TPWD 1970 F-5-R-17 #1318: Region 1-B Fisheries Studies: Job No. 13 Fisheries Management Recommendations

.flF—ph‘ JOB PROGRESS REPORT (RSRR As required by FEDERAL AID IN FISHERIES RESTORATION ACT TEXAS Federal Aid Project Non F—5-R-l7 REGION l-B FISHERIES STUDIES Job No, 13 Fisheries Management Recommendations Project Leader: Billy J. Follis J; R: Singleton Executive Director Parks and Wildlife Department Austin, Texas Marion Toole Eugene A. Walker D-J Coordinator Director, Wildlife Services April 93 1970 SUMMARY Fisheries surveys were conducted on 17 public bodies of water in Region l—B. Fish populations were sampled with standard gill nets, seines and trawlr Hydrological, physical, ecological, and water analysis data were collected? Two changes in the Permian Basin Regulatory District fish harvest regu- lations were recommended and adopted. Three counties and the fishing regula— tions in Borden County came under regulatory responsibility this segment. San Angelo Reservoir received a chemical renovation treatment in August 1969 (for details see completion report number l6—a-593 Project F-l4-D-ll)n Four other reservoirs meet the statistical criteria for chemical treatments but at the present time only one, Valley Creek Lake, can be recommended for treatment: Supplementary hatchery stocking was done at 11 public lakes and at several locations on 2 major streams. Aquatic vegetation was not found to be problematic at any of the waters surveyed- Unpredictable events adversely affecting fish population were not encountered during this segment“ JOB PROGRESS REPORT State of Texas Project No, F—5-R-l7 Name: Region l—B Fisheries Studies Job No, 13 Title: Fisheries Management Recommendations Period Covered: March 1, 1969 to February 282 1970 Objectives: To determine the need for, in Region l-B waters: 19 Changes in fish harvest regulations 2, Population control 3c Stocking 4o Vegetation control 5, Emergency measures needed to correct unpredictable events adversely affecting fish populations, Procedures: Fisheries surveys and current fisheries regulations were reviewed and provided the basis for the proposal of fish harvest regulation changes, Proposed regulations were discussed with concerned department personnel at preliminary meetings for the Edwards Plateau and Permian Basin regulatory districts, Public hearings were held in each of the counties under regula- tory responsibility to inform the public of the proposed regulations, Procedures for objectives 2 through 5 will be merged for expediency and clarity, For the same reasons, the findings and discussion will be reported separately for each concerned body of water, Surveys were made on all major public waters during this segment with the more important ones receiving 2 or more visits (Table 1), Fish popula- tions were sampled with standard gill nets, seines, and trawl when possible, A standard gill net is 150 feet in length, 8 feet deep, and mesh sizes vary— ing from 1 to 3% square inches, The number of nets set was determined by the size of the impoundment and water conditions, The size of seines and trawl used is given with each survey results table, A trawling sample unit was a lmeinute drag at approximately 5'mph, All fish collected in gill nets were counted, weighed, and measuredo A sample of fish (usually up to 15 of each game species) was examined to deter- mine sexual development and stomach content, Total numbers, total weights, percentages, average weights, and condition (”K” factor) were tabulated, Table 1 Waters Surveyed During This Segment M NAME COUNTY NUMBER OF VISITS W Oak Creek Reservoir Coke 2 Valley Creek Reservoir Runnels 2 Old Winters Lake Runnels 1 Colorado City Reservoir Mitchell 2 San Angelo Reservoir Tom Green 1 Colorado River Coke, Runnels, Concho 3 E0 V. Spence Reservoir Coke 4 Nasworthy Lake Tom Green 2 New Winters Lake Runnels 1 Champion Creek Reservoir Mitchell 2 J, B, Thomas Reservoir Borden and Scurry 2 Moss Creek Reservoir Howard 1 Twin Buttes Reservoir Tom Green 1 San Saba River Menard 2 Elm Creek Reservoir Runnels 1 Mountain Creek Reservoir Coke l Concho River Tom Green 1 W Fish taken in seines and trawl were counted and a length range was recorded. Several specimens of each species were preserved in formalin solution and identifications were confirmed in the laboratory, A comparison of the average coefficient of condition (”K” factors) for all game species collected with gill nets at all the waters surveyed is given in Table 2, Vegetation checks were made during each survey and records were taken as to the kind and