TPWD 1955 F-2-R-2 #172: Inventory of the species present and their distribution in those portions of the Brazos River within the boundaries of Region 6-B
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//:L” STATE _ ‘ Texas a
? PROJECT NOc F~2wfiwe Job B~12
PERIOD December i, 1953 through
May 30; 1955
Job Completion Report
by
Richard Ha Clark
Assistant Project Leader
TITLE
Inventory of the species present and their distribution in those portions of
the Brazos River within the boundaries of Region 6wBa
OBJECTIVES
To determine the species present and their relative abundancea
METHOIS
The fish population of the lower Brazos River, from U. S. Highway 190, to the
Gulf Coa.st nea.r Freeport was sampled with 8' x 125‘, sqna.re mesh experimenta.l gill nets,
consisting of five 25 foot sections} with mesh sizes graduated in onemhalf inch intervals,
from one to three inches Gill nets 83 x 1003 long consisting of 12, 2 and 3 inch square
mesh sizes were also used. Seine collections were made with 30* x 6* bag seines, 30‘ x 6‘
straight seines, of 1" square mesh and 6? x h” bobbinet seines of 1/8" squa.re mesh
The lower Brazos River as defined above, was divided into thirteen stream sec»
tions, as shown on accompanying nap, for convenience in working the rivero Twentymfonr
seine and fortymfive net collections provided a total of 8805 specimens“
Seined specimens and unidentified gill net specimens were preserved in the field
with a 10% formalin solution and la.ter identified in the laboratory Data recorded for
individual netted specimens included weight length sex, and stage of sexual developmento
Cooperation of Dre Clark Hobbs, Icpartment cf Zoology, University of Texas, in the verifi-
cation and identification of several species was greatly appreciateda
RESULTS
Physical Characteristics
The area through which the lower Brazos River flows is divided into two ecolo~
gical sections by a line that is not easily defined beca.use of much over lapping of
physical characteristics The Post Oak Belt to the north is a rolling wooded plain much
of which has been cleared for agricultural purposes along the course of the river. Soil
banksa To the south the river extends through the heavy clays, largely grass covered, of
the Coastal Prairies Deep cut banks are common and like that portion of the stream in
the Post Oak Belt the river bed is heavily siltedo
\\\
Chemical Characteristics
Table I contains a key to the water analysis stations in each of the thirteen
stream sections. The enclosed map shows these stream sections numbered from one to thir-
teen” Table II records the results of a portion of the water analysis done in connection
A,
2.
with Job Am5. As the table indicates, the stream is turbid, and becomes increasingly
more turbid during periods of heavy run off over the highly erodable soils of the area.
The river was at a low stage when these water analyses were made. However the chart is
representative of the respective stream sections during the study period.
Fish Collections
Table III is a key to the location of the stream sections on the lower Brazos
River within Region 6MB. A checklist of fishes collected on the lower Brazos River by
netting and seining is contained in Table IV and gives an indication as to the abundance
of the th species collected. Abundance was based upon the number of stream sections in
which each species was found in relation to the thirteen stream sections sampled.
The ht species collected may be divided into five groups on the basis of their
abundance and distribution in the portion of the river under study. The first and most
abundant group is composed of the river carpsucker, sharpness Shiner, Brazos River shiner,
broadhead Shiner, red Shiner, parrot minnow, and channel catfish, having been found in
over 5h% of the stream sections.
The second group includes gissard shad, speckled dace, common mosquitofish, and
striped mullet which are the next most abundant occuring in 38m53% of the stream sections.
Group three includes alligator gar, shortness gar, blue catfish, bluegill sunm
fish, longear sunfish and freshwater drum which are third in abundance appearing in 23~
37% of the stream sections.
Spotted gar, green sunfish, orange spotted sunfish and white crappie found next
in abundance comprise group four occuring in 9m22% of the stream sections.
Group five includes all of those species found to be least abundant collected
in 8% or less of the stream sections. This group numbered 23 species or 52% of the ht
species collected. Although.recorded data indicates that carp and smallmouth buffalo
occur rarely, commercial fishermen report that these species are abundant. large numbers
have been taken in deep water all along the lower Brazos.
Table V contains a checklist of 23 fish species reported to occur in the Brazos
River andfor its drainage,none of which were collected in the lower Braces River within
Region 6mB, but some of which might be expected to occur. Job completion reports of Prom
ject Fm2mle, Job Bad and Fm2~Rm2, dob has and Ba? report the occurance of twentymone of
the species in the San Gabriel, Leon, Lampasas and Little Rivers including Brushy Creek,
within the boundaries of Region 6MB. According to Job donpletion Report, Project Embifiml,
dob Bmo, nine species are reported to occur in the Brasos River and/or its drainage within
Region tab of which none were collected in the lower Brazos River dob Bml2.
