TPWD 1973 F-4-R-20 #1527: Region 2-A Fisheries Studies: Fishery Management Recommendations, Project F-4-R-20

PERFORMANCE REPORT As Required By FEDERAL AID IN FISHERIES RESTORATION ACT TEXAS Federal Aid Project F-4-R-20 Region 2-A Fisheries Studies Objective B-37: Fishery Management Recommendations Project Leader: Allen Forshage Assistant Project Leader: Robert Gamble Clayton T. Garrison Executive Director Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Austin, Texas Robert J. Kemp Lonnie J. Peters Director, Fish and Wildlife Chief, Inland Fisheries December 17, 1973 ABSTRACT Quarterly surveys were conducted on Lakes Benbrook, Diversion, Garza Little Elm, and Hubbard Creek during this segment. Walleye evaluations were also made on Lakes Diversion and Garza-Little Elm. Rough fish species, primarily smallmouth buffalo, river carpsucker, and gizzard shad, were predominant in all lakes except Hubbard Creek. White bass, white crappie, and channel catfish were the prevalent game fishes collected in all lakes. Six walleye were collected from Garza-Little Elm and four from Lake Diversion. Stocking of four to six inch fingerling largemouth bass is recommended for Lake Benbrook. Walleye stockings should be continued on Garza-Little Elm Reservoir and discontinued on Lake Diversion in 1974. PERFORMANCE REPORT m... .__... .. .,_. =W‘—-~—__— State: Texas Project Number: F-4-R-20 Project Title: Region 2—A Fisheries Studies Project Section: Research and Surveys Study Title: Fishery Management Recommendations Contract Period: From January 1 1973 To December 312 1973 Program Narrative Objective Number: B-37 Objective: To determine the need for changes in fish harvest regulations, stock- ing population control, vegetation control, and contract fishing in Region 2-A waters. I.” Segment Objective To determine the need for changes in fish harvest regulations, stocking, population control, vegetation control, and contract fishing in Region 2-A waters. II. Summary of Progress Proposed changes in fishing regulations for the Possum Kingdom Regulatory District were presented at public hearings in each county under Regulatory Authority in Region 2-A. The results of these hearings were presented to the Commissioners of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department for consideration. The changes made in the fishing laws which affected _ Region 2-A are as follows: Section 7.02 (c) iii The eight inch size limit on rainbow and brown trout was removed. The bag limit remained five in the aggregate with no possession limit. _ Management surveys on Lakes Benbrook, Diversion, Garza—Little Elm, and Hubbard Creek were conducted quarterly during this segment. Walleye evaluations were also made on a quarterly basis on Lakes Diversion and Garza-Little Elm. From 5 to 15 gill nets, depending on_reservoir size, were set overnight on each survey. Frame nets were added to survey methods on lakes being surveyed for walleye. Seine and water samples were also taken. ‘ Fish collections were made primarily with standard experimental gill nets and minnow seines. Selection of stations for sampling were made as randomly as possible. Sites representing various habitat types were chosen. Experimental gill nets were 150 feet long, 6 feet deep, and had varying mesh_sizes, in 25 foot sections, from 1 to 3% inches. A representative sample of all fishes collected in gill nets were weighed and measured with the remainder being_counted and bulk weighed. The same procedures were used for fishes caught in frame nets. Seining collectiOns were made with a 20- foot common seine with 3/16-inch square mesh. Two 50 foot drags were made at each station. Fishes from.both drags at each station were combined, sorted as to species, and counted. -2- Water quality information was taken in conjunction with each netting trip. Two stations,at the dam and near the upper end, were sampled on each lake. Samples were taken at 10 foot intervals from the surface to the bottom. Water analyses for temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, specific conductivity, and turbidity were made using the following meters: oxygen and temperature-YSI dissolved oxygen meter; specific conductivity- YSI S-C-T meter; pH-IBC trophy pH meter. TUrbidity was determined by means of a Hach colorimeter. Analyses for total alkalinity and hardness were made according to standard methods (A.P.H.A., 1971). Observations were made on each survey to determine if aquatic vegetation was present in such quantities as to hamper access or fishability of fishing areas. Vegetation was not considered a problem on any of the reservoirs surveyed this segment. Assistance was given hatchery personnel with stocking walleye fry and fingerlings in Lakes Diversion, Eagle Mountain, Garza-Little Elm, and Possum Kingdom. Fishes were tempered and released in open water areas. Table l is a checklist of all