TPWD 1972 F-4-R-18 #1450: Region 2-A Fisheries Studies: Job No. 3-37 Fishery Management Recommendations, Project F-4-R-18

JOB PROGRESS REPORT As Required by FEDERAL AID IN FISHERIES RESTORATION ACT TEXAS Federal Aid Project No. F-4-R~18 REGION 2-A FISHERIES STUDIES Job. No. 3-37: Fishery Management Recommendations Project Leader: Charles T. Menn Clayton Garrison Executive Director _ Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Austin, Texas L. J. Peters Robert J. Kemp, Jr. Chief of Inland Fisheries Director, Fish and Wildlife December 14, 1972 SUMMARY During this segment, 14 major public lakes in North Central Texas were checked. From 5 to 15 netting collections were made on each lake on a quarterly basis, except Lake Granbury where monthly collections were made. Rough fish species comprised 50% or more of the total number of fish taken in 10 lakes; they comprised more than 50% of the total weight of the fish in all 14 lakes. Since the information obtained from this job is meager, it is recommended that this fisheries region be divided into five sub-regions and either one or two lakes in each sub-region be checked on a quarterly basis. Each lake could be checked every three to five years, depending upon the lake and the nature of the problem. In addition to netting and seining data, information is needed with respect to the quality of fishing as well as water quality data. Job Progress Report State of Texas Project No. F-4-R-18 Name: Region Z-A Fisheries Studies Job No. B-37 Title: Fishery Management Recommendations Period Covered: January 1, 1971 to December 312 1971 Objectives: To determine the need for changes in fish harvest regulations, stocking, population control, vegetation control, and contract fishing in Region 2-A waters. Procedures: PrOposed fishing regulations for the Possum Kingdom and Trinity Brazos Regulatory Areas were discussed at a Game Management Officer-Biologist meeting prior to being presented at public hearings in each county under regulatory authority. The proposed fishing laws were then presented to the Commissioners of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission. The regulations which set seasons, bag and possession limits, and means and methods of harvest, were based upon results and findings of surveys and work done in this region. Fourteen public lakes were surveyed during this segment. Quarterly surveys were made on Lakes Garza Little Elm, Eagle Mountain, Arrowhead, Palo Pinto, Kickapoo, Hubbard Creek, Moss, Amon Carter, Diversion, Weatherford, Whitney, Coleman and Hords Creek. Lake Granbury, a relatively new reservoir, was surveyed on a monthly basis to collect background data to be used for future management recommendations. Each survey consisted of overnight gill net sets and seining collections. Gill nets used were 150 feet long and 5 feet deep with mesh sizes varying from 1 inch to 3% inches. The number of sets was determined by the size of the reservoir with five sets in reservoirs less than 5,000 surface acres, 10 sets in 5,000 to 10,000 surface acre reservoirs and 15 sets in reservoirs over 10,000 surface acres. Seining collections were made with a % inch mesh 20-foot sein. Usually 10 seining collections were made in conjunction with the quarterly netting trips. Each collection consisted of from three to ten hauls, 20 to 40 feet in length. Game fish collected were weighed and measured individually. A representative sample of rough fish species were weighed and measured, and the remainder were counted and bulk weighed. Table 1. is a checklist of all fish taken in the netting and seining collections during this segment. Common and scientific names used in A List of Common and _———-—-——-—_——_————-———q__————_————_—_—_ American Fisheries Society, Special PUblication No. 6 are used in this checklist. Only common names are used in this report. Tables 2, 3, 4 and 5 give average weight, ”K” factor range and average ”K” factor for the major game species collected during this segment. Findings: Garza-Little Elm Reservoir (Denton County) Gill Netting: Game fish species (channel catfish, flathead catfish, white bass, largemouth bass, bluegill, longear sunfish and white crappie) increased both in per cent of total number and total weight