(1953–1954) Job Completion Report: Inventory of species present in those portions of the North Concho River occurring within Tom Green, Coke, Sterling and Glasscock Counties, Texas

--- Page 1 --- STATE Texas PROJECT NO.F-5-R-1, Job B-7 PERIOD June 22, 1953 - June 22, 1954 Job Completion Report Lawrence Campbell TITLE Inventory of species present in those portions of the North Concho River occuring within Tom Green, Coke, Sterling and Glasscock Counties, Texas. OBJECTIVES To determine the distribution of species present, their relative abundance and the ecological factors influencing their distribution. PROCEDURE Forty-six seining collections were made at fifteen locations on the North Concho watershed. In nearly all collections both 26 ft. $" bag seines and 15 ft. -" mesh com-~ mon sense seines were used. To estimate relative abundance a count was made of all in- dividuals taken in sixteen collections. Four collections were taken in each type stream habitat and the resulting data analyzed on a seasonal basis. In other collectiow data pertaining to species distribution only was recorded and in addition to the above equip- ment, 6 ft. and 4 ft. common sense seines and 1/8" mesh fry seines were employed. Ten gill net collections were made. Experimental nylon gill nets measuring 125 ft. long x 8 ft. in depth and made up in five, 25 ft. sections, were set at three stations. Mesh size for these nets increased progressively in each following section at one-half inch intervals beginning with one inch mesh and terminating with a 3" mesh section. Two rotenone colletions were made, one for the stream area previously treated in 1952 and one for the untreated stream area. Data pertainhng to numerical and weight per- centages was taken for each species recovered and the volume of water treated estimated. In all collections most of the fish taken were identified and counted in the field. However, some individuals whose identity was questionable were preserved in 10% forma- lin and a sample of each species collected saved for laboratory study. FINDINGS For reasons discussed in the completibn report for Job A-2 and to illustrate the dif- ferences in population abundance and species distribution for stream areas previously treated with rotenone, as compared with untreated areas, all fishery data obtained is organized and presented in accordance with that arbitrary division in the watershed. 1. Stream Areas Treated with Rotenone in 1952. Primarily clear water and murky water associations described in report for Job A-2. On appended map stations 15 to 5, inclusive. Seining Collections Estimate based on four seasonal collections. Stations 5, 7, 11, 13 and 15 --- Page 2 --- Species Number % Total Dorosoma cepedianum 21l 10.3 Carpiodes carpio 21 1.0 Moxostoma congestum 4 el Cyprinus carpio 8 3 Aplodinotus grunniens 8 3 Pimephales vigilax 8h Kel Gambusia affinis 154 7.6 Notropis lutrensis 571 28.4 Notropis venustus 262 13.1 Ictalurus punctatus 114 5.6 Micropterus salmoides 48 2.3 Lepomis megalotis 108 5.2 Lepomis cyanellus 143 Tal Lepomis macrochirus 140 6.9 Lepomis auritus 22 1.0 Lepomis microlophus BL 2.5 Pomoxis annularis 89 Ay Totals 2,038 100.2 Netting Collections Species Number % Total Dorosoma cepedianum 82 30.2 Carpiodes carpio 61 22.4 Moxostoma congestum 11 hel Lepisosteus osseus 15 55 Cyprinus carpio 9 3.3 Aplodinotus grunniens 14 5.2 Pomoxis annularis 21 7.8 Ictalurus punctatus 38 14.0 Lepomis cyanellus 8 2.9 Lepomis auritus k 1.5 Lepomis macrochirus 9 3.3 Totals 272 100.2 Totals for four seasonal collections, Station 7 and 10. Rotenone Collection Pool treated approx. 1s acre ft., approx. 