TPWD 1969 F-5-R-16 #1259: Region I-B Fisheries Studies, Job No. 13: Fisheries Management Recommendations

JOB PROGRESS REPORT As required by FEDERAL AID IN FISHERIES RESTORATION ACT TEXAS Federal Aid Project No. F-SmR-lé REGION I-B FISHERIES STUDIES Job No. 13 Fisheries Management Recommendations Project Leader: Billy JaFollis JI'RO Singleton Executive Director Parks and Wildlife Department Austin, Texas Marion Toole Eugene A. Walker D-J Coordinator Director, Wildlife Services April 22, 1969 SUMMARY During this segment, fisheries surveys were conducted on 16 public bodies of water in Region I-Bo Fish pOpulations were sampled with gill nets, seines and trawl° Physical and ecological data were also collected, Two changes in fish harvest regulations were recommended but failed to meet approval of the department. Several of the lakes surveyed met the statistical criteria for chemical control measures. However, due to other interfering factors, only Valley Creek and San Angelo Reservoir could be seriously considered for renovation. Substantial hatchery production provided ample numbers of fish for stocking the public waters in Region I-B, Thirteen public lakes received supplementary stocking this year, Also, the Concho River in Tom Green County received considerable numbers of fry and fingerling fish, Stocking of the new Robert Lee Reservoir was initiated, Aquatic vegetation was found to be approaching the problematic stage in 2 public lakes, Restrictions on the use of chemicals and limitations of spot treatments prvented any control efforts during this period of study. JOB PROGRESS REPORT State Texas Project No.:_ FeSmleé Name3433gion IijFisheries Studies a: Job No.2 13 fl“ Title:flfiisheriesmyanagement Recommendations Period Covered: March 1, 1968 to February 2§£_l969 Objectives: To determine the need for, in Region l-B waters; 1. Changes in fish harvest regulations 2. Population control 3. Stocking 4. Vegetation control 5. Emergency measures needed to correct unpredictable events adversely affecting fish populations. Procedures: Current fisheries regulations for Region ImE regulatory counties, along with those in other regulatory districts, were reviewed. Past and present fisheries surveys from regional waters provided the basis for either the continuance of existing regulations or the recommended change. Preliminary meetings with concerned departmental personnel were attended at Kerrville, May 13, 1968, for the Edwards Plateau Regulatory District and at Sweetwater for the Permian Basin Regulatory District. Existing laws and proposed changes were discussed. Public hearings were then held in each of the counties under regulatory authority to discuss the proposed regulations with the sportsmen and landowners. locations, dates, and number of persons present are given in Table l for public hearings concerning this project. For expediency and clarity, procedures for objectives 2 through 5 will be merged. For the same reasons, the findings and discussion will be reported separately for each concerned body of water. All public impoundments were surveyed during this segment with the more important ones receiving 2 visits. A list of waters worked this segment are given in Table 2. Fish populations were sampled with standard lSOmfoot experi- mental gill nets with mesh sizes varying from 1 to 3% inches. The number of gill nets set was determined by the size of the impoundment. The size of seines used is given with each seining table. A lOmfoot sportsman shrimp trawl was also used as a collection method when possible. The exact dimensions are shown with the trawling results. A trawling sample unit or drag was a 10 minute haul at approxmiately 5 mph. Table 1 Regulatory Hearings Concerning Project F~5~R, 1968 -. ermna . _ - Location Number County _ §Town}_ _ _ Date Present Andrews A Andrews 6wl2m68 NR Borden Gail 6m10~68 O Cochran e Morton 6~10e68 NR Coke e Robert Lee 6w12~68 NR Crosby Rt Crosbyton 6-10-68 0 Dawson n Lamesa 6-12-68 NR Gaines * Seminole 6-12m68 NR Garza RE Post 6m10~68 O Glasscock Garden City 6~l2m68 0 Howard Big Spring 6wllm68 0 Irion Mertzon 6~13m68 0 Martin Stanton 6mll~68 0 Midland Midland 6~12~68 4 Mitchell Colorado