(1969–1970) Region 1-B Fisheries Studies: Fisheries Management, Job Progress Report, Project No. F-5-R-17

--- Page 2 --- SUMMARY Fisheries surveys were conducted on 17 public bodies of water in Region 1-B. Fish populations were sampled with standard gill nets, seines and trawl. Hydrological, physical, ecological, and water analysis data were collected. Two changes in the Permian Basin Regulatory District fish harvest regu- lations were recommended and adopted. Three counties and the fishing regula- tions in Borden County came under regulatory responsibility this segment. San Angelo Reservoir received a chemical renovation treatment in August 1969 (for details see completion report number 16-a-59, Project F-14-D-11). Four other reservoirs meet the statistical criteria for chemical treatments but at the present time only one, Valley Creek Lake, can be recommended for treatment, Supplementary hatchery stocking was done at 11 public lakes and at several locations on 2 major streams. Aquatic vegetation was not found to be problematic at any of the waters surveyed. Unpredictable events adversely affecting fish population were not encountered during this segment. --- Page 3 --- JOB PROGRESS REPORT State of Texas Project No. F-5-R-17 Name: Region 1-B Fisheries Studies Job No. 13 Title: Fisheries Management Recommendations Period Covered: March 1, 1969 to February 28, 1970 Objectives: To determine the need for, in Region 1-B waters; Changes in fish harvest regulations Population control Stocking Vegetation control Emergency measures needed to correct unpredictable events adversely affecting fish populations. ne Whe Procedures: Fisheries surveys and current fisheries regulations were reviewed and provided the basis for the proposal of fish harvest regulation changes. Proposed regulations were discussed with concerned department personnel at preliminary meetings for the Edwards Plateau and Permian Basin regulatory districts. Public hearings were held in each of the counties under regula- tory responsibility to inform the public of the proposed regulations. Procedures for objectives 2 through 5 will be merged for expediency and clarity. For the same reasons, the findings and discussion will be reported separately for each concerned body of water. Surveys were made on all major public waters during this segment with the more important ones receiving 2 or more visits (Table 1). Fish popula- tions were sampled with standard gill nets, seines, and trawl when possible. A standard gill net is 150 feet in length, 8 feet deep, and mesh sizes vary- ing from 1 to 34% square inches. The number of nets set was determined by the size of the impoundment and water conditions. The size of seines and trawl used is given with each survey results table. A trawling sample unit was a 10-minute drag at approximately 5 mph. All fish collected in gill nets were counted, weighed, and measured. A sample of fish (usually up to 15 of each game species) was examined to deter- mine sexual development and stomach content. Total numbers, total weights, percentages, average weights, and condition ("K" factor) were tabulated, --- Page 4 --- Table |] Waters Surveyed During This Segment NAME Oak Creek Reservoir Valley Creek Reservoir Old Winters Lake Colorado City Reservoir San Angelo Reservoir Colorado River E. V. Spence Reservoir Nasworthy Lake New Winters Lake Champion Creek Reservoir J. B. Thomas Reservoir Moss Creek Reservoir Twin Buttes Reservoir San Saba River Elm Creek Reservoir Mountain Creek Reservoir Concho River COUNTY Coke Runnels Runnels Mitchell Tom Green Coke, Runnels, Concho Coke Tom Green Runnels Mitchell Borden and Scurry Howard Tom Green Menard Runnels Coke Tom Green NUMBER OF VISITS BPR PNrPreN NYE hw Fweder Fish taken in seines and trawl were counted and a length range was recorded. Several specimens of each species were preserved in formalin solution and identifications were confirmed in the laboratory. A comparison of the average coefficient of condition ("K'' factors) for all game species collected with gill nets at all the waters surveyed is given in Table 2. Vegetation checks were made during each survey and records were taken as to the kind and abundance. significant. This information will be discussed only when Air and water temperatures, turbidity, hydrological records, weather conditions, and other physical data were recorded in each survey. Also, water analysis including oxygen, carbon dioxide, alkalinity, total hardness, chlorides, and pH were conducted at the majority of waters visited, This information will be discussed in the report when necessary. Statistical data for each body of water were examined to determine which waters would be considered for chemical control measures. The criteria for considering chemical management ‘efforts were populations of undesirable species in excess of 80 per cent by either weight and/or number, lake capaci- ties, and the "cost-benefit ratio" of treatment. --- Page 5 --- atddeia e3TyUM sseq yJNowsesieyT ystyuns iteepey - eBe ystjuns aeasuoy IT}8enTa setoedg awed Jo sio0j9Pq ,,y,, eeIeAW Jo uostiedwog 88°47 ystjuns ueei9 yqnowzeM Sotoods Z e1qeL sseq eqTUM L8°T ZS 78° 1 T6°1 é8°1 1c-é Gt é 68°T €6 1 €O°? £8°T 68° T vO"? 60°¢ ysty3eo peeyiela L8°T 70°Z OL°T Z9°T 16°1 BLT 08° 69° 78° 69°T 06°1 €0°Z 0z*Z BLT 66°1 86°T G8°T €6°T usTyqeo Tauuey) ystyaeo ent” ayeyT yaean AVL TPA ayeT sewouy “Gg “CF ayeyT soqang uray ayeT vsoueds “A -g I3ATY eqesg ues aye] OTesuy ues aye] St9quTM plo ey7eT A2910 APO ayeT slequTM men ayey AUIIOMseN aye] Yyeer9 utejunow aYeV]T yen ssopw eyeT yeorip Ula J®PATY OYyouUOD IBATY Operopog ayeT AWID Opeszoptog aye] ye0r9 vuotdwmeug Si9qeM --- Page 6 --- Most of the public waters surveyed this segment were recommended for Supplementary hatchery stocking. The basis for these recommendations were (1) the degree and survival of game fish reproduction, (2) water levels, (3) food availability, (4) fishing pressures, and (5) past production records. Due to abundant hatchery production and when it was necessary for either of the local hatcheries to "move" their fish, the recommended stocking rates of nearby waters were