abundance, This information will be discussed only when significant, Air and water temperatures, turbidity, hydrological records, weather conditions, and other physical data were recorded in each survey, Also, water analysis including oxygen, carbon dioxide, alkalinity, total hardness, chlorides, and pH were conducted at the majority of waters visited, =This information will be discussed in the report when necessary, Statistical data for each body of water were examined to determine which waters would be considered for chemical control measures, The criteria for considering chemical management efforts were populations of undesirable species in excess of 80 per cent by either weight and/or number, lake capaci- ties, and the “cost—benefit ratio” of treatment, dmca qwim norm norm amen qmcm mm, mm,m mo.m mm,m mw.m N©.N om. mm.n Hmtm o¢.m Hm,m qm.m mmoq mo.m omce H - ea,s - secs a so,m - ea,e - - chm NHCN Qa,a - macs - a macm _ amen mean mm,m swam Hm,¢ I _ amom Hana . ha,a i mm.s ” ewes _ s . : aw,a wa,a a mw,s - - _aa,m. 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S U: S U: U: mmfloomm moflommm_oemo mo mnouomm 2M: owwmo>< mo cowwwmmfioo N maamH RSIJJEO ants mnoumz Most of the public waters surveyed this segment were recommended for supplementary hatchery stocking, The basis for these recommendations were (1) the degree and survival of game fish reproduction, (2) water levels, (3) food availability, (4) fishing pressures, and (5) past production records, Due to abundant hatchery production and when it was necessary for either of the local hatcheries to “move” their fish, the recommended stocking rates of nearby waters were exceeded, Supplementary hatchery stocking for all public waters iniRegion 1-B during 1969 are presented in Table 3, Table 3 Public Water Stocking — 1969, Region l—B ._________________a____________________a_____________a__a___________________ Largemouth No, Released White Redear Lakes Bass Channel Catfish Crappie Sunfish Champion Creek 26,400 Elm Creek 5,000 3,000 Moss Creek 2,000 2,000 Mountain Creek 2,000 Nasworthy 24,000 15,000 New Winters 2,000 1,800 Oak Creek 30,000 800 14,000 E, V, Spence 786,000'% 79,650 San Angelo 25,450 ** 107,100 88,000 Towle Park 900 600 500 Valley Creek 5,000 Concho River Ben Ficklin Dam 12,450 Lone Wolf Dam 16,000 * 20,000 Bell Street Dam 24,000 * 3,000 1,500 600 Christoval Park 4,000 San Saba River Ft, McKavett 3,000 6,000 M * w Fry or advanced fry at - Advanced fingerlings M Findings: Objective No, 1 Three Region 1—B counties, Ector, Runnels and Scurry, came under regula- tory responsibility during this segment, Also the means and methods of taking fish in Borden County were placed under the Department's regulations, Table 4 presents the location, dates, and number of persons present at the public hearings that concern this project, Table 4 Regulatory Hearings Concerning Project F-5-R, 1969 ‘”rdéati¢d‘”""" 'Number_ County (Town) Date Present Permian Basin Area Andrews e Andrews 6-4n69 0 Borden Gail 6—2—69 0 Borden Gail 6—30w69 NR Cochran * Morton 6-2-69 0 Coke * Robert Lee 6—4-69 NR Crosby RR Crosbyton 6-2—69 0 Dawson A Lamesa 6-4~69 3 Ector Odessa 9-16—69 0 Gains * Seminole 6-4—69 0 Garza ** Post 6-2w69 0 Glasscock Garden City 6—4m69 2 Howard Big Spring 6-3—69 4 Irion * Mertzon 6-5m69 NR Kent ** Jayton 9-l7m69 2 Martin Stanton 6-3~69 3 Midland Midland 6-4m69 0 Mitchell Colorado City 6-3—69 1 Reagan Big Lake 6—4-69 0 Runnels Ballinger 6-30~69 NR Scurry Snyder 9w16-69 2 Sterling * Sterling City 6—4w69 NR Terry * Brownfield 6&3-69 0 Tom Green S San Angelo 6—5-69 NR Upton ** Rankin 9~16~69 5 Yoakum'* Plains 6u3~69 0 Edwards Plateau Area Menard‘* Menard 6-3m69 NR Schleicher * Eldorado 6~3~69 NR NR - Official attendance not reported RS - Not in Region 1mB, but hearing attended by F-5—R personnel * ~ In Region le but not attended by F-SHR personnel _fl__________________n_______m__H___________________LH______n_________________ It was necessary to recommend two changes in the existing fisheries regulation in this Region, The first was to open the season on walleye perch and place on them a daily bag and possession limit of five, This was necessary to encourage fishermen to fish for walleye and report their catch from the two public waters where this species was previously introduced (Lake J. B. Thomas and San Angelo Reservoir). The second recommended change was the addition of striped bass with a daily bag and possession limit of one. This species was introduced in E. V. Spence Reservoir and any reported catches would be of great value to this