TPWD 1954 F-3-R-1 #43: Creel Census of Caddo Lake: Job Completion Report, Project No. F-3-R-1, Job B-2

--- Page 1 --- STATE Texas PROJECT NO, F-3-R-1, Job B-2 PERIOD March 3, 1954 - March 2, 1955 Job Completion Report by Charles E. Gray Assistant Project Leader TITLE Creel Census of Caddo Lake. OBJECTIVES To estimate the total catch by species and to obtain data regarding the growth rate and relative abundance of each species in the catch. METHODS Caddo Lake lies approximately one-half in Louisiana and one-half in Texas. A -arge portion of the Texas half of the Lake is covered by heavy cypress growth cut by winding boat roads, bayous and small pockets of open water. The original plan outlined for the job was to contact boats over the entire Texas half of the Lake to determine the ratio of fishermen using private boats to those using boats rented at public fishing camps. It was found that the heavy cypress growth curtails visibility to the point where this plan was impracticable. Instead of the original plan a system of road blocks was established to deter-~ mine the total number of fishermen using the lake on each census day. Three census stations were established at public camps where fishermen were contacted and catches ex-= amined at the end of their fishing day. Data collected from these fishermen include number and length of fish by species, types of bait used, and the types of fishing employed, i. e., trolling, still fishing, casting, etc. Road blocks and census stations were operated simultaneously every fifth day. The data collected from fishermen at the three public camps on each census day was expanded by ratio and proportion to the total number of fish- ermen on the lake on that day as shown by the road blocks. These figures, representing the 73 census days during the period, were again expanded by ratio and proportion to rep- resent the 365 day period of the census. There are five access roads leading to that portion of Caddo Lake lying in Texas. In order to economize on personnel, all of the road blocks were not operated on any one census day. The road blocks were operated by groups so that each one was in oper- ation once every three census days. For example, road blocks A and B were operated on the first census day, C on the second census day, D and E on the third and then A and B again 1 the fourth. (See attached map for locations of road blocks and census stations). Road -lock figures were averaged by day of the week to obtain a figure that could be used for each day of the week. This was done because it was found that fishing pressure varies markedly on different days of the week. For example, the figures for the Wednesdays on which road block A was operated were averaged and that figure was used to fill in all of --- Page 2 --- 2. the days on which road block A was not operated. EXPLANATION OF TABLES Table 1 records the numbers and weights of 16 species caught during the period and a summation of the weights and numbers of those species. This summation represents the total harvest by sport fishermen during the period. The number of each Species caught during the period was obtained by expanding the ratio sampled at the fishing camps to the total number of fishermen fishing on the lake on each census day as shown by the road blocks. This figure, which represents the 73 census days of the period, was then expanded by ratio and proportion to represent the number caught during the 365 day period of the census. For example: No. black bass taken by Total No. fishing in Total No. of fishermen contacted on lake on March 3 black bass caught March 3 x = on March 3 No. fishermen contacted at public camps on March 3 Then to expand this: Total No. black Total No. black bass bass caught Caught on census days x 365 days (days of census period) — during period 73 (census rep ~ Or to express this in one formula: No. black bass counted Total No. fishermen on am on each census da x lake each census day x 365 days of period No. fishermen contacted at camps Total no. black on each census da ; bass caught during 73 (census days) period This calculation was repeated for each Species. The species numbers were then summed to obtain the total harvest figure. The average lengths of the species were weighed to remove errors due to variation in size of fish throughout the period. For example: | Average length of black bass No. bass caught on § Average length of Sum on each census da xX each census day - black bass during Total number of black bass caught on census days 365 day period The average length of each species was applied to length-weight curves construc~ ted from data on Caddo Lake fish collected during the period. The average weights