exceeded. Supplementary hatchery stocking for all public waters in Region 1-B during 1969 are presented in Table 3. Table 3 Public Water Stocking - 1969, Region 1-B Largemouth No. Released White Redear Lakes Bass Channel Catfish Crappie Sunfish Champion Creek 26,400 Elm Creek 5,000 3,000 Moss Creek 2,000 2,000 Mountain Creek 2,000 Nasworthy 24,000 15,000 New Winters 2,000 1,800 Oak Creek 30,000 800 14,000 E. V. Spence 786,000 * 79,650 San Angelo 25,450 *% 107,100 88 ,000 Towle Park 900 600 500 Valley Creek 5,000 Concho River Ben Ficklin Dam 12,450 Lone Wolf Dam 16,000 * 20,000 Bell Street Dam 24,000 * 3,000 1,500 600 Christoval Park 4,000 San Saba River Ft. McKavett 3,000 6,000 a * - Fry or advanced fry ** - Advanced fingerlings Findings: Objective No, 1 Three Region 1-B counties, Ector, Runnels and Scurry, came under regula- tory responsibility during this segment. Also the means and methods of taking fish in Borden County were placed under the Department's regulations. Table 4 --- Page 7 --- presents the location, dates, and number of persons present at the public hearings that concern this project. Location Number Count Town) Date Present Permian Basin Area Andrews * Andrews 6-4-69 0 Borden Gail 6-2-69 0 Borden Gail 6-30-69 NR Cochran * Morton 6-2-69 0 Coke * Robert Lee 6-4-69 NR Crosby ** Crosbyton 6-2-69 0 Dawson * Lamesa 6-4-69 3 Ector Odessa 9-16-69 0 Gains * Seminole 6-4-69 0 Garza ** Post 6-2-69 0 Glasscock Garden City 6-4-69 2 Howard Big Spring 6-3-69 4 Irion * Mertzon 6-5-69 NR Kent ** Jayton 9-17-69 Z Martin Stanton 6-3-69 3 Midland Midland 6-4-69 0 Mitchell Colorado City 6-3-69 1 Reagan Big Lake 6-4-69 0 Runnels Ballinger 6-30-69 NR Scurry Snyder 9-16-69 2 Sterling * Sterling City 6-4-69 NR Terry * Brownfield 6-3-69 0 Tom Green * San Angelo 6-5-69 NR Upton ** Rankin 9-16-69 5 Yoakum * Plains 6-3-69 0 Edwards Plateau Area Menard * Menard 6-3-69 NR Schleicher * Eldorado 6-3-69 NR Table 4 Regulatory Hearings Concerning Project F-5-R, ene ee ee eT NR - Official attendance not reported ** - Not in Region 1-B, but hearing attended by F-5-R personnel * - In Region 1-B but not attended by F-5-R personnel eee It was necessary to recommend two changes in the existing fisheries regulation in this Region. The first was to open the season on walleye perch and place on them a daily bag and possession limit of five. This was necessary --- Page 8 --- to encourage fishermen to fish for walleye and report their catch from the two public waters where this species was previously introduced (Lake J. B. Thomas and San Angelo Reservoir). The second recommended change was the addition of striped bass with a daily bag and possession limit of one. This species was introduced in E. V. Spence Reservoir and any reported catches would be of great value to this study. Findings and Discussion: Objectives 2 through 5 Oak Creek Reservoir Oak Creek Lake is a 2,375-acre municipal water supply owned and operated by the city of Sweetwater, West Texas Utilities also uses water from this impoundment for generator cooling. Surveys were conducted on this reservoir in March and August 1969, and on both occasions the water level was within 5 feet of normal. Survey results continue to reflect a respectable game fish population, 27 per cent by number and 40 per cent by weight of the netting sample (Table 5). Large- mouth and white bass showed increases over past surveys, This clear lake yields an exceptionally large number of lunker size largemouth bass. The catch of flathead catfish was the only important decrease in game fish. The rough or undesirable population was very similar to that found in previous surveys. Small sunfish and age class O largemouth bass dominated the seining sample as shown in Table 5. Water milfoil (Myriophyllum sp.), coontail (Ceratophyllum sp.) and bushy pondweed (Najas sp.) are abundant in this clear impoundment. They have been problematic on occasions in the past; however, a 3-foot rise in early summer gave some relief from these problematic submerged plants. Stocking records are given in Table 4. Valley Creek Lake Two visits were made to this 185-acre lake which is the water supply for the city of Ballinger. This impoundment has been considered for renovation procedures for the past two segments. Rough fish, as they have for the past several years, continue to dominate the netting sample with 84 per cent num- ber and 81 per cent weight (Table 6), White crappie and channel catfish accounted for the majority of desirable species. Seining produced satisfactory forage with red shiner and blacktail shiner being abundant. The possibility of a chemical treatment will be discussed with the con- trolling authorities. Meanwhile, supplementary stocking will be done in an attempt to increase the desirable fish population. --- Page 9 --- Table 5 Survey Results of Oak Creek Reservoir, March 20 and August 21, 22, 1969. Results of 18 Standard Gill Nets. Per Cent Total Wt. Avg. Wt. Per Cent Average Species Number by No. Pounds Pounds by Wt. Kt Gizzard shad 201 50.25 32.75 -16 10.27 Carp 37 9425 45,69 1.23 14.33 River carpsucker 47 11.75 111.05 2,36 34.83 Black bullhead 7 Lgi5 1.52 a2l 47 Channel catfish * 13 3525 10.04 eet 3,15 1,82 Flathead catfish * 2 -50 15.69 7.84 4,92 1.89 White bass * 32 8.00 57.09 1,78 17,91 3.08 Bluegill * 40 10.00 3.49 08 1,10 3.83 Largemouth bass * 11 2,75 33.251 3.04 10.51 2,93 White crappie * 10 2.50 8.00 -80 2.51 2.95 Total 400 100,00 318.83 100.00 Game Fish * 108 27.00 127,82 40.10 Rough Fish 292 73.00 191.01 59.90 Seining Results of Oak Creek Reservoir (Bag 26' by 6' by 1/4-inch mesh seine, 20' by 6' by 1/8-inch mesh seine). Species Number Size Range in Inches Gizzard shad 29 6-8 Blacktail shiner 1 24 Mosquito fish 5 1-2 Redbreast sunfish 7 2-5 Green sunfish 16 2-4 Orangespotted sunfish 2 2% Bluegill 95 1-4 Longear sunfish 18 2-3 Redear sunfish 14 1-34 Largemouth bass 155 2-10 Total 338 --- Page 10 --- Table 6 Survey Results of Valley Creek Lake, April 24 and September 25, 1969. Results of 10 Standard Gill Nets. Per Cent Total Wt. Avg. Wt. Per Cent Average Species Number by No. Pounds Pounds by Wt. mR Longnose gar 25 4,97 120.64 4.82 25.04 