since the previous survey in 1969. Increased numbers of channel catfish, white bass, bluegill, and white crappie were noted. White bass alone comprised 25.05% of all fish taken in 1971 (Table 6.). Their average weight was less than one pound, but the largest one weighed more than two pounds. White crappie increased numerically since 1969, but the per cent of total number declined slightly. The per cent of total weight also increased slightly, from 4.24% to 4.90%. The ”K” factors of all game fish species revealed that they were in good condition. Rough fish species comprised 55.89% of the total number and 79.96% of the total weight of all fish taken in the netting collections. River carpsucker and smallmouth buffalo comprised 42.84% of the total number and 67.09% of the total weight of all fish taken in the netting collections. Two years ago smallmouth buffalo ranked first and river carpsucker ranked second. This apparent decline in the number of buffalo could be attributed to the contract fisherman who fished the lake. Otherwise there were no significant changes noted among the rough fish. Seining Collections: Mississippi silversides, threadfin shad, red shiners, and bullhead minnows, in that order, were the most frequently taken species during the year. In all, 1,514 silversides, 1,199 threadfin shad, 549 red shiners, and 369 bullhead minnows were taken. Both silversides and shad are considered excellent forage for some species of game fish. Additionally, the following fish were taken during the year: longear sunfish, 10; blacktail Shiner, 10; bluegill,23; largemouth bass, one; gizzard shad, l7; river carpsucker, 12; channel catfish, one; freshwater drum, five; logperch, 10; golden Shiner, two; white bass, nine; and orangespotted sunfish, one. Vegetation: Aquatic vegetation was not a problem in this lake. Discussion and Recommendations: River carpsucker and smallmouth buffalo were the principal rough fish species taken in Garza—Little Elm. This was essentially the case in 1969. White bass accounted for one-fourth of all fish taken in the netting collections. This is an increase of approximately 8% since 1969. The large quantity of suitable forage, mainly Mississippi silversides and threadfin shad undoubtly contributed to the increase in white bass. Either walleye or striped bass (Morone saxatilis) should be stocked in this lake to provide an additional predator and sport fish. If either of these fish could be established, they could serve as a source of fish for stocking in suitable lakes in this area. Eagle Mountain Lake (Tarrant—Wise Counties) Gill Netting: Forty netting collections were made on this lake in 1971. In all, 943 fish of 22 species were taken (Table 7.). Rough fish species comprised 67.34% of the total number and 88.88% of the total weight of all fish taken in Eagle Mountain. Smallmouth buffalo and river carpsucker ranked first and second by number and by weight respectively. Together, they comprised 53.02% of the total number and 8.02% of the total weight. White bass, bluegill, white crappie, and -3- Table 1. Checklist of Fish Species Common Name Scientific Name Spotted gar Lepisosteus oculatus Longnose gar .L. osseus Shortnose gar .L. platostomus Alligator gar _L. spatula Gizzard shad Dorosoma cepedianum Threadfin shad .Q- petenense Goldeye Hiodon alosoides Carp Cyprinus carpio Golden shiner Notemigonus crysoleucas Silver chub Hybopsis storeriana Suckermouth minnow Phenacobius mirabilis Red shiner Notropis lutrensis Redfin shiner 'N. umbratilis Blacktail shiner .N. venustus Plains minnow Hybognathus placita Bullhead minnow Pimephales vigilax Fathead minnow P, promelas River carpsucker Carpiodes carpio Bigmouth buffalo Ictiobus cyprinellus Smallmouth buffalo 'L. bubalus Spotted sucker Minytrema melanops Gray redhorse Moxostoma congestum Blue catfish Ictalurus furcatus Black bullhead 'L. melas Yellow bullhead L, natalis Channel catfish L, punctatus Flathead catfish Pylodictis olivaris Blackstripe topminnow Fundulus notatus Starhead topminnow .F. notti Blackspotted topminnow 'E. olivaceus Mosquitofish Gambusia affinis Brook silverside Labidesthes sicculus Mississippi silverside Menidia audens White bass Morone chrysops Redbreast sunfish Lepomis auritus Green sunfish