TPWD 1958 F-4-R-5 #378: Experimental Control of Undesirable Species: Segment Completion Report, Texas, 1957–1958

Report of Fisheries Investigations Experimental Control of Undesirable Species by Leonard Dc Lamb Project Leader Dingell-Johnson Project F-hanS, Job E~5 November 1, 1957 - October 3l, 1958 H. D. Dodgen w Executive Secretary Texas Game and Fish Commission Austin, Texas Marion Tools Kenneth Co Jurgens & William H: Brown Coordinator Assistant Coordinators SEGMENT COMPLETION REPORT State of Texas Project No. F-h-R-5 Name: Fisheries Investigations and Surve s q: the Waters of Region ‘nB. Job No. E—5 Title: Experimental Control of Undesirable_ Period Covered: ABSTRACT: A trap to replace the floating weir used previously was constructed but proved to be no more successful than the floating weir. It is believed however that this trap may be modified to a point where gar can be taken in it. A shallow gill net was found to be quite selective on gar when floated at the surface during the warmer months. The gar come to the surface to gulp air and are taken in this net which is only three feet deep. The catch of gill nets eight feet deep was h7.8 percent gar while that of the three foot net was 72,9 percent gar. These net sets were made in the same general location and at the same time. OBJECTIVES: To develop methods of selectively controlling undesirable fish control. PROCEDURE: The floating weir constructed in the previous segment was not successful and was not used in the work covered by this report. A new type of trap was developed, using wooden frames covered with one inch mesh poultry wire and having a removable funnel in one end to facilitate removal of fish. The other end of the trap has two openings, with a baffle between to prevent the escape of gar} but permits other species to regain their liberty at will. This is made possible by the inability of gar to negotiate'a right angle turn which other species negotiate without difficulty. ‘ .1 The second experimental development for the control of gar was a sealiow gill net to be set at the surface in an effort to take gar as they come up to gulp air. It was hoped that this net would prove rather selective for gar so that the control of this species could be accomplished with little effect on other; more desirable fish. RESULTS: The gar trap did not function as expected but it is believed that better results can be obtained if the trap istroperly modified. The shallow gill net did provide some control on gar and further study is needed to determine the best utilization for this type of net. Eight months of gill netting with nets eight feet deep and 100 feet long produced 606 fish of which 55.6 percent were gar and 80.8 percent were rough fish Table 2 presents the comparison between the catch of the shallow gill net and the eight foot gill net. The shallow net was three feet deep. Both nets were 100 feet long and of three inch stretch mesh. The catch of gar in the deep not was h7.8 percent of the total catch while the same species represented 72.9 percent of the total catch of the shallow net. These nets were set in the same general locations as the eight foot nets and at the same time. Prepared by Leonard D. Lamb Project Leader Date February 5: 1959 W LA) HmoHe H. b DosomeHmos ow mHmfi Hmwmo Ho QHHH Zmem mwmwd weed ween flHea awomm amass Ho QHHH Ewes Hosea weed ween» QHemH beams been nosedwc Sesame Zedesdes He Hmmd a oneness ch Hmmm. iris-5353.: .INHEU. . . s. ”In! . er-u- .J .1 E..Ii’flififigfififigiukflbggfl.§§§ I. ll. 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Front View of gar trap with throat in place. Figure 2. Front view of gar trap with throat in Open position to show how fish may be removed. Figure 3. Side view of gar trap showing throat and escape Opening for fish other than gar. Figure H. Side View of escape Opening showing baffle that prevents exit Of gar by requiring a sharp turn that gar are unable to execute.