(1969–1971) Fisheries Investigations - Region 5-A, Job No. III Stocking Recommendations, Federal Aid Project No. F-9-R-18

--- Page 1 --- JOB FINAL REPORT As required by FEDERAL AID IN FISHERIES RESTORATION ACT TEXAS Federal Aid Project No. F-9-R-18 FISHERIES INVESTIGATIONS - REGION 5-A Job No. III Stocking Recommendations Project Leader: K. W. Gholson James U. Cross Executive Director Parks and Wildlife Department Austin, Texas F. G. Lowman Roy T. Huffman Branch Head, Inland Fisheries Director, Current Operations September 15, 1971 --- Page 2 --- SUMMARY During this segment, public waters of the region were sampled and stocked where and when necessary. Name, location, species, and number of fish stocked in the public waters are given in the text. --- Page 3 --- JOB FINAL REPORT State Texas Project No. F-9-R-18 Project Title: Fisheries Investigations - Region 5-& Job No. IIL Job Title: Stocking Recommendations Period Covered: December 1, 1969 to November 30, 1970 Background: The primary purpose of this job is to determine the waters in Region 5-A which would benefit from stocking. This is necessitated by the fluctuating water levels of reservoirs and streams in South Texas and the need for current data for proper fisheries management. Objectives: To recommend stocking ratios of game fish in new or renovated waters. To determine the abundance of age groups 0 to 1 in lakes having established fish populations. To recommend stocking of waters having established fish popu- lations which either lack game species in age groups 0 to 1 or which because of heavy fishing pressure need additional game fish. To determine if and when a lake needs a total or partial kill of fish in order to completely renovate the lake or to bring the game fish and rough fish populations ratios to a better balance. Procedures: Each public water area was visited during or following the spawning season and was sampled with standard experimental gill nets and 26- and 75-foot seines. Waters surveyed were Braunig, Calaveras, Diversion, Nueces, Medina, Comanche, Chacon Lakes, Chaparral Wildlife Management Area Lakes, as well as the Nueces, Sabinal, Frio, and Atascosa Rivers. Findings: During this segment, the above-mentioned waters were surveyed and the data was compiled, Data from several waters indicated a definite need for ad- ditional game fish. Recommendations were made through the Regional Office as to the number and species needed in these waters. --- Page 4 --- Findings: (Con.) Stocking of catfish was recommended for the following tanks: Blocker, Guajalote, Abuelo, Cacho, and Scotty which are on the Chaparral Wildlife Management Area and Calaveras Lake. Stocking of hybrid sunfish was recom- mended for Blocker and Guajalote Tanks on the Chaparral Wildlife Management Area and Calaveras Lake. Stocking of bass was recommended for Braunig, Calaveras, and Espantosa Lakes. Additional surplus fish raised at the Medina State Fish Hatchery were placed in various waters at the hatchery's discretion. Based on data collected, and fish available for stocking, the following public waters were stocked under this job. Public Waters Name Date of Water . Town Count Stocked Bass Catfish Sunfish (yeperret Wildlife Ref. Artesia Wells Dimmit 1/15/70 Blocker Tank 200 150 Blocker Tank 150 100 Guajalote Tank 200 150 Calaveras Lake via 47,500 Espantosa Lake Carrizo Springs Dimmit 4/23/70 35,000 Nueces River Crystal City Zavala 4/23/70 45,000 Medina‘ River Castroville Medina 4/24/70 35,000 Diversion Lake Mico Medina 4/24/70 50,000 Sabinal River Utopia Uvalde 4/26/70 33,000 Atascosa River Pleasanton Atascosa 9/18/70 1,000 800 Medina River Castroville Medina 9/18/70 8,450 Braunig Lake Elmendorf Bexar 7/20/70 50,000 Chaparral Wildlife Ref. Artesia Wells La Salle 11/ 6/70 Abuelo Tank 300 Cacho Tank 300 Scotty Tank P 300 Calaveras Lake San Antonio Bexar 11/ 4/70 39,000 11/ 5/70 oo. 11/10/70 Calaveras Lake San Antonio Bexar 12/28/70 2,850 Calaveras Lake 1/14/71 38,575 --- Page 5 --- Recommendations: Survey and inventory investigations for Job III has been incorporated into Job I, F-9-R-19, and Job III, per se has been terminated. Prepared by: W. J. Dean, Jr, Approved by Bd Gov wanr Asst. Project Leader Coordinator Date September 15, 1971 Elgin M. C. Dietz Asst. for Inland Fisheries