L, cyanellus Warmouth .L. gulosus OrangeSpotted sunfish L, humilis Bluegill .L. macrochirus Longear sunfish L. megolotis Redear sunfish L, microlophus Green - Redear hybrid sunfish L, cyanellus X L, microlophus Spotted bass Micropterus punctulatus Largemouth bass M, salmoides White crappie Pomoxis annularis Black crappie 13. nigromaculatus Logperch - Percina caprodes Walleye Stizostedion vitreum vitreum Freshwater drum Aplodinotus grunniens Table 2. (Micropterus salmoides) from Region II-A Lakes, 1971. Amon Carter Arrowhead Coleman Diversion Eagle Mountain Garza-Little Elm Granbury Hords Creek Hubbard Creek Kickapoo ss Palo Pinto Weatherford Whitney * Approximate 771. 1382. 968. 592. 438 279. 435. 1159. 814. 555. 573. 298. 930. 534. 64 00 90 00 .53 78 87 85 02 60 18 78 39 96 1b. lb. 1b. lb. lb. lb. lb. 1b. 10 15 13 OZ. 62. OZ. OZ. OZ. OZ. OZ. OZ. OZ. OZ. OZ. .87 .02 .87 .72 .77 .85 .54 .01 .13 .62 .88 .73 .21 .08 .77 .24 .47 .14 .40 .15 .92 .68 .05 .72 Average weight, ”K” factor, and ”K" factor range of the Largemouth Bass 2.52 2.51 2.28 2.48 2.51 2.24 2.51 Table 3. Average weight, ”K” factor, and ”K” range of White Bass (Morone chrysops) from Region II—A Lakes, 1971. Lake Ave. Wt. (grams) Ave. Wt. * (pounds-oz.) ”K” Range ”K” Average Amon Carter ** 8* 8* 8* Arrowhead ** ** ** Coleman *8 ** ** *9 Diversion 320.59 11 oz 1.93 - 3.53 2.62 Eagle Mountain 322.75 11 oz. 1.68 — 3.44 2.32 Garza Little Elm. 372.29 13 oz. 1.08 - 4.26 2.70 Granbury 370.87 13 oz. 1.14 - 4.48 2.64 Hords Creek ** ** ** ** Hubbard Creek ** ** ** ** Kickapoo 528.30 1 1b. 3 oz. 1.48 - 3.47 2.45 Moss 770.25 1 1b. 11 oz. 2.97 - 3.26 3.08 Palo Pinto 317.33 11 oz. 2.30 — 2.72 2.48 Weatherford *8 ' J* “' Whitney 376.51 13 oz. 1.35 - 5.62 2.37 * Approximate ** Not Recorded Table 4. Average weight, "K” factor, and ”K” factor range of Channel Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) from Region II-A Lakes, 1971. .* ( ounds-oz) Amon Carter 449.63 1 lb. 1.19 ~ 2.29 1.52 Arrowhead 661.76 1 1b. 7 oz. 1.28 - 2.27 1.64 Coleman 810.07 1 1b. 13 oz. 1.16 - 2.13 1.52 Diversion 649.64 1 1b. 7 oz. 1.11 - 2.32 1.74 Eagle Mountain 841.07 1 ob. 14 oz 1.38 - 2.35 1.73 Garza Little Elm 571.85 1 1b. 4 oz. 1.28 — 3.65 1.58 Granbury 514.47 1 lb. 2 oz. 0.94 - 2.74 1.64 Hords Creek 1264.25 2 lb. 12 oz 0.84 - 2.02 1.69 Hubbard Creek 596.22 1 1b. 5 oz. 1.10 - 2.11 1.58 Kickapoo 518.13 1 1b. 2 oz. 1.18 — 2.10 1.50 Moss 2330.33 5 1b. 2 oz. 1.29 — 2.27 1.79 Palo Pinto 480.87 1 1b. 1 az. 1.21 — 2.08 1.54 Weatherford 1002.27 2 1b. 3 oz. 1.32 - 2.48 1.70 Whitney 672.21 1 1b. 7 oz. 1.07 - 1.97 1.50 J. A Approximate Table 5. Average weight, ”K: factors, and ”K” factor range of White Crappie (Pomoxis annularis) from Region II-A Lakes, 1971. Lake Ave. Wt. (grams) Ave. WELf_(pounds~oz) ”K” Range ”K” Average Amon Carter 77.07 3 oz. 1.37 - 3.86 2.39 Arrowhead 195.04 7 oz. 1.49 - 3.99 2.55 Coleman 242.80 9 oz. 1.75 — 3.43 2.72 Diversion 176.96 6 oz. 1.23 - 3.19 2.68 Eagle Mountain 440.60 1 1b. 2.81 - 3.35 2.77 Garza Little Elm. 359.86 13. oz 1.10 - 4.32 3.12 Granbury 106.40 4 oz. 1.76 — 3.72 2.32 Hords Creek 196.54 7 02. 1.51 - 4.82 2.40 Hubbard Creek 172.27 6 oz. 1.46 — 4.10 2.51 Kickapoo 220.42 8 oz. 1.60 - 3.37 2.60 :s 350.32 13 oz. 2.31 - 3.68 3.17 Palo Pinto 215.28 8 oz. 1.97 - 3.91 2.90 Weatherford 117.95 4 oz. 1.63 - 3.40 2.38 Whitney 226.05 8 oz. 1.10 - 4.49 2.60 Approximate Table 6. Garza Little Elm Netting Results - 1971 Species Spotted gar a Longnose gar a Shortnose gar * Alligator gar a Gizzard shad * Threadfin shad * Smallmouth buffalo * «J. River carpsucker Spotted sucker a Carp * f 1ne1 catfish Flathead catfish White bass Largemouth bass Bluegill Longear Sunfish White Crappie Freshwater drum a Total Rough fish Game fish Total NUmber 11 23 2 2 108 11 306 361 30 26 390 23 67 14 162 13 1557 870 687 Indicates rough fish species :3- Per Cent of Total Number 0. 71 1.48 0. 13 0.13 6 19. 23. 10 100. 55. .94 .71 65 19 .19 .93 .67 .32 .05 .48 .30 .89 .40 .83 00 89 44.11 Total Weight {Pounds} 29. 167. 2. 11. 62. 1. 913. 843. 52. 32. 20. 319. 14. 128. 2620. 2095. 525. 03 54 94 88 94 00 98 92 .03 58 77 80 85 18 .44 .17 43 .39 87 23 64 Per Cent of M 1. 11 6.39 0. 11 .45 .40 .04 34. 32. 88 21 .04 .01 .25 .79 .20 .54 .32 .04 .90 .32 100. 79. 20.04 00 96