TPWD 1964 F-2-R-11 #927: Fisheries Investigations and Surveys of the Waters of Region II-B: Job No. 3-22, Fisheries Reconnaissance

Marion Toole D—J Coordinator AID—— JOB COMPLETION REPORT As required by FEDERAL AID IN FISHERIES RESTORATION ACT TEXAS I ‘I Federal Aid ProjeCt NoA'F-Z-R-ll Fisheries Investigations and Surveys of the waters of Region II-B Job No. 3—22: Fisheries Reconnaissance Project Leader: R. L. White J. Heldon Watson Executive Director TeXas Parks and Wildlife Department Austin, Texas ' Engene A. Walker‘ . Assistant Director of Wildlife May 19, 1964 ABSTRACT / Fidlcollections were taken from Lakes Austin, Belton, Buchanan, Granite Shoals, Marble Falls, Travis, Town, Brady and the Blanco, Colorado, Frio, Guadalupe, Little, Llano, Medina, Pedernales, San Gabriel and San Marcos Rivers. In addition to the fish collections, gross ecological observations were made on all stream systems and lake basins in an effort to determine changes which could require modifications in. preSent fishing regulations for the areas. No major changes in habits or fish populations were noted during the study and recommendations for fishing regulations, based on these findings remain the same. o JOB COMPLETIbN REPORT State of ' I Texas Project No. F-2-R-ll Name: Fisheries Investigations and Surveys of the ' I Waters of Region IIuB. ' Job No. B-22- - Title: Fisheries Reconnaissance Period Covered: Februaryl , 1963 — January 31, 1964 Objectives: H To determine gross changes in fishing conditions and factors influencing fish populations. 1. To determine major changes in the balance between desirable and undesirable fish Species and gross changes in abundance and condition of individual fish species. 2. To determine when indicated, major changes in ecological conditions includ- ing water quality, turbidity, and fish cover. 3. To determine when indicated, possible sources of pollutiOn. 4. To determine trends in fishing pressure and harvest composition. 5. To insure the adequacy of existing fiSh harvest regulations. ,Procedure: Fish populations of selected waters were sampled principally by the uSe of small mesh experimentali gill nets. These nets consist of five 25efoot sections ranging between one and three inch square mesh. Mesh size increases by one-half inch per section. Random net sets were used in all cases. Seine samples were made with a 26-foot bag seine and a 32—foot straight seine. The lakes to be sampled were chosen by the assistant project leader and the choice was dependant on current weather conditions, request for surveys, and known -gross changes in habitat. Net sets were made at stations established in the basic survey of each particular lake; if nets were set at random in the basic survey of the concerned lake, random sets were made. Seine samples were made as time and weather permitted. Water samples were taken and analyzed for 02, 002, total hardness, chlorides and pH Samples, taken from each lake surveyed, were taken from a vertical series bottom to surface in 10— foot increments. 3 The data collected in the field were checked monthly to determine any major trends in population ratio or relative abundance of species as well as general condition. Spot checks of creels and talks with camp operators aided in determin— ing the fishing pressure and_angler's success. -2- _ Table 1 is a checklist of the Species mentioned in this report. I. S 1ND INGS : The results of the water quality studies are not given in this report because there were no unusual readings detected during the project segment. These studies have been recorded and are on‘file at project headquarters on the State Fish Hatchery, San Marcos, Texas for future comparison. l . Menidia beryllina, tidewater silverSides minnow, were collected on Lakes Buchanan, Inks, Marble Falls, Granite Shoals, and Belton during the project segment. This Species was unrecorded for these Lakes and'the particular area. It was re- corded in a publication to The Texas Journal of Science. Lake Austin Ten experimental gill nets were set in Lake Austin, Travis County, on January 6—8, 1964. Table 2 contains the results of these netting collections. No unusual population changes or trends were noted in this limited sampling. Lake Belton , Netting trips were made to Lake Belton, Bell County, on May 21-23, August 26-28, and December 17-19, 1963 where a total of 34 Experimental gill nets were set. Table 3 contains the results of the netting Operations. Table 3a contains the results of seine