TPWD 1961 F-4-R-8 #638: Fisheries Investigations and Surveys of the Waters of Region 2-A: A Study of Crappie in Lake Whitney, Job No. E-4

JOB COMPLETION REPORT As required by FEDERAL AID IN FISHERIES RESTORATION ACT TEXAS Federal Aid Project No. F—A-R—B FISHERIES INVESTIGATION AND SURVEYS OF THE WATERS OF REGION 2-A Job No. E—4 A Study of Crappie in Lake Whitney Project Leader: Leonard D. Lamb H. D. Dodgen Executive Secretary Texas Game and Fish Commission Austin, Texas Marion Toole ' Eugene A. Walker D—J Coordinator Director, Program Planning April 17, 1962 ABSTRACT A study of crappie in Lake Whitney was continued in an effort to learn something of the size of the crappie population, the reasons for the recent small harvest, the movementuof tagged crappie, the ecological factors influencing their distribution and to develop satisfactory methods for sampling crappie fry. A total of 1,677 crappie were taken in wire traps and only 86 crappie, or 6.74 per cent, were taken in gill nets. Over 50 per cent of those taken were small crappie that began to enter the traps in July. These crappie were just large enough to be retained by the traps which are made of one—inch mesh wire. This tends to indicate a successful Spawn during the previous year and that the number of crappie has not become critical. The weight of each crappie has de— creased to a critical point as shown by the average weight of crappie. A total of 1,855 crappie were tagged during the year and 69 or 3.71 per cent of these were recaptured. The greatest distance traveled by a tagged crappie was 13 miles. The greatest length of freedom for a crappie recaptured this year was 251 days. This crappie was recaptured at the.pointfof release. The next greatest distance traveled was 11 miles. This fish was free for only 8 days be— fore being recaptured. Two other crappie each traveled 10 miles from the point of tagging. It is intended that the crappie study continue and all the data which has been gathered be compiled in order that a long range, year to year, movement of the crappie can be predicted. Further emphasis will be placed on the study of crappie Spawning success. JOB COMPLETION REPORT State of TEXAS Project No. F-4—R-8 Name: Fisheries Investigations and Surveys of the Waters of Region 2-A Job No. E—4 Title: ,3 Study of Crappie in. Lake Whitney Period Covered:w November 1, 1960 - October 31, 1961 Objectives: To determine the population of white crappie (Pomoxis annularis) in Lake Whitney and the reasons for the recent small harvest. To study the pattern and extent of travel of tagged or marked crappie and the ecological factors influenc- ing their distribution. To develop satisfactory methods of sampling crappie fry. Techniques Used: The tagging of crappie, in Lake Whitney, during the period covered by this report, continued along the same general lines as in previous segments. A majority of the traps used were constructed of No. 9 gauge concrete reinforcement wire, with a Six—inch square mesh, covered with oneminch mesh poultry wire. The wire traps are five feet long and 23 inches in diameter, and are of either single or double throat construction. The throat openings are from three to five inches in diameter. In addition to the wire traps, two ”gang nets” and two hoop nets were used. The gang net is made up of a series of hoop nets attached one to another by small mesh leads. The painting of traps was tried in this segment of work. The use of yellow traffic paint was applied to one trap and two traps were Sprayed with anti—fouling bottom paint of copper green color. All of the traps were built in the fisheries laboratory headquarters and trans— ' ported to the lake. Traps were then set in a selected area which was considered to be a good place to take crappie. These wire traps were left in this location as long as fish were taken but when no fish were caught,the trap was moved to a new location. All traps were left in continuous operation until it became necessary to make repairs or the trap was lost through flooding or theft. Yellow colored wooden markers were attached to the traps to identify them as belonging to the Texas Game and Fish Commission. The work of trapping was divided among three sections of the lake (Lake—Map), the Nolan River Area, the Upper Lake Area and the Middle Lake Area. No traps were set in the Lower Lake Area because of the Small number of crappie taken during the prior two segments of work and the distance that would have to be covered to work 1this area. -2... Strap type, monel—metal, jaw tags were placed on the left premaxillary of all fish tagged. This is the same method of tagging used in past segments of the crappie study. The tag sizes used were either No. 1 or No. 3. Data recorded for each tagged Specimen were: Total length in millimeters, tag number, date and place of capture and release. Gill net collections were made in the area in order to determine the population ratios and to take tagged crappie. This information also served as a check on the effectiveness of the traps in taking crappie. Findings: The data presented in table No. 1 shows the numbers and per cent of the total trap