TPWD 1973 F-6-R-20 #1522: Fisheries Investigations, Region 5-B: Job No. VIII, Fishery Management

JOB PROGRESS REPORT As required by FEDERAL AID IN FISHERIES RESTORATION ACT TEXAS Federal Aid Project No. F-6-R—20 FISHERIES INVESTIGATIONS, REGION 5-B Job No. VIII, Fishery Management Project Leader: R. L. McCabe Clayton T. Garrison Executive Director Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Austin, Texas Lonnie Peters Robert J. Kemp, Director Chief, Inland Fisheries ' Fish and Wildlife Division May 10, 1973 SUMMARY Changes in fish harvest regulations were incorporated into the Southeast, Oak Prairie, South Central Texas Hunting, Fishing and Trapping Proclamation No. 0—3, 1972-73, which was approved by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commis— sion on July 7, 1972. The changes which affected Region S-B included a re- duction of the daily bag limit from fifteen (15) to ten (10) in the aggregate, a minimum size limit of ten (10) inches, and a possession limit of twenty (20) on largemouth, smallmouth or spotted black bass. The possession limit does not include fish processed and stored at the fisherman's permanent residence. The eleven (11) inch minimum size limit on channel catfish was removed and an addition (iii) was made to section 7.02 (d) of the proclamation stating ”the daily bag limit on channel, blue, and flathead catfish is twenty—five (25) in the aggregate. The possession limit is fifty (50) in the aggregate.” The wording of section 7.02 (d) was changed to clarify the boundaries of an area with special regulations. Changes in ”means and methods” of taking fishes require that all trotlines set in public waters shall be redated at the end of each ninety day period. In addition, "any trotline set in the public waters of this state in violation of this proclamation shall be removed from the waters thereof.” The proclamation asserts that it is illegal to take catfish in hoop nets, trammel nets, or gill nets of nonmetallic construction having a mesh size not less than three inches square. It is also unlawful to possess catfish on board any boat or vehicle while possessing a hoop net, gill net, or trammel net. Limited experimentation with granular 2,4-D (”Aqua-Kleen 20” by AMCHEM) was conducted on Lake Corpus Christi to determine the effectiveness of the chemical in controlling water stargrass infestations. The minimum effective dosage rate utilized during the tests was 200 pounds per surface acre. Further investigation in this area should be conducted by the statewide noxious vegetation project. In 1972 advanced young channel catfish were stocked in Lake Corpus Christi (7,800 fish), Kleberg Park Lake (700 fish), and West Guth Park Lake (100 fish). All fish were finclipped to provide future information on growth and sexual development. Upon availability from State hatcheries, releases of advanced young flathead catfish are recommended for Lake Corpus Christi and Alice City Lake. The stocking of advanced young blue catfish is also recommended for Alice City Lake. JOB PROGRESS REPORT State Texas Project No. F—6uR—20 Project Title: Fisheries Investigations Region 5-B Job No. VIII Job Title: Fishery Management Period Covered: January 12 1972 to December 31, 1972 P. S. OBJECTIVES: To situate fishery management practices in the waters of Region S-B. SEGMENT OBJECTIVES: 1. To recommend fish harvest regulations to the Texas Parks and Wild- life Commission. 2. To recommend stocking ratios for newly constructed or renovated waters, and in waters having established fish pOpulations where insufficient reproduction has been determined. 3. To recommend control of overabundant rough and/or game fish species. 4. To determine need for rough fish removal by contract fishermen. 5. To determine vegetation control needs. 