sampling on Lake Belton. Menidia beryllina, tidewater silversides, were noted for the first time in Lake Belton. The Species seems to be present in large numbers. A very rapid population build-up has been noted in other reservoirs in Central Texas. White bass and channel catfish seem to comprise the majority of the angler's catch on Lake Belton. ' Lake Buchanan, A total of 42 experimental gill nets were set in Lake Buchanan, Burnet and Llano Counties on May 16-18, August 13-15, September 11=13, and November 26-28, 1963. Table 4 gives the results of the netting. Seine samples made in conjunction with the netting are given in Table 4a. Menidia beryllina comprised the majority of the seine collections. The results of these netting collections offer no great variation from data collected during the previous segment. Fishing pressure on Lake Buchanan is still below nOrmal, although trotline fishermen continue to harvest a number of catfish. Lake Granite Shoals Trips were made to Lake Granite Shoals, Llano and Burnet Counties on March 18»20 July 15-17, September 18-20, October 28-30, November 11-13, and December 10-11, 1963. A total of 54 experimental gill nets were set, and the results of these netting . collections are given in Table 5. Results of seining collections made in conjunction with netting operations are given in Table 5a. Tidewater silverside were collected 3 -3- on Lake Granite Shoals, but not in great numbers. u, The number of smallmouth buffalo harvested in netting collections has decreased . considerably. This reduction could be the the lake; White bass, black bass, n Lake Granite Shoals. Lake Marble Falls, Burnet County was netted on March 1 October 22-24, 1963, and January 27-29, 1964. nets were Set in the lake. Table 6. 1-13, July 15-17, A total of 41 Experimental gill , Burnet and Travis Counties total of 26 nets were set , d the results of seine samples, with netting, are given in Table 7a. The rOUgh fish population both per cent of weight and per cent of number as compared with ment's netting results. Because of the limited sampling, clusions can be drawn as to the decrease. , on August . Netting done in conjunction has dropped in the previous seg- however, no definite con- , Travis County, on January The sampling was too ings were taken on the 11 be used for compariw Turbidimeter read ging Operations. These readings wi . y completed Brady- the job may be found in Project Report F-l4-Da7, Job No. 16a4l . cked with approximately 77,000 black bass, 3,000 flathead'catfish, and 10,000 channel catfish. - -4- Approximately four months after stocking largemouth bass were collected by pro: ject personnel. The bass averaged eight inches in length, with some Specimens ten inches in length. The average weight of the bass collected was about one-half pound. Future reconnaissance work will be carried out on Brady Creek to note the progress of the fish population. RIVERS The rivers which were netted by project personnel are given below. Seining collections were made on most of the rivers, and the data Renarecorded. The seining data is on file at the project headquarters on the State Fish Hatchery, San Marcos, - Texas. This data will be available for comparison in the future. Blanco River Three experimental gill nets were set in the Blanco River, Blanco County, at the Blanco State Park. Results of the netting are given in Table 9. A die-off of largemouth bass and sunfish, due presumably to a hailstorm, occurred in the park area in the early summer. Black bass from the United States Fish Cula tural Station in San Marcos, were placed in the river following the die-off. Colorado River Three experimental gill nets were set in the Colorado River, Mills County, on April 23, 1963. Table 10 illustrates the results of these netting operations. The high population of rough fish in the river has rendered the angler's suc» cess negligible. A few catfish are harvested by trotline fishermen, but this method is not overly successful. Frio River Three experimental gill nets were set in the Frio River, Real County, on June 27, 1963. Table 11 shows the results of this netting. Fishing for black bass and sunfish is fair on the river, and fiShermen harvest a number of catfish both still fishing and trotlining. Smallmouth bass were stocked in the Frio River in 1961, but no survival has been demonstrated. Guadalupe-River Ten experimental gill nets were set in the Guadalupe River, Kerr, Kendall, and Comal Counties, during the past segment. Table