Seining and netting results by numberznieach species is reported in Table VI and ‘
includes the number of each species collected per stream section. The tarpon (T. atlanticus)
reported was collected with rod and reel and had a total length of 39 inches and weight of
17.5 lbs-
Table VII reports the length, weight and coefficient of condition of fish species
collected by gill nets from the lower Brazos River, December 1, 195t through May 30, l955.
Gizzard shed and river carpsucker dominated the rough fish catch totaling 5h.39% of 343-
netted specimens while channel catfish led game species with 20.t3%. Alligator gar and
sharpness sharh.comprised Tl.l8% of the total catch by weight. The other twenty species
caught by gill nets resulted in only 28.82% of the total catch by weight.
Sport fishermen and commercial fishermen are believed to use the fish resources
of the Brazos River extensively. many anglers were observed, fishing mostly for catfish,
3.
while near the mouth tarpon fishermen were active during the late spring. Commercial
fishermen were observed in several localities fishing with nets and others running
glass jar traps. Minnows are caught in the traps and large numbers are known to be
taken by commercial bait dealers.
SUMMARY
1. The lower Brazos River meanders through two overlapping ecological rem
gions. The Post Oak Belt to the north and the Coastal Prairies to the south.
2. The stream is turbid as the chemical analysis chart indicates and bow
comes more so during periods of heavy run off over the highly erodable soils of the
area.
3. Sixtynnine fish collections on the lower Brazos River-and its tributaries
produced 8805 specimens. Fortymfour species were found to occur and twnetymthree others
are reported to occur in its drainage within Regions 6_B and th.
4, Gizaard shed and river carpsucker dominated the rough fish catch, totaling
5h.39% of 343 netted specimens. Channel catfish led the game species with 20.h3%.
5. Sport fishermen are believed to harvest large numbers of catfish from the
lower Brazos and commercial fishermen are known to use the fish resources extensively.
Kay to water Analysis Sta
Station number
l.
10.
11.
a .
tions on tho Loser Brazos River
Location
Brazos River, at crossing of‘fi. S. Highway 190,
west of Hearna.
Brazos River, at crossing of U. S. Highway 79,
southwest of Hearse.
Brazos River, at orossing of State Highway 21.
southwest of Bryan.
Brazos River. at crossing of Farm Road 60, southm
wast of Collage Station.
Brazos River, at orossing of farm road, southwest
of Welborn.
Brazos River, at Washington State Park, Washington.
Brasos River, at crossing of U. S. Highway 290,
west of Esmpstsad.
Brazos River; at crossing of U. S. Highway 159,
southwest of Hampstsad.
Brasos River, at Stephen F. Austin State Park,
east of Sealy.
Brazos River, at orossing of Farm Road 723} north
of Rosenberg.
Brazos River} A milss northeast of Grabb, Ronson
Farm, Fort Band County.
Brazos River. at crossing of State Highway 35, East
Columbia.
Brasos River, at crossing of State Highway 36. near
Frsaport.
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Stream Section
1.
10.
ll.
12.
Location
Brazos River. one mile above U. S. Highwa* 199, west
of Hesrne. to one mile above U. S. Higlway 79, south“
west of Hearne.
Brazos River, one mile above U. S. Highway 79, soothe
west of Hearne. to one mile above State Highway 21,
southwest of Bryan.
Brazos River, one mile above State Highway 21. sonth~
west of Bryan, to one mile above Farm Road 60, soothe
west of College Station.
Brazos River, one mile above Farm Road 60. southwest
of Gollege Station, to one mile above farm road, southm
west of Welborn.
Brazos River. one mile above farm road, southwest of
Welborn. to six miles above State Highway 90, soothe
west of Bavasota.
Brazos River, six miles above State Highway 90. south_
west of Navasota, to one mile above U. S. Highway 290.
west of Heapstead.
Brazos River, one mile above B. S. Highway 290. west of
Hempstead, to one mile above State Highway 159, soothe
west of Hempstead.
Brazos River. one mile above State Highway 159. southm
west of Eempstead. to one mile above S. F. Austin State
Park, east of Sealy.
Brazos River. one mile above S. F. Austin State Park,
east of Seaiy, to one mile above Farm Road 1093. northw
east of Wallis.
Brazos River. one mile above Farm Road 1093, northeast
of Waliis. to one mile above U. S._Highway 59, east of
Riehmons.
Brazos River. one mile above U. E. Highway §§. east of
Riohmoni, to five miles above State Highway 35, east of
West Colombia.
Brazos River. five miles above State Highway 35. east
of West Selassie, .o one mile below Farm Road r‘21, east
of Braaoria.