fishes taken in the netting and seining collections in Region 2-A waters this segment. Common and scientific names are based on American Fisheries Society, Special Publication No. 6, A List of Common and Scientific Names of Fishes from the United States and Canada (Third Edition, 1970). Only common names are used in this report. Lake Benbrook Lake Benbrook, impounded in 1952, is a 3,770 surface acre lake located on the Clear Fork of the Trinity River drainage in Tarrant County. At normal pool level the mean depth is 23.4 feet with a maximum depth of 75 feet. Controlled by the Corps of Engineers, the lake is used for flood control, municipal water supply, and recreation. Most of the 40 miles of shoreline is accessable and provides maximum usage by fishermen, e3pecially in the spring and summer months. Five gill nets were set overnight on each survey (Figure 2).' Rough fishes were the predominant species caught by number (57.74%) and by weight (80.93%) with spotted sucker, river carpsucker, and gizzard shad prevailing (Table 3). This was the trend until the last survey (Figure 1). In Nov-' ember, numbers and weights of game fishes increased. White bass, bluegill, and white crappie were caught in good numbers. Game or rough fishes were not predominant at any one station, except for station No. l where a much larger percentage of rough fishes were usually caught. A point noted on netting data was that smallmouth buffalo and gar were not caught. This is quite different from other Region 2—A lakes. Seining collections were made during each survey at five stations. Seining efforts produced large numbers of forage with 13 Species being collected (Table 2). Mississippi silverside, blacktail Shiner, bullhead minnow, and red Shiner were caught in largest quantities. There was a noted scarcity of young-of-the-year game fishes in seine collections. Water samples were taken during each survey (Table 4). Water temper- ature,dissolved oxygen, and pH profiles in the June and September sampling indicated the lake stratifies to some degree. -3- Lake Diversion Impounded in 1924, Lake Diversion is a 3,419 surface acre lake on the Wichita River drainage in Archer County. It is rather shallow with a mean depth of 12 feet and maximum depth of 35 feet with poor access to its 28 miles of shoreline. Controlled by the Wichita County Water Improvement District No. 2, and the City of Wichita Falls, the lake serves primarily as a source for irrigation water for Wichita County farmers and ranchers and as a water supply for area municipalities with some recreational uses. Six gill nets were set overnight on each survey (Figure 3). Rough fish species were predominant on all surveys by number (75.55%) and by weight (87.98%) (Table 5). This trend can be easily seen on Figure l. Fishes most abundant were gizzard shad, smallmouth buffalo, and river carp- sucker. Three walleye, the largest weighing 2 pounds 12 ounces, were re- covered in gill nets. Frame nets were set on the last three surveys of the year to collect walleye. One walleye weighing .75 pounds was recovered. Game fish greatly outnumbered (91.73%) rough fish caught in the frame nets (Table 6). Seine collections were attempted at 10 stations on each survey. Due to large fluctuation in water level, stumps, and large rocks, seining was nearly impossible. In the samples that were collected, a total of 19 species were represented (Table 2). Very low numbers of all species were collected. No walleye were recovered in night seining. Water samples were taken on each survey (Table 7). Chloride (1599 mg/l) and specific conductivity (4150 umoh/cm) readings were high when compared to other lakes surveyed. On all surveys the water was quite turbid (Secchi disc average 12-24 inches). Due to its shallow nature and wind action, physicochemical stratification is doubtful. This is also indicated from temperature and dissolved oxygen profiles during summer sampling. Garza-Little Elm Reservoir Garza-Little Elm, impounded in 1955, is the largest reservoir (39,080 surface acres), in Region 2-A.I Located in Denton County, the lake draws Sportsmen from a large area due to good access to its 183 miles of shore- line and fine outdoor facilities. Maximum depth is 67 feet with a mean depth of 25 feet. Controlled by the Corps of Engineers, the lake is used for flood control, municipal and industrial water supply, and recreation. Walleye have been stocked in the lake for the past two years. A total of 15 gill nets were set on each quarterly survey. Stations were selected to provide maximum diversity of fishes collected (Figure 5). Rough fishes were predominant by number (64.22%) and be weight (86.08%) with river carpsucker, smallmouth buffalo, and longnose gar most abundant (Table 8). See Figure 4 for game fish percentages for each survey. White bass and white crappie were the prevalent game fishes caught. Six