objectives: To conduct limited investigations of regional waters: 1. To maintain a biological history of lakes not covered under other jobs, utilizable in future justification and evaluation of management or deve10pment projects. 2. To indicate when more detailed studies are required for the purpose of recommending management or development. 3. For use as background information in making fish harvest recommendations to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, as counties are added in regulatory responsibility. 4. Where urgentbut unanticipated situations arise demanding in— vestigation or consultation. Procedures: Standard gill nets and seines were used to measure fish populations in four lakes. Standard nets have six 25- by 8-foot sections. The first section has 1— inch mesh. In each succeeding section the mesh is 1/2 inch larger. Most standard nets are made to droop. This slack is created by tying 6-foot cords between the float and lead lines at 9-foot intervals. All nets were set overnight. A variety of seines were used. The measurements of each are described as their catches are reported. A seining collection is two or three drags of a 20—, 30-, or 40-foot seine or one drag of a 100-, 200—, or 300—foot seine in an area no larger than 2 acres. in the laboratory. Fish captured in nets were counted, weighed and measured. The gonadal deve10pment and stomach contents of at least 50 specimens of each species were examined when that many were available. Physical data, such as air and water temperature, wind speed and direction, and weather conditions, were recorded at the time nets were run. This was supplemented by information from calendars, almanacs and the United States Weather Bureau. Total numbers, total weights, per cents, average weights and ”K” factors were tabulated with an automatic calculator. It was set to automatically round off percentages to two places. Common names of fishes are used in this report. A checklist is presented to prevent any confusion of terminology. These names are specified in ”A list of Common and Scientific Names of Fishes from the United States and Canada”, Second Edition, American Fisheries Society, Special Publication No. 2, 1960. Longnose gar Lepisosteus osseus Gizzard shad Dorosoma cepedianum Carp Cyprinus carpio Golden Shiner Notemigonus crysoleucas Red Shiner Notropis lutrensis Blacktail Shiner Np venustus Fathead minnow Pimephales promelas River carpsucker Carpiodes carpio Smallmouth buffalo Ictiobus bubalus Gray redhorse MoxoStoma congestum Black bullhead Ictalurus melas _Channe1 catfish I. punctatus Flathead catfish Pylodictus olivaris Mosquitofish Gambusia affinis White bass Roccus chrysoEs Warmouth Chaenobryttus gulosus Redbreast sunfish Lepomis auritus Orangespotted sunfish L,.hmmilis Bluegill 4L. macrochirus Longear sunfish L” megalotis Largemouth bass MicroEterus salmoides White crappie Pomoxis annularis‘ Logperch Percina caprodes Freshwater drum Aplodinotus grunniens San Angelo Reservoir Findings: San Angelo Reservoir, near San Angelo, Texas, decreased in volume during the project period from 36,000 to 25,000 acre feet. The conservation pool capacity is 119,000 acre feet. Fishermen report that many small white crappie have been caught but that largemouth bass and white bass fishing has been poor. Trotline anglers have had slightly better luck than artificial bait fishermen. Several stringers of large channel catfish have been reported, and occasionally a flathead catfish is caught. Samples of the fish population were taken in March, July, September and November of 1964. Twelve seining and 24 netting collections were obtained. The results of the 12 seining collections are given individually so that seasonal variations in catches may be noted. River carpsuckers were abundant in the shallows during the spring. Blacktail shiners were prevalent in the seining areas during the fall. Gizzard shad were numerous during both periods (Table l). Table 1. Results of Individual Seining Collections Obtained From San Angelo Reservoir From March 1, 1964, to February 28, 1965. Collection 1. 'March 13, 1964 300-Foot Straight Seine, 10 Feet Deep vdth 1-Inch Mesh. Species Number Size Range in Inches Gizzard shad 350 4-6 Carp“ . 