catch represented by each Species. Crappie comprise 55.36 per cent of the total catch. Bluegills represent 27.11 per cent. The catch of bluegills has increased over the previous year from 26.43 per cent to 27.11 per cent. A greater' number of crappie were captured this year than in any prior segment. A total of 1,456 crappie were taken in the 1959-60 segment. This segment a total of 1,677 crappie were taken by traps, 47.56 per cent of the total trap catch. Gill nets were set in order to provide comparative data and to serve as a check on the existing fish population, (Table 2). The catch of crappie was 6.74 per cent of the total fish taken in gill nets while the wire traps took 55.36 per cent crappie. The wire traps still provide the best method for obtaining crappie to be tagged and released. Gill nets took 63.25 per cent shad compared to the small amount (2.47 per cent) taken in wire traps. It is interesting to note that during 1958-59, 1959-60, 1960—61, gill net col— lections produced 46.26, 61.15 and 63.25 per cent shad respectively. In the same gill net collections crappie comprise 11.29, 6.97 and 6.74 per cent respectively. Each year the shad taken in gill nets has increased while that of the crappie has decreased. This factor is believed to have some influence on the small crappie that are being caught from the lake. In table 3, consolidated data from gill net collections are broken down to show both area of netting and ratio of crappie to all other Species caught. The two areas which were netted Show only 86 crappie compared to 1,190 fish other than crappie. Trapping and tagging of crappie are shown on table No.24ralong with the recap— ture data. Data Shown on this table is given by areas which were worked during this segment and the months that the work mas accomplished. In the Nolan River 78 crappie were caught in wire traps. This represents 4.20 per cent of the total tagged during the year. Two of the tagged crappie were re- captured or 2.89 per cent Of the total tagged fish recovered. The number of crappie tagged in the upper lake area totaled 721 or 38.87 per cent of the entire number tagged. A total of 49 crappie were recaptured in this area whiCh represents 71.02 per cent of the total tagged fish recovered. This also includes fish tagged during the previous segment. -3... That part of the lake designated as the Middle Lake Area produced 1,056 fish for tagging purposes, 56.93 per cent of the total number tagged. In this same area 18 tags were recovered or 26.09 per cent of the total tagged fish recovered. A total of 1,855 crappie were tagged and 69 tagged fish were recaptured, either by fishermen or Game and Fish Commission personnel. The 69 tagged fish which were recaptured represents 3.71 per cent of the total fish tagged. All tagged fish which were caught by Game and Fish Commission personnel were released after data had been recorded.which leaves these fish free to be recaptured. Three fish were caught after being released for the second time (Table 5). These fish remained near the original place of tagging. Information concerning all tagged crappie recaptured by either fishermen, gill nets or traps is listed in table No. 5. The longest distance of travel is thirteen miles. This crappie (Tag No. C-1693) was tagged and released in Mesquite Creek then traveled down stream to Cedar Creek. The fish was tagged after Spawning season (5le-60) which could possibly mean that it was moving into deeper water. No date of recapture could be determined as the tag was returned without this information. Another crappie, (Tag No. A~4l35) which was tagged and released in the slough at Lakeside Village, traveled down stream and was caught near Hillcrest fishing pier. This is a distance of approximately eleven miles. This fish was tagged and recaptured during the month of September which does not indicate a movement that could be considered Spawning migration. The water level of the lake changed only 0.06 and the thermocline remained unchanged. No reason is known for this movement. Another crappie (Tag No. C—4071) was caught, tagged, and released near Lake— side Village and was also recaptured at Hillcrest fishing pier. This fish was free 186 days after tagging. Tag Number C-4478 was pkiced on a crappie which was caught and released near the number 8 marker, May 30, 1961. This fish was recaptured on June 10, 1961, across the channel from Lakeside Village, 10 miles upstream from the point of re- lease. Another ten mile trip was made by crappie tagged number D—l27 which was an upstream movement. This fish was tagged on January 5, 1961 and after 57 days of freedom was recaptured on March 3, 1961, which tends to indicate a Spawning movement. Crappie tagged number A~4030 remained free for 42 days before being recap~ tured. This crappie was tagged on February 20, 1961, and traveled five miles up— stream from the original point of tagging. Another crappie, (Tag No. C-4173), tagged on March 13, 1961, near Circle ”DH dock, traveled upstream to Mesquite Creek before being caught on May 9, 1961. A total of 57 days of freedom existed before this fish was recaptured 2.5 miles from Circle ”DU.dock. Five crappie (Tag Numbers D—87, D—283. C-4l20, C-4146 and C~4l95) each traveled two miles from the point of tagging. Two crappie traveled 1.5 miles, while five other crappie traveled one mile each. Allcfher crappie either traveled shorter distances or had no travel atgall. A total of 31 crappie, recaptured during the year, traveled less than 100 yards and are shown in the distance traveled column of table 5 as ”none”. -4- The gang net was used to take crappie during the Spawning season when the crappie were in Shallowveter. This net is made up of a series of hoop nets attached to each other by small mesh leads. After several unsuccessful attempts to catch large numbers of crappie in the gang nets they were removed from the lake. Crappie were not taken in large numbers as was planned due to the cobler water which pre- vailed during the Spawning season. Because of the coolness of the water the crappie either had a small Spawn or the Spawning took place in deeper water. Painting of traps provedtmibecfsome benefit. Two colors of paint were used on the wire traps, yellow traffic paint and an anti—fouling bottom paint of copper green color. The anti—foUling paint was sprayed on to prevent the traps from being covered with algae. An algae covered trap greatly reduces the catch of crappie. However, after the trap had been in the lake a Short time,it also became covered with algae; so the anti—fouling paint was not used on any more of the wire traps. In order to test the yellow painted trap,it was placed in the lake alongside test traps. These test traps were either new unpainted traps, old traps, or the green colored traps. A11 traps were set a few feet above the thermocline during the summer months. Old traps covered with silt and algae took less crappie than either of the others. New unpainted traps as well as the yellow colored traps were comparable in taking fish but as the new trap became fouled with algae they took less crappie than did the yellow colored traps; consequently, it is intended that the yellow colored traps be used,experimentally in the next segment. Seining of the shallow water did not prove effective in taking crappie fry. It was intended to use a shrimp trawl in order to take crappie fry in the deepér parts of the lake. Due to the difficulty in obtaining one,the plan was not carried out. Some small mesh wire traps were used during this segment but they also proved; ineffective in taking crappie fry. The large numbers of small crappie which are taken during the late summer months tends to indicate that the crappie were spawn— ing, but the habitat of the crappie fry has not been determined. From spawning time until the crappie are large enough to be taken by one-ince wire mesh (25-50: grams of body weight) their habitat is undetermined. Table number 6 is a week by week list of the water level of Lake Whitney. AS shown on this table the water varied from the low of 518.83 to a high of 523.83 feet. Prepared by __QE§E§_Q;_§ELEE___________ Approved by,/é//gg_¢fgfig,_Mg4tgtgggfl. Asst. Project Leader ”Coordinator \ Date April 17, 1962 - -5- Table 1. Fish caught in wire traps in Lake Whitney, Nov. 1960 — Oct. 1961. Spotted gar Longnose gar izzard shad— Smallmouth buffalo River carpsucker Carp Channel catfish lathead catfish ite bass Iargemouth bass Bluegill sunfish *hite crappie Ireshwater drum Number Trapped Lepisosteus oculatus 3 L. oseus 38 DoroSoma cepedianum 75 Ictiobus bubalus l6 Carpiodes carpio 52 Cyprinus carpio 69 Ictalurus punctatus 58 Pylodictis olivaris 5 Roccus chrysops 87 Micropterus salmoides 50 Lepomis macrochirus 821 Pomoxis annularis 1,677 Aplodinotus grunniens 78 Per Cent of Total 0.09 1.26 2.47 0.53 1.22 2.87 1.65 27.11 55.36 2.58 eez no seen can nee m.eenv nemuea Meow .Hm ammonuo cmnomflu ocma .m nmcamboz .xmcunfiz mxmq .mmofluomflaoo umn Haww we mufinmmm eez we seem OOH nee eenm [Ii III-lull.) i mccnom CH enmeez mwmmm>£ oo.ooH .ez Hence MO ucmo nmm mo.th mucoom an nsmnmz O0.00H nmnEnz HmuOH mo ocmu nmm ohm.a om ma OH HHH hm nmfianz mHmuOH Educ nmumsfimmnm mflmmmuu mufifiz smHLeSm unnmeSHm mmmc SumoEmwnmA mmon when: smflmumo Hmccmso ammo nmeSmdnmo nm>flm onmwsn susoaaamam cmfim UHmNNHU Mum mmocmcoq mum pmquQm memommm .N tneee oaH.H oo.oon em ooe.¢ enenoe Homa Hm30uuo snap mmn< mum NH oom Coma mxmq mHUUHE . nmaEm>oz Hooa nmflouoo mmnm. mes as ooH.e anew mama sees: coma nmflam>oz mfiammno mmfiw mamnw 6mm: nmfiuo Cw mnmumEHHHHE cw nmaenz wmfluumz coflnom ufiwnmv ufiwwma mmmnm>< fiuwcma mwmnm>¢ mo uwmm mem mm..mnu .Hooa .uuo a Coma .>oz rkmmuflsz mxmq cw mums HHHw SH uswnmo mmflommm nofiuo com mflddmno .m mHQmH oo.ooH as oo.ooH mmw.n mo.©m nHo.o wH NO.HN noo.o mq ow.m mmo.o N mmnm CH cmHSH mmnm EH unwomn smmh cmmmfiw cmnnumfiommr Ummmme Hmuoe HmBOH mo meddmno Umwme powme mo ummo nmm ummo nmm mo nmnsnz HmDOH mo mflddmno ucmo nom amuoe mmnnudmocm Hmma anOuoO F OQQH nmflamboz .chuH53 mxmq “sump mnmo mun ese.e Homa nmnouoo snsu ooma nonaw>oz Homa quOuuo snfiu coma nmnam>oz Homa umnwnm hand sown: %nmonnmm mcHA can xoom pmmb no cmme pmdmmne mdmnH coflnmm nmnanz nmnasz nonfinz wmwmme Umm wmadmmnH nmEEnm .HmHOH mxmq manna: mxmq umma: nm>flm cmaoz mmnm .a tnnew