(1955–1956) Basic Survey and Inventory of Fish Species in Those Portions of the Sabine River and Its Watershed from and Including Sabine County to Its Mouth on the Gulf Coast, Texas

--- Page 1 --- STATE Texas PROJECT NO. F3R3 - Job B-9 PERIOD June i, 1955 to May 31, 1956 Job Completion Report Charles E. Gray Project Leader TITLE Basic Survey and Inventory of Fish Species in Those Portions of the Sabine River and Its Watershed from and Including Sabine County to Its Mouth on the Gulf Coast, Texas. OBJECTIVES To gather fundamental data on the above waters in regard to their physical, chemical and biological aspects. To dgtermine the distribution of fish species pre- sent, their relative abundance and the ecological factors influencing their distri- bution. METHODS Because of limited access roads on the Sabine River, this survey was made by ‘boat, working from one bridge crossing to the next. Forty seining stations were established on the Sabine River and visited three times during the period. Seining collections were made each time the stations were visited. Water samples were an- alysed one time at each station. In addition to the above, ecological notes were taken at each station. Sixty-two additional collections were made on the tributaries of the Sabine. These stations were visited only one time. Heop and gill nets were used at random locations to obtain samples of the larger fish. Hoop nets proved to be the best method for this purpose. Rotenone collections were not. made due to adverse public opinion in the area. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Credit is due Mr. Robert J. Kemp who was Project Leader at the time this job was initiated and who did a great deal of the field work before transferring to the Coastal Fisheries Division. We are indebted to Dr. Clark Hubbs, Zoology Department, University of Texas who identified several doubtful specimens. We are also grateful to members of the Warden force who helped us to find access roads in some of the more remote country. PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS The Sabine River rises in the blackland prairie soils in Hunt County, Texas, --- Page 2 --- 2s flowing southward through five general soil types and draining over 10,000 square miles of Texas and Louisiana before reaching the Gulf of Mexico approximately 360 miles downstream. At a point approximately five miles above the city of Logansport, Louisiana, it becomes the boundary line between Texas and Louisiana and serves as such from there on to the Gulf of Mexico. Reports have been previously submitted on surveys covering the Sabine from its source down to Sabine County. This report covers the river from and including Sabine County to the Gulf of Mexico, or about 200 miles of river channel. Tributary streams were sampled only on the West or Texas side of the river. In Sabine County, and through approximately the upper one-half of Newton County, the river flows through the Norfork -_Ruston Soil area of the Red and Yellow Podzolic Soils group. From there ittraverses a belt of Caddo - Beauregard Soil of the same group. At this point it enters a belt of Lake Charles - Crowley Soil of the Wiessen= boden, Half Bog Soils group which extends for some fifty miles to the lower Newton County line. Near the Orange County line, the river enters the Coastal Marshland where it remains for the rest of its course. In general the entire watershed included in this study is in woodland, wood- land pasture, open pasture, and small crop farms. Recent studies by the U. 5. Soil Conservation Service show that during the last few years much of the cultivated land in the area has been put into