6. To determine public access needs. PROCEDURES: Preposed changes in fish harvest regulations, based on data and field observations recorded during previous surveys, were submitted to State head— quarters through pr0per channels. The changes were then presented to the public at hearings in each of the regulatory counties of Region S—B. The proposed changes, along with records of each hearing, were then submitted to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission for final consideration. The follow- ing public hearings were attended by F-6-R personnel: PUBLIC DATE TIME TOWN COUNTY ATTENDANCE May 1, 1972 10:00 a.m. Rockport Aransas 25 May 1, 1972 2:00 p.m. Sinton San Patricio 0 May 1, 1972 8:00 p.m. Beeville Bee 0 May 3, 1972 10:00 a.m. San Diego Duval } 0 May 3, 1972 2:00 p.m. Alice Jim Wells 0 . May 3, 1972 8:00 p.m. George West Live Oak 0 There were no newly constructed or renovated waters in Region 5-B; there— fore, no stocking ratio determinations were necessary. Objectives 2 through 6 of this study were fulfilled in conjunction with fisheries surveys conducted on each major body of water having existing fish pOpulations. The surveys were conducted quarterly for the purpose of determining composition and abundance of fish species and to determine supplementary stocking needs. The waters surveyed included Lake Corpus Christi (Jim Wells, San Patricio, and Live Oak Counties), Alice City Lake (Jim Wells County), Kleberg Park Lake (Kleberg County), Lakeview Park Lake (Nueces County), and West Guth Park Lake (Nueces County). Five permanent sampling sites were established on Lake Corpus Christi (Figure 1). Overnight gill netting, marginal seining, and water analyses were conducted at all stations during each survey. Four gill netting stations were chosen on Alice City Lake; however, due to a substantial decline in water level, only three stations were accessible after the second survey. A map of the lake showing the location of all sampling stations is given in Figure 2. Due to the small size of Kleberg, West Guth, and Lakeview park lakes, no permanent sampling stations were needed. Experimental gill nets (1—inch to 3%—inch mesh and 150 feet long) were the primary means used for sampling adult game and rough fish populations. Marginal seining was conducted with a 20-foot bag seine (%-inch mesh and 8 feet deep) to determine spawning success and forage fish abundance. A lO-foot otter trawl and an electroshocking device were used to supplement netting and seining data. Water samples were taken with a Kemmerer water sampler and analyzed with a Each DR-EL Portable Engineer's Laboratory. Gill net Specimens were categorized by species and bulk weights were taken. Individual weights and measurements were recorded on all game fish and on a representative sample of rough fish. Game fish were also checked for sexual develOpment, stomach contents, and parasite infestation. Numbers and weights of each species were totaled and a game fish-rough fish ratio was calculated for each body of water sampled. In addition, average weights were established for each species and average ”K” factors were computed on all game fish species. Seining collections were preserved in 10 per cent formalin in the field and were later keyed and identified in the laboratory. Individuals within each Species were measured, separated by size group (juvenile, intermediate, or adult), and counted. A11 fish species encountered during Segment 20 are included in a checklist (Table 1). Common and scientific names are in accord with those found in Special Publication No. 6, A List of Common and Scientific Names of Fishes from the United States and Canada (Third Edition), a publication of the American Fisheries Society. FINDINGS: Fish Harvest Regulations The Southeast, Oak Prairie, South Central Texas Hunting, Fishing, and Trapping Proclamation No. 0—3, 1972-73 was approved by the Texas Parks and- -3- Figure 10 Lake Corpus Christi Sampling Stations. LAKE CORPUS CHRISTI Swinney Switch STATIONS l Hog Island 2 Green's Cove 3 Lagarto Creek 4 Dam 5 Railroad Crossing . Netting - Water Samples 0 Seining O 1 2 Miles Hwy. 359 -4- Figure 2. Alice City Lake Sampling Stations ALICE CITY LAKE I Water Inlet ../' v .l. /l/ l / / [I O . ""/ Sample Stations Q‘ 0 I-I“/{ .Netting ' "'7' . 0 Seining \,----' .....