200 yds. east of Station 12 Species Number Total % by % by Bt - oz. No. Wt. Dorosoma cepedianum 31 3 #1 6.89 4.9 Carpiodes carpio 12 18 Oo 2.67 29.6 Aplodinotus grunniens 8 5 1 1.78 8.3 Micropterus salmoides 17 3° «9 3.78 5.8 Ictalurus punctatus 12 6 15 2.67 11.'5 Lepomis cyanellus hy 5 8 9.12 9.1 Lepomis wegalotis 13 1 10 2.82 e.7 Lepomis auritus 6 1 2 Las 1.9 Lepomis microlophus 11 9 2.45 8 Lepomis macrochirus 38 2 7 8.45 hed Pomoxis annularis 21 11 (4 4.67 18.5 Notropis and other small sag 29 cb HR 188:49 1089 --- Page 3 --- li. 3. Clear and murky associations of the previously treated area appear to be dom- inated numerically by sunfishes (62.29% of all game fish and 21.58% of all sam- pling totals), by species of the genus Notropis (primarily N. lutrensis and N. venustus, 30.70% of all collections) and to a lesser degree by Gizzard shad (Dorosoma cepedianum, 12.45% of all collections). Where shad appear to become more abundant in proportion to the number of small forage fishes, in the murk- ier reservoirs, river carp suckers (Carpiodes carpio) apparently increase pro- gressively with this turbidity (29.6% of collections by weight). Accompanying these ratio changes, southern channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus, 11.5% by weight) and white crappie (Pomoxis annularis 18.5% by weight) and white crappie (Pomoxis annularis, 18.5% by weight) increase in importance as predacious fishes. Blue gill sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus) and green sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus) are the most abundant of sunfishes. However, western longear sunfish (Lepomis megalotis) and yellowbelly sunfish (Lepomis auritus) are usually larger. Stream areas untreated with rotenone in 1952, all of North Concho River, west of Cret Clark Ranch. (Map stations 1, 2, 3 and 4.) Turbid intermittent pool assoc- iations. Seining Collections Estimate based on four seasonal collections. Stations 1, 2, 3 and 4. Species Number % Total Iectiobus bubalus 21 81 Dorosoma cepedianum 181 6.97 Carpiodes carpio 89 3.44 Moxostoma congestum 13 -52 Cyprinus carpio 12 «46 Aplodinotus grunniens 21 .81 Pimephales vigilax 101 3.90 Notropis venustus 332 12.95 Notropis lutrensis hol 15.39 Notropis volucellus 11 ke Notropis amabilis 8 oe Hybognathus placitus 14 54 Percina caprodes 14 54 Notemigonus chrysoleucas 60 2.32 Amerius natalis 321 12:35 Amerius melas 18 -70 Chaenobryttus coronarius 12 46 Lepomis cyanellus 312 12.02 Lepomis megalotis 227 8.75 Lepomis macrochirus 187 7.20 Lepomis punctatus he 1.62 Lepomis microlophus 62 2.40 Lepomis humilis 37 1.43 Micropterus salmoides il 43 Pomoxis annularis TT 2.79 Ictalurus punctatus 4 oS Totals 2,594 100.67 Netting Collections Estimates based on four seasonal collections. All netting collections from Station 2, because only pool in untreated area suitable for settng gill nets. --- Page 4 --- Species Number % Total Dorosoma cepedianum 47 21.6 Carpiodes carpio 38 rub Moxostoma congestum 10 3.2 Lepisosteus osseus 11 5.1 Ieticobus bubalus 4 1.9 Aplodinotus grunniens 13 5.9 Ietiobus niger 2 9 Pilodictus olivaris 1 33 Amerius natalis 47 21.6 Ietalurus punctatus 9 4.9 Pomoxis annularis 2 1.0 Lepomis cyanellus 8 3.7 Lepomis auritus 8 3.7 Lepomis macrochirus 13 5.9 Lepomis punctatus 4 1.9 Chaenobryttus coronarius 3 af Totals 217 100.1 Rotenone Collection Station 4. Area treated approx. 3 acre ft. Species Number Total % by % by Wt. No Wt. lbs. OZ. Dorosoma cepedianum 38 0 6.8 ore Carpbdes carpio 21 7 9 3.8 10.7 Moxostoma congestum 8 2 0 1.4 2.9 Ictiobus bubalus 8 14 2 ik 20.3 Cyprinus carpio 8 18 4 1.4 26.6 Aplodinotus grunniens 14 3 5 2.5 7 Lepisosteus osseus y 6 9 at 9.4 Ameiurus natalis 13 1 5 2.3 1.8 Ameiurus melas 3 11 1.2 1.0 Ietalurus punctatus hy 14 rg 1.3 Pilodictus olivaris i, 1. 