woodland, woodland pasture and pasture. This is probably a result of proper land use and conservation education and if the trend continues it should have a beneficial effect upon siltation and flood control in the Sabine River. Princiapl native vegetaion consists of pine, blackjack, post and white oaks, with some dogwood, sweetgum and hickory on well drained areas; in poorly drained situations gums and cypress pre- dominate. Grasses present are, in general, tall bunch grasses and coarse grasses of various genera. Bermuda grass and legumes are in widespread use on improved pastures. The riverbed is variable with sand, sandy silt and sandy clay predominating. There are occasional rock outcroppings that form shoals and falls with deep cut rock cliffs forming the banks. Stream width varies from approximately 75 feet in some of the narrow deep pools to an estimated six or seven hundred feet near its entrance into Sabine Lake on the Gulf. From the City of Orange down to Sabine Lake, silt de- posits that have been periodically stirred by dredging operations, have formed a silty muck bottom several feet deep. This condition made seining operations practi- cally impossible on that part of the river. This study does not include Sabine Lake since one of the marine biologist is now engaged in a study of that area. CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS The pH in this portion of the river varied from 6.2 to 7.0 with an average of around 6.6. ‘The effects of lime deposits in the blackland prairie on the extreme upper drainage are hardly evident this far down except during periods of heavy run- off on the upper drainage only. So for fishery purposes, it can be stated that this portion of the river is acid. Total alkalinity ranged from 23 to 46 ppm which is about normal for waters of this area. The highest water temperature recorded was 88°F. The lowest recorded was 66°F. This low figure undoubtedly does not represent the extreme low because for ob- vious reasons, boat trips were made during more favorable weather whenever possible. --- Page 3 --- 3. Chlorides ranged from 14 to 326 ppm, the higher figure being taken from that portion of river near Sabine Lake where tidal action affects the salinity. No salt- water pollution was found during the study. Results of water analysis are shown in Table 1, POLLUTION There are no large cities nor large industries situated on this portion of the Sabine River, excepting the City of Orange, so consequently there is very little pollution originating in this area. There is some municipal and industrial pollu- tion in the area around Orange but officials of the Coastal Fisheries Division are taking steps to determine the sources and place responsibility. Silt pollution is present but localized. Suspended clays give the water a reddish brown color. Turbidity, as measured with a Jackson Turbidimeter, never ex- ceeded 75 ppm when the river was near flood stage. At normal water level, turbidity was less than 25 ppm. FISH COLLECTIONS Sixty-two seining collections were made on the tributaries of the Sabine and 120 collections on the river itself. Collections were preserved in formalin and brought back to the laboratory for identification and counting. Large fish were weighed and measured in the field and their stomachs preserved for later analysis. Table 2 is a key to the seining stations which may be located on the attached map of the study area. Table 3 shows seining collection results in the Sabine River and Table 4 shows the results in tributary streams. Since there is no standard scale for relative abundance, actual numbers are shown in the tables. Due to the many variables in seining