TPWD 1967 F-3-R-14 #1145: Population and Reproduction Study of Channel Catfish in Lake 0' the Pines

JOB COMPLETION REPORT As required by FEDERAL AID IN FISHERIES RESTORATION ACT TEXAS Federal Aid Project No. F—S—R—l4 Region S-B Fisheries Studies Job No. B—23 Population.and Reproduction Study of Channel Catfish in Lake 0' the Pines Project Leader: Joe E. Toole J. R. Singleton Executive Director Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Austin, Texas Marion Toole ' Eugene A. Walker D—J Coordinator Director, Wildlife Services March 9, 1967 ABSTRACT A total of 34 channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) was collected from Lake 0' the Pines this segment with experimental gill nets and trot lines. Hydrogen sulfide tests were conducted at monthly intervals on 8 permanent sampling stations on the reservoir to determine if toxic concentrations of the gas are periodically present. Criteria for hydrogen sulfide toxicity to channel catfish are taken from Project F—8—R—lO, Job E—l Completion Report. Extensive flooding of Lake 0' the Pines during the spring and summer of 1966 provided a thorough mixing of the reservoir waters and made difficult the evaluation of hydrogen sulfide gas present. It is concluded that sufficient collections have been made to determine that only a limited pOpulation of adult channel catfish is present in Lake 0' the Pines. Recommendations are made to continue this study for l addi— tional segment for the purpose of acquiring hydrogen sulfide data under normal water level conditions. With the completion of the coming segment recommendations for stocking advanced fingerling channel catfish in Lake 0' the Pines will be made if hydrOgen sulfide concentrations are found to be tolerable. SEGMENT COMPLETION REPORT State of Texas Name: Region 3~B Fisheries Studies Project No. F—S—R~14 Title: Population and Reproduction Study of Channel Catfish in Job No. B—BS Lake 0' the Pines Period Covered: February 1, 1966 — January 51, 1967 OBJECTIVES: To determine the need for stocking channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus). in Lake 0' the Pines. 1. To determine current population levels of channel catfish in Lake 0' the Pines. 2. To determine if toxic concentrations of hydrogen sulfide gas are periodically present in Lake 0' the Pines. TECHNIQUES USED: Standardized gill nets and trot lines were set this segment for the collection of channel catfish in Lake 0' the Pines. Baited hoop nets were used during the 1965 segment but discontinued due to their lack of success. Hydrogen sulfide analyses were made at monthly intervals at 8 permanent sampling stations on the reservoir. Sodium thiosulfate—iodine titrations were used for these tests. Values for pH were recorded in conjunction with each hydrogen sulfide test as well as surface water tem~ perature. Gill nets used in this study were 150 feet in length and 8 feet in depth with mesh size ranging from 1 to 5% inches. Trot lines used were constructed of nylon seine twine and equipped with 5/0 O'Shaugnessy hooks. These lines were baited with shiners, cut shad and catalpa worms. A total of 55 experimental nets were set (8,250 feet) and approximately 2,000 baited hooks were set this segment for sampling channel catfish in Lake 0' the Pines. FINDINGS: Thirtwaour channel catfish were collected this segment from Lake OE the Pines. Nets and trot lines were set at monthly intervals in the reservoir with the exception of June, when 5 collections were made. Table 1 contains collection dates, size data and individual condition factors for each channel catfish taken. In midmApril, 1966 the reservoir was filled by flood Waters to approximately 10 vertical feet above conservation pool level. _This flood— ed condition persisted through June, 1966. During this period the normally -2- Table 1 Channel Catfish Collection Data M Date Number Length Weight ”K" Sex (grams) 2/11/66 — — .4' — — 5/50/66 1 _ 2 _ _ 4/25/66 - 1 — 4085 — — 5/24/66 2 255 604 