(1957–1958) Report of Fisheries Investigations: Introduction of Smallmouth Black Bass, Micropterus dolomieu, in the Upper Regions of the Llano River Lying within Sutton, Edwards and Kimble Cou

--- Page 1 --- Report of Fisheries Investigations Introduction of Smallmouth Black Bass, Micropterus dolomieu, in the Upper Regions of the Llano River Lying within Sutton, Edwards and Kimble Counties, Texas by Fred G. Lowman, Jr. Assistant Project Leader Dingell-Johnson Project F-9-R-5, Job F-1 July 1, 1957 ~ June 30, 1958 H. D. Dodgen - Executive Secretary Texas Game and Fish Commission Austin, Texas Marion Toole Kenneth Jurgens and William H. Brown Coordinator Assistant Coordinators --- Page 3 --- SEGMENT COMPLETION REPORT State of TEXAS Project No. F-9-R-5 Name: Fisheries Investigations and Surveys of the Waters of Region 7-8. Job No. F-1 Title: Introduction of Smallmouth Black Bass, Micropterus dolomieu, in the Upper Regions of the Llano River lying within Sutton, Edwards and Kimble Counties, Texas. Period Covered: July 1, 1957 through June 30, 1958 ABSTRACT: As an experimental attempt to bring smallmouth black bass into Texas, 6,500 smallmouth fingerlings were stocked in the South Fork .of the Llano River in May 1958. These bass were released at 11 locations (see map) from Paint Creek, south of Telegraph, to U. S. Highway 290 crossing at Junction extending over approximately 30 miles of river. From all literature obtained on smallmouth, black bass and from studies made on the Llano, this river seems to offer a suitable habitat for this species. OBJECTIVES : 1. To experimentally introduce smallmouth black bass, Micropterus dolomieu, into the upper regions of the Llano River in an attempt to improve sport fishing by stocking a suitable predator fish in stream areas where biolog- ical, chemical and physical conditions are believed to be satisfactory. 2. To make periodic investigations as to survival and growth of the stocked fish, TECHNIQUES: The biological, chemical and physical conditions of this portion of the Llano River have been checked and reported under Job E-2, Project F-9-R-4. The river was found to contain the habitat requirements of this species, with the exception of water temperatures which are thought to be near maximum survival temperature for small- mouth bass in summer. RESULTS: On May 28, 1958, 7,300 one and two inch smallmouth black bass fingerlings were obtained from the U. S. Fish Cultural Station at Tishomingo, Oklahoma. These fish were transported on a pick-up truck in a 180-gallon fish distribution tank. The temperature of the water in the tank when the fish were picked up was 56° F. In an attempt to maintain the most favorable temperature in the tank, 25 pounds of crushed and 50 pounds of block ice were added in addition to transporting the fish at night. The estimated mortality during transport was approximately five percent. --- Page 4 --- Approximately 6,500 fingerlings were liberated at 12 sites (see map) on the South Fork of the Llano River on May 29, 1958 extending from Paint Creek, south of Telegraph, to U. 8. Highway 290 crossing at Junction. The approximate number of smallmouth liberated at each location is shown in Table 1. In an effort to raise smallmouth for brood stock, some 500 fish were brought to the State Fish Hatchery at San Marcos, but due to the lack of available ponds, only 25 fish could be stocked at that hatchery. Approximately 200 fish were also stocked at the U. S. Fish Cultural Station in San Marcos for the purpose of raising brood stock. Because of the cool water (72° F to 78°F), abundance of food, and cover present in the upper reaches of the San Marcos River, approximately 200 smallmouth were liberated on May 30, 1958 in the headwaters known as Spring Lake and 54 were released one mile below the lake at Thompson's Island. The smallmouth were stocked in the San Marcos River to see if it would be feasible to stock additional fish of this species in this river at a future date. Prepared by: Fred G. Lowman, Jr. Approved by: 1 Lap tpi. Do sabe, Assistant Project Leader Director Inland Fisheries Division Date: November 18, 1958 --- Page 5 --- Table 1. Location and Number of Smallmouth Black Bass Released on South Fork Llano River, Kimble County, Texas. Station Number * Number Released Location LE 1 10 lL * See attached map. 390 450 950 650 700 750 700 650 500 500 500 At entrance of Paint Creek Ranch one mile south from mouth of Paint Creek. Coke Stevenson Ranch- .3 mile north of the mouth of Paint Creek. Entrance of Coke Stevenson Ranch at Telegraph. First crossing of Hwy. 377T- north of Telegraph. Second crossing of Hwy. 377- north of Telegraph. Two miles north of Station 5 on William LaForge Ranch. Floyd Meacum Ranch- one mile south of mouth of Joy Creek. Howell Wright Ranch at mouth of Potter Creek. . B. L. Smith Ranch- 13 miles south of Junction City Limits. Llano River crossing at Junction City Park. Mouth of North Fork of Llano River --- Page 6 --- JUNCTION j ac KIMBLE COUNTY KIMBLE COUNTY ~ LOCATIONS ON THE SOUTH FORK OF LLANO RIVER WHERE SMALLMOUTH BASS WERE RELEASED,