TPWD 1954 F-3-R-1 #39: Check on Commercial Catch of Rough Fish from Caddo Lake, Project No. F-3-R-1, Job B-3

--- Page 1 --- STATE Texas PROJECT NO. F-3-R-1, Job B-3 _. PERIOD Nov. 1, 1953 - May 31, 195k Job Completion Report by Charles E. Gray Assistant Project Leader TITLE Check on Commercial Catch of Rough Fish from Caddo Lake. OBJECTIVES To determine the effectiveness of commercial fishing on the cnantrol of rough and predacious species and the value of the local commercial fishery as well as the relative abundance and seasonal variation by species in the commercial catch. METHODS Commercial fishermen were contacted once each month and were provided with forms on which to record their catch. DISCUSSION Due to the itineracy of some of the commercial fishermen, complete data was difficult to obtain. However, one of the public camp operators who buys and sells fish states that he buys most of the commercial fish caught in Caddo Lake. This man has been on the lake for a number of years and is in frequent contact with the commer- cial fishermen. He has been very cooperative in keeping accurate records of fish he has bought. His information, supplemented by information obtained from the more coop- erative fishermen, should be a fairly accurate estimate of the total commercial catch. Those fish which have no commercial value in this area were killed on the spot and returned to the lake so no record was kept. Table 1 shows the commercial catch by species for the seven months period. Recorded in Table 2 are the present average prices and total value of the catch for each species and for all species. Table 3 shows the relative abundance in percent by weight for each species. Attempts have been made to obtain data on numbers of fish as well as weight but commer- cial fishermen are reluctant to do this, especially when large numbers of smaller fish are taken. Seasonal variations in the commercial catch are shown by the six graphs in Table 4. Paddlefish were not graphed because only 80 pounds were caught during the entire period. --- Page 2 --- SUMMARY Complete records were difficult to obtain from commercial fishermen because some are itinerant and could not be depended upon to keep records or could not be located again after being provided with data forms. One commercial fishermen who buys wholesale fish from other fishermen kept accurate records which were supple- mented by data from other commercial fishermen. The figures in this report are no doubt a little below the actual values but it is believed that they are as accurate as could be obtained under existing circumstances. A total of 15,461 rough fish were taken which have a market value of $5,106.05 at the present price. Buffalo were the most abundant by weight, making up 37.5 per- cent of the total catch. It has been proposed that this job continue into the next segment in order to obtain an estimate of the catch for a full year. Meanwhile efforts are being made to establish better relations with the commercial fishermen and to persuade them to keep accurate records of their catch. --- Page 3 --- 3. Table No. 1 Weights of Fish Taken by Commercial Fishermen by Month and Species, Caddo Lake, Harrison County, Texas, November 1, 1953 through May 31, 1954 Species __ __Weight in Pounds | Feb. : . Total Paddle fish . 0.0 : ° 80.0 Buffalo " 916.5 . : 5806.0 Bullheads . 1043.0 : . . 4152.0 Go Blue catfish . ‘ : 9.0 : . Ts 316.5 lathead catfish . . 64.0 : . . 1571.0 Channel catfish . W51.5 ° . NTT « 3118.5 Freshwater drum 4 . . 85.0 ; ° 417.0 als .5 | 2569.0 11729. . 15,461.0 --- Page 4 --- Table No. 2 Market Value of Fish Caught by Commercial Fishermen, Caddo . Lake, Harrison County, Texas, November 1, 1953 through May 31, 1954 ocr semen Total Catch . Average Total | Species (Pounds ) Retail Market Value | Price Per Lb. Not Dressed | Paddlefish 80.0 $ 0.15 $ 12.00 Buffalo 5,806.0 0.30 1,741.80 Bullhead Catfish 4,152.0 0.30 1,245.60 Blue Catfish 316.5 0.40 126.60 Flathead Catfish L710 O.40 628.40 Channel Catfish 3,118.5 0.40 1,247.40 Freshwater Drum 417.0 0.25 104.25 Total 15,461.0 $5,106.05 --- Page 5 --- Paddlefish Buffalo Bullhead Catfish Blue catfish Flathead catfish hHannel Catfish Freshwater otals Drum 5. Table No. 3 Percent by Weight for Each Species by Month and for Entire Period, Caddo Lake, Harrison County, Texas, November 1, 1953 through May 31, 1954 Percent Weight by Month | Entire Period --- Page 6 --- TABLE 4, SEASONAL VARIATION, COMMERCIAL CATCH, CADDO LAKE, NOV. I THROUGH MAY 32, 1953-54 Poun DS Hoe Bullhead Catfish {000 506 j400 Blue Catfish Flathead Catfish {309 500 w%oo Channel Catfish /000 Freshwater Drum $09