-- / I .Water 1 Texas Blvd. Table 1 Species Checklist WW#v—*Mw ___.._._..._ ................._... ..._ .. .. . . . Common Name Scientific Name Spotted gar Lepisosteus oculatus Longnose gar ‘L. osseus Gizzard shad Dorosoma cepedianum Threadfin shad .2. petenense Mexican tetra Astyanax mexicanus Carp - Cyprinus carpio Goldfish Carassius auratus Golden shiner Notemigonus crysoleucas Pugnose minnow OpsoEoeodua emiliae Red shiner Notropis lutrensis Bullhead minnow Pimephales vigilax Smallmouth buffalo Ictiobus bubalus Channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus Blue catfish .I. furcatus Black bullhead - .1. males Yellow bullhead ‘I. natalis Flathead catfish Pylodictis olivarus Tadpole madtom ' Noturus gyrinus Gulf killifish Fundulus grandis Sheepshead minnow Cyrinodon variegatus Mosquitofish . Gambusia affinis Sailfin molly Poecilia latipinna Amazon molly ‘3. formosa Tidewater silverside Menidia beryllina White bass Morone chrysoEs Largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides Warmouth Lepomis gulosus Green sunfish L. cyanellus Redear sunfish L. microlthus Bluegill 'L. macrochirus Redbreast sunfish 'L. auritus White crappie Pomoxis annularis Black crappie 'P. nigromaculatus Freshwater drum Aplodinotus grunniens Rio Grande perch Cichlasoma cyanoguttatum Mosambique tilapia Tilapia mossambica Striped mullet Mugil cephalus I___________________ Wildlife Commission on July 7, 1972. Changes in the Proclamation which affected Region S—B fisheries included the following: 1. The daily bag limit on largemouth, smallmouth, or spotted black bass was reduced from fifteen (15) to ten (10) in the aggregate. 2. A minimum size limit of lO—inches in length was imposed on large— mouth, smallmouth or Spotted black bass. 3. A possession limit of twenty (20), which does not include fish _ processed and stored at the fisherman's permanent residence, was placed on largemouth, Smallmouth and spotted black bass. 4. The eleven (11) inch size limit on channel catfish was removed. 5. The wording of section 7.02 (d) of the proclamation was changed to clarify boundaries of an area affected by Special regulations. 6. Exception number (iii) was added to section 7.02 (d) and states that ”the daily bag limit on channel, blue, and flathead catfish is twenty-five (25) in the aggregate. The possession limit is fifty (50) in the aggregate.” 7. An addition to the Means and Methods (7.04) section of the Proc— lamation asserts that ”all trotlines that remain in public waters shall be redated at the expiration of each ninety—day period. Any trotline set in_the public waters of this State in violation of this proclamation Shall be removed from the waters thereof." 8. Section 7.04 (g) was changed to make it illegal to take catfish in hoop nets, trammel nets, or gill nets of nonmetallic construction having a mesh Size not less than three inches square. 9. Section 7.04 (g) makes it unlawful to possess catfish on board any boat or vehicle while fishing with or possessing a hoop net, gill net, or trammel net. Lake Corpus Christi (live Oak, Jim Wells, and San Patricio Counties) Twenty experimental gill nets were set during the year. Netting results were in keeping with those obtained during recent years. The catch-per-unit effort was calculated for each survey and for the total annual yield (Table 2). Netting results are given in Table 3, and a comparison of the game fish-rough fish ratios obtained during each survey is presented in Figure 3. Game fish represented 36.4 per cent by number and 26.12 per cent by weight of the total fish netted. Channel and blue catfish accounted for 59.7 per cent by number and 73.8 per cent by weight of the game fish catch. Four flathead catfish were taken during the quarterly surveys as Opposed to none during survey of the prior three year period. An additional small number of flathead catfish were taken while assisting the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service I .mnooz ma >a¢um5wxonmnm now unwwonw>o new mom HHHm ammo Hmunoeflnonxo uoomaoma one u uzwwn none w.nm w.om a.mm ¢.nq o.mm a.mm a.mm N.om n.0N o.¢m aunmnn no: \sonao L. 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