study. Findings and Discussion: Objectives 2 through 5 Oak Creek Reservoir Oak Creek Lake is a 2,375-acre municipal water supply owned and operated by the city of Sweetwater. West Texas Utilities also uses water from this impoundment for generator cooling. Surveys were conducted on this reservoir in March and August 1969, and on both occasions the water level was within 5 feet of normal. Survey results continue to reflect a respectable game fish population, 27 per cent by number and 40 per cent by weight of the netting sample (Table 5). Large- mouth and white bass showed increases over past surveys. This clear lake yields an exceptionally large number of lunker size largemouth bass. The catch of flathead catfish was the only important decrease in game fish. The rough or undesirable population was very similar to that found in previous surveys. Small sunfish and age class 0 largemouth bass dominated the seining sample as shown in Table 5. Water milfoil (Myriophyllum sp.), coontail (Ceratophyllum sp.) and bushy pondweed (Najas sp-) are abundant in this clear impoundment. They have been problematic on occasions in the past; however, a 3-foot rise in early summer gave some relief from these problematic submerged plants. Stocking records are given in Table 4. Valley Creek Lake Two visits were made to this 185—acre lake which is the water supply for the city of Ballinger. This impoundment has been considered for renovation procedures for the past two segments. Rough fish, as they have for the past several years, continue to dominate the netting sample with 84 per cent num- ber and 81 per cent weight (Table 6). White crappie and channel catfish accounted for the majority of desirable species. Seining produced satisfactory forage with red Shiner and blacktail Shiner being abundant. The possibility of a chemical treatment will be discussed with the cone trolling authorities. Meanwhile, supplementary stocking will be done in an attempt to increase the desirable fish population. Table 5 Survey Results of Oak Creek Reservoir, March 20 and August 21, 22, 1969. Results of 18 Standard Gill Nets. Per Cent Total Wt. Avg. Wt. Per Cent Average Species Number by No. Pounds Pounds by Wt. “K“ Gizzard shad 201 50.25 32.75 .16 10.27 Carp 37 9.25 45.69 1.23 14.33 River carpsucker 47 11.75 111.05 2.36 34.83 Black bullhead 7 1.75 1.52 .21 .47 Channel catfish e 13 3.25 10.04 .77 3.15 1.82 Flathead catfis * 2 .50 15.69 7.84 4.92 1.89 White bass a 32 8.00 57.09 1.78 17 91 3.08 Bluegill S 40 10.00 3.49 .08 1.10 3.83 Largemouth bass * 11 2.75 33.51 3.04 10.51 2.93 White crappie * 10 2.50 8.00 .80 2.51 2.95 Total 400 100.00 318.83 100.00 Game Fish * 108 27.00 127.82 40.10 Rough Fish 292 73.00 191.01 59.90 Seining Results of Oak Creek Reservoir (Bag 26' by 6' by 1/4-inch mesh seine, 20' by 6'by 1/8-inch mesh seine). Species Number Size Range in Inches Gizzard shad 25 6-8 Blacktail Shiner 1 2% Mosquito fish 5 1—2 Redbreast sunfish 7 2-5 Green sunfish 16 2~4 Orangespotted sunfish 2 2% Bluegill 95 l~4 Longear sunfish l8 2~3 Redear sunfish 14 1w3% Largemouth bass 155 2-10 Total 338 Table 6 Survey Results of Valley Creek Lake, April 24 and September 25, 1969. Results of 10 Standard Gill Nets. ______________fli______________i___H_______________a______________a______________ Per Cent Total Wt. Avg. Wt. Per Cent Average S ecies Number b No. Pounds Pounds b Wt. ”K” Longnose gar 25 4.97 120.64 4.82 25.04 Gizzard shad 230 45.72 30.85 .13 6.40 Carp 12 2.39 44.48 3.70 9.23 River carpsucker 131 26.04 175.26 1.33 36.38 Black bullhead 9 1.79 3.95 .43 .82 Channel catfish * 16 3.18 39.02 2.43 8.10 2.04 Flathead catfish * 2 .40 18.33 9.16 3.81 1.87 Warmouth * 1 .20 .22 .22 .04 4.14 Bluegill * 10 1.98 .93 .09 .19 4.36 Longear sunfish * 1 .20 .12 .12 .03 5.07 Redear sunfish a l .20 .26 .26 .05 4.35 Largemouth bass 8 4 .80 15.95 3.98 3.31 2.96 White crappie * 44 8.75 14.46 .32 3.01 2.84 Freshwater drum 17 3.38 17.29 1.01 3.59 Total 503 100.00 481.76 100.00 Game Fis A 79 15.71 89.29 18.54 Rough Fish 424 84.29 392.47 81.46 W Seining Results of Valley Creek Lake (Bag 26' by 6' by 1/4-inch mesh seine, 20' by 6' by l/8winch mesh seine and 10' by 4' by 1/8-inch mesh seine). Species Number Size Range in Inches Gizzard shad 28 3 —7 Golden Shiner 1 2 Red Shiner 317 1 m2% Blacktail Shiner 345 1%—2% Bullhead minnow 35 1%—2 River carpsucker 5 3 m4 Black bullhead l 6 Channel catfish 1 3 Green sunfish 11 3 -4 Orangespotted sunfish 8 2 ~3 Bluegill 7 1 -3 Longear sunfish 5 3 -4 Redear sunfish 8 3 m3% Largemouth bass 15 2 m % White crappie 165 3 n5 Logperch 4 3% Total 956