TPWD 1955 F-5-R-2 #159: Inventory of Species Present in Lake Brownwood, Brownwood, Texas: Segment Completion Report, Project F-5-R-2, Job B-5

--- Page 1 --- STATE Texas PROJECT NO. F-5-R-2, Job B-5 PERIOD June 22, 1954 - May 1, 1955 Segment Completion Report Lawrence S. Campbell Project Leader William G. McClelland Assistant Project Leader Inventory of Species Present in Lake Brownwood, Brownwood, Texas. OBJECTIVES To determine the species present and their relative abundance and to deter- mine the ecological factors influencing their distribution. PROCEDURE Forty-one gill nets were set at twelve different locations in the lake, Experimental nylon gill nets, measuring 125 ft. long x 8 ft. in depth, and made up in five, 25 ft. sections were used. Mesh size for these nets increased progressively in each following section at 1/2 inch intervals beginning with one-inch mesh and termina- ting with a three-inch mesh section. Twenty seining collections were made at eight seining stations in the reser- in nearly all collections both 26 ft. ¢" mesh bag seines and 15 ft. £" common > seines were used. To estimate relative abundance a count was made of all indivi- vaken in two hauls with a 26 ft. ¢" mesh bag seine. In addition to that work; C eining collections were made to determine seasonal distribution of species, and to secure samples of fry after the spring spawning of some species. For this work ft. common sense seines with }" mesh and 1/16" mesh were used. ct m1 mM Water analysis to determine dissolved carbon dioxide and oxygen content was vaken at eight different locations on the lake, and pH, surface water temperature, and climatic conditions were recorded for each netting and seining collection, In netting collections samples from each collection for each species were weigned, measured and sexed in the field. A scale sample was taken and stomachs con- taining food were preserved for laboratory study. Similar work for seining collections iacluded identifying and counting all fish taken. Individuals needed for laboratory study were preserved in 10% formalin. FINDING During the segment the reservoir receded to an estimated 49,000 acre feet storage, and was refilled to spillway capacity of 137,000 acre feet by rainfall during April and May, 1955. Maximum surface temperature recorded during the period was 81° F., and the minimum record was 58° F. Minimum dissolved oxygen recorded during the segment was 3 ppm. Maximum carbon dioxide was 15 ppm. Maximum turbidity taken was 12, --- Page 2 --- Netting Results: As shown in Table No. I., seven hundred and seventy individuals of eleven ; were taken in forty-one net sets. As compared with first segment netting ions, this sample catch indicates significant changes in the numerical ratio River carp suckers (Carpiodes carpio), long nose gar teus osseus), freshwater drum (Aplodinotus grunniens), and largemouth black s (Micropterus salmoides) are apparently increasing. Data for white bass (Morone chrysops ), and southern channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus ) indicate population Twenty seining collections captured 2,609 individuals of twenty-two species. Of this sample principal population increases are indicated for mosquito fish (Gambusia affinis), red shiner (Notropis lutrensis), blacktail shiner (Notropis venustus), and rgemouth black bass (Micropterus salmoides). Population decreases are indicated for ard shad (Dorosoma cepedianum) and white bass (Morone chrysops). Log perch (Percina odes} aud spotted largemouth bass (Micropterus punctulatus) were captured for the first time in the lake. Because recession in the lake exposed dense woody vegetation im all areas where seining had been previously done, and because suitable new locations s work were not located, adequate seining was impossible during the last three s of work. For that reason data from these collections is not included in Table Remarks ¢ A continuation of this job has been requested and approved for next segment. During this period, fifty-four man days were spent working at the lake, and an estimated mine man days were spent working on this job at the laboratory. SUMMARY 1. Lake Brownwood receded approximately 49,000 acre feet during the year and was refilled during April and May, 1955. NO is fa) or et Fs 3 ise} a oO hk bh oO Q ct be o 5B n fee 3B Qs = gQ $F] ct @ K He < QD K fo) i Ky ie} wn co OQ ~ D K nm Ne fe {s) 5 09 B © na D ga © Ley aod Esty 4 Ao on pee t southern channel catfish populations are decreasing. es) » seining collections indicate mosquito fish, red shiners, blacktail shiners and largemouth black bass are increasing, and that gizzard shad and white bass are decreasing. Log perch and spotted bass were taken for the first time. 4, A continuation of this job has been requested and approved for next segment. --- Page 3 --- Table 7 Netting Collections From Lake Brownwood b by % by Species Jul. Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Mar. Apr. May Total No. Wt. Avg. K Dorosoma cepedianum LO 38 13 23 2 WL 51 31 61 21 321 41.69 18.64 1.83 Carpiodes carpio 23 11 0 1 2 31 1h i, 28 9 120 15.58 18.95 2.38 Ictiobus bubalus 0 3 6 5 4 \ 0 1 17 4 bho 65.72 12.65 3.48 Cyprinus carpio 0) 2] 1 2 2 0) 0) .@) O e 9 Ll] 5.20 2.40 Lepisosteus osseus 0 © 2 3 8 0 0 0 4 0 172.21 8.54 »290 Aplodinotus grunniens 9 0 WI 1 ©) @) 6) fo) i e 54 «7.01 4.75 2,38 Pilodictus olivaris fo) 1 ) ©) 0 0) @) 6) ©) 1 2 226 92 861.95 Morone chrysops WI 11 4 10 @) 22 5 6 2 ) 101 13.12 15.95 2.20 Micropterus salmoides ‘| 0 0 0 1 h 0 0 @) 1 13. «1.68 5.04 2,59 Ictalurus punctatus ) 9 3 1 5 i 2 9 6 5 yk = 55,72 4.23 1.93 Pomdxis annularis 8 11 5 0 © 0 2 4 11 4 45S 55,84 5.15 3.29 128 186 6s) 46 oh 116 74 52 130 4g 770 100. 100, --- Page 4 --- Table If Seining Collections From Lake Brownwood Species duly Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. dan. Feb, Total % by Number Gambusia affinis 14s 200 15 31 12 fe) 120 28 611 23.41 Notropis lutrensis 21 180 21 18 64 28 16 2h. 372 14.25. Notropis venustus @) 64 10 38 21. 30 8 Q 171 6.60 Notropis amabilis ) 28 18 ) fe) el 30 0 oT 3.77 Notemigonus chrysoleucas ie) ok 20 0 0 LO ie) 18 Te 2a 5 Pimephales vigilax ak 50 1a ak fe) 12 14 0 136 5.21 Fundulus notatum 38 21 38 2k 12 21 60 fe) 21h 8.20 Hybognathus placitus 14 8 12 fe) 0 es 12 ) va" 2.72 Percina caprodes @) 10 0 ) 0 0 18 0 28 1.07 Ictiobus bubalus 2 0 0 1 0 2 0 0 5 ol9 Carpiodes carpio 0 2 4. ) he 7 0 QO | 205 Dorosoma cepedianum 8 14 KL 6 14 2 LT fe) 102 3.90 --- Page 5 --- Species Lepisosteus osseus Micropterus salmoides Micropterus punctulatus Pomoxis annularis Morone chrysops Lepomis macrochirus Lepomis microlophus Lepomis cyanellus Lepomis auritus Chaenobryttus coronarius July <) 6 LO 20 18 20 316 Table II (Continued) Seining Collections From Lake Brownwood Aug. Ty 2 20 25 18 704 Sept. 2 8 18 13 304. Oct. 0 4 2h al 22 2h0 Nov. 61 18 31 eat Dec. De Fre) 218 390 O ON 19 47 le 180 266 50 112 oo 35 2,609 % by Number 223 1.38