Brazos River. one mile below Farm Road 521. east of
Braaoria, to tke month of the river on the Gulf Coast,
near Freeport.
_ Table :3
Scientific Name
rom toe lower Exes
Common Mame
Abundance
Seoliodon terraewnovae narpn se shark R
Lepisosteus spatula alligator gar C
Lepi.sosteus platostomus shortness gar C
Lepisosteus productus spotted gar F
Elopslfagril bigeye herring B
Iarggnfatlanticus tarpon B
Eggvoortia gun.teri bay menhaden R
Dorosoma petenensis threadfin shad R
Dorosoma eepedianum gizsard shad A
finesse mitohilli bay anchovy B
ciegfu elongatus blaesucker B
Ict iobas bubalus smallmonth buffalo B
LaIEIWdSEuEEEQlO river earpsueker VA
Cyprinns caroio earn B
Opsonoeoeu” emiliae’ tags as minnow B
Synopsis aestivalus speehled daoe A
Metropis atnerinoides emera.1d shiner R
Notrogis oxyrhynchus sharpness shiner VA
Metropis brazos sensis' ‘Brasos .iver shiner MA
Egtropis potteri broadhead shiner VA
Notropis lotions red shiner VA
Eisephales wigilax parrot minnow VA
Ictalorns puncta.tus channel catfish VA
Iot alnrus furoa.tus
Pilodiotus glijfaris
Basra marina
haleicbthys felis
ovate is affinis
sphrudaserss sayanus
mam-L: 1mmm
Moro one enry.0p
cum-x.
blue catfish
yellow eatfish
gafftopsail catfish
sea catfish
oommon mosquitofish
pirate narch
striped enlist
white bass
Fwaenobryt”“s 3or onarius warms utn bass
Leoomis o'anellus green sunfisn
Lenomis ma.er oehirns
m ed ~ mm-
Leooais humi.m
Leoomis magalotis
Pomosis annolaris
AElod1nrtu granni.ens
bluegili snn fish
orangespottes sunfish
longear sunfish
white crannie
freshwater drum
c33a<nis:n ainfiaibnaimvainiajon
Leicstomnc xantnurss arot B
Migratogan undu.latus Atlantis eroaker B
S simian netulosus spotted seneteague B
nagodon roomboia pinfish R
Uro nh_sis floridenas hake B
Fandulos grandis large kiliif i.s1 B
“it“:
m
Abunoance we .s bas.ed upon the percentage of the total number of stream sections in
wn.ieh ea.oh ape eie as was found. Example: VA very abundant (present in over 93% of the
stream cestiens}. A abundant {38m53%3.C common I :3 33%3, F frequent (9- 22%3 and B
{
rare (8% or less 3.
Ssisntifis Name
Asminan as iatus
Mssussoma congestnm
Mntrspis fumsns
Natrsgggvamnis
Notrqgiiavenuafns
Notfjpls volusellus
Entrapis buchanani
Dionds apissspa
ybsgnat bus Wfiabha.lis
Fimsgnaisa Egpnelas
Campsstnma anamalnm
Ameirns melas
Ameirns na tal.is
Ssnilbsadss gyrinns
andnlns nototns
_M1flr0nsswus punnfulasns
me 41m
Micnwp eras tress i
Lam-me: "Mm—1;“:mm m.
Mis antsrzs salmuid as
mm
LsnsMis ansta
Wm- WM
Basra terms ssisrus
WM‘Ig'
Psvrlna sapr91s~
‘E-‘L-w
Etnsus sma ennnsissam
EI_M bIMMd spssiabils
KW-
d“
w ?
abse 3
Cs3nr in the Brazos River Drainase, but not
he Loser Bra 3.03 Rivas.
Gammon Mama
Rio Grands tetra x
gray nsdhonss K
ribbon shines
‘pall.id shines
blasstail shines X
mimi shinsr 3
ghost sninsr X
roundnsuss minnow X
silvery minnsw x
fathsad minnnw X
stsnsrnllss X
black bullnsad x
ysllns ballhaad x
tadpsle madtam x
kstr ps topmi.nrisW' X
spstt s blink bass X
Taxas spattss bass X
largsmsuth bass 3
spatted sunfiss X
dusky darts“ K
lnggsssh X
blaminos. dartsr x
arangstnraat dartsr 3
ix:
N R N
{X}
3“:
Table VI
Number of Each Fish Species Taken From Each Sfiream Section
by Seining and Netting Dec, 1959 through M29 1955”
Fish Sgecies Stream Seations
1 2 3 a 5 6 7
S1 terraewnovae O O - O O O O 0
L1 spatula O O O O O O O
L“ platostomus O 12 O O O O 0
La pr$du2tus O O O O O 0 O
E. Es auras C} O O O O O 0
To atlanticus O O O O O O 0
Bo gunteri O O O O Q 0 0
DB petensia D O O O O O 0
Do cepedianum 9 51 0 0 0 6h 0
Ag mitchilli O O O O O O O
Co elangatus O O O O O 1 O
19 bubalus O O 1 G O O O
Carpiadefi carpio 17 23 O O 9 21 2
Syprinus carpio O O O O O 1 O
00 2m11122 O G O O O 1 O
21 aestiva1ug 69 o o 2 21 25 0
No atherinoides O O O O O O 0
Nu axyrhynmhus 137 81 26 99 213 532 1??
