TPWD 1964 F-4-R-11 #929: Fisheries Reconnaissance: Fisheries Investigations and Surveys of the Waters of Region 2-A

. JOB COMPLETION REPORT As required by FEDERAL AID IN FISHERIES RESTORATION ACT TEXAS Federal Aid Project No. Fs4-R~ll Fisheries Investigations and Surveys of the Waters of Region Z-A Job No. 3—29: Fisheries Reconnaissance Project Leader: Dwene Q. Smith i J. Weldon Watson Executive Director Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Austin, Texas Eugene A. Walker Marion Toele Assistant Director for Wildlife DHJ Coordinator July 6, 1965 ABSTRACT . Lakes Brownwood, Diversion, Graham, Kemp, Kickapoo, Possum Kingdom, Scar- borough, Tucker and Coleman were surveyed. The results were compared to previous data, when available, to provide a basis for determining any change that may have occurred. Lakes on the Wichita watershed continue to yield large populations of rough fish. Lake Kemp has a high rough fish population and stunted game fish even though the lake does not shew an overall high fish population. Lakes on the Brazos watershed show only slight changes. Collection of fish made on these lakes show no major changes in fish populations or habitat and recommendation for fish harvest regulations remain unchanged. The tidewater silversides, Menidia_beryllina, was collected for the first time from Possum Kingdom Lake. ' JOB COMPLETION REPORT State of Texas Project No. F—4~R~11 Name: Fisheries Investigations and aurveys of the Waters of Region 2—A _ Job No. Bu29 Title: Fisheries Reconnaissance. Period Covered: November 1, 1963 to October 31, 1964 Objectives: To conduct limited investigations to obtain current information concerning gross changes in fishing conditions and factors influencing fish populations. Procedure: Certain major lakes in Region 2—A, that had been surveyed or had other work done, were revisited and net collections made. These data collected were re— corded for comparision with the results of previous work, when available, to provide a basis for determinihg any change that may have occurred. Lakes Brown~ wood, fiiversion, Graham, Kemp, Kickapoo, Possum Kingdom, Scarborough, Tucker and Coleman were surveyed. Findings: Lake Graham Results of netting in Lake Graham indicate that there has been some changes in the fish population since the 1962—1963 survey was made. Spotted gar did not appear in the samples as frequently as in past samples. Shad, buffalo and carp— sucker comprised 48.61 per cent of the rough fish total of 54.59 per cent of numbers taken. Carpsucker comprised 20.19 per cent by weight which is a gain from 4.30 per cent from 1962-1963. Channel catfish, bass and crappie remained relatively unchanged except for the per cent by weight of crappie which dropped from 21.99 per cent to 4.57 per cent (Table No. 1 and 2). ‘ Fishing interest remains strong on Lake Graham with good catches of all game fish and these fish as well as the fish taken in the net survey indicate that fish are in good condition. Lake Possum Kingdom Fewer fish were taken from Possum Kingdom during the 1963-1964 reconnaissance than during the l962~1963 resurvey. A total of 5,325 feet of net was used to take 362 fish. The rough fish made up 63.82 per cent by number and 36.18 per cent game fish. The game fish ratio is 72.74 per cent by weight of rough fish and only 27.26 per cent game fish. Gizzard shad provide 34.80 per cent of the rough fish followed by longnose gar with 18.79 per cent. Channel catfish provide 12.15 per cent of the total number followed by white bass and 11.95 per cent and white crappie with 6.62 