Gizzard shad 230 45.72 30.85 .13 6.40 Carp 12 2.39 44.48 320 9,23 River carpsucker 131 26.04 175.26 1,33 36.38 Black bullhead 9 1.79 3.95 043 82 Channel catfish * 16 3.18 39.02 2.43 8.10 2,04 Flathead catfish * 2 -40 18.33 9.16 3.81 1.87 Warmouth * 1 .20 22 ee) 04 4.14 Bluegill * 10 1.98 -93 -09 219 4.36 Longear sunfish * 1 -20 p12 -12 03 5.07 Redear sunfish * 1 ,20 .26 26 -05 ABS Largemouth bass * 4 80 15.95 3,98 3.31 2.96 White crappie * 44 8.75 14,46 ie 3.01 2.84 Freshwater drum 17 3.38 17.29 1.01 3.59 Total 503 100.00 481.76 100.00 Game Fish * 79 15.71 89.29 18.54 Rough Fish 424 84.29 392.47 81.46 Seining Results of Valley Creek Lake (Bag 26' by 6' by 1/4-inch mesh seine, 20' by 6' by 1/8-inch mesh seine and 10' by 4' by 1/8-inch mesh seine). a Species Number Size Range in Inches i i Gizzard shad 28 3 -7 Golden shiner Vf 2 Red shiner 317 1 -2% Blacktail shiner 345 14-23 Bullhead minnow 35 14-2 River carpsucker 5 3 -4 Black bullhead 1; 6 Channel catfish 1 3 Green sunfish ll 3 -4 Orangespotted sunfish 8 2 -3 Bluegill 7 1 -3 Longear sunfish 5 3 -4 Redear sunfish 8 3 -34 Largemouth bass 15 2 -34 White crappie 165 3-5 Logperch 4 34 i Total 956 i --- Page 11 --- ee Old Winters Lake A survey was conducted on this 20-acre, old water supply reservoir in April 1969. Gizzard shad accounted for 80 per cent of the total number of fish netted (Table 7). This shallow, turbid lake provides very little fish- ing in its present condition. Management efforts would almost be useless because of the receding water level each summer which cause most of the desirable species to be lost due to oxygen depletion. The heavy silt deposits on the bottom and high chloride content also constitute a hindrance to game fish production. Table 7 Survey Results of Old Winters Lake, April 29, 1969. Results of 4 Standard Gill Nets. Per Cent Total Wt. Avg. Wt. Per Cent Average Species Number by No. Pounds Pounds by Wt, i Say Gizzard shad 207 79.61 36.23 wh? 42.80 Carp 33 12.69 18.28 535 21.60 Channel catfish * 7 2.70 1.7/7 25 2,09 1.69 Flathead catfish * 2 76 26.92 13.46 31.80 2.25 White crappie * 11 4.24 1.44 «13 Lf 2,73 Total 260 100.00 84.64 100.00 Game Fish * 20 het® 30.13 35.60 Rough Fish 240 92.30 54.51 64.40 Seining Results of Old Winters Lake (Bag 26' by 6' by 1/4-inch mesh seine, 20' by 6' by 1/8-inch mesh seine). Species Number Size Range in Inches Gizzard shad 1 34 Red shiner 104 4-3 Bullhead minnow 38 14-24 Mosquitofish 2 1 Green sunfish 2 A Bluegill 9 5-3 Largemouth bass 1 5 White crappie 9 4 -6 Total 166 Colorado City Reservoir Colorado City Lake covers some 1,655 acres on Morgan Creek, 6 miles southwest of Colorado City. The lake is owned and operated by Texas Electric Service Company who uses the water for generator cooling. It is also a --- Page 12 --- -10- municipal water supply for Colorado City. The water level was down about 7 feet from normal when surveyed in May 1969. The combined survey results for the May and December samples are given in Table 8. This reservoir has consistently exhibited high game fish produc- tion with 42 per cent by number and 54 per cent by weight of the total fish netted. The condition ("K'') factor for game species from this reservoir were generally above average (Table 3). The composition of the desirable fish population has experienced very little change. However, the number of gizzard shad was approximately 17 per cent lower than last year, while the number of river carpsucker increased by approximately that amount. Forage was abundant in the seining samples with blacktail shiner the most numerous. Largemouth bass fry and fingerlings were collected in large numbers indicating that reproduction was more successful this year than in the past 2 years. San Angelo Reservoir This U. S. Corps of Engineers lake is located at the northwest limits of San Angelo on North Concho River. After being full (119,000 acre-feet) for a short while in the mid 1950's, it has steadily decreased in volume and in game fish production. The volume of San Angelo Reservoir was reduced to only 2,800 acre-feet during this segment. Table 9 reflects the continuing drop in the number of game fish present. Based on these findings, along with those of the past 2 years and other criteria needed to meet the requirement for chemical renova- tion, a treatment was effected on San Angelo Reservoir in August 1969, Details are given in the completion report for Project F-14-D-11, Job 16-a-59. Restocking of this reclaimed water began in about 10 days with 60 to 70 thousand adult minnows, Shortly thereafter, approximately 107,200 channel catfish fingerlings, 25,450 advanced largemouth bass fingerlings and 88,000 redear sunfish fingerlings were stocked. These large numbers of fish were stocked with the expectance of catching water in the fall. Other game species, such as adult flathead catfish, will be added as time permits. Colorado River The Colorado River was checked in May 1969 in Coke County, At this location the river has very little sustained flow and is usually confined to holes of & to 1 mile long and 2 to 8 feet deep. The turbidity is usually very high. Survey results, given in Table 10, show a typical catch for this water. Channel catfish and white crappie were the only game species collected in nets this year; however, flathead catfish is an important sport fish in this area. --- Page 13 --- =[« Table 8 Survey Results of Colorado City Reservoir, May 8, 9 and December 4, 1969. Results of 17 Standard Gill Nets. Per Cent Total Wt. Avg. Wt. Per Cent Average Species Number by No. Pounds Pounds by Wt. iy Gizzard shad 127 25.14 22.57 Pa i 3.24 Carp 32 6.34 109.08 3,40 15371 River carpsucker 135 26,73 186,17 1.37 26.81 Channel catfish * 62 E2028 54.84 -88 7.89 1.85 Flathead catfish * 35 6,93 265.13 Tay 38.18 2.04 White bass * 15 2,97 12,51 83 1.80 2.88 Warmouth * 1 . 