obtained in this manner were multiplied by the total number of each species to get the total weights of each species. A summation of the species weights gave a total weight of fish harvested. Table 2 shows the relative abundance of the 16 species treated in this census. Largemouth black bass were the most abundant with a total of 96,370 being caught making up 27.18 percent of the total number and 42.53 percent of the total weight. This may be ex- ained by the fact that while fishing for most of the other species is seasonal many local Tishermen fish for largemouth bass throughout the year. --- Page 3 --- 3° Table 3 records the fish per man=hour for each species. Only those catches which contained one species were used in this calculation. In catches of more than one species, it is impossible to accurately determine the time spent in catching each spe- sies. There were so few pure catches of sunfish (bluegill, redear, warmouth, etc.) that these were grouped together and calculated as sunfish per man-hour of fishing. No pure catches of channel catfish were examined. Table 4 shows the fishing success for each method of fishing. Only those catches were one method of fishing was employed were used in this calculation. This pro- cedure was necessary because it was impossible to obtain an accurate estimate of how long each method was employed when more than one method was used. Table 5 records the fish per man-hour of fishing for each type of bait used. Only those catches where one method of fishing was employed were used in this calculation. Tables 6 through 13 show the periods of best fishing for each species, based upon actual creel checks. The number of fishermen actually contacted was divided into the number of each species that was caught. This was calculated by month and plotted on graphs to show the average number of each species per creel. These graphs are intended to merely show the trend in fishing success each month, or periods when they were "biting" best. SUMMARY Due to heavy cypress growth on Caddo Lake, the original plan of contacting fishing boats over the entire lake was abandoned. Instead, a system of road blocks and census stations was established and calculations made by ratios. Road blocks and census stations were operated every fifth day which amounted to 73 census days for the ‘period. Breaking this down to days of the week, creel census fell on Sundays, Tuesdays, “‘nursdays and Fridays ten times and on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays eleven times. During this period, a calculated 70,575 fishermen fished in Caddo Lake. These fishermen caught a total of 354,503 fish weighing a total of 124,638 pounds. Each fish- erman caught an average of 5.02 fish per fishing day and an average of 1.76 pounds of fish per fishing day. Road block figures show that 14,115 fishermen visited the lake on the 73 cen- sus days. Census stations on the lake counted and measured the catches of 3,294 of 23 percent of those fishermen. The 3,294 fishermen contacted fished a total of 17,320 hours and caught 23,376 fish which is 1.34 fish per man-hour of fishing. Largemouth bass were taken in the greatest numbers, a total of 96,370 being taken during the period. These bass had an average weight of .55 pounds and a total weight of 53,003 pounds. The next three species in order of abundance were bluegill sun- fish, 79,555, redear sunfish, 66,566 and warmouth sunfish 33,873. When fishermen were contacted at public camps, their fish were measured to the nearest inch. This was done in order to expedite measurement and to minimize delay to the fishermen. This measurement was accurate enough for all purposes except age group deter-~ mination. It was found upon examination of the data that one inch measurements would not show age groups clearly enough to be valid. The road on which road block A is located was undergcing revairs from the first part of November to the latter part of January 1955, and was impassble in bad weather dur- ag that period. Even in good weather fishermen would forgo trips to the lake for fear cvhey would be caught by the rain and would be unable to get out. The fact that this road leads to several popular public fishing camps on the lake no doubt caused the fishing pressure figures to be lower than normal. --- Page 4 --- Table 1. Weights and Numbers of Fish Caught in Caddo Lake, Harrison County, Texas, March 3, 1954 through March 2, 1955 a | Species - No. Caught Average Length | Average Weight | Total Weight (inches) (pounds ) (pounds ) L. M. Black Bass 96,370.43 53,003.73 Spotted Bass 2,618.60 1,911.57 White Crappie | 6,206.75 2,296.49 Black Crappie 18, 380.15 10,109.08 Warmouth 33,873.80 7452.23 Redear Sunfish 66,566.50 11,981.97 Bluegill Sunfish 79,555.20 15,911.04 Spotted Sunfish 7,058. 