techniques these figures do not give an accurate relative abun- dance picture, but a glance at the total figure for Notropis lutrensis, for example, Will indicate that this shiner is very abundant in the Sabine River. Hoop net_and gill net collections were used for stomach analysis and coefficient of condition data. Coefficient of condition data is show in Table 5 and stomach analysis data is recorded in Table 6. Table 7 is a complete checklist of fish collected by all methods during this study. FAMILY LEPISOSTEIDAE All four species of gars were taken during the study and although widespread and common they are not abundant. FAMILY AMITDAE The bowfin or grindle was not found in any great numbers in the streams or the river but they are very common and even abundant in some of the lakes on the watershed. FAMILY ESOCIDAE This family was represented only by Esox vermiculatus. If Esox niger occurs on this drainage, it was not discovered nor heard of during this study. --- Page 4 --- FAMILY CATOSTOMIDAE Ictiobus bubalus, Carpiodes carpio and Moxostoma poecilurum were found in the river while the tributary streams produced Ictiobus bubalus, Moxostoma poecilurum, Minytrema melanops, Erimyzon sucetta and Erimyzon oblongus. FAMILY CYPRINIDAE Twenty-three species of Cypridids were collected during the study. In the Sabine River, Notropis lutrensis was by far the most abundant. This shiner is an important forage fish in the river and is also prized as the most desirable bait shiner in the area. While making collections trips down the river, the writer observed many bait dealers with hundreds of minnow jugs set on the sandbars at almost every bend in the river. These minnow fishermen undoubtedly take millions of the redhorse shiners from the Sabine in a single year. Even so, the supply seems to be adequate to satisfy the demand thus far. Notropis atherinoides, Notropis sabine, Notropis venustus, Pimephales vigilax and Hybognathus nuchalis were also found in good numbers. In the tributary streams, Notropis venustus far outnumbered any other species. These were found to be especially abundant in the cool clear running streams. FAMILY ARTIDAE Galeichthys felis, the sea catfish or hardhead was found near the mouth of the river where tides influenced the salinity. FAMILY AMEUERIDAE A glance at the collection results would indicate that this group was somewhat scarce. The best time to collect species of this group is a short period following a rise in the river. We were never able to time collection trips to coincide with best conditions. However it is common knowledge that there are many commercial fish- ermen operating on the river who depend a great deal on Ictalurus punctatus, Ictalurus furcatus, and_Pilodictus olivaris. ‘Some of these fishermen have complained to the writer that illegal electrical devices or "telephones" have seriously curtailed the catfish population in the river. Concrete evidence of this would depend upon former abundance records and as far as the writer can determine no such records are avail- able. Heavy commercial fishing pressure has no doubt served to keep the catfish population somewhat curtailed, and in local situations the "telephones" could have a devastating effect on these species. Recent legislation imposing heavy penalties upon violators has no doubt greatly discouraged the use of these devices. FAMILY CYPRIDODONTIDAE Four species of topminnows were taken during the study. Fundulus notatus and Fundulus olivaceous were fairly common and widespread. Fundulus notti and Fundulus chrysotus were more scarce and localized. FAMILY POECILITDAE This family is represented only by Gambusia affinis which is common