TPWD 1966 F-5-R-13 #1076: Region I-B Fisheries Studies: Job No. 4 Population Control Recommendations

JOB COMPLETION REPORT As required by FEDERAL AID IN FISHERIES RESTORATION ACT TEXAS Federal Aid Project No. F-S-R-13 REGION I-B FISHERIES STUDIES Job No. 4 POpulation Control Recommendations Project Leader: James F. Wilcox J. Weldon Watson Executive Director Parks and Wildlife Department Austin, Texas Marion Toole Eugene A. Walker D-J Coordinator Director, Wildlife Services February'4, 1966 chemical renovation was needed. The criteria for considering treatment pro- cedures were that rough fish percentages exceed 80 per cent by either weight or number and that water volumes not be great enough to make costs prohibitive. San Angelo Reservoir qualified for a partial renovation under these criteria. This was effectuated under Job l6a49 of Project F-l4-D-8. Lakes not currently meeting the criteria outlined were J. B. Thomas,' Valley Creek, Old Winters, Elm Creek, 01d Robert Lee and Towle Park. JOB COMPLETION REPORT State of Texas Project No. F—5*R-l3 Name: Region I-B Fisheries Studies Job NO. 4 Title: Pepulation Control Recommendations Period Covered: March 1, 1965 - Febrgggy 28, 1966_ Objectives: To determine those waters which would benefit from population control. Procedures: The schedule of netting and seining, included in the job description for this job, was followed except for minor deviations noted in the findings. Forty-one netting and thirty-one seining collections were obtained from the seven lakes investigated. Standard gill nets were used. These are composed of six 25— by 8—foot sections. The first section has 1-inch mesh and in each succeeding section the mesh is %-inch larger. Dimensions of the various seines used are described, along with their catches, in the findings. The term ”seining collection” is used to desigw nate one or two drags of a 20-, 30— or 40-foot seine in an area no larger than 2 acres, or one drag of a 100-, 200- or 300-foot seine. Fish captured in seines were counted and a length range was determined. Unusual specimens were preserved in 10 per cent formalin solution and iden- tified in the laboratory. All fish captured in nets were counted, weighed and measured. The sto- mach and gonads of most game fish were examined. A few valuable specimens, not obviously harmed by the netting process, were released without dissection. Water conditions, such as temperature and turbidity, were recorded on the days nets were run. Hydrological information, such as lake elevation and catchment records, were obtained when available. Total numbers, total weights, per cents, average weights and ”K” factors were tabulated with an automatic calculator. It was set to auto— matically round off percentages to two decimal places. These statistics were then examined to determine which lakes could be considered for renova— tion under job description criteria. These criteria are that the rough fish percentages surpass 80 per cent by either weight or number and that water levels permit economical chemical treatment. A job description was submitted under the Statewide Rough Fish Control Project for the one lake qualifying under the criteria outlined. The need for this rotenone renovation was justified and documented and plans for its enactment were approved by the controlling agencies (see Job 16-3-49 of Pro- ject F-lé—D-S). A checklist of scientific names is presented so that common names may be used in this report. 