N. brazagensis 13 o 18 100 0 89 9
No getteri £8 1% 17 3 19 68 h
N. 168286515 1295 162 $7 67 57 890 69
Pa v1g11ax 380 22 30 31 10 186 28
11 gunctatus 11 12 O 2 O 31 O
I” fureatus O 10 O O Q 7 0
P1 alivaris O O O O O 1 O
E. marina O O O O O O Q
Q“ felis O O O O O O 0
Ga affinig 83 3 2 O O O 0
Au sayanus O O O O O O O
IMO aephalus O Q O O O 9 0
M1 QthSDps O O O O O 1 O
G. maronarius 2 O O O O O 0
La ayanellus 9 O O O O 0 0
Lu mafiyamflirus 226 O O Q G 5 0
Lo humilig 2 O O O G h 0
Lo megalotis 263 fl 0 O O 3 0
Po annularis O 1 O O O 3 0
Ag grunnienfi O 1 O O O 6 O
L“ Kanthurufi O O O: O O O 0
No 868612868 0 o 0 a o o 0
Ga nebulosufl O O O O O O 0
Lo rhgmboides O O 0 O O O O
80 flaridanua O O O O O O 0
F0 grandifi O O O O O O O
Tatala 2920 399 16? 299 329 1908 289
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Table 81 1 Continued
Number of Each Fish Species Taken From Each Stream eetion
by Seining and Netting Dec. 1958 Through may 19,j
J] U]
\
Fish Species
Total Percent
9 JO 11 12 13
81 terreemnovae 0 0 0 O 5 5 0.08
La Spatula 0 2 2 2 2 8 0.09
Lo platoetomus 3 1 1 0 0 17 0119
L1 produetua 0 0 1 0 O 1 0101
En 220202 0 0 C) 0 2 2 0.02
To at1antieus 0 O O 0 1 1 0101
Be gunfieri O O O 0 28 28 0132
Do peteneis 0 O 1 O O 1 0101
01 eepedianum 2 0 5 0 11 112 1,41
20 Mit0h111i O 0 0 O 2 2 0102
Co elongatue 0 0 0 0 0 1 0.01
10 bebalue 0 0 0 0 0 1 0.01
Serpiodee earpio 8 3 O 0 0 85 099?
Cyprinus earpio 0 0 O O O 1 0101
01 em11iae 0 0 0 0 0 1 0.01
Ho aeetivalue 2h 0 0 0 0 138 1156
No atherinoidee O 0 1 0 0 1 0101
Ne oxyrhynehus A30 61 0 0 0 2229 25 31
N1 brazoeensis 8 8 0 0 0 2M3 2175
N1 potteri 2 0 0 0 0 170 1193
Na 1utrensie 171 627 *9 0 0 3656 91 52
Pg vigi1ax 82 29 1 0 0 813 9123
19 punetatus 7 h 1 0 0 68 0.77
In fureatufi 3 0 O h 0 29 0127
29 01122212 0 0 O 0 0 1 0001
Be marina 0 0 0 0 5 5 0106
Go 12110 0 0 0 0 3 3 0103
01 affinis 0 27 21 0 0 96 1109
An sayanus 0 1 O 0 O 1 O 01
Mo eephalus 1 33 205 1 19. M98 5165
M1 2hryeOpe 0 0 0 0 0 1 0101
C. eoronariue 0 0 0 0 0 2 0102
La eyanellus O 1 0 O O 10 0111
Lu m26266hirug 2 2 0 0 0 235 2166
11 1nnn11is 0 0 0 0 0 6 0107
Lo mega10tie h 0 0 0 O 275 3112
P1 annulariS 0 0 O 0 O h 0105
21 grunniene 1 0 O 2 0 10 0011
Lu xanthurufl O 0 O 0 8 h 0105
21 undu1atue 0 0 0 0 12 12 0119
CD nebu1oeue 0 O 0 0 1 1 0101
La Thomboidee 0 0 0 0 1 1 0001
U1 f1oridanu2 0 O 0 0 1 1 0101
F, grandie 0 0 0 0 1 1 0.01
T0ta12 718 795 A68 9 128 8805 99 93