1.66 male — 6 6/8/66 9 I 522 5176 2.66 female 500 1758 1.41 male — 5 596 1021 1.64 female — 5 295 1559 2.10 female — 5 295 404 1.61 female — 5 280 412 1.66 female ~-5 172 82 1.61 male 4 5 262 514 1.76 male — 5‘ 261 505 1.71 immature 6/10/66 16 505 2495 1.96 male — 5 459 1474 1.74 male — 5 420 I 1506 2.05 male - 5 664 651 " 1.76 I female - 5 266 464 1.94 male — 6 250 562 2.52 female — 5 261 560 2.05 female _ 5 220 215 2.00 male a 5 225 141 1.24 female — 5 -3- Table 1 Cont. Channel Catfish Collection Data Date Number Length Weight ”K” Sex (grams) 6/10/66 196 107: 1.49 immature 179 106 1.85 female — 5 179 97 1.69 immature 166 102 1.66 male — 6 6/29/66 2 169 101 1.50 female — 6 400 1219 1.91 female — 2 7/66 2 - — ~ — ~ 8/66 — - e ~ - ~ 9/60/66 2 275 692 1.88 female — 5 185 90 1.42 immature 10/2/66 2 _ _ _ - 11/22/66 1 518 _ . 652 2.05 male u 6 12/66 - - _ _ I _ 1/67 _ _ _ _ _ ”K” Range 1.24 — 2.52 Average "K” — 1.79 clear waters of the reservoir were throughly mixed and a homogeneous condie tion prevailed. This flushing action no doubt dissipated any stratified concentrations of toxic hydrogen suflide gas in the reservoir. As contained in Table 2, Lake Of the Pines Hydrogen Sulfide Study 1966, only occasional traces of hydrogen sulfide gas were found. _4_ The results of laboratory tests under Project Fu8—R~10, Job Eul, were used as criteria in this study for determining lethal concentrations of hydrogen sulfide gas. According to these findings the median lethal dosage (LD 50) of un—ionized hydrogen sulfide is 0.8 p.p.m. at pH 6.8, 0.7 p.p.m. from pH 7.0 to pH 7.6 and 0.6 p.p.m. at pH of 7.8 for channel catfish fry. At pH of 7.0 the LD 50 was found to be 1.0 p.p.m. for fingerling catfish, 1.5 for advanced fingerlings and 1.4 for adult channel catfish. The highest concentration of hydrogen sulfide recorded this segment was a reading of .618 p.p.m. unwionized at the Johnson Creek station on September 25. The pH reading at this date was 7.1. A concentration of .557 unmionized H28 was recorded at this same station number 5,-on October 25, with a pH reading of 7.5. On November 21, the unwionized H28 had dropped to .187 p.p.m. with a pH reading of 6.8.' On January 4, 1967 no hydrogen sulfide was found at station number 5. Factors used to compute the un—ionized hydrogen sulfide in p.p.m. from total hydrogen sulfide content was taken from Standard-Methods for —— the Examination of Water, Sewage and Industrial Wastes. These data are contained in Table 2. A wide range of pH values was recorded at the various stations in the reservoir. The lowest pH of 6.5 was recorded at station number 1 on November 21, 1966. The highest reading was pH 8.6 recorded at station number 4 on April 14, 1966. The pH values for each analysis are listed in Table 5. A11 pH readings were made with a colorimetric method with a Hach direct reading colorimeter. Table 5 also contains surface water temperatures for each analysis. Of the 54 channel catfish collected this segment, 24 were taken during the flood period in the month of June. A total of 15 experimental gill nets were set and approximately 500 baited hooks were set in conjunction with netting activities. Individual fish taken during this period ranged from 82 grams in weight to 7 pounds. Fifteen immature channel catfish were collected. Condition factors ("K” factors) ranged from 1.24 to 2.52 with the average ”K” being 1.79. Two adult females were approaching ripeness. All individuals were in good physical condition. Gonadal examinations revealed no abnorw malities. As the reservoir returned to normal pool level in early August, 1966, 5 nets were set but no channel catfish were taken. In September collections, 2 fish were netted, a spent female and an immature specimen. One additional catfish was collected in November, 1966. ' -5i Table 2 Factors to Compute Un—ionized Hydrogen Sulfide From Total Hydrogen Sulfide Contents pH. Factor pH_ Factor pH_ Factor 5.0 0.98 6.8 0.44 7.7 0.091 5.4 0.95 6.9 0.59 7.8 