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 Number 2, 1960. Longnose gar Lepisosteus osseus Gizzard shad Dorosoma cepedianum carp Cyprinus carpio Golden Shiner Notemigonus crysoleucas Red Shiner Notrogis lutrensis Blacktail Shiner Notropis venustus Fathead minnow Pimephales promelas Bullhead minnow Pimephaleg vigilax River carpsucker Carpiodes carpio Smallmouth buffalo Ictiobus bubalus Black bullhead Ictalurus melas Channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus Flathead catfish Pylodictis olivaris Mosquitofish Gambusia affinis White bass Roccus chrysoEi Green sunfish Lepomis cyanellus Orangespotted sunfish Lepomis humilis Bluegill Lepomis macrochirus Longear sunfish Lepomis megalotis Redear sunfish Lepomis microlthus Largemouth bass Microgterus salmoides White crappie Pomoxis annularis Freshwater drum Aplodinotus grunniens Lake J. B. Thomas Findings: This major reservoir is located in Borden and Scurry Counties. It contains 203,600 acre-feet of water and covers 7,850 acres when full. On May 19, 1965, when netting collections were taken, the lake was 15.55 feet below spillway level and contained approximately 110,000 acre-feet. When the fish captured by the netting sample are classified according to desirability, game fish compose 41.17 per cent by number and 62.75 per cent by weight. Included as game fish are the catfishes, white bass, sun- fishes, largemouth bass and crappie. This is a high game fiSh ratio for an older lake. A resurgence of flathead and channel catfish pepulations in the past two years is largely reSponsible for this high percentage (Table 1). The seining sample indicates that forage for larger game fishes is plentiful, and that gizzard shad are probably more abundant than the netting reflects. Seining further documents the netting indication that white crappie are extremely abundant (Table 2). Conclusions and Recommendations: Lake Thomas does not meet the criteria set out for considering renovation. The rough fish pOpulation is not excessive enough to justify treatment and the water volume is too great to economically permit it. It is recommended that this lake be sampled under the stocking recommen- dations job during the next segment and deleted from the description for this objective. Table 1. Results of 12 Gill Nets Set in Lake J. B. Thomas on May 18, 1965. Water Temperature 710F. General Turbidity 12 Inches. Per Cent Total Wt. Avg. Wt. Per Cent Average Species Number by No. Pounds Pounds by Wt. ”K” Gizzard shad 138 26.79 15.44 .11 2.33 1.93 Carp 17 3.30 48.43 2.85 7.34 2.65 River carpsucker 148 28.74 181.12 1.22 27.45 2.49 Channel catfish 39 7.57 20.50 .53 3.10 1.88 Flathead catfish 40 7.77 347.93 8.70 52.72 2.44 White bass 16 3.11 16.58 1.04 2.51 2.49 Bluegill 7 1.36 .64 .09 .10 4.08 Longear sunfish 2 .39 .15 .07 .02 3.64 Largemouth bass 12 2.33 15.24 1.27 2.31 2.49 White crappie 89 17.28 13.11 .15 1.99 2.97 Freshwater drum 7 1.36 .85 .12 .13 2.26 Totals 515 100.00 659.99 100.00 Table 2. Results of Eight Seining Collections From Lake J. B. Thomas on May 17 and August 30, 1965. (5 collections with a lOO—foot straight seine, 10 feet deep with 1-inch mesh). (3 collections with a 20-foot straight seine, 6 feet deep with 1/8- inch mesh). ___________________L________L____________________i_________‘_____n__fl__#fl_____ Size Range Species Number In Inches Gizzard shad 183 3'7 Golden shiner 11 2‘2% Blacktail shiner 32 1%'4 White bass 1 17 White crappie ' 54 5‘6 ______________________________.___——————————-——————-—-—-— Totals 281 _______________________.________———-—————-—-—- Valley Creek Reservoir Findings: This is a water supply lake for the city of Ballinger, in Runnels County. When full, as it was when nets were run on September 29, 1965, the lake contains 1,350 acre-feet and covers approximately 150 acres. Five nets were set in the lake. Gizzard shad and river carpsucker domi- nated this sample. Problematic species accounted for 73.25 per cent of the sample, by number, and 70.87 per cent by weight. However, those game fish present were of good quality. Several large crappie, weighing up to l-pound and 4-ounces, were