and widespread. FAMILY APHREDODERIDAE Aphredoderus sayanus was found in six of the tributary streams but was not found --- Page 5 --- in the Sabine River. FAMILY MUGILIDAE Mugil cephalus is present in larger numbers than the table of seining results indicates. During seining hauls, many mullet were observed jumping over or escaping around the ends of the seine. FAMILY ATHERINIDAE Labidesthes sicculus was the only member of this family taken during the study, occurring in the Sabine River and in three of the tributaries. FAMILY SERRANIDAE Morone interrupta was found to be present but apparently is very scarce. One was taken in the river and one in Cow Bayou. FAMILY CENTRARCHIDAE This family is well represented in both the Sabine River and the tributary streams with sixteen species being taken during the study. Both Micropterus punctulatus and Micropterus salmoides are fairly abundant with Micropterus punctulatus far out- numbering any other species in this family. Fingerling spotted bass were taken in nearly every seining haul. A number of sportsmen have become interested in float trips down the Sabine since this study was initiated and those who have made these trips report excellent bass fishing when the water is clear enough to use artificial lures. The writer's experience and reports of these fishermen indicate that the bass do not attain as large a size as those in lakes of the area, but these "stream" bass make up for their small size by their fighting ability in the running water. Both Pomoxis annularis and Pomoxis nigro-maculatus occur in good numbers with the black crappie outnumbering the white in both the river and the tributary streams. FAMILY PERCIDAE Ten species of darters were collected during the study. Selective and more intensive seining would no doubt uncover other species of this group. FAMILIES CARANGIDAE, SCIAENIDAE, SPARIDAE, PLEURONECTIDAE AND ACHIRIDAE Except for Aplodinotus grunniens, the remainder of the fish representing the above families are saltwater forms which were taken near the mouth of the river. Their upstream migration is apparently limited by the upstream boundary of tidal saltwater influence. --- Page 6 --- 6. Table 1. Results of Water Analysis Stations on Sabine River. (Sabine, Newton and Orange Counties, Texas). Station Number Date Air Temp O°F. Water Temp OF. pH Total Alk. ppm. Chlorides Location of Station S-1 6-13-55 87 87 6.6 46 85.104 5 mi E of Sexton S-2 6-13-55 90 88 6.6 h6 99.288 74 mi ESE of Sexton S-5 8~16=55 6.4 30 70.92 85 mi ENE of Milam S-7 10-41-55 6.8 27 14.184 104 mi ENE of Hemphill $-9 6~1h-55 By. 82 70 46 106.38 10 mi ESE of Hemphill S-10 10-455 6.8 28 141.84 3 3/4 mi NE of Fairdale S-11 8-16-55 6.6 26 56.736 44 mi E of Fairdale Nel 6-14-55 87 83 6.6 33 56.736 63 mi ESE of Fairdale N-2 10-455 TO 32 141,84 95 mi ESE of Fairdale N=}. 8-16-55 6.6 25 49,644 11 mi SE of Fairdale N-5 7-26-55 87 86 6.6 27 56.736 93 mi NE of Burkeville N-6 8-17-55 6.6 2 49.644 9 mi ENE of Burkeville N-7 10-5-55 6.9 30 70.92 5-3/4 mi ENE of Burkeville N-8 [26-55 6.6 25 56.736 5 3/4 mi ESE of Burkeville N-10 8-17-55 6.4 23 35.552 9 3/4 mi SE of Burkeville N-11 1-26-55 6.6 30 56.736 10 mi SSE of Burkeville N-13 10-5-55 6.8 35 70.92 10.3/4 mi ESE Newton N-14. 