20 09 ,09 ,02 4.20 Green sunfish * 1 20 15 oS 02 4.27 Bluegill * 20 3,96 1.81 09 -26 4.35 Redear sunfish * 9 1,78 .87 .09 ms ib 3.53 Largemouth bass * 8 1,58 16,07 2.00 2.32 2.88 White crappie * 60 11.89 25.20 +42 3,63 2591 a te eS Total 505 100.00 694.49 100.00 Game Fish * 211 41.79 376.67 54,24 Rough Fish 294 58,21 317.82 45.76 ee Seining Results of Colorado City Reservoir (Bag 26' by 6' by 1/4-inch mesh seine, 20' by 6' by 1/8-inch mesh seine). — eee Species Number Size Range in Inches ee ee eee Gizzard shad 126 2 -6 Carp 20 25-3 Red shiner 97 4-2 Blacktail shiner 29 1 -2% Bullhead minnow 1 14 Black bullhead 1 4 Channel catfish 2 2% Mosquito fish 2 1 Warmouth 1 3% Green sunfish L 23 Orangespotted sunfish 5 2 -3 Bluegill 4 1 -3 Longear sunfish 5 2 -34 Redear sunfish 7 2 -4 Largemouth bass 254 1 -5 White crappie 71 3 -6 Logperch 31 1 -3 Total B.L5.7 --- Page 14 --- S135 Table 9 Survey Results of San Angelo Reservoir, May 20 and 21, 1969. Results of 12 Standard Gill Nets. Per Cent Total Wt. Avg. Wt. Per Cent Average Species Number by No. _. Pounds Pounds by Wt. MK" Longnose gar 36 6.08 108.70 3.01 19,65 Gizzard shad 221 37.33 27.42 wL2 4.96 Carp 14 2.36 22.46 1.60 4.06 River carpsucker 156 26,35 224.83 1.44 40.66 Smallmouth buffalo 30 5.07 28.30 94 5,12 Channel catfish * 18 3.04 22.19 1,23 4,01 1.80 Flathead catfish * 6 1.02 46.03 7.67 8.33 2,21 White bass * 26 4.39 31.18 LL9 5.63 3.2 Bluegill * 3 »50 » 26 08 Q5 4.83 White crappie * 8 1.36 2.74 -34 so0 2.88 Walleye * 1 16 87 87 »15 1.61 Freshwater drum 73 12,34 37299 502 6,88 Total 592 100.00 552.97 100.00 Game Fish * 62 10.47 103,27 18.67 Rough Fish 530 89.53 449.70 81,33 ee Seining Results of San Angelo Reservoir (Bag 26' by 6' by 1/4-inch mesh seine, 20' by 6' by 1/8-inch mesh seine). ee Species Number Size Range in Inches Gizzard shad 351 4 -7 Threadfin shad 12 24-5 Red shiner 508 1 -2% Bullhead minnow 6 14-2% Bluegill 12 2 -2% Longear sunfish 1 3 Largemouth bass 13 43-7 EE —_ ——————————————————— —_ oeeeEeE_SEeeeeE————————eeeeee Total 903 ep --- Page 15 --- ~13- Table 10 Survey Results of the Colorado River, May 14, 1969. Results of 3 Standard Gill Nets. Per Cent Total Wt. Avg. Wt. Per Cent Average Species Number _by No. Pounds Pounds __by Wt. ev Longnose gar 13 33.33 22.57 173 28.63 Gizzard shad 3 7.69 4.07 1 as 5.16 Carp 4 10.26 11.01 2.75 13.97 River carpsucker 9 23.07 14.64 1462 18.58 Smallmouth buffalo 2 5.13 13.87 6.94 17.59 Channel catfish * 4 10.26 9.47 2.36 12.02 1.98 White crappie * i 2.56 233 «33 42 3.40 Freshwater drum 3 7.70 2.86 95 3.63 Total 39 100.00 78.82 100.00 Game Fish * 5 12.83 9.80 12.44 Rough Fish 34 87.17 69.02 87.56 Seining Results of the Colorado River (20' by 6' by 1/8-inch mesh seine). Species Number Size Range in Inches Golden shiner 1 1% Red shiner 110 5-2 Fathead minnow 1 2 Bullhead minnow 13 1 -2 Mosquitofish 25 5-1 Longear sunfish 3 14-24% Redear sunfish 2 3 Total 155 E. V. Spence Reservoir Construction on this new 15,000-acre lake was completed this year by the Colorado River Municipal Water District, The reservoir was built to serve as a water supply for Odessa, Big Spring, Snyder, Midland and San Angelo. The first water impounded, other than what was contained in the river, was in May 1969 when about 27,000 acre feet were caught. Since that time the new lake has experienced very little loss or gain. The controlling authorities presently have the reservoir closed to all recreation, but plans have been made to open the lake for fishing and aquatic recreation in early summer 1970. Several surveys were made on this reservoir in an effort to evaluate the fish population and in turn provide adequate stocking. Table 11 gives the combined survey results, A total of 25 species have been collected in the --- Page 16 --- me ee Table 11 Survey Results of E. V. Spence Reservoir, March 27, June 10, July 15, 16 and October 24, 1969. Results of 25 Standard Gill Nets. Per Cent Total Wt. Avg. Wt. Per Cent Average Species Number by No. Pounds Pounds by Wt. ge Spotted gar Lt 1.44 10.45 95 1.55 Longnose gar 85 11.14 94.29 1.10 13,99 Gizzard shad 152 19,92 94.90 62 14.09 Carp 120 15\.73 114.32 «95 16.97 River carpsucker 172 22.54 145,41 84 21.59 Smallmouth buffalo 1 «13 6.99 6.99 1.04 Blue catfish * 4 -52 5.72 1.43 85 1.83 Black bullhead 31 4,07 6.09 319 . 90 Channel catfish * 101 13.23 112.57 1.11 16.71 1,97 Flathead catfish * 7 92 45.96 6.56 6.83 1.91 White bass * 13 LaF 6.54 230 QF 3.39 Green sunfish * 3 :39 265 @Z1, 09 4531 Bluegill * 19 2.49 3.16 16 47 5.54 Longear sunfish * 15 1.96 1.70 eh 20 5555 Largemouth bass * 6 79 6.64 1.10 99 3,06 White crappie * 4 «2 2,81 70 42 3.89 Freshwater drum 19 2.50 LS ofl 81 229 Total 763 100.00 673.61 100.00 Game Fish * 172 22.54 185.75 27:58 Rough Fish 591 77.46 487.86 72.42 ee Seining Results of E. V. Spence Reservoir (Bag 26' by 6' by 1/4-inch mesh seine, 20' by 6' by 1/8-inch mesh seine). i Species Number Size Range in Inches Gizzard shad Ly2l7/ 1-5 Carp 32 3 -6 Plains minnow 2 2% Red shiner 237 1 -2 Sharpnose shiner 1 14 Bullhead minnow 31. 1 -2 River carpsucker 2 34 Black bullhead 1 4 Channel catfish 1 3% Mosquitofish 71 1 -2 White bass 27 4 -5% Striped bass 27 4 -4% Warmouth af 3 Green sunfish 7 24-5 Orangespotted sunfish 32 2 -3 Bluegill 1 2 Longear sunfish 17 3 -4 Largemouth bass 187 2 -8 Total 1,896 --- Page 17 --- ~15- Table 11 (continued) Trawling Results of E. V. Spence Reservoir (8' by 15' by 1/2-inch mesh trawl). LV Species Number Size Range in Inches Gizzard shad Carp Blue catfish Channel catfish Largemouth bass Crerrr $< Total 15 I new reservoir. Channel catfish were found to be the most numerous game fish of harvestable size. Two hundred and four blue catfish fingerlings were stocked in June 1969, and 4 of these introduced fish were recaptured with gill nets in October. They had grown to an average of 1.43 pounds. The condition or "K" factors of the game species of this new reservoir were among the highest recorded in this region (Table 3) as was expected. The striped bass which were experimentally introduced in E. V. Spence under Project F-21-D, showed good survival and growth. Other releases made in 1969 include 26 adult flathead catfish, 6,000 adult Mississippi silversides and the hatchery fish listed in Table 4. Lake Nasworthy Located just south of San Angelo, this 1,600-acre reservoir serves as a city water supply and for recreation. Nasworthy received a chemical renova- tion in the early 1960's and went completely dry a short time