TPWD 1955 F-5-R-2 #163: Inventory of species present in Oak Creek Reservoir at Blackwell, Texas: Segment Completion Report, Project F-5-R-2, Job B-4

--- Page 1 --- STATE Texas PROJECT NO, F-5~R-2, Job B-4 PERIOD June 22, 1954 - May 1, 1955 Segment Completion Report Lawrence S. Campbell Project Leader William G. McClelland Assistant Project Leader TITLE Inventory of species present in Oak Creek Reservoir at Blackwell, Texas. OBJECTIVES To determine the species present and their relative abundance as well as to determine the ecological factors influencing their distribution. PROCEDURE Forty-eight gill net collections were made at twelve netting stations in Oak Greek Reservoir. 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 in- creased progressively in each following section at one-half inch intervals, beginning with one-inch mesh and terminating with a three-inch mesh section. Thirty-three seining collections were made at twelve seining stations in the reservoir. In nearly all collections, both 26 ft. i" mesh bag seines and 15 ft. q" sh common sense seines were used. To estimate relative abundance, a count was made all individuals taken in two hauls with a 26 ft. ¢" mesh bag seine for each collec- on. In addition to that work other seining collections were made to determine sea- sonal distribution of species and to secure samples of fry after the spring spawning of fishes. For this latter work, four ft. common sense seines with ral mesh and 1/16" mesh were used. Water analysis for dissolved carbon dioxide and oxygen content was taken each month and surface temperature, pH, and climatic conditions were recorded for each netting and seining collection. Turbidity was taken for six collections. Netting collection samples were weighed, measured and sexed in the field. A sample of each species were examined for stomach content, and organs requiring labora- tory study were preserved in 10% formalin. PINDING During the segment the lake receded to approximately 13,370 acre feet volume, a loss of approximately 8,000 acre feet, and refilled to about 30,000 acre feet in May 1955. The lakes water remained clear (0.0 turbidity). The maximum carbon dioxide con- tent recorded during the segment was 7.5 ppm and the lowest dissolved oxygen content was Sppm. Maximum surface temperature recorded was 83° F. and the minimum record was 58° F, Average pH was 8.4. --- Page 2 --- Netting Collections: As shown in Table No. JT; forty-eight net collections captured 1,124 indivi- duals of thirteen species. Gray redhorse suckers (Moxostoma congestum) were taken for the first time during the segment as were flathead catfish (Pilodictus olivaris) and white bass (Morone chrysops). The flatheads captured were believed to be fish previously released in stocking. Carp (Cyprinus carpio) were not taken in collections during the segment, although 1953 netting captured one of these fish. Southern chan- nel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) and sunfishes (Lepomis) were more numerous than in previous collections, and largemouth black bass (Micropterus salmoides), gizzard shad (Dorosoma cepedianum), and river carp suckers (Carpiodes carpio) decreased numerically. Seining Collections: During the segment thirty-three seining collections captured 1,474 indivi- duals of seventeen species. New species collected were white bass (Morone chr sops ) long nose gam (Lepisosteus osseus), warmouth bass (Chaenobryttus coronarius), golden shiner (Notemigonus chrysoleucas), plains minnow (Hybognathus placitus) and a (Notropis} whose identity has not been confirmed. Increases were apparent in populations of red shiners (Notropis lutrensis), and spotted sunfish (Lepomis punctatus), and mosquito fish (Gambusia affinis), white crappie (Pomoxis annularis), and parrot minnows (Pime- phales vigilax) decreased, Remarks 3 A continuance has been requested and approved for this job for next segment. SUMMARY i. The volume of the lake receded 8,000 acre feet and refilled to a new maxi- mum oF 30,000 acre feet. eo. Netting results indicate increases in southern channel catfish and sun-~ fishes, and decreases in largemouth black bass, gizzard shad, and river carp suckers. 3. White bass and flathead catfish were taken for the first time during the segment, and increases in red shiners and spotted sunfish taken by seine ing were apparent. 4, A continuation of this job was requested and approved for next segment . --- Page 3 --- Species Dorosoma cepedianum Carpiodes carpio Lepisosteus osseus Moxostoma congestum Aplodinotus grunniens Ameiurus natalis Piloductus olivaris Ictalurus punctatus Micropterus salmoides Morone chrysops Pomoxis annularis Sunfishes July Aug. O 2 Los) 19 Le he 39 Table I Netting Collections From Oak Creek Reservoir Sept. O L a9 Oct. 6) he a7 Nov. O 85 Dec, 26 43 Jan. 18 Ww Feb. Le ne) 51 Mar. al \O ON Apr. 16 el 28 108 % by % by May Total No. Wt. Lay 183 43 «178 11 13 2 2 8 i 116 197 2 2 126 1h5 iF 16 0 17 21 = 3 117) 317 564 1,124 16.28 8.01 15,64 36.18 1.15 6.42 -l9 69 12.91 10.53 1.43 3,02 1.52 2.97 3.83 2,82 28.21 13.72 100.9 100.0 Avg. K 18h. 29 252 228 eke 2h0 248 234 236 234 254 --- Page 4 --- Table IT Seining Collections From Oak Creek Reservoir Species July Aug. Oct. Nov. Dec. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Total ‘ae Gambusia affinis 13 21 @) 0 0 2h 12 10 an 104. 7.05 Notropis lutrensis 68 102 yh 30 22 110 6 73 58 513 34.80 Notropis venustus 0 0 13 0 6 0 21 14 8 62 4,21 Pimephales vigilax 0 11 7 0 23 8 LL 16 21 97 6.58 Hybognathus placitus 0 21 8 h 11 5 6 13 8 76 6.15 Notemigonus chrysoleucas @) ) ) y 16 7 el 28 31 107 7.25 Dorosoma cepedianum 4 4 6 fe) 0 20 10 31 16 81 5.49 Carpiodes carpio O 0 ) 2 he ) 1 1 6 14 295 Lepisosteus osseus ©) 0 0 0 2 O 0 6 yh 12 .Ol Micropterus salmoides 2 4 2 1 9 0 0 4 16 38 2.57 Morone chrysops fe) fe) © O 2 ) h 13 2 21 1.42 Lepomis macrochirus 21 13 6 13 14 2 6 12 18 95 6.45 Lepomis cyanellus 4 16 9 2 ) 0 ei 8 11 71 4,82 Lepomis microlophus 0) 0 10 6) 2 2 0 8 2 ak 1.63 Lepomis megalotis 0 @) 0 13 2 @ 0 6 12 33 2.24 Lepomis auritus 38 26 19 il 0 h 6) 8 2 108 7-33 Chaenobryttus coronarius 0 2 2 6) @) 4 3 1 6 18 1,22 150 220 126 7 186 112 252 e245 1,474 100.0 oO je KB oS)