per cent (Table No. 3 and 4). -2- Since the release of walleye fry, (Stizostedion vitreum) May 7, 1964, Possum Kingdom Lake possibly has anothersmpchaa'which is not listed on the checklist. Walleye have not been taken by fishermen or nets therefore was not posted on the check list (Table No. 15). Tidewater silversides were collected for the first time from Possum Kingdom. Lake Kickapoo Lake Kickapoo, a turbid lake, is located on the Wichita River System. Net checks gave a better picture of the Species present than was shown in the 1962:1963 net check. White hrappie still provide the greatest number present but are of a stunted size. Gar, buffalo and carpsucker make up the bulk of the rough fish which comprise 66.05 per cent of the total weight. (Tables 5 and 6). Lake Kemp A total of 1,600 feet of net were set taking 171 fish. Shad were found to be the most numerous gxxfies with 26.90 per cent by numbers followed by carpsucker with 25.56 per cent. All fish taken show very small "K" averages (Table No. 7). Netting from Lake Kemp indicates only 12.22 per cent game fish by wéight. Further reconnaissance is planned for Lake Kemp in order to determine ways and means of improving fishing. Kemp is a large lake near Wichita Falls, Texas, therefore the lake could provide fishing for that area of the State where large lakes are not common. Lake Scarborough Lake Scarborough was netted only one time during this segment of work. Pref vious work on the lake indicate white crappie to be the most abundant Species but the 1963dl964 results show shad to be the most abundant species with 60.26 per cent by number. Bluegill provide 17.51 per cent of the catch and crappie pro— vided 9.76 per cent (Table No. 8 and 9). Crappie taken in nets appear to be over— populated and stunted and so do thosetaken by fishermen. Lake Tucker Lake Tucker is a small, 50 acre lake located in Comanche County. The lake has been repeatedly stdfikediwith largemouth bass from the State Fish Hatchery but bass fishing continues to be very poor. The net survey did not produce any bass. Shad was the most numerous spades with 59.42 per cent. Crappie show 24.63 per cent by number and only 4.66 per cent by weight (Table No. 10). The lake is heavily infected with aquatic vegetation which is a probable cause of the poor fishing. Lake-éhleman Lake Coleman was netted in order to check survival of blue catfish which were stocked in the lake. One blue catfish was captured which measured 290hmillimeters standard length and weighed 387 grams. There were no evidence of rengduction of m3- of the glue catfish. Fishermen took some blue catfish while fishing from the bank. (fiable No. 11) Lake Diversion Diversion Lake, located on the Wichita River System, is a shallow turbid lake. The majoritycf the fish taken from Diversion are rough fish and ”K” factors for game fish are very low. (Table No. 12). Lake Brownwood Two neflting trips were made to Lake Brownwood. The overall fish population is relatively”unchanged even though the largest change occurred in the number of shad. The 1962—1963 nepting results show shad to be 50.12 per cent by number while the 1963ul964 results indicate 17.45 per cent by number. The per cent by numbers of buffalo and carpsucker indicate a slight increase. The changes in per cent is reflected by the use of the new type experiemental gill net. Table No. 13 and 14. ....——-..___‘ t 6% Prepared by Dwane 9. Smith Approved by 2% :m/ Project Leader ( Coordinator) Date: July 6, 1965 JOHN E. TILTON Regional Supervisor -4- Table 1. Results of netting Lake Graham November 1, 1963 _ October 30, 1964 l Per Cent Totali Per Centi Average QAverage Average Weight by i Length ;Weight : ”K" Weight ' mm , Gms Spotted gar 1.20 505 I 921 T 0.65 Gizzard shad ! 