TPWD 1959 F-3-R-6 #523: Job Completion Report: Studies of Netting Methods Used for Taking Fish in Jasper and Tyler Counties, Project No. F-3-R-6

--- Page 1 --- Job Completion Report FILE State of TEXAS Project No. F-3-R-6 Name: Fisheries Investigations and Surveys of the Waters of Region 5-B. Job No. E-4 Title: tudies of Netting Methods Used for Takin Fish in Jasper and Tyler Counties. Period Covered: June 1, 1958 through May 31, 1959 Abstract: In order to have some facts and figures available to support mesh size regulations in Jasper and Tyler Counties, which have become regulatory authority counties, this job was conducted. Gill nets with mesh sizes ranging from one inch bar measure to four inches bar measure were used in making this study. Numbers and weights of each species of fish taken from each size mesh were recorded and compiled over an eleven months period. These data, shown in Table I, revealed that the three inch mesh is most effective for capturing rough or commercial fish species without endangering the game fish species. These data clearly indicate that the use of three inch mesh nets would be beneficial to this fishery in removing large numbers of rough fish while only taking a very small per- centage of game species. Objectives: To determine the effect of the present legal netting methods on game fish and rough fish in Jasper and Tyler Counties. Procedure: Jasper County and certain precincts of Tyler County have become regulatory counties under Game and Fish Commission jurisdiction. It was felt that some data should be ob- tained before making any recommendations as to a legal minimum mesh size for nets. The principle public waters concerned in this job are the Neches and Angelina Rivers and Dam "B" Reservoir lying within Jasper and Tyler Counties. Gill nets were used in making this study. The dimensions of the nets are as follows: one inch bar measure up to three inches bar measure graduating one-half inch every 25 feet, making a total of five mesh sizes for a 125 foot net; one and one-half inch bar measure up to four inches bar measure graduated one-half inch every 25 feet, making a total of six mesh sizes for a 150 foot net. These nets were eight feet deep. Therefore, seven mesh sizes were used ranging from one inch to four inches. The nets were marked with red paint where the mesh size changed so that the fish could be kept separate as they were removed from the net. There was a total of 128 overnight net sets made over the eleven months period. The nets were set in all areas of Dam "B" Reservoir, and up- stream in the Angelina and Neches Rivers for several miles, and downstream to the Toll Ferry crossing on the Neches River. The nets were usually set singly but sometimes in pairs in order to get a wide distribution of sets. As the fish were removed from the --- Page 2 --- nets, they were placed in containers for each mesh size (See photograph). They were then counted and weighed by species and mesh size. At the end of the job all of these data was compiled into Table I which gives the total numbers, weight and average weight for each mesh size by fish species. Because the larger mesh nets were not used until October the total lengths of net by mesh size is not uniform. Considering this, the figures of the total catch (actual catch) in numbers do not give a fair picture of what each size mesh really catches. The 1, 34 and 4 inch meshes are the ones that are not in line with the others. To correct these figures so as to make them all from the same lengths of net, the total number figures were computed for 3,250 feet of mesh. This makes all the figures on the basis of 3,250 feet of each size mesh, which was the actual amount of 14, 2, es and 3 inch mesh used. The percentage figures and the average weights remain the same for both sets of data. For the purpose of this study all catfish species, except the bullheads, were clas- sified as game fish because of the heavy fishing pressure on them by sportsmen. Findings: As can be seen by looking at the figures at the bottom of Table I the three inch mesh stands out from all the others by being the most effective in catching rough or commercial fish. The percentage figures are 84.17% rough fish and 15.83% game fish com- pared to 69.92% rough fish and 30.08% game fish in the 23 inch mesh. The total numberr of fish caught drops from 266 in the a4 inch mesh to 120 in the 3 inch mesh. However, the average weight jumps from 2.14 pounds in the as inch mesh to 3.65 pounds in the 3 inch mesh. The figures for the h. inch mesh are based on only one fish caught out of a total of 900 feet of net. The figures for 33 inch mesh are 66.67% rough fish and 33.33% game fish or a total of only 54 in numbers but an average weight of 3.44 lbs. A total of 17,050 feet of net was used and 2,501 fish weighing 2927.82 pounds were caught. There were 28 fish species caught. Conclusions and Recommendations: Considering the data collected in this job, 3 inch bar measure mesh is the most efficient mesh size for nets used in the area of Jasper and Tyler Counties. It is therefore recommended that a minimum bar mesh size of 3 inches be used in these waters. These figures can be used as a basis for making future net regulation recommendations in the Southeast Texas area. Prepared by _ John N. Dorchester Approved by Af COT vote Assistant Project Leader Director Inland Fisheries Division Date May 19, 1959 --- Page 3 --- Table I. Mesh Size Feet of Net Species Alligator gar Longnose gar Shortnose gar Spotted gar Bowfin Results of Dam "B" Reservoir Netting Showing Catch by Mesh Size. 2 Ik 2 Inch . 3250 Feet 900 Feet 1 Inch 3 Inch 2 Inch 3250 Feet 3250 Feet 3250 Feet 900 Feet. = 2 = = er D> << x & > < 3 = ct = oF: > Es G = Pr Ip fw lor re) un) a ial Q De) @ |r nm [2 ° wy - te mm Iw ea Ps od SIS - ie i feo} 6.69] 4.8 = js Gizzard shad 0.43487 62.43] 0.72}12 4 Inch Totals 17,050 Feet Wt. Blecktail redhorse Spotted sucker Blue sucker = w Py °o Gray redhorse Chubsucker Carpsucker Carp Smallmouth buffalo Yellow bullhead Black bullhead Freshwater drum Channel catfish Blue catfish uw - - 4y PP EEEEULEL eet 6 ier) C = oa + 3 8 Le) a A 4y © S| Ne} x 5 © gs ° 4 ~ E |}. be fo Bb OV ow ° w ww wu oO jw Qo = ° Oy me - @ fo) Q we Le Si wv D 0 FS |e ww 1 nm rm Ww n wr BR aD mo WwW nm |o = &- 1% Pole Wi fw safe o. | £ a |90 He £& nN Pie JA le fo w Ne} Ww ETO oOo jw & {a FIGS a] Flathead catfish Largemouth bass Spotted bass 15 Warmouth Bluegill sunfish Longear sunfish Redear sunfish White crappie ON ae) Black crappie 22 TT _ || i || Total Rough Fish Total Game Fish % Rough Fish % Game Fish Total All Fish Total Rough Fish Total Game Fish % Rough Fish % Game Fish Total All Fish we a Data corrected to 3250 feet of net he. =a 12.3 2501 61 = = S 6 F165 1° |R 2 5 8 fe) ae w ie ie} z pa = ra = wa a7 304388 QO. Oo. 58.85 60.44 171.68 p827 .82 41.15 39.56 J28. 32 ub. oS 12.3 0.574982 3.61 Note: Weights are given in pounds. --- Page 4 --- As fish were removed from the nets, they were placed in a container for each size mesh. Field Assistants Larry Fisher and Kenneth Bales are shown.