l2 shows the results of these netting collections. Deepite the absence of black bass on the netting table, there is heavy fishing pressure, and a good harvest of this Species along the river. Sunfish and catfish are caught by fishermen the year round on the GuadaIUpe River. “‘5' -Little River Four experimental gill nets were set in the Little Rive_r, Milam County on May 23, 1963. The river was on a rise when the nets were set, and only 15 longnose gar and one shcrtnose gar were collected. Future work on the river is anticipated. i Llano River ! ' _ . Eleven experimental gill nets were set inwthe Llano River in Kimble, Mason, and leano Counties on April 23, April 24, and May 30, 1963, reSpectively. The results_ of these netting collections are given in Table 13. ' 'The majority of the fish harvested in the river is comprised of catfish and sun- fish,rwith some black bass caught in the larger pools. Reconnaissance work will be_carried on in the future tO_note any changes or trends in the fish population of the Llano River. Medina River TWelve experimental gill nets were set in the Medina River, Bender a County, on -June 17- 18, and November 19-21,1963. Table 14 illustrates the results of these net- ting collections. Although there had been some discussion among the citizens of Bandera County to eradicate the present fish pop6lation, and restock with desirable fish, no such action has been initiated. Future reconnaissance work on the Medina River will be carried out to determine any changes in the fish population. Pedernales River Six experimental gill nets.were set in the Pedernales River, GillesPie and Blanco Counties on April'25w26 and June 6:7, 1963. Table 15 illustrates the results of these “netting collections. ' '. Angling for catfish and carpsuckers comprises the majority of the fishing pressure on this river. San Gabriel River Eight experimental gill nets were set in the San Gabriel River, Williamson County, on June 27-29, 1963. Table 16 gives the netting results of these netting Operations. Most of the fishing pressure in the county centers around the carpsuckers, but a limited amount of trotlining is also done on the river. San Marcos River Three experimental gill nets were set in the San Marcos River, Hays County, on June 6-7, 1963, Table 17 shows the netting results. Tourists, college students, and local citizens fish the river quite heavily, and a large number of fish are harvested annually. .- '., . / ‘Fé ,Prepared by Richard L. White Approved by 51/ Project Leader ’Coordinator Date: IMay 19, 1964 ' JOHN E. TILTON . Regional Supervisor -,-_ / Table 1 fl,” _“ __ , . _____ -.. ..__-- . . - - —-.....- 3.. -_ Checklist-“of Fishes ,_ SCIENTIFIC NAME fl_ w__COMMON NAME Lepisosteus oculatus ' Spotted gar Lepisosteus osseus . Longnose gar Dorosoma cepedianum Gizzard shad Cycleptus elongatus ' . Blue sucker Ictiobus bubalus Smallmouth buffalo Carpiodes carpio River carpsucker Moxostoma congestum Gray redhorse Cyprinus carpio Carp Notemigonus crysoleucas Golden Shiner Notropis venustus‘ Blacktail Shiner Notropis lutrensis Red Shiner Ictalurus punctatus I Channel catfish Ictalurus furcatus _ Blue catfish Ictalurus melas Black bullhead catfish Ictalurus natalis Yellow bullhead catfish Pylodictis olivaris _ Flathead catfish Fundulus notatus Blackstripe topminnow Gambusia affinis Moshuito fish Mugil cephalus Striped mullet _ Menidia beryllina ' Tidewater silverside Roccus chrysops- White bass MicroEterus treculi Guadalupe bass (Texas Spotted Bass) Micropterus salmoides ' Largemouth bass Chaenobryttus gulosus Warmouth Lepomis cyanellus . Green sunfish Lepomis microlophus Redear sunfish Lepomis macrochirus _ Bluegill - Lepomis auritus Redbreast sunfish Lepomis megalotis Longear sunfish POmoxis annularis White crappie Percina caprodes ' Logperch Aplodinotus grunniens Freshwater drum Cichlasoma cyanoguttatum Rio Grande perch .-£L‘ Table 2 LAKE.AUSTIN (Netting data, 1964) SPECIES NUMBER PER CENT WEIGHT PER CENT ‘i _ BY'NUMBER BY WEIGHT Dorosoma cepedianum 77 45.83 _ 35.32 19.39 Ictiobus bubalus 3 1.70 17.44 . 9.57 Carpiodes carpio .28 16.67 76.85 42.18 Ictalurus punctatus 5 2.98 6.82 3.74 Ictalurus fiuzatué 8 4.76 19.95 10.95 Roccus chrysops 4 2.38 4.25 2.33 Micropterus salmoides 5 i 2.98 12.07 I6.62 Chaenobryttus gulosus 3' 1.73 0.63 0.35 Lepomis macrochirus 11 6.55 1.14_ 0.63 Pomoxis annularis 15 8.93 4.82 2.65 Aplodinotus grunniens 1 0.59 1.13 0.62 Notemigonus crysoleucas .8 4.77 1.76 0.97 TOTALS' 168 100.00 182.18 100.00