352.90 Longear Sunfish 2hi. 36.18 White Bass 6,012. 2,525.16 Yellow Bass 16,854. 4,045.16 Channel Catfish 544.60 119.81 Bullhead Catfish 807.10 548.82 Flathead Catfish 123.19 142.90 Freshwater Drum 1, 382.25 1,465.18 Chain Pickerel 17,938.85 12,736.58 Totals 354..503.92 124 ,638,81 --- Page 5 --- Table 2. Species L. M. Black Bass Spotted Bass White Crappie Black Crappie Warmouth Redear Sunfish Bluegill Sunfish Spotted Sunfish Longear Sunfish White Bass Yellow Bass S. Channel Catfish Bullhead Catfish Flathead Catfish Freshwater Drum Chain Pickerel Totals Percent of Total by Number and Weight, 16 Species, Caddo Lake, Harrison County, Texas, March 3, 1954 through March 2, 1955. 18, 380. 33,073. 66,566. 19,555 7,058. aki. 6,012 16,854. Suu, 807. 123. 1,362. 17,938. 354.503 96, 370. 2,618. 6,206. No. Caught 43 60 15 15 80 50 -20 LO 25 -30 85 60 10 19 25 85 92 Weight (Pounds 93,003 1,911. 2,296. 10,109. 7,452. 11,981. 15,911. 352. 36. 2,525. 4 Oks. 119. 548, 142, 1,465. 12,736. 12h ,638. ) - 73 aT hg 08 23 97 o4 90 18 16 16 81 82 90 18 58 81 Percent of Total No. 27.18 TH 1.75 5.18 9.56 18.78 22.44 -O7 15 23 .03 39 5.06 100.00 Ls ls 12. 10. 100. Percent of Total Weight he, D2 33 8h .ll .98 61 76 .28 03 £03 £25 . 10 4k .ll .18 22 00 --- Page 6 --- Table 3. Fish Per Man-Hour for Each Species, Caddo Lake, Harrison County, Texas, March 3, 1954 through March 2, 1955 ORR ERC Se RRNA, 8 REN NT RONEN eG: PS ON OAM te a Re amen Species Number Caught Number Hours Fished SRNR orm ram mm Se ee | L. M. Black Bass 1,323 .66 | Spotted Bass 5 21 | Sunfish | 10,964 | 3, 336 3.28 | Pike | 54 | 199 27 | Crappie (Black & White) | 90 106 ok | White Bass | 43 | 109 39 | Yellow Bass 13 65 ,20 | Drum | 2 . LO Bullhead | 1 20 | Flathead 1 33 | Gar No pure catches of channel catfish were examined. --- Page 7 --- Table 4. Fish Per Man-Hour for Each Method of Fishing, Caddo Lake, Harrison County, Texas, March 3, 1954 through March 2, 1955 | Method No. Caught No.. Hours Fish Per Fished Man-Hour Casting 4,406 7,044 .€2 Still Fishing 15,692 7,614 2.06 Fly Fishing 191 146 1.30 Trolling 60 54 1.11 Table 5. Fish Per Man-Hour for Each Type of Bait Used, Caddo Lake, Harrison County, Texas, March 3, 1954 through March 2, 1955 | Bait Used No. Man-Hour Plugs 59 Worms 5,050.5 2.64 | Artificial flies 146 1.30 Minnows 1,179.5 1.05 Crayfish 67 2.47 --- Page 8 --- Average Table 6. Pericds of Best Fishing for Largemouth Bass in Caddo Lake As Indicated by Actual Creel Checks, March 3, 1954 through March 2, 1955 Dio Feb. Mar. Apr. May dune July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. .§ ly @ Table 7. Periods of Best Fishing for Spotted Bass in Caddo Lake as Indicated by Actual Creel Checks, March 3, 1954 through March 2, 1955 JBN Feb. Mar. Apre May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dez 200 Nid --- Page 9 --- White Crappie Per Creel Average No. of oh Creel e Per Crappi k ct Bla or No, Avery 1.50 Table 8, an. Feb. Periods of Best Fishing for White Crappie in Caddo Lake as Indicated By Actual Creel Checks, March 3, 1954 through March 2, 1955 Mar. Apr. May June July Table 9. Periods of Best Fishing for Black Crappie in Caddo Lake as Indicated by Actual Creel Checks, March 3, 1954 through March 2, 1955 we --- Page 10 --- -r Creel Average Number of Brear Table 10. Periods of Best Fishing for Bream (Redear, Bluegill, Warmouth, Longear, and Spotted Sunfish) Fishing in Caddo Lake as Indicated By Actual Creel Checks, March 3, 1954 through March 2, 1955. 9 Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dee. ee) ~] ON Oa i Lee) ine) aoa oO iy ET SEALE SE PA ST TA Th --- Page 11 --- of White Bass Per Creel Ge Average No Creel. rerage No. of Yellow Bass Per Table ll. ° es Periods of Best Fishing for White Bass in Caddo Lake As Indicated ‘By Actual Creel Checks, March 3, 1954 through March 2, 1955 Mar. Apr. June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. HERE HNSEEECECE Table le. og? ° Feb. oO SJ Periods of Best Fishing for Yellow Bass in Caddo Lake As Indicated By Actual Creel Checks, March 3, 1954 through March 2, 1955 Mar. Apr. May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dee. Y --- Page 12 --- Average No. of Chain Pickerel Per Creel 1.00¢an- Table 13. Feb. Periods of Best Fishing For Chain Pickerel in Caddo Lake as Indicated by Actual Creel Checks, March 3, 1954 through March 2, 1955 Mar. Apr. May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. --- Page 13 --- LOUISIANA CADDO LAKE CARTERS bank BIG LAKE @ \ \ a J BIG LAKE : 7 B® Road Blocks : : ¢ | t @ Consis Stations j ~ ‘ex fo - 2 : J y RAM ACE ? j eH SA 4 | Sceue £ % Z = = eel | wee ILE r] Ny B a F-3~R-l, Tob B~2