0.075 5.8 0.89 7.0 0.55 7.9 0.059 6.0 0.85 7.1 0.29 8.0 0.048 6.2 0.76 7.2 0.24 8.2 0.051 6.4 0.67 7.5 0.25 8.4 0.020 6.5 0.61 7.4 0.17 8.8 0.0079 6.6 0.56 7.5 0.14 9.2 0.0052 6.7 0.50 7.6 0.11 9.6 0.0015 These factors are applicable at a temperature of 2500. For temperatures below 200C. or above 500C. or for sewages having a mineral solids content exceeding 2,000 mg/l, suitable corrections should be made. Taken from Standard Methods for the Examination g£_Water, Sewage and Industrial Wastes, page 274. It is probable that the channel catfish taken in the June collections entered Lake 0? the Pines from Wilkes Reservoir, a private lake located on the upper reaches of Johnson Creek. This reservoir has a substantial channel catfish population and the fish could have readily entered Lake 0‘ the Pines during the flood period. Figure 1, indicates size range of the channel catfish taken in the June 10, collection. Figure 2, is a photograph of the flood crest at highway 729 bridge on Johnson Creek on Lake 0“ the Pines. It should also be noted that the entire June collection of channel catfish was made near the dam, in an area below the mouth of Johnson Creek. It is logical that fish entering Lake 0' the Pines through Johnson Creek would be in this area during flood stage. Figure 5, is a map of Lake 0' the Pines showing relative locations of the 8 permanent sampling stations for hydrogen sulfide analysis and Wilkes Reservoir. : i - i - mac. 6am mmm eemaeeamp : 1 1 a a i a : u a a : mm. Sam mmm HmpoB m.e e.m e.e m.e m.e _o.m m.e H.e m.e m.m e.e m.m m.m ma em mm mm mm as mm mm me mm mm mm mm mm me .aEee ream; I:1rs1IIII:1IIIIIIIII1IIII11sI11IIuIIII11I1IIIa1aIIIa11IIII1iIII11IIIIIIIIiIaamammmlmmmmmtulwwsmmmmmmm . eme. ems. mam. : a s a a Hmoo. ! ammo. ma. mam mmm eeameeamm mma. a.H me.m n a - g a ammo. 1 am. mo.m mam mmm flames m.e m.m m.e H.e m.m m.e m.e a.m m.e m.e m.e m.s e.e ma Om mm as me- mm mm mm mm om mm mm mm _ mm me .6969 meeme .Mmmno mommgoh 4 m% moapmwm r moo. mam. mam. i a 1 a 3 see. u a 1 Sam mmm.eememeamm a mam. m.H mmo.a 1 - 1 i : mm. a a 4 95a mmm Hmeee m.e m.m s.e m.e a.m o.m a.m 6.6 m.s m.m 6.6 m.e m.e ma Om mm mm mm mm mm mm me He mm mm mm mm me .2669 meeag Moomo osmOfimnmm i m% moapmpm 1 : 1 n a _ a u : swa. Egg mmm momflsoflmb - - E a - a - i a a _ a : am. 9am mmm flames m.e m.m m.s m.m m.a m.m H.e m.m m.m e.e a.e e.s m.e ma om mm mm me om mm mm me mm mm mm mm mm me .5666 reams .moh .>oz .Poo .Pgom .pdom .wsm womb oQSH hmE .nmm .nmE .nmE .262 5 mm mm mm a am am am an we mm ma m 668 age me enameaea emmm - Hm meaeeem mama - aeeem meemfiem mememeam magma age .0 6265 n mHQmB I]; I I I mmO. I I I I I I amO. I HmO. mam mmm eeameeeam I I I m. I I I I I I me. I ma. 9am mmm Hmeee e.e a.e a.e m.m m.e m.e a.O I O.m e.e e.e m.e O.m ma Om mm mm mm Om mm mm I . Om mm mm mm mm me .OEee meeeg . neemO ammaam I mm memeeem IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII I I I .I I I I I I I I mma. wmo. Egg mmm OONHQOfimD I I I I I I I I I _ I I m.m Hm. mam mmm memes 6.4 m.e m.e m.m m.a O.O m.e I H.m a.e e.e m.e m.e ma Om mm mm as om mm mm mm Om mm mm mm mm . me .6669 memes Moose quflomoo I m% soflpmpm IIIIIiIIIliiilIIlIIIIIIiIlIIIIIIIIIIIIIiIIIIIiIIIIIIiIIIIIIiIItIiIiiiIIIIIIliIIIiIIIIIIIIIIIJIIIIIIIIIIIII I I mmO. I I I I I I I I I mam. mam eemmeemem I I mam. I I I I I I I I I am.m 9am mmm Hmeee m.m O.e m.e a.e m.e a.s m.m m.m H.e m.e H.e H.e m.e ma Om mm mm mm Om mm Om mm mm mm Om mm mm me .5966 memes emam mmH seem am I ma mememem I I I HmO. I I I I I I see. I I see mmm eemmeeaaO I I I mam. I I I I I I am. I I 65a mmm Haeee O.e m.e m.e m.e e.e m.e O.e m.m m.m m.e m.e e.s m.a ma Om mm mm mm Om mm mm me mm mm mm HO HO me .OEeB meemg .mmh .>oz .POO .Pamm .pgmm . mm mQSH oQSh 262 .mgm .262 .262 .nmE a mm mm mm a mm mm mm am we mm mm m meaemO 6.6m: I mm meaemem mmam I aeeem eemmmem mememeam magma eme .O 6265 .emeO m a Is . Figure 1. Channel catfish collected during flood conditions - Figure 2. Peak of flood waters May, 1966