4 12~16 River carpsucker 9 15~15 White bass 3 7-14 Redbreast sunfish 1 6 Total 367 Collection 2. March 13, 1964 300-Foot Straight Seine, 10 Feet Deep with l-Inch Mesh. Species Number Size Range in Inches Gizzard shad 42 4-7 Carp .3 14-20 River carpsucker 294 .8—18 Channel catfish 3 5—8 White bass 27 6-14 Redbreast sunfish 3 5—6 Total 372 Collection 3. March 13, 1964 40-Foot Straight Seine, 8 Feet Deep with %-Inch Mesh. Species Number Size Range in Inches Gizzard shad 7 4-8 Blacktail Shiner 4 2—3 Total 11 Collection 4. March 13, 1964 40-Foot Straight Seine, 8 Feet Deep with %—Inch Mesh. Species. Number Size Range in Inches Gizzard shad 19 4-8 Blacktail Shiner 11 2-3 Fathead minnow 23 1—3 Redbreast sunfish 2 4-5 Longear sunfish 17 2-4 Logperch 2 2—3 Total 74 Collection_5. September 9, 1964 ZOO—Foot Straight Seine, 10 Feet Deep with l-Inch Mesh. Species Number Size Range in Inches Gizzard shad 600 2—9 Carp 9 7*16 River carpsucker 8 l~16 Channel catfish 3 5-6 Redbreast sunfish 2 4-5 White crappie 12 3-7 Freshwater drum 1 6 Total 635 Collection 6. September 9, 1964 200~Foot Straight Seine, 10 Feet Deep with 1~Inch Mesh. Species Number Size Range in Inches Gizzard Shad 120 2-9 River carpsucker 6 4—16 White crappie 3 4~6 Total 129 Collection 7. September 9, 1964 30—Foot Straight Seine, 6 Feet Deep with %-Inch Mesh. Species Number Size Range in Inches Gizzard shad 24 1-5 Blacktail shiners 44 %-1% River carpsucker 5 4 Redbreast sunfish 4 4-5 Longear sunfish 1 4 Total 78 Collection 8. September 9, 1964 30-Foot Straight Seine, 6 Feet Deep with %-Inch Mesh. Species Number Size Range in Inches Gizzard shad 32 1—4 Blacktail shiner 58 %-1% River carpsucker 7 1_4 Total 97 Collection 9. November 4, 1964 30-Foot Straight Seine, 6 Feet Deep with kwlnch Mesh. Species Number Size Range in Inches Gizzard shad 87 3-7 Blacktail shiner 280 1-2% Bluegill 3 3-4 Largemouth bass 1 4 Logperch 1 4 Total 372 Collection 10. November 4, 1964 30-Foot Straight Seine, 6 Feet Deep with %-Inch Mesh. Species Number Size Ran e in Inches Gizzard shad 22 3-7 Blacktail shiner 149 1—2% Largemouth bass 2 4-5 Total 173 Collection 11. November 4, 1964 30-Foot Straight Seine, 6 Feet Deep with %-Inch Mesh. Species Number Size Range in Inches Gizzard shad 52 3*? Blacktail shiner 211 1-2% River carpsucker 7 2—5 Bluegill 2 3-4 Total 272 Collection 12. November 4, 1964 30—Foot Straight Seine, 6 Feet Deep with %-Inch Mesh. Species Number Size Range in Inches Blacktail shiner 108 1—2% When seining collections are grouped according to the size seine used, selectivity is indicated. Several Species were too small to be captured in the 1-inch mesh seines. River carpsuckers, white bass and channel catfish may have run under or around the smaller seines (Table 2). Table 2. Results of all Seining Collections Obtained from San Angelo Reservoir from March 1, 1964 to February 28, 1965, Grouped According to Seine Size. Two Collections - 300~Foot Straight Seine, 10 Feet Deep with 1-Inch Mesh. Species Number Size Range in Inches Gizzard shad 392 4-7 Carp 7 12—20 River carpsucker 303 5-18 Channel catfish 3 5-8 White bass 30 6-14 Redbreast sunfish 4 5-6 Total 739 Two Collections - 200-Foot Straight Seine, 10 Feet Deep with 1-Inch Mesh. Species Number Size Range in Inches Gizzard shad 720 2-9 Carp 9 7-16 River carpsucker 14 1-16 Channel catfish 3 5-6 Redbreast sunfish 2 4-5 White crappie 15 3-7 Freshwater drum 1 6 Total 764 Two Collections - 40—Foot Straight Seine, 8 Feet Deep with %-Inch Mesh. Species Number Size Range in Inches Gizzard shad 26 4~8 Blacktail shiner 15 2-3 Fathead minnow 23 1-3 Redbreast sunfish 2 4-5 Longear sunfish 17 2-4 Logperch 2 2-3 Total 85 Six Collections - 30-Feet Straight Seine, 6 Feet Deep with r-Inch'Mesh. Species Number Size Range in Inches Gizzard shad 217 1‘7 Blacktail shiner 850 %_2% River carpsucker 19 1_5 Redbreast sunfish 4 4~5 Bluegill 5 3-4 Longear sunfish 1 4 Largemouth bass 3 4-5 1 4 Logperch Total 1,100 A compilation of seining results indicates that gizzard shad, blacktail shiners and river carpsuckers are all very numerous. Rebreast sunfish appear to be the only sunfish growing large enough to be desirable in the angler's creel. Not many largemouth bass have successfully