City 6mllm68 ll Reagan Big Lake 6w12~68 1 Sterling Sterling City 6~l7~68 0 Terry * Brownfield 6~ll-68 NR Tom Green San Angelo 6~l3~68 4 Yoakum * Plains 6mll~68 NR Edwards Plateau Area Menard * Menard 6~ll:68 NR Schleicher Eldorado 6wll=68 NR NR - Official attendance not reported % - Not in Region IwB, but hearing attended by F—SmR personnel * m In Region IwB but not attended by F~5mR personnel Table 2 Waters Surveyed During This Segment Name County Number of Visits Moss Creek Lake - Howard 3 Nasworthy Lake Tom Green 2 San Angelo Reservoir Tom Green 3 Oak Creek Reservoir Coke 2 J. B. Thomas Lake Borden and Scurry 2 Champion Creek Lake Mitchell 2 Twin Buttes Reservoir Tom Green 2 Colorado City Lake Mitchell 2 Kinarum Lake Coke 1 Valley Creek Lake Runnels 1 New Winters Lake Runnels 1 Elm Creek Lake Runnels l Towle Park Lake Scurry 1 Old Winters Runnels 1 Mountain Creek Lake Coke l Andrews City Lake Andrews 1 —u—:—: All fish collected in gill nets were counted, weighed, and measured. A sample of fish (usually to a maximum of 15 of each game species) was examined to determine sexual development and to record stomach content. Total numbers, total weight, percentages, average weights, and condition (”K” factor) were tabulated. Fish taken in seines and trawl were counted and a length range was recorded. Several Specimens of each species were preserved in formalin solution and identifications were confirmed in the laboratory. Vegetation checks were made during each survey and records were taken as to the kind and abundance. This information will be presented only when aquatic vegetation approaches the problematic stage. Physical data including air and water temperatures, turbidity, hydrological records and weather conditions were recorded. This information will be discussed in the report when necessary. Statistical data for each lake were examined to determine which waters would be considered for chemical control measures. The criteria for considering management efforts were populations of undesirable species in excess of 80 per cent by either weight and/or number, lake capacities, and the ”costmbenefit ratio” of a treatment. Stocking recommendations were made for many of these public waters based on the following: (1) the degree and survival of game fish reproduction, (2) water levels, (3) food availability, and (4) fishing pressure and past records. On several occasions, the recommended stocking rates were exceeded and many hatchery reared fish were released in the Concho Rivers in and near Tom Green County due to an abundant hatchery production. Fish stocking records for all public lakes in Region I~B during 1968 are presented in Table 3. (All fish were fingerling size except where noted.) Table 3 Public Water Stocking - 1968, Region ImB No. Released 4 . _ , _ ....... _ Bass . _ . Channel. Catwfiswisésflfiflflfii, Champion Creek 35,000 Colorado City 25,000 Elm Creek 4,000 6,000 4,000 J. B. Thomas 88,000 Mountain Creek 2,000 Nasworthy 26,000 New Winters 8,000 8,000 8,000 Oak Creek 56,000 Old Winters 1,500 4,500 1,000 San Angelo 124,000 Towle Park 500 850 1,000 Twin Buttes 416,000 8 10,000 Valley Creek 12,000 9,200 5,000 Concho River Bell Street Dam 88,000 m 17,750 14,000 Ben Ficklin Dam 24,000 4,000 Lone Wolf Dam 65,000 8,000 Metcalf Dam 62,000 8,000 crappie Main Concho (General) 78,000 8 16,250 Colorado River (In new lake basin) 13,700 8* 138,000 8 m Fry or advanced fry **~ Advanced fingerlings Findings: Objective No. 1. For the most part, the existing fisheries regulations were found to be satisfactory for the present fishery resources in this region. Two changes were recommended but apparently failed to meet the approval of the Department and were not adopted. The first proposed change in the fishing regulations was that all trotlines bear the name and address of the fisherman on a legible permanent tag. The reason being thatmost public waters are becoming heavily infested with abandonded trotlines which are a hindrance to fishermen and can be detrimental to fish, especially catfish. The second recommended change was a 7%rmonth closed fishing season on the portion of the Colorado River to be inundated by the New Robert