captured and channel catfish of all sizes were taken (Table 3). One additional net was set in the creek; above a low water crossing at the upper end of the lake. Land access to this area is privately controlled but water access is available. Two flathead catfish were the only game fish netted (Table 4). Seining was limited to a boat launching area in the main body of the lake. Small forage fishes were very abundant (Table 5). Conclusions and Recommendations: This lake does not currently qualify for total renovation. However, the magnitude of the rough fish population justifies periodic netting and seining surveys to determine when chemical treatment will be apprOpriate. City officials and sportsmen of Ballinger have requested a lake improvement program. A selective and/or spot treatment type renovation, similar to the one done at San Angelo Reservoir, may be worthy of consideration when estimates of rough fish populations exceed present indications. This technique's primary benefit is in providing an opportunity to successfully stock game spec1es. Table 3. Results of Five Gill Nets Set in Valley Creek Lake on September 29, 1965. Water Temperature 780F. General Turbidity 10 Inches Per Cent Total Wt. Avg. Wt. Per Cent Average Species Number by No. Pounds Pounds by Wt. ”K” Longnose gar l .27 4.00 4.00 2.03 .45 Gizzard shad 182 50.70 20.52 .11 10.45 1.67 Carp 5 1.39 32.25 6.45 16.41 2.26 River carpsucker 63 17.55 73.47 1.17 37.41 2.33 Black bullhead l .28 .22 .22 .11 2.56 Channel catfish 18 5.01 32.08 1.78 16.33 1.70 Flathead catfish 1 .28 3.31 3.31 1.68 1.95 Bluegill 16 4.46 1.37 .09 .70 3.66 Largemouth bass 6 1.67 5.64 .94 2.87 2.38 White crappie 55 15.32 14.81 .27 7.54 2.52 Freshwater drum 11 3.07 8.77 .80 4.47 2.26 Totals 359 100.00 196.44 100.00 Table 4. Results of One Gill Net Set Above The Low Water Crossing in Valley Creek on November 16, 1965. mm Per Cent Total Wt. Avg. Wt. Per Cent Average Species Number by No. Pounds Pounds by Wt. "K” Longnose gar 11 52.38 41.87 3.81 60.13 .43 Gizzard shad 8 38.09 2.51 .31 3.60 1.74 Flathead catfish 2 9.53 25.25 12.63 36.27 2.06 % Totals 21 100.00 69.63 100.00 Table 5. Results of Two Seining Collections From Valley Creek Reservoir on September 28, 1965. (2 collections with a 20-foot straight seine, 6 feet deep with .h-inch mesh). _Wfl_“_fl_ Species Number Size Range In Inches Gizzard shad 2 4 Golden shiner 342 1*2 Blacktail shiner 275 %—2% Bullhead minnow 2 2% Mosquitofish 12 %-1 Bluegill 8 1-3 Largemouth bass 1 3 WW Total 642 Old Winters Lake Findings; This 50~acre lake is in Runnels County. It was once a water supply reservoir for the city of Winters. Years of siltation have created a shallow, turbid lake with a flat, boggy bottom. Present maximum_capacity is probably less than 200 acre-feet. It was 1% feet low during the August netting and seining trip. Complete chemical renovation was attempted in 1961. Heavy runoff with- in two days prevented a complete kill of undesirable fish. However, fishing was excellent for about two years after the stocked game fish grew to a desirable size. Gizzard shad populations are high but not excessive. The absence of river carpsucker in the netting is significant. The lake was heavily infested with this species before renovation (Table 6). ”eining supports the netting indication that shad are abundant. It also reveals that there are many shiners and young largemouth bass (Table 7). Conclusions and Recommendations: Channel catfish are sufficiently abundant to provide good fishing. Some of the crappie are large enough to catch. If the lake level does not drOp excessively, largemouth bass fishing should continue. The presence of many largemouth bass fingerlings and small forage fishes looks promising. It is concluded that this lake currently needs no renovation. If gizzard shad populations become excessive in future years, they can be select- ively controlled with powdered rotenone for only a few dollars. Because of the relatively good fish population, this lake should be deleted from this job for the next segment and included under the job designed to determine stocking needs (Job 5). Table 6. Water Temperature 83oF. u—ucn—I—m um— — Hanna—“M ——:———e—r Results of Four Gill Nets Set in Old Winters Lake on August 19, 1965. General Turbidity 8 Inches Per Cent Total Wt. Avg. Wt. Per Cent Average éessiss“m______,_ ..