reproduced during the last 2 years (Table 3). Table 3. Results of all 12 Seining Collections Obtained from San Angelo Reservoir from March 1, 1964, to February 28, 1965. Species Number Size Range in Inches Gizzard shad 1,355 1-9 Carp 16 7—20 Blacktail shiner 865 %13 Fathead minnow 23 1-3 River carpsucker 336 1-18 Channel catfish 6 5~8 White bass 30 6‘14 Redbreast sunfish 12 4-6 Bluegill 5 3—4 Longear sunfish 18 2~4 Largemouth bass 3 4w5 White crappie 15 3-7 Logperch 3 2-4 Freshwater drum 1 6 Tbtal 2,688 Seasonal netting results are presented independently so that selectivity in gill netting is reflected as well as variations in relative abundance. Most nets were set near the shore in water less than 10 feet deep;. Considering this, the netting results support the seining indication that river carpsuckers were in shallow water during the Spring (Tables 4, 5, 6 and 7). Table 4. Results of Eight Standard Nets Set in San Angelo Reservoir on March 11, 1964. Water temperature 460 F. Precipitation None General turbidity 30 inches Relative humidity 12%-65% Air temperature 360-75O F. Barometric pressure 29.82-30.13 inches Wind speed and direction 12.0 mph, North Moon phase Last % + 5 days Cloud cover 50% Total Weight Average Weight I'Per7Cent' Species Number Per Cent Pounds Pounds by Weight Longnose gar 5 1.51 25.69 5.14 6.49 Gizzard shad 71 21.45 8.73 .12 2.20 Carp' 3 ..90 9.50 3.17 2.41 River carpsucker 195 58.91 292.51 1.50 73.93 Smallmouth buffalo 1 .31 6.63 6.63 1.67 Channel catfish 5 1.51 7.43 1.49 1.88 Flathead catfish 1 .30 4.50 4.50 1.14 White bass 16 4.83 16.93 1.06 4.27 Bluegill 1 .31 .12 .12 .04 Largemouth bass 2 .60 10.13 5.07 2.56 White_cra--ie __ ,,_,31_ ,__,_ _9.37, ‘13.49 ______ .44‘___ 3.41, Total ._ , _., .. _ 331, ___,_ioo.oo_ ' ‘ 395.66 j‘100.00 Table 5. Results of Four Standard Nets Set in San Angelo Reservoir on July 1, 1964. Water temperature 800 F. Precipitation None General turbidity 35 inches Relative humidity 25%-56% Air temperature 740-1050 F. Barometric pressure 27.87-28.00 inches Wind speed and direction 7.4 mph, SSE. Moon_phase Last % Cloud cover 10% "_Tota1IWeight A Average Weight Per Cent ______ _ _ _ Gizzard shad 74 37.00 8.48 .11 5.58 Carp 9 4.50 18.27 2.03 12.03 River carpsucker 75 37.50 99.44 1.33 65.48 Channel catfish 6 3.00 6.56 1.09 4.32 Flathead catfish 1 .50 3.12 3.12 2.06 White bass 16 8.00 9.83 .61 6.47 Bluegill 10 5.00 .87 .09 .57 Largemouth bass 1 .50 3.68 3.68 2.42 White crappie 4 2.00 1.07 .27 .71 Freshwater_drum_ __5___4___ ___‘_2,00___1_f . .54 _‘ _.__, __.14 y __ _I_ , .36, Tptal 200 100.00 151.86 100.00 Table 6. Results of Six Standard Nets Set in San Angelo Reservoir on ' September 10, 1964 Water temperature 800 F. Precipitation None General turbidity 14 inches Relative humidity 30%-72% Air temperature 740—98O F. Barometric pressure 27.88-28.00 inches Wind speed and direction 6.9 mph, South Moon phase New + 5 days Cloud cover 20% Total Weight 'Average Weight ‘_Per Cent Srecies .............. Number_ .Per Cent ...... Pounds. _. . ..POUPdS... __RX_HE$BRE_ Gizzard shad 43 23.62 4.41 .10 2.38 Carp 16 8.79 36.20 2.26 19.55 River carpsucker 63 34.62 92.22 1.46 49.82 Smallmouth buffalo 1 .55 8.31 8.31 4.49 Channel catfish 18 9.89 25.00 1.39 13.51 Flathead catfish 1 .55 3.43 3.43 1.85 White bass 9 4.94 4.82 .54 2.60 Bluegill 6 3.30 .50 .08 .27 Largemouth bass 1 .55 .19 .19 .11 White crappie 17 9.34 3.54 .21 1.91 Freshwater drum 7 __ 3.85 6.49 .93 3.51 Table 7. Results of Six Standard Nets Set in San Angelo Reservoir on November 5, 1964. Water temperature 690 F. Precipitation Trace of rain General turbidity 20 inches Relative humidity 53%-93% Air temperature 430-600 F. Barometric pressure 28.18—28.25 inches Wind speed and direction 4.7 mph, WNW. Moon phase First % + 3 days Cloud cover 70% ' Total Weight Average Weight Per Cent _______________ Cent ._ ........ Pouns . _ Gizzard shad 37 21.38 4.39 .12 1.81 Carp 11 6.36 17.53 1.59 7.25 River carpsucker 77 44.51 111.87 1.45 46.28 Gray redhorse 1 .58 2.31 2.31 .95 Channel catfish _ 17 9.82 47.82 2.81 19.78 Flathead catfish 5 2.89 37.56 7.51 15.54 White bass 13 7.52 8.76 .67 3.62 Warmouth 1 .58 .05 .05 .02 Bluegill 3 1.73 .28 .09 .12 Largemouth bass 2 1.16 9.81 4.91 4.06 cra I_ {16