walleye, weighing a total of 5.78 pounds, were also caught in gill nets. Four of these fish were caught at station No. 4, off the dam. Frame nets were also set on the last three surveys in an attempt to recover walleye, but none were taken. Game fishes were prevalent by III. IV. -4- number(74.30%) and by weight (83.55%). White crappie and bluegill were caught in largest numbers with threadfin shad accounting for the majority of the rough fishes (Table 9). Seine collections were attempted at 15 stations during each survey. High water on two of the surveys hampered efforts and had a varying effect on catch at a few stations. Eighteen species were represented with Missi- ssippi silverside and threadfin shad being caught in largest numbers (Table 2). No walleye were recovered from night time seining. DissolVed oxygen profiles for the August survey indicated the lake did chemically stratify. As also indicated by the readings of other parameters measured, the middle of the thermocline was about 25-30 feet deep (Table 10). Temperature readings did not drop off as quickly as would be expected in the area of the thermocline. Hubbard Creek Reservoir Hubbard Creek Reservoir, located in Stephens County, is a 15,250 surface acre lake on the Big Sandy Creek tributary of the Brazos River. At normal pool level, the maximum depth is 70 feet with a mean depth of 20.84 feet. During this segment the lake level was five to twelve feet below normal. Fishermen access to the 130 miles of shoreline is limited. Impounded in 1962, the lake is controlled by the West Central Texas Municipal Water District and used primarily for industrial, mining, and municipal water supply. A total of 15 gill nets were set during two nights, on each survey (Figure 6). Station positions changed slightly each survey due to decreasing water levels. Game fish were caught in largest numbers (56.27%) but rough fishes in greater poundage (73.70%). The percentage of game fishes collected was consistently greater with each survey (Figure 4). Species caught in greatest numbers were white crappie, smallmouth buffalo, channel catfish, river carpsucker, and gizzard shad, respectively (Table 11). White bass, common to most other Region 2-A reservoirs were not collected in Hubbard ' Creek. Seining collections were made at 10 stations on each survey (Figure 6). Stations were in close proximity to each other due to the rough weather encountered on each survey. Fish species caught at each station were relat- ively the same with red shiners and gizzard shad being prevalent. Seventeen species were represented in seining samples (Table 2). Water samples were taken near the dam and at the Highway 180 bridge. Profiles of dissolved oxygen and water temperature in the warm summer months indicated the lake did not stratify (Table 12). This was possibly due to large water level fluctuations and prevailing strong winds. Significant Deviation: There was no deviation from the planned schedule this segment. Conclusions and Recommendations: From netting results this segment, it is fairly evident that Lake -5- Benbrook has good populations of white bass, white crappie, and bluegill. Fishermen using the lake primarily fish for these species. Trotline fish- ermen also have good success fishing for flathead and channel catfish. Comparing this Year's results with surveys of 1970, game fish percen- tages have increased from 21% to 42%. But there is an obvious deficiency of both adult and young-of—the year largemouth bass. Evidently some factor in the aquatic community is inhibiting a successful largemouth bass spawn to any degree. Due to the small recoveries in this year's survey and in the survey in 1970, it is recommended that largemouth bass be stocked. This should be accomplished when hatchery supplies are adequate to supply 4 to 6 inch fingerlings that could be marked to evaluate the success of such a stocking. In surveys the last three years Lake Diversion has had a declining per- centage of game fish captures. Due to drastic water level fluctuations this year and previous years, fish populations may have moved out of the stable state common to old lakes and is now more cyclic. Surveys in 1974 may see an increase in game fish captures. Walleye stocking in Lake Diversion has been pursued since 1969. In 1972 and 1973 a total of 1,807,475 fry and fingerlings, a rate of 529/acre, With this many walleye being stocked more should have been were stocked. Based recovered. Only four were recovered this year and none last year. on recovery data on gill nets, frame nets, and seining, it is recommended that walleye stockings should not be undertaken in 1974. Walleye surveys will be conducted on the lake in 1974. If netting and seining efforts produce young-of—the—year walleye, a limited stocking is suggested to possibly provide a nursery stock for the Dundee State Fish Hatchery. The walleye planned