later. About 18 months later it refilled and has provided a better than average fishery. Surveys were conducted on Lake Nasworthy in June and December of this segment. The combined results are given in Table 12. Channel eatfish and white crappie were found to be the most numerous game species in the netting collection. However, largemouth bass continue to be the most sought after sport species according to creel checks. Gizzard shad and carp accounted for over 50 per cent of both total number and weight of the netting collection. Seining and trawling revealed an adequate amount of forage and young-of- the-year game fish with the exception of largemouth bass, Only 6 fingerlings of this important species were collected, which indicated poor spawning suc-~- cess. About 24,000 fingerling bass were stocked. Moderate growths of bulrush (Scirpus validus) and cattail (Typha latifolia) are found along the shorelines and on the many small islands. How- ever, these plants are not interfering with access at the present time. --- Page 18 --- T§= Table 12 Survey Results of Nasworthy Lake, June 25, 26 and December 17, 1969. Results of 18 Standard Gill Nets. Per Cent Total Wt. Avg. Wt. Per Cent Average Species Number by_ No. Pounds Pounds by Wt. mq Spotted gar 1 .09 2.97 2.97 61 Longnose gar 4 29 8.25 2,06 1.70 Gizzard shad 437 42.76 124.61 28 25.68 Carp 90 8.81 142.61 1.58 29.39 Golden shiner 1 -10 7iS eS -03 River carpsucker 10 98 26.64 2.66 5.49 Black bullhead 3 29 379 - 26 .16 Channel catfish * 46 4.50 68.17 1.48 14.05 1.90 Flathead catfish * 2 20 8.20 4.10 1.69 2.03 White bass * 8 -78 13.47 1.68 2.78 2.99 Warmouth * 1 . 10 04 -04 00 3.50 Bluegill * 123 12.03 10.97 -08 2.26 3.96 Longear sunfish * 1 . 10 08 08 O02 3.58 Redear sunfish * 8 78 -70 .08 w14 3.45 Largemouth bass * 4 «9 10.64 2,66 2420 2,68 White crappie * 258 23025 48.75 18 10.04 2.85 Freshwater drum 25 2.45 18,20 72 3.76 Total 1,022 100.00 485.24 100.00 Game Fish * 451 44,13 161,02 33.18 Rough Fish 5/1 5508s 324022 66.82 Seining Results of Nasworthy Lake (Bag 26' by 6' by 1/4-inch mesh seine, 20' by 6' by 1/8-inch mesh seine). i Species Number Size Range in Inches eng ang mp Se a Gizzard shad 231 2-5 Plains minnow 116 24-34 Golden shiner 54 15-2% Red shiner 162 1 -2% Fathead minnow 1 2 Bullhead minnow 22 2 -24 Redbreast sunfish 1 3 Orangespotted sunfish 15 3-4 Bluegill 21- 3 +4 Longear sunfish 16 3-4 Redear sunfish 15 25-3 Largemouth bass 4 14-2% White crappie 20 3-7 Logperch 16 4 -5 a a Total 694 a --- Page 19 --- -17- Table 12 (continued) Trawling Results of Nasworthy Lake (8' by 15' by 1/2-inch mesh trawl). i Species Number Size Range in Inches ar ren ree nee emmmes Gizzard shad 382 1 -4 Carp 7 9 -14 Bullhead minnow 9 1 -3 Channel catfish 14 2-7 White bass 1 5 Warmouth Ll 3 Orangespotted sunfish 2 2 Bluegill 52 14-4 Longear sunfish 6 2 -3% Redear sunfish 48 3 -4 Largemouth bass 2 25-8 White crappie 54 2 -4 Freshwater drum 2 1 -2% Sen cee me errr ee ee Total 580 et New Winters Lake This 250-acre city water supply is located about 8 miles west of the city. It's fairly shallow, turbid waters remain within a foot or two of normal level most of the year, Survey results of past years, along with this segment's data (Table 13), indicate a steady decline in game fish production. When considering the utilizable game fish (excluding the stunted white crappie), the netting results would contain only 6 per cent by number and 5 per cent by weight of desirable fish. Due to immediate reinfestation of rough fish from both | above and below, no chemical renovation can be recommended at this time. Stocking with channel catfish and largemouth bass was continued. Champion Creek Reservoir This impoundment serves as an auxiliary water supply for the Texas Electric Service Company generating plant located on Colorado City Lake. It was approximately 30 feet low when checked this segment and has never reached its capacity of 1,560 acres since completion in the late 1950's. Channel catfish, white bass, and bluegill comprise the majority of game population which accounted for 64 per cent by number and 49 per cent by weight of the netting sample (Table 14). Largemouth bass were found to be very common in the creel. Only 1 gizzard shad had been collected from Champion Creek Lake until this survey, when they appeared in large numbers and --- Page 20 --- “18s Table 13 Survey Results of New Winters Lake, July 2, 1969. Results of 6 Standard Gill Nets. Per Cent Total Wt. Avg. Wt. Per Cent Average Species Number by No. Pounds Pounds by Wt. ORY Gizzard shad 39 20.63 6.44 .16 5.82 Carp 14 7.41 28.08 2.00 25.40 Golden shiner 2 1.06 .36 18 533 River carpsucker 24 12.69 28.08 L,Ly 25.40 Smallmouth buffalo 4 2,12 20.59 5.14 18.63 Black bullhead 6 3-17 1.70 .28 1.54 Channel catfish * 9 “al? 3.54 39 3.20 1.69 Flathead catfish * i -53 1.98 1.98 Le79 1.93 White crappie * 55 29.10 6.12 -Ll 5.54 2S Freshwater drum 35 18.52 13.65 39 1735 Total 189 100.00 110.54 100.00 Game Fish * 65 34.40 11.64 10:, 53 Rough Fish 124 65.60 98.90 89.47 a Seining Results of New Winters Lake (Bag 26' by 6' by 1/4-inch mesh seine, 20' by 6' by 1/8-inch mesh seine). i ep ae Species Number Size Range in Inches Gizzard shad 155 2 -3 Carp 6 2 -3 Golden shiner 504 4-5 Red shiner 54 1 -2% Bullhead minnow Z5 14-2 Black bullhead 257 1 =2 Mosquitofish 103 5-2 Green sunfish 5 2%-3 Orangespotted sunfish 31 1 -2% Bluegill 26 2 -34 Longear sunfish 3 34 Redear sunfish 1 2% Largemouth bass 177 1 -3 White crappie 179 5-3 Logperch 16 2 -4 Total 1,542 Trawling Results of New Winters Lake (8' by 15' by 1/2-inch mesh trawl). Species Number Size Range in Inches Channel catfish 6 5-8 White crappie 6 4 -6 Freshwater drum 12 4-8 Total 24 --- Page 21 --- 1/9 Table 14 Survey Results of Champion Creek Reservoir, July 8, 9 and December 3, 1969. Results of 17 Standard Gill Nets. Per Cent Total Wt. Avg. Wt. Per Cent Average Species Number by No. Pounds Pounds by Wt. KM Gizzard shad 110 20.40 57.13 «DL 11.25 Carp 41 7.61 185.89 4.53 36.64 Golden shiner 38 7.05 8.45 22 1.66 River carpsucker 4 74 9.69 2.42 1:91 Channel catfish * 28 5.20 43.43 1.55 8.56 1.93 Flathead catfish * 1 -18 9,47 9.47 1.87 