Lee Reservoir. This change was needed to protect the brood game fish being placed in the existing water of the lake basin to insure adequate stocking when impoundment begins. Findings and Discussion: Objectives 2 through 5 Moss Creek Lake The Colorado River Municipal Water District controls the water of this l45~acre impoundment and uses it as a storage reservoir. Although the city of Big Spring is the actual owner, they control only the recreation. Moss Creek Lake was chemically treated in November 1967 in an effort to reduce the large number of gizzard shad and thereby increase the harvest of the abundant game fish pOpulation. This control effort reduced the gizzard shad from a previous 40 per cent of fish netted to 0.62 per cent of a netting sample made shortly after treatment. Since that time, the number of gizzard shad have steadily increased and accounted for 17.58 per cent of the number of fish netted in a 3msample netting composite (Table 4?. it should be noted that these were adult shad averaging 0.62 pounds, and only 5 small shad were taken in seines and trawl during the same sampling. Channel catfish, flathead catfish, and largemouth bass continued to be the most significant game species by weight, and comprised 9.55, 4.02, and 5.53 per cent respectively by number in netting collections. Flathead catfish accounted for 15.45 per cent of the weight of this yearis netting collections, and 7 of the 8 individuals taken were tagged fish released for management purposes earlier in the year. The large number of age class 0 largemouth bass taken in seining collections clearly indicates that stocking with hatcherymreared fish was not necessary (Table 4). Although the turbidity of the reservoir is usually low, it supports only nominal amounts of muskgrass (Chara Sp.) and cattail {typha}latifolia). The fluctuating water level probably controls this vegetation. ”6. Table 4 Survey Results Moss Creek Reservoir, April 4, July 10, and December 18, 1968. ....... _Resulfis Of_16_;ill nets. ,_ ._ mfl3m_________m____, Per Cent Total Wgt. Avg. Wgt. Per Cent Average Sgeci65.__ .__- .11.-Number__.b:_Noo ._,?9unds.__ntousds.._-b._WsF;-. ”K” m Gizzard shad 35 17.58 21.85 .62 6.16 Carp 36 18.09 174.66 4.85 49.27 Golden shiner 9 4.53 1.65 .18 .47 River carpsucker 4 2.01 19.16 4.79 5.40 Black bullhead 38 19.09 8.03 .21 2.27 Channel catfish * 19 9.55 43.45 2.28 12.26 2.14 Flathead catfish e 8 4.02 54.78 6.84 15.45 2.12 White bass e 4 2.01 9.30 2.32 2.62 2.98 Warmouth % 1 .50 .24 .24 .07 3.91 Bluegill * 8 4.02 .63 .07 .18 4.27 Redear sunfish * 5 2.51 .55 I .11 .15 4.20 Largemouth bass e 11 5.53 17.19 1.56 4.85 2.83 White crappie * 21 10.56 2.98 .14 _‘ .85 2.77 Total 199 100.00 354.47 100.00 Game Fish e 77 38.70 129.12 36.43 Rough Fish 122 61.30 225.35 63.57 ..... .. . . . _ __ - . .— . . . . _ ._ - an!!! Seining Results Moss Creek Reservoir (Bag 26 by 6 by l/4minch mesh seine and - 20.12,- ,6. b. _ m1/8~i.nc__h m-¢h .s_ine2 .. ._ Species Number Size Range in Inches Gizzard shad 5 3&6 Golden shiner 149 1m? Red shiner 93 1%m3 Bullhead minnow 2 2% Black bullhead 28 2m3 Mosquitofish 3 1%w2 Warmouth 6 2%~3% Green sunfish 15 2~3% Orangespotted sunfish 65 2e4 Bluegill 72 lm4% Longear sunfish 7 2~3 Largemouth bass 232 2~8 White crap-ie _______ ___'__‘ _ r29 H,_' .3?5.. Total ,, _‘706 Trawling Results Moss creek Reservoir, April 4 and July 10, I968.7(16uby 10 by l/Zrissh.mssh-trewlle_fi_ Species Number Size Rang§_in Inches Black bullhead 76 3m5 Channel catfish 2 4 Warmouth 48 2m3% Orangespotted sunfish 4 3 Bluegill 51 2e5 Redear sunfish 3 3 Largemouth bass 1 4 7 White crappie 177 “ _§:. Total 362 1 Nasworthy Lake Lake Nasworthy, located just south of San Angelo, serves the city as a water supply, as well as a recreational area. During both collection trips, this 1,600macre impoundment was 2 to 4 feet low because water was not available for release from Twin Buttes Reservoir immediately upstream. The combined survey results (Table 5) indicate an improved game fish population. The number of catfish, both channel and flathead, have increased considerably over previous surveys, accounting for almost 35 per cent of the total weight of fish netted. Largemouth