___N um_b._e_r.___sr_aer“tennis“- Poun.d_§._..___tr Wu “K” __ Gizzard shad 51 31.67 5.91 .12 11.64 1.95 Carp 6 3.73 2.25 .38 4.43 2.93 Black bullhead 1 .62 .16 .16 .32 2.60 Channel catfish 15 9.32 13.53 .90 26.65 1.71 Flathead catfish 2 1.24 14.50 7.25 28.57 1.92 Bluegill 17 10.56 1.26 .07 2.48 4.37 White crappie 69 42.86 13.15 .19 25.91 3.38 Totals 161 100.00 50.76 100.00 Table 7. 18, 1965. m—_ — —*—-n.——r——n—n u—u —c-:— :—'—u-—— —. Results of Six Seining Collections From 01d Winters Lake on August (6 collections with a 20~foot straight seine, 6 feet deep with %- inch mesh). —=—u—a—n—c—m—r mm Segaies_M__________________________Nunbsr____u__________§ize Ranss_ie inches Gizzard shad 222 2w4 Carp 2 3‘4 Golden shiner 77 1—1% Red shiner 420 1-2 Blacktail shiner 3 1w2 Channel catfish l 2% Mo&- tofish 73 %-2 Grea. sunfish 56 1‘3 Bluegill 184 1-3 'Largemouth bass 164 2-4 White crappie 54 3-7 _ —-:—-—r.——-. —.n_(— — _ —— — — — — v-u—1— _— _ n—u.—:——:—n—u—u—u— x—W—J—u—u _ n—-—-—— m—;— — —— — ——.—-—=——— -— ———————— — m-muu—n-n-u >- . Total 1256 _m— ——_—m m m —— ' Elm Creek Reservoir Findings: A small dam, in the Ballinger City Park, in Runnels County, retards Elm Creek for several miles. Ballinger owns public access from the dam to the first low water crossing, a distance of approximately one mile. Above t.his crossing the public can fish by boat, but the shoreline is privately controlled. A water area below the first crossing is about 25 acres and the volume is approximately 100 acre- feet. Because of this limited area only two nets were set. White crappie composed 54. 60 per cent of this netting sample. This appears to be the only significant game fish population available. Some crappie weighed as much as 13 ounces (Table 8). An additional net was set above the low water crossing, which can techni— cally be considered as a separate body of water. The fish in this sample were all undesirable (Table 9). Seining was impossible because of shoreline obstructions. Conclusions and Recommendations: Renovation procedures are not immediately justifiable. This lake should be carried under this same job for the next segment If gizzard shad and river carpsucker follow their frequent pattern of extreme domination and xisting crappie do not continue to grow, a chemical treatment and restock- ing program might be apprOpriate. Several landowners, above the public access area, would reportedly c00perate in a watershed treatment. Only short-term benefits could be expected from such a program since the Winters City Lake and several other smaller impoundments are on the same watershed. Table 8. Results of Two Gill Nets Set in Elm Creek Lake on September 30, 1965. Water Temperature 780F. General Turbidity 10 Inches Per Cent Total Wt. Avg. Wt. Per Cent Average Species Number by No. Pounds Pounds by Wt. ”K” Longnose gar 3 2.30 7.16 2.39 7.19 .49 Gizzard shad 21 16.16 12.77 .61 12.83 1.99 Carp 2 1.54 6.50 3.25 6.52 2.59 River carpsucker 14 10.76 28.68 2.05 28.81 2.44 Smallmouth buffalo 3 2.31 15.00 5.00 15.07 3.52 Black bullhead 4 3.08 1.89 .47 1.90 2.57 Channel catfish 1 .77 1.81 1.81 1. 82 1.80 White crappie 71 54.61 14.10 .20 14.16 3.05 Freshwater drum 11 8.47 11.64 1.06 11.70 2.25 Totals 130 100.00 99.55 100.00 WM