2 ‘2 1.6 Micropterus salmoides 5 2 2 ae} 3.0 Micropterus punctulatus a 14 4 de3 Lepomis cyanellus 12 1 9) 2.1 Att Lepomis wegalotis 12 LS 2.1 Nee a Lepomis humilis 4 3 iv ms Lepomis macrochirus 31 1 10 5.5 2s 3 Lepomis microlcophus 7 15 Lae hed Lepomis auritus 2 5 ot a Pimephales, Notropis and other small forage fishes 362 2 1 64.3 3.0 Totals 563 69 12 99.9 100.1 The turbid intermittent pool associations found in the untreated portions of the upper watershed are apparently dominated by river carp suckers (Carpiodes carpio), German carp (Cyprinus carpio), smallmouth buffalo (Ictiobus bubalus and I. niger) and by bullheads (Ameiurus natalis and A. niger.) Gizzard shad and game species are less abundant than in treated areas and lack of condition in bass (Micropterus salmoides and M. punctulatus) was evident. In some pools stunted sunfish populations were observed. A greater number of species were found in turbid waters and log perch (Percina caprodes), Texas shiners (Notropis amabilis) and mimic shiners (Notropis volueellus) were found in the untreated areas only. --- Page 5 --- SUMMARY } Ls Field work for this job was done in conjunction with Job A-2. (Basic Survey of the North Concho River. Forty-seven seining collections were made at fifteen stations, ten gill net eollections were made. Experimental gill nets were used. Two areas were rotenoned and a record made of the number and total weight of each species taken. Thirty-two species were taken by all methods of collection from the watershed. In 1952 all areas of stream below Cret Clark Ranch Stations 15 to 5, inclus- ive, were treated with rotenone. Species distribution and population ratios differ between this area and untreated pools. The treated portion of the watershed is a series of reservoirs and pools and is clear water and murky water association. Clear water communities are dom- inated by sunfishes and shiners and to a lesser extent by gizzard shad. Murky associations are dominated by river carp suckers and gizzard shad. However, southern channel catfish and white crappie become the most important predacious species in this environment. Stream areas untreated with rotenone in 1952 are turbid intermittent pool assoc- iations. Although a greater number of species are found in this association, untreated portions of the upper watershed are apparently dominated by river carp suckers, German carp, smallmouth buffalo and by bullheads. Game species are less abundant than in treated areas. Largemouth black bass were in poor condition and some pools had stunted sunfish populations. --- Page 6 --- . i ai =e al Nr ON) OA ANI Fw Me Hoe mS San pod Ae roll we co-] Mm eo 22 « MwMMwe wy MY hw —Y LO C7] ON Fos lad lg eH oO a Le] Checklist of Species of Fish from North Concho River, July 22, Common Name Longnose gar Gizzard shad Smallmouth buffalo Black buffalo River carpsucker Gray redhorse sucker German carp Golden shiner Blacktail shiner Red shiner Texas shiner Mimic shiner Plains minnow Parrot minnow Southern channel catfish Black bullhead Yellow bullhead Flathead catfish Common mosquitofish Spotted black bass Largemouth black bass Warmouth bass Green sunfish Spotted sunfish Redear sunfish Bluegill Orangespotted sunfish Yellowbelly sunfish Western longear sunfish White crappie Logperch Freshwater drum Hybrids to June 30, 1954 Lepomis macrochirus x L. punctatus Lepomis humilis x L. cyanellus Scientific Name Lepisosteus osseus Dorosoma cepedianum Ictiobus bubalus Icticbus niger Carpiodes carpio Moxostoma congestum Cyprinus carpio Notemigonus crysoleucas Notropis venustus Notropis lutrensis Notrops amabilis Notropis volucellus Hybognathus placitus Pimephales vigilax Ictalurus punctatus Ameiurus melas Ameiurus natalis Pilodictus olivaris Gambusia affinis Micropterus punctulatus Micropterus salmoides Chaenobryttus coronarius Lepomis cyanellus Lepomis punctatus Lepomis microlophus Lepomis macrochirus Lepomis humilis Lepomis auritus Lepomis megalotis Pomoxis annularis Percina caprodes Aplodinotus grunniens 1953 --- Page 7 --- mod | WONAAS I O72 ONY Nws es + " » 4 G st we ay -} % 2» 2 0 - we a <4 1 ayy ¥ 7 oO, © 4 iy fr > rc QO» ry > * “d 4 ; 4? <b a