7-26-55 8h 86 6.8 28 56.736 104 mi SE Newton N-15 8-17-55 6.2 25 35.460 12 mi SSE of Newton N-16 T#27-55 6.8 27 56.736 124 mi NE of Call N-18 10-6=55 6.8 35 70.92 8 3/4 mi ESE of Call N-19 [-27"55 6.6 27 56.736 24 mi ESE of Salem N-21 10-455 6.8 30 70.92 8 mi SE of Salem N-24 10-25-55 h9 67 6.6 30 49.644 1+ mi ENE of Deweyville N-25 10-25-55 50 67 6.6 30 49.644 24 mi SE of Deweyville N-26 10-25-55 52 66 6.6 30 49.644 4 mi SSE of Deweyville O-1 10-25-55 7 67 6.6 30 49.644 5 mi. SSE of Deweyville 0-2 9-14-55 6.6 27 70.92 6 mi. of Orange 0-3 9-14-55 6.6 28 326.232 24 mi ENE of Orange --- Page 7 --- Ts havie 2. Key to Collection Stations on Sabine River and Its Watershed. (Sabine, Newton, and Orange Counties, Texas) Sabine County: Sabine River 5 miles E of Sexton Sabine River 73 miles ESE of Sexton Sabine River 11 3/4 miles ESE of Sexton Sabine River 6 3/4 miles NE of Milam Sabine River 84 miles ENE of Milam Sabine River 8 3/4 miles ESE of Milam Sabine River 104 miles ENE of Hemphill Sabine River 10 miles E of Hemphill . Sabine River 10 miles ESE of Hemphill 10. Sabine River 3 3/4 miles NE of Fairdale 11. Sabine River 45 miles E of Fairdale 12. Colorow Creek Hwy 87 1 mile E of Sexton 13. Reeves Creek Hwy 87 4 miles SE of Sexton 14. Carassee Creek Ewy 21 44 miles ENE of Milam 15. Borgas Creek Hwy 21 4 mikW of Milam 16. Tebo Creek Farm road “18 84 WSW of Milam 17. Palo Goucho Bayou off road 3 miles SSW of Milam 18. Borgas Creek off road 3 miles S of Milam 19. Palo Goucho Bayou Hwy. 87 34 miles S of Milam 20. Palo Goucho Bayou off road Satine SE of Milam 21. Housen Bayou Hwy 83 24 wiles SW of Hemphill 22. Housen Bayou Hwy. 87 el miles S of Hemphill 23. Bull Creek 944 (Hwy. ) 7 miles SE of Hemphill 24. Housen Bayou off road 83 miles SE of Hemphill 25. Six Mile Creek Hwy. 87 44 miles SSE of Yellow Pine 26. Sandy Creek Hwy 87 44 WSW af Fairdale 27. Sandy Creek (south ureng) Hwy. 87 44 SW of Fairdale 28. Six Mile Creek off road 14 miles N of Fairdale 29. Aurelie Creek off road 2 3/4 miles SW of Fairdale WON AW Fw Pr Newton County 1. Sabine River 64 miles ESE of Fairdale 2. Sabine River 95 miles ESE of Fairdale 3. Sabine River 10 1/4 miles SE of Fairdale 4, Sabine River 11 miles SE of Fairdale Z Sabine River 9 miles NE of Burkeville 7 8 9 FAY) Cn) Sabine River 9 + ENE of Burkeville Sabine River 5 3/4 miles ENE of Burkeville . Sabine River 5 3/ k ESE of Burkeville « Sabine River ot miles ESE of Burkeville 10. Sabine River 9 3/% miles SE of Burkeville 11. Sabine River 104 miles SSE of Burkeville l2. Sabine River 115 miles E of Newton 13. Sabine River 10 3/4 ESE of Newton 14. Sabine River 104 miles SE of Newton 15. Sabine River 12 miles SSE of Newton 16. Sabine River 124 miles NE of Call 17. Sabine River 11 miles E of Call 18. Sabine River 8 3/4 miles ESE of Call 19. Sabine River 24 miles ESE of Salem --- Page 8 --- Table 2. (Continued). 20. 21. 22, 23. 2k. 25. 26. 27: 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37- 38. 39. ho hi, ho, 43, kh, WS. h6, 7. 48. ho. 50. 51. 52. 53> 5h. Bos 56. 57° 58. 59-6 60. 61. 62. 63. 64. 65. Sabine River 5 miles SE of Salem Sabine River 8 miles SE of Salem Sabine River 8 3/4 SSE of Salem Sabine River 11 3/4 mi. S of Salem Sabine River 1+ mi. ENE of Deweyville Sabine River 2 1/2 mi. SE Deweyville Sabine River 4 mi. SSE of Deweyville Big Cow Creek 8 3/4 mi. WSW of Burkeville on Farm RD. 1416 Beekham Creek 10+ mi. WSW of Burkeville on Hwy. 63 Beekham Creek 11 mi. WSW of Burkeville on Hwy. 63 Cat Creek 3 3/4 mi. WSW of Burkeville on Hwy. 63 Little Cow Bayou 1 mi. SW of Burkeville on Hwy. 63 McGray Creek 1 mi. NE of Burkeville on Hwy. 63 Little Cow Creek 1 3/4 mi. SE of Burkeville Yellow Bayou 3 mi. SSE of Burkeville Big Cow Creek 10 3/4 mi. SW of Burkeville Yellow Bayou 3 mi. SE of Burkeville Little Cow Bayou 5 mi. ESE of Burkeville Big Cow Creek 24 mi. NW of Newton Quicksand Creek 4 mi. NE of Newton Morey Branch 53 mi. ENE of Newton Little Quicksand Creek 6; mi. ENE of Newton Underwood Creek 7 3/4 mi. ENE of Newton Miller Creek 4 3/4 mi. NNE of Armstrong Lake Big Cow Creek 2 mi. SW of Newton Quicksand Creek 8 3/4 