TPWD 1955 F-3-R-2 #136: Project No. F-3-R-2, Job B-3: Check on Commercial Catch of Rough Fish from Caddo Lake, Job Completion Report

--- Page 1 --- STATE TEXAS PROJECT NO. F-3-R-2, Job B-3 PERIOD Nov. 1, 1953--Oct. 31, 1954 Job Completion Report Charles E. Gray Assistant Project Leader Check on Commercial Catch of Rough Fish from Caddo Lake. OBJECTIVES To determine the effectiveness of commercial fishing on the control or 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. 3CUSSION Due to the *tineracy of some of the commercial fishermen. complete data were dif- ficult to obtain. However, one of the public camp operators, who buys and sells fish, states that he buys most of the :-ommerciel fish caught in Caddo Lake. This man has been on the lake for é number of years and is in frequent contact with the commercial fish- erman. He has been very cooperative in keeping accurate records of fish he has bovcht. His information, supplemented by information obtr‘ned from the more cooperative iisher- men, should be a fairly accurate estimate of th. 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 l2-month period. Attempts have been made to obtain data on numbers of fish as well as weight. but commercial fish- erman are reluctant to do this, especially when large numbers of smaller fish are taken. 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 whole- sale fish from other fishermen kept accurate records which were supplemented by data from other commercial fishermen. The figures in this report are no doubt below the actual value, but it is believed that they are as accurate as could be obtained under sting circumstances. --- Page 2 --- & A total of 19,782 pounds o* rough fish were taken which have a market value of $6,533.03 at the present price. Burfalo were the most abundant by weight, making up "1.7% of the total catch. Since commercie’ fishermen revurn inedible species such as gar and shad to the lake as they are taken frou wie news, they were reluctant to keep records on those species. Therefore, iv was | ssiole to obtain an accurate estimate of the value of commercial fishing on roug. and vredaciou. species. --- Page 3 --- TABTE #1. Weights of Fish Zaken by Commercial Fishermen b Month ,and_ Species Nov. 1, 1953 through Oct, _3i, 1954..* spacmss Nov. ne. | sar |. | sen, | nav oor. | rorars | Paddle fish Buffalo Bullheads Blue Catfish Flathead Channel Catfish Freshwater drum * Weight in Pounds --- Page 4 --- TABLE # 2. Market Value of Fish Caught by Commercial Fishermen, Caddo Lake, November 1, 1953 through Oct. 31, 1954 AVERAGE TOTAL CATCH RETAIL MARKET (POUNDS ) | PRICE PER POUND NOT DRESSED PANDLE FISH 281.5 ; $ 42,23 BUFFALO , 8,264.0 ‘ 2,479.20 BULLHEAD CATFISH 4 646.0 . 1,393.80 BLUE CATFISH 2 360.0 : 14h .00 FLATHEAD CATFISH 1,860.5 . Th .20 CHANNEL CATFISH 4 021.5 . 1,608.60 FRESHWATER DRUM 484.0 . 121.00 --- Page 5 --- SPECIES Paddle fish Buffalo Bullhead cat Blue cat Flathead cat Channel cat Freshwater drum TABLE #3. ~-Oct. 31, 1954 FOR THE ENTIRE PERIOD ' 100.0% i)