bass and whinecrappie continue to be well represented in the netting sample, as well as in reported creels. Gizzard shad, carp, and river carpsucker dominate the rough fish catch, accounting for more than 90 per cent by number and 80 per cent by weight of the total undesirable species. Seining and trawling collections found adequatermmbers of young game fish present; however, channel catfish were stocked this year because of heavy fishing pressure on the lake and an abundant supply of hatcherymproduced fingerlings. These samples also indicated an ample supply of forage available to support the supplemental stocking of catfish. The shoreline supports a moderate to heavy growth of bulrush (Scirpus validus) and cattail. However, these plants were not found in amounts that would interfere with access or fishing at public points. San Angelo Reservoir The U. S. Corps of Engineers constructed this impoundment on the North Concho River near the northwest limits of San Angelo in the early 195038. Shortly thereafter it filled to its normal capacity of 119,000 acremfeet but has steadily decreased since and contained less than 10,000 acremfeet of water during the last survey. This reservoir lost another 1,000 acremfeet by midw January 1969, when an extra collection was made. This water loss is attributed to city use, evaporation, and little runoff for the past several years. This yearfis survey results {Table 6) found that game fish had increased slightly in both number and weight over the pasn several checks. Channel catfish, white bass, and white crappie accounted for most of the 35.90 per cent by number and 29.89 per cent by weight of game fish collected. White crappie were the most improved game fish, comprising 22.65 per cent of the number of fish netted. These prized pan fish averaged more than l/3wpound each, and in the extra survey (Table 7) exhibited the highest ”K” factor (3.52) for this Species found in the region. An increase in the number of smallmouth buffalo is the only significant change found in the rough fish population. Seining and trawling revealed a valuable new forage fish, threadfin shad. Youngmofmthemyear fish were taken with seines in October, while trawling yielded both fingerlings and adults during the same survey. This was the first time this Species was collected in this region. They were not introduced by our department and can hardly be assumed to be a bait fish introduction. Table 5 Survey Results Nasworthy Lake, May 1 and October 10, 1968. Results of 15 gill nets ._ Per Cent Total Wgt. Avg. Wgt. Per Cent Average Species Number by No. Pounds __ Pounds _ by Wgt. ”K” Longnose gar 5 .55 28.02 5.60 4.39 Gizzard shad 456 50.67 66.34 .14 10.39 Carp 82 9.11 170.53 2.08 26.73 Golden shiner 3 .33 .45 .15 .07 River carpsucker 18 2.00 51.04 2.83 8.00 Black bullhead 20 2.22 7.26 3.63 1.13 Channel catfish 8 77 8.56 141.85 1.84 22.23 2.12 Flathead catfish % 16 1.78 80.22 5.01 12.57 2.21 White bass 8 13 1.45 17.24 1.32 2.71 3.04 Warmouth 8 l .11 .09 .09 ..01 3.00 Bluegill * 36 4.00 2.94 .08 .46 4.27 Longear sunfish * 3 .33 .27 .09 .04 4.09 Redear sunfish * 6 .66 .63 .10 .10 3.29 Largemouth bass 8 5 .55 9.65 1.93 1.51 2.89 White crappie * 133 14.79 29.93 .22 4.69 2.90 Freshwater drum 26 2.89 31.66 1°23___ni£;97 Total 900 100.00 638.12 100.00 Game fish 8 290 32.23 282.82 44.32 Rou_h fiSh._..-_... __610 _n_..67°77 '_355.30_._ _55,§8 Seining Results Nasworthy Lake. (Bag 26 by 6 by 1/4 inch mesh seine and 20 by 6 b_y 178 inch mesh seine.§. Species Number I _Size Rg_ge_ in inches Gizzard shad 48 3 8 Golden shiner 17 4~8 Red shiner 15 %~2 Blacktail shiner 2 2:3 Bullhead minnow 36 112% Orangespotted sunfish 7 2%m3 Bluegill 19 2-3% Longear sunfish l2 l%~4 Redear sunfish 4 3 Largemouth bass 5 3 teseeeeh mmnimwwflgifl _ ._.___,_____ Total _ 173 hm Trawling Results Nasworthy Lake, April 23 and October 10, 1968. (16 by 10 by _ l/Zninch mesh trawl? Species _ Number Siz_e Range in Mches Gizzard shad 41 2 7 Carp 2 l5 Bullhead minnow 8 2 Channel catfish 72 217 Warmouth 4 1%m3 Orangespotted sunfish 7 1w3 Bluegill 145 1&6 Longear sunfish 6 2e4 Redear sunfish 9 215 Largemouth bass 1 7 White crappie 18 4~6 Drum 1 g 8_ Total 314 m