mi. ESE of Newton Caney Creek 24 mi. NE of Bon Wier Caney Greek $ mi. W of Bon Wier Davis Creek 35 mi. WSW of Bon Wier Davis Creek 1 3/4 mi. SSW of Bon Wier Davis Creek 4 mi. SSW of Bon Wier White Oak Creek 105 Mi. WSW of Bon Wier Thickety Creek 12 mi. SSW of Bon Wier Dempsey Creek 5 mi SSW of Bon Wier Church House Creek 6 mi. SSW of Bon Wier Arch Creek 8 mi. SSW of Bon Wier Trout Creek 6 mi. NNE of Call Trout Creek 3 3/4 mi. ENE of Call Big Cow Creek 4 3/4 mi. E of Call Big Cow Creek North Fork 6 3/4 mi. E of Call Nichols Creek 4+ mi. SSE of Call Slayboms Creek 2 mi. WNW of Salem Nichols Creek 5 mi. SSW of Salem Big Cypress Creek 83 mi. SSW of Salem Big Cypress Creek 5 mi. NW of Deweyville San Slough North Fork 1 mi. WSW of Deweyville Orange County: de ° oA nw Fu r] Sabine River 5 mi. SSE of Deweyville Sabine River 6 mi. NNE of Orange Sabine River 24 mi. ENE of Orange Cow Bayou 23 mi. NW of Mauriceville Cow Bayou 25 mi. SSW of Mauriceville Little Cypress Bayou 7 mi. SE of Mauriceville Adams Bayou 5 mi. NW of Orange Cow Bayou 4 mi. NE of Orangefield --- Page 9 --- able *35 po County and Station Number | Sabine County sid Newton Count Orange Col _| sds Joab os¢s7 6-45 (05-IN- ue} Qe) NH eh nae oa a ssEneenaeee: o Soeceeeeennenaeeeeee ee ee ee ee ee ee S| 7 [lw i ae eee = 5a | s# | 7 [leg] 76 [ys | 4 | 3¢ | = |1og | 53 | 68 | 193| 37 | 66 [a7] 98 | 2 | 2 — 4 3 y[3 |__| |__| 5 1 obi 4) & Goypiodes carpio. Moxosto a poecil rH ~ Sh : Ade! na S = Gy x o ww — W lfa [24 | 24 | ae las |e [3e [13 [a | a3 | /o |G | 37] as| ze 2 ! 4 [a |3 | | ela] oe [9 lw la [a las |e | = léalarz $80)a33|Sal \iGa |aa7|47/ |lag iat [ist |303| 7 [137 lao |/93 | Gl | Ge /3 | 80H6 j i = [as] 3 a i & P| iif [3 [347] /a_ | ar [see ci 3 3 | 2/ Lt 7 4 7|4 | 037 4a_[99 |wslie [is [as [eel [as 75 | wg liso [rao Jf faara | 4 = ~ By ses aC S » ~/t)4[~ e -|. 4 RK is) ~ SBuNG St LEE PE sss | ia Te, Ss Pd 1Z7% --- Page 10 --- cae rr ieee ra ; i _ y, + =i r is i i} ¥ | | a 2 i ake on oe et 4 oe oe ee i Suit, bags [eb a en eres i: 75 Pre Gry a | as a at i ' in Ec 1 WS ’ . i - ao = ee eet és) ‘ 5 | ni | : See Felisl ea ; e | y te ee ite = oa LS 5: : 1 as pul a i ae | le FY : | Ld ok ie: . 7 -= 1 é iP ri at [ r — ' rh =. ‘ I { {45 | em 7 ' - = ot : F i 2. a s se Le ln ss fT eee ee el : - i 7 i os a4 6 oe I is - b 7 ; I a uw 7 ms 7 hime : _ : ce lige me _ 7 ; © ry —F OF - i } , “ al sm \ 7 i 2 : a , I - a =r" 5 i. : oo oe a i I i] = " — —— = I _ —— b hl i - 7 | ; = = } = . : um | a ie al | 7 << Lit iy = =, * —_ - aa “ Ei _ = i 5 > Lay: — - Ste bw! ad . ‘i SE a"5 =r - = | Fi - ] - _ = pepe vate sil peel | Ut i ea — a “a - a <= | Be Tv vi TT | Bu Tern © { — it ytd i I ' “ut - ne coh ee la 2 sa re pate lies 5 ve 1 | ia ) , ts abs 4 1 i, om hal uk I i if Th) Eg Ieaet waelbwp-ro|mu |thaial=y se i 1 = “| rial ! aye pet he te LiL Eee rt tA - =) i _ r, ' Oo. : = Sei . a - . i oe | it I = ' ‘ ' in A - a 1 { ‘Soe iis = 8 = = 1 ' . 1 la Le = Care ES ges? --- Page 11 --- Teble #42 SEINING COLLECTION RESULTS IM TRIBUTARY STREAMS OF SABINE RIVER IN TEXAS S : | ei] so} co] gal Per d é fee a aaa fess ee [atecrmors TT TTT Pe joewseome TT feces T1171 [a jomren sowoo crook | {| [| {| | | i | pompney crock | | | | | | Pt | “Tower cree TTT feutotowna cro | | TT TT Ty Ts Little Cow Creek EERE BEARERE E | fee LT LL immo | 1?) tt tt. licen tom || [1111411 fessor ae ae dia | : Ji EPPO EEE TELE REE i! Wl 3 rv) 3 3 Minytrema melanope LU, ‘4 yzon sucetts Erin yoLrOD nena. iC cL “CE a aC CRETE CeCe CeCe | | | I | | a alalalapg sa sla | ~~ of a ey i | 1 i} BSC CSSA BCE a ECO | Serre rer Pep tt tt tT Tt TT BEEZ EURRREEEARESRE --- Page 12 --- =——— ‘ ‘ a . ‘ > i + i oe) ae. wt 72 = — = i445 24u- wns td dae ji ae ig@“&5 id og ¥ 7 ie ee eo #222 fe if § AZRREER ERAS ALLE A Gee FEREH SD BG cae el fe Seite F F ese Fst re gd easee ees tAgtea9 ars Geshe egg egaies t32% é a a = Te q » OB og a . Ph | 2 “ , « m =) & 2eeT a i - - . 