37.43 E 5.56 179 111 ' 1.72 Smallmouth buffalo 34.34 461 3181 3.17 River carpsucker 135.96 20.19 359 1046 S 2.42 European carpi 79.56 I 11.81 487 3010 g 2.29 Golden Shiner 0.17 0.03 155 EEO : 2.15 Channel cat 1 88.26 13.10 308 I 607 z 1.38 Black bullhead 10 2.00 a 3.39 0.5% 199 154 : 1.89 Flathead cat i 2 0.39 5 12.98 1532 I 555 2948 ' 1.72 Largemouth bass l 19 3.79 i 37.83 I Bluegill sunfish 41 8.17 4.28 White crappie K I 100 19.92 i 30.79 Freshwater drun I 3 0.60 I 3.41 I ! mflfl—Hmm , Total 1 502 ' 100.00 6?3.40 -5” Table 2. Lake Graham netting results, 1962-1963. ' i9..'c...j' T...1 '2.."c..q A...... I "1.......' by _ Weight by Length "K" S-eCieS 2.Number...P0uads g_Wei:htj._. mm- Spotted gar ; 7 i 9.58 f 16.55 9 26.54; 514 I 1074 . 0.60 Gizzard shad ; 12 g 16.44 7 1.92 3.08 . 161 72 1.67 Smallmouth buffalo: 3 a 4.11 E 20.48 32.85: 460 3099 f 3.22 River carpsucker i l ' 1.37 f 2.68 4.30 380 1219 , 2.22 Channel catfish ' ll ' 15.07 g 4.29 6.88 h 229 , 177 E 1.31 Black bullhead 3 3 g 4.11 E 0.83 1.34 g 190 E 126 ; 1.83 Largemouth bass 1 1 i 1.37 i 0.17 I 0.27 i 160 . 80 § 1.95 Green sunfish 1 i 1.37 . 0.07 0.12 J 100 1 35 i 3.55 Bluegill sunfish . 9 : 12.33 i 0.90 I 1.44 g 114 i 45 i 3.04 White crappie 24 ' 32.88 L 13.71 21.99 Z 209 5 259 i 2.25 Drum : l - 1.37 i 0.74 1.19 2 260 I 340 i 1.95 Totals T100.OO i 62.34 F 100.00l Table 3. Results of netting Lake Possum Kingdom November 1, 1963 — October 30, 1964 . Per Cent Total Per Cent Average Average by Weight Species ' Number. Number Spotted gar 7 l ' 0.28 . 0.50 T 0.11 355 Longnose gar ' 68 I 18.79 137.35 _ 32.38 630 Gizzard shad Smallmouth buffalfif River carpsucker European carp Channel'cat White bass Ky. Spotted bass Largemouth bass Bluegill sunfish White crappie Freshwater drum Total -7... Table 4. Lake Possum Kingdom netting results 1962 — 1963. ___L____L__________L_______r_________________a______ a Per Cent. Total iPer Cent Average Average' Average by Weight ' by Length Weight ”K" _Number Pounds l Weight . _mm H Gms Spotted gar 30 i 1.96 3 42.61 3.95 477 645 Longnose gar 58 f 3.81 I207.42 . 19.23 712 - 1623 Gizzard shad 698 45.82 354.43 : 32.86 I 231 I 234 1.84 Smallmouth buffalo 8 I 0.53 I 51.16 g 4.74 366 . 2611 I 2.91 River carpsucker 21 1.38 47.45 I 4.40 I 321 ' 970 2.84 European carp 4 g 0.26 17.37 1.62 I 275 I 133% 2.03 Channel catfish 90 E 5.91 108.51 10.06 Flathead catfish 1 0.07 1.00 0.09 White bass 77 g 5.05 54.56 5.06 Largemouth bass 75 ; 4.93 - 71.59 6.64 Warmouth sunfish 1 - 0.07 0.37 0.03 Green sunfish 1 . 0.07 0.27 0.03 Redear sunfish 98 9 6.43 26.25 2.43 Bluegill sunfish 322 21.14 79.34 7.36 Longear sunfish I 2 0.14 0.41 0.04 I White crappie 24 10.31 I 0.§5 Black crappie 3 1.57 I 0.15 Freshwater drum 100.00 0 "8— — Table 5. Results of netting Lake Kickapoo November 1, 1963 1 October 30, 1964. 'Average 'Average Syecies___ Spotted gar Longnose gar Gizzard shad Buffalo River carpsucker European carp Channel cat White bass Largemouth Sass Longear sunfish? Bluegill sunfish White crappie Freshwater drum_ _ Total. 100 00... .162.09' 100 00. Table 6. Lake Kickapoo netting results 1962—1963 Average' Average Per Centi Total 'Per Cent IAveragei- _ by 7 Weight_ by "K” S-ecies___ . __ , Number .Number .. Bounds .Weizht..p Shortnose gar I I 4.49f 15.23 River carpsucker. 9.86_ 33.44 Channel catfish' 5.28. 17.91 A White bass 15.67 White crappie 16.25 Freshwater drum ”_ll50_ _ Total 3 100.00 .1