for this year's stocking of Lake Diversion could be better utilized in a lake with better fishermen appeal and access. As indicated by netting results, Garza-Little Elm Reservoir had a good white bass and white crappie population. From surveys the last three years game fish percentages have been in the 35-45% range. This is good when the selectivity of gill nets is taken into consideration. Numbers of largemouth bass captured have been low in past years, but fishermen still have relat- ively good luck catching them. Most people fish primarily for the two species in greatest abundance, white bass and white crappie. Walleye have been stocked in Garza-Little Elm Reservoir for the past two years. A total of_743,550 fingerlings, a rate of l9/acre, have been stocked. Six walleye were recovered this year with all fish being in excellent shape. There have also been reported catches by fishermen. The lake is highly utilized by fishermen and shows promise as being a good walleye lake. It is recommended that walleye stockings be continued in 1974. As in the 1971 survey of Hubbard Creek Reservoir, the percentage of game fishes captured was greater than that of rough fishes. From this year's data, largemouth bass, channel catfish, and white crappie seem to be well established in the lake. Fishermen have had good success catching all three fish, but have been hampered this year as far as access to the lake because of low water levels. Water level fluctutations this year possibly helped control the numbers of rough fishes. The lowering water levels concentrated prey species enabling predators to crop them easier. Due to the favorable -6- game fish-rough fish ratio, no management practices are recommended. In 1974, surveys will be conducted on lakes in Region 2-A that have been stocked with walleye. These are Lakes Diversion, Eagle Mountain, Garza-Little Elm, and Possum Kingdom. Standardized walleye evaluation procedures will be used on all lakes. Prepared by: Robert B. Gamble Assistant Project Leader Date: December 17, 1973 Robert L. Bounds ; / -”) Region 2 Inland Fisheries i - ,f f; D'rector Approved by: Dingell-Johnson Coordinator -7- Table 1 Checklist for Fish Species Collected in Region 2—A in 1973 Common Name Scientific Name Spotted gar Lepisosteus oculatus Longnose gar L. osseus Shortnose gar E. platostomus Gizzard shad Dorosoma cepedianum Threadfin shad 57—53t53efige"_———__ Carp Cyprinus carpio Silvery minnow Hybognathus nuchalis Golden Shiner Notemigonus crysoleucas Pugnose minnow Notropis emiliae Red shiner N. lutrensis Sharpnose Shiner N1 oxyrhynchus Silverband Shiner NZ shumardi Blacktail Shiner N1 FEhustus Mimic Shiner E. volucellus Suckermouth minnow Phenacobius mirabilis Fathead minnow Pimephales promelas Bullhead minnow P. vigilax River carpsucker Carpiodes carpio Smallmouth buffalo Ictiobus bubalus Spotted sucker Minytrema melanops Gray redhorse Moxostoma congestum Blue catfish Ictalurus furcatus Channel catfish I. punctatus Flathead catfish PyISdictis olivaris Red River pupfish Cyprinodon rubrofluviatilis Mosquitofish Gambusia affinis Mississsppi silverside Menidia audens White bass Morone chrysops Green sunfish Lepomis cyanellus Warmouth L. gulosus Orangespotted sunfish LL humilis Bluegill L; macrochirus Longear sunfish f3 megalotis Redear sunfish L} microlophus Spotted bass Mficropterus punctulatus Largemouth bass M. salmoides White crappie ' Pomoxis annularis Black crappie P. nigromaculatus Bluntnose darter Etheostoma chlorosomum Logperch Percina caprodes Walleye Stizostedion vitreum vitreum Freshwater drum. Aplodinotus grunniens -8- Table 2 Catch Per Unit Effort for Seine Samples Collected in 1973 for Region 2-A Waters mum—mm Garza Little Hubbard Lake Lake Elm Creek Species . Benbrook Diversion Reservoir Reservoir Number of 50 foot drags . 40 72 96 ‘ 80 Gizzard shad — 1.51 0.49 8.88 Threadfin shad 0.50 - 16.51 - Carp _ - 0.01 0.03 — Silvery minnow — 0.08 - - Golden shiner 0.12 - 0.14 — Pugnose minnow ' — — 0.33 0.14 Red shiner 5.18 1.85 3.77 35.04 Sharpnose shiner _ 0,28 _ _ Silverband shiner ' 0.10 - - — Blacktail shiner 6.38 — - 2.10 Mimic shiner — — - 0.03 Suckermouth minnow — 0.04 — 1 Fathead minnow — — — 0.08 Bullhead minnow 6.08 0.75 0.91 2.45 River carpsucker - - - 0.02 Smallmouth buffalo — 0.08 — . — Channel catfish - — 0.06 - Red River Pupfish - 0.01 - - Mosquitofish 0.08 0.03 0.01 0.81 Mississippi silverside 59.50 0.60 34.90 — White bass — 0.08 0.18 — Green sunfish — 0.03 - 0.03 Warmouth - - - 0.03 Orangespotted sunfish — 0.07 0.02 ' 0.08 Bluegill 0.80 , 1.94 0.35 1.63 Longear.sunfish . 0.35 0.53 0.14 0.10 Redear sunfish 0.12 0.04 — - Largemouth bass '0.17 0.42 0.21 0.10 White crappie - — 0.07 0.06 Bluntnose darter - — 0.01 — Logperch 0.05 0.36 0 05 0.14 }_1 Total 79.43 8.71 58: 8 51.72 Catch Per Unit Effort — catch/one 50 foot drag with a 20—foot common seine (3/16—inch square mesh measure)