7 4 y= @ ‘ iy 7 - f i a Fi J =) 7 Hy) Z ra 7a 9 ¥ : 4 t= as z Bim 4 = —— 5 nH ® = = & 4 » # or 5 iva = ea ee G : ee ee a 2. US q : TH Ea PH LER RC HET MER ‘s (2b 5 ade SSS NS aed ; 4 : g 3 = - 2% “ B34, <3 eB. $2 Fg > 7 _ % . Af fg - Pi r fj) . 2 . co i = ' 1 > - = i * a. = Fy ; a ‘ : Ae s - = oe -— — sry = ab ee hee a 7 = - h to ' “ 4, ; het ee — eee =) = me —- *——- a me ee re 2 | dil | on a Ly ¥ [eae he _—s = mi —_— 1s . , - al = = Pi gee : t : Siete a = js= = Each Shae a o rea? + : =. —, —— 3 case * rr 7 tae SE - —— + hee - == — = tong gt ry oe wes — = — a + Sr aeree oa an a uate +p a a ji 1 pte a aE ah ag a ag Th ee = " —_ — os oy ee ae A = te a wear Ar ee Oe { os < tt = -L _ --- Page 13 --- 9. Table 5. Length, Weight and Coefficient of Condition of Species in Sabine River. Number Standard Standard Weight Weight "kK" "K" of Length Length Range Average Range Average Specimens Range Average Channel catfish 13 150 - 380mm 296mm 50 - 907 gm 466gm 1.29 - 1.72 1.52 Flathead catfish 4. 2h5 215 1.46 White crappie 23 97 - 260 174 20 - 535 163 2.13 - 3.04 2.95 Waxrmouth the - 195 163 iho = 265 179 3.07 - 4.89 3,82 Bluegill 6 105 - 145 126 42 - 189 103 4.07 - 7.68 4.88 Drum 2 218 - 220 219 220 - 250 235 2.12-- 235 -2.23 Black crappie 6 165 - 212 179 118 - 295 178 2.65 - 3.26 3.04 Blue catfish 2 290 - 343 316 340. - 595 4.67 1.39 - 1.47 1.43 Largemouth bass 1 335 1021 2,28 Spotted bass 1 225 272 2,39 Carpsucker 1 190 215 3.13 Smallmouth buffalo 1 ake 470 2.32 Red breasted sunfish 1 - 136 125 4.96 a SSS tt NS --- Page 14 --- 10. Table 6. Stomach Analysis by Frequency of Food Types NUMBER STOMACHS CONTAINING; Number Stomachs Examined Number Stomachs Empty Miscellaneous Dragonflies Hemiptera Waterbugs Coleoptera Bettles Crustacea Game Fish Forage Fish Contents Ephemerida Mayflies Detritus Misc. No. Odonata Molusca Species Ietiobus bubalus Carpiodes carpio Ictalurus punctatus ITetalurus furcatus Micropterus salmoides Chaenobryttus coronrius Lepomis macrochirus Lepomis auritus 1 1 Pomoxis annularis 20 T 2 a 2 1 9 3 1 2 Fish eggs Pomoxis nigro-maculatus 5 RY cu 3 Aplodinotus grunniens 2 PEP DN =) ro 1, Frog PS 1 Caddis fly --- Page 15 --- ll. Table 7. Complete Checklist of Fish Collected During this Survey. I. Family: PETROMYZONIDAE-~-Lampreys chestnut lamprey 1. Ichthyomyzon castaneus II. Family: LEPISOSTEIDAE---Gars 2. Lepisosteus spatula alligator gar 3. Lepisosteus platostomus shortnose gar 4. TLepisosteus productus spotted gar 5. TLepisosteus osseus longnose gar IiI. Family: AMIIDAE---Bowfins 6. Amia calva bowfin IV. Family: CLUPEIDAE--~ 7. Alosa chrysochloris skipjack 8. Brevoortia gunteri bay menhaden 9. Dorosoma petenensis threadfin shad 10. Dorosoma cepedianum gizzard shad V. Family: ENGRAULIDAE---Anchovies 11. Anchoa mitchilli bay anchovy VI. Family: ESOCIDAE---Pickerels 12. Esox vermiculatus grass pickerel VII. Family: CATOSTOMIDAE---Suckers and Buffalofishes 13. Ictiobus bubalus smallmouth buffalo 14. Carpiodes carpio river carpsucker 15. WMoxostoma poecilurum blacktail redhorse 16. WMinytrema melanops spotted sucker 17. Erimyzon sucetta lake chubsucker 18. Erimyzon oblongus ereek chubsucker VIII. Family: CYPRINIDAE---Shiners and minnows 19. Cyprinus carpio carp 20. Notemigonus crysoleucas golden shiner 21. Semotilus atromaculatus creek chub 22. Opsopoeodus emiliae pugnose minnow 23. Extrarius aestivalus speckled dace 24. Phenocobius mirabilis suckermouth minnow 25. Notropis atherinoides