2.09 White bass * 143 26.753 126.22 .88 24.88 2.93 Warmouth * 2 a7 44 222 -08 4.03 Green sunfish * 1 ae 536 .36 ,07 4.40 Bluegill * 134 24.86 50.06 .37 9.87 4.53 Largemouth bass * 10 1.86 LL.50 1215 2.26 207 White crappie * 27 5.101 4,77 -17 95 2.94 Total 539 100.00 507.41 100.00 Game Fish * 346 64.20 246,25 48.54 Rough Fish 193 35.80 261.16 51.46 Seining Results of Champion Creek Reservoir (Bag 26' by 6' by 1/4-inch mesh seine). rl Species Number Size Range in Inches ec Golden shiner 7 14-24 Red shiner 24 14-24 Blacktail shiner 7 ye2 White bass 6 2 -24 Green sunfish 8 2 -3 Bluegill 24 5-1 Largemouth bass 11 2 -2% Logperch 4 2% Total 91 comprised 20 per cent of the fish netted. It should be interesting to see if the large number of white bass can control this reputedly problematic intruder. Seining is difficult in the clear water which supports a moderate growth of bushy pondweed. However, indications are that forage is plentiful. Channel catfish was the only species stocked. --- Page 22 --- -20- J. B. Thomas Reservoir Located on the upper Colorado River near Snyder, this Colorado River Municipal Water District lake is continuing to decrease from its size of 7,820 acres, Municipal use and practically no runoff have diminished this turbid impoundment to one-quarter its size. For the past two years the game fish have been exceptionally high when compared to old records. Survey results collected during this segment (Table 15) show that game species accounted for 43 per cent by number and 61 per cent by weight of the fish netted. One walleye was collected in gill nets in October which weighed one-third of a pound. This species was experi- mentally introduced as fry and fingerling in early summer of 1969 under Project F-21-D. The exact number stocked is not known. A variety of forage species in rather large numbers was collected by seining. Only 3 largemouth bass were taken during both surveys, and creel checks also indicated a low population. It was recommended that this valuable species be stocked, but none was available by the time the recommendation was made, Moss Creek Reservoir This 145-acre lake is owned by the city of Big Spring, but the water rights belong to the Colorado River Municipal Water District, who uses it as a storage reservoir. In doing so, the water level fluctuates considerably. This fluctuation is not beneficial to game fish production or harvest. The survey conducted this segment shows game fish dominating both weight and number of the netting sample, However, white crappie accounted for 39 per cent by number and averaged only .02 pounds each (Table 16). Since their reduction by chemical treatment in 1967 to .62 per cent by number, gizzard shad increased to 17.58 per cent by number in 1968 and 35,52 per cent in collections taken during this segment. The increase of gizzard shad in the seining collection is comparable with netting collections. Obviously, an additional predator species such as the white bass, which has almost dis- appeared from the lake in the past 3 years, should be stocked, Largemouth bass and channel cat were stocked because of the apparent low reproduction. Twin Buttes Reservoir Flood control, irrigation, and municipal water supply were the intended uses of this potential 183,000 acre-foot reservoir when constructed by the Bureau of Reclamation in 1963. Located on the Middle and South Concho Rivers, southwest of San Angelo, it has yet to contain over 15,000 acre- feet and held only about 6,000 acre-feet when checked in September during this segment. Very little change from previous surveys was found in this collection. Table 17 shows that gizzard shad and river carpsucker dominate the netting number and weight percentage respectively. Flathead catfish showed an increase in weight of the netting collection, --- Page 23 --- -?1- Table 15 Survey Results of J, B. Thomas Reservoir, July 23, 24 and October 30, 1969. Results of 18 Standard Gill Nets. Per Cent Total Wt. Ave. Wt. Per Cent Average Species Number by No. Pounds Pounds by Wt. RM Gizzard shad 45 13.11 5.56 .12 1.89 Carp 14 4.09 6.99 49 2539 River carpsucker 79 23:03 95.53 1.20 32.55 Channel catfish * Al 11.95 43.17 1.05 14.73 1.70 Flathead catfish * 13 3.79 74.49 b few eo) 25.41 2,12 White bass * 25 7,29 37.76 1451 12.89 2.82 Bluegill * 3 .87 «22 .O7 -06 4.16 Largemouth bass * 2 59 5.50 2575 1.88 2.88 White crappie * 63 18.37 16.50 .26 5,64 2.95 Walleye * 1 .29 33 wd ALL 1.74 Freshwater drum 57 16.62 7,05 2 2.41 a Total 343 100.00 293.10 100.00 Game Fish * 148 43.15 177.97 60.72 Rough Fish 195 56.85 1.45.43 39.28 i Seining Results of J. B. Thomas Reservoir (Bag 26' by 6' by 1/4-inch mesh seine, 20' by 6' by 1/8-inch mesh seine). On Species Number Size Range in Inches nT Gizzard shad 76 Jg~5 Carp 3 1 -3 Golden shiner 4 2 -5 Red shiner 38 1 -2% Blacktail shiner 23 2 -3 River carpsucker 8 1 -2 Channel catfish 15 2 -4 White bass 21 2 -43 Green sunfish 3 2 -4 Orangespotted sunfish 3 2% Bluegill 5 1 -3 Longear sunfish 5 2 -3% Largemouth bass 1 1% White crappie 15 4-34 Logperch 4 2 -3% no —— Total 224 a UE EeEEnSSSE EES --- Page 24 --- my Table 16 Survey Results of Moss Creek Reservoir, August 8, 1969. Results of 6 Standard Gill Nets. Per Cent Total Wt. Avg. Wt. Per Cent Average Species Number _ by No. Pounds Pounds _ by Wt. i! Gizzard shad 27 35.52 192 429 8.11 Carp 2 2.63 17.89 8.94 18.35 Channel catfish * 9 11.84 27.30 3:03 27.98 2.20 Flathead catfish * 5 6.58 43.39 8.67 44,49 1.87 Redear sunfish * 3 3.95 «33 -11 34 3.68 White crappie * 30 39.48 71 ,O2 .73 2.50 ee Total 76 100.00 97.54 100.00 Game Fish * 47 61.85 Pits 73.54 Rough Fish 29 38.15 25.81 26.46 Seining Results of Moss Creek Reservoir (Bag 26' by 6' by 1/4-inch mesh seine, 20' by 6' by 1/8-inch mesh seine). nnn LU EEE EEE Species Number Size Range in Inches Gizzard shad 456 2 -4 Golden shiner 302 2 -8 Red shiner 12 14-2 Bullhead minnow 4 1 -2 Black bullhead ll 4 -6 Channel catfish 3 3 Warmouth 5 2 -3 Green sunfish 12 14-3 Orangespotted sunfish 1l 1 -24 Bluegill 203 14-3 Longear sunfish {51 14-3 Redear sunfish 51 2 -34 Largemouth bass 6 2 -8 White crappie 228 2-4 Logperch 1 3% Total 1,456 I Trawling Results of Moss Creek Reservoir (8' by 15' by 1/2-inch mesh trawl). dee Species Number Size Range in Inches eee gree Gizzard shad 1 3% Black bullhead 139 3 -5 Warmouth 8 2 -3 Orangespotted sunfish 9 2 -3 Bluegill 69 14-34 Redear sunfish 12 2 -3 Largemouth bass 3 4 White crappie 369 2 -4 Total 610 nnn aan --- Page 25 --- Aerie ee Table 17 Survey Results of Twin Buttes Reservoir, September 5, 1969. Results of 6 Standard Gill Nets. nee EE a ee ee Per Cent Total Wt. Avg. Wt. Per Cent Average Species Number by No. Pounds Pounds by Wt. NEO Longnose gar 2 .69 9.25 4,62 3.72 Gizzard shad 123 43.01 17.44 -14 7.03 Carp 12 4,20 14.25 1.18 5474 River carpsucker 52 18.18 94.87 1,82 38.21 Channel catfish * 29 10.14 21.26 i3 8.57 1'62 Flathead catfish * 9 3b 5 60.39 6.71 24.33 1.84 White bass * 23 8.04 20.03 87 8.06 2,79 Bluegill * 4 1.40 aT 09 15 4.45 White crappie * 26 9.09 7.08 27 2.86 3.03 Freshwater drum 6 2.10 3.30 55 33 NN Total 286 100.00 248,24 100.00 Game Fish * 91 31.82 109.13 43.97 Rough Fish 195 68.18 139,11 56.03 nn Seining Results of Twin Buttes Reservoir (Bag 26' by 6' by 1/4-inch mesh seine, 20' by 6' by 1/8-inch mesh seine). Species Number Size Range in Inches rere ee Gizzard shad 607 2-5 Carp 3 5 -6 Golden shiner 16 23-3 Red shiner 30 1 =2 Blacktail shiner 20 15-2 Bullhead minnow 38 1 -2 River carpsucker 1 8 Mosquito fish 5 14 White bass LL 3 -34 Warmouth 1 2 Green sunfish 33 25-4 Orangespotted sunfish 6 2-3 Bluegill 45 2 -3 Longear sunfish 5 2 -3 Redear sunfish 6 23-3 Largemouth bass 18 2 -4 White crappie 4 2 -3 Logperch 1 33 a Total 850 nnn eC UE SEER --- Page 26 --- Eire Seining produced several species of minnows and an ample number of forage size gizzard shad. A significant decrease was seen in the number of the young- of-the-year largemouth bass. San Saba River The San Saba River was checked in two locations in Menard County during this segment, The first site was at the Boy Scouts of America Camp and the other was near the headwater springs near Fort McKavett. Both locations receive substantial fishing pressure. Survey results, presented in Table 18, are fairly representative of this clear, spring-fed stream, Although game species comprise a minor portion of the netting results, the harvest is surprisingly high. Both channel and flathead catfish are readily taken on trotlines while largemouth bass and sunfish are also regularly found in creels. Seining yielded a large list of forage species, with blacktail shiner being the most abundant. Several spotted bass were taken in seines and small individuals of this sport species are also found in the creel. Several species of aquatic vegetation are present at most localities along the river but seldom constitute a problem, Elm Creek Reservoir A small dam on Elm Creek in Ballinger formed this 55-acre water supply several years ago. For the past 18 years it has been used only for recrea- tion and irrigation, The game fish population has been almost negligible for the past several years despite heavy supplementary stocking efforts. Table 19 presents the survey data taken in September 1969. Gizzard shad dominate the number of fish netted with 54 per cent. Longnose gar, carp, and river carpsucker join this problematic species to comprise over 78 per cent of the total pounds. White crappie was the only game species taken in noticeable numbers, but the majority of these fish were stunted and un-utilizable. Supplementary stocking was continued as shown in Table 3, Other manage- ment measures are not justifiable at this time. Mountain Creek Reservoir The city of Robert Lee owns and operates this 95-acre lake for municipal and recreational purposes. Game fish production remains at a high level in this clear, deep impound- ment, Largemouth bass accounted for over 60 per cent of the total pounds netted, Gizzard shad and river carpsucker were the only rough species taken and comprised 41.17 per cent by number and only 17.37 per cent by weight of the netting sample. This was the only carpsucker taken in the past 4 years. The seining sample was fairly light because of the cold weather but was representative of the lake and comparable to past collections. --- Page 27 --- -25- Table 18 Survey Results of the San Saba River, September 11, 12 and October 14,, 1969. Results of 8 Standard Gill Nets. Per Cent Total Wt. Avg. Wt. Per Cent Average Species Number by No. Pounds Pounds by Wt. KN Longnose gar 24 8.54 56.10 2.33 9.45 Gizzard shad 87 30.96 42.77 249 7.21 Carp 5 1.78 39,64 7.92 6,68 River carpsucker 60 21.35 130.65 2.17 22.01 Smallmouth buffalo 35 12,45 226.09 6.45 38.11 Gray redhorse sucker 4 1.43 7,26 1.81 1.22 Channel catfish * 7 2,49 13.89 1.98 2.34 1.78 Flathead catfish * 6 2.13 33.235 5.59 5,65 1.82 Green sunfish * 1 .36 .14 -14 .03 4,88 Bluegill * 10 3.56 84 08 o14 4,28 Largemouth bass * 4 1.42 1.09 «27 18 2.52 White crappie * 28 9.97 8.89 ¢31 1.50 3.34 Freshwater drum 10 3.56 32.48 3.24 5,48 Total 281 100.00 593.39 100.00 Game Fish * 56 19,94 58.40 9.84 Rough Fish 225 80.06 534,99 90.16 Seining Results of the San Saba River (Bag 26' by 6' by 1/4-inch mesh seine, 20' by 6' by 1/8-inch mesh seine and 10' by 4' by 1/8-inch mesh seine). Species Number Size Range in Inches Gizzard shad 1 6 Carp 1 8 Red shiner 10 14-2 Sand shiner 4 2 Blacktail shiner 2177 2 -2% Bullhead minnow 400 14-2 Channel catfish 17 1 -6 Mosquitofish 26 1 -2 Warmouth 13 2 -3 Redbreast sunfish 15 24;-3% Green sunfish 7 2 -4 Bluegill 5 2 -2% Longear sunfish 37 2 -3% Redear sunfish 11 3 -34 Spotted bass 27 2 -6 Largemouth bass 24 3 -10 Logperch 2 a Total 25787 --- Page 28 --- 226 Table 19 Survey Results of Elm Creek Reservoir, September 17, 1969. Results of 3 Standard Gill Nets. Per Cent Total Wt. Avg. Wt. Per Cent Average . Species Number by No. Pounds Pounds by Wt. fig Longnose gar 9 5.69 19.82 2.20 16.27 Gizzard shad 86 54.43 29.90 -34 24.54 Carp 2 1,27 5.50 295 4.52 River carpsucker 12 7.59 25.00 2.08 20.52 Smallmouth buffalo 5 3.17 20.53 4.10 16.86 Black bullhead 1 63 <7 257 46 Channel catfish * 3 1.90 2.64 -88 2.17 1.78 Flathead catfish * 1 63 6.82 6.82 5.60 1.89 White crappie * 32 20.25 3.88 2 3.19 3235 Freshwater drum 7 4.44 fslS 1.02 5.87 