emerald shiner 26. WNotropis amabilis Texas shiner 27. Notropis fumeus ribbon shiner 28. Notropis umbratilis redfin shiner 29. Wotropis chalybeus ironcolor shiner 30. Notropis roseus central weed shiner 31. Notropis potteri broadhead shiner 32. Notropis sabinae longnose shiner 33. Notropis amnis palid shiner 34. Notropis venustus placktail shiner 35. Notropis lutrensis red shiner 36. WNotropis deliciosus sand shiner 37. Notropis atrocaudalis blackspot shiner --- Page 16 --- XI. XII. XIII. XIV. XVII. Family: Family: Family: Family: Family: Family: Family: Family: Family: 38. Notropis volucellus mimic shiner ghost shiner silvery minnow Parrot minnow sea catfish southern channel catfish blue catfish black bullhead yellow bullhead flathead catfish tadpole madtom freckled madtom redspot topminnow starhead topminnow blackspot topminnow blackstripe topminnow gambusia pirate perch striped mullet brook silversides yellow bass spotted black bass largemouth black bass warmouth green sunfish small sunfish spotted sunfish redear sunfish bluegill orangespotted sunfish yellowbelly sunfish Longear sunfish dollar sunfish white crappie 39. Notropis buchanani ho. Hybognathus muchalis hi. Pimephales vigilax ARTIDAE---Sea catfishes hO, Galeichthys felis AMETURIDAE---Freshwater catfish 43. Icatalurus punctatus 4, “ITeatalurus furcatus 4S. Ameiurus melas 46. Ameiurus natalis 47. Pilodictus olivaris 48. Schilbeodes mollis 49. Schilbeodes nocturnus CYPRINODONTIDAE---Killifishes and topminnows 50. Fundulus chrysotus 51. Fundulus notti 52. Fundulus olivaceus 53. Fundulus notatus POECILIIDAE---Mosquitofishes 54. Gambusia affinis APHREDODERIDAE---Pirate perch 55. Aphredoderus sayanus MUGILIDAE-==Mullet 56. Mugil cephalus ATHERTNIDAE=--Silversides 57. Labidesthes sicculus SERRANIDAE---Basses 58. Morone interrupta CENTRARCHIDAE---Black basses and sunfishes 59. Microptervs punctulatus 60. Micropterus salmoides 61. Chaenobryttus coronarius 62. Lepomis cyanellus 63. Lepomis s tricus 64, Lepomis punctatus 65. Lepomis microlophus 66. Lepomis macrochirus 67. Lepomis humilis 68. Lepomis auritus 69. Lepomis megalotis 70. Lepomis marginatus 71. FPomoxis annularis 72. Pomoxis nigromaculatus black crappie --- Page 17 --- XVIIT. xIX. XXII. XXIII. Family: Family Family: Family: Family: Family: 73 74. PERCIDAE---Perches and Darters 13° 76. TT. 78. 19> 80. 81. 82. 83. Bh. Centrarchus macropterus Elassoma zonatum Hadropterus scierus Ammoc ta vivax Ammocrypta clara Etheostoma chlorosomum Etheostoma gracile Etheostoma asprigenis Etheostoma parvipinne Etheostoma whipplei Etheostoma spectabile Etheostoma fonticola CARANGIDAE---Jackfishes 85. SCIAENIDAE---Croakers, drum and weakfishes 87. 88. 89. 90. Ql. Chloroscombrus chrysurus Aplodinotus grunniens Sciaenops ocellata Micropogon undulatus Pogonias cromis Cynoscion arenarius Cynoscion nebulosus SPARIDAE Archosargus probatocephalus PLEURONECTIDAE~--~Flounders 92. 93. Paralichtys lethostigma ACHTRIDAE---Soles Qh. 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Stat ss B sta 4 a m @ Bu kewlle . She : deat ome 4 BF 5 AO 1 : Ra ee Ba #9 Be ye 4 r ee ne & ae uN, ye ee gael i ia Be = btw Goce ye Fad Vata” OF, Hmsteng - " i thee’ 6 Map of Sabine River oy ond Tributaries p-butis Cy ; _ Bos showing seining stations siete a ANS Seay ch, state 8700 My 190 shuts? BS stahiz ' ! i} hes 1 oO fa 5 #les ' ‘ ging 3 ! 4) wile | yy A sty, es I o Sea rcancinne apt pata etarcatepsal' ee Ms Sta. Mate __) Orange County ghttn Btn. 7 @Mauriceville 2 & “Oe oe nt oo Cah E Aly ‘Pires @vid shtT? vs 8, ad & Ore xe sta.#S Hwy 90 N + ngefield Pv ore, 7) @ Bre ge Cit ni) cs Awer y 2 ee ee) ne Lake 4 sab --- Page 20 --- y! slot, We J i A i. eh Bi a ed