Total 158 100.00 121.81 100.00 Game Fish * 36 22.78 13.34 10.96 Rough Fish 122 77.22 108.47 89.04 Seining Results of Elm Creek Reservoir (Bag 26' by 6' by 1/4-inch mesh seine, 20' by 6' by 1/8-inch mesh seine). Species Number Size Range in Inches Red shiner 53 1 -2 Bullhead minnow zs 8 45-23 Mosquitofish EL 1 -2 Orangespotted sunfish 3 1 -2 Longear sunfish ll 1 -5 Total 389 --- Page 29 --- -27- Table 20 Survey Results of Mountain Creek Reservoir, December 19, 1969. Results of 4 Standard Gill Nets. Per Cent Total Wt. Ave. Wt. Per Cent Average Species Number by No. Pounds Pounds by Wt, UK" Gizzard shad 2/ 39.70 4.73 ra li 10.09 River carpsucker 1 1.47 3.41 3.41 7.28 Channel catfish * 3 4.41 6.24 2.08 13.33 2.03 Warmouth * 2 2.94 e21 -10 44 4.10 Bluegill * 14 20.59 1.41 - 10 3.01 3.795 Redear sunfish * 12 17.65 2.29 319 4,89 3.62 Largemouth bass * 7 10.29 28.24 4,03 60.29 2.96 White crappie * 2 2,95 ook -15 67 2.62 NN Total 68 100.00 46.84 100.00 Game Fish * 40 58.83 38.70 82.63 Rough Fish 28 41.17 8.14 17.237 nS Seining Results of Mountain Creek Reservoir (Bag 26' by 6' by 1/4-inch mesh seine). nnn Species Number Size Range in Inches Golden shiner 4 3 -3% Mosquitofish 14 15-2 Warmouth 1 3 Green sunfish 1 4 Bluegill 7 2 -3% Redear sunfish 6 23,-3% Largemouth bass 7 3 -4 i Total 40 i --- Page 30 --- 298s Table 21 Survey Results of the Main Concho River, February 5, 1970. Results of 3 Standard Gill Nets. Per Cent Total Wt. Avg. Wt. Per Cent Average Species Number __by No. Pounds Pounds __by Wt. Re Spotted gar 8 4.21 21.03 2.62 5.50 Longnose gar 28 14.73 88.38 3615 23.14 Gizzard shad 52 27.37 21.69 241 5.68 River carpsucker 37 19.47 124.17 3.35 32.52 Smallmouth buffalo 8 4,22 46.75 5.84 12.24 Black bullhead 6 3.15 6.71 1.11 1.76 Channel catfish * 13 6.85 49.83 3.83 13..05 1.49 Bluegill * 24 12.63 2,22 .09 -58 4.28 Largemouth bass * 5 2.63 16.73 3,34 4.38 2.94 White crappie * 9 4.74 4.38 48 1.15 3421 ee NO: Lem oc SN PVR ee Total 190 100.00 381.89 100.00 Game Fish * 51 26.85 73.16 19.16 Rough Fish 139 73.15 308.73 80.84 EE EE UE UES yyInnE nnn En SSS nnnnSnInE EUS Seining Results of the Main Concho River (Bag 26' by 6' by 1/4-inch mesh seine). i Species Number Size Range in Inches fe wn a a Bullhead minnow 1 24% Green sunfish 2 14-5 Bluegill 43 5-5 Longear sunfish 3 2 -3 Logperch 1 4 i Total 50 --- Page 31 --- -29- Channel catfish fingerlings were stocked as shown in Table 3. Main Concho River The Concho River was checked during this segment at a point 5 miles east of San Angelo just below the city sewerage plant. At this location the river flows slightly but is retained by a small dam which backs water up about 2 miles, The depth varies to a maximum of 10 feet. The water contains high nitrates, sulfates, and chlorides and sustains a heavy plankton bloom because of the sewer effluent. At this location, partial fish kills or die- offs are common almost every summer. However, the fish population is very dense according to the netting data (Table 21). Three standard gill nets produced 381.89 pounds of fish which was considerably the heaviest catch of all surveys this year. Game species were better represented here than in other collections on the Concho River. Although no stocking was done at this particular location, the Concho River did receive considerable game fish which were released up river (Table Bs Conclusions and Recommendations; The 2 changes recommended in the fishing regulations for the Permian Basin Regulatory District were adopted and became law. The proposal of identifying trotlines was discussed at the preliminary meetings but failed to reach the action stage again this year. A chemical renovation was effected on San Angelo Reservoir with apparent- ly justifiable results. Chemical control measures are needed at Valley Creek Lake and will be recommended to controlling authorities. Other Region 1-B waters, including both small lakes at Winters and Elm Creek Lake, are in need of chemical treatments. However, at this time other circumstances prevent such measures, Supplementary hatchery stocking in waters with established fish popula- tion will be continued until further information regarding its benefits are revealed. Aquatic vegetation was not found to be a problem in the concerned waters during this segment. It is recommended that this job be continued in an effort to provide the public with better fisheries. 4 P al Prepared by Billy J. Follis __ Approved by 4 A & Project Leader Coordinator Date April 9, 1970 Leo D. Lewis Inland Fisheries Supervisor --- Page 32 --- -30- A checklist of scientific names is presented so that common names may be used in this report. These names are specified in "A List of Common and Scientific Names of Fishes from the United States and Canada."' Second Edition, American Fisheries Society, Special Publication Number 2, 1960. Common Names Scientific Names Spotted gar Lepisosteus oculatus Longnose gar Lepisosteus osseus Gizzard shad Dorosoma cepedianum Threadfin shad Dorosoma petenense Carp Cyprinus carpio Plains minnow Hybognathus placita Golden shiner Notemigonus crysoleucas Red shiner Notropis lutrensis Sharpnose shiner Notropis oxyrhynchus Sand shiner Notropis stramineus Blacktail shiner Notropis venustus Fathead minnow Pimephales promelas Bullhead minnow Pimephales vigilax River carpsucker Carpiodes carpio Smallmouth buffalo Ictiobus bubalus Gray redhorse sucker Moxostoma congestum Blue catfish Ictalurus furcatus Black bullhead Ictalurus melas Channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus Flathead catfish Pylodictis olivaris Mosquitofish Gambusia affinis White bass Roccus chrysops Striped bass Roccus saxatilis Warmouth , Chaenobryttus gulosus Redbreast sunfish Lepomis auritus Green sunfish Lepomis cyanellus Orangespotted sunfish Lepomis humilis Bluegill Lepomis macrochirus Longear sunfish Lepomis megalotis Redear sunfish Lepomis microlophus Spotted bass Micropterus punctulatus Largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides White crappie Pomoxis annularis Walleye Stizostedion vitreum Logperch Percina caprodes Freshwater drum Aplodinotus grunniens Mississippi silverside Menidia audens